KEITHAHS, EDWARD L.
ALASKA
r. ’ n q v n *
HIS . I I BRAlj Y
UTTW1 LEAGUE
APRIL 29—8 P.M.
CENTRAL SCHOOL
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PUBLISHED IN THE INTFFESTF OF THE MATANUSKA VALLE'V
TRY A FRONTIERSMAN
CLASSIFIED AD for that
item you may have for sale,
rent or lease.
VOLUME ft. NUMBER 26
PALMER AL" THURSDAY. APRIL 28. 1955
PRICE TEN CENTS
Area-Wide Blood
Program to be Held Friday
- _____--- UTIUI1 ill ■ IIA IlfkAfi
HNDUCE BIDS
S»W MOP IN
mm prices
Apparent low bidders for mil
itary produce requirements were
Tdatsed this week by Leonard
O. Jones of the Purchasing and
Contracting office of the Alaska
General Depot. Information re
leased is tentative, with final
•awards and contracts to be issued
at a later date, according to Geor
ge Crowther of the Alaska De
partment of Agriculure.
Competition among Alaskan
producers became sharper this
year, as prices of some items
dropped as much as 15 percent.
Prices of issue potatoes drop
ped slightly, some resale pota
toes dropped 15 percent. Carrot
and celery prices remained prac
tically the same. Lettuce prices
dropped nine percent in the An
chorage-Matanuska Valley area
but remained about the same in
Fairbanks. Cabbage prices also
remained about the same in
Fairbanks but dropped about 12
percent in the Anchorage-Mat
anuska Valley area.
Successful bidders on potatoes
were the Matanuska Valley
Farmers Cooperating Association,
1,343-ton; Tanana Valley Farmers
Coop, 1,000-ton; Eugene Reid,
Palmer. 616.5-ton; Bob Weimer,
Anchorage, 478.5-ton; Glen Wood,
Palmer 443-ton; Paul Elbert,
Fairbanks, 264-ton; Irvin Even
son, Anchorage, 242-ton; Loren
Weiderkehr, Palmer, 92-ton; Jack
Gilliland, Anchorage, 87.5-ton;
John Schandelmeir, Anchorage
75-ton; Larry Lancashire, Kenai,
56.5-ton; and McLellan, Anchor
age, 12.5-ton
Price ranges for the different
commodities are:
Anchorage Bases per cwt)
Cabbage, issue:-$4.50-$7.90
Cabbage, resale: $5.00-$8.90
Carrots, issue: $6.90-$8.90
Carrots, resale: $11.90-13.90
Celery: $11.50-$12.00
Lettuce: $9.40-$10-80
Potatoes, issue: $4.25-$6.14
Potatoes, resale: $4.65-$6.88
Ladd Field (per cwt)
Cabbage, issue: $4.90-$10
Cabbage, resale: $5.40-$10
Carrots, issue: $8.40-$10.40
Carrots, resale: $13.90-$15.90
Celery: $14
Lettuce: 13.50
Potatoes, issue, overall bid $6 21
Potatoes, resale, overall bid: $6.50
Prices of items to be furnish
ed to other stations are in line
with the above quoted prices.
Prices of each individual item
and the successful bidder may be
obtained by contacting the Alas
ka Department of Agriculture.
There are a few items yet to be
negotiated, Crowther said.
Crowther also stated that Rear
Admiral Craig of the Kodiak
Naval Base was recently contact
ed and an effort was made for
the Navy to procure locally pro
duced items for that area. How
ever, farmers must be able to
meet the ceiling price establish
ed by stateside prices, plus frei
ght, he said.
SMART HAIR STYLINGS
by LaVonne
Evening Appointments
VALLEY BEAUTY SHOP
Phone 3301
I
No Official Word
Yet on Polio Vaccine
Dr. C. C. Bailey, health offi
cer, said today no official re
lease has been received from
the National Foundation of In
fantile Paralysis or the Terri
torial Department of Health
pertaining to the date when
polio vaccine will be •available
for immunization work in the
valleiy area.
As soon as official word is
received the public will be in
formed, Dr. Bailey said, and
the program will be launched
at the earliest possible date.
Local physicians will be noti
fied upon the arrival of the
vaccine.
Area Civil Defense
To Participate in
Nat’l Test June 15
Alfred V. Hager, director of
the Greater Palmer Civil Defense
area, received word this week
that Palmer will be asked to take
some part in the national test,
“Operation Alert” which will be
staged on Wednesday, June 15.
