Arctic Entries

Rebecca is a born-and-raised Alaskan, who loves technology and is a connoisseur of novelty mugs. Often she is found luxuriating at home watching TV with her two feline furbabies. Ultimate life goal? Travel the world!

Charlie moved to Anchorage from New York City with 21 boxes, a backpack, and 2 duffle bags. He likes cycling, skiing, beer, and building things. He once had an odd job.

Bennett is a 15-year-old from Anchorage currently attending West High School. He’s a saxophone-playing short person who likes to be outside as much as possible. When not outside, he’s typically working on bikes or busy with homework.

World traveler, adequate mom to three great kids, and wife to a guy who thinks biking up hills is fun, Alisha is an estate planning attorney, helping people plan for their future. In this case, “future” is a nice way of saying “death.” Her great claim to professional fame is taking the bar exam when she was 40 weeks pregnant—and passing.

Amy shares other true-to-life stories on her blog, TrivialCircumstances.com. Lately, she’s been writing about evangelicalism and sex. She’s also working on a divorce memoir (working title: Never Covered with Shame). When she’s not writing, you might find her managing software and IT projects for money, playing violin and piano, adventuring outside with her cranky corgi-mix dog, or eating all the good cheese.

Danelle is a third-generation Alaskan who has followed in her father’s footsteps as a mental health professional here in Anchorage. She also enjoys trail running, triathlons and teaching mountain biking.

Bill Popp came to Alaska in the winter of 1968 as a military brat arriving from Phoenix via the Alcan Hwy. Graduating from East High in 1977, he married his wife Nicole in 1979. After several careers, serving in political office, and growing corn and tomatoes and big-ass blue ribbon cucumbers in his greenhouse, all while raising a family in Kenai for 25 years, Bill moved back to Anchorage in 2007 to run the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation.

Charlotte is an intrepid hiker, climber, runner, skier, and people-watcher. She once biked across the country, subsisting primarily on peanut butter and bananas. Charlotte is originally from New Hampshire and moved to Anchorage in 2014. When she’s not at work as an Occupational Therapist, you’ll find her adventuring in, around, and way, way out of town.

Originally from Minnesota, Catherine has lived in Alaska for 20-plus years. She has three kids, two dogs, and one husband. She’s a nurse, and is part of a band.

Linda is a journalist who got her start covering the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980. Despite (or perhaps because of?) a horrific wardrobe malfunction and swearing loudly on live TV as the volcano erupted, her career took off and brought her across the Pacific Northwest. She has two grown, energetic children and three old, lazy cats.

Lizbeth works for state government. Her memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, was featured in Buzzfeed, Brit&Co., and Reader’s Digest.

Kate, a self-proclaimed certified badass #platinumstatus, is a born-and-raised Alaskan who has done her time ‘Outside’ long enough to know AK is her home. When she is not saving this Great State one cleanup at a time as an environmental engineer, Kate is influencing the next generation though various outreach events, as well as participating in her ‘hobby job’ as the U14 Alpine ski coach for Alyeska Ski Club. In the summertime, you can find Kate pretending to be a triathlete, but above all else, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dogs.

Jessica is a sophomore at West High School with a passion for music, traveling, and the outdoors. She spent her entire childhood outside in Alaska, whether it was cross-country skiing or hiking, and she absolutely adores traveling, especially internationally. She has two younger sisters with whom she does everything, and unlike most people, never checks her phone.

Sarah is a mother, photographer, and lifelong Alaskan. She loves to travel, and once schlepped a nun costume around Europe for five weeks just so she could spin around in the Austrian Alps singing “the hills are alive with the sound of music,”for a few minutes.

Darl has been in Alaska nearly 40 years and plans parties for a living. When asked what his autobiography would be called, he responded: Don’t Try to Out-Southern Me. He claims to be only slightly less dysfunctional than the rest of his family.

Daniel recently quit his job and started school in what may only be a premature midlife crisis. He grew up in North Pole, but currently lives in Anchorage.

Zac grew up in Talkeetna where he learned many things, including how to get drunk. Two weekends ago he practiced being drunk and that’s why he’s here.

Jake grew up in Utah, bounced around Europe and Africa for a few years, and moved to Anchorage in 2002. He describes himself as a mountain guy with a flair for the arts. He is happily married to Amy Malouf. So far they have climbed, along with their 15-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, the highest mountain in 44 of the 50 states. This introduction has basically nothing to do with the story he is about to tell.

Jeff moved to Alaska in 2004. He graduated from UAA in 2009 and worked in the IT and telecom industry for 7 years. He has run for the state senate twice, unsuccessfully (maybe third time is the charm?). He is widely known around Alaska for the infamous“Speedo-gate”scandal. He recently returned to Alaska from Australia, where he spent almost a year working and traveling. He started a blog, the Alaska Landmine, after he got back last October.

Sarah is a born-and-raised Alaskan. When she is not working as an employment attorney, Sarah loves to spend time exploring and adventuring with friends and family. She is a big fan of tutus and fanny packs.