Community members filled the Palmer Church on the Rock for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA and a notable conservative activist. The event, organized by the Republican Party and local pastors with considerable assistance from Rep. Cathy Tilton, emphasized Kirk’s significant impact on faith, truth, and civic engagement.
The vigil, which took place without music or food, filled the church’s sanctuary to capacity, leaving only standing room available. Overflow attendees gathered in the lobby and outside to pay their respects. The evening fostered a spirit of unity and introspection, as attendees prayed for strength, protection, and the ongoing faith revival that Kirk passionately advocated.
Palmer Church of the Rock Lobby during the vigil
Local pastors, Vic Fonov, Josh O’Donnell, Joelle Sanchez, and Patrick Napier delivered heartfelt remarks that emphasized Kirk’s dedication to sharing his faith and promoting conservative values.
Several legislators were present, including Reps. Rauscher, McCabe, Tilton, Underwood, and Johnson, along with Sen. Shower and Mat-Su assembly member Dimitri Fonov. Alaska Republican Party Chair Carmela Warfield addressed the crowd, sharing messages of hope and resilience.
Alaska governor candidate Adam Crum captured the significance of the event by stating, “The overwhelming support that showed up clearly demonstrates that Charlie Kirk’s impact cannot be overstated. Almost 1,000 people came together to pray for strength, protection, and the ongoing faith revival across our nation. In this way, we honor Charlie, who devoted his life to spreading the Gospel and truth.”
Josh Hanson, Vice Chair of ARP District 25, shared his thoughts: “It was good to see the community come together in the face of online criticism to honor Charlie Kirk, a person of deep faith and conviction, who made significant contributions to the conservative movement. I hope Charlie’s life inspires us as Christians and especially members of the Alaska Republican Party to boldly and courageously stand for the truth and our values.”
Senator Shelley Hughes, who was unable to attend due to her travels in Israel, sent her campaign coordinator to represent her at the vigil. In a statement shared on Facebook, Hughes expressed her condolences, stating, “My heart goes out to his dear wife and sweet children for this unjustified tragedy. I hope that, as his legacy, we can follow the path he modeled, emphasizing civil discourse and critical thinking skills, regardless of where individuals fall on the political spectrum.”
Pastor Josh O’Donnell offered words of consolation and encouragement, stating, “Evil didn’t win this week. While we grieve the heartbreaking loss of one of the most faithful, courageous, and brilliant Christians we’ve ever had the privilege to witness in this generation… Evil didn’t win. This hateful act may seem like a victory for darkness, but we already see it sparking a fire within countless others, inspiring them to rise up tenfold in his passion for Jesus and this nation.”
The vigil, largely organized through the dedicated efforts of Rep. Cathy Tilton, served as a poignant reminder of Kirk’s significant influence. Alaskans came together, filling every available space, to mourn his loss and commit to advancing his mission of promoting truth and unity.
Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].
It has taken me a couple of days to gather my thoughts on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. After giving it some consideration, I believe that the radical left will very much regret this man’s death.
In the immediate aftermath of his assassination, a few left-wing ghouls expressed joy that Mr. Kirk had died. The leftist blogosphere had some insane commentary, some blaming Charlie for his own murder, some inexplicably blaming President Trump, saying that the president’s previous comments amounted to a threat that forced a violent left-wing response. Only an individual possessed by evil can take joy in another man’s assassination, and by blaming conservatives for the acts of violence committed against them, the leftists are making twists of logic that only a Democrat could understand.
However, Charlie Kirk’s death may become an inflection point in history that will not stop his message; it will work to make the ideas he supported more powerful than ever. Two historical examples illustrate why.
The first example is from the book of Acts in the Bible. Stephen, who is an Apostle of Jesus in the early church, is described as having wisdom and an ability to speak so compellingly that his opponents couldn’t win an argument against him. Stephen sounds a lot like Charlie Kirk. Stephen was considered a threat and was condemned to death by stoning. Stephen is considered the very first Christian martyred for his faith. As he was about to die, Stephen prayed for forgiveness for his executioners.
One man present at his execution was Saul, who was a Pharisee and an avid persecutor of Christians. Soon after the execution, Saul left for Damascus, where he encountered Jesus on the road and underwent a profound transformation in his beliefs, changing his name from Saul to Paul. He became one of the most important members of the church and a man who spread Christianity throughout much of the known world. We would not have a Christian church today were it not for Paul. Who knows how witnessing Stephen’s execution affected him? Perhaps Stephen’s death was God’s plan in action, and perhaps Charlie’s death is also part of God’s plan, in ways that we cannot comprehend right now.
