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HOLIDAY ADVANCE LOAN

MID-DEC

2025

The Beached Whale and the Museum of Alaska

Happy

NEW YEAR Fireworks make people happy!

AVAILABLE 12/8/25 TO 1/17/26

(907) 357-FAST Loan offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company. Finance Charge will apply, if approved. *To be eligible for the $1,200 loan amount, your expected Federal refund less authorized fees must be at least $9,950. Amounts over $200 must have prior year funding history with Liberty Tax. A Holiday Advance loan is a loan secured by and paid by with your tax refund and is offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company to eligible taxpayers. It is not your tax refund. Loan amount options are based on your expected Federal refund less authorized fees. If approved, a Finance Charge will apply. Loan is subject to underwriting and approval. The Holiday Advance loan proceeds are typically available within 24 hours of IRS acceptance of tax return or within 24 hours for those filing beforethe IRS start date, however, if direct deposit is selected, it may take additional time for your financial institution to post the funds to your account. Visit your Liberty office to learn about the cost, timing and availability of all filing and product options. Tax returns may be e-filed without applying for this load. Valid at participating locations. Limited time offer. Valid until 1/17/2026.

INSIDE THIS EDITION:

Denali Family Services Celebrates 30 Years MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

Lifeline Outreach: A Mission of Hope MORE ON PAGE 3 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

Contributed by Museum of Alaska When a dead whale washes ashore, the public often sees the initial reaction first. Photos circulate, headlines appear, and questions follow. What happens next is quieter and more complex. Once the immediate response ends, responsibility shifts to those tasked with understanding, preserving, and learning from what remains. In Alaska, that work often falls to institutions equipped to handle it, including the Museum of Alaska in Wasilla. The recent whale discovered near Anchorage drew national attention, including coverage by journalist Chandra Brown in The Guardian. That reporting highlighted the scale of the animal and the broader environmental questions such events raise. At the local level, planning was already underway to determine what could be recovered and what role the Museum of Alaska could play in the process. When conditions allow, whale remains can become an important scientific and educational resource. The Museum of Alaska became involved as plans were made to recover and preserve portions of the whale’s remains, particularly skeletal material. Rather than treating the carcass as something to be removed and forgotten, the museum approached it as an opportunity for long-term study and public education. Handling an animal of this size is not simple. Recovering, transporting, and preserving whale bones requires coordination with local agencies, specialists, and biologists to ensure the process is safe and environmentally responsible. Once recovered, the preservation work can take months or longer. Bones must be carefully cleaned, stabilized, and prepared before they can be stored, studied, or eventually displayed.

From a scientific perspective, preserved skeletal material can provide valuable information. Bones may offer insight into the whale’s age, health, and possible cause of death. Over time, details gathered from individual cases help build a broader understanding of marine mammals and the conditions they face in Alaska waters. Each preserved specimen adds to that record. The educational value is equally important. A whale skeleton, even a partial one, allows people to understand the size and structure of these animals in a way photographs cannot. For students and families, it provides a direct connection to Alaska’s marine environment and encourages discussion about biology, ecosystems, and the changing ocean. The museum views this work as a way to turn a difficult event into a lasting learning resource for the community. The Museum of Alaska’s approach emphasizes care and patience. Preparing remains for study or display is not quick work, and not every beached whale can be preserved in the same way. Each situation is evaluated based on condition, feasibility, and safety. When preservation is possible, the focus remains on accuracy, responsibility, and respect for the animal. As noted in Brown’s Guardian article, a beached whale often leaves communities asking what responsibility humans have when nature intersects so directly with daily life. For the Museum of Alaska, the answer lies in documentation, preservation, and education. By taking on this role, the museum helps ensure that what can be learned from the whale is not lost once public attention fades. For more info, to donate or volunteer, contact the Museum of Alaska at 907-376-1211.

INSIDE THIS EDITION:

City of Wasilla Annual Fireworks Show