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William R. Church, Grand President April 2007
Grand President Bill Church Makes the Rounds
Grand President Bill Church and his wife, Ruby, made it to most of the Installations of Officers, but not all!
We learned the real meaning of weather permitting! It doesn't matter if you are at the airport on time or not, or how long you sit there, if the plane can't get in, you go nowhere. We also experienced the old weather trick of being able to take off, but not being able to land at our destination. The really bad thing was that we missed all the fun at three places. They just went ahead with the party without us! Since we couldn't land in Kodiak, they suggested we come back (and even land) during the crab festival. Having been to one of these before, we jumped at the chance. An International Day is held at the High School and each different nationality brings their own food specialties for everyone to eat. There are also costumed dancers from each country that perform during the day. This is held in May.
The other two places we missed were Haines, and Ketchikan. Annette Smith, from Haines, said this was not unusual; they were used to having to install themselves. Ketchikan just told us how good the food was and how much fun they had. Past Grand President Maurice Ingman installed their officers and the members in Ketchikan expressed their delight in having him do the honors.
I guess you have to sacrifice something to live in these beautiful coastal towns, and I'm sure the good days outweigh the occasional days of fog they get.
We were “fogged in” at Petersburg for three days but we understand the record is 9 days. Petersburg's new president, Al Dwyer, showed us around and told us he thought he had set some kind of a record. He was initiated one month and the next month he was the President-Elect. His wife, Sally, is the President of Sons of Norway, which have their own beautiful hall that was built in 1912, and where the installation was held.
Sally's family has been in Petersburg for generations and her grandfather was known as the “Shrimp King of Petersburg.” She's also a quilter.
There were over 50 people attending the Installation and we got acquainted with many of them. Past Grand Trustee Florence LeRoy was at the dinner, and I got some of her wonderful lefsa.
We also made it to Wrangell where we met many wonderful people. There were about 50 people attending the installation and dinner. After the installation they held a parcel post auction of wrapped items. There was a starting bid and you went from there. It was really fun trying to guess what was in each package as you tried to outbid the others. The women's treasury was the beneficiary of this great idea.
Lorraine Kagee, from Wrangell, attended the Convention last year, and we hope to see her in Nome. She's a great lady and we owe her breakfast!!
We don't usually hear much from Cordova at the Conventions, but that is about to change! They have a really good group there and a new secretary, James Casement, who promises to write reports. He took us to see all the sights in Cordova, from one end of the road to the other, at least as far as it was plowed.
We met Max Wiese and his wife, Cece, aka “Cece Weesee”. What a fun lady! It was such a surprise to find Cordova was such a beautiful little town. Lots of sports at the high school level and the whole town supports the athletes.
James Casement is a retired teacher from the high school who took it upon himself to find pictures of all the students who have graduated from the high school in Cordova from the time the school opened and have them displayed at the school. When we were there, he had pictures of all but 1 or 2 of the students. Everyone at the school is excited about the pictures and they are in the process of raising money to cover them with glass or Plexiglas to preserve them. He has also worked with the Pioneers to made copies and catalogue, on discs, all the pictures that hang in their beautiful old Pioneer Hall. The project was completed the day we were leaving Cordova.
We had a wonderful time wherever we went, but since we don't hear much about these Igloos, we wanted you all to know they are alive and well!
Good News! Sitka has agreed to host next year's convention. Thanks Sitka!
