Dennis Murphy wandered into Girdwood for a cold beer the summer of 1976, and “caught” the “bug” and just couldn’t leave. Murphy and his wife Marie moved to Girdwood in 1980. They recently relocated to Washington State.
To the Editor:
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Dennis Murphy wandered into Girdwood for a cold beer the summer of 1976, and “caught” the “bug” and just couldn’t leave. Murphy and his wife Marie moved to Girdwood in 1980. They recently relocated to Washington State. |
Well, all I can say is “Thank you, Girdwood” for all of those wonderful years! The “unthinkable” has come to pass—Dennis Murphy and his wonderful wife Connie Marie Kaiser have made the commitment to wonder to a place a bit milder and further to the South. Can this be? I’m afraid so.
All those wonderful years, and all those wonderful people along the way have made Girdwood a part of my very being. Thinking back to a very young man who wondered into Girdwood for a cold beer the summer of 1976, and “caught” the “bug” and just couldn’t get the place out of his mind.
Finally, after four years of spending my winters in Maui, Hawaii and my summers in Alaska I took the plunge just before New Years 1980. At that time I moved to the valley full-time. Boy, what a change! I left plus 85 degree weather on Maui, and arrived to a whopping minus 26 degrees in Girdwood! (What have I done? Have I lost my mind?).
As it turned out, it was the very best thing I have ever done in my life. Upon arriving full time in Girdwood, what I found was a fun loving, happy, healthy, welcoming world that lacked nothing. Other than possibly a real grocery store, and the place has only gotten better over the years (but we still don’t have a real grocery store!).
And then one fateful day, who might I meet on one of the boat trips out of Seward that I have run over the years but the wonderful woman that would become my wife. Life is good! My how times changed.
Over the years, the full range of life in Girdwood opened up to my wonderful wife and I that can only be expressed as special. I was involved with the resort first as vehicle maintenance shop supervisor, then “Mr. Parking Lot,” then to the ski school under a number of “administrations,” and finally just by chance becoming the longest employed instructor at the resort.
I was on the fire department and the ambulance service, president of Lions club for a while, and from time to time active in the community school (if you want a good laugh, there used to be an old photo of me on the wall in the community school office. What an awful ski jacket! Did I really wear that thing?).
Once Connie Marie entered my life, things only change for the better. Our circle of friends expanded to include many wonderful people in the valley. We had certainly some of the best parties ever to grace Girdwood. What a great bunch of people who live here!
You might be wondering if we love Girdwood so much, why would we want to move away from the place. This is a complex question, with many answers. For my part, I was injured up at the resort during a snowboard lesson a few years ago, and just haven’t been the same since. I have never gotten healthy enough to do all the winter things I loved so much. It’s almost like I have been “in jail”, while everyone is out there having fun. Time changes, and now it’s time for me to change.
As for my wonderful wife, she has grown concerned about driving the Seward Highway on a regular basis for work (any of you agree?). And for some time now, she has wanted to live closer to family. What can I say but “Yes Dear.”
All things considered, the years I have spent in Girdwood have been the best of my life. Times change, and now it’s on to “another adventure.” For all of you wonderful friends who might be interested, we will have a “real guest room” available at a moments notice—and even a real flush toilet, which I didn’t have for the longest time in Girdwood.
Our new house is in Olympia, Washington. Nice little five-acre place that I would love to show off. Just six minutes from the Amtrak station, ten minutes from a Safeway Store and also a Lowe’s, and wow, just 14 minutes from Costco! On real paved roads! Life is good.
Come have a look and a visit. I’m lonely already. And if you think things might change for you, the five-acre lot right next to mine is still for sale. Nice place.
I love you Girdwood!
Dennis H. Murphy &
Connie Marie Kaiser
Olympia, WA
To the Editor:
I am the unfortunate owner of not one but two white cars. I really dislike betraying my pettiness, but white cars and asphalt emulsion are a time consuming mix unless a haphazard cleaning job and faded yellow vehicles are really what one is after. I know, I know, if you want paved roads move to Whittier where they are civilized enough to regulate their speed by something besides wheel removing road conditions. I’m not that familiar with emulsified asphalt, it brings to mind something on the order of a Green Island beach after Joe Hazelwood was done with it without lawyers and Veco pointy-toed you-alls in the mix. Not that we have had many dry days of late, but it strikes me that asphalt, being an oil based product, when dried and driven over repeatedly, in all likelihood becomes a hydrocarbon dust. In the range of all possible dusts, I suspect the hydrocarbon variety is one that most of us already receive our full daily recommended dosage of and doesn’t need to be purposefully introduced into our drive, bike ride, jog or dog walk around Girdwood.
Kelly Carlisle
Girdwood, AK
To the Editor:
Despite rumors and misinformation, Girdwood Optional Education classroom is opening Sept. 8 as planned. The program evolved from Girdwood 2020’s quest to start a much-needed High School in the area. It became increasingly clear that the Anchorage School District has no current interest nor are the funds readily available for the building of a charter school. GO-ED is the successful result of 2020’s efforts to provide education for students in grades 7-12 now (sixth grade students will be accepted if able to work in an independent environment).
It is recommended that parents register their students with one of the established charter school programs such as Family Partnership Charter School first and then sign up with the local classroom by submitting a request to the GO-ED message line at 783-2467. Families that opt for one of the ASD Charter Schools will have the advantage of taking up to three classes at any ASD school and will be eligible for sports and other activities. I highly recommend you check out Family Partnership at www.fpcs.net <http://www.fpcs.net> due to their willingness to work with Girdwood students. Principal Reed Whitmore, who is also a part-time Girdwood resident, supports Girdwood parents and students 200% and would like to see this endeavor be a success.
A GO-ED classroom monitor will be in the classroom daily to supervise the students’ individual studies. Hours available to students are from 8:00 a.m. to noon, Monday thru Thursdays with regular school holidays honored. Students will have their afternoon and/or evening hours to pursue electives, sports or other classes either required or of personal interest. Almost any student activity can be worked into the program for credit including employment. Although attendance will be kept by the monitor, such situations as travel or illness will not be counted against the student since they may take their studies with them or make up when their time allows within the school year, which can include summer. This is a flexible program and though it may not be right for your student now, the option is available should your situation change for whatever reason.
Regardless of whether this program is for you, it is a good option. GO-ED would like the support of the Girdwood Community at large. Should the program generate enough interest, then the ASD will see the need for either a High School or one K-12 charter school. For now, we will do our best as a community, as always. GO-ED!
Wendy Jennings
Girdwood, AK