Jane Spencer
Jane Spencer is a freelance writer for the Cordova Times. She’s a seasonal resident of Cordova for over 15 years and graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Environmental Studies. She received her Natural Chef certificate in Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts, in addition to dabbling as an oil painter and ceramic artist.
Cordova holds first Pride celebration
Over 100 people participated and showed their support during Cordova’s first ever Pride parade on Saturday, June 25. Pride is celebrated nationwide, during the month of June, and the rainbow flag is an icon in Pride celebrations, the colors representing the diversity of the LGBTQ community.
Sugpiaq elder leads Cordova artists to make bear gut parka
Under the guidance of teacher June Pardue, a group of Native artists came together to make a traditional Sugpiaq bear gut raincoat. Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation funded the project, which is now displayed at their office in Anchorage.
Cruise Ship anchors in Cordova
A 528-person capacity Hurtigruten cruise ship anchored outside Cordova Harbor on Monday, May 30. Passengers aboard the MS Roald Amundsen arrived in small groups starting at around 3 p.m. There, they were greeted by Cathy Renfeldt, executive director of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce who provided them with maps of Cordova featuring, a dining and shopping guide and a “things to do on foot” brochure. Around town, visitors could be seen wandering the streets.
Prince William Sound College announces new site coordinator
On Tuesday, May 24, the Prince William Sound College announced Alyssa Kleissler will be the new Cordova Extension Site Coordinator, a position held by Susan Harding for 21 years until her retirement. The director of PWSC, Dan O’Connor, made the announcement and thanked Harding for her contributions, “After 21 years of commitment to Cordova, we’re so thankful to you.”
Taking home a piece of the CoHo
A French fry press, disco lights, a metal detector, an old jukebox, a duck ashtray, a popcorn maker, a pair of model ships, an ammo box, a carpet shampooer and an eclectic collection of cookie jars; these are just some of the many things that were for sale in the CoHo auction.
Cordova becomes a Coast Guard City
Cordova is now officially recognized as a Coast Guard City. The honor was announced Nov. 20 during Native Village of Eyak’s 4th annual Coast Guard Appreciation Luncheon.
Your guide to finding a unique and personal gift for the holidays
Here is a selection of items from five local artists with handmade gifts available for the holiday season.
Catch them if you can: local earrings make a big splash
When mother and daughter Peggy McDaniel and Brittney Banks wanted to try a new way to sell their fish-skin earrings, they started the Instagram page Alutiiq Angels in August 2018. Business was slow in the beginning. But sales steadily increased, and soon demand became too much for them.
Cordova woman becomes 99th Alaska Native to earn PhD
Born and raised in Cordova, Jen Smith always loved school, specifically reading and writing. However, she admits she didn’t do well on the SATs and she “wasn’t a shiny star” of the school. She was good at basketball and wanted to play in college, but beyond that she didn’t know what her career path would be. This past spring, she became the 99th Alaska Native to receive a PhD. It’s a remarkably low number and a result of structural inequality that keeps many Native people and people of color out of academia.
Volunteer Spotlight: Mimi Briggs grows Shorebird Festival for 30 years and counting
Mimi Briggs was volunteering in Cordova even before she officially moved to town. After being an integral part of the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival beginning, almost 30 years later, she’s still coordinating events here in Cordova with the Cordova Community Center.