2007 Igloo Officers from Around the State
Cordova M Igloo 19 & W Igloo 5
Presidents: Max Wiese
Gerri Kegling
1st V Pres: Guy Beedle
Barbara Beedle
2nd V Pres: Victor Jones
Rita Gunderson
Historians: Robert Beedle
Molly Rice
Chaplains: Eric Ronnegard
Charlette Carrol
Secretaries: James Casement
Jeanne Joslin
Treasurer: Cece Wiese
Sgt/Arms: Greg LoForte
Gail Steen
3yr Trustee: Jack Hopkins
1 yr Trustee: John Wiese
2 yr Trustee: Joe Cook
Juneau M Igloo # 6 W Igloo 6
Presidents: Fred Thorsteinson
Lorinda Kassner
1st V Pres: Don Burford
Peggy Garrison
2nd V Pres: Jim Routsal
Pat Berryhill
Historian: Frank Morris
Mary Ann Welk
Financial Secretaries: Bob Weiss
Sandy Adams
Recording Secretary: Jeannette McLeod
Treasurers: Ken Kareen
Wilma Kirkpatrick
Sgt/Arms: Gerald Dorsher
Joy Baker
Marshall: Beth Crawford
Inner Guards: Maurice Long
Susanne Haight
Trustees: Bob Cartmill
Brita Shaw
Queen Regent: Sandy Adams
Palmer M Igloo 31 & W Igloo 11
Presidents: Carol Christianson
Mary Ann Anderson
1st V Pres: Ken Pysz
Beverly Stengrim
2nd V Pres: Bruce Bush
Ruby Church
Historians: Don Dinkel
Helen Dolenc
Chaplains: Don Benson
Jackie Cabo
Secretaries: Mike Carson
Claudia Buzard
Treasurers: Harold Leader
Norma Christianson
Sgt/Arms: Ralph Buzard
Bonnie Tozer
Inner Guards: Darwin Fischer
Barbara Leckwold
Marshal: Sue Tellier
3 Yr Trustees: Bill Church
Arlene Fox
King Regent: Ralph Buzard
Queen Regent: Claudia Buzard
Nome M Igloo 1 & W Igloo 1
Presidents: Wes Perkins
Bonnie Hohn
1st V Pres: Paul Thompson
Mary Hansburger
2nd V Pres: Charlie Lean
Cussie Kaver
Historians: Gary Langley
Carolyn Reeder
Secretaries: John Bockman
Barb Olson
Treasurers: Jim Adams
Mary Reeder
Sgt/Arms: Bob Scott
Donna Morgan
Delta Jct M Igloo 35 & W Igloo 19
Presidents: Troxel Hebert
Doris Fales
1st V Pres: Walter Kopp
Shirley Gilbert
2nd V Pres: William Diviney
Fran O'Leary
Historians: Jon Brewis
Mary Dowling
Chaplains: Phillip fales
Maxine Ilgenfritz
Secretaries: Richard Souhrada
Stormy Mitchell
Treasurers: Joseph Nistler
Hannelore “Bill” Dennison
Sgt-at-Arms: Paul Nistler
Emily Keaster
Inner Guards:George Pursey
Cleo Green
3 yr Trustees: Eugene Gilbert
Jacelyn Fett
Homer M Igloo 32 & W Igloo 14
Presidents: Don Burt
Lorraine Haas
1st V Presidents: John Kosch
Marie Walker
2nd V Presidents: Harley Waldrop
Nancy Kosch
Historians: Del Schmidt
Tepa Rogers
Chaplains: Bill Corey
Gloria Corey
Secretaries: Chuck Moyer
Vision Money
Treasurers: Bob Ditton
JoAnn Edens
Sgt-at-Arms: Ed Klopp
Amber Klopp
Inner Guards: Lawrence Rogers
Edna Morris
3 yr Trustees: Al Clayton, Jr.
Gloria Corey
King Regent: Al Clayton, Jr.
Queen Regent: Marie Walker
Fbks M Igloo 4 & W Igloo 8
Presidents: Dave Miller
Linda Conley
1st V Presidents: Pat Doogan
Susan Kaylan
2nd V Presidents: Larry Knapman
Wendy Ott
Historians: Glen Wilcox
Pat Babcock
Chaplains: Earl Romans
Barbara Doogan
Recording Sec: Jim Moody
Jeanette Wrede
Corresponding Sec: Frank McGilvary
Membership Sec: Erika Miller
Treasurers: Gene Yurkovich
Pam Young
Sgt-at-Arms: George Lounsbury
Phyllis Mayr
Inner Guards: Harry Jenkins
Fay Shouse
Marshal: Bobby Lounsbury
3 yr Trustees: Bobby Brown
Sharon Boko
Musician: Mary Ellen Koehler
King Regent: Gary Nash
Queen Regent: Leslie Dunnahew
M Valdez Igloo 7 and W Igloo 2
Presidents: Greg Tang
Karen Feero
1st V Presidents: Henry Irish
Shannon Mahoney-Irish
Historians: Jim Thompson
Dian Rhoden
Chaplains: Spike Gilson
Sally Williams
Sec/Treasurer: Tim Gilson
Secretary: Donna Gifford
Treasurer: Lois Gilson
3 yr Trustees: Lynn Chrystal
Janese Chrystal
Haines M Igloo 34 & W Igloo 18
Presidents: Donald Poling
Annette Smith
