Holly Marie Gittlein is an award-winning artist, ocean researcher, and author whose work explores the intersection of science, ecology, and human perception.

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Corina Deiters

image credit: Goodreads.com

Everything is new with the tags still on and still in the box. The zippers work. It’s Stuff the Bus.

This annual event from United Way Mat-Su gives brand-new backpacks and school supplies to Mat-Su students. All for free.

Stuff the Bus is at Amazing Grace Academy on Inner Springer Loop in Palmer on Tuesday, July 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

United Way Mat-Su Development and Outreach Director Michele Harmeling has run Stuff the Bus for nine years.

Harmeling notes that this is the first time some kids have owned something that wasn’t a hand-me-down. The excitement, she said, can be felt the minute the doors open.

“They’re just floored,” she said, “when they see a brand-new backpack still in a package.”

Advance registration is required this year. Families can register online at UnitedWayMatsu.org/matsustuffthebus or through the United Way Mat-Su event page on Facebook.

Backpacks and supplies are limited to K-12 students registered in Mat-Su School District neighborhood and charter schools. Families must show proof of enrollment for each student.

Homeschool families are not eligible for backpacks or supplies. They are welcome to participate in the resources and activities. Harmeling said homeschool families should ask their advisors or homeschool hub about their allotment.

About 750 students participated last year. Harmeling has seen as many as 1,500 students in other years. She expects between 500-700 students this year.

The day feels like a neighborhood school open house according to Harmeling. Each kid picks a backpack. Then they walk table to table filling it with supplies.

Thrive Mat-Su and Youth360 volunteers provide a playground and games. Kids Kupboard provides a hot dog lunch.

About 15 nonprofits and agencies offer everything from haircuts to after-school programs. Public Health is on hand. The Palmer Lions Club offers vision screenings.

A supply list is built from the classroom lists from across the district in elementary and secondary schools. These supplies are on hand for the students.

They would cost a family about $80 for an elementary student, and over $110 for the older students if purchased at Fred Meyer.

For a family with three kids, that’s about $300. That’s before anything else. Before shoes. Before student activity fees.

Harmeling said the need isn’t new. But costs today make it harder. What counted as financially stable a few years ago often doesn’t count anymore.

The cost of living in the Mat-Su Borough runs 11 percent above the national average, according to BestPlaces.net. Our families are feeling that gap more each year.

Harmeling said by helping cover the cost of school supplies, United Way Mat-Su frees up money families can spend on things like groceries or gas.

Parents have told Harmeling that they couldn’t afford the supplies on their own. Stuff the Bus made the difference.

Parents also say that the best part is the free day at a school carnival with their kids.

Stuff the Bus has become less about the items, and more about joy and community.

Because a backpack, Harmeling said, is never just a backpack.

Registration is open now at UnitedWayMatsu.org/matsustuffthebus or on the United Way Mat-Su Facebook event page.

Volunteers are still needed. To register as a volunteer, visit unitedwaymatsu.org/matsustuffthebus.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

Emily Forstner reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday July 17, 2026.

Image provided by United Way Mat-Su Stuff the Bus Facebook Event Page.

Jim Cooper, Mayor of Palmer

Photo credit: City of Palmer

Image Credit: Palmer Museum of History and Art

Let’s look into the magic-8 ball of fun stuff rolling in this weekend.

Tonight’s serving of live music is a double shot. The bands Red Flags and Wayward Shot perform at the Palmer Alehouse at 7 p.m. Songwriters In the Round returns to Everett’s at 6:30 p.m tonight with Matt Hopper, Aspenyarrow, Malia Hoagland, and Dawson Gentleman. Find ticket information on the Everett’s Restaurant web page.

The Palmer Museum of History and Art features Palmer-based artist Megan Moore on Friday. This self-taught artist explores the beauty, resilience, and spirit of wildlife in her work.

Mantraluna performs at the Friday Fling from noon to 3 p.m. This acoustic, harmony-driven band is based in the Mat-Su Valley. They perform a mix of heartfelt tracks and acoustic spins of popular covers.

