Sourdough Reunion Newsletter
By CARRIE M. McLAIN
( CONTINUED )
The International Sourdough
reunion banquet (at Seattle) was
held Saturday evening, Aug. 31.
I had missed out on the Friday
morning business meeting—forgot
all about it when I went to the
Seppalas’ for breakfast. Saturday
afternoon we went to the horse
races at Longacres, and by wear
ing our badges had a free pass. It
was relaxing to sit in the grand
stand, and I noticed a number of
sourdoughs attending. I placed no
bets but noticed how the horses
I chose came in in four of the
races—at the tail end.
The drive home along Lake
Washington was so lovely, watch
ing the many bathers, sailboats
and speedboats, some of the latter
pulling water skiers.
We just had time to get ready ;
for the banquet and then we
stood, waiting for a solid hour be
fore the doors opened to this very
beautiful new dining room recent
ly opened at the Olympic.
The tables are round, each seats ;
ing 10 persons, and there were!
sittings for 700. Can you imagine!
what a sight this was? There were
seven tables for Nomeites and j
many more were dispersed at!
other tables—the Seppalas, for
example, who were with friends
from Fairbanks. One long table
on the stage held all the Conven
tion officers, toastmasters, etc.
There were faces of Nomeites
at the banquet I had not met here
previously. Mamie and Josie
Kelly, Andy Box, Mable Fletcher,
the Rydeens and Mrs. Morrison,
Joseph Bursik and myself were'
at one table. I noticed Hugh Pear- 1
son, the Guy Boyds, Wallaces,.'
and Bertha McKay at another. '
Also met Vivian Smith and hus- j
band, who were sitting at the1
table with the Weavers and [
George Goshaw. Had not seen !
Vivian since 1909.
Other Nomeites not yet men- ;
tioned were Charlie Fairfields, i
Coke Hill, Dan Noonan, Mrs. j
Myrtle Oott, Mrs. Fred Jones, a 1
Mrs. McDonald, Fred Hayes, Doc
Madden and wife, William H. Ol
sons, Kay Newmans, Tom Soren
son, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Mazen,
and Mrs. Mattie Calvin.
The program following the din- j
ner was impressive. After an in- !
vocation and a toast to President
Eisenhower, we sang the Star
Spangled Banner led by a Mr.
Hall; then all the Canadians sang
God Save the Queen. The toast
master was a Mr. fcazelle.
Tom Tollefsonthe, newly elect
ed president of the Convention,
made a jolly speech and it was
decided next year’s Convention
shall be held at Victoria, B. C.
Ellis of Seattle is first vice presi
dent and Dick Racine, second.
Many were the words of wel
come by Lee Mellon, Margaret
Sand, Dick Racine, Crystal Mor
gan, a Mr. Hollman (retired Ca
nadian army officer, a Mrs. B. J.
Parkre, and Gertrude Allstrom,
the historian for Alaska and Can
ada. Some who took a bow were
Frank Waskey, Mrs. W. W. Sales,
Harry Donnley, Mrs. Lou Stanley,
and Bob Graham.
Graham was later presented
with a gold emblem, called a “Pot
of Gold,” because he was the old
est (93) sourdough present. Bessie
Thayer presented the bracelet
which is- handed down each year
to the oldest woman present. This
year it was given to Mrs. Kot
thauer, tho if Mrs. White had
been present at Friday’s meeting
she would have been selected,
since she is 88 years old.
Interspersed were songs by the
Barber Shop Quartet and some
other men’s singing group whose
voices Were really something.
More speeches followed. Dr.
Falkenberg read a telegram from
the Norwegian consul, saying it
first in Norwegian, then in Eng
lish.
Then Lulu Fairbanks took over
and read telegrams and messages
from those unable to be present.
She said there was no greeting
from Robert Service this year.
Then she had those stand who
came to Alaska in various periods
—some Alaska McKutcheon came
in 1887 and a Mr. Roscoe in 1886.
Some were' at the banquet who
arrived in 1896, some in 1897 and
1898 and 1899. Crystal Snow
Jenme was in Juneau in 1894. Her
mother, I believe, was there in
1887. There were many who came
in 1900. Then she had all of us
stand who were from Nome. It
was a goodly number.
