Samoan Fire Knife is the name of the dance, the art of spinning knives and fire torches. It's entertainment and it is carrying on a heritage. Dave met Wendell Pedro and his wife, Bonesha, at the YMCA while he was rigorously practicing his art, and like most Allgood News stories, it’s never the art ... but the passion and the "why" behind the Fire Knife. As you’ll see, it’s true love, marriage and heritage that fuels this "fire." Have a good story idea? Email Dave at Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Alaska March Madness! The 2023 Alaska State High School Basketball Championships converge on Anchorage! Dave and the Allgood News went to the Alaska Airlines Arena to talk to players, coaches and fans on the village migration to the big city and the hoop dreams of the players. Fun, excitement, family and basketball!
Maurine Loopstra recently turned 100! She's been going to the Lake Otis YMCA in Anchorage since the day it opened 46 years ago. She still takes water aerobics three days a week! But it’s the coffee and conversation after the class that's possibly the fountain of youth for Maurine, and although she is 100 years young, it’s not about longevity for her; she says “it’s the people and the laughter" that keep her young and coming back! If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave: Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Dennis Vecera spent 30 years as a very creative teacher here in Anchorage. His knowledge of earthquakes and volcanoes is pretty amazing and when it comes to being creative, he wasn’t above dressing up and singing like Elvis to get your attention focused on science. But it was a passion he followed since he was five years old that followed him into retirement and finally onto the page. That passion? His fictional superhero, "Peanut Power!" Dennis retired right when COVID hit and he had a lot of downtime, so he channeled his inner writer and brought his imagined childhood character to life in the form of four books and even an Iditarod board game that is factually correct and superbly informative. He talked to Dave about "following your Dreams” and never giving up! Here’s Dennis Vercera’s Allgood News. If you have an idea for an Allgood news story, email Dave – Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
You can Email "Peanut Power" aka Dennis Vecera at - dvesera@gci.net
The 'Hydro Bros' Kendon and Aiden saw a need and are now fulfilling it, digging out fire hydrants from all the snow we’ve had here in the city of Anchorage. The two young entrepreneurs heard about a tragic fire where the first responders couldn’t get to the hydrant right away… and that few minutes digging out the fire hydrant may have been the difference in the outcome. The 'Hydro Bros' say they just thought, “What if that happened to us?" And the 'Hydro Bros' were created. So far the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. And on the Nextdoor App? The two young go-getters are becoming superstars. Even the Fire Department has heaped praise on the two 17-year-olds.
Note: The Anchorage Fire Department says that even though it is NOT the homeowner's responsibility to shovel the snow from around the hydrants… they do say it is a good idea if you have the time or means to have a clear path to your nearest hydrant should there be an emergency.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com.
Grace Christian School every March sponsors an “ Idita-Read “ contest for the elementary grades to encourage an hour of reading each night by students. There is a gigantic mural on the wall (over 50 feet long) that tracks the Iditarod race progress of each of the mushing reading teams. There is even a team for the administration. The principal, Chris Gionet reads a very 'spirited' update at the end of each school day! It’s a fun and creative way to get kids to read 60 minutes a night and a great way to follow the iconic and uniquely Alaskan Iditarod.
UPDATE: The students in this story, the Metzger Mastiffs 3rd Graders? They won the 2023 ‘Idita-Read’ !They will get the ‘Golden Snowshoe’ AND a Pajama and Movie party complete with donuts! Congrats!
The Iditarod is uniquely Alaskan, and so are the people! Dave was at the ceremonial start of the 51st Iditarod in Anchorage on Saturday and, well, he sings the Iditarod Song with a U.S. Senator, Lisa Murkowski; discusses mushing with Alaska’s state representative, Mary Peltola; meets a young U.S. Marine taking in his first Iditarod, and oh! There’s the Murrow family! Dave asks about cats and we meet some men in their wolf and bear pelts! It’s Alaska! It's Allgood. If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at: Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Lifelong Alaskan Ray Ward has been a James Brown Impersonator for decades. The 75-year-old has his own 'James Brown Museum' located in a bedroom of his house. Ward took us inside his modest house to see the museum, but basically his entire house is an homage to James Brown and a menagerie of other uber-famous Black entertainers that Ray has crossed paths with in his 50-plus years in the entertainment business. But James Brown is his self-described "Hero!" He recently has had eye surgery which has curtailed his touring for now. But Ray tells me he’s very popular in Russia and Asian countries.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News: Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
The finals of the Fur Rondy sled dog race was won by Blayne ‘Buddy’ Streeper. It’s his tenth victory in the event, tying the record of late musher , George Attla. For Dave of the Allgood News, it was his first time taking in a truly Alaskan tradition. The sights, the sounds and the people made for a fun story about the race and the people that attend.
