Holland America and Princess Cruise Lines…….Visits The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway

On May 15th a Holland America Cruise Line representative will visit Palmer and The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway on a FAM trip provided by the Palmer Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Hosted by Geri McCann, and her vision to see Palmer and the surrounding areas of The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway grow and  prosper with economic development in Tourism.  If we are selected as an area that the Holland America and Princess Cruise lines can market to their clients world wide, we are all in for a huge economic boost.

Not only will we provide visitors from all over the world a chance to experience an Alaska that up to now has never been experienced by tourists, we will grow as an international destination bringing with it, jobs, employment and a stability to a failing economy that has plagued many who live in rural area such as ours.

My hat is off to Geri McCann to her insight, vision, hard work against all odds to preserve and  keep the light burning for all of us.

Join us, in her vision……The Palmer Convention and Visitors Bureau.  To become a part of this wonderful opportunity we need your support.

Below is a letter of support you can sign and send to us, we welcome your ideas and look forward to a new beginning.

To The City of Palmer and Communities on The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway

We do not market ourselves self as a tourism destination as well as other communities do; as a result thousands of tourists come through our area in route to other destinations primarily for a nice rest stop instead of staying and spending.

We support the Palmer Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (PCVB) mission to change that image, and re-introduce Palmer and Communities on The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway as an exciting and enriching cultural/adventure tourism destination.

The PCVB is working hard to produce essential marketing tools such as; the Palmer Visitors Guide with regional attractions map, tourism website – (www.visitpalmer.org), and marketing the “Palmer Package” through FAMS, and booths at tourism related trade shows.

We are partnering with these efforts by joining the PCVB and encourage the City to collaborate with the PCVB by joining, purchasing advertisements, and providing additional funds and resources to assist in the production and distribution of the Palmer Visitor Guide and essential marketing tools crucial to launching Palmer as a premier tourism destination. The greater Palmer region is coming together to market itself as one dynamic package and Alaska’s prime tourism destination.

Please support the community and the PCVB efforts to promote tourism in Palmer and to communities along The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway. Help us get connected and intercept the tourism industry slipping through our fingers and town.

For more information about Palmer and The Communities on The Glenn Highway Scenic Byway

Contact:  info@visitpalmer.org or visit our web site www.visitpalmer.org

ITS OUR TIME TO SHINE!!

Show your support and sign below and email us!!

Name/Title Business Location

 

Bruce Finlay’s Blk N’ Tan Band – Coal Miner’s Ball

The Coal Miner’s Ball

Proudly Presents

Bruce Finlay’s Blk N’Tan Band

April 25th – The Alpine Inn

Sutton, AK

Mile 61

The Glenn Highway

Music Starts at 7:30

 

The Bruce Finlay’s Blk N’ Tan Band, is led by Bruce Finlay of “The Sorrows” an English Band from the 60’s and 70’s. Bruce’s skills as a drummer, song writer and composer is legendary. There is much written about his past accomplishments.

The Blk N’ Tan Band is a contemporary blend of past and present with many new songs that have evolved over the years. A five piece band with 2 keyboards, vocals, guitar, drums, saxophone and flute. The lively delivery of Classic Rock, Celtic, Blues, Jazz and new original tunes will keep the audience dancing, tapping your toes and swaying with the music.

 

You won’t want to miss this Band’s performance at the

Coal Miner’s Ball April 25^th

at the Alpine Inn in Sutton, AK

 

Bruce Finlay – Drums, Vocals, Songwriter and Composer

Bruce skillfully blends his 40 years as a professional musician in Blk N’Tan. He toured all over the world during the 60’s and 70’s with the British Band “The Sorrows”. As an Alaskan resident he has since refined his music to include Celtic ballads from his home land. Now producing CD’s and recording in his studio. He also teaches music with the Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band.

Joan Massart – Paden – Vocals, Keyboard, Piano, Strings

Joan’s voice has a terrific range from Rock and Roll tunes to melodious Celtic ballads. She calls herself the “Baby of The Band”, 8 years as a professional musician as compared to 30 and 40 years of her band mates. She has lived in Alaska since 1981 and currently lives in Anchorage where she has an advertising agency. She is also a member of the Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band.

