Ji^s & Maggie Dinner ^
NOV. 18 k $2.00 Adults - AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
6 - & Y >103 Children MOOSE HALL
NOVEMBER 10
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
American Legion Auxiliary
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
TRY A FRONTIERSMAN
CLASSIFIED AD for that
item you may have for sale,
rent or lease.
VOLUME 8. NO. 3
PALMER. ALASKA. THURSDAY. NOV. 11. 1954
PRICE TEN CENT*
Liquor Licenses
To Be Limited in City
The number of licensed bars
and liquor stores in the City of
Palmer will be limited in the
near future. A motion, which re
ceived the unanimous approval
of council members at the No
vember 9 meeting, would limit
the number of bars and liquor
stores in the city of Palmer (with
the estimated present population
set at 1,000 persons) to the pres
ent number.
When the city’s population rea
ches 2,000 persons the following
formula would become effective:
one additional bar and one addi
tional liquor store license may be
added; thereafter one bar may be
added for eatm 500 persons in
crease, an.' _.e liquor store li
cense for each 1,000 person in
crease. The population count
would be based cn a census count
to be taken unuer city supervi
sion, and at the c >st of the appli
cant.
At the present time there are
five licensed bars and four licen
sed package store; n the city.
The council actk Mowed a
lengthy discussion curing which
it was pointed out that many Al
aska cities have already establish
ed control over the number of
liquor licenses issued, based on
a population ratio.
AUXILIARY PLANS
PUBLIC DINNER
THURS., NOV. 18
If Jiggs (of comic strip fame)
lived in Palmer he’d really have
the evening of his life next Thurs
day. Members of the American
Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 15 are
holding a Jiggs and Maggie din
ner. Corned beef and cabbage will
appear as the MAIN dish, suppli
mented with luscious. Valley
grown, potatoes—home made sal
ads, rolls, Matanuska Maid ice
cream and this will all be served
family style. That means “dad”
can help himself and his family
to as much as they can eat. The
dmner will be held at Moose
Hall and is open to the public.
There will be no pre-ticket sale,
committee members said. Atten
dance fees will be collected at the
door—adults $2, and children $1,
Serving will begin at 6 p.m. and
continue until 8 p.m.
Eva Plumley is chairman of the
committee and is being assisted
by May Helgerson, Ruth Everett,
Erma Liebing, Izola Sims and
Ann Demming. Proceeds from the
dinner will go into the unit’s vet
erans’ rehabilitation fund. Money
from this fund is used through
out the Matanuska Valley to as
sist veterans and their families in
t;me of need. Proceeds from the
local poppy sales also go in this
fund and in spite of the most
successful poppy campaign this
past spring, the funds are now at
a very low level. The unit hopes
to rebuild the fund with the spon
sorship of the dinner.
'V^^WSiVNA^WS/S^WWVVWWWWWV
AUXILIARY TO
PRESENT FLAG TO NEW
SWANSON SCHOOL
An American Flag will be
presented to Swanson School
by members of the American
Legion Auxiliary Unit 15 on
Thursday, November 11, in
observance of Veterans Day.
The ceremony will begin at
2 p.m. and all auxiliary mem
bers and other interested per
sons are urged to attend the
presentation. Ruth Everett,
auxiliary president, will make
the formal presentation.
CLARA’S VARIETY
TO OPEN MONDAY
Clara’s Variety will open in
their new location in the Hagen
Building on Monday, November
15, according to Mrs. Clara King
and John King, owners of the
variety store.
This is the third move the busi
ness has made since opening in
the King building in 1949, across
from the present Elks lodge.
Growing out of that space, the
business was moved to the Sham
rock building in 1951 where a
wider range of merchandise was
added. Since that time the busi
ness has grown and additional
space was needed. The new loca
tion, offers more floor space for
displaying and larger storage
space. New counters have been
added to the store’s equipment
and those attending the grand
opening next Monday will find
a modern, neat, variety store, the
largest in this area.
All persons attending the open
ing will be given a gift. The
■ youngsters will receive something
I a bit different in Alaska, that is
j gas-filled balloons, the type that
will float in the air. Adults will
be presented an attractive drip
spoon holder. In addition to all
new merchandise and a wider
range of wares, there will be
specials for the opening day.