It was after 11 p.m. and I was
mindful of having to get things
ready for the picnic the following
morning.
Many were at the picnic who
did not come to any other events.
We were lucky to have a pretty
day, altho the forecast was rain.
For future reference, remember
the picnic is held at Stove No. 6,
near Greenlake, not at Stoves 1,
2, or 3 that fooled many unfamil
iar with the picnic grounds.
| Many Nomeites attended who
| were at the dance, tea or banquet,
j Others were Capt. and Mrs. Jim
I Crawford, Frank Rice, Frank and
j Eleanor Stipek, Max Hirshbergs,
' Sam Taggart and sons George
and Van. George had his wife and
daughter, too. Sgt. Bill Aiton,
: Mrs. Jack Anderson, Christie
J Brousseau, Pete Sather, Mr. and
Mrs. John Solon, Mr. and Mrs.
Dick Roell, Mr. and Mrs. Kinney,
Emma Davis, Jacjt Underwood,
Gasoline Red Bayne, Mildred
Maynard, who was also at the
banquet, and her uncle (Mr. Ber
i thelson) and her neice, and her
Uncle Henry Shafer, whom I had
not seen since 1909. There were
I also Rose Cameron and Mable
I McGraff (real old-timer).
I know I have omitted names
from all the events, tho I tried
hard to jot down as many as I
could. It was indeed a great event
and one that many sourdoughs
look forward to each year.
I can leave Saturday by train
for North Dakota. Plan a three
day stop in Spokane and a visit
to Republic, Wash., to see the
Modinis, Tom Christensen and
Karen Baldwin. I’m sure Eliza
beth in North Dakota will won
der if I shall ever get there.
Have been visiting many per
sons around both Seattle and Ta
coma. Had a perfect day for the
trip to Mt. Rainier—not a cloud
to mar its beauty. The wild flow
ers were in profusion in Paradise
Valley and I noticed many like
our Alaskan ones. There were
hundreds of • cars from all over
at Paradise Inn. It was an inspir
ing sight tcK me, even tho on the
way to Juneau I had flown ov^r
glaciers and pinnacles that looked
like needle points.
Have been fortunate in having
splendid weather all the way—
even in Alaska.
Had such'a dear visit with Mrs.
Pennycook and admired George
Beacom’s museum, that has given
me ideas. It just hurts to see so
much taken from our Seward
Peninsula and shown elsewhere
instead of Nome where it belongs.
Hope all is O.K. in Nome.t Some
day I can give you Pioneer Wom
en a better picture of all these
many old-timers.
Sincerely,
Carrie McLain
STOVE & STACK
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NOW AVAILABLE AT
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CARNIVAL
Saturday, September 14, 7:30 pan.
,
AT SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Games Galore ^ Dancing
Fun For Everyone
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
At Most Business Houses—Look for the Posters
BUY YOUR TICKET NOW—Save waiting in line.
Those who have tickets enter at double doors on south side
of new school building. Those who purchase tickets at door,
enter at west entrance of old school building on B Street.
_W INTER SCHEDULE
DC-3 SERVICE
.
Monday, Wednestia;/
and Friday
Lv. Fairbanks 7:00 a.m.
Arr. Kotzebue 8:50 a-m.
Lv. Kotzebue 9:39 a:m.
Arr. , Nome 10:45 a-m.
Lv. Nome 11:45 a.m.
Arr. Fairbanks 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday 7 Thursday
and Saturday
Lv. Fairbanks 7:00 a.m.
Arr. Nome 9:15 aum.
Lv. Nome 10:15 a.m.
Arr. Kotzebue • 11:30 a.m.
Lv. Kotzebue 12:10 p.m.
Arr. Fairbanks 4:00 p.m.
» Twin Beech
Tuesday and Friday
Ly. Nome 8:30 amu
Landings Al
Deering
Candle
Axr. Kotzebue 10:30 aun.
Lt. Kotzebue 11:00 aum.
Landings At
Candle
Deering
Axr. Nome 1:00 p.m.
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- _- Station Manager