Dan Parent, the longtime Archie Comics artist and storyteller visited the Bosco's comic book store in Anchorage and talked to Dave of the Allgood News. His journey to his dream job was short, but the job is now nearing almost four decades. The talented and affable artist was fortunate enough to be hired to work with Archie Comics right out of art school. He drew two of his iconic characters and revealed one of his favorite Archie characters — and the inspiration for some of his storylines.
The Allgood News traveled all the way to Palmer, Alaska to the the Valley Arts Alliance 17th annual Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show at the Palmer Depot. Wearable Art refers to hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork designed to be worn by the human body as an artistic expression. Using their knowledge of color, fabric and non-traditional materials, artists create unique, wearable garments which they (or their models) wear while parading down an authentic “fashion runway," accompanied by narration and music. The show was a great production, and it seemed the entire town of Palmer came out to support the arts. And, as you’ll see, the 25 participants didn’t disappoint.
If you have an idea for an Allgood News Story … Email Dave : AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Russian Jack Elementary is one of two Title One Schools here in Anchorage that was the beneficiary of the All Kids Bike initiative to teach all kids in America to ride a bike. HDR, a worldwide engineering company with offices here in Anchorage, donated more than $12,000 to pay for bicycle curriculum and of course, the bikes! Dave was there for the bike reveal on Wednesday and the excited kindergartners! Dave talked to one excited young kindergartner Kaidence Bean that just loved the bike and the mic.
The Allgood News heads to the Midtown New Sagaya and Kaladi Brothers Coffee to talk about what Valentine's Day means to people. Do they celebrate? Should every day be a day to express your affection for someone you care about or love? Plus, little Maxx has a fun take on the 'love' day and a Valentine's wish for his grandpa in heaven. If you have an idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at AllgoodNews@KTUU.com or Dallgood@KTUU.com
Dawn and John Boullion, owners of Beignet Today, like to bake — so much so that they’ve turned their home kitchen into a business fit for a king… a King Cake that is. The couple have turned their Cajun baking skills into a weekend business that in just one year has become a part-time, full-time job, especially during the season of Mardi Gras. They are open just four hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays and cake-hungry customers flock to their house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to scoop up the delicious homemade baked goods. The future, like their cakes, is rising.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Alaska K-9 Aquatics in Anchorage is just that, a dog pool! Dogs can come in from the cold and play, older dogs can do therapy and dogs rehabbing can mend their boo boos. Heather Priest has been there since the beginning, and she does it all. Training, indoctrination, puppies and seniors… she gets them all, lovingly into the water. And to say it’s a ‘doggone’ good time would be exactly right. Dave has a lot of fun with the dogs and takes a ‘deep dive’ into this canine pool story.
If you have a story idea for The Allgood News, email Dave at: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Aaron Harkely was named the ‘Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Club – Alaska. The 17-year-old has already graduated high school and is now pursing a career in media. Aaron just doesn’t want to move on, he want’s everyone to know that his hometown of Mountain View here in Anchorage is not what it used to be. It’s so much better! And although he has dreams of going to Los Angeles to be a Movie Director, his roots are here in Alaska and the Boys & Girls club where he spent most of his youth and where he learned his craft of shooting and editing video. Aaron will now go on to compete against two other Boys & Girls finalists for the ‘main’ Alaska title. And If he wins that? He goes on to the Pacific region to compete for scholarship money and possibly a new car.
An Anchorage woman built a colorful, lighted igloo with seats inside so neighborhood kids could have a place to wait for the school bus. Amy Cuaresma built the igloo just because she likes to be busy, and it’s something she says she enjoys and does every year. Schoolkids seem to love the lighted oasis in the otherwise dark morning neighborhood streets.
It's a fun and colorful way for kids to wait for the bus on those cold Alaska mornings.
