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UNIVERSITY of ALASKA
Coopanllve Extension Service
Division of Statewide Services
It’s true you probably never
heard of the Sourdough Gard
ener before, and there’s a good
reason why.
I came into being at the
whim of an editor more years
ago than I want to tell. People
had been asking the editor of
the local paper to give them
some dependable facts on gard
ening thereabouts. Being
friends, he naturally asked me
to jot down a few pointers on
how to make things grow. From
that day on, I’ve been called
the Sourdough Gardener, so
now nearly everyone thinks I
was born with the title.
First off, let’s go over some
likely planting dates. Spring
officially arrived a while back
and although it may not look
it now, planting time is sure to
arrive at College about May
30tn. Maybe it will be well into
the first week of June out
around the Yukon and Kusko
kvvim Rivers and west to Nome.
Folks down in the Southeast
part of Alaska seem to plan
on the middle of May. Back up
in the Matanuska Valley and
Anchorage, the last week in
May brings the start of frost
free weather, as a rule.
Down on the Kenai, with so
much water near the growing
areas, gardens warm up slowly.
June may be well started be
fore much can be planted. No
use to worry about this though,
for there will be a few days ex
tra before frost.
Of course, direct seeded crops I
can be sown a fewr days earlier
than the start of the frost free
season, but don’t be over an
xious about planting. The Co
operative Extension Service
has a publication (No. 9) telling
just about how many weeks it
takes for most of the common
vegetables and many flowers
to grow from seed to transplant
size. Subtract the number of
weeks the publication suggests,
from the frost free dates we
just talked about, and that will
be when to start the seeds.
Don’t be discouraged even
if '.he chart shows the seeds
should have been planted the
first of April or earlier. Seed
some of the slower growing
plants anyway and transplant
them at the proper time al
though they may be small. I us
ually figure on buying a few of
the plants that do best if start
ed real early. This way it isn’t
necessary to tie up so much
precious kitchen window space
for quite so long. Celery, pep
pers and tomatoes fall into this
early starting group.
Don’t neglect to sterilize the
soil and disinfect your seeds.
These steps will do a lot to
ward control of damping off.
This is the worst trouble that’s
likely to show up. Thinning
plants to keep a good circula
tion of air around them, par
ticularly at the surface of the |
soil, is another big help.
Plants can be set back seri
ously by a quick change cr
“shock”, so review' the section
on hardening off plants in Pub
lication No. 9, transplanting
ar.d seed starting.
It might be well to keep an
eye out for this column in the
future, just to see if you agree
with what the Sourdough Gar
dener has to say about growing
things. Remember this, with
plants or people it is usually
the best young sprouts that
make the best old sprouts.
OES TO MEET MAY 15
The Matanuska Valley chap
ter, Order of Eastern Star, will
hold its regular meeting at
Carpenters hall in Palmer on
May 15 at 8 p.m.
The Anchorage chapter of
DeMolay will present the ad
denda, initiation, and social
hour.
Mom to Get Special Treatment
On Her Day-Sunday. May 12
Mother may he in for some
special treatment come May 12,
but everyday is Mother’s Day
and she usually observes it in
her own less glamourous way
—washing, ironing, cooking,
cleaning, shopping and—pro
bably her most important task
—shaping reluctant offspring
into adults.
In fact, historians tell us
things might have been drasti
cally different if it weren’t for
the influence of a few deter
mined mothers.
Men like George Washing
ton and Abraham Lincoln,
who helped to shape America’s
early history, Thomas Edison
who gave us the light bulb and
many other inventions, and
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
whose poetry ranks with Am
erica’s finest, are remembered
Houston-Willow News
By Kelly Palmquist
I he Homesteaders 4-H Club!
held its May 6 meeting at Mar- j
sha Batchelor’s home. The most j
important business was elec-!
tion of officers for the year, j
who are Kelly Palmquist,!
president; Burton Kohler, vice- |
president; Ava Kohler, secre-:
tary; and Shirley Neal, trea
surer. Arrangements for the
4-H Sunday, which is on May
19, were discussed.
The next meeting is on May
20 at Shirley Neal’s home at
1 p.m.
Loose, ranging dogs are again
a problem. Two homesteaders
who moved from the area left
their pets behind; and other
dogs, no longer wanted by their
owners at the bases or in An
chorage, are deposited in the
country to find their own new
homes, if possible. These dogs
have gotten into disputes with
porcupines and are now in
short temper. Some have suf
fered from the quills for many
days.
* * *
Mrs. Helen Meinke returned
home from Valley Presbyterian
Hospital in Palmer on Tuesday,
and is modelling a cast for her
back. She finds this outfit very
restrictive.
