The Pioneers of Alaska are a close-knit group of long-time Alaskans, whose mission is to preserve the wonderful history of Alaska. I have just returned from a visit to Nome, Alaska, which I visited for the Annual Convention we held there. I had thought it was a small town and you could hike to everywhere, but I quickly found out the 1/2 miles distance from the Nugget Inn to Pioneer Hall, down Front Street, was more like a mile in the high winds blowing in our faces. My roommate, a live-wire at 88, Jean Kaufman, talked me into the walk, leaving me with a cold, sore feet, and exhaustion. The local Pioneers had prepared well in advance for our visit, which included the usual meetings, dinners, entertainment, and sight-seeing. I have to commend these planners, as their job was not an easy one. The meetings were held in the Nome Recreation Center. Someone had knocked off the last part of the letter "m" in Nome, so it looked like "None", which was appropo in a way.
The legend on the local maps listed more churches than bars, but you couldn't prove it by me!
I'm posting these images to show you how they had decorated the walls of the Rec Center with clever sketches of the local scenes. The Board of Trade is a popular local bar, near our hotel, which we visited. Also another popular spot was the Polar Bar, which had live music. Since there were over 200 delegates there, you can believe that all the spots were well attended. Since we flew home Sunday morning, I never did see the insides of a church, nor did I find the Senior Center open in the times I went by, but there is a nice museum and library in the same building, that was like an oasis for me. The restaurants were minimal, and the only franchise was Subway, altho' I understand a Burger King was there once. The waves outside our hotel window were not formed, but just like big and choppy like in the movie, a Sudden Storm. Well, I may not have the name right, but you understand the sea was choppy.
I started out wearing heels, but they kept getting caught in grates, mud, etc., so reverted to tennie runners the rest of the week. Yes, even to the ball, but I did switch once I got inside. The band was actually quite pleasant, and they played vanilla music (C&W and Standards) that you could dance to and talk above. They also have a local, Nome River Sally, who performed in period attire, and was very good.
Jean and I did a skit, which was three parodies of songs. Mine was to the tune of YMCA, using motions pointing to the eye (I) and then P O A -Pioneers of Alaska. It was well taken, and no tomatoes were thrown.
Since writing my blog last month, I've totally neglected my webpage, but it still does exist, so hope you'll visit there, and perhaps I'll be inspired to update things. Until then, goto
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