If you have an idea for an Allgood News story, Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
On Jan. 31, British explorer Louis Alexander ran a marathon in Alaska for the North American leg of his seven marathons on seven continents project at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in his bid to run a marathon on all seven continents in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK. More people have been to space than joined the Seven Continents marathon club, considered by many as the pinnacle of adventure running. The 23-year-old adventurer has completed two marathons of his project thus far, through the Agafay Desert in Africa and the Wadi Rum Desert in Asia, in October 2022 and December 2022, respectively, and now the third leg here in Alaska. Dave interviewed Louis (Looey) before his run and also ran six miles with the young explorer on the icy ground of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, under the watchful eye of moose, muskox, brown bears and wolves to name just a few of the animals at the sanctuary. Louis is running to raise awareness and funds for dementia and Alzheimer’s — a disease which took his proud grandfather’s life. Note: There were 407 members of the 7 Continents marathon club on Jan. 3 2023, comprising 306 men and 101 women.
Allgood News story idea? Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Here is the link to follow Louis Alexander on his Adventures and to donate:
Follow @louisalexanderexplorer on Instagram for updates on his endeavor, and visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runningthesevencontinents to donate.
Contact: Website: www.louisalexander.org Email: louis@louisalexander.org Instagram: @louisalexanderexplorer YouTube: @louisalexanderexplorer TikTok: @louisalexanderexplorer Facebook: @louisalexanderultra
This week at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton School, students and staff are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. During the week, they celebrate the parish, community, students, nation, vocations, staff, volunteers, and families. The pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students also made fleece blankets and personal care bags for homeless Alaskans. They will deliver the blankets to Clare House and the care bags to Brother Francis Shelter. The school does community service projects throughout the year to give back to the community, so Dave talked to the principal and the kids on why helping out and giving is so rewarding. Have a story idea? Email allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Willow Crest Elementary basketball players are between the ages of 8 and 12 … but their jerseys? They’re 25 years old! So teacher Pamela Gilden has started a Donors Choose fundraiser to help raise money for some much-needed jerseys for her kids. Dave has some fun conversations with the kids about their jerseys, which will cost $3,000 — but really, they just need $1,500! The rest will be matched by Tony the Tiger of Kellogg’s, and that’s great! If you would like to donate to the Willow Crest Elementary basketball jersey fund, here’s the link: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/basketball-jerseys/7138588/
If you have a story idea for The Allgood News, email Dave at : Allgoodnews@KTUU.com
Melissa Hickman and her husband are remodeling their house in Fairbanks. They were ripping down some old paneling when they discovered some youthful signatures and names on the wall behind the paneling. The name “Katie Ladner ’79,” was written in cursive with a cute little flower along with the names “Chris” (with the ‘S’ missing) and “Mike G.” Melissa put a picture of the names and flower up on the Facebook page, Fairbanks, Alaska, to see if by chance she could find out who the people were 44 years later. And in less than an hour, social media did its thing and Katie was located living in Kingston, Washington. The two have since spoken and made a connection and the home on Birch Hill for Melissa and her family now has a bit of history and a face to go with what was just a name on the wall from long ago. If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, contact Dave at : AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Colleen Puch retired last week after driving a school bus for 50 years (8 years in Ohio and 42 in Kenai). The 80-year-old is spry and looking forward to fun and retirement and says she loved her kids and the biggest thing she learned from them was respect is a two-way street. Her Supervisor, Neal DuPerron, of First Student Bus Company, says it's going to be hard to replace such an amazing person. Last week they threw Puch a surprise retirement party. All her friends and a lot of former students were there to send her off into her next adventure. If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at AllgoodNews@KTUU.com / Dallgood@KTUU.com.
Camille Conte, Duke Russell and Judith Mack are homeless advocates and ‘actionists,' meaning, they organize, raise money and feed the homeless. They are all about solutions and meeting the basic needs of the homeless community here in Anchorage. And through a serendipitous encounter with artist Walter Share, who has created a beautiful piece of artwork of the ‘Fourth Avenue Theatre' they were recently able to raise $10,000 to help feed and clothe the homeless currently housed at the Sullivan Arena. Mack tracked down the artist at his home in Seattle and Share generously donated 100 signed and numbered prints of the Theatre to the trio and their homeless cause. The timing of the gift couldn’t have been better for the group who say that the winter months for the homeless are the most harrowing. On this night the group was meeting at the Writer’s Block Bookstore & Café in Spenard, accepting blankets in exchange for copies of the prints. You can reach Camille on Facebook.
