Autumn comes early to Anchor Point and Alaska </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 9:21 PM on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Autumn comes early to Anchor Point and Alaska

I was reviewing a calendar the other day and noticed autumn doesn't officially begin until Sept. 22. Hmm -- I think it has started a little early here in Alaska. Where do these start and end dates for the seasons come from? I also have noticed for the last couple weeks that the leaves are falling with an ever so slight wind blow. They are starting to make their gold paths on the ground. The views all around just give you a little push to go out and enjoy the outdoors. It's the time of year where I think every color in my crayon box is being used, truly one of my favorite times of year. Wishing you all a great weekend. Be safe.

Anchor Point Senior Center

Tonight's dinner will be fried chicken and all the fixings. The salad bar is open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m. The center's community breakfast will be from 9 a.m.-noon Sunday. If you hold one of the golden tickets for the Gold Nugget Raffle, the drawing is Sept. 24. Good luck to all who purchased a ticket.

It is never too early to plan ahead. This year's holiday bazaar will be Nov. 7 at Chapman Elementary School. Booths will be available for $20 a space. Tables can be provided for a cost of $15. Anyone interested in participating in the bazaar should call 235-7786.

Don't forget bingo is at 7 p.m. Friday nights at the center.

Have you heard of Full Circle Farm? It is a site where you can order organic products. The center has become a pickup location. For more information, visit www.fullcirclefarm.com.

VFW Post 10221

There will be a POW/MIA recognition ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday.

Saturday is steak night. Come and burn your own from 6-8 p.m. Karaoke with Tom follows at 9 p.m.

Sept. 29 is VFW Day. VFW was established in 1899. There will be a birthday party for all VFWs on this date. This will be a potluck beginning at 7 p.m. All members and guests are welcome.

Sept. 27 is Gold Star Mothers Day. The name the Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who put a service flag near their front window. The flag featured a star for each family member serving in their country -- living members were denoted in blue, but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty. In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black armbands bearing a gilt star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States. This distinguished them from the blue stars, representing a family member presently serving in the armed forces. American Gold Star Mothers Inc. was incorporated in 1929, obtaining a federal charter from Congress. It began with 25 mothers living in the Washington, D. C. area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers Day, a holiday that has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation.

If you are a Gold Star Mother or know of a Gold Star Mother, please contact Jennifer at 235-2556.