Letters to the editor

Remembering Earl Lackey during this time of year

Once again we find ourselves in the festive run up to the Christmas holidays. I have for many years looked forward to and appreciated the publicly displayed Nativity scene at the Newcomb park in Wasilla. I assumed that this was the work of some local church group, and was surprised to discover the real story. Several years ago, I was contacted by long time friend Earl Lackey, who sadly has recently passed away. I met with Earl and learned the true origin of the Nativity scene. It was in fact a converted van that Earl and his family had modified for this seasonal display. This converted van worked well for a few years and eventually began to deteriorate mechanically so it was time for an upgrade. We located a suitable trailer and with the help of anonymous donors raised enough money to purchase and modify this trailer to what is currently seasonally on display. It took a group of volunteers several weeks to complete the job and we actually had a lot of fun doing it. I would be remiss to not recognize some of the key players that made this happen. Earl, wife Karen and their family, particularly daughter Michelle Maynor. The late Tony McNabb, Pat McCollum, Mick Shea and others. I would also like to thank the Minnick family aka Big Dipper Construction for allowing us to store this unit in their equipment yard during the off season. A community effort for sure that I know is enjoyed and appreciated by many during the Christmas Holiday Season. A true pillar of the community, Earl Lackey's legacy lives on in many ways. This is just one of them.

Michael Koskovich,

Wasilla

Don’t wait, invest in your child’s future before year-end

As Alaskans, we know how quickly the calendar turns. Before we blink, 2025 will be in the rearview mirror. If you’ve been thinking about saving for your child’s future education, now is the time to act, and there’s a compelling reason to do it before December 31.

The Education Trust of Alaska recently commissioned a statewide survey, and the results were eye-opening. Fewer parents today feel confident that their children will pursue education and training after high school compared to just a few years ago. Rising costs and uncertainty are fueling hesitation, but planning ahead is still the smartest way to keep options open for your child’s future.

Alaska 529 remains one of the most flexible and trusted tools for education savings. Funds can be used to pay for education and training at nearly any college or university in the US and includes vocational and technical schools, and certain apprenticeship costs. Recent changes in federal law expanded uses to include professional credentialing programs and the ability to move excess funds into a Roth IRA. There are no sales charges, federal tax benefits apply, and you can start with as little as $25 or by simply saying “Yes” to the Alaska 529 question on the PFD application. Satisfaction among current participants is high, and most say the ease of contributing and withdrawing makes the plan a practical choice. For families who want to make saving even easier, Alaska 529 offers Ugift, a simple gifting portal that lets grandparents, relatives, and friends contribute directly to your child’s account.

So why act now? Because the $350 Dash to Save and Dash to Save More incentive eligibility window closes December 31. Families can earn a $250 bonus for opening an account, and an additional $100 if that contribution comes from a new recurring automatic investment before year end. It’s a win-win: you invest in their future and get rewarded for doing so.

Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow. Visit Alaska529.com and open your account before the deadline.

Lael Oldmixon, Executive Director of Alaska 529,

Fairbanks