Have a story idea? Contact Dave: Email: Dallgood@KTUU.com
Led by music teacher Mrs. Erin Peterson, the Tudor Elementary School choir was scheduled to come sing Christmas carols for the staff back in December, but the weather canceled those plans. But Tuesday, Jan. 17, the 30-member choir not only came to the studios, they got a tour by Alaska's News Source's own historian Mike Valdez and sang some wonderful songs to a captivated crowd. If you have an Allgood News story idea, email Dave at: allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Two Shishmaref High School Volleyball players have been chosen to represent Alaska in the Arctic Winter Games to be held in Wood Buffalo, Canada coming up on Jan. 27. Their coach has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the once-in-a-lifetime trip for these to young athletic villagers. Being in a small village of just 600 people can make being a full-time high school athlete tough —balancing hunting, studying, family obligations with practice times. As a English teacher and coach for 8 years, Shaun Milligan has done everything from help prepare neighbors taxes to filling in as a jailer at the local police station. So seeing his students/players get this chance to move beyond the borders of Alaska is exciting and heartwarming — not just for Shaun, but for the entire small community.
GoFundMe : https://www.gofundme.com/f/frank-and-carter-arctic-winter-games-travel
It’s Dry January, an opportunity for people to take the month to abstain from alcohol. The Recover Alaska Dry January Challenge is inviting ‘ sober curious ‘ people to sign up for encouraging texts and free sober goodies. There is also a ‘pop-up’ Sober Lounge at the Historic Anchorage Hotel Bar going on every Thursday in the month of January. The Bar offers up delicious ‘mock-tails’ in an exclusive non-alcoholic menu that features zero-proof cocktails and a trivia night. Several local breweries and beverage makers have teamed up to provide the alcohol alternatives including Beach Tribe Soda Works, 49th State Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Amalga Distillery and Coc-Cola Bottling of Anchorage. With Proceeds benefiting the ‘Recover Alaska Fund’. TEXT ‘DRYANC’ TO 844-726-2669 - for Freebies and Sober motivation! RecoverAlaska.org
Got a story? Email Dave Allgood - AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
22 year-old Gabriel Monrean has a superpower, it’s called autism. With the help of his grandmother Cynthia, Gabriel has been honing his skills in order the change the world. Gabriel has high hopes for the world and what he can do to help those who can’t help themselves, but the biggest change Gabriel is making is in his world and the people around him. Gabriel started taking boxing lessons with boxing coach Robin Cordova Olivas at the Lake Otis YMCA three months ago. When Gabriel started, he couldn’t jump rope. Now he can jump rope forwards and backwards, and is hitting the punching bag like a champ. But it's Gabriel's smile, his amazing memory for movies and comedies and impersonations that make him a light that attracts everyone around him.
I was at the motor vehicles office the other day when I saw this kid smiling ear to ear. Come to find out he just passed his driver’s permit test. He was so excited, and his smile was ear to ear. He and his mother hugged. It was just such a joyful moment. So, I talked to Byron and his mother Cindy about why they were both excited. I also found out what a nice kid Byron is and why his mom is so proud of him. The single mom and her son reminded me of my mom and the day I got my license. It was pure joy tapping into that forgotten energy, remembering what it was like to finally get the freedom of driving. My mother passed from cancer and never saw me become successful in my industry. This moment really hit home for me. Dave Allgood – The Allgood News Email: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Nancy Rudolph lives a very simple life in a trailer park in Anchorage. Due to her health, she doesn’t get out much — but when she does it’s the short trek to the mailbox. One day last year while checking her mailbox she saw a little snowman behind her somebody had made. It just made her day! She's held on to that picture and that moment for over 12 months. Due to her health and all the recent snowfall, laughs and smiles have been a precious commodity for Nancy. So she sent me an email letting me know how much a little snowman made her day and how she was hoping whoever made it last year might do it again. Well, so far no one has come forward to claim they made the little snowman. But we went out to meet her and to find out why that little snowman meant so much to her.