A brother of Mrs. Mienke, as
well as a married sister, and
their families have made their
way recently over the highway
to make new homes for them
selves near their relatives in
this area.
* * *
The Homesteaders commun
ity band will lead the Saturday
parade in the Wasilla Pioneer
Days celebration. The band, led
by Ray Holtz, will also play
at intervals at the Playland
Resort, where many events will
take place.
* * *
The borough question is the
subject of discussion at all lo
cal gatherings. Wasilla held a
meeting on Wednesday, May 8.
Also on Wednesday, the Home
RESEARCHERS PLAN
TESTING PROGRAM
A team from the Arctic Heal
th Research Center will work
at Wasilla schools on Friday,
May 10, and at the Willow sch
ool on Monday, May 13, on a
hearing testing program, Mrs.
Priscilla Bacon, public health
nurse for the Matanuska Val
ley, said this week.
We Are Still
In Business
but we no longer make or sell crushed
aggregate or sand.
• BACKHOE WORK
Excavating cesspools, ditches, etc.
• CAT WORK
Land Clearing w/D8's
Cat and carryall work
• CONCRETE WORK
Slabs
Basements
• HAULING
Dump type equipment
APSC Permit
Gravel
Dirt
PALMER SAND & GRAVEL
Owen A. Moffift
BOX 757 PI 5-2795 PALMER, ALASKA
steaders Community Club j
meeting at the home of Mrs. I
Brien MeMillin devoted a!
part of the meeting to discus- j
sion. On Thursday evening.
May 9, Willow will have its I
borough meeting at the Willow
Civic Center.
Five Major Changes in Teachers’
Retirement Law Take Effect July I
Commissioner of Administra
tion Floyd Guertin said today
amendments enacted by the
recent Alaska Legislature to
the Teachers’ Retirement law
will go into effect July 1, 1963.
The amendments, introduced
at the request of Governor
William A. Egan, were evalu
ated and approved by an actu
arial firm together with the De
partment of Administration.
They make five major chang
es in the program:
One of these eliminates the
provision for compulsory re
tirement at the age of 65. A
teacher now will be permitted
to continue in service with the
consent of his employer after
reaching the age of 65.
Another change permits a
teacher to retire after attain
ing the age of 55 and complet
ing 15 years of credited service,
at least 10 of which must have
been in Alaska. Previously, it
Legal Notice
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
THE INTERIOR, Bureau of Land
Management. Land Office, Cordova
Building. 555 Cordova Street. Anch
orage. Alaska
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Under the provisions of Section 6 (b)
of the Act of July 7. 1958. (72 Stat. 339
343). as amended, the State of Alaska
on June 18. 1959. filed application An
chorage 049337 and Amended same on
January 27, 1960 to select certain public
lands more particularly described as
follows:
T. 19 N.. R. 5 E.. S.M.
Section 3: Lots 21 and 26
Containing 15.44 acres
One purpose of this notice is to allow
all persons claiming the lands adver
sely to file In this office their objec
tions to issuance of patent to the State.
Such persons must serve on the Direc
tor, Division of Lands, Department of
Natural Resources, State of Alaska. 344
Sixth Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, a
copy of their objections and furnish
evidence of such service to the An
chorage Land Office. Cordova Build
ing. 555 Cordova Street. Anchorage,
Alaska.
Notice is also given that the above
described lands have, since June 18.
1959, been segregated from all appli
cations and appropriations under the
public land laws,, including settlement
under the homestead and similar laws
and locations under the mining laws.
Settlements and locations intitlated on
or after that date are null and void.
ALFRED P. STEGER
Chief, Lands Section
Published May 2, 9, 16. 23 and 29, 1963.
1
for their greatness—hut their
mother’s influence can be seen
in their personal writings and
the reports of their lives.
Kate Douglas Wiggin wrote:
“Most of the beautiful things
in life came by twos, and threes
and dozens and hundreds.
Plenty of roses, stars, picnics,
sonnets, brothers, sisters, aunts
and cousins, but only one
mother in all the wide world.”
The greeting cards that moth
ers throughout the world will
be receiving on May 12 will
contain many warm tributes.
Some of the Mother's Day
thoughts will be light-hearted
and witty, but behind the guf
faw will be that loving thought:
“I love you. Mom.” For exam
ple, there is:
“Today is Mother’s Day,
Mom. try and get your work
done early so you can cele
brate with us.”
has been necessary that a tea
cher complete 25 years of ser
vice, including 15 in Alaska, to
be eligible for retirement at 55,
The amendments also add a
deferred retirement benefit
provision to the law for which
a teacher would total at least
75 at the time of retirement.
Payment of the retirement an
nuity would not commence un
til the individual’s 60th birth
day. The provision would be
particularly beneficial to the
career Alaska teacher who be
gan his Alaska service at an
early age and has met his ser
vice requirements prior to
reaching 55.
