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TURNAGAIN NEWS

Festive Holiday Lighting Ceremony held

The Girdwood/Turnagain Arm Lions Club flipped the switch at 6 p.m. Friday signaling the advent of the 2025 holiday season. Read the story below.  (Photo courtesy of Brooks Chandler).

TNews  qualified as a NewsMatch “rural partner”.  The first three thousand dollars of Individual donations made to TNews this November and December will be matched two for one.  When total donations exceed $3,000 the NewsMatch “match” will be one for one until the total of individual donations reaches $12,000. To contribute, click the button below:

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Alternatively, you can send a check to Turnagain News Inc. at P.O. Box 38, Girdwood, AK 99587.

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ARTICLES
YES GIRDWOOD, THERE IS A CHRISTMAS TREE
YES GIRDWOOD, THERE IS A CHRISTMAS TREE

By Brooks Chandler,

TNews Board of Directors

Clark Griswold himself would have smiled as the Girdwood/Turnagain Arm Lions Club flipped the switch at 6 p.m. Friday signaling the advent of the 2025 holiday season.    

Lights artfully arrayed amongst the branches of a stately spruce gleamed through a light fog in downtown Girdwood.   

The lighting ceremony followed a robust round of Christmas carols accompanied by pounds of cookies and hot chocolate.  The sugar consumption season has also begun!

Lions Club president Heather Durtschi said the tree lighting was coordinated by a club committee including, Seth and Wendy Beaubien, Heather. Durtschi and Kathy Trautner. 

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/yes-girdwood-there-is-a-christmas-tree

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ARTICLES
Application to Develop Phase One of "Holtan Hills" Out for Comment

By Soren Wuerth

TNews Editor

A platting meeting on a contentious "Holtan Hills" subdivision has been set for Jan. 5, a little more than a month away. 

The application which describes, for the first time, details surrounding the development plan was sent to Girdwood Board of Supervisors "a half-hour to an hour" before its Nov. 17 meeting, according to GBOS co-chair Mike Edgington. 

"I definitely have not had a chance to look at it," Edgington said. 

A 30-document has information and detailed maps for a 16-acre cul-de-sac with 39 housing lots. The tract is the first of three phases in a more than 60-acre development planned in hilly old-growth rainforest behind Girdwood's school.

It includes photos of enormous, mostly Anchorage, homes in barren, treeless landscapes to show "style examples" for the area.

A separate application includes a request for a variance to change the allowable length of a cul-de-sac by 70 feet for what the project engineers—The Boutet Company—are calling "Holtan Hills Circle". 

The road would be 670 feet and is necessary because "the topography in the upper area of this development is very steep" and contractors couldn't build as many lots as they want, according to Boutet's application.

The variance requests quotes the Girdwood Comprehensive Plan to justify a longer road, stating development should be "compatible with the natural environment" and saying, without the extended road, the developer would have to build a second road. 

A road that meets the municipal standard of no longer than 600 feet would "create undue hardship" on the developer. 

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/application-to-develop-phase-one-of-holtan-hills-out-for-comment

NewsMatch enters 10th cycle at critical moment for community support of nonprofit news

INN’s NewsMatch program enters its tenth cycle tomorrow, Nov. 1, continuing to strengthen the sustainability of nonprofit news by helping outlets grow and diversify their sources of support.

Through NewsMatch, newsrooms leverage support from a network of local and national funders to spark community giving, building a base of donors who sustain fact-based reporting. Over the years, NewsMatch has leveraged $38 million in matching gifts to help drive $362 million in community support.

This year, 20 national and regional funders have pledged over $7.7 million to match donations for a record number of 422 participating organizations. This includes three new funders to date: the Golden Globe Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Press Forward. 

And NewsMatch is more than just a match: Participants gain access to essential training and tools to boost their fundraising capacity long-term. Support includes on-demand fundraising training, free wealth screenings, customizable design assets, templated email pitches, and on-air promotional copy in English and Spanish to reach more audiences.

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/newsmatch-enters-10th-cycle-at-critical-moment-for-community-support-of-nonprofit-news

‘Our Kids and Our Kops’ community policing event held

From Tommy O’Malley

TNews Contributor

The Girdwood Board of Supervisors Public Safety Advisory Committee sponsored a community policing event on October 25th at the Ice Cream Shop.

“Our Kids and Our Kops” was an opportunity for families with children to get to know the officers of our police department. Children who brought their parents were treated to a free ice cream cone. Eighty Moms, Dads, Grandparents and children attended the event.

“Our Kids and Our Kops” was part of Community Helpers Month at Girdwood School. Ms. Brennan’s second graders school work was on display.

Some of the artwork emphasized by the children “Our Police make Girdwood safe: …byfinding people that are lost and helping people”; “by helping people in hard situations”; by giving speeding people tickets and I don’t mean movie tickets”.