The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage has a new temporary visitor; an orphaned male polar bear, and although he doesn’t have a name and the public can’t see him yet, he’s drawing attention to what might happen when the young cub is released from quarantine. When he was rescued, he was seen eating an arctic fox, which are known to have rabies. So, I visited the zoo to talk to zookeeper Sam Levin about the new addition, and the current edition, 20 year-old polar bear Cran’bear'y. But, like a lot of my stories, the focus turned from the amazing creatures in front of me to the two-legged variety standing beside me, in awe of what they were seeing — polar bears and people at the Alaskan Zoo… they never disappoint. So, we meet Reggie and his two daughters Lonnie and Aleigha. It was a ‘bear’y good interview.
Have a story idea? Contact the Allgood News with Dave Allgood - Email: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Travis Lind is a bit of a renaissance man from Wasilla. He works a night job and works on a food truck that he and his mother own. He’s also a photographer and loves making music and music videos. He and his wife, Sierra, are quite creative and to say they’re in love is to say the sky is blue and water is wet. It’s that obvious. So, when I got an email from Travis’s mother Susan about a Christmas video he made called “Wish Upon a Snow Globe," I was intrigued. The video is not only fun, catchy and sweet, it just makes you smile — at least it did me. After watching it a few times, I reached out to find out more about this guy named Travis and this "earworm" music video that I just can’t get out of my head.
To watch the entire "Wish Upon a Snow Globe" video, go to "Alaskan Ace Productions" on YouTube.
The Ukrainian Choir came to the Alaska’s News Source studio last week and sang two Christmas carols; one in their native language and one in English. It was pretty amazing and a bit emotional. The Alaska's News Source staff gathered and many captured video on phones of the choir singing. I posted my video on my Facebook page, and that afternoon I got a call from a friend in Colorado who has a Ukrainian friend with family and friends in the city of Kyiv, which is a war zone. She asked if I could send my video so she could send it to the folks in Kyiv. I did, and four days later, a grandmother and her granddaughter, Natalia and Sofia (no last names or exact locations) sent a video response on how much the choir singing meant to them and how much it meant to know that America supports Ukrainians. The video is emotional and hits home on how, even under the duress of war, a grandmother can send a message wishing "us" here in America “safety and peace.” It is a testament to the power of song and knowing you’re not alone in your struggles.
Have a story idea? Email it to: AllgoodNews@ktuu.com
Monica Houglum of Anchorage has a bit of a collecting issue. She collects little Christmas villages and pretty much everything else associated with Christmas! But it is neatly displayed at her house, what room is left to display all the thousands of items she has. But as you'll discover with Monica, this is not materialistic at all — it’s about memories. Memories of a simpler time and family and friends. The villages and lights and all the Christmas memorabilia is there to reminder her that life is more than social media and the topic of the day. She's been collecting for over 15 years and the best thing, the mom of military children has a sense of humor about it all and a simple message: if it makes you happy? Do it! The Allgood News with Dave Allgood Email: Dallgood@KTUU.com
Tyra and Chance Bogert told Dave Allgood of the Allgood News that they "were amazed and surprised to see the one-in-a-million occurrence" happen right beyond their doorstep. You see the moose walk into the frame from the left, he shakes like a dog trying to shed water and slightly bends over and — "pop" and "crack" — both his antlers snap off his head. The moose is obviously startled and hops and runs away. The chances of catching something like this on video are pretty rare and to date, the couple says they have almost five million views after posting it on TikTok. The antlers were big, measuring 50 inches across. They say they now have a great story to tell their 3-month-old son Thrasher. They are going to have the antlers mounted. And that story? Well, they have the video to prove it. Dave Allgood talked to the couple about the rare phenomenon caught on video in today's Allgood News. If you have a story idea for Dave, email dallgood@ktuu.com.
A wonderful holiday window display sits right along 5th Avenue in downtown Anchorage. It’s the brainchild of Sarah Smith and her brother. Sarah, who owns the Lexington Salon and Spa, wanted to create magic in a box to celebrate the holidays and possibly attract more people to downtown. So, she created a wonderful little recreation of the town of Girdwood, complete with a tram and the Alaskan Railroad and even northern lights! She has packed everything from an action skating rink to the tram which moves back and forth. She also had speakers put outside which play traditional Christmas music to complete the magical window moment. Sarah, a native of Alaska says she loves Anchorage and all it has to offer and would love to see more people coming downtown to shop and do business. And her window display? Is just one small way she’s trying to make that happen.