Although final plans have not
been made, it is believed the bulk
of activity will be confined with
in the Greater Anchorage and
i Chugiak Civil Defense districts.
! The entire exercise will be co
ordinated with Federal CD head
quarters in Battle Creek, Mich.
Plans for the Anchorage phase
of the test will simulate an atom
ic burst over Anchorage on the
morning of June 15. Additional
details will be provided each dis
trict director prior to the test.
Alaska Has But Few
Diseased Livestock
As a result or meetings held
in the valley last week-end, calf
hood vaccination will be given
free of charge to those livestock
owners who cooperate in the
Brucellosis program being con
ducted in Alaska, stated Jim
Wilson, commissioner of agricul
ture.
Meeting in the valley last week
with Wilson, Dr. Fred Honsinger,
and vallev dairymen, Dr. A. K.
Kuttler, head of the National
Brucellosis program, explained
the federal program of Brucel
losis eradication. Alaska has only
one-half of one percent average
diseased animals, as compared
with the national average of 2.2
percent, indicating that dairy
farmers in Alaska are much bet
ter off compared to their State
side cousins. “We hope to declare
an Alaska Brucellosis-and TB
free area by mid-summer”, Wil
son said this week.
Immunizations will be given
free of charge to those owners
who cooperate in slaughtering
reactors, Wilson said. Indemnity
payments of $25 per head from
the federal government can be
matched by a like amount from
the territory, he added. In the
T/alley there are very few react
ors, he stated. Possibly four or
five animals are involved. Farm
ers attending the meeting indi
cated they will cooperate 100
percent in the program. Farms
where reactors are not immedi
ately slaughtered, animals will
be branded with a “B” on their
jaw as a permanent mark and
livestock will be quarantined to
those farms.
A new method of mild-ring
testing was presented by Dr.
Kuttler and will broaden the pos
(Continued on page 8)
I
Notice
The Palmer School Board will meet
as a board of equalization for the Pal*
mer Independent School District on
Wednesday, May I f, 1955 at 8:00 p.m.
in the Palmer School Tax Office in the
Neal Wright Building.
BILL ROARK
School Board President
Fire Fighters Qet
Safety Apparatus
From Civil Defense
Fire Chief George Bums of the
Anchorage Fire Department at
tended a public meeting held in
the Palmer fire hall on Monday
night of this week. Chief Burns
brought with him two Mine
Safety Breathing Apparatus
which were obtained from the
Territorial Civil Defense, which
he turned over to the Palmer
Civil Defense. The apparatus are
of utmost importance in enter
ing smoked filled basements,
Chief Burns pointed out. This is
the first apparatus of this type
the local fire fighters, ’all -of
whom are members of the CD
fire organziation, have had for
their protection. The “masks” are
good for one hour use before
refilling.
In addition to the breathing ap
paratus Chief Burns brought fire
training manuals, inspection
forms and fire record books such
as the Anchorage department
uses. These were turned over to
Palmer Fire Chief Ray Lancas
ter.
Although few persons attend
ed the public meeting, those
who were there are even more
aware now of the need to or- -
ganize and keep an active vol
unteer fire department in the
city. Chief Burns pointed out that
the reduced fire rating accorded
the City of Palmer this past year
requires efficient functioning of
a full department; consistent f;.re
prevention work, and mainten
ance of equipment.
In speaking of Palmer’s pres
ent no-fire record Chief Burns
cautioned against relaxation.
“It’s during such a period as this,
when there hasn’t been a fire
for a long period of time, that
fire fighters must stay on their
toes. They must not relax simp
ly because there are no fires to
fight. Regular practice sessions,
with every possible man turning
out, is the “order-of-the-day” in
such a situation.” A feeling of
false security may develop among
the people living in a community
that has no major fires, he ad
ded.
Fire Chief Lancaster again ap
pealed to all property owners in
the city to volunteer their ser
vices to the fire department. “Not
every man can answer a fire
call—we realize that,” he said.
“However, there are many ways
in which adults may assist the
volunteer department without
actually fighting fires. We need
all the assistance we can get to
make this a good department and
to hold our present fire insurance
rating,” he added. Regular meet
ing nights will be announced as
soon as plans are ready, he said,
of Agriculture bv the federal
government as their contribution
to the program.