The amendments also incor
porate a recommendation by
the actuaries that interest be
added to the arrearage indebt
edness for outside service cred
it to bring the fund into closer
actuarial balance. The rate es
tablished in the amendment is
3 % per year, compounded an
nually, to the date of payment
or date of retirement, which
ever occurs first. The amend
ment also obligates the State
to match the interest as well a:
arrearage payments. All teach
ers will be notified of thei:
arrearage indebtedness prior t(
the effective dates of the am
amendments permi
credit as outside service fo:
up to five years of Bureau o
Indian Affairs teaching in A1
aska in addition to the presen
ten year maximum, and in
crease the rate of interest o:
reinstatement from 2 per cen
to 3 per cent a year to reflec
the current earnings of th<
Retirement Fund.
VALLEY
ELECTRIC CO.
0 New Construc
tion
0 Remodel
0 State Licensed
Phone PI 54848
endmept.
Other
COLONY DAY ROUNDUP
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ON
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MAY 25
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Gill Suggestions
7 and 8
Transistor Radios
IN STOCK
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doz.
48
"Satisfaction
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Money Back"
Skate
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SEARS Stare
PHONE
PI 5-2500
****** •ri'VwvwrjMuiL
FOR THOSE
WHO SERVED
ITIRANS OF FOREIGN
:0f THE UNITED STATES
? ' - >
BUY A
V. F. W.
BUDDY
POPPY
Tact is saying nothing in a
way that leaves nothing un
said.
Legal Notice
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
THE INTERIOR. BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT. Land Office. Cor
dova Building. 555 Cordova Street,
Anchorage. Alaska
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Under the provisions of Section 6(b)
of the Act of July 7. 1958, (72 Stat. 339
343), as amended, the State of Alaska
on March 21. 1960 filed Anchorage 051456
and amended same on October 12. 1962.
to select certain public land6 located
in the Susitna Basin Area more parti
cularly described as follows:
T. 22 N. R. 4. 5 W.. S.M.
All unsurveyed lands.
Excluding any prior valid rights,
claims, or patented lands.
One purpose of this notice is to allow
all persons claiming the lands adverse
ly to file in this office their objections
to issuance of patent to the State
Such persons must serve on the Dlrec
tor. Division of Lands. Department o:
Natural Resources, State of Alaska
344 Sixth Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska
a copy of their objections and furnisl
evidence of such service to the Anchor
age Land Office. Cordova Buildtnf
; 555 Cordova Street. Anchorage. Ala&kt
Notice is also given that the abov
described lands have, since March 2:
' 1960. been segregated from all appli
cations and appropriations under th
public land laws. Including settlemen
under the homestead and similar law
and locations under the mining law:
Settlements and locations initiated oi
or after that date are null and void.
ALFRED P. STEGER
Chief. Lands Section
■ Published May 2. 9. 16. 23 and 29. 1963
I BUTTE ROADHOUSE
MILE 41 - PALMER HWY.
GEORGE and VI HALL
Mother's Day Special
1/2 BROILED CHICKEN OR $900
I GOLDEN FRIED SHRIMP . J
CHILDREN UNDER 12 (small plate) -$1.50
i
i
FELLOWSHIP EVENING AT CHURCH
OF CHRIST TO BENEFIT AMBULANCE FUND
The Fire Department Ambu
lance Fund will benefit from
a fellowship evening to be held
at the Church of Christ on Sat
urday, May 11. from 7 to 9 p.m.,
according to Floyd J. Hadden
ham, minister of the congre
gation.
The public is cordially invit
ed to attend the showing of
color movie, followed by a cof
fee hour, the Rev. Haddenham
said.
A free-will offering will be
taken, with donations to go to
the current drive being con
I ducted by the Palmer Fire De
I partment to purchase a new
' ambulance to serve the Val
i ley area.
The Church, of Christ is lo
j rated on Smith Avenue in
I North Palmer.
OPENING MAY 13
PALMER
KIDDY DROP
Hours 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
CITY & STATE LICENSED
$3.00 a day per child — Also hourly rates
SPECIAL FAMILY RATES
LOCATED ON VALLEY STREET
PHONE PI 5-4365
To start your
own treasure
chest, save
with us...
Open a savings account soon, save regularly
every payday, and see how the treasure
mounts up. Remember, it's regular saving
that does the trick, so get the savings habit
now.
YOUR MONEY WILL GROW FASTER THAN EVER WHEN
YOU SAVE HERE, THANKS TO OUR HIGH INTEREST RATE.
MATANUS KA
A
PALMER, ALASKA
Open Daily 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday Evenings 6 to 8 p.m.