Alaska has a long history and continued relationship to the Armed Forces. To preserve and honor that history, the Alaska Veterans Museum features exhibits and artifacts from the state's territorial days to modern times. Ahead of Memorial Day on May 27, host Dave Waldron tours the museum to find out more about the men and women who gave their all to serve the country. We'll also hear pieces from Alaska Public Media and StoryCorps' Military Voices Initiative. HOST: Dave Waldron GUEST: Jann Sherril...
May 20, 2024•56 min
40 years ago, tucked inside a tiny Anchorage shoe repair shop, BOSCO'S Comics was born. On this Hometown Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with John Weddleton, the owner behind the man with the sword. It's a reflection on the past 40 years of comics, cards and games in Anchorage, and much more, including an appearance from Batman. HOST: Dave Waldron GUEST: John Weddleton , Owner, BOSCO'S LINKS: BOSCO'S website Facebook Instagram ]]>...
May 13, 2024•53 min
It’s spring and neighborhood streets, parks and gathering places are filling with people. Where does this season take you? To new parts of the city or to the same haunts as winter? What’s on your map of Anchorage? Anchorage Park Foundation is celebrating the city through a new project, "Map Your Anchorage." HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Barbara Brown , Map Your Anchorage Coordinator Michelle LeBlanc , Anchorage Park Foundation LINKS: Download map HERE Anchorage Park Foundation Map Your Anchorage pa...
May 06, 2024•56 min
May 16, 2024 is the 223rd birthday of the one and only William Henry Seward. In honor of this, Cook Inlet Historical Society’s final event for their lecture series this season will be a program featuring songs, instrumental music, dramatic readings and a look at the life of the man who helped make Alaska part of the United States. It’s called “Seward’s Follies: The Life And Legacy Of William H. Seward.” On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we find out about the event, discuss Seward's political c...
Apr 29, 2024•44 min
Today is Earth Day, and in honor of it we'll be discussing recycling. We find out what you can and can't recycle in those bins you drag to the bottom of your driveway, and find a place for the other items that you may be looking to get rid of during your spring cleaning. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Jenny Forner and Patti Guist , cofounders of Anchorage re:MADE Kelli Toth, acting director and recycling coordinator for Solid Waste Services LINKS: Anchorage re:MADE Anchorage Solid Waste Services ]]>...
Apr 22, 2024•42 min
Alaskans have a deep history with sourdough. Even the word itself is a moniker for Alaskans who are as resilient as they are self-sufficient. A name most wear with great pride. April 1 is National Sourdough Bread Day. On this Hometown, Alaska we discuss Alaska’s rich and fascinating history with sourdough; how to make it, what it tastes like and how it secured a place in so many Alaskans' hearts. HOST: Dave Waldron GUEST: Julia O'Malley , journalist and food writer LINKS: Julia O'Malley website ...
Apr 01, 2024•53 min
Starting next Monday is the Alaska B4UDie comedy fest, a week-long event taking place in Anchorage, Wasilla, Girdwood and Talkeetna. The festival will feature some out-of-state headliners but will also offer plenty of local talent. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we meet the founder and some comedians behind B4UDie, talk about the art of stand-up comedy and explore how it's cementing its place in Alaska. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Kass Smiley , comedian, founder of B4Udie Katelyn Owens , com...
Mar 25, 2024•56 min
Some young people drink alcohol. Others don’t. It’s pretty obvious on the surface, but the decision making around drinking can be complicated. Many people and experiences shape if and when we decide to drink, and talking about those influences can be hard. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we talk to young people and some adults who support them about alcohol use and how to talk about it. EVENT INFO: Anchorage Youth Speak Out: Conversations About Underage Drinking Wednesday, April 24, 6:00 p.m...
Mar 18, 2024•51 min
When you think of game night, there really isn't anything more timeless than trivia. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we talk with a quizmaster from the group Geeks Who Drink and explore why so many are drawn to this pastime. Later in the show we host our very own trivia throwdown here in the Alaska Public Media studio. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Sarah Hull , Quizmaster, Geeks Who Drink Valerie Lake , Director of Production, Alaska Public Media Adam Nicely , Multimedia Production Associate, A...
Mar 11, 2024•56 min
If you’ve ever listened to local radio, or found yourself humming along to a catchy jingle from an Alaskan business, then you've undoubtedly heard the work of Kurt Riemann. In a world dominated by visual imagery, lifelong Alaskan, Riemann felt most at home enveloped in sound. His passion for all things audible developed into a 40-year career that has seen the audio engineer produce some of Alaska's most iconic music. From the Alaska Music Archives to KONR and the Alaska Music Show, and his recor...
