MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
PALMER CEMETERY
MAY 30 — 11 A. M.
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
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VOLUME S NUMBER36
PALMER. ALASKA. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1953
PRICE TEN CENTS
Memorial Day Riles
Planned by Legion
Members of the Matanuska Val
ley Post No. 15, American Legion
and Auxiliary will conduct Me
morial Day services at the Palmer
Cemetery Saturday morning, May
30 at 11 a.m.
Legion Commander Richard
Demming was joined by Auxili
ary President Mrs. John Weisen
berger in urging the public to
attend the memorial services, held
to honor the dead of our coun
try’s wars.
Memorial services will start
promptly at 11 a.m. with Chap
lain Seth Cook offering prayers.
The firing squad, under the drec
tion of Philip Everett, sergeant
at-arms and color carriers will be
made up of members from the
local Post. . .
Members of the Legion Auxili
ary will decorate all veterans’
graves with poppy wreaths. Small
American flags, set in Legion
grave markers, will be flown over
each grave. .
Valley residents are reminded
holiday on which the American
Flag should be flown. On Memor
ial Day, flags on staffs are flown
at half mast untl noon, in memory
that memorial Day is a national
of the dead and are then raised
to full mast.
AREA COIVUVIUIMII T V.IUM
INVITED TO JOIN NEW
CENTRAL ALASKA GROUP
Although the regular Chamber
of Commerce meeting scheduled
for May 20 had to be cancelled
at the last minute, several mem
bers and three Anchorage guests
bed lunch together.
Visiting from Anchorage were
Henry Cuffel, Ed Jarvi and Lev
Graner, members of the Centra.
Alaska Community Clubs anc
Central Alaska RTA.
Cuffel, who is chairman of the
Central Alaska RTA sign-u*
campaign, said they were making
a visit to Palmer to determine
mutual problems of their groui
and the Palmer RTA group. “We
have so many problems in com
mon,” he said. “We are not ui
here today to seek a combinatior
of the two groups, rather to seel
out mutual problems we can worl
out together.’’
He extended an nvitation te
the people of the Valley to visi
with their group at the nex
meeting planned for June 16 ii
the Community Hall at Mt. View
Clubs Invited to Join
C immunity club in this ares
but outside corporate limits, hav
been extended an invitation b
join the Central Alaska Commun
ity Clubs organization. Cuffel ex
plained the group is non-sectariai
and non-political. “Our purpose i
to join together, determine loca
problems and decide how bes
they may be approached in uni
tv,’’ he said. When the organiza
tion was formed, 19 communit;
clubs were approached. Of these
he said, 11 have affiliated wit!
the organization by accepting th
by-laws and sending two repre
sentatives to the meetings. Club
in the Sutton, Wasilla, old Kni
and other areas are invited to joi:
the group, he said. Minutes of al
meetings are mailed to each mem
ber-group. Any member ma
voice his opinion in problems. Th
group have already sei^t request
to the governor’s office, Delegat
Bob Bartlett and other official
concerning promiscuous firing c
arms along Alaska roads an
highways. Other problems will b
handled by the groups as tim
goes on, he added.
NEW: PURSES-COATS-SIDLEY LINGERIE
These coals were shown at ihe Style Show. They are wonderful
featherweight Resi-Therm coats in full and finger-tip lengths.
VARIOUS SIZES AND SHADES
YARD GOODS
SEWING ACCESSORIES McCALL PATTERNS
KIMBALLS
SEVERNS BLDG. PHONE 86J3 PALMER
PALMERITES INVITED
TO ALL ALASKA C OF C
There will be a meeting of
the All-Alaska Chamber of
Commerce in Cordova June 5
and June 6, it was announced
this week.
All Matanuska Valley Cham
ber members are invited to
attend. Those who plan to
go are asked to make reserva
tions through Chamber Secre
tary Betty Mears.
Plans for incorporating the
All-Alaska Chamber will be
completed at this meeting.
CAMPERS INVITED TO
USE PICNIC GROUNDS
Travelers along the Alaska
highways this week end are cau
tioned to do their part in prevent
ing fires.
Members of the Forest Service
pointed out that careless campers,
unters, fishermen or picnicers can
set thousands of acres of timber
land on fire, threatening the
homes, lives and livelihoods of
many.
