Anchorage Memories from Our Readers

The Anchorage we love.

From our Anchorage First TV Memories edition

Bill recalls:

“I do recall coming home from 2nd grade in Spenard (1954-55) to join my brothers around our new TV to watch the test pattern.

Later, in the fall of 1957, when I was a 5th grader at the new Inlet View elementary school, the debut of Disney's Mouseketeers prompted school officials to let classes out a little early. As a student crossing guard responsible for getting classmates safely across busy L Street, I'm sure I was the last kid to leave school that day… but I made the show opening. My two brothers and I also appeared live as part of the Anchorage Nazarene Church's children's choir for one of the station's 1956 Christmas programming — broadcast from the KTVA studio in the McKinley Bldg., as I recall. Little brother Ricky couldn't carry a tune then, but he was cute, and they wanted him in the front row — but asked him to lip-sync.”

Ric remembers:

“My girlfriend and best friend Mike went to the Anchorage teen TV dance program, Varsity Show, in the winter of 1963. We were so excited about being there and dancing. I remember when a student from West High let me know (being from East High) that “West was best and East was Least.” Well, she danced with me anyway!”

BONUS

Do you remember the Mother Moose show, KoKo the KENI Klown, the Buckaroos, HiJinks, Romper Room and Through the Magic Window? You'll love this edition.

Take a look at Anchorage Kid’s TV Shows and remember.

From our Peggy’s Restaurant edition

Linda has this memory:

“Yes! Though we lived in Valdez, there were always trips to Anchorage at least twice a year, to stock up on supplies, usually. When we'd all go (sometimes it was just my dad who went), we usually stayed in Palmer, at the hotel there, because Daddy knew the owners, plus Mom would bring her violin along and play it in the lobby sometimes.

Then, when we were in town, we'd ALWAYS get a meal at Peggy's Airport Cafe. In later years, after the Kendalls bought the Roosevelt Hotel, we'd stay there, and still get at least one meal at Peggy's.

We did enjoy the pies, but that wasn't Daddy's reason to go there. Peggy also made the BEST hashed brown potatoes (at least in his estimation). I went with him on a business trip one time… just the two of us. When we went for breakfast the day after we arrived, Peggy let me go back to the kitchen with her, and learn how she made those delicious has browns. I still do it the same way. :-D

Later, after Dad passed away, and I was married, with kids, and the new restaurant was in working order, we used to go over there quite often, for the same luscious food, but also for the pinball machines upstairs.Thanks for the memories!”

Suzanne remembers:

“One of my favorite memories of Peggy's was when my Pop Pop took me to breakfast! Her pancakes were the best. That was our special time, just he & I.”

Chris recalls this:

“Ah, Peggy's! One of my earliest memories as a child in Anchorage was Peggy's Airport Cafe, we never called it anything else.

It was a special treat whenever the family went there and, big surprise, the crème pies were my favorite! Thanks for the memories!”

BONUS

What were (are) some of your favorite Anchorage places to grab a bite to eat? This edition of the Anchorage Memories Club might make you hungry.

Take a look at Anchorage Restaurant Memories and enjoy.

Great Memories You can Share

Did you know that you can share this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club?

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy, that they will write a hit song, all about you… well, it could happen.

Just click on the following link:

Bun Drive-In Memories

Helen sent in this memory:

“Oh my, there are so many good memories in this edition.

My favorite theatre was the Billiken Drive-In on Muldoon Road, because my mom worked there for one winter, I think it was 1965-66.

And that photo of the Bun is a delight because that could have been my Dad’s ‘58 Cadillac and my fiancé’s ‘56 Buick parked in front! And as a teenager, I never missed Ron Moore’s show and called in all the time requesting my favorite songs! Enjoying my morning coffee and basking in the memories… Thank you once again for sharing our history!”

Ric remembers:

“Wow, let's go! 4th ave theater, sneaking in the Billiken drive-in, eating at Brown's A&W, Lucky Wishbone, dancing at the armory, Cinnamon Cinder, Bun Drive-In and so much more! A special memory is driving at night with my father and looking at the star on the mountain feeling warm and secure.”

BONUS

Do you remember the Coke Show with Ron Moore? Did you ever go to the Bun Drive-In to listen to the Coke Show? Did you call in to the Coke Show?

Take a look at Anchorage Coke Show Memories and enjoy.

In the photo above is the Center Bowl in Spenard

Don has this memory:

“My family was very active in the Anchorage bowling scene.  My two brothers and our mother and father bowled frequently in leagues around Anchorage.  We probably learned to bowl at the Aleutian Lanes downtown along and beneath 4th Ave. between A and C streets. 

The Aleutian Lanes was destroyed during the earthquake of '64.  We all bowled in leagues at The Elks, with 6 lanes, the Aleutian Lanes with 10 lanes, Center Bowl with 30 lanes and once in a while at Anchor Bowl on government hill from the fifties on.  My brothers and I bowled regularly every Saturday in a C.Y.O. league at Center Bowl in the 60's. 

Our father Earl R. Holland was elected to the Anchorage Bowling Hall of Fame and the last I knew; his picture still hangs on a wall in the current Center Bowl.” 

In the photo above is Spenard Lake in 1959

From our look at Anchorage Swimming Memories

Edi recalls:

“We spent may summer days at Spenard Lake. We liked "riding" swells created by the planes taking off from and landing on Lake Hood. I remember passing the Red Cross life saving class there in the late 1940s.”

Mark has this memory:

“I have fond memories of swimming in Spenard, Goose, Mirror, and Jewel Lakes.

We used to swim across Jewel Lake and back, and I remember waterskiing on Sand Lake and Big Lake (5 days after Ice-out). We also used to swim in Ship Creek. You can swim FAST downstream.”

So Many Memories

Robin sent this:

“My dad raced with some of these guys at the same track. Oren Johnson #22 and then # 1 .... sponsored by our family company "Anchorage Electric". I used to go to the track as a little one.”

Gayle recalls: 

“I loved it!  King Crab tempura from Nikko Gardens…yum”

Rozanne has this memory:

“I spent most of my years living at Sand Lake, moving to “homestead” in the 50s. One day, there was a star, from then on, I looked for her each season. Being born here before Statehood, I am privileged to experience a wonderful place to grow up, and return to.”

Charles recalls:

“I am a 1955 graduate of Anchorage High, when there was only one high school.”

Leslie sent this:

“Hi Mike and Mary, my first daughter was born in Providence Hospital in 1971. I remember it fondly. I was born in a little hospital on Kodiak Island in 1951. Thanks for jogging our memories!”

BONUS

Are you new to the Anchorage Memories Club? Welcome.

You’ll also love our website, where you’ll discover a treasure chest of memories.

Take a look at Anchorage Memories.com and enjoy.

Contact Us

In the photo above are Mary and Mike, the authors behind Anchorage Memories

Wow! What a great collection of comments from our North Stars (that’s you).

The idea behind this special edition of the Anchorage Memories Club is to bring back even more of your treasured memories. Some, that you might not have remembered for years.

Do you have a comment? Just reply to this email. Do you want to say, “I loved the memories”? You can also Contact Us with your message.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories Club