Cheezem receives ‘Literacy in Alaska’ award

PALMER — Alaska Center for the Book has recognized Fireside Books owner David Cheezem as one of its 2014 Contributions to Literacy in Alaska award winners.

Cheezem will receive the honor during a ceremony July 15 at the Arts Building on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. The evening begins with a dessert reception at 7:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

A nominator described Cheezem as “a tireless promoter of Alaskan writers, hosting readings and other events to highlight their work.”

Cheezem and his wife established Fireside in 2001 as a place “where good writing was honored and celebrated.”

Himself a writer and poet, Cheezem holds a master of finer arts degree in creative writing, and also has served as a borough school board member, planning commissioner, and president of the Palmer Arts Council.

Alaska Center for the Book is Alaska’s liaison with the U.S. Library of Congress Center for the Book. Its awards go to people and institutions that have made significant contributions in literacy, the literary arts, or the preservation of the written or spoken word in Alaska.

Founded in 1991, the center is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Nearly 70 people and organizations statewide have been honored over the past 22 years.

For more information, visit alaskacenterforthebook.org.