Regular store hours will be
j from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Saturday. However, for
opening day only, the store will
open at 11 a.m. The public is in
vited to attend the opening, re
ceive their free gifts and browse
around.
STOLEN CAR DAMAGED
The 1950 Chevrolet, owned by
Karla Duff, was damaged when
it was stolen last week, contrary
to a previous report. When re
covered, the vehicle was found to
have extensive damages to the
under-carriage, lights, and trunk.
In addition the battery was gone
and the wiring ripped out. Ter
ritorial police are investigating
the theft and damage.
£T Grand Opening «
Clara's Variety
NOVEMBER 15
See Opening Ad on Page 2
CLARA’S VARIETY - Theatre Building
Lucille Mick Named
Vice-President
League Alaska Cities
Lucille Mick, city councilwo
man, was elected vice-president of
the League of Alaska Cities dur
ing the league’s convention held
in Fairbanks last week, and Pal
mer was chosen for the 1955 con
vention.
Harold R. Painter, mayor of
Seward, was chosen as president
of the group, succeeding Ralph J.
Rivers, former Fairbanks mayor.
Also elected were Trustees Helen
Long, mayor of Valdez; Mrs. Todd
Moon, city councilwoman of Cor
dova; Mel Peterson, city council
man of Anchorage; Douglas Pres
ton, mayor of Fairbanks, and Rob
ert E. Sharp, city manager of
Kodiak.
A 34-point legislative program
was adopted by the group and 28
resolutions, encompassing various
changes to benefit the Territory,
were approved.
Resolutions approved included
the following: Study of public
services commissions for Alaska;
National Guard armory program
endorsed; request sufficient ap
propriation for health and wel
fare; reclassification of freight
shipments to Alaska; proposal to
call extraordinary sessions of leg
islature in all even numbered
years; commending organization
of association of Alaskan school
boards: calling on Alaska Devel
opment Board to undertake over
all planning; resumption of Fed
eral National Mortgage Associa
tion program in Alaska.
Also, extension of Community
Facilities Act and appropriate
sufficient funds; eliminate screen
ing of Alaskans under McCarran
Immigration Act; immediate
statehood and constitutional con
vention: endorsement of Civil De
fense program; removal of dis
crimiatory provisions in Jones
Act; urging provisions for deten
tion and correction homes for boys
and girls; request Territorial ag
encies to provide statistical infor
mation to political subdivisions;
urging approval of ten million
dollars to Alaska Public Works.
Also, requesting annual appro
priations of 25 million dollars for
Alaska Road Commission; urging
payment in lieu of taxes and as
sessments upon federal property;
legislation to authorize construc
tion and maintenance of roads
through cities by Alaska Road
Commission; endorsement of Al
aska Legislative Council; enact
ment of new townsite act for Al
aska; request increase in appro
priations for land surveys and
land offices in Alaska; urge ap
proval of funds for authorized
rivers and harbors projects in Al
aska; request Territory develop
parks, campsites and scenic over
looks; request federal insurance
of Alaska municipal bonds; urge
appropriations of funds for auth
orized federal buildings and post
office; and urge making of cost
of living surveys in Alaskan com
munities.
Those attending from Palmer
were Mrs. Mick and Acting Mayor
Betty Mears, both of whom were
busy throughout the convention
serving on committees.
No date was set for next year’s
convention.
Legion lo Hold
Veterans Day Dance
The American Legion is spon
soring a public dance on Satur
day, November 13, in the Palmer
school gym, in observance of Vet
eran’s Day. Dancing will begin at
10 p.m. and will be to the music
of the Blue Rangers. Tickets are
on sale through all Legionnaires
or may be purchased at the door
for $2 per couple. The public is
invited.
City Council
Proceedings
Nine visitors attended the No
vember 9 meeting of the common
council, City of Palmer. They
were Bill Roark, Tom Lepak and
Lloyd Morley, members of the
water rate study group; Cy Brew
er, MEA manager who requested
special telephone line rates; Rex
Erhrart, tax assessor; O. K. Kin
caid and George Healer, city audi
tors; John Weisenberger and
Ralph Farnsworth.