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/our-kids-and-kops-holds-community-policing-event

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ARTICLES
More Than Just Skis. Swap Brings the Community Out
More Than Just Skis. Swap Brings the Community Out

By Soren Wuerth

TNews Editor

The Flexible Flyer, a retro runner-sled and called the "Chevy" of steerable runners, has a sticker for $30. Tempting. 

Then there is the blue foam roller near the register. Taken. 

The light-blue Norwegian Lobben boots? A tad too tight. 

Saturday's Ski and Sport Swap had much more than skis (though there were plenty). Patrons roamed through rows of outdoor clothing, tried on boots, and picked through hats at the annual local exchange, a fundraiser for Four Valleys Community Schools.

There was a flashy rainbow-dayglow vest, kids bikes with training wheels, headlamps, Thermarests and neon pink pants. 

"Someone was selling mini Power Wheels," said Four Valleys Director Julie Johnson, referring to packages of Matchbox. "That (name) might be from the 80s but that's what I call them."

Johnson said a new digital system of registration and payment eased the process of selling and buying gear.

Johnson said all the hallmarks were in place for a successful event. "There were lots of people, lots of stuff and all the technology worked," she said.

As she roamed the Daylodge in an orange volunteer vest, Johnson said she noticed how some items, like children nordic ski boots, were essentially passing from family to family in the fashion of a true community exchange. 

She said people sell things on Facebook, but "it's fun when it goes through the swap because Community Schools benefits." Proceeds, including those from vendors such as the local Powder Hound Ski Shop, help the organization "hit our mission of serving the community," Johnson said.

Read the entire story and more photos at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/more-than-just-skis-swap-brings-the-community-out

GBOS Co-Chair Attacked for His Position as Head of Anchorage Council
GBOS Co-Chair Attacked for His Position as Head of Anchorage Council

By Soren Wuerth

TNews Editor

A co-chair of Girdwood's Board of Supervisors has come under fire in social media posts and in local meetings for a position he accepted as chair of Anchorage's Federation of Community Council. 

Mike Edgington, who was elected as chair of the FCC a year ago, was not chosen by Girdwood residents to lead the group on the community's behalf, critics charge. Others are critical of bylaw changes the council is seeking under Edgington's helm.

The FCC is a non-profit that administers Anchorage's 37 community councils, including GBOS. A temporary officer was elected to run a Board of Delegates special meeting Wednesday night.

In an interview last week, Mike Edgington denied accusations against him as baseless, saying his position as chair of the FCC is to help manage the nonprofit and that the board doesn't make policy decisions.

"I think some of it is originally a misunderstanding, but it's been explained to these people and they don't care. They're going with conspiracy theories and lies," Edgington said. "And you know, with most things, what you do is, first of all, you try and attack the people, then you attack the process, then you actually look at the substance."

Edgington said he fell into the position of treasurer for the nonprofit as he had experience with organizing spreadsheets, and, when the position of chair opened after a resignation, he "was asked to do it" when no one else volunteered. 

He called the position a "time sink" which hasn't benefited him personally. 

Complaints about Edgington's position at a Land Use meeting led the committee to vote for Brice Wilbanks, vice-chair of the Land Use Committee, to serve as Girdwood's delegate to the FCC.

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/gbos-co-chair-attacked-for-his-position-as-head-of-anchorage-council

Girdwood Mushroom Expert Co-Authors Alaska Guide Book
Girdwood Mushroom Expert Co-Authors Alaska Guide Book

‘Mushrooms of Alaska’ To Be Published This Month

By Soren Wuerth

TNews Editor

The humble mushroom crouches on a tuft of neon green lichen, its purple cap resplendent in a shard of light cutting through the forest. 

Along comes a stampede of teenagers, rushing, pushing and jostling. Then, one sees it. 

"Look!" says a girl with a top hat over black bangs. She squats to meet the humble mushroom eye level.

"Don't touch it," her friend warns. "It might be poisonous."

A quick text and photo to an amateur mycologist reveals its title: Russula emitica, "The Sickener". And another fact: "No mushrooms are poisonous to the touch."

The girl opens a journal to sketch the Russula. 

"Is it edible?" a friend asks.

"Well. It is called 'The Sickener'."

A few days later, she's on the trail with a mushroom book. 

The young naturalist's fascination reflects what conservationist Rachel Carson wrote 70 years ago—a "sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years."

When a sense of wonder took hold of local fungi expert and author Kate Mohatt 30 years ago, as she collected mushrooms near her home in rural Wyoming, it didn't let up.

Mohatt began collecting mushrooms when she was 15. She didn't care to eat them. In fact, she thought they tasted "disgusting".

Mushrooms were mysterious because she couldn't identify them. Then again, she would soon learn no one else could identify them. Her field guide didn't cover her Wyoming countryside. A sense of wonder was activated.

"It was just, what are all these things and why doesn't anybody know anything about them? I just kind of got obsessed," Mohatt said. "I think that's a common story. I mean, when mushrooms are fruiting, when you see a bunch of them out, it's really eye-catching and you want to know what the hell they are." 