Public picnic grounds, main
tained by members of the Division
of Forestry, Bureau of Land Man
agement are located at Finger
Lake and Big Lake in the greater
Wasilla area and at Moose Creek
and King River along the Glenn
Highway. These grounds are fur
nished "with picnic tables and
I benches, fireplaces and toilet
i facilities. The public is invited
bv the division to make use of
these recreation areas but are
asked to extinguish fires before
leaving the grounds.
SCOUT WORKS TO
SAVE EKLUTNA
FLOWERS
: j A project to save the Shooting
11 Stars and wild Iris flowers that
: | abound in the Eklutna Flats area
• | is being undertaken by Anchor
i: age Boy'Scout, Ronald Peterson
i! who was recently awarded an
:! Eagle Scout badge at the Eklutna
: Jamboree.
He is working for Hornaday
> Award—an award given in honor
t of the man who saved the Ameri
t can bison from near extinction.
1 Peterson has contacted numer
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ous social, civic and fraternal or
ganizations in Alaska requesting
the support of this project. This
now famous area is the only
known location available by car
where people may see the beau
tiful Alaskan flowers. Since they
are perennial flowers, digging has
been the eliminating factor. Thou
sands of persons have viewed the
flowers during their blooming
season, May 25 to July 1. Sundays
and evenings, cars are lined up
along the highway while admirers
take pictures of the display or
pick bouquets of the fast dwindl
ing flowers.
Many who have dug up the
flowers have not realized the
damage that is being done. Care
less picking has destroyed many
plants. Peterson in his project,
has contacted Palmer and Anch1
orage newspapers and radio sta
tions for; support in his attempt to
save the Eklutna Flat flowers.
Attractive signs have been placed
in the area requesting the public
to look—but not to pick. A com
plete and interesting history of
the flowers is displayed on a bul
letin board erected in the area
parking space.
axiu v/ivii i/cicusc 4/11
Palmer Scouts to
Attend Kings Lake
Damp June 7-14
Members of the Palmer Boy
Scout Troop 654 are making plans
to attend Kings Lake Camp from
June 7 to June 14.
King’s Lake Camp will operate
under the general direction of
Scout Executive Maurice Powers.
Troop leaders will be assisted by
trained adult camp leaders and
members of the junior staff in
the camp activities and scout
craft programs.
Scouts will be quartered by pa
trols of eight or less in 16 by 16
foot pyramidal tents having wood
en floors with cots. The central
mass plan of feeding assures a
plentiful supply of nourishing
food prepared by an experienced
camp cook. Each scout is expect
ed to serve his turn on the “KP”
detail, helping with the prepara
tion of meals and the clean-up
following the meals.
The camp program will provide ,
a well-rounded variety of scout
craft and campcraft activities in
cluding swimming, boating and
waterfront instructon. Facilities
and activities available to troops
attending will include a rope yard,
axe yard, step course, mapping
field, nature trail and compass
course.
Special features will highlight
the fun of summer camD. includ
ing the selection and awarding of
the Order of the Arrow to an
outstanding camper-scout.
ROAD COMMISSION
TO CLEAR DITCHES
All unauthorized driveway fills
across ditches will be removed
by members of the Alaska Road
Commission during the 1953 sum
mer work program, it. was an
nounced this week.
Work in the Matanuska Valley
this summer includes providing
adequate drainage and resurfacing
on Wasilla and Matanuska high
ways, Oliver Onkka, foreman of
the ARC Palmer Depot, said.
Breakup of roads in the Valley is
largely due to unauthorized fills
across ditches which prevents pro
per drainage, he said in making
the announcement.
Residents who require drive
ways to their property, may make
advance arrangements with Onk
ka for culverts to be placed by the
ARC, providing the costs of in
stallations are borne by these re
sidents. No unauthorized installa
tions will be permitted, he said.
STEAMSHIP COMPANY
BEGINS TOURIST SEASON
One hundred eighty passengers
sailed for Alaska on the initial
Pictured above is the new Civil Defense Jeep fire truck recently
purchased by the City of Palmer. Pictured with the vehicle are
Mayor Alfred V. Hagen. City and CD Fire Chief. Ray Lancaster
and Civil Defense Director Edward Imme
sailed for Alaska on the initial
departure of the year of Alaska
Steamsihp Company’s steamer
Aleutian May 22, inaugurating
the 1953 Alaska tourist season.
