The frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
TRY A FRONTIERSMAN
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PALMER. ALASKA, THURSDAY. MARCH 31. 1955
VOLUME 8. NUMBER 22
PRICE TEN CENTS
LOCAL MOTORAMA-EXHIBIT OPENS APR. 2
City Council
Proceedings
Following an announcement
that $4,100 tax refund had been
received by the City of Palmer
this week, Council members vot
ed to dispense with the regular
order of business on) March 29
and work on the bills against the
city.
By motion the following bills
were approved for payment from
the general fund:
Art Erickson, $55; Joe Kir
cher, $8.64; Joe Loyer, $177.95;
Ray Lancaster, $236.16; Ben' Hud
gins, $300; Ketchikan Spruce
Mills, $830; Anchorage Sand and
Gravel, $80; W. P. Fuller and
Company, $80; Valley Concrete
Products, $1,700; Severns’ Cabin
et Shop, $120; Alaska Concrete
Products, $150; Withey Plumbing
and Heating, $22.94; Standard
Oil, $102.10 and Northern Com
mercial, $86.
Valley Excavating, $170; Ma
ranuska Electric Association, $29.
13; Bert’s Drug store, $2.85; Ma
tanuska Electric Association,
$26.77; Miro Flex Co., $77.83;
Caryle’s Studio, $5.50; Snyder
Office Supply, $100; Alaska Com
munication System, $5.60; O. K.
Kincaid, Jr., $300; Motor-in Ser
,'ice, $66.18, and Valley Hotel
Corporation, $172.26. This totals
$4,904-91 and includes complete
payments on the construction of
the City Fire Hall.
In addition, thsee bills against
the water department were ap
proved for payment out of the
water fund. They were: M.E.A.,
$142.38; Mac's j-iuniDing and
Heating, $2.27; and Pacific Water
Works Supply, $20.25.
Total approved payments came
to $5,069.81.
Other business was the auth
orization for Ray Lancaster, City
fire chief, to acquire materials
and install a drain pipe on fire
hall roof.
The next regular city council
meeting will be held at the
clerk’s office on April 5.
-t
The Co-Op this week received
a letter from a school girl.in
Superior, Arizona, addressed to
•■Fanning Company, Matanuska,
Alaska”. She requested some
carrots, strawberries and lettuce.
NOTICE
!
NEW LOCATION IN
THEATRE BUILDING
j
• EASTER LILIES
• EASTER PLANTS
• EASTER CORSAGES
• Wire Orders io States
Matanuska Valley
Gardens
,_ _
QUICK THAW CREATES
RUN-OFF PROBLEMS
The city street department
is busy this week trying to
keep up with the rapid thaw
which hit the valley. Russ Fel
zien of the street department
and Ted Buzby of the water
department are working to
gether with the thaw machine,
opening culverts and attempt
ing to keep the water moving.
The freeze-ups during the
night are making their job
double<lifficult.
Members of the city council
said this week that they are
making every effort to keep
the run-off away from private
property but because roads
and bar pits are still frozen
there is little that can be done
to remedy some of the situa
tions.
Homeowners who have elec
trically operated furnaces are
reminded qf the danger if
water comes into the base
ments. It is recommended that
before stepping in the water
the homeowner be sure the
power is shut off.
Wildlife Film
To Be Shown
Wednesday Evening
Thrilling close-ups of Alaskan
wildlife and some of their inter
esting antics will be shown in
the all new color motion picture,
"Alaska Afield” which Cecil
Rhode, Alaska wildlife photo
grapher will be showing in Pal
mer on April 6.
The film will be presented, in
Central School gymnasium on
Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Ad
misison at the door will be $1.25
for adults and 50 cents for chil
dren. There will be no advance
ticket sale.
The film which was shown to
Anchorage audiences earlier this
year, has brought high praise to
the well-known photographer.
Spectacular brown bear footage;
thrilling close-up shots of white
Dahl sheep in their mountain re
treats; scenes of prize caribou,
moose and sheep; and salmon
fishing are only part of the out
standing film which was four
years in the making.
