Matanuska-Susitna Borough -- celebrating 40 years at a library near you

BIG LAKE -- Mat-Su Borough Mayor Tim Anderson and other representatives of the borough visited the Big Lake Library on June 17, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the borough with a tree-planting ceremony and barbecue.

"This is just one of the events to be held around the borough this summer, celebrating our 40th year," Anderson told those present at the tree planting as he helped Philip Martin of New Jersey plant a May Day tree on library grounds. Martin is one of the AmeriCorps team members working in Big Lake this summer.

Following the tree planting, there was a community barbecue. The event coincided with the kickoff of the Big Lake Library Summer Reading Program.

Big Lake librarian Jo Cassidy said about 200 people attended the event, organized by volunteers in the community. Cassidy said help came from the Big Lake Library Advocates, Big Lake Chamber of Commerce, Big Lake Lions, the AmeriCorps team and a pair of Mormon missionaries. Community members brought homemade salads and other potluck dishes.

"The Big Lake Fire Department came with their vehicles, the Greatlanders Air Force Band was here, and the Leos (Junior Lions Club) also helped," Cassidy said. The borough supplied two large sheet cakes for the event.

"We ate about 120 hamburgers, 80 hot dogs, 150 pieces of chicken, and every last bite of the two cakes," added Cassidy.

The tree planted at the event was donated by Jacobson's Greenhouse of Wasilla.