Coinciding with National Mari
time Day, this departure was
honored in Seattle in conjunction
with the 134th anniversary of the
sailing of the first steam vessel
to cross the Atlantic, the Savan
nah.
D. E. Skinner, vice presidenl
and general manager of Alaska
Steamship Company, in a briel
talk, spoke of the early historj
and development of the com
pany since 1895.
Fashion Show
Well Received
By Large Group
Palmer’s first fashion show,
sponsored by Theta Chapter, Beta
Sigma Phi, was pronounced a big
success by the sponsors and those
attending.
Approximately 150 persons
viewed styles and fashions from
local and Anchorage shops and
many expressed surprise when
they saw duplicates of styles ad
vertised in national magazines.
Marylou Rideout capably per
formed the part of commentator
for the show that began with a
practical dress for morning oi
afternoon wear—and carried or
through daytime and evening
wear, including casuals, suits
formats, party dresses.
Popularly received were the
many new fabrics presented
Many were washable, some fib
ers were rendered resistant tc
soil, permanent finish cottons tha
need no starching, modern den
ims that vie with the newest o
fabrics and the new synthetic;
that are washable, wearable anc
seldom need ironing. Travel suit;
of knit-wear were also well re
ceived.
Mrs. Dorothy Oczkus of Anchor
age entertained the group witl
“If I Could Tell You,” “Alaska’
Flag” and “Back to Sorrento.'
Miss Dolores Mattila accompan
ied her and played selections dur
ing the presentations.
President Betty Rice expressei
the sorority’s gratitude for th
support given the style show am
offered her thanks to the mer
chants who assisted in makin,
the show a success. Among thos
showing were Koslosky’s Depart
ment store, Betty’s, Co-Op Trad
in<* Post, Kimball’s, and the Ha
Box, (the latter of Anchorage).
Miss Marilyn Nash showed sev
eral of her knit numbers, th
Bootery in Anchorage furnishe
shoes for s veral presentation:
as did the Northern CommerciE
Co. for the bridal presentatio
and the Matanuska Valley Garc
ens furnished attractive old-fasl
ioned bouquets for the bride
party. Lou Galt of the Beauty Ba
presented a new and modern hai
style, shown on one of the model;
Several other individuals assiste
in many ways, Mrs. Rice said, e
she thanked all who helped i
any way.
TRAFFIC RESUMES
OVER CARIBOU CREEI
All traffic on Glenn Highwa;
across the Mile 108 Caribou Riv*
bridge has been resumed, tl
Alaska Road Commission said t<
day.
Heavy vehicles have been bai
ned from crossing the span aft*
a military D-6 tractor was throw
from the bed of a truck and toi
out some of the supporting bean
on the bridge on May 25.
Installation of emergency reii
forcements were made by AR
workers. However, considerab
weakening of the span was caust
in the accident, an ARC spoke
man said yesterday. Passenger c:
travel has been proceeding du
ing the repairs.
Telephone Lines
Are Wantonly Damaged
STORES AND OFFICES
TO OBSERVE MAY 30
In honor of Memorial Day,
several stores and all federal
and city offices will be closed
Saturday, May 30, it was an
nounced this week.
Stores who plan to remain
closed on that date are: The
Trading Post, Warehouse, Co
Op Garage, Bettys’, Ketchikan
Spruce, Matanuska Valley
Bank and Kimball’s. Grasser’s
will be open Saturday but will
close on Monday, June 1. Fed
eral offices will include the
U. S. Post Office and U. S.
Commissioner’s office.
SERVICES TODAY
FOR GERALD BRUNNER
Funeral services for Gerald
Brunner 38, who died of a heart
attack while hunting May 22, will
be held this afternoon, May 28
at 2 p.m. in the Palmer Cemetery
Members of the Palmer Ameri
can Legion will conduct military
! services at the cemetery wit!
j Rev. James P. Snead of St. Mich
| ael’s Catholic Church conducting
j the graveside service.
Brunner, who conducted a loca^
taxidermist business, was stricker
while bear hunting with daughte]
Jeanne, 13, in the Litte Susitn:
area. Making her way to the road
she stopped a passing motoris
who took her to the Little Susitn;
Lodge. Vic Cottini, lodge owner
and Dan Gray accompanied he
back to the scene and then sen
word to Palmer. His body wa
returned to Palmer Saturda;
afternoon by a trail party an<
taken to the Anchorage Funera
Chapel.