 

Phil Herndon – Flute, Saxophone, Harmonica

Phil has over 30 years as a professional musician, 20 of those years were with the Air Force Band. He has traveled all over the world, with a great sense of humor, I asked where he had played, he replied, “Churches, Bars, with Garage Bands, Funerals, Rituals, Virginity Restorations, Circumcisions and Weddings.” Quite a repertoire…… The sax, flute and harmonica gives the band it’s blues and jazz flavor and blends beautifully with the Celtic tunes.

 

Suzie Feuer – Vocals, Keyboard, Strings, Violin and Cello

Suzie has toured all over, with 22 years as professional musician. She has toured with the Alaskan band The Pipeline and toured for 10 years with White Line Fever in the Lower 48. Suzie and Joan blend their vocals and compliment each other in a winning combination. Suzie’s keyboard integrates all the strings for an earth rich tone. A school teacher by day in Eagle River and a rocker by night, she is also a member of the Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band.

 

Jim Zuehsow – Bass Guitar

Jim has 45 years as a professional musician. He says he plays keyboard and other instruments, but really just loves the bass guitar. He has worked in LA as a studio musician recording with big name bands and as a studio engineer. He came up to Alaska in 1972 playing in Anchorage at The Pine Club for a number of years. He now is retired and is producing CD’s and recording in his own studio while playing bass for The Blk N’ Tan Band.

 

 

 

For more information on Bruce Finlay’s Blk N’ Tan Band you can contact Bruce Email or call 907 746-3727

 

 

Only in Alaska – Humor

Only in Alaska ……. This guy raised an abandoned moose calf with his horses, and believe it or not, he has trained it for lumber removal and other hauling tasks. Given the 2,000 pounds of robust muscle, and the splayed, grippy hooves, he claims it is the best work animal he has. He says the secret to keeping the moose around is a sweet salt lick, although, during the rut he disappears for a couple of weeks, but always comes back home…..

Impressive !!

ALASKAN CLYDESDALE
Bound to be someone out there that will raise some issues with this treatment of a wild animal. To them I say. “If the Moose keeps coming back, what’s the problem?”

 

The New Sutton Community Resource Center

The Community of Sutton has long been in need of a new community facility to serve as both a Library and a Community Resource Center.

Sutton Community Resource Center Location:
PO Box 266
Sutton Alaska 99674

Phone:
907 745-4467

Email:
Sutton Library

 

The building we are currently housed in was formerly the Sutton Fire Hall.  It is more than 30 years and 2,250 square feet it has become too small to house an adequate library collection or provide space to our community for programming needs.

In September of 2002, the community of Sutton began its quest for a new facility. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has secured a piece of property for the new facility and we have a conceptual design completed.

The Alpine Historical Park located adjacent to the new library site will be sharing our facility’s infrastructure.  The Historic O’Neil House, situated on The Alpine Historical Park property has been identified as the selected site, by the Glenn Highway Byways Committee as the Glenn Highway Visitors Center.

 

 

The current library is the center of our community:

It is our Community Resource Center

We provide a variety of services for the entire community. 

Our regular library services include:

 

• A Summer Reading Program
• Pre-School Story Hours
• Teen Programming
• Baby Lap-Sit
• After School Programming
• Adult Book Club
• Foreign Film Club
• Adult Programming
• Fly – Tying
• Travel
• Energy
• Satellite Job Service Center
• Public Health Clinic’s
• Programming to Local Elementary Schools
• Delivering Mat-Su Borough Forms and Services
• Provide Meeting Space
• Offer wireless Service
• Copy Machines, Fax and notary services

We anticipate the total budget for this project to be $3,2 million. To date we have received funding and commitment in the amount of $765,572.

We need your support and donations to complete our project.  Any money donated could be used for purposes you specify or deferral of construction costs.

 

     Mile .1 Jonesville Road

 

The Sutton Community Resource Center is currently on the Mat-Su Borough’s Capital Improvement List which has been submitted to the Alaska State Legislature.  We are hopeful that the bill was passed, SB119 sponsored by Senator Bert Stedman and will receive funding this year.

 

The Mat-Su Borough has included the Sutton Community Resource Center on their priority list of Federal Economic Stimulus Projects, submitted to our US Congressional delegation.

 

Please Write to our list of Legislators of your support for this project, any donations would be appreciated.

We look forward to the challenge of this proposal, increasing our size while maintaining the atmosphere and the values of our community.

