GROUND WATER RESOURCES
OF VALLEY DESCRIBED
Occurence and availability of
ground water and the character
and distribution of water-bear
ing materials in the Matanuska
Valley agricultural areas are des
cribed in a Geological Survey
report released today by Secre
tary of the Interior Douglas Mc
Kay.
Settlement of the Valley accel
erated in 1935 and among the
problems accompanying the
growth of population has been
that of water supply. The area is
in a wide flat-floored valley be
tween the Chugach Range and the
Talkeetna Mountains of south
central Alaska. Bedrock of the
valley floor is nearly everywhere
covered by unconsolidated de
posits that are chiefly of glacial
origin.
Most wells here, and all those
producing mere than about 200
gallons per day, obtain their wat
er from glacial outwash gravel
and sand. These deposits are
found throughout the area; in
general they occur above or be
neath glacial till. At several plac
es artesian water is obtained from
gravel beneath the till. It is pos
sible, the report states, that sim
ilar, buried water-bearing gravel
may occur elsewhere in the val
ly "floor. The till, known locally
as hardpan, is present at or near
the land surface. Because it is
relatively impermeable it is un
favorable for the development of
large ground water supplies. Lit
tle water has been, obtained from
other unconsolidated deposits or
from bedrock. The success of
wells in Alaska, as everywhere,
is thus dependent largely upon
the type of material they pene
trate. ' ‘ *}
Little is known of the maxi
mum quantities of water available
in the Valley, the prepared re
lease stated. Supplies sufficient
for household and farm use are
obtained from gravel and sand
throughout much of the agricul
tural area. There seems no rea
son to doubt, they report, that
larger quantities could be obtain
ed by careful development of the
wells. A test well drilled for the
City of Palmer is reported to have j
yielded 118 gallons per minute j
with 35 feet of drawdown. A j
number of wells tap the hardpan j
itself, the water coming chiefly !
from thin layers of enclosed grav- ;
el or sand. Only small quantities, j
generally not more than 100 to |
200 gallons per day. are available.
The report tabulates records of
333 wells. Maps accompanying
?
I
'
_BHOWNiE NEWS
Troop 71
The new Brownie Troop, led
by the Mesdames Young, Ander
son, and Steelman is now regis
tered and their troop number is
71.
On January 23 an investiture I
ceremony was held and 11 girls :
received their pins and were of
ficially recognized as members of
the Girl Scouts of American and
Brownie Troop No. 71.. Mary
JLinda Steelman and Carol-Jean
Wilson, jivho already had their
pins, helped invest the following
girls: Sally Anderson, Francine
Adams, Mary Ann Boyd, Dorothy
Campbell, Beth Estelle, Marilyn
Kindler, Virginia Hoffman, Janie
Hanks, Sharon Young, Carolyn
Wade, arid Barbara Johnson.
Following the ceremony the
girls played games while their
mothers and leaders became bet
ter acquainted. Refreshments were
served. The leaders express appre
ciation to the many mothers who
are taking an interest in their
daughter’s Brownie activities.
On February 6 Patsy Rice re
ceived her pin and the troop was
also very glad to welcome Mary
Clay who transfered from Anch
orage to Troop 71. There was a
short business meeting after
which Mrs. Kindler taught the
girls two folk dances which they
enjoyed very much. We wish to
thank her and hope she will find
time to give the girls a few more
lessons.
NEW COMMERCIAL FISHERY
REGULATIONS THIS WEEK
It is expected that the 1954
commercial fishery regulations
for Alaska will be issued some
time this week, according to in
formation given Delegate Bob
Bartlett by Seton Thompson, chief
of Alaska Fisheries, Fish and
Wildlife Service.
the report show the distribution
of unconsolidated deposits and of
bedrock outcrops on the valley
floor, and the locations of the
wells.
This report, Geological Survey
Circular 268, prepared by F. W.
j Trainer, survey geologist, is bas
! ed on continuing studies begun
jin this area in 1949. It is entitled
J “Preliminary report on the geo
logy and ground water resources
of the Matanuska Valley agricul
tural area, Alaska”. Copies are
available free on application to
the Geological Survey. Washing
ton 25, D. C.