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/girdwood-mushroom-expert-co-authors-alaska-guide-book

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UPCOMING EVENTS

STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

ARTICLES
‘The Girdwood Health Clinic Saved My Life’
‘The Girdwood Health Clinic Saved My Life’

By Brooks Chandler

TNews Board of Directors

This patient testimonial was read by Community Health Worker Linda Mankoff just outside the clinic entrance on August 7.   Similar sentiments were expressed by patient and current clinic board member Jeff D’Agostino.  He recounted how Ms. Mankoff helped him obtain health insurance.  Insurance that was needed when he came to the clinic with a life-threatening condition three years ago.  “Every day I wake up I am still glad I’m here” Mr. D’Agostino said.

The occasion for these expressions of gratitude was a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the  opening of the non-profit Girdwood Health Clinic.  Clinic Executive Director Deb Erickson said at the birthday party they exemplified “why we do what we do”.  

The anniversary was attended by upwards of 100 people and included in person congratulations from United States Senator Dan Sullivan.  Sen. Sullivan professed the ”deepest respect for medical professionals” and said he was a “huge fan” of Federally Qualified Health Clinics.

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/the-girdwood-health-clinic-saved-my-life

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Trump wants Congress to slash $9.4B in spending now, defund NPR and PBS
Trump wants Congress to slash $9.4B in spending now, defund NPR and PBS

By Jennifer Shutt

States Newsroom

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration sent its first spending cuts request to Congress on Tuesday, asking lawmakers to swiftly eliminate $9.4 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and various foreign aid programs.

The request for what are called rescissions allows the White House budget office to legally freeze spending on those accounts for 45 days while the Republican-controlled Congress debates whether to approve the recommendation in full or in part, or to ignore it.

The proposal calls on lawmakers to eliminate $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. That means NPR and PBS would lose their already approved federal allocations, if the request is approved by Congress.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in May seeking to block the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from providing funding for NPR and PBS, leading to twoseparate lawsuits citing First Amendment concerns.

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/trump-wants-congress-to-slash-94b-in-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs

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Mount Spurr: Preparation Can Ease the Pain
Mount Spurr: Preparation Can Ease the Pain

By Allison Sayer

TNews Staffwriter

On March 12, The Alaska Volcano Observatory announced “an eruption [of Mount Spurr] is likely, but not certain, to occur within the next few weeks or months. The most likely outcome of the current unrest is an explosive eruption (or eruptions) like those that occurred in 1953 and 1992. Those eruptions each lasted a few hours and produced ash clouds that were carried downwind for hundreds of miles and minor ashfall (up to about ¼ inch) on southcentral Alaska communities.”

 Many simple, low cost preparedness tips are available from the Municipality of Anchorage Emergency Operations Center  and ready.alaska.gov. The common advice from these and other sources is to have a mask handy, stock up on relevant air filters, and put some forethought into what would happen if you must shelter in place somewhere.

Read the entire story at the link below:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/mount-spurr-preparation-can-ease-the-pain

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Cross Country: Native Alaskan Ava Earl stars as squad climbs to new heights
Cross Country: Native Alaskan Ava Earl stars as squad climbs to new heights

By Henry Frieman, Sports Editor

The Daily Northwestern

Girdwood, Alaska, population estimated at 2,500, sits in a valley at the base of Mount Alyeska, a ski resort in the winter and a hiking destination in the summer. The mountain town has one main road, a two-lane highway surrounded by hemlock and conifer. 

There is one elementary school, but the nearest high school is 30 miles away in Anchorage. There is a fire department, but no police station. Further away from the resort, the paved roads turn to gravel. 

It was on the gravel paths and dirt trails of the Alaskan woodlands where Northwestern cross country runner Ava Earl, now a senior, fell in love with running.

Read the entire story here:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/ava-earl-carries-alaskan-roots-to-nu-cross-country-stardom

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Raw Market: ‘Together, We Thrive’
Raw Market: ‘Together, We Thrive’

By Hannah Dillon

Assistant Editor

A red ribbon hung on the entrance to the Raw Market—just off Holmgren Ave. next to The Laundromall—as community members gathered around the store at 5 p.m. July 2. When the ribbon was cut, a new local market officially opened in Girdwood.

People quickly entered the intimately-sized store once the doors were open. Aesthetic lighting and plants hovered overhead as customers sorted through bell peppers, chocolate milk glasses, candles, locally made pottery, dried herbs, cherries and aloe vera plants.

Behind the register, employees created delicious acai bowls and smoothies for everyone in need of a cool treat on a warm sunny day.

Michelle Young, who, along with her husband James Glover, owns the Raw Market sat down with Turnagain News to discuss opening day and a little history of the store.

Young said the inspiration to establish a store like Raw Market stems from a visit to Maui, where nearly every small town had a juice bar that sold acai bowls, smoothies and juice. “We really loved the abundance of fresh food,” said Young.

Young’s experience with the fresh food available on the streets of Maui inspired Young and Glover to bring that experience to Girdwood.

Read the entire story here:

https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/raw-market-together-we-thrive

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