The Publisher’s Notebook

Welcome to a new weekly column that will review and preview happenings with the Frontiersman and the community with a little opinion mixed in the column. We’ve been hard at work here at the Frontiersman since my arrival on April 24th. Most of the work focused on internal systems and communication between departments. There have been a few hiccups along the way but we are beginning to have a smoother ride as the Frontiersman begins its ascent to higher altitudes of success. (I wrote that last line as a small plane flew overhead. One of the cool byproducts of living in Alaska.)

Hail, Hail, the gang’s all here!

Now that our new managing editor Matt Hickman has arrived, our management team is complete and ready to roll. We have exciting changes coming fast and furious. Matt, in his introductory column, described an editorial board and a readers’ advisory board. These are changes to the Frontiersman because you the reader will have a say about the look and feel of the Frontiersman. Also in September we will triple our current subscriber base, more details to come. We will also convert the actual size of the newspaper to a tall tabloid which will double our color capacity and give our pages a better flow. It’s unconventional thinking that will set us apart from the industry, provide a better product for the reader and a better marketing vehicle for our advertisers.

The Gem of the Diamond.

Pete and Denise Christopher were the first people in the community to reach out to me. They are great examples of people in the community that not only work hard at their business but work to make the valley a great place to live. I have a long standing love for baseball. And the product that Pete and Denise, along with their volunteers, produce is top notch. It’s great baseball and a fun experience. I especially enjoy the passion of the fans. You can catch me in the ticket booth at the Thursday home games.

In the city…

This weekend is Cardboard City at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. Gini King-Taylor stopped by our offices last week and presented some moving stories about our homeless families living in the valley. Cardboard City is a big fundraiser for the Family Promise Mat-Su. If you want to participate visit familypromisematsu.org. If you can’t participate please send them a donation. They’re doing great work.

3,000 is better than 300

I’m in the process of joining the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club, thanks to Mark Lee’s (Lee Realty), invitation. My first go at the club was assisting in serving 3,000 hot dogs at the 4th of July celebration. As part of the Frontiersman’s coverage of the Wasilla festivities I sent in a photo of the club’s booth to our editorial department and a verbal miscommunication on my part led to the caption stating the club served 300 hot dogs. The club actually served 3,000 hot dogs that day. The misprint led to fine for my club sponsor Mr. Lee at the last meeting plus I walked into the meeting a little late so that drew another fine. Mark is probably now reassessing his club invitee selection process. It’s a great group and I look forward to joining and no doubt more fines.

Advertising opportunity

The Frontiersman press facility will be printing this year’s Alaska State Fair Guide. If you would like to advertise in the guide give me a call at 352-2255. There will be over 60,000 copies published that will be inserted in newspapers across the state and handed out at the State Fair. Dean Phipps and his team have put together a great line up this year and do a great job with the design of the guide. This is a great marketing opportunity but space is limited so don’t wait.

Lavon’s immortalized.

At their annual picnic on July 17th, Lavon Barve of Wasilla and owner of L&B Color Printing will be inducted into the Musher’s Hall of Fame. Congratulations Lavon!

Crooks beware and neighbors be on the watch.

Retired Alaska State Trooper Director Tom Anderson reports that the motor from his boat that he had moored to his dock was stolen. The culprits used their own boat to pilfer the motor on Seymour Lake in the Meadow lakes community where Tom is a homeowner. The motor was just recently purchased by him and is valued at $1,000. The resourceful Colonel Anderson researched options to prevent additional theft, and ultimately joined the free website MyNeighborhood.com. He solicited his neighbors to do the same. The website is a secure, private social media network through which to share, discuss and relay information. You also get to know your neighbors a little better, which is a good start to a friendly community. Anderson’s next step is starting a Neighborhood Watch designation with signage, surveillance and communication between homes. As you know State Trooper funding has been cut and they are stretched thin. Good for Tom and his neighbors for taking steps in making their own neighborhood more secure.

End on a good one.

When I coached baseball we often had hitting practice in the cage and I would never let a hitter end his session with a bad swing or a whiff. “Let’s end on a good one!” I would shout from behind the L screen. So let’s end this column each week on a good one. The good one this week is the story that Caitlin Skvorc wrote in our Friday, July 8th edition titled Renee’s Last Run. The story is about two friends who carried out their friend Renee Millard and her husband Alvin’s wishes at the Mt. Marathon race. Renee who along with her son Dean died tragically. The race alone is a tremendous challenge. Amber Hays and Natalie Cadieux showed courage, fortitude and love for their friend. You can read the story online at frontiersman.com. It will stir the emotions.

Thank you for reading the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.