Wonderful Anchorage Stories

Let these Anchorage Stories take you to the places, people and good times you remember.

These fun stories will bring back a flood of happymemories from days gone by.

Enjoy the good times.

Do you remember watching Norma Goodman on Anchorage TV?

Were you a guest on her show “Hostess House”, later renamed after the lady herself, “The Norma Goodman Show”?

Anchorage Memories caught up with Norma's family, so now you can discover these fun facts about Anchorage's First Lady of Anchorage Television.

From The Norma Goodman Story

The following except is from an interview with Norma's children.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

Did your mom ever tell you any funny stories about some of her Hostess House guests?

Stuart and Kelly:

You might remember Jim Fowler, the sidekick to Marlin Perkins on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, which ran from I think 1963 to 1988. 

Jim used to bring animals on the show, including the monkey that famously peed on Johnny Carson during the Tonight Show.  Jim didn’t realize that Norma was deathly afraid of snakes (and most critters except cats, see below), so when he walked onto the set with a 10-foot-long Boa Constrictor, Norma screamed and fled the set.  On live TV.  And did not return.  They ran a filler that day.

Now you can enjoy the entire story

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Anchorage Stories remembers that this store got its start in a tiny space inside a local museum.

Remember those fun days with a good book inside these iconic stores that hold such fond memories.

From Book Cache Memories

It didn’t start out as The Book Cache.

The original idea was to have a variety of stores under the name “The Cache”.

Those stores included The Book Cache, The Stamp, and Coin Cache, Barb’s Cache and Carry, and Cache Dining and Cocktails.

But the idea didn’t work very well.

The first to go was Cache Dining and Cocktails.

Eventually

The name was changed to “The Book Cache”.

Ready to read more?

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Do you remember those fun dances, the local bands and the concerts featuring groups with national hits?

Betty Poeschel of Betty's Record Den and Pacesetters, sat down with Anchorage Memories and you get to enjoy her memories.

From the first time Pacesetters got together, to helping a local band record a hit record.

From Pacesetters Memories

an interview with Betty Poeschel

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

Betty, you held the Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs concert at West high school, but you had to do this one a little differently. What did you do?

Betty:

At West, we held the concert in the gym, so Anchorage teens could also dance. But because it was a special gym floor, the teens had to check their shoes and coats in the West high auditorium. We actually put their belongings in the auditorium seats.

You can read more of Betty's interview

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Betty Poeschel of Betty's Record Den remembers her shop as a fun hang out for teens from Anchorage and all over Alaska.

Did you ever open the green door and enter the world of Betty's Record Den? Join the fun and remember when with Betty.

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From The Lucky Wishbone Story
with Patricia Brown

“There was a start-up restaurant in Tucson whose take-out operation (though not their food) Dad really liked; it was called the Lucky Wishbone.

Eight months later, a new Lucky Wishbone was born in Anchorage, Alaska, a similar take-out arrangement, but very different menu.

Dad, then a labor foreman and a partner, Sven Jonasson, built the new restaurant almost entirely themselves, evenings and weekends, while Mom worked at the A&W.”

“Great true Alaskan story” Roger

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Anchorage Stories

From a Penney's Worth of Mush

“Soon we could hear people shouting in the distance, and everyone knew it was a Musher. No, two Mushers were battling for position.

In 1969, JC Penney's in Anchorage, Alaska sponsored sled dog racing favorite George Attla, “the Huslia Hustler” in his bid to win that year's Fur Rendezvous sled dog race championship…” Author Marci Peterson was there.

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From Anchorage Filmmaker Bob Pendleton

“Bob bought his first camera from Stewart's Photo in downtown Anchorage. He was a self-taught photographer who learned his creative trade while working at Stewart's.”

Anchorage, Alaska filmmaker Bob Pendleton made the documentary “Tayaru” and was part of the team that made the movie “Sourdough”.

Cindy Pendleton tells us about how Bob came to Alaska, his passion for filmmaking and how he helped bring two now classic Alaska films to the screen.

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From the Story of Princess and Timbo

“The lions' caregiver had a station wagon that had bars on the windows, and he would take Princess for rides. She was also in a 4th of July parade in the car driven by Art.  

If Princess thought that her ride was not long enough she would refuse to get out of the car – spoiled Princess that she was.

Timbo NEVER wanted to go in the car.  He would put his nose in the air as if that was beneath his grand stature!”

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Anchorage stories of people, places, and events that we remember.

Brought to life in stories that take us back to memories we cherish. Some of those memories may have been long forgotten.

While you read these stories, your imagination will transport you back to those good times that you may have forgotten.

And you may even learn something about Anchorage that you didn't know before.

Do you have an Anchorage story that you would like to share?

Just contact Mike and Mary, and they will be happy to help you get your story placed here on Anchorage Memories.

You can Contact Us right now.

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“I’ve learned a lot about my hometown of Anchorage, and you’ve jogged memories of things I haven’t thought about for years. I can only say YAY!”  Juanita.