Join host Mike Chmielewski on Valley Edition with his guest, Amy Bushatz with the Mat-Su Sentinel, as they discuss the Sentinel’s purchase of The Frontiersman and the future of the local print based news industry.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, a foreperson for the Palmer Public Works Department, as they discuss the hanging flower baskets and keeping Palmer beautiful.

The Sutton Community Hall Working Group wants to save the crumbling Sutton Community Hall.

The Hall wasn’t always in Sutton. It wasn’t always crumbling. The single-story wooden structure was built in 1927. It was a bunkhouse for the workers who built the Eklutna Power Plant. The building was moved to Sutton in 1954. A basement and foundation were added. The Sutton Community Hall hosted events and gatherings for decades.

The Alpine Civic Club has stewarded the property since 1959. The basement started collapsing as the building aged. The Club wanted to put it on a new foundation. However, they lacked funding to proceed.

The Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. It had fallen into disrepair by then and was no longer used.

A push to explore whether the hall could be restored began in 2022. The Sutton Community Hall Working Group formed and came up with ideas for the building. They supported assessing contamination hazards and the potential for cleanup.

Richard Chiolero ran the Environmental Department at Chickaloon Village Traditional Council. He had an idea. He would research whether they could get funding through the Brownfield Program. The US Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA) had created the program to identify possible contaminated sites and provide a way to clean them up for re-use. It seemed a perfect fit.

Chiolero submitted a Draft Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup (DBAC) application to request funding. The Sutton Community Council provided a letter of support.

The EPA and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation provided the funding for samples to be collected and analyzed. Samples were taken inside the building, outside the building, and in the soil. They were sent to laboratories to determine whether there is contamination from oil, asbestos, lead, or other common contaminants found in old buildings. Another round of sampling may be done.

Engineers and architects have walked through the site. They noted weakness in the structural integrity. The building would probably not survive being moved again.

The Community Hall Working Group continues to assess information as it comes in. The next milestone will happen when laboratory results are completed, probably in the fall. A community meeting will follow. The community is working step by step with agencies to address the contamination and to envision a new use for this site. The Hall holds so much of the history of Sutton and the surrounding area.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.(post on FB and Web/don’t read on air)

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Kendra Zamzow and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday June 5, 2026.

Acting Palmer City Manager Jude Bilafer joins Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City at 8 a.m., repeating at 5:30 p.m. 

Amy Bushatz talks about her acquisition of The Frontiersman and her plans moving forward with both The Frontiersman and the Mat-Su Sentinel on Valley Edition at 5 p.m, repeating at noon on Saturday.

A wise man once said, “No matter where you go, there you are.” We have done even better just by living in the Greater PalmerMetroPlex because wherever you go, it’s going to be a good time.

Tomorrow, of course, is Friday. Time to fling! The Friday Fling runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the pavilion in downtown Palmer. Come on by for local crafts, food trucks, live music and fun! Alaskan bluegrass maestro Todd Grebe takes the Fling stage this week.

The Palmer Museum of History and Art features artist Heidi Scott this week. Scott works in fused glass and draws inspiration from the beauty of Alaska. She will be at the Museum starting at 11 a.m. on Friday. Her artwork is on display at the museum today thru next Wednesday.

The Strawberry Moon Market kicks off on Friday. This three day event celebrates community, creativity, and summertime magic. The open-air market brings together a curated lineup of local makers, artists, and food trucks for a weekend of shopping, snacking, and soaking up the season.

Cold Moon Collective hosts this event at the corner of the Glenn Highway and Scott Road in Palmer. More information is on the Strawberry Moon Market Facebook page.

The Palmer Classic Bicycle Ride returns on Saturday. Be on the lookout for bicyclists in the Palmer area and beyond.

Peak Feed and Seed hosts a pop-up market on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market features farm and garden items, horse gear, outdoor gear and more. The store is near Bushes Bunches on the Old Glenn Highway.

The Children’s Book Fest celebrates Alaskan children’s book authors on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the pavilion in downtown Palmer. Come on by for an afternoon of games, activities, crafts, and story time with some Alaskan authors.

Meet Alaskan authors Miranda Miller, Brooke Hartman, Tricia Brown, and Barbara Brovelli-Moon. Their will be books available for purchase.

All are invited to this free event. It is presented by Fireside Books, the Palmer Public Library, United Way Mat-Su, and the Palmer Arts Council.

The 9th annual Recycle Revival is on Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Skeetawk in Hatcher Pass. This fundraiser for the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions features music from LuLu Small & John Cook, The Robotz, Denali Cooks, and the Jerry Wessling Band.

Come enjoy food, music, a silent auction, the beer garden, face painting, and chair lift rides. Kick off summer, support recycling, and have a great time. It’s only $20 at the gate for the zero-waste, 100% fun event. Find information at valleyrecycling.org.

It’s another weekend to brag about. We live in one of the best places on Earth. It would be a waste to sit around and collect dust. Get outside and enjoy!

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.(post on FB and Web/don’t read on air)

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Keith Peticolas and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday June 4, 2026.

Join host Mike Chmielewski with Peter House from Deep Tree as they discuss current cybersecurity threats, dealing with new passport controls, phone security, and elections.

Tony Waliser, owner of the Tiny Homestead Farm in Chugiak, Alaska, joins host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters. Yay Goats!

Casey Ressler is thrilled. The new Gateway Visitor Center is close to its long-awaited opening. Ressler is the President and CEO of the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The opening will mark the culmination of a vision that began almost two decades ago by the Bureau. The location was chosen after a 2010 feasibility study examined sites throughout the borough.

