ALASKA HISTORICAL
LIBRARY
JUNEAU
MEMORIAL DAY
SERVICES
Friday, May 30, 11:00 a. m.
Palmer Cemeiery
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 31
PALMER. ALASKA WEDNESDAY. MAY 28, 1958
PRICE TEN CENTS
Legionnaires Planning
Memorial Day Services
The public is urged to attend
Memorial Day services to be held
at the Palmer Cemetery begin
ning at 11 a m. on Friday, May
30.
The memorial program will be
conducted jointly by members of
the Matanuska Valley American
Legion Post No. 15 and the Aux
iliary Unit. All Legionnaires are
requested to be at Legion hall
not later than 10:30 a. m., May 30
Auxiliary members will pre
pare wreathes and crosses made
from poppies which will be used
to decorate the graves of veter
ans.
In addition to the memorial
service, which will include bu
glers and a firing squad, memb
ers of the Matanuska Valley
Airmen’s Association will fly
planes over the cemetery and
river and drop memorial
wreathes in honor of land and
water veterans.
Kay Hitchcock
Returns for Summer
Mrs. Kay Hitchcock and son
Nels have returned to their home
at Caribou Creek following a
winter in College and Fairbanks.
Mrs. Hitchcock plans to resume
her studies at the University of
.Alaska this fall and Nels will en
ter Fairbanks High School at that
time, having graduated from the
eighth grade at Main School in
Fairbanks last week.
Mrs. Hitchcock, a candidate for
the House on the Alaska Party
ticket, expressed her thanks to
fiTX?a residents for their support
in the recent Primary election,
and especially to the high school1
students who strongly supported
her in their “straw votes”.
While attending college this
past winter Mrs. Hitchcock also
worked in a phase of a study on
Native education in Alaska that
is being made under the spon
sorship of the U. S. office of Edu
cation.
FISHING SEASON
WELCOMED BY MANY
Just about everyone who could
find a rod and reel was out fish
ing bright and early this morn
ing when the 1958-59 sport fish
ing season opened. Nearby lakes
proved to be the most popular
spots and a number of good
catches were reported.
rangeTmeeting set
A meeting for all farmers who
plan to put stock on the Little
Susitna Range will be held in
the office of William Sweetman
at the Experiment Station on
June 3 at 8 p. m. Ear tags and
health certificates for all animals
should be taken to the meeting.
SAVE!
ON YOUR
GLEANING
CERTAIN GARMENTS
2 for the |
price of I
Gash and Garry
BROWN’S GLEANERS
WE GIVE GOLD STAMPS
BARRY’S RESORT
ON
Beautiful Finger Lake
Now
Open for Business
CARLW. BARRY
——I
i
STREET PAVING
NOW SEEMS CERTAIN
Paving on some of ihe cily
streets this summer looks pret
ty certain now. Members of
the City Council will meet
with Charles Tryck, engineer,
early next week to study the
survey made by his office for
paving some of the city streets
and the Bureau of Public
Roads has told cily officials
they plan to call for paving
bids June 6 for the section be
tween the Glenn Highway and
Wasilla Highway. The city
plans to coordinate their bid
call with that of the BPR.
CsmmsBcemsRi
Draws Large Crowd
With the school gymnasium
filled with friends and relatives,
33 seniors of Palmer High School
heard speakers and received
graduation diplomas in com
mencement exercises held May
23. “One hundred years from now
it will matter not what kind of a
home, bank account, or car I have
now . . . but the world will be
much better if I was important
in the life of a boy or girl”, said
Don Fridley, assistant superin
tendent of Anchorage schools.
Fridley stressed the importance
of educators and parents to the
future of the students. “It gives
me a sense of security and pride
to look at the national fields and
remember the contacts I had with
some of our leaders, as students.
Homemakers, doctors, lawyers . .
let’s look now to those who will
follow”, he added. Speaking dir
ectly to the students he said,
“Perhaps some day you may
make this same type talk to grad
uates . . . everything is worth the
faith placed in you and especially
to those who have the greatest
faith, vour parents.”
