2012 brings locals many memorable people stories

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part year-in-review series of 2012 Valley Life features. The first part was printed in Sunday’s Frontiersman.

MAT-SU — During the year that the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman celebrated 65 years of bringing local news to the Valley, the Mat-Su’s hometown newspaper continued its decades-long tradition of telling the personal stories of our neighbors.

Some are stories of triumph, others of struggle, while others aimed to illuminate the Valley’s roots. Many of these are longer, more in-depth features that centerpiece our Sunday Valley Life pages. In today’s edition, we conclude our recap of some of the more memorable Valley Life features of 2012. You can also read these year-in-review stories online at Frontiersman.com to get access to links to the original full stories.

JULY

Thousands turn out for July 4^th parade, picnic

WASILLA — Celebrating Independence Day is a big deal here.

That’s why organizers of the annual Wasilla Fourth of July Parade rolled out a new 1.5-mile downtown route, about a half-mile longer than previous routes. Even allowing for growth and a new staging area for the nearly 1,200 parade participants, it may not have been enough.

“The route had better flow this year,” said Lyn Carden, Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce executive director and parade organizer. “I think the staging worked really, really well, but I think any time you have 100 parade entries over a mile-and-a-half route, there’s always something you’ve got to work out. This year we tried having (the parade) intersect at Lucille and Swanson.”

Among those thousands celebrating America’s independence were sisters Katie and Kira Christiansen. Both dressed in their finest red, white and blue dresses and hair ribbons, 3-year-old Katie was too shy to talk about the Fourth of July, but Kira, 6, knew what all of the hubbub was about.

“It’s America’s birthday,” she said, adding she doesn’t know how old America is (it’s 236 years young).

Along with mom Cassandra and dad Kyle, the family had staked out its usual parade watching spot. “We’re here every year sitting right here,” Kyle said. “It’s some strange addiction, I guess.”

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/thousands-turn-out-for-annual-parade-picnic/article_6ae69fc4-c71d-11e1-8e08-001a4bcf887a.html

Valley youth teach TV audience about rain gardens

PALMER — On a sunny afternoon at Spring Creek Farm off Farm Loop Road, kids rearrange plants in the background as scientists and volunteers talk to a TV crew from the East Coast.

What got the television show excited enough to come to Palmer? Rain gardens.

Wait, rain gardens?

Yup.

“This is something that’s catching on all around the country,” said Frankie Barker, an environmental planner with the Mat-Su Borough.

Catherine Inman, who runs a business called Mat-Su Conservation Services, explained that this particular rain garden collects water from the downspout coming off the roof of one of the farm buildings and reuses it to water the garden.

“It’s a simple rain garden to pull the water away from an older building,” Inman said.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/valley-youth-teach-tv-audience-about-rain-gardens/article_dc5cf5fc-d926-11e1-8325-0019bb2963f4.html

AUGUST

Alaska Railroad played major role in making modern Mat-Su

PALMER — At first blush, one might presume it was the 1935 Matanuska Colony project that put Palmer on the map. While Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “New Deal” agricultural experiment brought the Valley national attention, it served to broaden, not initiate, its founding and settlement.

Central to Palmer’s historical district is the train depot, the shiny black Engine No. 5 locomotive and, sadly, only remnants of railroad tracks. In their day, these artifacts served an essential role in the building of the Valley, the support of Navy efforts in World War I and in maintaining a cargo and social lifeline between individuals and communities living along the rail line.

Twentieth century pioneers came to Alaska by boat, sailing into the only deep-water port of the time, Seward. From there they rode the train to Anchorage, to Matanuska or to Wasilla. Then they relied on horse and buggy or wagon to travel to their new home site. For Matanuska Colonists, tents were erected adjacent to the railway in preparation for their arrival. As homes were completed, colonists moved from the tents to the new structures, though many endured that first winter living in those canvas tents. The Alaska Railroad maintained regular rail service into the mid-1960s.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/alaska-railroad-played-big-role-establishing-modern-mat-su/article_fe4d1ea2-de9a-11e1-9b39-001a4bcf887a.html

Support for families is goal of new nonprofit

PALMER — Military families sacrifice much to protect America and defend freedom, and that spirit of selflessness often extends beyond service in the armed forces.

That was evident this past Christmas, when a band of friends got together and put the word out they were planning to provide Christmas for a local family, said Jennifer Baker, president of Hopes for Heroes Inc. Donations came in for the unidentified family, including a poignantly meaningful gift from a family struggling itself.

