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Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

By: Michael R Dougherty
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Great memories of the Anchorage, Alaska you love

www.anchoragememoriesclub.comMichael R Dougherty Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Anchorage First Job Memories

    Anchorage First Job Memories
    Mar 22 2026
    In the picture above, a boy sells newspapers in Anchorage, circa 1918-1920.If you grew up in Anchorage, what was your first job?Did you move to Anchorage from somewhere else in Alaska, or from the “lower 48?”Growing up, your parents likely told you to “clean up your room”, “take out the trash”, or “do the dishes.” But those jobs didn’t come with an actual paycheck.Remember how good it felt to get the reward of money in exchange for your hard work.Mary Jane of Anchorage Memories, Recalls Her First JobsWah! Wah! Wah!That’s the sound all babysitters hear.When I was in the 5th grade, my very first job was watching and caring for my nieces and nephews, and neighborhood children. And because some parents referred me to other parents, I was the go-to babysitter for even more children. And yes, the pay was very good.As a high school senior, I worked as a child attendant at the Anchorage Montessori School for 3 and 1/2 hours each weekday.The 3 to 5-year-olds enjoyed listening to children’s records, playing games, and sing-alongs. In addition, I read stories to them. Interesting that now I’m the author of several children’s books.Back then, my paycheck from the Montessori school made me feel all grown up at 17.Yes, You Can Share This Fun EditionAnd when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will create a bronze statue of you with a plaque proclaiming to the world that your first job was in Anchorage, Alaska… well, it could happen.Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.Mike of Anchorage Memories Had Three First JobsAt the ripe old age of 14, I had a newspaper route, delivering the Anchorage Daily Times to my neighborhood near East High School.I saved the money I earned from that job and purchased a used Sears Moped.Not long after that, A friend of my parents asked me if I would like a job as the janitor for their hair salon in downtown Anchorage. I agreed to give it a try. But after a few weeks, it was obvious that working in a hair salon was not for me.When I was 18, I got a part-time job at KTVA channel 11, and that led to a 30-plus-year career in television broadcasting.What was your first job in Anchorage? Just click on the following button and tell us all about it.From Our North Stars (that’s you)From our “Favorite Teachers” edition.Randy remembers:“Mike/Mary. So many wonderful teachers from the days that the first Williwaw opened (1960 first grade) up through graduation at East High in 1972. Far too many to mention. All I know is that most created the most memorable education this old man could have. We had some great teachers.”Edi has these favorites:“Two of my favorite teachers were math teachers - Mr. Hardin in junior high and Ms Rougier in high school. I went on to major in math in college. Mr. Granville was a junior high school principal who also taught classes in Alaska Geography and History. He always included humor in his classes. One other favorite was a language teacher - Mrs. Dahl, in whose classes I studied Spanish, which I also continued to study in college.”When I was in school there was only one Anchorage Junior High/Senior High School. It was downtown on 6th Ave. Part of the time the junior high schoolers went to school in shifts. The senior high schoolers went when they had classes scheduled. They tried to set up our class schedule so that we had a free period near to noon so we could eat lunch. But, one semester I ate half of my lunch at 10:00 and the other half after I finished at 2:00.”Becky recalls:“Mountain View Elementary when it was brand new gave me a great start and I remember all my teachers there very well. Possibly my favorite was Mr. (Howard?) Barr who had been in the military and still carried himself that way. I had a wonderful time studying the Civil War in his class--a hobby of mine, still. At Orah Dee Clark, I loved Mrs. Lily Neilson's Eng class and can still remember her reading Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, giving all the characters different voices. SO great!At East High, I loved the music teachers - Mr. Kirke Muse and Mr. James Everly - of course, but also those who insisted that i work hard. (I came from the "do only enough work to get an A or maybe a B" school of tho't.) Mrs. Joan Baxter taught English Lit and for her I DID work. And it paid off with higher grades (imagine it). So in one sense she is probably my most unforgettable teacher at EAHS.” Dennis had these favorites:“While attending Ora Dee Clark School, I had a few favorites.. I was a band guy as well, and Mr. Kelly was the band director then.... But as for teachers, Mrs. Von Rohr, for algebra and Mr. Whitner (sp?). Ahh, good memories.”Gene remembers:“Perhaps the one teacher who had the biggest impact on my life was Jack McGuin, the band director I learned from, first at the downtown Jr. High where he was my teacher in 7th and 8th grades, and ...
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    3 mins
  • Anchorage Favorite Teacher Memories

    Anchorage Favorite Teacher Memories
    Mar 8 2026

    In the photo above is the Denali Elementary School 3rd-grade class of Mrs. McGraw. Mary of Anchorage Memories is circled in the front row.

    From elementary school, junior high school, and high school, we all have special memories of a teacher or two, or three, who really made a difference.

    And we carry those memories with us for a lifetime.

    Mary and I want to give you some space here to share your memories of a favorite Anchorage teacher who made a difference in your life.

    Mary Remembers

    Miss Werner was my first-grade teacher at Denali Elementary.