Theron McGrew has worked at Providence Alaska Medical Center for the last twelve years. For the past six years he has decorated the cart he pushes through the halls of the hospital with a festive Christmas theme. The humble and dependable Theron started decorating his cart on a whim and when he saw how much joy it brought to the staff and patients, he just kept doing it. With his lighted necklace and rolling Christmas display, Theron is very popular with all the nurses he delivers supplies to and has become somewhat of a reluctant celebrity, which just adds to his charm. His Allgood News is not just the magic of his lighted cart, but the passion of the man pushing the cart.
Joe Malatesta III always wanted to grow his hair into a mullet, but the timing wasn’t right. But about four years ago he decided it was time and the Kenai resident let his inner mullet fly. How high? Well the State of Alaska employee just made the Top 25 in the 2022 USA Mullet Championships, coming in a respectable 19th place. The husband and father of two mullet-wearing boys says what started out as just a bit of fad for his head has turned into a bit of a lifestyle — and a lot of fun for the family. So what drives a man to the mullet — or better yet, does the mullet call to the man? Joe explains his transformation into the mullet world and why he decided to enter the prestigious pompadour retro hair contest.
Matt Fernandez and David Block love theater, so much so that they've dedicated their lives to local theater, specifically the Anchorage Community Theatre. Community theater is a passion and is usually done not out of pay, but out of love for the art — stretching themselves thin to give local actors an outlet here in Anchorage and to give people the opportunity to catch live theatrical shows. Theater offers the beauty and danger of doing live shows with amateur actors and small stages. Why do they do it? They love it. And do they take themselves seriously? Of course they do, but they have a sense of humor and history about their craft and take great pride in getting shows off the ground and up and running. Theater passion is real and lives inside these two and the actors that choose to perform in local theater.
Anastatiia Heath didn’t plan on moving to Wasilla, but like a lot of things in life, change can happen in an instant, or in this case, love and war. Anastatiia came here along with her daughter as an immigrant almost three years ago from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. She married Jesse Heath and was settling in nicely, except for one thing — Anastatiia had to leave her best friend behind, in a country and a city currently under siege from the Russians. That friend was her rottweiler, Roxy. Her mother was feeding and watering the dog along with help from the neighbor. After several failed attempts to get Roxy to America, COVID-19 hit and all the travel restrictions that came with it. In that time, Anastatiia's mother was able to come to America as a refugee, leaving Roxy all alone at the mercy of bombings and being fed by a neighbor. So last month, Jesse decided it was time to get his wife’s beloved pet to America. He made lots and lots of phone calls and finally got in contact with a man who hired a pair of paramilitary soldiers to go get Roxy. A 24-hour bus ride to Poland, a two-week stay in Poland, and a long flight to Chicago later, Roxy was in America and on Nov. 4, 2022, Roxy landed in Anchorage and Anastatiia and her best friend were finally reunited.
Hairdresser Teresa Olorunlowo of Anchorage was dying of anemia. She needed a hysterectomy but what was holding her back wasn’t a lack of doctors or surgeons here in Anchorage. It was a lack of money. Even after a 30-year career, she still couldn’t afford health insurance. After a near-death experience while on a camping trip, she was preparing for the worst. The mother and grandmother had resigned herself to the notion that she couldn’t get the care she needed. But, thanks to her primary care doctor, Teresa was put in touch with Anchorage Project Access, a nonprofit that connects people in need of surgeries and dental care with doctors who will provide those services for free. She’s doing great today, thanks to Anchorage Project Access, and says she would not be here today if not for their generosity.
Sheryl and Doug Tollerud have been married for 45 years and have served in the Salvation Army for almost 40 years, together! Most of that time right here in Alaska. The couple has devoted their life to the service of others and to each other. With retirement just about seven months away, here in Alaska, I wanted to meet this wonderfully happy couple and see how it all began. They are both Lt. Colonels in the Salvation Army and in addition to their amazing career, they are parents to three wonderful children and 6 grandchildren.
