Editor's note -- This is part one in a two-part look back at the community events of 2004. The second part will appear in the Sunday edition and cover the months of July through December

Valley Life editor

The year 2004 was filled with many big community events, and Valley residents made a splash in the world of music, publishing and art. Here is a look back at the people and the events that helped shape the Valley.

January

Valley Performing Arts was midway through its season in January, but it was already enjoying a banner year. The community theater group set a record for season ticket sales during the 2003-2004 season, and several of the year's lineup played to packed houses throughout their runs.

In mid-January, Trinity Lutheran Church said good-bye to pastor Kathryn Franzenburg, who led the church for 10 years. In addition to the church, Franzenburg was a social leader in the Valley.

"I think my calling is to move in a new direction -- it's been very, very difficult because I have a deep love for the people," Franzenburg said. "When you've been in the community for 10 years, you form connections. It takes a while to build that trust, and it makes it hard to leave."

For the second January in a row, the Valley observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a community observance. At Teeland Middle School, hundreds of people turned out to pay tribute to a social leader.

In late January, an international snowmachine fund-raising ride began in the Valley. The Polaris Way Out Women (WOW) ride's Valley route began in Trapper Creek and ultimately ended in Anchorage. The effort raised money for breast cancer research. The ride went through Canada and ended in Minnesota.

February

February saw the release of Wasilla musician Josh Fryfogle's first album, appropriately titled, "No Previous Record." Fryfogle has become a fixture on the music scene, organizing several concerts and open mike events throughout the Valley.

"With or without me, the music scene here will continue to grow, and that's why I want to be a contributing factor," he said. "Alaskans have no problems being different than everyone else, and I think we can really develop a music scene that is just as different. It's an amazing thing to see Alaskans being so different, but so together."

March

There are many talented musicians in the Valley, but perhaps none as young as the Just Playin' Jazz band. The group of 15- to 18-year-old students only picked up steam in the community in early 2004. They played at the opening of the Palmer Fred Meyer, and then traveled to Fairbanks for a jazz festival. Everywhere the band has played, it has received acclaim.

"I had the biggest compliment Saturday when an elderly lady came up to me after we were all packed up," organizer Hank Hartman said in March. "She told me that she had heard us playing and had to leave a store in the mall to come and watch because she thought it was the Air Force Band. Comparing us to them, that's a huge compliment."

In late March, the Alaska Job Corps Center hosted the Native Youth Olympics for the first time.

April

April started out with a massive fund-raising effort by a Palmer Junior Middle School student. Matt Wimmer set a school record for raising money for the Hoops For Heart program -- with a total of $1,126, more than $800 the normal average.

In mid-April, Barb Tillman was preparing for something women her age rarely plan -- riding a motorcycle down the Alcan. For the 77-year-old, it marked the 20th time she has made the trip, with "I'm a little old lady" on a sing hanging from her bike.

"When I first started, there weren't any other women. For years, motorcycling had a bad reputation. Way back when, it was just the Hell's Angels, and they really were hell's angels," Tillman said. "But now, you've got more and more women riding, businesspeople riding and it's becoming a more friendly group. I would miss it if I wasn't riding."

Toward the end of April, a local author was honored with a Contribution to Literacy in Alaska award. Audrey Leighton organizes the annual Book Bonanza, and for her efforts, she earned the prestigious award.

May

In May, local musician Ken Peltier released his new CD, "An Educated Man," which immediately received praise. Peltier has quickly become one of Alaska's top recording artists, but he isn't letting success go to his head.

"I never, ever expected this kind of success," Peltier said. "I am truly grateful for everything. What a trip it's already been."

In mid-May, the U.S. Army Field Band came to the Valley, but they couldn't even headline their own concert -- Sgt. Tyler Hall, a Wasilla High School graduate, returned home for the event, and ultimately led the field band for one song. Hall, who had his leg amputated and suffered multiple injuries while in Iraq, received a hero's welcome.

"I was joking with my brother that we saw on TV this guy came back from Iraq who was injured and got a parade," Hall said. "I told him, 'When's my parade?' I was completely joking, but this is better than any parade."

May wrapped with up with the annual Relay for Life, a fund-raising effort by the American Cancer Society that brings together hundreds of Valley residents for a 24-hour walk at Colony High School.

June

The Alaska State Fair was still two months away, but the fair was already thinking about giant vegetables -- the first time, the fair started selling seed packets for giant cabbages.

Also in early June, Concerning Iscariot, a local band, packed up and headed south for a swing of the West Coast, where the band played numerous shows.

The annual mid-June celebration, Colony Days, took over downtown Palmer, with a parade, a road race and some genuine, down-home fun.

The first half of 2004 ended with a roar. The Harley Owners Group (HOG) rally came to the Alaska State Fairgrounds, brining more than 700 Harley riders from around the globe.

"Everyone comes to meet new people, ride together and just visit each other," said Jim Fleming, a Wasilla resident who said he's been riding Harleys off and on since 1952. "I met a group of four people rode from Michigan, up over the Arctic Circle and now they're here. You meet some real interesting people."