Hometown flavor marks Cordova’s 100th birthday party

JOY LANDALUCE

May 09, 2008 at 11:24AM AKST

Cordova’s Centennial birthday bash featured live bluegrass and jazz, a pie social with homemade chocolate and vanilla ice cream in churns and poetry readings.

And of course a barbeque offered lots of seafood, including barbequed red salmon, smoked black cod, fresh halibut, rockfish and Prince William Sound oysters.

A lumberjack contest had Cordovans competing all afternoon, as one set of contestants after another tried their skills. Men, women and children tested their ability to handle a two-handled crosscut saw, aided by Susan Farzan squirting soapy water on the blade.

The day’s record for sawing through a large log was 26 seconds, achieved by applying a steady downward pressure and working rhythmically to pull without binding the blade.

Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, made the trek to Cordova to help celebrate the 100-year birthday.

The day began with a bit of rain and blustery winds, but by 3 p.m. the sun was shining brightly and the wind had died down.

Cordovans and their guests packed the streets and joined a 45-minute line to enjoy seafood, hot dogs, hamburgers, fresh oysters, salads and many side dishes.

The pie social in the Masonic Hall featured a table groaning with two dozen pies, with flavors including meringue, berry and apple, ready to be topped with ice cream from old-fashioned churn.

Completing the old-timey feel were a piano playing and poetry readings by Foley Weems, Torie Baker and others, celebrating the history of Cordova in formal rhyme and more humorous hip-hop.

Centennial committee co-chair Martin Moe viewed Cordova’s birthday as an unqualified success.

"I am so grateful that the weather held out for us and the day was filled with positive comments," Moe said. "All had a good time, and over 500 people were served with some folks just enjoying the camaraderie of the day.

"All of the canneries donated product, and we could not have done it without them," Moe said, thanking Trident/Bear and Wolf Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods, Ocean Beauty and Prime Select Seafoods.

Jim Aguiar also donated hundreds of Prince William Sound oysters, Moe said.

Dozens of volunteers helped, led by organizers Jennifer Gibbins, Dan Logan, Patty Kallander and Kim Kiml.

Lynne Steen and her volunteers helped to make the pie social a great success, Moe added. "I look forward to the next downtown extravaganza which will be a Centennial Fourth of July, including kelp box derby races," Moe said.

The Cordova Times copy editor, Jeannette Belliveau, contributed to this report.

Joy Landaluce can be reached at (907) 424-7181.