The building is complete. Ressler is even working at his office there. Crews are finishing the installation of exhibits and displays. The center is expected to welcome visitors by mid-June.

The Bureau will plan a community celebration in coordination with the Mat-Su Borough to mark the opening of the visitor center.

The center is near Matanuska Lake at the entrance to the Mat-Su Valley. It offers views of the Chugach Mountains and Pioneer Peak. Visitors can enjoy paved walking paths that include scenic overlooks, a designated selfie spot, and a picnic area. It will provide travelers with the opportunity to learn about the region.

The center is not meant to be a final destination. The goal is to provide visitors with an introduction to the Mat-Su experience and encourage them to explore communities across the borough according to Ressler. He wants them to discover the unique experiences that each offers.

He added that the Gateway Visitor Center is intended to complement, not replace, existing attractions such as the Palmer Museum of History and Art and the Wasilla Museum. The bureau is working closely with both.

Ressler highlighted the growing national awareness of the Mat-Su region. He noted that a recent national travel article featuring lesser-known destinations included the Mat-Su Valley. He explained that such recognition often results from years of relationship-building with travel writers and media representatives. This has been part of the bureau’s tourism promotion efforts.

The center will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. It plans to remain open year-round. Hours may be adjusted seasonally as visitor patterns become clearer.

Funding for the project came primarily from a $6.7 million Federal Economic Development Administration grant funded through the American Rescue Plan. The sale of the previous visitor center property provided funds for the required local match. Ressler stressed that local property taxes were not used to construct the building.

Ongoing operations will be supported through tourism promotion funds generated by the borough bed tax. Visitors pay this tax when staying in hotels, lodges, and short-term rentals.

The center is designed as a community asset as well as serving tourists. The classroom and meeting space are equipped with large presentation screens. They can accommodate up to 100 people and will be available for rentals, educational programs, and events. Outdoor gatherings and concerts are also being considered.

Ressler says the bureau focuses on welcoming visitors and supporting local communities. It is also launching a newly redesigned tourism website. He believes Alaska continues to hold a special place in travelers’ imaginations, but notes that continued promotion is essential to keep the Mat-Su Valley on the must-visit lists of travelers.

This article was based on an interview with Casey Ressler on Valley Edition on Friday May 22. Listen to the interview on bigcabbageradio.org in Valley Edition under Podcasts.

The second public meeting on the safety and capacity improvements planned for the Glenn Highway from Arctic Avenue to Palmer Fishhook is at the Palmer Depot tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. . The Alaska Department of Transportation is collecting input on the plan. Stop by to look at the plans and give DOT feedback.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Mike Chielewski and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday June 3, 2026.

Photo credit: Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau

About 70 people make their way to the Palmer Senior Center on Chugach Avenue every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday around 11:30 in the morning. They move through tables stocked with meat, produce, and deli items donated through Carrs Supermarket and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Some come to pick up food, others come for the company.

About 15% of these folks are members of the Senior Center. The rest may not know everything the Palmer Senior Center offers.

That’s the problem Fred Traber is here to fix — for the third time.

Traber is in his mid-70s. He’s a former Alyeska Pipeline worker and a retired City of Anchorage official. He was first called in as Interim CEO of the Center in 2017, then again from 2023 to 2025. In February of 2026, the Center Board of Directors asked if he would come back as CEO. This time for good. He said yes.

Phil Munger isn’t just fighting for the Senior Center. He lives there.

Munger was a music instructor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He applied for one of the Center’s 55 housing units for anyone 55 or older after retiring. He was accepted, moved to Palmer, and found himself on the board of directors.

Munger made a promise at the graveside of fellow board member Russ Ingram last summer. He swore he’d stay on the board until the Center reputation was repaired.

The vice president of the board stepped down in January. Board president Elda McCraw asked Munger to take the position. Munger said yes. Running the board elections in June comes with the job.

It may be the most important election in recent times. Three seats are open. It would be the first full board in years if the seats are filled. Munger said that a solid board is essential to getting the Center back on track.

The Center almost closed. Losses hit $1,000 a day when the congregate lunch program was running according to Traber. The professional kitchen and walk-in freezer cost $2,000 a month to maintain.

The math just didn’t work. Deficit budgets stretched back to 2018. The board shrank. The lunches ended in early 2023. The board president died mid-crisis.

Traber said the Center is moving forward. It now owns all its properties. The total value is $12 million. The budget is balanced for the first time in almost a decade.

Inside the Center, seniors can find tai chi classes, painting classes, free AARP tax prep, seminars on avoiding scams, exercise classes, and more. The Matanuska Telephone Association funded a computer room that is free to use.

Munger wants to add music offerings. He says community performers and events would bring more people through the door.

Meanwhile, a working group is advising the board on how to bring back the congregate lunches. Traber said every option is on the table for a program that is reliable and sustainable.

Traber says society invests in daycare for children and educating young people.

“That same care needs to be exercised for our seniors,” he said. “Getting older doesn’t mean you don’t belong to the community anymore. These are our former teachers, business owners. They deserve the respect.”

The Palmer Senior Center board elections are next Tuesday, June 10. Voting is underway for members. They can pick up absentee ballots at the Center or cast their vote in person at the annual membership meeting next Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Palmer Senior Center.

Annual membership fees are $24. Applications are available at matsuseniors.com or at the Center.

The hardest years are behind the Center. The people who vote on June 10 get to help create what comes next.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Emily Forstner and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday June 2, 2026.

Image from matsuseniors.com

Join Dr. Jill Valerius and host Lee Henrikson as they wrap up a three-part series on lung cancer screenings.