1st V Presidents: Ike Lorentz
Arlene Jackson
2nd V President: Maisie Jones
Historians: John Schnabel
Doris Ward
Chaplains: Richard Woods
Myrna Kornelis
Secretaries: Jim Shook
Julie Shook
Treasurers: Tom Jackson
Dorothy Poling
Sgt-at-Arms: Terry Pardee
Irene Ward
3 yr Trustees: Warren Morrison
Barbara Woods
2 yr Trustees: Bill Pender
June Haas
1 yr Trustee: Jane Bell
Ketchikan M Igloo 16 & W Igloo 7
Presidents: Francis Sunner Murphy
Shirley Carlin
1st V Presidents:Harry Diamond
Grace Coryell
2nd V President: Juanita Diamond
Historian: Bessie Comiskey
Chaplains: James W. Rhodes
Linda Deal
Secretaries: James D. Rhodes
Sheila Zastrow
Treasurers: Edward Zastrow
Mary Castle
Sgt-at-Arms: Arne Iversen
Mabel Smeltzer
Marshall: Kelli Carlin Auger
Trustees: Johanna Close
James D. Rhodes
Edward Zastrow
Francis Murphy
James W. Rhodes
Harry Diamond
Sitka M Igloo 22 & W Igloo 12
Presidents: Jim Parker
Shirley Winters
1st V Presidents: Mike Perensovich
Bernice Steadman
Historians: Tee Smith
Doris Smith
Chaplains: Peter Gorges
Marion Blankenship
Membership Secs: Russ Braun
Lois Perensovich
Recording Sec: Marty Braun
Treasurers: Bill Burns
Edna Branlund
Sgt-at-Arms: Russ Betterton
Peggy Parker
Inner Guard: Myron Weeks
Trustee: Dorothy Osbakken
Myrtle Helem
Petersburg M Igloo 26 & W Igloo 10
Presidents: Al Dwyer
Naomi Welde
1st V Presidents: Stan Hjort
Margaret Newlan
Historians: Louis Severson
Carol Enge
Chaplains: Ed Sarff
Ange Hofstad
Secretaries: Doug Welde
June Vick
Treasurers: Wendell Gilbert
Cathy Harris
Sgt-at-Arms: Chuck Harris
Carol Bennets
Trustees: Larry Martin
Gerald Linn
Stan Hjort
Wrangell M Igloo 21 & W Igloo 15
Presidents: Terry Buness
Lorraine Kagee
1st V Presidents: Mike Hay
Sherry Rooney
2nd V Presidents: Ivor Noor
Betty Keegan
Historians: Dick Angerman
Gayle Gross
Chaplains: Keene Kohrt
Betsy McConnachie
Sec/Treasurer: Ken Davidson
Secretary: Marlene Clark
Treasurer: Kathy Angerman
Sgt-at-Arms: Mike Ottesen, Jr
Tedi Sims
Inner Guards: Palmer Noor
Janice Churchill
Trustees: Leonard Angerman
Rob Rooney
Kathleen Fisher
Anchorge M Igloo 15 & W Igloo 4
Presidents: John Conover
Pat Klouda
1st V Presidents: Lee Pederson
Norma Langman
2nd V Presidents: Tilford Cobb
Bonnie Tisler
Historians: Gerald Delkettie
Jean Karwowski
Chaplains: Norman Elliott
Christine Gill
Financial Secretary: Betty George
Corresponding Sec: Ed Barber
Recording Secs: Leonard Grau
Sophia Hale
Treasurers: Sam Richards
Pat Barber
Sgt-at-Arms: Hank Langman
Shirley Iverson
Inner Guards: Tim Jackson
Doris Carey
Marshal: Jean Lee
Trustees:
3yr: David Barnett
Shawneen Conover
2 yr: Gordon Severson
Norma Alderfer
1 yr: Evelyn wince
King Regent: Ernie Hall
Queen Regent: Regina Hall
Seward M Igloo 9 & W Igloo 9
Presidents: Virgil Campbell
Dawn Campbell
Vice Presidents: Fred Moore
Marci Treadwell
Historians: Willard Dunham
Lory Leary
Chaplains: Fred Steeves
Florita Richardson
Secretary: Lee Poleske
Recording Sec: Mary Daniel
Corresponding Sec: Mary Lechner
Treasurers: Sam Daniel
Lorraine McCauley
Sgt-at-Arms: Bob Valdatta
Barbara Shea
Inner Guards: Louie Bencardino
Anka Banic
Queen Regent: Jene Bradley
Kodiak M Igloo 18 & W Igloo 17
Presidents: Fred Lentz
Janell Rehmer
V Presidents: Stan Austerman
Lorna Arndt
Historians: Joe O'Donnoughue
Lita Ecklund
Chaplain Maurice Bob Johnson
Janet Johnson
Administrative Sec: Dr. Bob Johnson
Doris Bacus
Recorder: Shawn Dillon
Judy O'Donnoghue
Treasurers: Bob Hatcher
Martha Randolph
Sgt-at-Arms: George Cusick
Lois Stover
Inner Guards: Roy Ecklund
Edith Wiley
3 yr Trustee: Stan Austerman
2 yr Trustee: Tom Sweeney
Nancy Sweeney
1 yr Trustee: Anne Kalcic
.