* * *
Brewer’s request was referred
to committee, with a recommen
dation for council action to be
presented next week. The tax as
sessor asked council action on de
ferring penalty collections on pro
perty taxes paid by John Weisen
berger, on grounds that Weisen
ger did not receive a letter of in
structions following the equaliza
tion meeting. The penalty was
waived on the basis of his failure
to receive notice.
* * *
The annual audit report was
presented to the council by theJ
auditors. A condensed version
will appear in next week’s issue
of The Frontiersman. Several
recommendations for changes in
various council policies were
made, along with the report.
Members of the council voted un
animously to accept the report as
presented.
* *
John Weisenberger oiiered in
formation on temporary means of
heating the new fire hall and
was authorized by the council
to look around for needed equip
ment. City Attorney John Shaw
offered to loan an oil burner to
the citv, providing it can be used.
* • *>
After all visitors had been j
heard minutes of the last regular
meeting were read. Councilman i
Hagen stated he felt the chair
had erred last week in ruling on j
whether or not abstained votes
be counted with affirmative vot
es and asked that voting on the
approval of the minutes be held
up until later in meeting. The
city attorney stated it was ridicu
lous to construe the meaning of
the regulation covering abstained
votes in this manner, when by
law, there must be four affirma
tive votes to pass. The motion to
approve the minutes as read and
corrected passed, 5-1, with Coun
cilman Hagen voting no.
* * *
New committees were named
as follows: Administration and
Personnel: William Zahradnicek,
chairman, A1 Hagen, and Betty
Mears. Budget & Finance: Lucille
Mick, chairman, Bob Peterson,
and Zahradnicek. Water & Sew
er: B. Mears, chairman, A1 De
Julio, and Peterson. Street: De
Julio, chairman, L. Mick, and
Zahradnicek. Police: B. Mears,
chairman, Peterson and Zahrad
nicek. Health & Safety: Peterson,
chairman, L. Mick, and DeJulio.
Planning & Zoning: Hagen, chair
man, DeJulio and L. Mick. Tele
phone: Hagen, chairman, L. Mick
and DeJulio. Fire: Peterson, chair
man, B. Mears, and Hagen.
* * *
Among communications read
was a letter in reference to solic
iting by church organizations
without city business license. Ac
cording to Harold Butcher, An
chorage attorney, a Supreme
Court states that organized reli
gious groups cannot be taxed.
The letter was in reference to
the Seventh Day Adventist’s re
quest to sell religious material in
the City of Palmer without pur
(Continued on page 4)
School Officials
Here for Convention
SPECIALISTS TO
ADDRESS FARMERS
All valley farmers are re
minded of the public meeting
to be held in the school cafe
teria at 7:30 p.m. tonight when
George Kitmiller and Karl
Baur of the chemical division
of the Pacific Supply Co-Op of
Portland will speak on fertil
izers, insecticides and herbi
cides.
Films will be shown to illus
trate the talks and a discussion
period, will offep an opportun
ity for questions and answers.
Refreshments will be served at
the close of the meeting.
QRVAL THURMAN
HEADS ELKS
The final phase of business dur
ing the 7th annual Territorial
Elks Association convention held
here in Palmer last week was the
installation of Orval Thurman of
Fairbanks president, and the nam
ing of Seward as next years’ con
vention site.
Also elected to office were Vin
cent Root, Kodiak, vice-president
for Alaska west; Mike Monagle,
Juneau, vice-president for Alas
ka east; James Nolan, Wrangell,
trustee for three years; and Rich
ard W. Smith, Anchorage, re
elected secretary-treasurer.
Leon Johnson of Kodiak was
recommended by the group for
the appointive post of deputy
grand exalted ruler of Alaska
west. He is a past exalted ruler
of the Kodiak club.
Parade Winners
Among highlights of the three
day convention was the afternoon
parade held on Saturday. Mem
bers of Theta Chapter Beta Sig
ma Phi took first prize of $50 with
their decorated float, depicting
the civic services performed since
their institution in 1950. The girls
report that almost 8,000 paper
napkins went into their float, and
although a total of their work
hours was not reported, it would
seem that the hours of work help
ed earn them the first place.