PALMER 4 H BOY
RECEIVES GOLD WATCH
Lewis McDonald, son of Mr.
! and Mrs. John McDonald of Pal
j mer, and Gerald West of Fair
banks will receive watches this
month in recognition for their
outstanding 4-H club work, Mrs.
Lydia Fohn-Hansen, acting 4-H
leader, said.
Lewis entered the territorial
meat animal contest to win his
gold pocket watch awarded as
| first prize in each state by Thom
; as E. Wilson. The 16-vear—old
Palmer boy had been in $-H club
work seven years with nine pro
jects that netted him $1,887.89 in
profits. He fed and cared for sev
en head of stock all winter last
year as part of his prize-winning
project. Lew won the Chicago
trip in 1952, along with Gerald
West.
These national aw'ards for state
and territorial achievement are
sponsored by commercial firms
and individuals who believe iij
the importance of 4-H work. De
velopment of youth and better
farming practices are two of the
results from this program which
is directed by the Agricultural
Extension Service of the land
grant college and carried out with
the help of adult leaders and par
ents.
Four-H clubs will organize for
summer projects in March and
A.pril throughout Alaska. Last
year there were 54 clubs with 485
boys and girls enrolled.
HOMEMAKERS CLUB
NOTES
Butte Club
The regular meeting of the
Butte Homemakers’ club was held
at the home of Eva Plumley
Thursday. Violet Sherman, presi
dent, had charge of the meeting.
Lovely pot luck lunch was served
at noon.
The white elephant auction con
tinues for the ensuing year tQ_ be
used for charity. A jar for penny
collection will also be used. Five
dollars was donated to the
March of Dimes. A bake sale is
to be put on February 13 at the
Palmer Drug Store.
A letter from the Alaska Crip
pled Children’s Association was
read thanking the club for the 23
dresses that have been sewed.
Twenty new pieces of Dan River
gingham will be made into dress
es this month. This work starts at
the I. M. Sandvik home January
26. A card was also read from
people who received our three
i Christmas boxes.
I The Butte Homemakers’ club
j will hold their next regular meet
I ing on the 19th of February’ at the
home of Mary Frey.
Gold-Dusters Club
Members of the Gold-Dusters
Homemakers’ club met at the
home of Mrs. Phyllis Long on
January 13. Mrs. Norma Benson,
president, reported on the Decem
ber meeting of the Homemakers’
Council.
Making of felt articles was one
of the projects decided on for the
coming year. To answer roll call
at the February meeting, each
member is requested to bring at
least one pattern, suitable for
making a felt article.
Miss Delores Mattila spoke to
the group, suggesting ways that
we could be of assistance to the
Health Department. Articles
needing mending will be avail
able for members to repair at the
next meeting. Bring your equip
ment to sew a stitch or two for
the Health Department.
At the December and January
meetings the following were wel
comed as new members: Mesdam
es Eunice Briggs, Vera Gazawav,
Wanda Wilson, Dorothy Briggs,
: Myrtle Moline, Irene Schmidt,
! and Marian Persinger.
! The next regular meeting will
TOURS
CHARTERS
REASONABLE RATES
DELIVERIES
Valley Taxi Service
Located in Matanuska Hotel
Telephone 4 Palmer, Alaska
+ . ty^. >y.yw.‘/... .\vsr 4sm , - Hi
We will be closed Friday, February 12 in honor
of Lincoln's birthday
MATANUSKA VALLEY BANK
\, Palmer, Alaska
Yf OPEN FRIDAY EVENINGS 6—8 P.M.
J DAILY 10 A.M. — 3 P.M.
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BEN HUDGINS
MEW PRESIDENT OF
VALLEY SPORTSMEN
j Following the first meeting of
the newly elected Matanuska Val
ley Sportsmen board of directors,
it was announced that Ben Hudg
ins was elected president of the
association. A1 Dickow was elect
ed for the vice-president’s office
pnd Bruce Graham was re-elected
secretary-treasurer, an office
which he has held for several
years. The next regular meeting
of the Sportsmen will be held
March 3.
be held at the home of Mrs. Mary
lou Rideout with Mrs. Norma
Benson as co-hostess. The meet
ing was scheduled for the Craft
Room.