The husband and father had recently been medically retired with post-traumatic stress disorder, and he and his wife were struggling to provide for their four children. Still, when they learned a military family was in need, they donated a gift basket they had received from a church. While they certainly could have used that basket, when they heard another military family needed help, they felt compelled to give, Baker said.

That’s why emotions were high on Christmas when Baker and friends showed up at the family’s house and the retired soldier learned it was his family the group had been collecting for.

“It was the best feeling in the whole world,” Baker said of that moment. “They had no idea it was for them. They had hope again, and that was the best feeling to see them smile. They were in shock, and they both cried. Which, of course, made me cry.”

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/support-for-families-is-goal-for-new-nonprofit/article_33a200ae-e431-11e1-ba2b-001a4bcf887a.html

Historic engine brought to Wasilla for restoration

WASILLA — Vic Jansen recalls his early morning excursions through the Valley.

Along with brother Jim, the Jansens own and operate Lynden Inc., including Lynden Transport, which used to have a contract to haul locally produced milk to Matanuska Maid during the dairy’s heyday 30 years ago.

“We had one driver who would work 10 days on and four days off,” Jansen said. “I would go up and relieve him. We’d pick up milk from 26 dairy farms from the Mat Valley and hauled the milk in to Mat Maid.”

Another workhorse that saw plenty of action hauling necessities around the Last Frontier was Engine 557, a World War II-era locomotive pressed into service for Alaska Railroad. By the time No. 557 was finally sold for scrap in 1964, it had retired as the last steam locomotive in regular service in Alaska.

Nearly 50 years later, the Jansen brothers and Engine 557 are resurrecting a nostalgic piece of the Last Frontier’s railroad history. Over the next year or more, the locomotive will be restored and put back into service, where it will haul passengers between Anchorage and Portage.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/historic-engine-brought-to-wasilla-for-restoration/article_7cb2825c-e9b1-11e1-bf4d-0019bb2963f4.html

Growing passions cultivated at fair

PALMER — A friendly rivalry between world-record giant vegetable growers may see the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off eclipse all other events at the 2012 Alaska State Fair.

If the first-day produce entries are any indication, Palmer greenhouse owner Scott Robb may finally be ready to challenge world-record giant cabbage grower Steve Hubacek. Robb brought in a massive 89-pounder on Wednesday, but the original plant had a lot of outside leaves and smaller heads attached that would’ve challenged Hubacek’s 2009 127-pound record, said Mardie Robb, who runs Colony Greenhouse with her husband.

“That there is just the head,” she said. “To have that much weight just there is incredible. It’s huge, but with the leaves and everything it would’ve been well over 100 pounds easy with the frame it had. It would’ve been pushing Steve’s record.”

If that’s what Scott Robb brought in for the fair’s first day, what will he have for the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off come Aug. 31?

“He’ll challenge Steve’s record, I’m serious,” Mardie said. “Scott is really excited. His biggest (so far) was 103 pounds last year.”

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/growing-passions-cultivated-at-fair/article_e5b30a1a-eda3-11e1-9577-0019bb2963f4.html

Middle-schoolers rate the best rides at Alaska State Fair

Everyone has a favorite part of the Alaska State Fair. But if you’re in middle school or younger, chances are your favorite part are the Golden Wheel Amusement rides.

Although the Frontiersman staff is completely void of middle-school students, Gabe Fish, son of reporter Andrew Wellner, stepped up to help us rank the best, most stomach-churning rides at the fair. And he brought along a pair of thrill-seeking young friends — Haley Hight and Kalvin Maher — to help.

No. 1 came easy for the three. They all agreed it was the best ride, but there were some close calls down the list. All three kids described every ride on the list as “awesome.”

Some rides — Astro Liner, Wacky Worm, we’re looking at you — didn’t make the list, but only just barely.

Oh, and fans of the Squirrel Cages take heart — that one likely would have ranked high but for Gabe and his friends’ refusal to wait in its perpetually long line.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/middle-schoolers-rate-the-best-rides-at-alaska-state-fair/article_818fe19e-ef28-11e1-8ef8-0019bb2963f4.html

SEPTEMBER

Historic structure ready for another century of Valley life

Few things are as simple as an old barn. An old barn reminds us of self-sufficiency and neighborliness. An old barn conjures up images of barefoot children swinging from a rope in the haymow or men throwing hay bales on a hot summer’s day, sounds of softly lowing cows (bellowing, if they need milking), aromas of newly cut hay or the “country sunshine” of animal-produced fertilizer.

