VALLEY FRONTIERSMAN
Entered as second class matter on Oct. 21, 1947, at the post office at
t Palmer, Alaska, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
PRINTED AT PALMER, ALASKA, EACH FRIDAY
By the Matanuska Press, Inc.
^Publisher, Business Manager
A1 J. DeJulio
Editor
Lucille Kennedy Mick
Associate Editor
Virginia Gallant
Barbara Carter
Wasilla Correspondent
Subscription Rates .. 50c a month, $5 a year
Mailed to all points in Alaska and the United States
EDITOR MARIAN BADCON SAYS GOODBYE
My Dear A1 De Julio:
In saying goodbye, should I not write a "LETTER TO THE
EDITOR?" As your ex-editor, now on my way to some other
writing job, thanks ior everything. My three months in Palmer
l)ave been an experience, to say the least. I stepped into the middle
of the fight for incorporation. You know we put out the first elec
tion extra, within 30 minutes after final returns, that any weekly
ever has produced.
I think I have helped in the birthpangs of the first Farmers'
Market in Alaska. I know I had more than a small fist in the
water fight. We developed and printed facts on the Bureau of
Mines, on the Ekluina Project, on other factors which will make
Palmer great, that never before had been publicized.
You and I know, Al, that we have printed nothing but the
straight facts in our news columns—that we have made more than a
little nationwide news for Palmer, on the constructive side. Admit
tedly, in making space for news which dealt directly with th£
development of Palmer we have omitted some pink teas—or perhaps
$hey did not get the news in to us in time for it to be set, since we
do have a deadline!
Anyway, in saying goodbye, may I also say that I have relished
the beauty of this Valley, the rich friendships of the people who
were understanding enough to be friends. I want to congratulate
you on having the finest newspaper plant in the Territory. I know
over the span of lime with which I have been cognizant, you have
produced the best weekly newspaper in the Territory. I admire
your integrity in printing facts and editorials, wherever the chips
may fall.
I believe Palmer has a great future if the factions in this town
will stop their petty bickering and get together to work for the
good of the town and its people.
May I wish you all the luck in the world,
Mrs. Marian Badcon.
FRONTIERSMAN NOTE: In terse, lucid “Badconian” style,
Mrs. Marion Badcom leaves little more to be added to her ex
pressions. We especally like her admonition for all local factions
to cease petty bickering and all pull for a better community.
The Frontiersman has lost a "crack" newspaper woman!
Mrs. Lucille Kennedy Mick, who succeeds Marion as Editor of
the Frontiersman this week, does not have Marion's newspaper ex
perience. However, her knowledge of Palmer and the Valley
through association with several civic groups; together with an
•academic background, which includes a B. A. in journalism and an
M. A. in sociology; and her professional experience in other fields
of writing provide a combination which should assure Frontiersman
readers of thorough coverage and accurate interpretation of the news.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
We have a good city council.
They are giving their time night after night, free of charge.
I wonder how many of us have thought about the actual expense
that they are also assuming. Telegrams, letters, jobs they have done
* and underwrite the cost. For instance, when Meier used his trucks
last Sunday to haul pipe at his own expense.
Or when one of them gets a telegram and it says "collect"—
maybe four or five dollars.
Don't you think it would be a good idea if we all “chipped" a
dollar or two to help out?
E. J. BLOM.
NEW LICENSE RULING IS |
MADE FOR ARMED FORCES
Clarence J. Rhode, head of fish
and wildlife service in Alaska, an
nounced today that effective July
1, 1951, personnel attached to the
armed forces of the United States,
when applying for their first res
ident hunting or fishing license,
must have an affidavit, signed by
their commanding officer, show
ing that they have resided in the
Territory of Alaska for one year
previous to the date of applica
tion.
The application may be pro
cured from the office of the mili
t tary game warden at the respec
tive military installations, where
the new 1951-52 hunting, trapping
and fishing licenses will be avail
able on July 1.
NAVY PILOT KILLED
A pilot of a U. S. Navy Nep
tune patrol plane from Aviation
Patrol Squadron 2 was killed at
Kodiak when his plane crashed
on landing June 15. He was Lt.
(JG) Ben W. Seviern of Midland,
Texas, who is survived by his
wife and two children.
All other crew members es
caped, though two of them were
seriously injured. These are Co
Pilot Lt. (JG) W. H. Cranford of
San Bernardino, Calif., and R. E.
Houk, aviation metalsmith.
