KENYAN STUDENTS RECEIVE ALASKAN BOOKS FROM BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT
Contributed by Martha Owidhi
Jambo from Kenya! My name is Martha Owidhi, and I am a teacher at the Sheba Education Center in Nairobi, Kenya. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Bright Lights Book Project in Palmer, Alaska for their generous donation of books to our students.
We received these wonderful books about Alaska when our friend Brad visited us from Alaska. Over the past year, our students have developed a love for Alaska, writing notes to dog mushers on the Iditarod trail and even building a dog sled at our school.
Now, we are working toward attending the 2026 Iditarod race, a dream that has inspired and motivated our students. Asante (thank you) from all of us in Kenya! For more information visit www.kenyatoiditarod.com.
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT: HAVE SUITCASES, WILL TRAVEL
Contributed by Alys Culhane, The Bright Lights Book Project
I sprang into action when I learned that in early March we had enough funding remaining in our Senate Appropriation Grant funding for two more village trips. In preparation for an upcoming March 24–28 trip to Nome and Elim, I contacted BLBP volunteers Pam Meekin and Pam Hucyk, who agreed to come along. I next boxed up approximately thirty boxes of books. Pete put shipping labels on them, and with assistance from Alex, a new volunteer, dropped the boxes off at the Palmer Post Office loading dock. They were destined for Nome and Elim schools and the Pingo Bakery. I next packed up eight suitcases, which I’d take to Nome and Elim. I included books from the Alaska Native Language Center in Fairbanks in the mix.
I generally breathe a sigh of relief when I board planes, but not this time. I sensed that I had major logistical challenges ahead of me.
The first was baggage-related. We were late checking in our suitcases, so one was put on standby. The NomeBeltz High School basketball team was returning to Nome. In the interim, the
team members and their family members had done some serious shopping.
The Nome airport baggage area is small, and so we three jostled for space.
Kastin Lie, who teaches at the City of Anvil Science Academy, picked up seven of our suitcases, and we took Pam Hucyk’s suitcase with us to the Aurora Inn, which is located on Front Street. We were fortunate in that the staff gave us a first-floor room.
Pam M and I left for the Anvil Science Academy early the next day, and Pam H later joined us. We conferred with Kastin before setting books out on the hallway tables. I subsequently gave three PowerPoint presentations in which the focus was on the BLBP. The semester curriculum was on motion, so I talked about the importance of wheels, showing the fifth and sixth graders an oversized book called Wheels in Motion, and about how wheels on suitcases changed airport travel. I also talked about shelf life in my final presentation and showed the students a book in which the pages were falling out. We concluded that I could put a rubber band around it and attach a note saying this book is readable.
The book fair was a huge success. One hundred-plus students conferred with
one another about the books that they self-selected. I, two students, and Lisa Leeper, the school principal, were also interviewed by a KNOM reporter.
At midday, we packed the suitcases, thanked all involved in our undertaking, and prepared to return to the hotel.
My advice for anyone who is going to spend any time at all in Nome is to rent a car. As we discovered, getting around by cab in a town that is spread out can be challenging. There’s also the likelihood that you’ll end up (as we were) being dependent upon your hosts. On Day #1, Kastin took the three of us to the airport, where we picked up the standby suitcase. She then dropped us off at our hotel. On Day #2, Angela, the school secretary, volunteered to be our chauffeur. She assisted us in loading our suitcases into her car, and then she took us to the local thrift store, where I filled a suitcase with children’s books. After, Angela dropped me off at the Nome Community Center, where I met with Executive Director Kim Bishop. The two Pams checked out the Nome gift shop.
Lastly, Angela dropped us off at Pingo Bakery, where I’d previously sent books.
The two Pams and I spent the afternoon of Day #2 at the Nome Public Library and museum. That evening we
repacked our suitcases. We left one behind.
The following day I left for Elim, and the two Pams (on separate flights) returned home. Elim was a stark contrast to Nome—I spent the afternoon in the school library. I laid the books from my suitcase on tables, and the students, some accompanied by their teachers, selected them. The students, with Bingo sheets in hand, engaged in a mock scavenger hunt. The sheets were used by those at all grade levels.
I left Nome thinking that it would be an ideal place for a Bright Lights Book Project satellite hub, what with several villages being within plane commuting distance.
I returned home and Pete did a final grant tally. We sent books to the village of McGrath with our remaining funds. We now have a well-established BLBP Books to the Villages program, with other village school educators now clamoring for books. So now we are seeking funding for this endeavor.
Alys Culhane is the Executive Director of the Bright Lights Book Project, which is located in the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel in Palmer. For more information about this program, check out brightlightsbookproject.org.
JESSICA MICHELLE SINGLETON TO RELEASE FIRST COMEDY SPECIAL ON AN ALASKA MILK RUN
Contributed by Jake Armstrong
Alaskan Jessica Michelle Singleton is going on an Alaska comedy milk run from Friday, April 26 through Sunday, May 4, performing in eight cities across the state in just ten days. Tour stops include Ketchikan, Cordova, Skagway, Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and in the Matanuska Valley—shows in Talkeetna at the Sheldon Arts Hangar and Palmer at Palmer Alehouse.
Jessica Michelle, a graduate of Service High in Anchorage, has gone on to become a powerhouse of comedy, albeit in a teeny tiny package. She is known for her high-energy, overly honest, always silly, and often dark and dirty performances. She skyrocketed to comedic success after being noticed by comedy giants like Bobby Lee and Tony Hinchcliffe at The World Famous Comedy Store, where she is a Paid Regular.
