In the photo above is the Denali Elementary School 3rd-grade class of Mrs. McGraw. Mary of Anchorage Memories is circled in the front row.

From elementary school, junior high school, and high school, we all have special memories of a teacher or two, or three, who really made a difference.

And we carry those memories with us for a lifetime.

Mary and I want to give you some space here to share your memories of a favorite Anchorage teacher who made a difference in your life.

Mary Remembers

Miss Werner was my first-grade teacher at Denali Elementary.

She made a shy student feel like a friend. And she went out of her way to make the other classmates my friends, too.

I had the same teacher for the 2nd and 3rd grade at Denali. Mrs. McGraw was very nice and helpful.

Our morning sharing time with my classmates was good and helped me to learn about them and to make friends.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will give you a free year of your favorite Lucky Wishbone lunch… well, it could happen.

Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Mike Remembers

Two teachers come to mind here.

The first was my early 1960s gym teacher, Mr. Balote (sp?) at Clark Junior High School.

I remember him as being stern, but very understanding. In the 7th grade, I recall the need to visit his office in the Boy’s locker room. As I came up to his office, I noticed a sign on the window of his office door. The sign read, “Knock or Suffer.” I immediately knocked on the door and was told to come in.

Another thing I recall about Mr. Balote was something I witnessed when I was in the 8th grade.

The incoming 7th-grade boys had to adjust to changing into their gym gear and then taking a shower with all the other guys at the end of gym class.

My Balote noticed one 7th-grade boy was having a hard time and standing way off by himself. Coach Balote went over to him and gave him some reassuring words. The boy thanked him and joined the others.

In 1963, I auditioned as a trumpet player for Mr. James Everly, the conductor of the East Anchorage High School Symphonic Band.

Mr. Everly was an excellent teacher, and I learned a lot from him. In the East High band, I ended up in what is known as the first trumpet section. And by my senior year, I was First Chair First, the head of the trumpet section.

What Mr. Everly taught me was even helpful in my television and motion picture production career.

I was fortunate enough to win an Emmy Award for my camera work. I should have mentioned Mr. Everly in my acceptance speech.

Anchorage Memories

Our website, Anchorage Memories, is a treasure chest of memories, photos, and videos.

Take a moment to drop by Anchorage Memories and enjoy.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Our favorite teachers made a positive impact on our lives.

Who were your favorite teachers? We want to hear about them.

Share your memories of your favorite Anchorage school teacher.

You can also reply to this email.

Or, you can Contact Us right here.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary Jane

The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

He had no money and no job prospects on the horizon.So, in 1929, during the Great Depression, he was able to sneak on board the SS Aleutian steamship, headed for Seward, Alaska.Once in Seward, he made his way to Anchorage, where he found work, driving a delivery truck for Standard Oil.Later, he began a fur trading business using dog teams and chartered planes to reach remote Alaska villages.And it was his fur trading company that led him to the aviation business.

Meet Linious “Mac” McGee

But he never learned to fly because he was more interested in business and organization than he was in aviation.

Yes, you can Share this Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will buy you a tropical island… well, it could happen.

Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

How it Began

In 1931, McGee partnered with an Alaska Bush pilot named Harvey W. Barnhill.The two purchased a three-seat Stinson aircraft and began Barnhill and McGee Airways in Anchorage.About a year later, in 1932, McGee bought out Barnhill’s share of the company. Then, after purchasing another Stinson aircraft, McGee started McGee Airways. It was one of the first air services in Anchorage.Over the next two years, McGee Airways grew into a fleet of seven Stinson aircraft.With all the same planes, McGee reasoned that they could interchange parts, which would make it easier to maintain flight schedules.

1934

McGee sold his airline to Anchorage-based Star Air Service, but stayed on as the manager for several years.

1937

He later decided to get out of aviation altogether.By this time, McGee was involved in the mining industry and later retired at the age of 73.

Star Air Service became Star Airlines

Then, in 1942, Star Airlines was sold, and the name was changed to Alaska Star Airlines.

The Beginning of Alaska Airlines

Photo by Harley D. NygrenIn the picture above is a 1949 Alaska Airlines DC-3In 1944, the company, which began as McGee Airways, was renamed for the last time. The new name is Alaska Airlines.Yes, Alaska Airlines came about because of a 1929 stowaway named Linious “Mac” McGee, who came to Anchorage, Alaska, seeking a new life and opportunity in the Last Frontier.

BONUS

You can learn more about Linious “Mac” McGee and Alaska aviation history.Take a look at McGee Airways: The Story Of Alaska Airlines… and discover.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Did you enjoy the story of Anchorage Pioneer, Linious “Mac” McGee, and his contribution to Alaska aviation? We certainly did.Do you have a comment?

You can also reply to this email.

Or, you can Contact Us to say, “I flew with Alaska Airlines 243 times”.Until Next TimeMike and MaryAnchorage, Alaska Memories Club.com

The photo above is of 1950s Anchorage

If you were an Anchorage teen, you probably went through the exciting, but scary process of getting your Alaska driver’s license.

Or perhaps you were an adult when you got your first Alaska Driver’s License.

Anchorage streets are challenging. In the winter, you have to drive on ice and snow. Remember, “Pump your brakes and turn into a skid.” In the spring, there is muddy water everywhere, and roads are filled with potholes as big as moon craters.

What are your memories?

Did you start with a Learner’s Permit?