I Brunner is survived by hi
wife. May Brunner and daughte
j j Jeanne, and his parents, Mr. am
i Mrs. Joseph Brunner of Mani
II towac, Wisconsin.
Koslosky’s Celebrate
; 18th Anniversary
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Koslosky’s Department store
will celebrate their 18th anniver
sary in business in Palmer this
week.
In honor of their anniversary,
store-wide sales have been ar
ranged with each department
featuring special iterhs and pur
chase-gifts. .In addition, the lar-1
gest cheese ever shipped to Al
aska has been obtained for a
weight guessing contest. The per
son coming the nearest to the
correct weight will be awarded
a Hamilton Beach electric mixer,
Jan Koslosky announced this
weejc. The cheese, two feet high
and 40 inches across will be on
display in the grocery department
of the store.
Moving from their original
quarters, the site now occupied
by the Elks Lodge, the depart
ment store opened in their pre
sent modern building in 1947.
Since that time several depart
ments have been added until now
the store is a complete one-stop
shopping center in Palmer.
The store will be completely
redecorated throughout for the
anniversary celebration.
Mrs. May Brunner will con
f tinue the Brunner Taxidermy
^ business, she said this week. The
shop is located on the Glenn High
way.
r,
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feet); sufficient open wire for the
system; the purchase of poles
when necessary; contact ME A for
joint pole use and the purchase
of messenger cable, insulation,
cross arms and lugs. Members of
the committee held a special meet
ing with Mayor Hagen May 23 at
which time present condition of
the system were discussed. Coun
cilman Felzien reported he and
the mayor had investigated differ
ent type switchboards. A Kellogg
junior master- built board is avail
able, he said. This board is com
plete with ringing devises and
battery charger. Before a new
board can be installed, they point
ed out, the outside plant will
have to be improved. A discus
sion on the feasibiliity of lead or
plastic cable followed. Futher
study by the committtee will be
made before the next meeting.
Asks for Truck
Butte area residents may soon
have a city fire truck stationed in
their region. A volunteer fire
group is being formed at the Butte
and workers have asked the City
of Palmer to lend them a truck.
Members of the council pointed
out that if a truck was stationed
there, it would prevent a long run
from the city in the event of a
fire. Mayor Hagen suggested the
truck, located in the Co-Op gar
age, that is seldom used, could
perhaps be sent to that region,
now that Civil Defense truck is
here. The group is in the process
of building a 24 by 36 foot build
ing, in which the truck would be
housed.
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O'Neill & Sons Inc.
Distribulors for
E. I. DuPont De Nemours Go. _
Explosives and Blasting Accessories
Phone, Write or Wire
PhA O’Neill.... Alpine Inn
i Unestimated damages were
! done to telephone wire on the
Wasilla Road sometime Monday
night, it was announced at the
city council meeting May 28. In
the section near the Owen But
cher property wires were cut in
severa places; 15 feet were burned
and 30 feet of wire was missing
entirely. The damage is believed
to have been caused by young
sters and it was pointed out that
it is a federal offense to disrupt
communications of any kind. The
damage was all done within a
one mile radius.
City Clerk Resigns
Larry K. Mooers tendered his
resignation as city clerk, effective
May 26 and Mrs. Margaret Cope
was appointed as temporary city
clerk. She will work until July
1 or until permanent replacement
is found.
Members of the council voted
to purchase sufficient cable to
replace that which was damaged
on the “clam shell” owned by
the water system contractor.
Palmer Dust
The dust problem in Palmer,
although dicussed, was not solved.
Mayor Hagen said he had made
. attempts to locate a large tank
i that could be used to wet the
• streets but had not as yet located
i anything of sufficient size. It
, was recommended that the speed
; limit within city limits be re
i duced to 15 mles per hour dur
, ing this period but no definite ac
• tion was taken.
t Recommendations by the tele
; phone committee to the city coun
r cil members at their meeting May
1 26 indicated the need for an ex
1 penditure of money if the pres
ent city telephone system is to
5 be maintained and improved,
r Six recommendations were
1 offered by Joseph Gallant, com
- mittee chairman and included a
new board; sufficient cable to the
highway (approximately 3500