Students were reminded of
their great American heritage by
Betty Jo Wilson, salutatorian,
‘‘We have never been faint-heart
ed people ... we are not afraid
to face hardships. Each genera
tion’s new discoveries make our
Nation better ... we must keep
an open mind and accept pro
gressive thoughts”.
The valedictory was given by
Dorothy Lentz. Using “Wider
Roads Ahead” as her topic, she
pointed out to her fellow gradu
ates that the future holds endless
possibilities.
William T. Zahradnicek super
intendent of Palmer schools, pre
sented scholarship awards to the
following: Jill Cope, the Mata
nuska Valley Farmers Coopera
ting Association University of Al
aska $500 scholarship; Stephen
Hamilton, McIntosh scholarship,
University of Alaska School of
Mines; Colin Mick, Margaret
Pipps scholarship, University of
Alaska; and Bridgie Wright,
Mary Stone School certificate
award.
In presenting the seniors to
Ed Smith,, president of the Board
of Education, Keith Smith, high
school principal offered his con
gratulations to the seniors. Di
plomas were presented to each
senior by the school board pres
ident.
Others participating in the pro
gram were : The Rev. Clifford
S. McConnell, who offered the in
vocation and benediction; the
high school Pioneer Band which
played for the processional and
recessional; and the high school
chorus.
I COUNCIL |
J NOTES j
| Mrs. Charles Schaefer and Mrs. j
Paul Nelson, members of the j
Farmers’ Market group, told 1
Council members that they have
been requested to move the mar
ket from its present lcation, and
inquired about the possibility of
locating it on the city lot oppo
site the fairgrounds, or for sug
gestions from the Council. Fol
lowing a discussion, the women
were referred to the City Plan
ning Commission for suggestions
for the relocation of the market.
* * *
An application for position as
patrolman was submitted to the j
Council by Jack Van Os.
* * *
A letter from the Valley Hospi
tal Association board of direct
ors requesting that they be put
i on the agenda for the next Coun-|
cil meeting at which time they
will discuss a request for an an
nual subsidy from the city, such
funds to come from the city sales '
tax.". . j
- * * *
The resignation of Charles W. i
Wilson from the city planning^
.commission was accepted with
regrets and a letter of apprecia
tion was ordered sent to him.
The study on the business li
cense ordinance is continuing,
j with no report given.
* * *
It was announced that three
miles of 24-inch sewer pipe may
be available to the city through
surplus. It was suggested this
pipe might provide material for
an outfall sewer.
* * *
Mrs. James Smith inquired
about policies regarding the in
stallation of sewer lines in the
city. During the discussion it was
brought out that previous plans
by a group in the west section of
the city were dropped when it
proved to be too expensive to
the individuals. A similar request
(Cointinued on page 5)
Road-e-o Winner
Enthused About
Trip to Juneau
“A wonderful time”, said J. C.
Harder of Palmer when he re- j
turned Sunday following his par
ticipation in the Territory-wide :
Road-e-o sponsored by the Junior |
Chamber of Commerce in five
cities.
David Lindstrom of Juneau
was named winner of the Alas
ka contest with a total of 478
points, finishing one point ahead
of John Young of Ketchikan.
Mike Drury of Fairbanks scored
473; Harder scored 451, and
Louie Kock of Anchorage scored
434.
Harder, named the local win
ner in a contest staged here a
week ago, and the Anchorage
winner left via PNA for Juneau
last Friday. They were room
mates at the Baranoff Hotel
where all contestants were hous
ed. Friday evening the youths
were taken on a tour of Juneau,
Douglas, and out to the famous
Mendenhall Glacier. Starting at
1 p. m. the following day the five
youths went through their Writ
ten, road, and curve and offset
tests. In the early evening they
were guests on a television pro
gram in Juneau, at which time
the winner was announced. A
dinner in the hotel’s Bubble
Room, with Acting Governor
Waino Hendrickson, was the
highlight of the evening’s pro
gram.
“I’d like to express my appreci
ation to the Matanuska Valley
Junior Chamber of Commerce for
making this contest available to
I the young drivers of the Palmer
; area and to them for making my
trip to Juneau possible. Also to
the local merchants who present
(Continued on page 5)
■UEAL WEATHER
ATTRACTS BIG
COLONY BAY CROWD
One of the largest Colony Day
crowds in many years visited
Palmer this past Sunday and
joined settlers, colonists, and
other residents in observing the
23rd anniversary of the coloniza
tion of the Matanuska Valley.
