Alaska VIP Club

By: Michael R Dougherty
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  • Summary

  • Interesting facts about Alaska

    www.alaskavipclub.com
    Michael R Dougherty
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World Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • How Portage, Alaska Became a Ghost Town

    How Portage, Alaska Became a Ghost Town
    Sep 22 2024
    The tiny coastal town of Portage, was located about 47 miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska, on the Seward Highway. It used to sit on the shore of Cook Inlet. More about that later in this edition.The town was an early transportation hub connecting the coastal areas with the interior of Alaska.The port at Portage was busy with both cargo and passengers. There were also railroad facilities.Although it’s difficult to imagine now, as a transportation hub, the town of Portage was a busy, community.The Town of Portage, Circa 1960sThe photo above was taken by Bob Pendleton and appears here, courtesy of Alaskan Artist, Cindy Pendleton.Before the 1964 earthquake, anyone traveling from Anchorage on the Seward Highway, toward the Kenai Peninsula, or traveling from the peninsula, were happy to stop in the town of Portage. You could gas up your car, have lunch or visit the bar.Mike of Anchorage Memories, recalls when he was about 11 years old, there was a sign in the restaurant that read something like this:“You can ask to have 1,000 year old ice in your drink”Apparently, once in a while, the owner of the restaurant and bar sent someone to nearby Portage glacier to chip off a block of glacier ice. The ice was then broken into smaller chunks and customers could enjoy having an actual miniature iceberg in their drink. Something to tell the folks about back home.The Town of Portage had a sense of HumorIn the photo above is a hand-painted sign that welcomed all to Portage.Do You Want to Amaze Your Friends and Family?Just share this edition of the Alaska VIP Club. They’ll discover an Alaska “Ghost Forest”, a Ghost Town, and enjoy a good laugh about the sign above.Thanks for reading and listening to the Alaska VIP Club. This post is public, so feel free to share it.What Happened to the Town of Portage, Alaska?On Good Friday, March 27, 1964, a 9.2 earthquake struck Alaska. It was the biggest earthquake in U.S. history.The powerful and horrifying quake shoved some sections of land up and caused others to suddenly sink. Incredible damage followed.Portage, located on the shore of Cook Inlet, was hit hard.Here’s a documented account of what happened when the earthquake struck:“An eyewitness who was in a service station on the west side of the highway said he and a companion ran out the east door of the building as the concrete floor began to crack.They got about three feet out of the building when a crack about three feet wide opened between them. He said that cracks formed about each of them, leaving each man on a small island about three feet wide that moved up and down. He said it was like riding an open elevator.As he went down, the other man went up. And then they'd pass each other going in opposite directions. He said that the earth all around them broke into similar pieces and that as the blocks of frozen earth moved up and down, the cracks also opened and closed causing muddy water to spout as high as 50 feet.He said after the shaking stopped, water filled the open cracks. He estimated the duration of the quake at about four to five minutes.” Source: Chronology of Physical Events of the Alaskan Earthquake, 1966, Genie Chance papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.In the photo above, water from Cook Inlet flooded the townDuring the 1964 Alaska earthquake, the ground in the town of Portage sank about 6 feet. That put the town below the level of high tide in Cook Inlet.The town became flooded with salt water and all the residents had to leave.In the photo above are the remains of a Portage cabin.The sign in the picture reads:“This cabin is part of the original townsite of Portage that was destroyed by the 1964 earthquake.”Salt water also killed all the trees around Portage, creating a “Ghost Forest”.There is no word about what happened to the “11 friendly people and 1 old sorehead” that once lived in this truly Alaskan town.But rest assured, that in the days, months, and years that followed, they had plenty of stories to tell about a unique place called Portage, Alaska.From our North Stars (that’s you)From our Sydney Laurence, Alaska Artist edition“A kind and wonderful lady lived by our family in Chugiak, and she had two Sydney Laurence paintings in her home. I would visit her and just marvel at those paintings and how majestic they were.”Gregory and Linda Newton sent us this kind message:“Thanks so much for this - I really enjoyed your feature on Sydney Laurence. Keep up the great work and stories!”And Avril sent us this:“Absolutely love this. I didn't know a lot about the artist at the time, but it's an incredible history and I learn something every time. Thank you so much.”Diana made this comment:“Excellent, as always!! Thank you for all you, two, do to commemorate the history of Alaska.” And George sent along this info:“I recently read a book about the history of mining on the Kenai Peninsula. The book ...
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    4 mins
  • This is Sydney Laurence, Alaska's Amazing Denali Artist

