PUBLISHER’S NOTEBOOK: The incomparable Leonardo Oliveira de Souza

Prior to his departure for a year long journey as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in Budapest, Hungary, Justin Harris gave a presentation to the Sunrise Wasilla Rotarians. It was a Powerpoint about his home state of Alaska that he would eventually present to various groups in Budapest. I was really impressed not only with the presentation but with the young man himself. Justin returned home to Alaska this past week and I can’t wait for him to share his experience.

As Justin arrived, another student departed.

Leonardo Oliveira de Souza spent this past year here in the Valley as an exchange student from Brazil. To say that Leo made the most of his time in Alaska would be an understatement. He immersed himself in our community. Heavily involved with No More Mat-Su, an organization whose mission it is to end domestic violence and sexual assault in the Mat-Su Valley, Leo walked a mile in high heels to raise awareness for the group. He also attended organizational meetings and participated in the No More Mat-Su summit. Again, donning the high heels for the “Consent, It’s Simple as Tea” skit. Along with his fellow Rotary Youth Exchange Students he took the Mat-Su Sertoma Club polar plunge. They were recognized by the judges for raising the most money as a group at the annual event. Leo even organized his own fundraiser in which he served dishes from Brazil. He did so much more for our community than I could put in this column. He will be missed.

Lunch on the Mayor

Wasilla’s Fourth of July celebration was a success. Great job done by Mayor Bert Cottle and Deputy Administrator Lyn Carden and the rest of the team at the city of Wasilla. The turnout for the parade, the Mayor’s picnic and the rest of the festivities was incredible. The Wasilla Sunrise Rotarians served some 2,900 hotdogs, along with chips, fruits and drinks on behalf of the Mayor. Our motto that day was, “no dog left behind”.

None were!

Summerfest

There’s a bunch of events happening this weekend including the City of Wasilla’s Summerfest at the Curtis Menard Center and the Palmer Museum’s Garden and Art Faire in Palmer. Starting today and through Sunday the Summerfest will feature Rodeo Alaska, A1 Midway Carnival rides and 49th State Street Rodders car show.

Midsummer Annual Garden and Art Faire

Saturday, the Palmer Museum Garden and Art Faire will be happening in beautiful downtown Palmer from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Great food, music, art and more will be on display. Don’t pass up this opportunity to view and purchase unique local crafts and art. The intensely competitive Rhubarb Rumble is on for tonight at 4 p.m. The event features local restaurant recipes vying for this year’s championship. The event is free and so are the tastings. Tastings are limited so show up early. Selena Ortega-Chiolero and her team have worked hard this year to give us another great event.

Not Chopped

At 11 years old, Kennedy Torres, from Wasilla is a Chopped Junior Champion. She appeared on last Sunday’s episode, against three other 11-year-old kids, and in her intro piece she showed her competitive side and humble side at the same time. “My competitors better be ready because I will be hunting down the win.” She said with a big smile. One of the items she likes to cook at home besides Alaskan favorites, fish and moose, is porcupine. First round, appetizer, she prepared a Potato Hot Dog Crostini with Poblana Pepper Guacamole. She made it through easily. Second round the entrée, bison burger was the featured ingredient and Kennedy sized up her two remaining competitors who both decided to cook the obvious bison burgers. She went in a totally different direction and prepared bison burger spaghetti with smoked butter and rainbow carrots. A bold move since the theme was “cookin’ for a cook out.” She was more concerned with the fact that she didn’t believe she had enough sauce. She worried for nothing as one of the bison burger junior chefs was chopped. When asked what she wants to do in the future Kennedy stated she wants to own a bakery someday featuring cinnamon rolls and muffins. She was on to the dessert and final round. She proclaimed the dessert round her specialty. She prepared cookies, Chocolate Chunk Pretzel with Raspberry Whipped Cream, that she makes for her family and that her mom calls devil cookies because “she eats like so many”. Her final competitor, Ben Ro from New York, prepared a traditional Jewish dessert, Hamantaschen cookie with whipped cream. He declared it the perfect recipe. I loved the confidence both kids displayed. The judges raved about Ben’s cookie but pointed out that he over whipped the whip cream. Ben and Kennedy played a game of corn hole while waiting for the judges, no pressure. As the judges reviewed the dishes, Kennedy was praised for her appetizer and entrée and ultimately Ben was chopped. Congratulations Kennedy! She said she would put most of her winnings into savings but would use some of it for cookie ingredients.

On sad note…

On Monday July 3, a local man, Hansen Kirkpatrick was killed in Afghanistan by indirect fire. You can read the details in Friday’s Frontiersman. Condolences from across the country are pouring in via social media. Hansen was a member of the U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Division based at Fort Bliss, Texas, which is where I was stationed from 1983-1984.

My heart goes out to his family and friends. This week of celebrating has turned a little more somber. Rest in peace, young brother.

Thank you for reading the Frontiersman.