There is also the example of Abraham Lincoln after the Civil War. Before he was assassinated, Lincoln had proposed a generous and non-punitive plan to return the former Confederate states speedily to the United States. His magnanimity demonstrates that when a celebration was held at the end of the war, Lincoln asked the band to play the southern anthem, Dixie, to honor the southern troops that had fought so gallantly.
However, it was not to be. Four days later, Southern sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln, and the path of Reconstruction changed radically. The American public was outraged and angered at the South for this act of betrayal. They demanded collective accountability for all southern states because of the act of one lone assassin. The new president, Andrew Johnson, decided that the South should be punished for seceding from the Union and famously remarked that, “Treason is a crime and must be…made infamous, and traitors must be impoverished.” He accomplished all of that and more. The South was occupied by Union troops for over a decade and endured much more onerous terms than they would have received had Lincoln lived.
Charlie Kirk’s death may inspire something similar to these two historical examples. Some on the left may not want to be associated with radicals willing to kill their political opponents and may turn away from them like Saul did. Or perhaps, like in Lincoln’s example, the resolve of the country may harden against the political left. Maybe the public will demand justice and accountability, and reject any politician sympathetic to their radical leftist agenda. It might become unfashionable to support the delusional woke ideas the left has been feeding us.
Kirk’s assassination may accomplish just the opposite of what his murderer intended. Instead of stopping him, maybe his death will hasten the spread of Kirk’s ideas. They would have been far better off by listening to what Charlie had to say instead of killing him.
Greg Sarber is a lifelong Alaskan. He is a petroleum engineer who spent his career working on Alaska’s North Slope. Now retired, he lives with his family in Homer, Alaska. Greg serves as a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska.
The Yukon Quest will return to long-distance racing in 2026 with a new 750-mile route that will be entirely in Alaska’s rugged Interior. On September 11, Yukon Quest Alaska announced the details of the course. The traditional 1,000-mile international route from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon, last took place in 2020, marking the first long race since then. This announcement has sparked excitement among mushers, fans, and adventure enthusiasts for the event scheduled for February 2026.
In 2025, the Yukon Quest sled dog race featured two distinct, shorter races instead of the traditional 1,000-mile international course. On the Canadian side, the Yukon Quest 450 consisted of a 425-mile loop that began and ended in Teslin, Yukon. Several Checkpoints, including one as far north as Faro, were part of the route. Additionally, the Yukon Quest Alaska hosted a 250-mile race that ran from Fairbanks to Tok, Alaska. Full recaps and standings are available at www.yukonquest.com and www.yukonquestalaska.com.
The 2026 Yukon Quest will feature a circular trail that starts and ends in Fairbanks. This course will showcase Alaska’s stunning wilderness and its historic mushing communities. Spanning 750 miles, the route will include checkpoints that are spaced far apart, such as Nenana, Tanana, Rampart, Beaver, Fort Yukon, Circle, Central, and Two Rivers. Organizers designed the route to honor the legacy of sled dogs while also addressing contemporary challenges, such as warmer winters, which have made traditional paths less dependable due to ice conditions on rivers and lakes.
In addition to the main event, Yukon Quest Alaska will also host its 80-mile Fun Run. This race is designed for novices and aims to help participants develop new skills while promoting community involvement.
Details regarding checkpoints, required gear, and race rules are still being finalized, with updates expected soon. The organization has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of mushers, their 14-dog teams, and volunteers.
Since 1984, the Yukon Quest has gained international popularity for testing the endurance and athleticism of both humans and dogs. The organization established this event to honor the Klondike Gold Rush and the crucial role sled dogs played. Unlike other races, the Quest requires mushers to be self-sufficient, as they must carry all their gear and food across vast, frozen terrains, often in frigid temperatures that can plummet to -50°F.
Mushers are preparing for what is expected to be a challenging race, with a prize pool that has historically exceeded $100,000 for the top finishers. Fans can follow the action through live GPS tracking, leaderboards, and updates on social media. Fairbanks will be the ideal location for spectators to watch in person, as it hosts both the start and finish lines.
If you want to stay up-to-date, you can find news on the Facebook page for Yukon Quest Alaska. More information will soon be available at www.yukonquestalaska.com.
Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].
I remember exactly where I was on the morning of the September 11 attacks. I was in college in Utah, watching the second plane hit the World Trade Center. The air was thick with shock, fear, and uncertainty—but what came next was unity. We rallied. We chose to stand together.
This week, I watched the assassination of Charlie Kirk unfold in real time. The shock felt familiar, but the national reaction did not. Instead of unity, I saw division and even celebration from some corners of the internet. This was not just the killing of a man. It was the moment many Americans confronted real, naked evil for the first time. And unlike 9/11, it has left us fractured, not united.