We thank you for your consideration

Click on Links Below to email your support letter

Representative Don Young

Representative John Harris

Representative Wes Keller

Senator Be​rt Stedman

Senator Ch​arlie Huggi​ns

Senator Ge​ne Therriau​lt

Senator Li​nda Menard

Senator Lisa Murkowski

Senator Mark Begich

Representative Bill Stoltze

Representative Mark Neuman

Representative Carl Gatto

 

The Coal Miner’s Ball – Sutton, Alaska

23rd Annual

The Coal Miner’s Ball

Saturday April 25th, 2009

The Alpine Historical Society in conjunction with The Sutton Activity Coordination Board sponsor this event. The Coal Miner’s Ball, will be held at the Alpine Inn at mile 61 of the Glenn Highway, in Sutton, Saturday, April 25th.

The Coal Miners Ball is The Alpine Historical Society’s largest fund raising event of the year.  It is designed to honor those that came before us with a Old Timers Induction to Hall of Fame, entertainment, a potlatch, dinner, dancing and door prizes.

The Alpine Historical Society has been managing the Alpine Historical Park since 1984, when land exchanged between Phil O’Neill and the Mat-Su Borough.  The Park is uniquely situated directly on the Glenn Highway at mile post 61.6 and Chickaloon Way in Sutton Alaska.  The local Glenn Highway National Scenic Byways Committee has selected The Historic O’Neill House to represent this area as the Glenn Highway Scenic Byway Visitors Center.  This important Historic Park is 23 minutes from Palmer and a beautiful one hour drive from Anchorage.

The tax deductible contribution is $12.50 advance, $15.00 at the door, per person, children 5 and under free.  Tickets include Dinner, induction, entertainment and door prizes.  Doors open at 4PM. This year’s main event entertainment The Bruce Finlay’s Black N’ Tan Band starts at 9PM.  Proceeds from this event will provide local activities for young people and families in the Sutton – Chickaloon area. As well as to maintain programs and facilities at the Alpine Historical Park.

Senior Citizens Discount Tickets are available.  Advance Tickets will be on sale at local businesses throughout Wasilla, Palmer, Sutton and Anchorage.

Look for our poster displayed.

Call 907 745-4059 or email for more info email

 

MATANUSKA GLACIER PARK – ALASKA

Things to do
This is one of the best places in Alaska to experience a glacier up close.

• Hiking: You are welcome to hike the glacier trails on your own. Trails are located within the park area offering a variety of skill and fitness levels. Guided glacier hiking is also available.
• Camping: Spend a few days exploring the park. Camping areas available near and within park.
• Ice Climbing: Guided ice climbing is available as well as basic ice climbing instructions. Matanuska glacier is an excellent glacier to learn the basics of ice climbing. We do recommend you be in fairly good shape for this adventure.

• 
  Fields of fireweed bloom along the glaciers edge

  Photograph: The drive to Matanuska Glacier is an adventure in itself. The Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway follows a path carved by ancient glaciers. Following the braided Matanuska River for over half its length, this Byway winds through 135 miles of the most impressive terrain on earth. Winters present you with a splendid sky show when the Northern Lights dance among the snow-capped mountains, while summers bring you endless days to roam in fields of wildflowers and ancient forests.

What to bring:
Lot’s of film or memory cards for the digital shutter bugs. Hiking boots, a day pack, sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves, jacket and rain gear. Hat (for wind). Even in the long summer months the weather is unpredictable and changes quickly. Be prepared for any kind of weather.

http://www.matanuskaglacier.com

 

Mat-Su – Where Alaska Comes To Play

The Mat-Su Where Alaska Comes to Play

Mat-Su Visitors

 

What’s New

Welcome to Sutton – The Alpine Historical Park

Alaska is all about individuality, and nowhere is it showcased better than the community of Sutton. A unique spot situated at Mile 60 of the Glenn, Sutton was originally founded in 1918 as a station on the Matanuska Branch of the Alaska Railroad and became a mining town. Today, Sutton is a picturesque stopping point along the Glenn and has a population of about 900 people.

Sponsors

Alpine Historical Park

Coal Mining at Alpine Historical Park

A little piece of Alaska’s past, located at Mile 55.9. The Sutton Coal Washing Plant was originally built by the Navy and operated briefly in 1922. Learn about the early days of coal mining in the Matanuska Valley and check out the old buildings and equipment there. Admission is free, and there is also a nice park area with picnic tables and a playground.

http://www.alpinehistoricalpark.org

Click Below to Find Articles, Stories, What’s New, Events and General Information about The Mantanuska Valley.

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