Two months and counting!

We have been in Petersburg for two months! Two months and four days to be exact.

Oh how time flies when you are having fun!

I have found that work at the paper is quite rewarding. I have had a few letters and calls from people who liked my stories. My most rewarding compliment came from the widow of a man I wrote an obituary about. I spent a significant amount of time trying to showcase his contributions to this community, and the compliment was greatly appreciated.

I have dealt with a few politicians lately, including the lone Alaska U.S. representative Don Young and local state representative Peggy Wilson, as well as gubernatorial candidates Bob Poe and Hollis French. Gotta love election season.

The hottest topic so far has been the local city employees union that has clashed with the city manager over contract talks. A mediator has been called, and the whole situation has been heavily debated...

I also covered a story of a house that burnt down... quick newsbite right?

Wrong... I got a phone call a week after the house burned down from a couple who had arranged a public auction that raised $16,000 for the couple with the destroyed house... amazing. The recipient couple said they would never want to live anywhere else...



I was blown away by the strong sense of community and how much they cared, mobilizing in such a short time and even in a time of economic strife they were able to band together. The couple said they have had hundreds of visitors, even people they didn't know came knocking...

I had the chance to do a follow up article on the group of pro-skiers that were in town, it included an amazing photo from one of the photographers here (unfortunately I can not post it here due to copyright issues).

I also completed my first video project for the Petersburg Pilot, about the salmon hatchery located out the road on the south end of Mitkof Island.

Crystal Lake Hatchery moves smolt from Pilot Publishing on Vimeo.

April 20 marked the centennial celebration of the inception of the city of Petersburg, the day was celebrated with a town photo at the ball fields, with about 1500 residents showing up.



I took some photos of the event. That night there was a fireworks show, I had some fun with the newspaper camera.




Since day one in Petersburg I have had an itch to buy a boat, and as of last week buying a boat has become a top priority. Today I found a boat I am extremely interested in, right size, equipment and price range. And Erin is interested in it too — bonus!

Erin is quite the busy bee, working at the semi-weekly produce stand, coffee shop and as a substitute teacher. My favorite job of hers is at the produce stand, gotta love the fresh fruit. I was even forced to buy a bag of potting soil for some herbs she picked up! Chives and Oregano, hopefully more to come.

Tina's, the mexican/korean restaurant in town opened two weeks ago, we have been busy taste-testing their food (somebody's gotta do it!) So far the halibut cheek tacos are my favorite, with the korean beef a close runner up.

And as a treat we had pizza for dinner tonight, $25 for a large pepperoni and sausage!!!!! man was I spoiled in college with the $6 hot-n-ready deal.

I went crabbing with some friends last weekend, kept 5 dungeness crabs and one tanner crab, we had quite the feast that night...

don't worry we didn't eat it all that night!

Erin and I were invited to be on a softball team for the upcoming Mayfest celebration. I have not stepped onto a baseball field since sixth grade, so it was quite interesting... I did get some batting practice in and feel WAY better about helping the team in a few weeks.

The mayfest celebration has quite a few locals excited, and I am intrigued to see some of the traditions... something about a viking feast and a jail. From the pictures it should be interesting, Petersburg is slowly waking up and becoming more lively as summer approaches...

There was a costume party at a friends house a week ago...

I was a ghost, Erin was straight from the 80's

Last week the Pilot published 8000 copies of the Wrangell visitor guide. I was recruited to staple and cut the copies down to their usable size. Only one mishap so far as I came millimeters away from chopping off my index finger with the stapler. Lets just say it isn't your run of the mill red swingline stapler...

After stapling the guides they are moved through a "three blade cutting device" that is one of the craziest machines I've seen. Upon stacking your bundle of guides, you push start and stand back as it shoots the guides through a maze of razor sharp blades before shooting them out the other side clean and ready for distribution.

Before I finish this post I want to mention how thankful I am that both my dad and grandpa's recent surgeries were successful, I wish them both healthy and speedy recoveries. They are both extremely strong individuals and two of the most influential people in my life, I love you both.

Grandpa and I at my graduation last May...


I couldn't resist this one of dad... dead sexy


I also wanted to throw out a thank you... because of a generous gift from Auntie Anne, I bought a bicycle and Erin and I have really enjoyed being able to bike to and from work. (I've only had to call a few times requesting pickups in the car due to rain!) (more on this subject to come in the next blog entry)

Tomorrow I am taking the prospective new boat for a test ride, followed by a few hours of cutting... until next time