Bookclub Celebrates Alaska’s 50th Statehood Anniversary.
2009 is a big year of celebrations here in Alaska. It’s our 50th Anniversary of Statehood. Most residents have spent the past 6 months attending numerous events, parties, galas, etc
Our bookclub has been around since 1988 - 21 years or 42% of the time that Alaska has been a state. Many of us are Alaska longtimers - “Sourdoughs” to use the Alaska patois and we decided we’d like to have a little Statehood celebration of our own.
Last Saturday evening, we bundled up, gathered jugs of Brook’s famous and very potent “punch”, pulled together makings for s’mores and circled around a cozy bonfire next to Cook Inlet on what was Bob Atwood’s old property. We spent quite a bit of time discussing the excellent stories, essays, and poems in The Alaska Reader. We kept coming back to the question of “Where Did the Old Alaska Go?” We all have memories of the 60’s and 70’s - pre-pipeline. And as old Alaskans and old timers everywhere tend to do, we lamented the waning of the pioneer spirit.
We then starting regaling each other with the equivalent of Alaska Ghost Stories. None were quite as hair raising as Robert Service’s The Cremation of Sam MacGee. But Debbie came close with her creepy story of her former next door neighbor who turned out to be Alaska’s most notorious serial killer.
Here are the pics. And I have to say, the collection of shots is actually a bit of a winter outdoor fashion show.
Peter looking pretty darn adorable.
Anne looking very chic.
Pete and Jim building the fire.
Dan and Blythe.
Barb and Susan.
Me and Peter. I LOVE my Elmer Fudd hat. Admit it. You want one just like it!
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That is the coldest book club meeting… Quite possibly ever held.