Setnetters group donates ‘Silvers for Seniors’

PALMER — Carl Baker and the rest of the lunch bunch at the Palmer Senior Center enjoyed a meal of fresh Alaska silver salmon, thanks to the Northern District Setnetters Association.

For the second year in a row, the group set aside portions of two-days’ catch for the men and women at the Palmer Senior Center through a collaboration the groups call Silvers for Seniors.

The program was the brainchild of fisherwoman Page Herring and husband Bob Cellers, who worked with fellow Northern District Setnetters to double this year’s donation.

Chef Jeff Dunks said he expected to serve 600 fresh salmon meals this year, double last year’s effort.

Copper River Seafoods provided the ice-filled tote used by Northern District Setnetters Association members to deliver the silvers to the Palmer Senior Center.

Baker described the annual dinner as “a wonderful thing, a blessing” since fresh salmon is too expensive to enjoy, especially in this tight economy.

For most, the dinner is about great food, great memories and tall tales about the one that got away, he said.

Baker also is a board member at the center and was quick to point out that the Palmer Senior Center provides much more than meals to its more than 2,000 clients, many of whom receive meals at home through the Meals on Wheels program.

Baker said his favorite events are the many trips the center organizes for members to places like Talkeetna, Whittier or Eklutna Lake.