Mr. and Mrs. Rhode will jour
ney to Palmer from their home at
Cooper’s Landing for the pres
entation.
PIGGLY WIGGLY
1c SALE THIS WEEK END
Notice to Tax Payers
-CiTY OF PALMER
1955 Assessment Notices for City of Palmer real and
personal property taxes are being mailed this week.
The Common Council of Palmer will sit as a Board
of Equalization starting at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday# April
27, 1955 at the office of the City Clerk for the purpose
of equalizing the taxes and hearing protests, if any# of
tax payers who wish to protest their assessment.
Protests may be filed with Tax Assessor Ray Ehrhart
at his office in the Neil Wright Bldg, at any time prior to
5:00 p.m. on Tuesday# April 26, 1955. “
protests are available at the said Tax
Forms for filing
Assessor's office.
Minstrel Show
Nets Sizeable Sum
For Youth Services
The Palmer Kiwanis club an
nounced this week they hope to
net around one thousand dollars
for their Youth Services fund as
a result of the very successful
minstrel show held in Palmer
this past week-end. Although
their figures show a gross of
about $1,600, all expenses are not
yet in.
Playing to a receptive audience
on Friday and Saturday nights
of last week, members of the
“Matanuska Minstrels of 1955”,
offered a two-act show that took
the audience back to the very
beginning of the famous minstrel
show. As background foi the
show, some of the historical facts
of the development of minstrel
sy were woven into the story.
For the first time in several
years members of the chorus
were in black face, and although
smaller in numbers than m past
minstrels, the singers turned in a
fine performance, indicating the
many hours of practice and the
capable direction of their leader,
Mrs. Lois Weldon. Their well
blended voices opened the pro
gram with “Little David”, follow
ed by the introduction of Cy
Brewer who played the part of
Uncle Lijah and sang “This OV
House” arid Water Boy”. Dana
Niemann and her daughters,
Robin and Terry were also well
received in their presentation of
“Do Lord” and “Didr/t It Rain.”
Col. Carsten, the medicine man
role, was well taken by Jim Hur
ley; Norman Rousey, popular
valley singer, offered two num
bers, as did Jessie DeVries.
An opportunity ior ine auui
ence to participate in the show
came toward the end of the first
act when Lloyd Morley, mem
ber of the chorus Jed in) singing
“Heart of My Heart”.
Act two opened with a live
lier pace and a change in scen
ery and costumes, portraying the
minstrel show as it is today. The
popular end men, Mr. Interolcu
tor, the chorus ar*l specialty
numbers brought the show to an
interesting end. Paul Martin of
fered two solo numbers, Where
Is Your Heart” and “Swing Low
Sweet Chariot”. Jim Wilson turn
ed ini a good performance as an
endman and his singing of No
body”. Young Clifford Brown,
tap-dancing specialist, received
a big hand for his performance
arjd Mrs. Ruth Zimoske sang a
tenor solo, accompanied by the
chorus.
Endmen were Wilson, Martin,
Wayne Eby, and Dave Porter
Glen Persinger took the role oi
Joshua P. Goldenbottom. Chorus
members were Jim Wood, Jim
Cottrell, L. G. McDonald, Dave
Algarin, Ruth Zimowske, Nor
man Rousey, Lloyd Morley, Ste
phanie Gardner, Marne Hanks,
Gladys Jones, Clara Whetstone,
(Continued on page 8)
OVER 1,000 ATTEND
TYPHOID GUNIGS
Well over 1,000 persons in the
valley area have attended the
typhoid clinic being held for a
three-week period by the Depart
ment of Health, according to
Jeanne Shaver, PHN who is con
ducting the clinics.
Ninety-nine persons attended
in the Wasilla area; 152 in Chu
giak and over 800 in the Palmer
area. The third clinic will be held
Monday at the Health Center
from 3 to 6 p.m. and from 7 to
8:30 p.m. for anyone who has not
yet had a booster and for those
completing their series of three.