Todd Rector rescued what he thought was a very sweet cat from animal control. He named the cat 'Mao'. Mao was fine until he met Todd's other cats. Mao would battle the other cats and stalk them and even had Todd’s three dogs on edge. Todd loves animals and tried to do everything to help Mao out, even posting about his troubles on the 'Nextdoor app, trying to find another 'solo' home for mao or possibly the owner. In the meantime, his other five animals were living in fear of a very ‘stalky’ cat! In an odd twist, the owner recognized Mao on Nextdoor as a her cat she had lost months earlier and Mao’s real name? Godzilla! The aptly named feline was returned to its owner and Todd and his menagerie of animals have since tried returning to normal, his remaining cats a bit wounded physically and emotionally. Todd says he’s never in his 50 years seen a cat so sweet and territorially aggressive!
Alaska Seeds of Change is growing food and minds in their innovative hydroponic nursery that offers up life skills and self-worth. Program Manager Cole Murphy guides and directs a youthful program that is sprouting delicious greens for sale and promoting responsibility in young minds. The program, which is just six years old, offers skills, internships and room to grow.
Alaska Aquarian Girl Scout Troop 436 are working toward their 'Bronze Award'. They sold enough lip balm packs to buy items for more than a 100 'Homeless Kits'. Some of the items included gloves, socks, handwarmers and more. The Allgood News asked the 10-member troop if they understood what 'homelessness" is? And the answers were a positive hope for our future and a unique insight to young minds and their view of a complicated world they are inheriting.
Beverly Moore is a 92-year-old former Navy nurse who served during the Korean War. While visiting the Alaska Veterans Museum here in Anchorage, she spotted a nurse’s uniform on display, exactly like the one she used to wear, and the memories of her time in the Navy rushed back to her full wave right there in the museum. She perked up and checked out the uniform as if it was her own. The curator of the museum, Jann Sherrill was blown away. She immediately talked to Moore about her time in the service, and because of that dress she had just put out, she had found another Korean War Veteran living right here in Anchorage. Thanks to Sherrill and that dress, Moore was recently honored with the 'Ambassador for Peace" medal from the Korean Consulate. Along with several dignitaries and military personnel, the governor of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy was in attendance. And all of this wouldn’t have been possible if not for an earthquake near the storage unit where military memorabilia is kept. The quake shook all the items from their shelves and Sherrill just happened to pick up a garment bag containing the World War II/Korean War Navy nurse's uniform. She had no plans before that to display an item she didn’t even know she had! So a war, a nurse's uniform and an earthquake — and a caring curator — all combined to get Moore recognized, 70 years after the fact, for her service in the Navy as a nurse during the Korean War.
Bob Parsons is a renaissance man. The guitar player and sign artist is an enigma and at age 70, he's just beginning to figure it 'ALL' out. Bob can be seen and heard playing his unique guitar style at the Farmer's Market at Bell's Nursery on Weekends. But there's more to Bob than picking a guitar. He uses his talented hands to produce signs, hand painted signs, which are a rarity these days. You can see Bob in action on YouTube by simply looking up 'Bob Parsons Artist' in your search browser. Talent comes in all forms, the former truck driver discovered his talent when he had to, to provide for his family and then proceeded to pursue a childhood dream of playing the guitar.
Suraj Holzwarth lost her daughter, Sierra Parker, 10 months ago to the disease of alcoholism. Last week at Seeds of Change here in Anchorage, she held a posthumous art exhibit of her daughter’s large body of work, called 'Sierra's Designs', to remember and honor her contribution to life, and to raise money for Seeds of Change, an organization dedicated to helping young adults develop the skills to be successful adults. Nothing can replace the pain of losing a child, but the event was filled with friends and collegues, punctuated with lots of hugs and Suraj's Daugher, Sierra Parker, art work. Suraj says she wants to bring awareness to younger people that alcoholism just isn't the disease of older people.
The Alaska Humane Society’s Adopt-a-Cat Shelter in Anchorage currently has about 100 cats available for adoption. They have had up to almost 500 cats at their peak. The no-kill shelter is a safe and loving place run by volunteers, who clean and do cat adoptions because they simply love animals — felines in general. The Humane Society, started back in 1988, has adopted out thousands of cats since its inception and will keep cats that don’t get adopted for the duration of their life if needed. If you’re interested in adopting a cat, simply go to adopt-a-cat.org for information on hours, adoption rates and how to safely drop off a stray or unwanted cat.