The Kodiak naval station crash
and rescue unit was largely in
strumental in saving the lives of
the crew. The plane, which
caught fire immediately upon
crashing, was completely de
stroyed.
DR. HAROLD J. LUTZ
IN PALMER THIS WEEK
Dr. Harold J. Lutz of Yale uni
versity’s graduate school of fores
try, paid his annual visit to pro
fessional associates in and around
Palmer this week as he started
on his summertime forest service
assignment.
Asked what constituted his
work in the Territory, the emi
nent silviculturist and author said
it was forest fires. The forest ser
vice and other conservation agen
cies, he stated, are vitally inter
ested in the effects of the serious
forest fires in Alaska on vegeta
tion, soils, and wildlife. “Since the
days of the gold rush at the turn
of the century”, he said, “2,000,000
acres of timberland have been
burned yearly. Often the devas
tation reaches higher figures but
rarely is it less”.
The rate of recovery, the type
of recovery, and how these affect
the ecological balance of plant
and animal life are few of the
essentials of Dr. Lutz’ observa
tions.
TEXANS VACATION HERE
Bringing a watermelon, a south
ern poundcake and a statuette of
a mounted Texas ranger, Mr. and
Mrs. Bob Slavik of Silsbee, south
ern Texas, arrived in Palmer.
Mrs. Slavik is the sister of Mrs.
John L. Sullivan, who with
“Sully” is manager of the Mata
nuska Hotel. The extraordinary
cargo were gifts for Mrs. Sulli
van.
In driving up the Alcan, roads
“generally were good”, the Sla
viks reported. While here they
will make various side trips. They
are going up in the mountains “to
find wildflowers and see bear”,
for which they are gunning, they
said.
“Walking in the mountains is
like walking on a carpet”, com
mented Mrs. Slavik. She was
warned not to step too deep or
she would sink on the tundra,
with no floor underneath the
carpet.
COMMUNITY
CALENDER
SUNDAY. JUNE 24
CONFIRMATION CLASS at St.
Michael’s Catholic Church, 3
p.m. Public invited.
EASTERN STAR picnic, Green
Acres, 11 a. m.
MATANUSKA OUTING CLUB
work party, Little Susitna, 9 a.
m.
KIWAN.IS PICNIC, Cornelius
Lake, 1 p. m.
GREAT BOOKS Discussion group
Chas. Wilson home, 7:30 p. m.
MONDAY. JUNE 25
KIWANIS, regular noon meeting,
Co-Op clubroom, 12:05 p. m.
OPEN HOUSE, extension craft
room, 2-4 p. m.
RUMMAGE and bake sale, Co-op
room, Cheechako homemakers.
TUESDAY. JUNE 26
BOY SCOUT meeting, United
Protestant Church, 7 p. m.
GIRL SCOUT summer camp pay
ment due. Mrs. Seth Cook’s
home.
Moose and Women of the
Moose, 8 p. m.
NORTHLAND PIONEER Grange,
regular meeting, 8 p. m. ,
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 27
BUSY WEEDERS 4-H club meet
ing craft room, 7:30 p. m.
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
4-H LEADERS meeting, Exten
sion craft room. 8 p. m.
POTTED PLANTS
Beautify Your Flower Beds
and Window Boxes With
FRESH. LIVELY PLANTS
from
Mai. Valley Gardens
MAUD HOSLER
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
CUB SCOUT hike. Lazy Mt. Meet
on school grounds 9 a. m.
TUESDAY, JULY 3
“ERUPTION of Mauna Loa’\
sponsored by Kiwanis. Hospital
benefit. 8 p. m.
Careful attention to many
little details keep your car in
peak-efficient running order.
Give your car the attention it
deserves.
Willard Batteries
GOODYEAR & RICHMOND
TIRES
fast's
Service Station
in
Downtown Palmer
Peace or War
Railroads are Mighty Important
YOU CAN HELP KEEP 'EM ROLLING!
Because of present heavy freight movements and expected
tonnage throughout the summer, The ALASKA RAILROAD is
asking its shippers—particularly those with carload lots—to
lend a hand by promptly taking delivery of your freight. Your
cooperation will clear the way for the arrival of more freight
and eliminate delay to shippers..
The railroad will furnish checkers for carload shippers at any
time requested. If shippers wish, they may unload their wares
on Saturday or Sunday.
Arrangements can be made for a checker by calling THE
ALASKA RAILROAD freight house at ARCO 451.
TAKE DELIVERY OF THAT FREIGHT TODAY!
Alaska Railroad
CALL ANCHORAGE FREIGHT DEPOT AT ARCO 451