Arts in the Garden runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Palmer Museum of History and Art. The event includes 50 artisan vendors, art classes, gardening classes, live music, kids activities, and food trucks. Find more details on the Arts in the Garden Facebook page. The Palmer Museum of History and Art and the Palmer Arts Council host this free event.

Wasilla author Holly Gittlein signs copies of her book, “Spirit Lines: The Great Separation” at Fireside Books on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Mat Su Valley Fiber Festival returns to the Fairgrounds on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This free event includes live demonstrations, animals, classes, and other fun activities. See their Facebook page for more info.

Vanstock Alaska returns for a four-day, three-night experience at the Boyd Bison Ranch. This is a gathering of folks that enjoy vanlife and the tiny living lifestyle. It features 17 bands, 25 workshops, a camper and classic car show, and food trucks. Go to Vanstock.org for tickets and information.

It’s a points battle! Feel the rumble of horsepower as drivers battle it out on Alaska’s dragstrip. Watch drivers fight for every point on the dragstrip on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Alaska Raceway Park in the Butte.

Work has begun on the E Cedar Ave. extension to Valley Way in Palmer. Expect detours on Valley Way.around the construction area. And the sidewalks have been poured on East Evergreen near the Depot. We suspect that paving is coming up soon!

Life is pretty darn good here in the Greater Palmer Metroplex. We can have tons of fun even in the rain. Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

Keith Peticolas reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday July 16, 2026.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Dwane Ballou of Oceanview Gardens in Wrangell, Alaska, as they discuss agriculture in Southeast Alaska.

Image Credit: Oceanview Gardens

Anthony Irsik planned on going dipnetting in Kenai yesterday. He gathered his equipment: dipnet, waders, mosquito repellant… and his chess set. Chess set?

Chess is a big part of Irsik’s life. It’s a demanding game. It’s full of nuance and planning. 

Irsik is co-leader of the Palmer High Chess Club. He coaches the Colony High Chess Club. And he’s the president of the Palmer Chess Club.

The Palmer Chess Club is a big deal. They meet every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 203 Kombucha. The evening starts with a game. Irsik tries to pair newer players with the right partner. Someone who will mentor the new player.

People of all ages and experience levels with chess come. They fill every available table some nights. 

People watch each other play. They dissect the game afterwards: What went right. What didn’t. Sometimes a member brings a book to share about strategies or end games.

The games take a twist as the evening winds down. They play what Irsik calls “variants.” 

For example, one or both players will be blindfolded. Players have to memorize every move to keep track of the game. 

In another variant, players pair up to play two against two. One person on each team decides which chess pieces to move. The other person moves the pieces. But that’s all. They can’t tell each other what to do.

The game goes well if the teammates know each other, know how they think, and know the strategies they like.

Irsik’s mother introduced him to chess as a kid. She gave him a children’s book with chess pieces as characters. He doesn’t remember much about the book except that the queen was snooty. 

The book included basic information about chess. It sparked an interest. Irsik got serious about the game in college. He remembers losing games. Before that, only his grandpa beat him consistently.

Irsik doesn’t like losing, especially if he thinks he made a dumb mistake. He loses gracefully. He takes his dose of humble pie and moves on. He says, it’s fun pushing pieces with a tight-knit community of chess players.

Irsik is a grad student. He specializes in Alaskan history. He hopes to write a book about the history of chess in Alaska one day.

Watch for the chess tournaments coming up. The Mat-su Freestyle Chess Tournament happens in September. Colony High sponsors a “Pawn-kin Pie” tournament around Thanksgiving. And the Mat-Su Chess Classic happens next spring. 

In the meantime, anyone can join the Palmer Chess Club on Tuesdays at 203 Kombucha from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Turns out, Irsik was at the meeting last night. His fishing trip to Kenai got cancelled. 

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org. 

Did you know you could donate a car to Big Cabbage Radio? Or a truck? Or a boat? Just go to bigcabbageradio.org and click the donate a car button. 

David Cheezem reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday July 15, 2026.

Photo : Anthony Irsik (seated, left) playing against Grand Master Bryan Smith (standing, right) at the 2025 Bear Paw Festival. Photo Credit: Caroline Huling