Mar 04, 2024•56 min
Fur Rondy is here again and there are plenty of events going on in the city of Anchorage. But only one of them features everything from dancing to magicians to yoyo experts. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska, we discuss the Great Alaska Talent competition and host our own in-studio talent show with past and current competitors. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Megan Killoran , Executive Director, Great Alaska Talent Competition Ben Schwartz , Winner, 2022 GATC Bethany Graham , 2024 GATC competitor L...
Feb 27, 2024•54 min
Kikkan Randall is quite possibly Alaska's most prized athlete. And now, the five-time Olympian and gold medal winner is the subject of a movie that will be debuting in theaters later this month. On this Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with the film's director and Kikkan about her incredible journey, and what it's been like to put it on the big screen. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Kikkan Randall , professional cross-country skier, cancer survivor, mom Matt Clark , director, "Kikkan" LINKS...
Feb 12, 2024•59 min
February is the Anchorage Vegan Chef Challenge, where restaurants around the city highlight vegan options on their menus. From pastries to curries and everything between, chefs are trying out new vegan ideas. On today’s episode of Hometown, Alaska we’ll be talking about vegan cooking and what it’s like to run a food-focused business. HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Alex Bury , Vegan Outreach and Vegan Chef Challenge coordinator Joy Kiehn , Gia Dinh Vietnamese Cuisine Michelle Sinnott , Flaky Pastry L...
Feb 05, 2024•57 min
On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we're joined by UAA's Atwood Chair of Journalism John Sharify. He’s a 79-time Emmy award winner, a nine-time Edward R. Murrow award winner and a DuPont Columbia award winner, which is the broadcast equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. Now in his second year as the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Atwood Chair of Journalism, Sharify has been imparting the university’s students with knowledge gleaned from a career spanning three decades. HOST: O'Hara Shipe GUEST: J...
Jan 31, 2024•59 min
The Anchorage Folk Festival is a 10-day event that is celebrating its 35th year of showcasing national and local talent. On this Hometown, Alaska we'll hear from a pair of board members about some treasures you can find this year and have some in-studio performances from this year's featured musicians. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Johnse Otsman , Board President, Anchorage Folk Festival Marianne See , Board Director, Anchorage Folk Festival Tim and Natalie Tucker , musicians, Tucker Tunes Robin Ho...
Jan 22, 2024•56 min
On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron explores the cosmos and discusses Winter Solstice with the Anchorage Museum's Planetarium and Discovery Center Director Aaron Slonecker. Later in the show we hear an in-studio performance of an adaptation of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" by Anchorage's TBA Theatre. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Aaron Slonecker , Director, Anchorage Museum Planetarium and Discovery Center TBA Theatre: Ryan Buen, Jessica Faust, Shane Mitchell, Erin Dagon Mitch...
Dec 18, 2023•55 min
Halloween is almost here and there isn't a better time to tell scary stories. On this episode Hometown, Alaska we give you tales of terror – one from an Alaska author and another from the longtime manager of one of Anchorage’s most haunted buildings. We also spend time with some famous spirts courtesy of Ghost Tours of Anchorage. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Jessica Faust, author and illustrator Shane Mitchell, manager of the Wendy Williamson Auditorium LINKS: Jessica Faust webstore and portfolio ...
Oct 30, 2023•56 min
Alaska Children's Trust is a statewide organization working to prevent childhood abuse and neglect. They recently hit a major milestone of having distributed over $10 million in grants across the state. We're joined by Alaska Children's Trust President and CEO, Trevor Storrs, to discuss their work and the role community plays into raising thriving children. Later in the show we hear from visiting, award-winning poet and contributing editor to Alaska Quarterly Review, Jane Hirshfield. She was in ...
Oct 23, 2023•56 min
What are some of the best mysteries, cold cases and tales of intrigue in our state? On this episode of Hometown Alaska, host Dave Waldron digs into them with Anchorage writer and historian David Reamer. Hear stories about predictions of death to mysterious objects in the sky and maybe even learn about one that some of Alaska's longest residents have never heard. HOST: Dave Waldron GUEST: David Reamer LINKS: David Reamer Anchorage Daily News articles David Reamer on X (Twitter) ]]>...
