VALLEY FAIR HISTORY REVIEWED *
SY EARLY-DAY SETTLER
M. D. Snodgrass, long-time val
ley resident, and the Matanuska
"Valley Fair’s staunchest supporter
since its origin, recently compil
ed a report on the origin and his
tory of the territory’s largest agri
culture and industrial fair. His
report follows:
“The Matanuska Valley Fair
came to life in 1936 with the
opening and dedication of the
Knik River Bridge officiated by
Donald McDonald, II, “father” of
the International Highway. The
lair has continued each year ex
cept the period in World War II
when the defense forces used the
fair buildings for storage of strate
gic materials.
“During the early colony days
the Fair occupied the Central
school, using the basement, first
floor, gym, front walk, play
ground and portions of the block
cast of the playground. The early
Fairs featured baby shows, queen
•contests, jitney dances educa
tional and industrial exihbits.
Since then it has grown in scope
and size. The present fair
grounds have been occupied since
1939.
“Territorial Aid has been grant
ed Alaskan fairs since 1923 when
"$16,000 was appropriated and div
ided equally in the four Divi
sions. This amount was increased
bv the Legislature in 1953 to )$24,
^000. The appropiation is divided
witn tne smaller community iairs
as new setlements come into ex
istance. Four-H fairs are encour
aged to join under the University
Extension Department, Univer
sity of Alaska. Garden, Flower,
and Home Economics clubs thro
ughout Alaska are participating.
'"The agricultural and industrial
fairs are the show windows of
.Alaska through which farmers
may present their special pro
ducts for viewing by all who at
Ttend. Many visitors from the
States and several foreign coun
itries registered at local fairs dur
ing the past few years. This year
will find more Stateside visitors
than ever before. Farm tours will j
13>e offered through special con— |
ducted trips about the entire vaL
Hey. Special invitations will be
waiting guests from the States
: "its spend the entire week at the
i ^resorts at Big Lake. Finger Lake,
VWaSilla Lake, Lake Lucille, Old
1 liXnik, and the many resorts along
the Glenn Highway and by-ways.
All stateside travelers with camp
j jng equipment will be supplied
aroad maps showing Bureau of
Hand Management camp sites.”
The Matanuska Valley Fair
\ V^cicomes all to spend a day or
"more with the valley residents
and see the dairy, produce farms,
and farm homes being hewn from
tthe woodlands of the Matanuska
Galley.
Palmer Library—
(Continued from page 1)
followed at the local library:
Library Association member
ship will be $2.00 per year for all
adults over 14 years of age, re
gardless of how long the mem
ber may stay in the community.
The purchase of a library asso
ciation membership entitles ad
ults to voting privileges of the
association.
A deposit of $2.00 will be re
quired from all adults not hold
ing an association membership
and a deposit of $1.00 from all
children under 14 years of age.
This deposit is refundable with
in two years, upon request; other
wise the deposit will revert to
the general fund.
Teachers who are members of
the association, or who make a
$2.00 deposit may be issued 10
boks for 28 days with no renewal
privilege.
No more than two books may
be taken out of the library at one
time by a borrower.
Books may be kept for two
weeks and then renewed for one
additional week only.
A fine of two cents per day, in
cluding Sundays and holidays,
will be charged for all overdue
6ooks. Fines must be paid in
full before additional books are
taken out.
The question of damage or loss
of a book is to be referred to the
library board.
Encyclopedias, the Compiled
Laws of Alaska, Bancroft’s His
tory, and all volumes stamped
“for reference only” may not be
taken from the library at any
time.
Patrons of the library are to
reside in Palmer or its immediate
vicinity no further distant than
Eska. Jonesville, or Eklutna.
It was pointed out by the li
brary board of directors that it
will be possible to maintain the
Palmer Library only if the entire
community lends its support. “All
expenses for heat, lights, supplies,
books, and maintenance, not
otherwise donated by groups or
individuals, must come from the
funds obtained through member
ships in the library association”
they pointed out. If the annual
membership fees do not come in
in sufficient volume it will not
be possible to operate the library
or purchase new books. The li
brary receives aid from the terri
tory in the form of matching
funds for money spent to purchase
books. If there is no money avail
able to purchase books, there will
be no matching funds and the
Resignation Announced
Of Extension Agent -
The resignation of Mrs. Mary
lou Rideout, home demonstration
agent in the Palmer Extension
Service office the past eight
years, was announced this week
by Allan H. Mick, University Ex
tension Service director.
In a letter to Dr. Robert Wieg
man, University vice president,
Dr. Mick expressed regret over
the loss of Mrs. Rjdeout who has
resigned' to join the Palmer high
school staff as teacher of voca
tional home economics.
The letter said in part, “Madge
Reese of the Federal Extension
Office praised Mrs. Rideout as
an outstanding extension work—
one of the finest home demon
stration agents ishe had ever en
countered. Mrs. Rideout's long
tenure* with the University and
the esteem in which she is held
by the people of the Matanuska
Valley and the Territory as a
whole are evidence of a job well
done.”
Mrs. Rideout will begin her new
work on September 3 at the local
high school. •
Teachers Named—
(Continued from page 1)
counting position in Berne, In
diana.
Keith Smith, who has been
named principal of the high
school, has been head football
coach and assistant professor at
the East Illinois State Teachers
College this past year. He is a
1940 graduate of the Valley State
Teacher’s College in No. Dakota;
received his master’s degree at
Columbia University in 1953 and
has 62 hours of graduate work.
Before teaching at the Illinois
college he taught in junior high
schools in Jackson and Monro,
N. D., and the Jefferson senior
high school. During World War
II he served with the administra
tive staff of ComNatsAsia.
Gladys Hayes will continue as
secretary at the high school:
Other personnel will be announc
ed later.
cost of operation may force a de
cision to close the library.
The American Legion Auxiliary
has paid the fuel bills for the
library for the past several
months and some other donations
have been made, however, during
the period from April 1, 1956
through March 31, 1957, the Pal
mer Public Library expended a
total of $1,193.01 for books, rent, 1
lights, repairs, supplies, building
fund and other similar items.
New memberships in the Li
brary Association will be dated"
June 30 and all residents are urg
ed to assist the local library by i
purchasing a membership as soon i
as possible.
Johnnie's Surplus
NOW
Serving the valley with Health Foods
“Health begins in the kitchen”
Box 849, Palmer Mile 47V2—Palmer Hiway
MATANUSKA TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION
Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday, August 3
REGISTRATION STARTS at 6 P.M. - MEETING at 7
Election of officers for new board of directors and
progress report are on the agenda
PROXY BLANKS AVAILABLE AT BUSINESS OFFICE
ALL MEMBERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND
Refreshments will be served
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Lemons 6 h,39c
sm Tomatoes » 39c
T"be Tomatoes lh. 29c
S Potatoes 10 49c
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