Glacier View
Members of the Glacier View
Homemakers’ club met at the
home of Ruth Estelle.
Following a delicious lunch
eon members had a short busi
ness meeting and Lillian Eckert
gave a report on the Homemak
ers’ Council meeting.
The afternoon was spent work
ing on our stuffed toys.
The next regular meeting will
: be held at the home of Irene Bey
i lund on February 18.
Cheechako Club
The regular meeting of the
Cheechako Homemakers’ club was
held at the home of Mrs. Ida
Stadler on February 8, with 18
members and three guests pres
ent.
Guest speaker for the evening
was Miss Neola Sandvik, who
presented a most entertaining talk
on her 4-H trip to Chicago.
A bake sale was planned for
Friday, February 12 from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at the Co-Op rec. hall.
The March 8 meeting will be
at the home of Mrs. Kathryn Wil
son.
There are over 250 Scout units
organized in institutions for de
linquent and socially retarded
boys.
FRONTIERSMAN CLASSIFIEDS
ALWAYS BRING RESULTS
BROWN'S WILL
REMOVE iT!
You're making a salad. Then
—slip! Splash! There goes
a red, ripe lomalo on your
new dress or blouse. It's
hard to get out, too . . .
but not if you send the
soiled garment to us. We
carefully removed all such
"hard to take out" stains
and return the article to
you as good as new.
I BROWN’S SHOP
Cardan Club Forms;
First Meeting Set
For February 24
At an organizational meeting
Tuesday, February 9, it was vot
ed that the local Garden Club will
meet the fourth Wednesday of
each month at the Palmer School
at 7:30 p.m. The first regular
meeting will be held February
24.
The Tuesday afternoon meet
ing was opened by Dr. Richard
Washburn of the Experiment
Station, who read the Anchorage
Garden Club constitution. Those
attending agreed the local club's
constitution should be patterned
after that of the Anchorage club.
; Officers for the new club will be
elected at the February 24 meet
ing and Winston Laughlin, of the
Experiment Station, will speak on
fertilizers and their uses.
Projective plans of the club in
clude a series of flower shows,
the first of which will be held in
June and will consist of wild
flowers and native shrubbery,
followed by a regular flower show
to be held the latter part of July
or the first of August. In addition,
there will be tours and meetings
at members homes, to show local
gardens during the summer.
Anchorage Travel
Bureau
Lloyd C. Olsen, Owner, Mgr.
Authorized Agent for all
AIR — SHIP — RAIL — BUS
No extra charge for our
services
P. O. Box 1673 — Phone 23391
Motor-in-Service
GENERAL REPAIRS - WELDING
GAS & OIL
Harry Duff
Phone 65J11
Bert Duff
'Jiuwraiur
Bob B ° x 221
palmer, ala
SKA
FIRE — AUTO — LIFE — CASUALTY
PHONE 83 NEAL WRIGHT BLDG.
Brighton Custom Tailors
Offer an opportunity to show the line of
the late Mr. Steve Vukovich that was sold to
thousands of customers in Alaska.
FROSTMAN IDENTIFIES THE FINEST
WOOLEN IN THE WORLD
SUITS fcr meo and women
SLACKS made to order
DUNHiLL and MtlANA imported woolens in
3^/2 yard bolts in GABARDINE — SHARKSKIN —
WORSTED — TWEEDS — FLANNEL, to make
your own suit if you wish.
SEE
JOE BONNEY, dealer
AT
Matanuska Hotel
FEBRUARY 9 — 14
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Kirk's Sales and Service, Inc.
»
YOUR CHEVROLET AHD OLDSMOBILE DEALER INVITES
YOU TO COME IN AND SEE THEM ABOUT THAT NEW
CHEVROLET OR OLDSMOBILE
IN MOST CASES YOUR PRESENT CAR WILL MAKE THE
DOWN PAYMENT.
Remember
Trade-Ins Accepted
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