Schoolhouse Roadhouse Receives an A+

On behalf of the Valdez Museum and Historical Archives Board & Staff, I would like to thank the folks that made the 14th annual Roadhouse Fundraiser a success. This year’s theme was “Schoolhouse Roadhouse,” honoring the history of teachers and education here in Valdez.

Each year the Valdez Museum’s annual event honors an individual who has made a difference in the community. This year it was a pleasure to bestow this award to Dorothy Moore, a life-long resident of Valdez, who was instrumental in getting Valdez City Schools to require an Alaska history course for graduation in the early 1990s. She designed, implemented and taught Alaska History as a course that would allow students a solid background in working with tourists in their summer jobs.

Months of organization went into the planning the evening. I would like to thank the hard working committee: Julie Farrell, Michelle Cullen, Emmie Swanson, Scott Hicks, Lisa Von Bargen, Tim James, Natalie Gabler, Tom McAlister, Gary Minish, Spike Gilson, Brittany Cabello, Andrea Searles, Faith Revell, Andrew Goldstein, and Laura Johnston. Many hours of planning and preparation went into this annual event.

The evening was a great success thanks entertainment coordinated by Time James and his cast of characters recreating Dorothy’s classroom: Kerra Apollo, Beth Charnell, Heidi Franke, Dawson Moore, James Alexander Wilder, and the musical stylings of Dr. John Cullen, Dr. Sam Shirk, Melissa Sanford. Dwight Morrison as emcee, and the help of radio and TV personality, Cary Carrigan as auctioneer. A big thank you also goes to the Coast Guard for volunteering as auction assistants: Commanding Officer Joe Lally, Lieutenant Commander Walner Alvarez, Lieutenant Ben Bauman, and Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Timberlake

We want to thank all our sponsors, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Lynden, Wells Fargo Bank, Alaska Tanker Company, Harris Sand & Gravel, Petro Star Refinery, Valdez Medical Clinic, Brena, Bell & Clarkson, P.C., ASRC Energy Services, Copper Valley Telecom, First National Bank Alaska, Sound Web Solutions, Alchemy of Design, and Copper Valley Electric Association.

We send out a special appreciation to Jennifer James and the Civic Center Staff; to all the businesses and folks that contributed to the auctions and dessert dash. Business donors: Alaska Railroad, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Anchorage Opera, A Rogues Garden, Best Western, Chena Hot Springs, Copper Valley Electric Association, Copper Valley Telecom, Currant Ridge Cabins, Gilpatrick’s Greenhouse, Gilpatrick’s Hotel Chitna, H2Oasis waterpark, Harbor Landing General Store, Holland America Line – Princess Cruises, Latte Dah, Mountain Sky Hotel, Paul Silveira DDS, Peter Pan Seafood, Prince William Sound College, Radio Shack, Rumour Has It, Safeway, Sea Turtle Arts, South Central Hardware, Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises, Suite 100 Restaurant, The Prospector Valdez, The Village Pharmacy, The Weathered Anchor, Totem Inn, Valdez Foodbank, Valdez Medical Clinic, LLC, Valdez Office Supply, Valdez Veterinary Clinic, Vertical Solutions Helicopter. Individual donors: Shana Anderson, Brittany Cabello, Michelle Cullen, Julie Farrell, Andrew Goldstein, TC Greene, Scott Hicks, Doreen Hodges, Tim James, Phyllis Johnson, Nancy Lethcoe, Tom McAllister, Gary Minish, Dorothy Moore, Patty Relay, Faith Revell, Janice Reynolds, Rhonda Sambo, Melissa Sanford, Margaret Slaughter Benzo, and Emmie Swanson. Dessert Dash donors: Alyeska, Grace Huhndorf, Lisa Martin, Lisa Von Bargen, Pam Verfaillie, Rhonda Sambo, and Scott Hicks.

For all the guests that attended “Schoolhouse Roadhouse,” thank you for coming out to support the Museum. We look forward to seeing you all next year in October.

What a wonderful evening! With this community wide support the event raised over $21,000 to support the Museum’s education, exhibits, and public programs,

Thankfully yours,

Patricia Relay
Executive Director