    This is Sydney Laurence, Alaska's Amazing Denali Artist
    Sep 15 2024
    His love for the mountain, known as Denali, moved him to create wonderful paintings.Mountains treat Anchorage, Alaska to the glories of summer with a splash of fireweed, a reddish flower that graces many mountains in the Great Land.But as winter approaches, “Termination Dust”, otherwise known as snow, covers the mountain tops. In early fall, when residence see Termination Dust, they know that winter is on its way. And the mountains, and Anchorage, will soon be covered with a blanket of fluffy white.The MountainOn a clear day in Anchorage, if you look to the north, nature reveals an incredible gift.A glimpse of Denali, “The Great One”. The tallest mountain in North America.The ArtistOne photographer and painter named, Sydney Laurence found the majestic beauty of Denali, captivating.His love for the mountain moved his brush to create wonderful paintings of the Great One.From Valdez, AlaskaLaurence was living in Valdez, Alaska when he decided to make a move that would change his life.In 1915, the Alaska Railroad was hiring workers in a ragged tent city that would become the town of Anchorage, Alaska.Laurence traveled to the tent city to work as a laborer on the railroad.Gold Panning - a Side HustleLooking to make a little more money, and have some adventure, Sydney tried his hand at panning for gold along Cache Creek near Talkeetna, Alaska.His Photographic Portrait DaysLater, Laurence began taking photographic portraits.His studio was in the Carol Building at 4th and E Streets in Anchorage.Where Sydney Laurence Lived in AnchorageAs his residence, Laurence lived in the Anchorage Hotel, which was operated at that time, by Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Reed.Yes, You can Share this EditionYour friends and family will be impressed when you share this edition about world-famous artist, Sydney Laurence. And when you do, they will send you one of Laurence’s painting of what was then called Mount McKinley, as a gift… well, it could happen.Thanks for reading and listening to the Alaska VIP Club. This post is public, so feel free to share it.Then in 1919Laurence began selling some of his paintings in Juneau, Alaska at a well-known gift shop ran by Belle Simpson, called the Nugget Shop.In 1920, Sydney Laurence opened a portrait studio in the Anchorage Hotel.A Full-Time PainterBy 1922, Laurence saw that his paintings were becoming more popular, so he closed his photographic portrait studio to paint full-time… But just in case – he continued to look for gold and oil near Talkeetna.By 1923, he was recognized as Alaska’s most prominent painter. President Warren G. Harding, the first U.S. President to visit Alaska, bought a Sydney Laurence painting.He Painted for a MovieWhen Cap Lathrop made the silent movie “The Chechahcos” in 1923, Laurence painted the decorative subtitle borders for the movie. He also painted 6 large landscapes that were seen in the movie.When the movie was shown outside of Alaska, it introduced the artist, Sydney Laurence, to a wider audience.BONUSMike and Mary, of the Alaska VIP Club, have created a new podcast.And while it has nothing to do with Alaska, the Relaxing Music Moment is work visiting.Take a look at the Relaxing Music Moment and relax.Laurence Becomes a “Snow Bird”In 1924, Sydney Laurence also opened a studio in Los Angeles, California. And with that, and for the rest of his life, he spent the winter in California and summers in Anchorage.In Los Angeles, he married Jeanne K. Holerman in 1928.Sydney Laurence passed away in Anchorage on September 11, 1940, and was laid to rest in the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.His wife Jeanne Laurence passed away in Anchorage in August 1980.BONUSWould you like to know more about Alaska’s most renowned painter?Read more about Sydney Laurence and discover.From our North Stars (that’s you)From our podcast about the Matanuska Maid dairyJim had this comment:“Dorothy Ann Shelly, the winner of the contest, was very clever in name changing "made" to "maid".Joe noticed something:“The 1935 farm picture has a 1970s Chevrolet pickup parked to one side.”Tom shared this memory:“My family camped with some friends at Moose River on the Kenai Peninsula, near where it joins the Kenai River. There was a little fast food and ice cream stand on the west side of the bridge over the Moose River that sold soft serve ice cream that used a mix made by Matanuska Maid. The best soft serve ice cream I ever had.”Connect with usA Fond MemoryDo you remember going to the bank on 4th Avenue, just up the street from the 4th Avenue Theater? They had that wonderful fish tank inset into the side of the building facing the sidewalk, and it was filled with rainbow trout.But inside the bank, they had huge Sydney Laurence paintings displayed on the walls. They were a beautiful reminder of a man, his art and a majestic place called Denali.Do you have a comment or just want to say “hey, the view is great up here on Denali!”You can either reply to this email, ...
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    5 mins
  • The Fascinating Story of Alaska's Own, Matanuska Maid Dairy