Miss Shaver reminded those
who did not begin their series
the first week that there will be
a makeup clinic so they may get
their full three innoculations.
E. ADAMS HEADS
COLLEGE FUHD DRIVE
IN VALLEY DISTRICT
Everett Adams, Matanuska
Valley Chamber of Commerce
president, and manager of the
Palmer Piggly-Wiggly store, will
act as valley chairman in a cam
paign to raise funds in the val
ley for the Methodist College
which will be constructed in An
chorage.
Visiting Palmer on Wednesday
of this week were Henry Cuffel,
Ross Kenneman, William Cruth
ers and D. L. Woodring of An
chorage, all actively engaged in
the college campaign in the An
chorage area.
Speaking to a group of Palmer
residents, the men pointed out
the many benefits the new col
lege will offer not only to the
territory and Anchorage area,
but to the Matanuska Valley as
well.
Cruthers announced that as of
Wednesday a total of $273,000
had been raised in the Anchorage
campaign. “We Alaskans are be
ing asked to raise $500,000. That
is all we will have to contribute
toward this $5,000,000 college”,
he pointed out. “In addition, in
time to come the Methodist
Church will add another $5,000,-::
000 in buildings and other con
struction. What better investment
could an Alaskan make? It has
been estimated that in 1957 there
will be 1500 high school gradua
ates. At the present time figures
show only about 20 percent of
this group is going on to college.
With this non-sectarian, liberal
arts college in Alaska we feel
60 percent of the high school
graduates will go on to further
their education, and will even
tually become the leaders of their
communities. Right now 95 per
cent of the students going out
to the States for their higher
education do not return to Alas
ka. We therefore lose this trained
and competent leadership in our
communities-”
‘Culturally, socially du:u uuo±
ness-wise, the college will mean
a great deal to the people of
Alaska,” Kenneman pointed out
to the group. “A college raises
the level of education in the com
munity. Many young people who
cannot afford to attend college
outside would be able to stay at
home in or near Anchorage and
attend the four-year liberal arts
Alaska Methodist College, A col
lege opens up a whole new so
cial life and social contacts. It.
furnishes recreational facilities
for active and spectator sports,
and a chance for students to get
together and play together,” hg
stated.
In Palmer soliciting will be
done by a committee composed
of members of the community
who will make personal calls on
the residents of the valley. The
Alaska Methodist College com
mittee is non-sectarian and many
of its members have no connec
tion with the Methodist Church.
They are persons who are inter
ested in fostering higher educa
tion in Alaska. In the states, the
Methodist Church organizations
will sponsor the subscription of
funds.
This is the only fund raising
campaign that will be held. How
(Continued on page 8)
STAR ROUTE DELIVERY
HOURS CHANGED
Beginning April 1 the
Springer Road loop star route
will be run from Palmer at
9:00 a.m., according to Jack
Cope, mailman. The north
route yrill be delivered on the
return trip, about one and one
half hour later than the pres
ent time, Cope said.
: FRONTIERSMAN NOW
; LOCAL AGENT FOR
: ANCHORAGE TIMES
j The Frontiersman this week
; became agents for the Anch
; orage Daily Times and will ac
; cept classified and display ad
vertising, as well as news
notes, for the Anchorage news
paper.
The Anchorage Daily Times,
the Territory’s largest daily
with 17,500 circulation, assures
the residents of the valley an
opportunity to cater to the An
chorage area population
through a wide and complete
coverage of their ad listings.
Advertising will be accept
ed any day of the week at the
office of The Frontiersman in
the Theatre building. News
items should be left at the
office prior to Wednesday eve
ning.
Go-Op to Expand
Fairbanks Creamery
With $15,000 Addition
A $15,000 addition is being
planned for the Matanuka Val
ley Farmers Cooperating Associa
tion branch creamery at Fair
banks, according to an announce
ment made this week by Stewart
Durrant, Co-Op general manager.
