October is a creepy time for knocking on doors
By Gretchen Wehmhoff I have a deep appreciation for those who step beyond their comfort zone for public service. Thank you to everyone who put their name forward to serve this unique community. As we ...
I have some explaining to do . . .
By Melinda Munson When he left, our maroon Highlander was whole. True, there were minor scratches and a place where our 8-year-old gnaws on the door handle when he’s frustrated. (This is why we don’t ...
Coffee, flowers, birthdays and anniversaries
By Gretchen Wehmhoff Early one Friday morning, I sat in front of my computer, to upload content for Alaska Family Fun. As my faithful, dinosaur iMac (2007 version - since upgraded) warmed up, I saw ...
Rough waters; negotiating Nahku Bay and my life
By Melinda Munson I am not a natural kayaker. This is a disappointment as I’ve dreamed of slicing through the Alaskan ocean in my own kayak since ninth grade. I’ve cherished this vision for over ...
The day I learned about border agents – 40 years ago
By Gretchen Wehmhoff In 1981, after college, my friend Marcus and I drove home to Alaska. The adventure is a story in itself, but the relevance today is that it was my first lesson in ...
To school or not to school – a parent’s dilemma
By Melinda Munson Call me a bad mom, but my favorite days are Mondays. That’s the day I send my kids back to school with a wide smile and relief in my soul that I ...
Rotary phones and kissing DJ’s – it’s all part of growing up
By Gretchen Wehmhoff Ed McMahon never made it to our door, not that Dad didn’t try. After Dad retired, he filled out every Publishers Clearinghouse sweepstakes form that arrived in his mailbox. He attached the ...
Grumblings of an adoptive mom: What not to say to me or my kids
By Melinda Munson You wouldn’t believe the comments. A majority of the remarks come from strangers at Walmart or Costco. My favorite question is when someone meeting our family for the first time asks, “Are ...
Sammy the hamster joins the family in a weak moment
By Gretchen Wehmhoff Raise your hand if you’ve ever brought a pet into your home based on the desires of your child. Keep your hand up if you hesitated because you knew who would really ...
A house divided: keeping our family together
By Melinda Munson I have two houses. Not in the bourgeoise kind of way where one home is a snug winter retreat and the other is a summer getaway on the beach. My houses are ...