Date: 07/13/2010
Name: Fred Stamey
City/State: Franklin, NC
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I was happy to find information about the C47 crash, Nov., 1957 which claimed the life of my brother, Dennis Stamey.
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Date: 12/31/2009
Name: Tim van Nus
City/State: Amsterdam (The Netherlands), OTHER
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Hi Linda & Lee,
My compliments for your achievements in archiving all of the Gustavus' and its prominent figures' history. Hopefully the historical edition of the National Geographic Magazine could contribute to this knowledge.
I am very much looking forward to see the photographic evidence of the Ibach family on Middleton Island when this gets available! On my behalf, if I happen to discover any remnants of their stay on the island next summer, I'll let you know!
Best wishes,
Tim
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Date: 11/23/2009
Name: John Sidney Ballard
City/State: Fairbanks, AK
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My family lived at the F.A.A. station from Spring 58 until my Dad Fred Ballard drowned with Harold Schmitz in Aug of 64. I used to camp in the C47 that crashed just before we arrived. I planted flowers for Charlie Parker a couple of times. We loved the Matsons and are still friends with Aimee' Youmans. I am enjoying this sight very much. I have always loved Gustavus and consider it "where I grew up" (actually I am getting old but still haven't grown up.).
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Date: 07/04/2009
Name: Becky Stamey Powers
City/State: Franklin, NC
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I've just finished reading The Complete 1957 Plane Crash Story by Rita Wilson.
My heart began racing as I read the title and realized "this has to be the plane my dad was on." Thank you so very much for having this available. With tears in my eyes, I read an account I'd never heard before. My mom was 26 when dad was killed, leaving her with 3 small children. I was 6, my sister was 4 and our brother was 6 months old. We moved to Franklin, NC, my parents home town, where Mom retired from teaching in '88. Mom enjoys her retirement in the beautiful mountains of NC. My siblings and I live and work in Franklin and would love to return to Alaska to visit the places we lived and also visit Gustavus. I just did not realize there was an interest in the crash site yet today. My sincere thanks to Rita Wilson for her bringing this story to light and allowing the children, of those who lost their dad, to learn details of a crash that took the lives of such young men and truly altered the course of the lives of their families.
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Date: 06/01/2009
Name: Norma Freeter
City/State: Los Angeles, CA
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Love this site. Almost lost a whole nights sleep staying up and reading about all your colorful homesteaders. This place has just moved to the top of my list of places to visit. Hope to see you all soon and get a feel for this wonderful place that I understand is still full of wild strawberries.
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Date: 03/24/2009
Name: Patty and Thor Foss
City/State: Ephrata, PA
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We're Ice Screamers in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. We were delighted as can be when we discovered your article about ice cream titled, Mrs. Gumdrop and the Vanilla Ice Cream. Your web site is filled with an amazing amount of history and facts, and just pleased as can be that out search of ice cream brought us to learn more about Alaska. Thank you for all the information that you provide and our continued best wishes for many happy years of service.
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Date: 03/04/2009
Name: Diane Ostiguy
City/State: Québec , CAN
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Congratulations for your site. I was looking for a photo to illustrate the bounty law in Alaska and I have find your site. Thank you for giving the permission to use the photo on our site in the Kid zone. You may wish to have a look at : www.fapaq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/EDUC/pleins_feux/mars-2009.htm.
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Date: 02/09/2009
Name: Julie & Pete Walstrom
City/State: Greenbank, WA
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Our friends George and Lynne Jensen (Gustavus residents) shared your historical DVD. It had excellent content and was very professionally performed.
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Date: 01/23/2009
Name: Gail Johansen Peterson
City/State: Sitka, AK
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Gunalcheesh for recording this family history! The photographs with John Ben Peterson and his sons Henry "Bill" and Angle Peterson are greatly appreciated!
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Date: 01/21/2009
Name: E. Marion Hively
City/State: Memphis, TN
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Gustavus, Alaska should be proud of this site. It is a rich heritage of historical record. Keep up the good work. We have visited twice and hope to return again. Wouldn't it be nice if you were still Strawberry Point? We picked strawberries on the beach when we were there. Best wishes. E. M. H.
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Date: 11/03/2008
Name: Kathy Pool
City/State: Petersburg, AK
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A great site! Just finished reading "Hope and Hard Work", and googled up this website. Can't wait to visit Gustavus.