Kenai M Igloo 33 & W Igloo 16
Presidents: John Osborne
Virginia Walters
V Presidents: Jim Carew
Ann Berg
Historians: Bob Carew
Karen Morris
Chaplains: Earl Jones
Dorothy Lentz
Secretaries: Doug Nightengale
Audrey Johnson
Treasurers: Ray Nicholson
Patty Herrick
Sgt-at-Arms: Brock See
Marilyn Duffey
Inner Guard: Frosty Walters
3 yr Trustees: Dick Baldwin
Lila Mae Schroeder
From Around the State
We were saddened by the unexpected deaths of Past Grand Officer Glenn Hanneman of Fairbanks, and Annie Cessnun of Ketchikan. They will be missed.
Palmer M Igloo 31 and W Igloo 11
Happy 83rd Birthday to Bob Mielke! He keeps saying he's all done doing anything, but we don't believe him.
Our Roll Call Dinner was a big success, with lots of Pioneer sisters attending, and many gifts given away. We had fried chicken and tons of salads, helping to make it a great Roll Call.
We are getting ready for our annual Salad Luncheon and Style show to be held Friday, May 4 at the Moose Hall in Palmer. We had to change from Thursday to Friday this year, and it should be even better. Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at the door. Everyone , not just ladies, are welcome to join the fun. We love the men!!
Jackie Cabo is our fearless leader and is cracking the whip, making us do decorations. These will be beautiful but we may not all make it through this!
Anchorage and Palmer are again working on the Picnic held at Snider Park on Sunday, June 10th. Everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your favorite dish and join in. Palmer Men's Igloo 31 will be doing the Stampede, as usual, on Saturday evening, June 9th. Good steaks, corn on the cob and plenty of great fixin's. You don't need to bring food to the Stampede, just money! $25.00 per couple and $13.00 single.
Anchorage will have the “Oasis” open and keep us all from drying out!
Ruby Church, Palmer
Cordova Men's Igloo 19
News from Prince William Sound.
Cordova Men's Igloo #19 continued a long standing tradition of providing free ice cream during the Cordova Iceworm Festival. The festival takes place the first weekend of February every year and the Pioneers have provided ice cream for all when the Iceworm Grand Parade finishes. This year over thirty gallons of ice cream were consumed on a lovely, cold, Cordova winter day. This tradition began with the festival in 1961 and has continued every year.
Another Igloo tradition was the annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Feed held on St. Patrick's Day. The Igloo was filled with hearty eaters and the Corned Beef was superbly cooked by Brother Max Wiese.
We would like to thank Grand President Mr. Bill Church and his wife Mrs. Ruby Church for coming to Cordova for installation of officers. They are fine folks and it was great to have them come visit our Igloo.
Jim Casement, Secretary
Cordova Men's Igloo 19
Anchorage Historical Society
The next regular meeting of the Historical Preservation Committee will be on May 24, 2007 at the Pioneer Hall, 6th and F St., with a Potluck starting at 6:30 pm and program at 7:30. The program will be presented by Major General (retired) Jake Lestenkof and his wife, Sherry Valentine.
They will be talking about the WWII Aleut evacuation from the Aleutian/ Pribilof villages and the renovation of six Russian Orthodox churches located in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands.
Major General Lestenkof is a life-long resident of Alaska, having been born on St. George Island in the remote Pribilof Islands. His 40 year military career was topped off by his appointment as Adjutant General of the Alaska National Guard in 1994.
Sherry Valentine arrived here in 1962 from Northern California and has spent more than 25 years working with various programs in Alaska's rural villages.
2007 Convention in Nome
Let's all think September in Nome. September 12 - 15. This is where Pioneers of Alaska began 100 years ago in 1907. The theme of the Convention is “100 Years on the Trail,” so get out your dance hall girl and gambler duds and get them ready for the big shindig! "100 Years on the Trail" is a great theme on which to base skits, and there should be some good ones.
Their committee promises to have the Registration forms out before long, so we can all get registered. I
know we had a great time last time we went to a convention in Nome and I'm sure this one will be no different.
Check out the Nome Chamber of Commerce's web for places to stay!
See you in Nome!!
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