Mary of Anchorage Memories shares her story:

Mary’s Anchorage Driving Test Adventure

“Nope. When my sister Betty went to get her Alaska driver’s license, she failed the driving test because she drove over a curb. Later, when she took the test for a second time, she passed.

When I was 16, my stepfather Bob took me to the DMV in our 1968 Camero.

Yep. I passed the written test. Then on to the driving test. I followed all the instructions from the DMV guy who was in the passenger seat, telling me what to do. “Turn left, turn right, cross the railroad tracks.” I was then instructed to head back to the DMV for the parallel parking test. Yep. I passed.

As Bob drove me home, he told me that he knew the guy who gave me the driving test. And if I hadn’t passed, he was going to tell him that I was his step-daughter, and you need to give her a passing test score.

Yep. When we got home my mom was happy that I had gotten my Alaska driver’s license because she didn’t drive, and I could be her chauffeur.”

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you a free Lucky Wishbone burger basket every week for a year… well, it could happen.

Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Mike’s Anchorage Driving Test Adventure

“As a teen, I started with a driver’s permit. My mom and dad took turns teaching me the finer points of driving. Like how to stay on the road and off the sidewalk.

Then came the big day when mom took me to the Anchorage Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get my Alaska driver’s license.

After I nervously passed the written portion, I was ready for the scary part… the actual driving test.

Remember, the Driver’s Manual plainly stated that I was not to talk to the person giving me the test.

“Pull out into traffic. Stop here. Turn right, turn left.”

Then I made a mistake. I pulled to a stop after passing the stop sign. Quickly, the man testing me said matter-of-factly, “Stop in front of the stop sign not behind it.” Ok, I was sure I had just failed the test.

Moments later, he said, “Head back to the DMV.” At that moment I really got nervous because I thought the dreaded parallel parking test was coming up, and I hadn’t practiced that one.

However, when we arrived back at the DMV, he said, “Pull up, park and turn off your engine.” Wow, I didn’t have to parallel park. Then, after scribling a few notes, he got out of the car without saying a word and went back into the DMV.

I wondered if I had failed the test. Moments later, I was inside the DMV and a woman came over, handed me a piece of paper and said, “Go over there to get your picture taken.” I had passed my test!

Later, I stood on the sidewalk, basking in the warm summer day and thinking to myself, “I have my Alaska Driver’s License.” I got in the car and mom drove us home.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

What are your memories of taking your Alaska Driver’s Test, or even taking the written Driver’s Test as an adult in Alaska?

Do you have a comment?

You can also reply to this email.

Or, you can Contact Us right here.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

You can see the Ship Creek Meat Market in the middle of the picture.

Oscar Anderson made his way from Seattle to Seward, Alaska, then onto Ship Creek in 1915 and what would become Anchorage.

Anderson said he was the 8th person to set foot in the rugged tent city that was located on the north shore of Ship Creek.

His first job was cutting wood in an area that would later become known as Government Hill.

In the weeks that followed, Anderson teamed up with a man named Jensen. The two decided to put together a cold storage business. That operation became a meat packing company, serving the entire Cook Inlet region.

Later, Anderson headed for Seattle to purchase equipment for a cold storage plant and what would become the Ship Creek Meat Company.

After purchasing a lot on 4th Avenue in Anchorage, where Stewart’s Photo is now located, he opened the Ship Creek Meat Market.

Live Cattle were then shipped from Seattle and kept in corrals in Anchorage.

The Ship Creek Meat Market became the largest fresh meat supplier in Alaska. The business closed in the 1950s.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on an adventurous tour of Alaska in a dog sled… well, it could happen…Mush!

Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Woolworth’s in Downtown Anchorage

Photo by Ward Wells, June 27, 1961

Oh, the memories.

Located on the south side of 4th Avenue and F Street, Woolworth’s was an Anchorage favorite.

Remember the lunch counter, known as the Frontier Room? Mike of Anchorage Memories remembers when his mom, Louise Dougherty, worked there.

And Mary remembers going into Woolworth’s to buy a large (about two feet long) bag of popcorn and some candy to take with her to see a movie at the 4th Avenue Theatre. And back in those days, the 4th Avenue Theatre was nice enough to let you do that if you asked nicely.

The Woolworth Grand Opening

From Mary of Anchorage Memories:

“As I walked into Woolworth's for the first time, I saw the café on the left, makeup, and school supplies in the middle and my favorite aisle… the toy section.Woolworth's was just a few doors down from the 4th Ave Theater, and that made it a happening place to go. My entire family went to Woolworth's Grand Opening in Anchorage when I was in grade school.”

BONUS

Enjoy Mary’s Woolworth’s grand opening adventure.

Take a look at Mary’s story, “Woolworth’s Grand Opening” and remember.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Alaska Flag story.

Eric recalls:

“The best Flag and the best State Song in the Union. As a child in school, we would sing it every morning. I still sing it for friends.”

Jerry’s Daughter sang at the World Fair in Seattle:

“At the World's Fair in Seattle in 1962, the Alaska exhibit was well attended. The announcer was describing the Alaska flag and the Alaska song that went along with it. Then asked if anyone knew the Alaska song? My two very young daughters, ten and eleven, sang it alone for the entire crowd. They received loud applause.”

Jerry Knew Benny Benson:

“Benny was a great friend of mine and many others in Kodiak. He was an outstanding Elk of the Kodiak Lodge, 1772. I have an Alaska flag signed by Benny.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

This double memories edition really brought back some great memories.

You can share your memories by commenting below.

You can also reply to this email.

Or, you can Contact Us right here.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

The Anchorage Memories Club