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Date: 09/23/2008
Name: Jerry Chilik
City/State: Longwood, FL
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We stayed at the Gustavus Inn in June of this year and loved not only the inn and the folks who run it, but the town itself. We biked to the entrance to the plane crash and walked in to see the remains, quite an experience. Also got a chance to do some serious halibut fishing and had our filets frozen and sent back thanks to Pep. Hope to come back again.
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Date: 07/22/2008
Name: Lloyd & Bert DeWitt
City/State: Kimberly, ID
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Lee and Linda, Awesome job, great information. Thanks for information concerning the history of Gustavus. God bless.
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Date: 07/13/2008
Name: Hayden Kaden
City/State: Gustavus, AK
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Linda and Lee:
I just enjoyed my first visit to your site. It was informative, entertaining and easy to navigate. You have done a great job and a great service. Keep it up.
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Date: 05/05/2008
Name: Laura Wile
City/State: San Diego, CA
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Your site was sent to me by Madeleine Kafader whose father lost his life in that fatal plane crash so many years ago. I know that the information she gained from this website meant a great deal to her and her family. It's a wonderful tribute and a great way to honor those that were lost, survived, and helped that tragic night. Thank you taking the time and effort to keep the memory alive.
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Date: 03/24/2008
Name: Madeleine Kafader Pavel
City/State: San Diego, CA
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My brother Robert Kafader sent your site to me regarding the (Gustavus) 1957 plane crash which took our father's life. I was deeply moved by the detailed account of the crash, the photos, and information regarding survivors. I was 3 yrs. old, my brother 2. Your site gave us many details of that fateful night which we did not previously know. Dad's surviving twin sister will be blown away, as none of the family knew of the tremendous effect of the plane crash on the community of Gustavus. We recently lost our mother (who never remarried) at age 83. She was a strong, independent, interesting career woman as a result of that plane crash. Unfortunately, our mother never knew of the Memorial site (in Gustavus). It is my brother's and my intention to make a visit to Alaska with spouses and children to visit the site.
Editor's note: Captain Robert K Kafader was the lead pilot & Captain of the National Guard aircraft and was considered to be an excellent pilot, one who would have done everything possible to save the life of his passengers--and he did. All passengers survived the crash. The 4 crewmen died.
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Date: 01/29/2008
Name: Will, Becky & Hunter White
City/State: Gustavus, AK
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We love the site & all of the family photos you have put on this site. What a great way to learn more about the history of Gustavus! Keep up the great job & we will continue to check in frequently.
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Date: 11/06/2007
Name: Jack Asher
City/State: Paris , IL
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You never know where a new bit of history will come from--In the early 1960s I was a young District Attorney in Juneau and I got notice of an apparent suicide on Lemesurier island --I notified the magistrate Pete Crosby (an old ex US marshall) and we chartered float plane from Afton Coon (I think) and with a state trooper and headed to Lemesurier Island. Joe was indeed dead of a gunshot wound to the head--gun in hand -- a note on a piece of cardboard partially covered with blood--the note said "there is a time to live and a time to die" --As all know there were no inhabitants on the island and the body had been found by a fishing crew--we convened an inquest amid mementos and photographs of John Barrymore and Dolores along with a huge amount of memorabilia and other photos--the jury was the fishing crew and the pilot-evidence was heard from a crew member of Joe's despondency over losing his wife Muz--The immediate verdict was death by a self inflicted gunshot--I have no idea of his heirs or what happened to the contents of the house --the gun would have gone to Juneau as evidence --Jack Asher, DA 1st Judicial district from statehood to 1966
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Date: 10/18/2007
Name: Tim Kelley
City/State: Anchorage, AK
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Dave Brann who helps me research the Alaska Lost Ski Areas Project forwarded your site to me. I am VERY impressed. The old-time trekking out to ski on sandy glacier moraines is one of the coolest Alaskan skiing stories I have ever heard! You have done a great job preserving your community's heritage!
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Date: 10/18/2007
Name: David Brann
City/State: Homer, AK
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My friend Wayne Clark introduced me to your site-what a great find! I've enjoyed the photos, especially related to skiing and the personal contacts provided by Linda Parker.
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