I’m (Barbara Hecker) fortunate to live across a country road from the Colony farm — and barn — of my youth. This summer, the old Hecker barn underwent a dramatic uplift. To the passing eye, the barn appeared in fine shape — the traditional red paint was uniform, the barn stood upright, and though the roof showed a tinge of rust, it was unbent by ravaging winds. To the eye of owner Dr. Vaughn Gardner, however, the old cement foundation showed progressive crumbling and the walls had begun to buckle and lean.

Tract No. 140 near Palmer-Fishhook Road was initially won by colonist Earl Barry and family; however, the four-bedroom house was overcrowded with nine children and the farm lacked sufficient tillable acreage. Soon after proving up Tract No. 140, the Barrys moved near Finger Lake where they would farm and develop Barry’s Lake Resort. By 1940, my grandparents, Earl and Kathreen Hecker, bought the Barry place. Fresh from World War II and newly married, my father, William Hecker, later took over the dairy farm operations and mortgage from his parents.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/historic-structure-ready-to-face-another-century-of-valley-life/article_9101203c-ffb0-11e1-b853-001a4bcf887a.html

Friends rally to repair roof before winter

MEADOW LAKES — Those seeking the definition of a strong, free-spirited Alaska woman shouldn’t be surprised to find a photograph of Jeanne Phillips as part of their search.

The 62-year-old artist and gardener came to the Last Frontier in 1977 and lived in a tent while building her Meadow Lakes home. She’s proud to be an independent soul and values her friends and neighbors. She hauled her own water for 25 years and heated with wood for many years. She’s also a recognized name in the local art community as a stained glass artist.

“I built my house myself in 1977 and did all the roofing myself,” Phillips said. “And it lasted 25 years.”

By the time her self-built roof needed replacing, she hired a roofer to do the job, which began a series of events that would lead to what’s become a two-year nightmare for Phillips.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/friends-rally-to-repair-roof-before-winter/article_89ce32c2-052e-11e2-84c3-0019bb2963f4.html

Larson gets 'last lap' at North Star Speedway

PALMER — Although it snowed across parts of the Mat-Su Valley Saturday morning, by the time friends and family met to mourn, remember and celebrate Alaska racing booster Clarence “Lud” Larson Jr., they were met with bright sun and blue skies.

“This day is just a testimony, I think, of our creator here among us,” said his sister, Pastor Suzanne Morelli. “Look at this day! Just incredible!”

Dubbed “Last Lap For Lud,” the funeral service, held at North Star Speedway, included drivers — including Larson’s daughter Cathy Larson — taking Lud’s ashes around the track.

Larson, majority shareholder of the speedway just off Trunk Road south of Parks Highway, died Sept. 12 at age 75. Morelli spoke for many in the crowd when she said that 75 years weren’t enough with Larson.

“Yet he packed that time full of life,” Morelli said.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/friends-family-give-larson-last-lap-at-north-star-speedway/article_af69c05e-0ac0-11e2-9c91-0019bb2963f4.html

OCTOBER

Wasilla cop donates potatoes to nonprofits

WASILLA — On an overcast Wednesday, John McNeal shuttles a visitor up to his potato patch.

His side-by-side four-wheeler barely slows despite heading straight for a very furry cow that soon gets the idea McNeal means business and moves off.

Cresting the hill, there’s his potato patch. Picking the potatoes are about a dozen people, mostly volunteers, all from non-profits that could use a few hundred pounds of tasty tubers.

Between this patch and the one over by his greenhouse, McNeal has less than half an acre in potatoes. But he’s probably looking at 7,600 pounds of spuds, which is way more than he needs.

“When I saw the food pantries and everybody having problems, I was like, let’s donate them,” he said.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/wasilla-cop-donates-potatoes-to-nonprofits/article_b8f34552-1022-11e2-b52c-0019bb2963f4.html

Visitors survive 'Zombie House'

WASILLA — It’s common knowledge Zombies love brains. But did you know they like them roasted in the oven with rosemary to a nice medium rare? Or that zombies eat brains in front of the TV like many living families?

You would if you’re one of the lucky ones to live through a tour of the Zombie Apocalypse Haunted House, a spooky walk through the undead world of zombies at Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Hana Bohman, who’s had part of her face chewed off by another zombie, is the tour guide. During the week, she’s a Palmer High School junior and a member of the symphonic choir. This weekend, she’s set free her undead inner self to help usher in the Halloween season at Zombie House.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/visitors-survive-visit-to-zombie-house-to-benefit-phs-music/article_86dc8506-1b3a-11e2-a460-0019bb2963f4.html

NOVEMBER

Valley voters never forget their first time

WASILLA — With Tuesday’s General Election on the horizon, discussion about state and national candidates and issues is reaching a crescendo.