HUGE PROGRAM
PUNNED FOR
COLONY DAY EVENT
One of the most entertaining
program ever offered to the pub
lic is shaping up for the Colony
Day celebration which will be
held in Palmer on May 9. A
parade, in which all organiza
tions and business houses are in
vited to enter decorated floats,
will be one of the features of the
day. Participating in the parade
will be military units and the
Palmer School Band.
On the fairgrounds celebrants
will find food and entertainment
concessions; a free barbeque for
which approximately 750 pounds
of valley-grown beef has already
been purchased; souvenir book
lets, featuring the story of the
colonization; distinguished visit
ors; races, games, and a dedica
tion ceremony, among the many
special events being planned.
The pamphlet, being compiled
by Jim Hurley, general chair
man and Pat Hemmer, colonist,
will tell the story of the coloni
zation and will be illustrated
with many early-day and recent
pictures, as well as articles from
various valley residents.
Financing of the 20th anniver
sary Colony Day celebration is
being undertaken by the Cham
ber of Commerce and business
houses throughout the area will
(Continued on page 8)
W.O.O.M. HOSTESS
FOR FRIENDSHIP
SESSION ON MAY 1
On Sunday, May 1, members
of Palmer Chapter No. 942 Wo
men of the Moose will be hos
tess for the Academy of Friend
ship session. This is the first time
| a session has been held in West
ern Alaska and many members
and candidates from the territory
are expected to be in attendance.
Deputy Grand Regent Zella
Grenier from Petersburg will
conduct the session, assited by
other members. The program will
get under way with a breakfast
for all staff members at Cobb’s
Cafe, followed by a coffee hour
at Moose Hall for all candidates
and Friendship members. The
session will begin at 1:00 p.m.
and followed by a banquet in the
early evening. All members of
W.O.O.M. may attend the ban
quet who have made reserva
tions.
BANK PRESIDENT
TO HEAD ASSOCIATION
Robert A. Baker, president of
the Matanuska Valley Bank, was
named president of the Alaska
Bankers Association during its
annual convention recently held
at Ketchikan. Anchorage was
named as host city for the 1956
convention.
LITTLE LEAGUE; PLAYGROUND
AND ELECTION ON PARC AGENDA
An important membership
meeting of Palmer Area Recrea
tion Council will be held at Cen
tral School in the cafeteria on
Friday evening, April 29 at 8
p.m., Norman Rousey, PARC
president has announced.
The meeting is of three-fold
purpose, he pointed out, and
urged all parents and other in
terested adults whether or not
members, to attend. Officers for
the forthcoming year will be
elected to the 15-member board
of directors. A slate of nominees
is being prepared and further
nominations will be welcomed
from the floor. Former directors
are eligible for re-election.
Second important issue to come
before the membership, and par
ticularly parents of all boys in
the Little League age group, will
be the formulation of the Little
League program for the coming
season.
Everyone interested in the Lit
tle League program is urged to
attend the meeting. The agenda
on this subject will include the
election of officers, directors, and
an over-all Little League man
ager. Also the naming of team
sponsors, coaches and managers.
Parents of all boys from eight
to 12 years of age are solicited
to participate in the meeting.
Any boy who will not be 13 years
of age by July 31 is eligible for
Little League competition.
As during the past two years,
four teams are being planned.
In addition one or two farm
teams for first year players are
planned if enough hopefuls turn
out. These boys will receive in
dividual instruction in baseball
fundamentals.
Another timely subject to be
decided by the membership will
be the operation of a summer
playground program. If enough
interest is shown in repeating a
playground program similar to
the one sponsored by PARC this
past summer, it may be posible
to obtain some of the leaders on
a volunteer basis. Ideas and sug
gestions on the program will be
welcomed.
In making the meeting announ
cement, Rousey urged all organ
ibations throughout the valley to
prompt their representatives to
attend the meeting. This is the
only membership meeting to be
held prior to the Little League
and playground season. The next
membership meeting will be held
in July.
I REPEATS WARNING 1
ON BURNING GRASS |
City Fire Chief Ray Lancas- «
ter this week, repeated hils ;
warning of two weeks ago per- ;
taining to indiscriminate burn- j
ing of grass and brush. “All ;
persons desiring to burn grass ;
or brush on their property ;
within the city must first ob- !
tain permission to do so”, he !
said. Permission may be ob- !
tained from the City Clerk in !
the Wright building. Those j
planning to burn off stump !
rows must also clear with the |
clerk and fire chief before be- j
ginning to burn. No stump fire !
permits will be granted after j
the May 1 period, unless wet j
weather is prevailing, he ad- <
<> ded. ;
1
Spring Band Senear!