Oct 16, 2023•52 min
The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention is only a few weeks away and there will be plenty of speakers, crafts and traditional music. But what about contemporary music? On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we have two very different in-studio performances from some up-and-coming Alaska Native musicians. Join host Dave Waldron as he speaks with hip-hop duo Brother Buffalo and singer-songwriter Witty Youngman about their music and how their heritage influences their art. HOST: Dave Waldro...
Oct 02, 2023•56 min
Temperatures are dropping quickly and hundreds of Anchorage residents are currently living unsheltered in camps and on the street across the city. What’s the plan to keep them safe this winter and beyond? Join host Anne Hillman as she speaks with three city leaders who are working on this problem. HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Alexis Johnson , Anchorage Health Department, Housing and Homeless Coordinator Jessica Parks , Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Chief Operations Officer Felix Rivera ...
Sep 18, 2023•59 min
The stigmas and statistics of mental health awareness are important issues for Alaskans, especially as it relates to suicide prevention. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Justin Williams leads a conversation about how to discuss mental health and suicide prevention with Blaze Bell of Standing Together Against Rape and Recover Alaska as well as Shana Cooper of the Alaska Native Justice Center. They share their professional insight and personal experiences to explain how to approach these i...
Sep 11, 2023•56 min
When most people think of Alaska sports, hockey, basketball and mushing are top of mind. But, as the Alaska Rugby Union celebrates its 50th anniversary, they are poised to make the sport of rugby an Alaska staple. On paper, the objective of rugby is simple—carry a ball across the scoring zone to secure more points than your opponent. It sounds easy enough. In reality, 300-feet and 15 burly athletes looking to knock you off your feet at every turn make scoring a point a Herculean task. But therei...
Aug 28, 2023•55 min
45 years ago KSKA flipped a switch and became the very first public radio station in Southcentral Alaska. On the next Hometown, Alaska we revisit some of the station's best memories with KSKA’s original general manager and the station's longtime program director of nearly 40 years. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Alex Hills, KSKA’s original general manager Bede Trantina, KSKA's program director for 39 years ]]>...
Aug 21, 2023•56 min
Kake, Alaska is currently populated by about 500 people but it’s the hometown of many more. This week on Hometown, Alaska we take a trip on a seal hunting vessel and into a kitchen as we explore the community through interviews about its past and present with the hosts of the podcast "A Piece of Kake." HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Mona Evan and Sarah Campen , hosts of "A Piece of Kake" podcast LINK: "A Piece of Kake" website ]]>...
Aug 14, 2023•52 min
Zeynep Kilic was born and raised in Turkey. A former professor of the now-defunct sociology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kilic is now an accomplished film director, as well as the new owner of the recently rebranded and reopened Turkish Delight, a restaurant specializing in authentic Turkish cuisine. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we will hear about her history and relationship surrounding the food she makes and loves, and what approaches she takes for her favorite dishes....
Aug 08, 2023•56 min
Paula Poundstone is a stand-up comic known for her witty observations on NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and her really large family of pets. The author, podcaster and expert dog-waste-remover will be performing in Anchorage in late June. She joins host Anne Hillman to discuss her comedy, her home life, and more. Event information: Saturday, June 24 7:30 p.m. Discovery Theater HOST: Anne Hillman GUEST: Paula Poundstone LINKS: Paula Poundstone website Tickets ALSO FEATURED: State of Art: Celebrate ...
Jun 12, 2023•59 min
If you happened to be driving down Tudor Road in Anchorage last weekend you may have noticed a throng of people dressed in armor, medieval gowns and maybe even a dragon suit. That’s because we are in the midst of the Three Barons Renaissance Fair which runs through this weekend. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with a long-time board member about the fair and moderates a debate between the three Barons as they vie for the public's support to rule the realm of Hillshir...
Jun 05, 2023•59 min
heartbreaking. As part of their Military Voices Initiative, StoryCorps partnered with us at Alaska Public Media to record veterans, active members of the armed forces or their families to document their stories. On this episode of Hometown Alaska, producer Ammon Swenson discusses the Military Voices project with the CEO of StoryCorps and learns about the women's veteran organization Operation Mary Louise. While the virtual opportunities have closed, StoryCorps will be at the Anchorage Public Lib...
May 22, 2023•59 min
Despite the May snowfall, it is definitely growing season in Anchorage. On this episode of Hometown Alaska host Dave Waldron and two master gardeners discuss the challenges and rewards of gardening in our northern climate, answer some listener questions and do a little gardening trivia. Later in the show we visit an apple orchard with the president of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association to find out what goes into the growing process this time of year. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Emily Be...
May 15, 2023•59 min