    She made a shy student feel like a friend. And she went out of her way to make the other classmates my friends, too.

    I had the same teacher for the 2nd and 3rd grade at Denali. Mrs. McGraw was very nice and helpful.

    Our morning sharing time with my classmates was good and helped me to learn about them and to make friends.

    Yes, You Can Share This Edition

    And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will give you a free year of your favorite Lucky Wishbone lunch… well, it could happen.

    Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

    Mike Remembers

    Two teachers come to mind here.

    The first was my early 1960s gym teacher, Mr. Balote (sp?) at Clark Junior High School.

    I remember him as being stern, but very understanding. In the 7th grade, I recall the need to visit his office in the Boy’s locker room. As I came up to his office, I noticed a sign on the window of his office door. The sign read, “Knock or Suffer.” I immediately knocked on the door and was told to come in.

    Another thing I recall about Mr. Balote was something I witnessed when I was in the 8th grade.

    The incoming 7th-grade boys had to adjust to changing into their gym gear and then taking a shower with all the other guys at the end of gym class.

    My Balote noticed one 7th-grade boy was having a hard time and standing way off by himself. Coach Balote went over to him and gave him some reassuring words. The boy thanked him and joined the others.

    In 1963, I auditioned as a trumpet player for Mr. James Everly, the conductor of the East Anchorage High School Symphonic Band.

    Mr. Everly was an excellent teacher, and I learned a lot from him. In the East High band, I ended up in what is known as the first trumpet section. And by my senior year, I was First Chair First, the head of the trumpet section.

    What Mr. Everly taught me was even helpful in my television and motion picture production career.

    I was fortunate enough to win an Emmy Award for my camera work. I should have mentioned Mr. Everly in my acceptance speech.

    Anchorage Memories

    Our website, Anchorage Memories, is a treasure chest of memories, photos, and videos.

    Take a moment to drop by Anchorage Memories and enjoy.

    Connect with Mike and Mary

    Our favorite teachers made a positive impact on our lives.

    Who were your favorite teachers? We want to hear about them.

    Share your memories of your favorite Anchorage school teacher.

    You can also reply to this email.

    Or, you can Contact Us right here.

    Until Next Time

    Mike and Mary Jane

    The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club



    Get full access to Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club at www.anchoragememoriesclub.com/subscribe
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    4 mins
  • Linious "Mac" Magee

    Linious "Mac" Magee
    Feb 22 2026

    He had no money and no job prospects on the horizon.So, in 1929, during the Great Depression, he was able to sneak on board the SS Aleutian steamship, headed for Seward, Alaska.Once in Seward, he made his way to Anchorage, where he found work, driving a delivery truck for Standard Oil.Later, he began a fur trading business using dog teams and chartered planes to reach remote Alaska villages.And it was his fur trading company that led him to the aviation business.

    Meet Linious “Mac” McGee

    But he never learned to fly because he was more interested in business and organization than he was in aviation.

    Yes, you can Share this Edition

    And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will buy you a tropical island… well, it could happen.

    Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

    How it Began

    In 1931, McGee partnered with an Alaska Bush pilot named Harvey W. Barnhill.The two purchased a three-seat Stinson aircraft and began Barnhill and McGee Airways in Anchorage.About a year later, in 1932, McGee bought out Barnhill’s share of the company. Then, after purchasing another Stinson aircraft, McGee started McGee Airways. It was one of the first air services in Anchorage.Over the next two years, McGee Airways grew into a fleet of seven Stinson aircraft.With all the same planes, McGee reasoned that they could interchange parts, which would make it easier to maintain flight schedules.

    1934

    McGee sold his airline to Anchorage-based Star Air Service, but stayed on as the manager for several years.

    1937

    He later decided to get out of aviation altogether.By this time, McGee was involved in the mining industry and later retired at the age of 73.

    Star Air Service became Star Airlines

    Then, in 1942, Star Airlines was sold, and the name was changed to Alaska Star Airlines.

    The Beginning of Alaska Airlines

    Photo by Harley D. NygrenIn the picture above is a 1949 Alaska Airlines DC-3In 1944, the company, which began as McGee Airways, was renamed for the last time. The new name is Alaska Airlines.Yes, Alaska Airlines came about because of a 1929 stowaway named Linious “Mac” McGee, who came to Anchorage, Alaska, seeking a new life and opportunity in the Last Frontier.

    BONUS

    You can learn more about Linious “Mac” McGee and Alaska aviation history.Take a look at McGee Airways: The Story Of Alaska Airlines… and discover.

    Connect with Mike and Mary

    Did you enjoy the story of Anchorage Pioneer, Linious “Mac” McGee, and his contribution to Alaska aviation? We certainly did.Do you have a comment?

    You can also reply to this email.

    Or, you can Contact Us to say, “I flew with Alaska Airlines 243 times”.Until Next TimeMike and MaryAnchorage, Alaska Memories Club.com



    Get full access to Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club at www.anchoragememoriesclub.com/subscribe
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    4 mins
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