    The Fascinating Story of Alaska's Own, Matanuska Maid Dairy
    Sep 8 2024
    Remember the name and the picture on the milk carton of the young lady on ice skates with the fur-trimmed parka? That was as much a part of your life in Anchorage as Gilman’s bread or going to see a movie at the 4th Avenue Theatre.Most of us had a carton of Matanuska Maid milk on the table at breakfast. And we all remember that the young lady on the carton was known as the Matanuska Maid.The dairy got its start in around 1935 as a cooperative created by the colonists who put together the town of Palmer, Alaska.In its first year, the co-op sold 5,458 pounds of butter and 26,000 eggs.By the 1940s, they were producing more than $1 million dollars in annual sales.A 1935 Colony FarmThe photo above shows the Raymond Rebarchek farm.Hey, we need a Name!Pictured above is Dorothy Ann Sheely Bush in 1993, she was the school girl who won the dairy naming contest. Also pictured is her mom Charlotte Sheely with Dorothy in 1935.The Matanuska colony decided, in 1935, that the dairy cooperative should have a name.A contest was held, and an interesting thing happened.Dorothy Ann Sheely, a local high school student, came up with the chosen name. Instead of Matanuska “Made”, she came up with Matanuska “Maid”. Her prize was $25. And that was a nice sum in 1935.BONUSIn 1960, Matanuska Maid wanted a name for the young lady ice skater featured on their dairy products.Mrs. John Secora of Anchorage came up with the name, “Anuska” which was the contest winner.Notice that Anuska is Matanuska without the “Mat”.Yes, You Can Share this EditionIt’s so easy to share this edition of the Alaska VIP Club with your friends or family or even co-workers… And when you do, they will be so happy that they will write a hit song about you that will make you famous… Well, it could happen.Click on the following link:Thanks for reading, the Alaska VIP Club. This post is public, so feel free to share it.A TV Weather Girl and the Matanuska MaidIn the photo above is Phyllis Hayes.Before Theda Comstock stood behind the KENI-TV channel 2 weather map, astonishing everyone with her ability to write backwards (it was really a camera trick), Phyllis Hayes was presenting the nightly TV weather.But Phyllis had another fun personality.Everyone in Anchorage, and throughout Alaska, wanted to see “Anuska”, the Matanuska Maid in person. So, the dairy chose Phyllis and some other delightful ladies, to dress up in the famous fur-trimmed outfit and meet all those eager Matanuska Maid fans at gatherings, events, and parades all over Alaska.A Fun MemoryWhen Mary of the Alaska VIP Club was a young girl in Anchorage, she used to sit at the breakfast table with her seven brothers and sisters. As they enjoyed their hot or cold cereal, they would read what was on the Matanuska Maid milk carton and scrape off the wax with their thumbnail. Then they would rotate the carton, scrape wax from the other side, then the other, then… well, you get the picture.Did you enjoy reading cereal boxes and milk cartons at breakfast? Do you still read them?Matanuska MaidLike so many things we remember in Anchorage, the 4th Avenue Theatre, Gilman’s Bakery and even KTVA channel 11, Anchorage’s first TV station, they are all gone now.And Anuska, our favorite Matanuska Maid, has hung up her ice skates for good. Our favorite dairy that began in 1935, has delivered its last quart of milk.For our purposes here at the Alaska VIP Club, it doesn’t matter why it’s gone, only that we still have the memories.For so many years, like Gilman’s bread, the 4th Avenue Theatre or KTVA channel 11, Matanuska Maid was ours… and we loved it.BONUSMike and Mary have a new podcast that we think you’ll really appreciate.It doesn’t have anything to do with Anchorage, or Alaska.It’s called, Relaxing Music Moment and you are invited to take a moment for yourself. All it takes is a moment. You deserve a break. And it’s FREE.The music will take you away, the inviting scenes will transport you.And you’ll enjoy reading the short, beautifully composed description of each moment you choose.Take a look at Relaxing Music Moment and… relax.From our North Stars (that’s you)From our podcast about the Alaska Gold RushAvril wrote:“I always find out something new even though I lived there for 12 years. It's truly amazing how these gold rush people lived in tents and survived.” Jeanne shared this:“My maternal grandfather was one of those who left Skagway for Whitehorse to look for gold and his sister, my great aunt, was a “dancehall girl” during the gold rush. My grandfather didn't strike it rich, but moved to Juneau, where he married, and my mother was born. My aunt “retired” to the Bay Area for the rest of her life. Reading your story reminded me of what my mother told me. I never had the opportunity to know either my grandfather or aunt. Just heard the stories.”Tom had this memory:“In the late 1970s while living in Juneau, my brother and brother-in-law from...
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    5 mins

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