WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING?

Have you noticed the steady progress being made within Palmer's Historic District to restore the 1935 original Trading Post building? (Later known as the Recreation "Rec" Hall for some 40 years and more recently as Deb's Family Store ... )

Property owner DeLena Johnson has made the revitalization of this building a "Labor of Love", and it's new introduction into community life will enhance our community to an unbelievable and unimaginable degree when the task has been completed!

In early summer, PHS was contacted by DeLena, who asked if PHS could help locate the various people who have worked in or on the building, what offices, business, and community activities took place there, etc. in order that she can create a "Time Line" of the building's history for it's "Grand Re-Opening". Do you have any knowledge or experience that would help her to complete such a time line?

LET'S HELP DELENA! Jot down your recollections of the building's earlier years and either mail to PHS for delivery or e-mail DeLena at ethos@mtaonline.netaonline.net.

Lend a "helping hand for history" if you can! She will appreciate hearing from you!

If you have program suggestions or other ideas for PHS activity, or if you have a door prize to donate, just call your handiest Board member!

IN THE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

The last days of summer have brought blue skies, warm sunshine, and unbelievable FAIR weather as PHS readies for another series of history-laden programs. Leading off our speaker list will be a long-time Valley resident and author several times over, Ron Wendt of Wasilla.

Wendt's personality gives him a natural interest in recording the many historical north-country chapters and vignettes he has learned of. Ron was born in Fairbanks during Alaska's Territorial days and has noted that "a lot of old timers were still hovering around the woodstove. They told their tales, rubbed their hands, and smiled with missing teeth as (he) looked OIl." He was fascinated by their stories.

Thus began his long career as an author dedicated to the recording of many historical tales.

Ron Wendt's program will be presented at the Palmer Public Library meeting room during PHS's September 19 meeting. He will talk about Alaskan history in conjunction with places he has traveled in the North, from childhood to present day. Subjects covered will include ghost towns, gold adventure, people, and events, including some Yukon Territory experiences

The program will begin at 7:30 p.m., and for history buffs to add to their collections it is likely that an assortment of his books will be available for those interested. Be prepared for an unusual presentation and a rare look into our unique northern history.

"NORTH COUNTRY TALES" presented by
RON WENDT
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 19,2007 Palmer Public Library Meeting Room

Karen comments that our WEB-site has been up since June and is still in its beginning stages. The furthest contact so far has come from India, and to date most of the traffic has come through our link with the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. She adds that "it has been fun to do".

Karen and Susan bring such a generous attitude by volunteering to fill this creative role for PHS. They exemplify the many PHS friends and helpers who step forward in multitudinous ways to keep PHS "on track" and moving forward as good stewards for history.

We cannot thank them, nor any of our other PHS supporters,too much!

"CHM"

The Colony House Museum ended its eleventh season of regular summer hours on August 31 and will soon be tucked in for the winter months. (Remember, though, we will try to be available for special tour requests during the off season.)
KUDOS to our docents for 2007, all volunteers ... Bonita Strong, Carol Strouse, Norma Benson, Arlene Fox, Willie Pedersen, Mary Ann Anderson, Geri Hemmer, Gayle Rowland, Wayne Bouwens, Barbara Thomas, Sharon Benson, and Jean Chapman! Deserving a bright spotlight, too, are Arlene Fox, who spent many telephone minutes to schedule docents for the summer, Bonita for planting and tending the Museum veggie garden ... and John Stuart, lawn mower man par excellence!

MORE HELPING HANDS

Treasures abound all around, as this summer again proves. Items coming to PHS and/or the Colony House Museum this summer include Ella Henry's 4-drawer chest brought to Palmer in 1935, courtesy her son Paul (Kentucky); Palmer 1935 "art colony" painting copies courtesy Spencer Bryant (Washington), whose mother worked for the Colony 1935-1936; Co-Op building as built map c 1962, courtesy Mary Jane Clark Phelps (Oregon);tack and miscellaney from Victor Yohn farm Tract, courtesy Elinor Goodrich; 1950's-1960's publications including NRA National Match results 1956, courtesy Kathi Johns; Elvi Kerttula's cedar letter or jewelrv box. discovered bv Helen Finch!