Monk’s Lagoon Visit Proves Enjoyable
By Sig Digree
It was a perfect day! Sunshine,
a calm and glass-like sea—ingredi
ents anytime for a pleasant boat
trip.
The day was Monday of this
week, when a group of people
including the writer went aboard
Alf Madsen’s trim craft the m/v
Explorer for a visit to Monk’s
Lagoon on Spruce Island.
Those of you who have never
gone to Monk’s Lagoon, have a
rare treat in store for you.
It is almost unbelievable that
such a place exists, and so near
Kodiak. It is a veritable fairyland
of verdant foliage, trees that reach
far into the heavens, twittering
birds, the perfect abode for a re
cluse. It is a combination of the
forest primeval and a park-like at
mosphere that seems imbued with
the saintly qualities of the man
who lives there—Father Gerasim
—as he is affectionately called by
his many friends.
Father Gerasim Schmaltz nas
dedicated his life to care for the
grave of Father Herman, a saintly
man who lived on the island during
the past century, and died there
after many years of toil and serv
ice to his beloved native parishion
ers. Possessing the attributes of a
saint, he is reputed to have per
formed many miracles during his
life on the island. The Russian
Orthodox Church is considering
canonizing the Russian priest, and
making his grave a shrine. He lies
buried beneath the small chapel
deep in the woods of Spruce
Island.
Following a narrow path from
the shore into a forest of spruce
and shrub, we couldn’t help but
feel the peace and solace of na
ture’s wonderland. As we walked,
what could be more fitting than to
suddenly see before and above us,
a small white chapel, with a shaft
of sunshine beaming down upon
it. In that moment was revealed a
peace and contentment, a mani
festation of the eternal link be
tween God and man — this was
truly a natural setting for the
shrine of a dedicated priest.
Soon we met Father Gerasim for
the first time in his own abode.
The good Father is a man of 72
years, and has spent 25 of them
on this spot. He has dedicated his
life to the care of this beautiful
shrine, and has maintained his
lonely vigil down through the
years with only brief visits from
friends at intervals and an occa
sional trip to town.
Father trerasim told us he lived
and worked in Afognak for 18
years, and prior to that he was in
Sitka for a brief few months. He
has lived in Alaska for 44 years.
He said he had no desire to go
down to the South 48, though he
has been offered an “all-expense
paid” trip, but prefers his hinter
land home where all his friends
are nearby.
There is much to see in this
Kodiak-Aleutian
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chapel—ikons and relics of the
past—finely executed works of art
and craftsmanship—each having a
religious significance. Father Ger
asim, in answer to questions, would
patiently explain the origin and
meaning of the objects, some of
which were in the shrine, some in
his own small chapel and some in
his home.
It wouldn’t be just to pass on
without at least a mention of the
clean and neat appearance of the
ohapels, and his home. Being com
plimented on the cleanliness,
Father Gerasim describes himself
as “a fussy old maid” and the or
derliness, painted walls, waxed and
polished floors, attest rather to a
well - ordered mind, and loving
hands.
The good Father donned his
robes and regalia for picture tak
ing by the majority of the visitors.
After several hours there, the
party reluctantly filed down the
narrow path to the shore, taking
an almost tearful leave of this
benevolent man, who walked down
to bid goodbye.
Our last glimpse of Father Ger
asim will long be remembered as
he stood on shore, resplendent in
his robe, waving farewell until the
boat up-anchored and was on its
way.
Skipper Alf Madsen then set up
the galley, and the hungry passen
gers made sandwiches of cold
meats and cheese, and drank gal
lons of coffee as we headed for
Ouzinkie.
At Ouzinkie, we visited the Rus
sian Church, situated high on a
hill, and visited with the few in
habitants we came across. The
town was quiet because there was
no canning due to the weekend
fishing closure.
We then steered a course for
Kodiak, arriving back about seven
o’clock, all pronouncing it a very
enjoyable crip.
Making the trip were Mrs. G. G.
Levich, of Seattle, Mrs. Alexandra
Hawrglak, of New York, Mr. and
Mrs. Saube, Mr. and Mrs. Chess
man and daughter, Donna, Mrs.
Lou Veerman, Mrs. Charles Edris,
Bill Megge, Mrs. Alf Madsen and
children, Shari and Tommy.
POLICE SLOGAN
Leave sooner, drive slower, ’ive
longer.
Plan Trail Ride
As Event Of Fair
A trail ride from Portage to
Palmer is being organized to be
staged September 1, and tie in
with the Agricultural Fair parade
at Palmer on September 3.
According to Gharles Tinch,
fair manager, this is the first trail
ride of the sort ever planned in
Alaska and has already met with
great enthusiasm among riders in
the valley and Anchorage.
CITY
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COLLECTOR
W , 25&1
xrt Brooks
U1 rtiak lnsurance
The trail ride will be open to all
persons, whether or not they own
horses. Mounts will be available
for persons wishing to enter who
do not own their own anunal.
U. S. Savings Bonds are an abso
lutely riskless way to save. The
United States Government guaran
tees the cash value of your Bonds
will not drop—it can only grow.
■
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