As attention is focused on choosing the President of the United States for the next four years, along with a laundry list of state and national offices and proposals, there’s a lot to keep voters engaged. While it may seem a chore to some, the privilege of filling out a ballot with a presidential choice on it is memorable.

For Valley resident Patty McKinley, she was voting for the first time when Richard M. Nixon was on the ballot. She was living outside Anchorage and recalls having to take a fairly long car ride to get to a polling place.

Cheryl Page is the registrar at Mat-Su College and helps students who ask for assistance with voting. It’s something she’s done “for about eight or nine years. We encourage that participation and have it in our printed schedule to become a voter.”

Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright is no stranger to elections, but said he still remembers the first time he was able to vote for a presidential candidate. It was 1972, Rupright was in the military serving in Vietnam and the voting age was 21.

“You had to be 21 to drink, 21 to vote, 21 to buy and sell property,” he said. “I thought it was pretty cool. I was in the service and I was in Vietnam.”

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/valley-voters-never-forget-their-first-time/article_fd89e2c8-2636-11e2-b467-001a4bcf887a.html

Vigil sheds light on homeless youth in the Valley

PALMER — After more than two years of couch surfing, sleeping wherever she could find a place to crash, the girl finally caught a break.

The homeless teen was awarded a $2,000 Alaska State Fair scholarship, but her excitement was short-lived, said Michelle Overstreet, a counselor at Burchell High School and a co-founder of Mat-Su Youth Housing. Because the girl, whom Overstreet didn’t identify, was on her own, she couldn’t get a cosigner for a student loan, she had no credit and couldn’t accept the scholarship.

Had that happened several years ago, it would’ve just been another of a long list of disappointments for the homeless teen. But the newly formed Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY House) stepped in, Overstreet said.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/vigil-sheds-light-on-homeless-youth-in-the-valley/article_cb53452e-3879-11e2-ac27-001a4bcf887a.html

DECEMBER

Seniors stir up whimsy with unorthodox calendar

PALMER — Meet “Miss July,” Jean Chapman.

The pin-up calendar bombshell is an attention-getter in her black lingerie, perched on the tailgate of a vintage pickup. She enjoys long walks on the beach, playing bridge, reading and volunteering in her community.

She also remembers the day John F. Kennedy was shot and hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the radio Dec. 7, 1941.

“I remember Pearl Harbor,” the 85-year-old said Friday, the 71st anniversary of the attack. “I was a little kid and we came home from church and had the radio on and we all just couldn’t believe it.”

During World War II, scantily clad photos of bathing beauties on pin-up calendars were a big morale-booster for solders. Today, clients and supporters of Mat-Su Senior Services are capturing some of that whimsical fun in their own beefcake 2013 calendar. At $12 each, money from the sale of the calendars will benefit the senior center.

An added bonus for Chapman is that, after more than eight decades of life, now she gets her turn as a pin-up beauty.

“We thought this would be a wonderful money-raiser, so we said let’s try it,” she said, adding the seniors in the calendar — ranging in age from 66 to nearly 91 — had a blast doing the project.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/seniors-stir-up-whimsy-with-unorthodox-calendar/article_1035104e-41c3-11e2-ae83-0019bb2963f4.html

Family: 'Thank you just doesn't quite cover it'

WASILLA — The 11-year-old Dodge four-door sedan may not seem like much to some, but to one local family it’s a Christmas miracle.

The car, newly reconditioned and fixed up by the Mat-Su Auto Care Group, gives the Swanson family something dad Ben, mom Tara and 10-year-old Natalie haven’t had for a long time — hope.

“It’s still surreal,” Ben said minutes before he and his family were presented the keys to the car Friday morning. “Something actually went right for once.”

While choosing from among the nearly 40 applicants wasn’t easy, the Swansons were a clear choice, said Becky Stoppa of Mat-Su Family Services. In the application, Tara explained that the family had lived in the Fairbanks area for eight years before their daughter Natalie was diagnosed with leukemia about three years ago. The family relocated to Seattle, where Natalie battled her life-threatening disease.

When Natalie was officially told she was in remission — that was this past July 26 — the Swansons returned home to Alaska, hopeful for a fresh start, Tara said. Unfortunately, things haven’t turned out as planned. Ben has been out of work and they didn’t have a vehicle, which made finding a job and getting Natalie to her follow-up medical appointments in Anchorage difficult.

http://www.frontiersman.com/valley_life/family-thank-you-just-doesn-t-quite-cover-it/article_dd0663c8-4ca6-11e2-8f2d-001a4bcf887a.html