Honored guests throughout the
day were the early-day settlers,
colonists, and their families. Sev
enty-three of these special guests
registered at a reception held
from noon until 1 p. m. at Elks
hall; included were 26 Colony
families. In addition to the recep
tion the group held special seats
on the reviewing stand and were
saluted by marching units of the
parade.
The free barbeque was the most
popular spot on the fairgrounds
once the serving got under way.
Hundreds of sandwiches made
with tender valley beef, as well
as baked Matanuska Valley pota
toes, were given out during the
afternoon. Rice’s Bakery person
nel were responsible for the pre
roasting of the meat and the po
tato baking, two of the biggest
jobs. L. C. Stock whipped up his
delicious “secret” barbeque sauce
to add that famous taste to the
meat. Assisting in serving and
carving were many local folk,
among them Elsie Lowe who has
helped in this capacity for many
Colony Day celebrations. Stock
served as chairman of the barbe
que and E. Boicourt hauled the
wood and assisted with building
the fire in the pit. Another popu
lar spot at the fairgrounds was
in one of the huts where a “bop”
session was held for the young
people. Lew Hanks was in charge
of getting records for the danc
ers, as well as in charge of set
ting up for the free movies which
also drew a big crowd.
Gene Kirsch kept the young
people busy with numerous
games and events, including the
ever-popular pie eating contest.
A1 Brooks, who accepted the
Wig J WW WA KAUtl, '-■“
pressed his appreciation to all
the merchants and local residents
who participated in the parade
and helped in many other ways.
He expressed his gratitude to
Max Clements and the MTA
crew for erecting and taking
down the Colony Day sign and
for setting up the public address
system at the fairgrounds; to Lee
Plumbley, band master, and the
band students and drum corps;
Jim Wilson who helped him co
ordinate many phases of the pro
gram; “Andy” Anderson who'
handled the chairs on the reveiw
ing stand; the Alaska Railroad
for the use of their loading dock;
the military units, locally and
from Fort Richardson; and the
riding clubs, all who contributed
much to the very successful Col
ony Day celebration.
In spite of hundreds of paper
napkins and cups, remains of
baked potatoes, etc., that littered
the fairgrounds at the close of
the celebration, within a matter
of hours everything was spick
and span. Credit goes to the Pal
mer volunteer firemen. The fire
men challenged the Palmer Ki
wanians to a game of baseball,
with the loser to clean up the
grounds after Colony Day . . . the
firemen won the honor of clean
ing the grounds, and did a fine
job of it.
HORSEBACK POLO
A good game of horseback polo
was staged by valley riders and
members of the Chugach Range
Riders. Following the Colony Day
events a rodeo was staged by
two local riders with Corpany
taking first; Whitmeyer second,
and Gilliam third. Gilliam made
a hit in the parade, also, as a
clown. Jimmy Hartner put on a
good performance by attempting
to ride any horse offered.
PARADE WINNERS
Spectators lined the streets
along the parade route and en
joyed one of the better parades
(Continued on page 5)
Future of Com. College
Topic ol Discussion
HOUSE PASSES
STATEHOOD BILL
Mixed emotions greeted the
news this morning that the
House had passed the Alaska
Statehood bill and that it is
now up to the Senate to de
termine whether or not Alas
ka is to become the 49th state.
The Statehood Bill was pas
sed by a vote of 208-166. This
is the second time the Hoiise
has approved a Statehood
bill, the first time was in 1950.
Before the Bill was approv
ed this morning there were
two roll call votes to send the
bill back to the Insular Af
fairs Committee. Both motions
were defeated.
NEW AWARDS GIVEN
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
A new division of awards was
offered this year during Awards
Daj held at the high school May
20. Marylou Rideout, home econ
omics instructor, presented a con
gratulatory note and cash to each
girl who was a winner in the re
cent style revue. The cash was
given by the Sears Roebuck
Foundation and divided as prize
awards.