She is the breakout star of ILIZA’S LOCALS (Hulu), a comedy special series produced by Iliza Shlesinger. Her Don’t Tell Comedy performances have amassed millions of views online across multiple platforms. Singleton’s second comedy album HORNY FOR DEATH debuted at #1 on iTunes and Amazon, ahead of Bo Burnham, and landed on the FYC Grammy list—making it her second #1 comedy album.
Her highly anticipated hour special Hi Y’all is set to premiere April 29 on Punchup.live, with a special advance premiere screening the night before, April 28, at Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage.
Singleton has toured across four continents alongside names like Melissa Villaseñor, Theo Von, Mark Normand, and Ari Shaffir. In 2023, she wrote for The Roast of Whitney Cummings.
Tickets for all tour dates can be found at www.punchup.live/jms.
Funnies Calendar of Events
APRIL
Apr 16 @ 1PM
Build Your Business with Amazon Workshops Alaska SBDC
8800 Heritage Center Dr. Atjabascan Ceremonial House
Cost: $25 (907) 786-7278 workshops@aksbdc.org
Apr 17 @ 6PM
Dems Drinking Liberally Mat-Su Democrats
7307 S Frontier Dr. The Albatross Settlers Bay Golf Course (210) 744-1188 waggonerfi@protonmail.com
Apr 17 @ 7PM
Willow Library Seminar:
Local Businesses
Willow Library Association 23557 W Willow Community Center Cir., Willow Library Community Meeting Room (907) 861-7655
Apr 18–27
The Lightning Thief:
The Percy Jackson Musical Fri/Sat @ 7PM · Sun @ 3PM
Splish Splash Productions & Alaska Theatre of Youth 3700 Alumni Dr. UAA Mainstage Theater
Young Life – Bunco De Mayo Young Life Mat-Su Valley 10690 N Mountain Trails Dr. Government Peak Chalet Cost: $35 (907) 315-0516 younglifematsu@gmail.com
May 6 @ 10:30AM
Valley Garden Club
Regular Meeting
900 Leatherleaf
Grace Community Church Cost: $20 annual membership
May 10 @ 12PM
Palmer Cleanup Day City of Palmer 655 S Colony Way
Palmer Public Library (907) 745-3709 kalea@mtaonline.net
May 10
Clean Air Challenge
American Lung Association 23601 Talkeetna Spur Rd Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge Cost: $55 registration fee (907) 644-6404 cycleforairak@lung.org cleanairchallengeak.org
May 27–28 @ 9AM
Sketchy Expressions: Travel Journal Workshop
Pastel Society Alaska 3060 N Lazy Eight Ct Chessed Classroom Cost: $260 (717) 500-1208 alaskapastel@yahoo.com
Jun 1 @ 9AM
Homer Plein Air Workshop
Pastel Society Alaska 736 East End Rd Homer, Alaska Cost: $400 (717) 500-1208 akpastel@yahoo.com
FIRST & LAST NAME
Send in your coloring page and you can win a gift card to a local business!
READY, SET… GLOW! THE ADVENTURES OF TORTOISE AND HARE: THE NEXT GEN!
Contributed by Rowan Holmes, Alaska Junior Theater
Alaska Junior Theater is thrilled to present the final show of its “Bold, Bright & Breathtaking” 2024–2025 season: The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Gen, a visually stunning production by the internationally acclaimed Lightwire Theater. This unique retelling of Aesop’s classic fable blends light, technology, and heartwarming storytelling to captivate audiences of all ages.
In The Next Gen, the familiar characters Tortoise and Hare return—ten years after their legendary race—now as parents. Their children, Tortoise Junior and Lil’ Hare, are caught up in the distractions of smartphones and video games, leading to a new kind of race. As the next generation drifts into the digital world, Old Man Tortoise and Big Daddy Hare must work together to help their kids reconnect with the real world. This fun and thoughtful tale of cooperation, love, and balance promises an unforgettable adventure the whole family will enjoy.
Performance Schedule:
School Performances:
April 21–25, 2025 at 10:30 AM & 12:15 PM
Public Performance:
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
All performances will be held at the Discovery Theatre. With dazzling visuals, imaginative storytelling, and electroluminescent artistry, The Next Gen will transport audiences to a world where tradition and technology converge in magical harmony.
One Great Saturday! Pre-Show Fun
Arrive one hour early for the 2:00 PM matinee and enjoy interactive lobby activities the whole family will love:
• Fun activities hosted by the Alaska Children’s Museum
• Story Tracks: an immersive walk-through book experience
• Free books for kids
• Storytime with Pageant Princesses
After the show, enjoy a Milk & Cookie Reception with the cast and join in the Cake Walk for a chance to win fun prizes!
About Lightwire Theater:
Known for their groundbreaking performances, Lightwire Theater combines cutting-edge technology with electroluminescent artistry to tell emotionally rich stories in complete darkness—lit only by light. The group rose to international fame through appearances on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and as the winner of TruTV’s Fake Off.
Don’t miss this electrifying season finale! Whether you’re a fan of classic tales or excited to experience them in a bold new way, The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Gen is a must-see event for families, students, and theater lovers alike. Tickets are on sale now. Visit Centertix.com or call 263-ARTS to reserve your seats.
About Alaska Junior Theater:
Alaska Junior Theater is a premier performing arts organization committed to inspiring creativity and a love for the arts in Alaska’s youth. Through high-quality professional performances and enriching arts education programs, AJT brings the magic of theater to children across the state.