T@ Be Held May 13
As a highlight of the annual
Spring Band Concert to be pre
sented by the Palmen Pioneer
Band, on May 13 a trumpet trio
composed of Dale Clark, Allyn
Wilson and J. C. Harder will
present a novelty number called
“Three Jolly Trumpeters” with a
drum obligato played by Doug
las Bixby.
The band, which is directed by
Lee Plumbley, is working hard
for this concert and are eager
for their parents and friends to
hear them perform. The band is
trying to raise money for addi
tional uniforms. At the present
time they have but 34 uniforms.
An additional 46 uniforms are
needed to outfit an 80-piece band
I which the program will have
next year.
Other selections to be present
ed during the program include
solo numbers, duets, and com
positions by Bach, Mousorgsky,
Bennett and Sousa.
Piggly-Wiggly Plans
39th Anniversary
Celebration This Week
The Palmer unit Piggly-Wiggly
store will participate in the cele
bration of the 39th anniversary
of Piggly-Wiggly stores, origina
tors of the self-service store, by
giving away 100 free orchids on
both Friday and Saturday to the
first 100 women in the store.
Helping the local store cele
brate will be department-wide
specials—a giant birth<fay cake
from Bice’s Bakery—demonstra
tion of Matanuska Maid ice
cream—and other special features
. . . and) there will be free samp
les for all.
Jack Barrett and Keith Lesh of
Anchorage partners in the
business, are also celebrating
their 17th anniversary in food
stores in Alaska, now having the
largest chain of this type store in
the territory with six stores in
Anchorage, one at Kenai, one in
Palmer and a wholesale house
in Anchorage.
In addition to advertised sales,
there will be special sale items
throughout the week, according
to Everett Adams, general man
ager of the Palmer unit.
MnARinna unuc
RESIDENTS TO
PARTICIPATE
All residents of the Matanuska
VaHey who have never been
blood-typed or who do not know
their blood type and RH factor
are urged to take advantage of
the Kiwanis-sponsored blood
typing program which will go in
to action tomorrow morning.
The work group, under the di
rection of Frank Pauls of the Al
aska Department of Health will
journey to Wasilla Friday morn
ing where the program will be
conducted in the Wasilla school
for students, adults and pre
school age children. School chil
dren will be typed from 9:00 to
10:30 a.m.; adults and pre-school
children from 10:30 a.m. to
noon.
The program in the Palmer
school system will begin at 2:00
p.m .and continue until 3:30 p.m.
after which time adults and pre
school children may be typed un
til 5:00 p.m. An evening session
is scheduled from 7:00 to 10:00
p.m. Typing work will be done
in the basement of Central
School, where members of the
Matanuska Valley Nurses Asso
ciation will assist with the lab
work and members of Theta
Chapter Beta Sigma Phi will as
sist with clerical work.
Cy Fahnestock, general chair
man, is being assisted by Ki
wanians Jack Flint and Bill Kel
leigh. Fahnestock said this week
that the entire typing process,
from registration through the
lab work and final registration
will take only about 15 minutes.
Pauls has estimated that approxi
mately 50 persons may be pro
cessed in an hour.
A donation of 25 cents will be
accepted to help cover the costs
of the program, which includes
the registration, typing and an
identification card. Those desiring
a metal tag will be asked to pay
an additional 11 cents. Service
men who have been typed but
who do not know their RH blood
factor are urged to be typed dur
ing the program. Anyone ,who
has been typed but does not nave
a metal tag may purchase one by
taking their identification card
to the program.
VVVVWV^^VVWVVVVV%A/VVVVSAAAAA^.
FLOWERS
For the PROM
MATANUSKA VALLEY
GARDENS
Theatre Building
NOTICE
Dr. E. E. Bach, optome
trist, will be in Palmer
for eye examinations
May 4
For appointment call Lavonne
Johnson at Valley Beauty
Shop, 3301.
<
Bob & Ruth
“THE BLUES CHASERS”
Have returned to play your favorite tunes
-old and New - Popular, Western, Latin
and Scandinavian Music - Guitar, Accor
dian, Celeste and Bajo
FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS
9 till 2
Playing at
Palmer Bar