Second place winners were Boy
Scouts of Troop 654 who had a
complete campsite set up on the
back of a truck. Their display
consisted of spruce boughs, and
a genuine campfire, over which
the Scouts were busily cooking
flapjacks. A “genuine” trapper
who claimed he was not Leo Lu
cas hiked along behind the float
throughout the parade.
The Matanuska Valley Farmers
Cooperating Association took
third place honors with their dis
play float, featuring Ann Have
meister, 1954 Valley Fair Queen
and the many products produced
through the Co-Op’s various de
partments.
Judges for the parade had a dif
ficult job in selecting the three
winners, they reported. Other en
tries were a Kitchen Band, with
each person decked out in an
astonishing hat, made of most
every type kitchen utensil on the
market. Their instruments con
sisted of wash tubs, pots and pans,
brooms and dust mops; Palmer
Kiwanis entered a decorated
truck; the Experiment Station
had an entry, and 20 members of
the Arctic Trails Riding Club rode
in the parade, carrying their
club colors. A special rider was
John Gibbons of Kodiak who rode
Roland Grover’s horse Skipper.
(Continued on page 5)
-r Around 20 school board repre
sentatives from throughout the
territory have arrived in Palmer
for opening sessions of a two
day convention slated for today
and tomorrow at the Palmer
school.
Among those who have already
arrived in Palmer are Don M.
Dafoe, commissioner of education;
Anchorage School Board repre
sentatives John O’Shea, Keith
Lesh, and A. W. Morgan; D. Car
ston from Yakutat; M. F. Joy,
| Fairbanks; Marie R. Logan, Cor
i dova; Dr. W. K. Keller, Univer
j sity of Alaska; John B. Coghill,
Nenana; William J. Barber, Nome;
Mildred Kirkpatrick, Seward;
and James Hurley, Ed Smith, Bill
Roark, Mary Washburn and Lew
Hanks, all of Palmer. Other
..school board representatives and
"educators are expected to arrive
before the close of the convention.
A full agenda of business has
been scheduled for the visiting
school officials and will concern
chiefly the organization of a ter
ritorial school board association.
A dinner is planned for tonight.
Piggly-Wiggly
Holds Grand Opening
Palmer’s t self-service
super market observes its grand
opening today with gifts, special
prizes and bargains for its cus
tomers.
The Piggly-Wiggly store, locat
ed or. Central Street at the en
larged quarters of the former
Palmer Cold Storage site, formal
ly opened for business this morn
ing, although construction work
on the new store was completed
about one month ago by Sandvik
and Roark.
Owners of the Piggly-Wiggly
are Jack Barrett and Keith Lesh,
both well-known Anchorage men.
This is their seventh Piggly
Wiggly store in the territory. Mr.
Lesh is a director of the Matan
uska Valley Bank.
The new store will feature a
full and complete line of fresh
produce, fish, meats and nation
ally advertised staples. One sec
tion of the store is devoted to a
complete bakery, where products
are baked daily, including, rolls,
cakes, buns, doughnuts, fancy
cookies and cakes for special oc
casions. Harry Rice, baker, start
ed baking in the same location
back in 1941—since then he has
baked for other shops in the val
ley and is again back in his own
bakery.
The extensive electrical work
was done by Jack Dodge; refrig
eration by Commercial Refrigera
tion of Anchorage; painting by
Jack Taylor, and plumbing by
Mac’s Plumbing. Row after row
of fluorescent lighting illuminates
Continued on page 4
PAPER PUBLISHED
ONE DAY EARLY
This week’s issue of The
Frontiersman is coming out
one day early in observance
of Veteran’s Day, November
11. Because of limited time
some of the news may not ap
pear in this week’s issue but
will be published next week.
CORSAGES
Telegraph Delivery Service
MATANUSKA VALLEY
GARDENS
Phone 32J11 Palmer
Veteran's Day Dance, Sat. Nov. 13
SPONSORED BY MATANUSKA VALLEY POST NO. 15 AMERICAN LEGION
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PALMER HIGH
SCHOOL GYM
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