Palmer,Alaska
3ditor.
Advertising
Dorothy M. Bell
Harriet 2. Bell
Published once a week at Paimeh, Alaska, for the Matnnuska Valley Farmers’ Cooperat
ing Association fox4 the purpose of giving news of the Associations1 work, progress
and accomplishments.
SUBSCRIPTION RATE $1.75
$1.00 for six nonths
1Q^ s copy
REMINISCING
Many of us remember the more or less carefree days of the Golony settlement In the
Valley back in 1935—Just 15 years ago this month. Lots of criticism has been level
ed at the colonists, management and government because of the mistakes made during
that experimental venture* To be honest, it must be admitted that much of the crit- ,
icism was justified. However, succeeding years gradually weeded out a lot of the
thorns and the final results have not been too bad. In spite of everything that can
be said against the venture, it was a turning point in the development of this part
of Alaska. Howdver, most of the members who have remained, do not advise a similar
venture on the same plan. J dare say that those who are still here are not sorry
that they came. We do J<now that many who are not here today are very sorry that they
left.
People who are allergic to press reporters should have been around in those days.
The Press was interested In the Q04t trivial of details. They wanted to know every
thing that happened, because people all over the United States relished every story
even if it dealt with the most ordinary routine of daily living. Births, deaths and
weddings, of course, were almost of headline importance. The first baby born, the
first romance to reach the altar was awaited by the reading public.
THE • FIRST BABY
The first baby born to a colonist family was Laura Morena Van Wormer, born to Mr. aid
Mrs. Howard Van Wormer on July 10,1935. The birth of this first baby was not record
ed in the Commissioner's records of the Valley probably because there was no commis
sioner here at that time* Therefore, the first .baby born has been confused in later
years. These records were probably recorded in Anchorage, but the ARRC office has
files on the families which do dontaln these records. Eight days later on July 18, .
1935, Monty Melvin Larsh was born to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Larsh. The third child born
to a colonist family was Janet Louise Boice who arrived in the Harold Boice family
on July 23. Of these three babies only Monty Larsh is still In the Valley• Janet
Louise Boice is in Anchorage. Laura Morena Van Wormer left the Valley with her par
ents when she was about 3 years old and must be living in the States somewhere at
this time.
THE YOUNGEST colonist
The youngest member of the Colony group upon arrival in the Valley in 1935 was Stoart
Dreghorn, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.B.Dreghorn. Stuart is still in the Valley and lives
at the Butte with his mother on the original farm drawn by his father.
THE OLDEST COLONISTS
We! believe that Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hemmer are the oldest couple who came to the Valley
with the group in 1935. They are still in the Valley and on a farm, but not on the
original farm which Pat drew from the famous hat of 1935. Pat now serves as one of
the Board of Directors of the Matanuska Valley Farmers* Cooperating Association#
NEWLY WEDS
The ,!newly weds11 who made the trip with the group are still in Alaska, but not in the
Valley. They were Mr* and Mrs. Gilford Lemmon who now live in Kenai, Alaska.
THE FIRST WEDDING
Another important event was that of the first wedding to take place among the colonist
young people. On February 7,1936 the first romance culminated in the marriage of
Matt Onkka, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Onkka,colonists; anc! Betty Hermon, daughter of
Mr. and. Mrs. John Hermon, colonists. Matt and Betty Onkka are still in the Valley,
although they have spent a few years of their married life in the States. Matt is
now employed as Parts Man at the Co-op Garage.
THOSE FfUENDtY BEARS
We could repeat a lot of interesting stories of those early days, but th ere are a
few that we recall more clearly than others especially those dealing with bears.
The bears probably enjoyed the migration into the Valley as mueh as anyone. It meant
a lot more garbage cans for then. Cont. on page 3