The girls were judged on the
basic construction of their gar
ments and particularly on their
poise, fit of garment and what
she said as related to the gar
ment she had made. Each girl
was her own commentator. Jill
Cope, senior, welcomed the many
mothers and guests w'ho attended
and told why she had chosen to
make her suit and her interest in
clothing work.
First prizes were won by Miss
Cope, Joan Stuart, Ann Jones and
Sue Baugh. Second prizes went
to Dorothy Lentz, Paulette Mc
Connell, Susie Wright and Carol'
Hartung. Sally Worledge, Delores
Whitt and Marion Huston re
ceived third place prizes. Honor
able mention went to Jeanne
Diedrich, Sheila Postichek, June
Fancher, Penny Buzby, Pat
Scheible, Erika Kalvivies, Car
leen Bozinoff, Sylvia Sisley, Mar
jorie Sehreiber and Shannon
Mick.
SPEAKER PLANNED
FOR RADIO CLASS
Students in the Civil Defense
radio school will hear a guest
speaker at their Monday night
meeting. Although not yet desig
nated, the speaker will be com
ing from one of the federal
agencies
Attendance at the classes have
been averaging about 20. Stu
dents have reached the half-way
mark in the course, with but
four meetings left. Joe Marr and
Dick Rutan are instructing the
course.
DENTAL SOCIETY
TO CONVENE HERE
The Alaska Dental Society
will hold a four-day conven
tion here in Palmer, beginning
June 3 and continuing through
June 6. Dr. Foster R. Sims of
Palmer is presidet of the So
ciety.
The cost of operating the Pal
mer Community College came up
for discussion at May 27 meet
ing of the City Council when the
Palmer Independent School Dist
rict proposed budget was discuss
ed by the councilmen for the se
cond time.
The budget included the amount
of' $4600 needed to match funds
provided by the University of
Alaska in the amount of $12,000
on a 75-25 basis. Councilman
Koslosky pointed out that “ . . .
while I think the college is an ex
cellent thing to have in the com
munity, I don’t feel the taxpay
ers should be asked to lend sup
port to a school for adults when
there is a need for additional
school construction for the chil
dren ... I feel the local people
are paying as much taxes as can
be expected under the present
financial conditions. I’d like to
see the City Council approve the
11 mill tax rate, but not the 12
mill rate, ~with one mill to be
used for new construction. I be
lieve they would have close to
enough money to provide for the
building . . .I’m not against the
College, but I believe it should
be self-supporting.”
William Zahradnicek, council
man and superintendent of
schols, pointed out that the tui
tion charges this past year av
eraged around $22.50 a course,
with the driver training course
costing $35. He pointed out that
the Palmer Community College
budget is proportionately less
than those of Ketchikan, Anch
orage and Juneau-Douglas. It
is up to the community as to
what they want to do for the
school”, he said. “If it is a ques
tion of schooling a child full time
or a child part time and the ad
ults part time, then it is our ob
ligation to serve the child. It is
up to the community as to how
it’s like the local hospital, if the
much money they want to pay . .
city wants to get into the hos
pital business, then the people
will have to pay.”
Ray Lancaster, councilman,
(Continued on page 5)
Special Meeting
Set By Legionnaires
The Matanuska Valley Post
No. 15 of The American Legion
will hold a special meeting
Thursday evening, May 29 at
which time the Incorporated
Board will hold its annual meet
ing and an entire board will be
elected.
Joseph H. Briones, Department
of Alaska adjutant, will be in
Palmer for conference with lo
cal Legionnaires on that date.
CARPENTERS URGED
TO ATTEND MEETING
Carpenters Local 2251 meeting
tonight at Carpenters hall. The
hiring of outside help will come
up tor discussion. All members
are urged to attend.
Fresh Flowers
Artificial Wreaths
Cemetery Pots
for
Memorial Day
Telegraph Delivery Service
MAUD'S FLOWER SHOP'
Free! Free!
BARBEQUED BEAR, baked beans, home
made rolls and trimmings.
Served All Day, Sunday, June I
KING MOUNTAIN LODGE
MILE 77 GLENN HI WAY