Increases in military business
as well as in ice cream sales in
the far-north city have made the
addition necessary, he pointed
out. The addition will house in
creased cool-room space for the
milk and sharp-room spar° for
ice cream. '
In addition to the expansion
of the Fairbanks branch, Durrant
said Co-Op officials hope to be
able to contract for the construc
tion of the new $100,000 Matan
uska Dairy building in Anchor
age within a short time. An
nouncements of plans to con
struct a new and larger build
ing in the Spenard district of
the Anchorage market area were
made in mid-February. The dis
tributing plant will consist of a
large sharp room, refrigerated
sections and vegetable storage
space. The new building will sup
plant present quarters which
have long ceased to be adequate
for the growing Anchorage area
market.
LOCAL FLOWER SHOP
IN NEW QUARTERS
The Matanuska Valley Gar
dens local shop will Open in new
quarters on Saturday, April 2, ac
cording to Maud Hosier, proprie
tress. Mrs. Hosier announced this
week she will be moving her
town shop to the Theatre build
ing in the space formerly occu
pied by Marie’s Dress Shop.
During the move the flower
shop in the Co-Op shopping area
will be closed.
The public is invited to drop
in at the new store on opening
day and see the display of Easter
decorations and flowers.
Merchants to Show
Newest 1955 Mode!
Cars and Appliances
The valley’s first mercantile
exhibit will be held on Saturday
And Sunday, April 2 and 3, in
the exposition building at the
Fairgrounds. The Merchants Ex
hibition and Motor Show is ex
pected to draw hundreds of spec
tators and the many displays will
feature 1955 models, offering val
ley residents an opportunity to
see the latest of nationally-ad
vertised products. Entertainment,
free prizes, a chain saw cutting
contest, free coffee and refresh
ments, and food concessions, will
combine to make a visit to the
i show well worth while, accord
[ ing to Whitey Pullen, show man
. ager.
New 1955 Cars
Hartley Motors, Inc., of Palmer .
will be showing their Thunder
bird, Ford’s new and spectacular
sport car, along with the new
passenger cars and trucks. Kirk’s
Sales and Service will display
their Chevrolet sport car, the
Corvette; 1955 Chevrolet cars and
trucks and 1955 Oldsmobile cars.
Both garages will have demon
strators on hand for anyone in
terested in taking a “trial spin”.
Color Kitchen
A full-color kitchen will be dis
played by Koslosky’s Depart
ment store, featuring Frigidaire
1955 home appliances. On Sunday
r.ight Koslosky’s will award a
radio to some lucky person who
attends the show.
Building materials and supplies
will be shown by Ketchikan
Spruce Mills; Mercury outboard
motors and Clinton chain saws
<vill be displayed by Grassers
Hardware; a full line of men's,
women's, and children's wearing
apparel will be shown by Minne
sota Woolen Mills; and Rice's
Bakery will have a pastry dis
play and give away free coffee
and doughnuts.
Plan Three Displays
The Matanuska Valley Farm
ers Cooperating Association will
have three general displays. The
garage will display International
trucks, Farmall tractors, and In
ternational - Harvester farm
equipment.
A large Matanuska Maid pro
ducts display will be shown by
the Creamery department, recent
winners of an award of merit for
ice cream entered in a national
contest. All retail products of the
creamery will be shown1.
The Warehouse plans a display
of 1955 Westinghouse home ap
(Continuea on page
NOTICE
Dr*4 E. I. bach/ opfome^
trist, will be in Palmer
for eye examinations
April 13
For appointment call Lavonne
Johnson at Valley Beauty
Shop, 3301.
Cecil Rhode
Alaska Wildlife
Photographer
presents
ALASKA AFIELD
Color Motion Picture
of
ALASKA BIG GAME
Palmer Gym
April 6 — 8 P.M.
Children 50c Adults $1.25
April Fools' Easier Birthday Parly - T & T Sourdough Bar
COME ONE - COME All
SATURDAY, APRIL 2,-9 P.M. 19
MUSIC, DANCING, FUN FOR ALL