Gathered in Alaska Bill’s backyard and holding their Weekly Adirondacks, the group is joined by Bill, Andy Smith, Andy Newton, and Bill’s Alaskan Malamute dog Jake. Not pictured but a fun part of the traveling group was Andy Smith’s wife Denora
During their Class Reunion three years ago, the Town of Webb School Class of 1980 set plans in motion to take a trip to Alaska to attend a backyard barbecue at the invitation of classmate “Alaska Bill” Russell. And from June 17 to 27 the plan was realized.
The idea grew to include a stopover in Seattle to visit fellow classmate, Heather Pearse Soto—formerly of Becker’s Resort on 4th Lake—and a week-long trip to Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Seward, AK.
Many classmates could not join in the excursion, but were there in spirit.
Standing in front of the Seattle Space Needle (trust us), wearing their Souvenir Village hats are, from left to right: Heather Pearse Soto, Sophia Sims Shannon, Laray Lawson Van slyke, Rena Hudon Hryckewicz, and Dawn Ward Lenci
Those who did attend used various ways to fund their trip. Dawn Ward Lenci used her winnings from the Old Forge Fire Department’s Big Bucks Giveaway, Sophia Sims Shannon gave up her years’ long smoking habit, and Laray Lawson Van Slyke cashed in saved up points earned on a credit card.
During their visit to Seattle, Heather took her classmates on a tour of Pike Place Market, the Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Post Alley “Gum Wall” where they stuck a group picture from their 2010 reunion.
After enjoying the day with Heather, the group flew to Anchorage for the next leg of their trip.
They took in the scenery along the train and bus routes, watched salmon fishermen pull in King Salmon along Ship Creek, and took a plane ride to view Mt. McKinley, various glaciers, and wildlife below.
They spent a day at Alaska Bill’s where they were joined by fellow Old Forge native Andy Newton in partaking of an Alaskan King Crab meal cooked and hosted by Bill and wife, Cyndi.
All enjoyed watching whales, dolphins, and puffins up close on a whale watch tour.
The Adirondacks were represented in Alaska when Chip Kiefer, upon hearing of the upcoming trip, supplied the travelers with Souvenir Village hats. During the cookout they posed for a picture with Weekly Adirondack newspapers which were recycled as placemats when they sat down to eat.
Their next class reunion will take place in Old Forge in the summer of 2015. Another class trip, this time to San Francisco, will follow in 2018, hosted by west coast residents Andy and Denora Smith.
“A fantastic time, along with sunny weather and unseasonably high temperatures, was enjoyed by all,” said Laray Van Slyke.
