Publisher's Notebook: Nobody's Baby Daddy

On Sunday, September 11^th while scrolling through Facebook and all of the poignant 9/11 tributes, in my timeline some very sad news came across my feed. The son of one of my high school and lifelong buddies, passed away from cancer. Although it was a hard fought battle, the cancer was aggressive. Luke Oeltjenbruns lived his life for his young family.

Luke was the quarterback of our hometown high school football team and played middle infield, in addition to being the ace of the pitching staff for the baseball team. He would play college baseball at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., and was their ace his sophomore year. His team was very close to reaching the National Junior College World Series and Luke was leading the way on the mound. Despite offers to continue his baseball career and college education, Luke was ready to get on with life and so he began working for a local metal company and he purchased a seamless gutter company. He worked his rear off. He married a local girl he went to high school with and two years ago they brought their son Colton into the world. Luke was also building his own home for his family. At the age of twenty-seven Luke had accomplished so much and now cancer has taken him away. Judging from the tributes and condolences Luke will be missed by many.

Luke and others like him stand out in a society where we have the slang term “baby daddy” to describe young men who basically have walked away from their responsibilities as a father. Baby daddies believe their priorities are dominating the latest zombie killing video game, winning at fantasy football or having brews with their bros. They don’t know what they’re missing. There is no greater satisfaction than teaching your child how to play catch, learn math, or have an imaginary tea party. There is hope because young men like Luke, and there are a lot them, still understand the importance of their role. The only thing that could have stopped Luke from fulfilling his husbandly and fatherly duties was cancer. Though cancer took his life it didn’t beat him and it won’t define his legacy. Luke left his mark on this world and Colton will be raised with Luke’s ethics and values. The kid comes from good stock and Colton will be Luke’s legacy. Rest in peace Luke, as your dad stated in a text to me on Sunday evening, you are truly an inspiration.

Harvey is a hit

Our local Rotary clubs are doing some good things again. On Saturday October 1^st the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club in conjunction with Arkose Brewery and Valley Performing Arts is hosting a beer and wine tasting plus a performance of “Harvey” at the Valley Performing Arts Theater. For fifty bucks attendees will partake in hors d’oeuvres and sample some fine local brew and good wine plus the performance. Proceeds benefit Rotary Youth Exchange and community projects. Call VPA Executive Director Garry Forrester at 373-0195 for tickets.

Polish up your cowboy boots

The Wasilla and Palmer Rotary Clubs are joining forces for their annual “Uncorked” event. This year’s theme is “Boots and Bling”. If you have western wear or not this is a must-go-to event. The date is Saturday, October 8^th from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s at the Menard Center and features tapas and wine pairings by local culinary masters. There will be a live and silent auction plus raffles. Proceeds benefit My House, Sertoma Hearing Booth and other local organizations. Email joni@travelserviceinc.com or visit rotaryuncorked.com to purchase tickets or get more info. I’ll be at both Rotary events so hopefully we’ll get a chance to chat.

Ending on a good one

The Blues Train is leaving the Anchorage Depot at noon on September 24^th and returns Sunday, September 25^th at 5:20pm. My wife, who will be visiting Alaska for the first time, and I along with Managing Editor Matt Hickman will be on the train. The Alaska Railroad train will take us to Seward for an overnight stay. Along with great blues music by the Ira Sellers Band, I’m looking forward to the views of the Turnagain Arm, Chugach National Forest and seeing Resurrection Bay. I’ve heard it is all spectacular. You can purchase tickets at alaskarailroad.com the price also includes a Barbeque dinner, a one-night hotel stay, the train ride plus drink tickets for the train. There will be whole lot of blues on the train and at the barbeque. I hope you can join us.

Thank you for reading the Frontiersman.