The First Real Encounter With Evil
For older generations, national trauma—political assassinations, civil unrest, terrorist attacks—is horrific but familiar. They remember the killings of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. My generation, Gen X, watched 9/11 and went to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But for many Millennials and Gen Z Americans, the most “traumatic” collective event until now was the COVID-19 pandemic—fearful, but not violent. They had never seen evil strike in real time, in public view, aimed at someone they admired.
The footage of Charlie Kirk’s assassination was not just shocking—it was visceral and morally offensive. It forced millions to watch the extinguishing of a human life up close. It shattered assumptions about the safety of public discourse and the sanctity of life.
Charlie Kirk was their contemporary. To watch him cut down on screen was, for many, their first visceral taste of real evil. And that matters. As C.S. Lewis observed, every choice shapes who we become. How this generation responds to its first confrontation with evil will shape not just its future, but its soul.
The Rise of an “Assassination Culture”
Months before his death, Kirk warned of what he called an “assassination culture.” He cited data from the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI), which tracks ideologically motivated threats.
NCRI found rising glorification of political violence, growing tolerance for assassination attempts, and a disturbing normalization of violent rhetoric. One of their studies showed that 48% of self-identified liberals justified violence against Elon Musk and 55% against Donald Trump. After the assassination of a healthcare CEO earlier this year, online searches for “assassination tools” spiked 300%.
After Kirk’s death, NCRI’s director Joel Finkelstein told Newsweek that the killing reflected the exact warning signs they had identified—and that what was once taboo has become acceptable.
That is chilling. A culture that tolerates assassination is not just sick—it is on the verge of collapse.
The Real Crisis Is Moral Decay
But political violence is not the root problem. It is a symptom.
The deeper crisis is moral decay—a collapse of the spiritual foundation that once held our culture together. We live in a time when vengeance is celebrated, self-gratification trumps self-sacrifice, and too many Americans see politics as warfare rather than stewardship.
Our founders understood this danger. In 1798, John Adams wrote, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” He was right.
No law, no executive order, no regulation, and no police force can hold together our nation that has abandoned God. The collapse we are witnessing is cultural, not legal or regulatory—and it will not be fixed by legal or regulatory means.
The only path back is to once again become a moral and religious people: to fear God, to obey God, and to place Him first in our homes and in our hearts.
Rejecting Evil, Choosing Virtue
That means the responsibility is ours—personally and collectively.
We must lead our families and communities in reverence for God. We must teach our children His commandments and model what it means to live under His authority. We must put the needs of others ahead of our own and choose the narrow path of obedience when the world tempts us toward vengeance or self-interest.
Do not look to Washington, D.C. or your state legislature to heal this country. They can’t. Only God can. And He will—if we repent and return to Him.
Otherwise, the alternative is unthinkable: a future where might makes right, where those with the most guns or the loudest mobs rule, where our children inherit a country defined by vengeance instead of virtue.
A Rallying Cry for a Generation
Charlie Kirk was right to name his organization Turning Point USA. Because this truly is a turning point.
We can either descend further into moral chaos—or we can honor Kirk’s legacy by rejecting violence and embracing virtue. We can choose to fight evil not with more evil, but with faith, with courage, and with selfless leadership.
If this generation can make that choice, if it can rise to this moment, then Charlie Kirk’s death will not be the spark of collapse. It will be the spark of renewal.
Let this be our turning point, let it be toward courage, not chaos—and toward morality, not murder.
Ben Carpenter is a former Alaska state legislator, combat veteran, small business owner, and host of the Must Read Alaska Show.
The brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve are bulking up, and the world is eagerly watching as preparations for Fat Bear Week 2025 ramp up. This annual celebration, taking place from September 23 to September 30, invites fans from around the globe to vote for the chubbiest bear, ultimately crowning the champion of pre-hibernation weight gain. The National Park Service, along with explore.org, organizes this wildlife spectacle.
Fat Bear Week showcases the incredible transformation of bears as they indulge in salmon from the Brooks River, gaining weight to prepare for the long Alaskan winter. Live webcams streaming from Brooks Falls allow viewers to observe fan favorites such as Otis, Grazer, and Chunk as they fish and pack on the pounds. The event features a bracket-style tournament in which the bears compete head-to-head for public votes. The structure of the tournament is expected to be announced in late September, generating excitement across social media platforms like X.
You can join the fun and tune in to live bear cams and cast votes through official channels:
Katmai National Park Website: www.nps.gov/katm – Offers event details, bear profiles, and voting instructions. Webcams can be viewed at this link: Katmai Fat Bear Webcams
Explore.org, offers bear profiles and detailed instructions for voting.
Fat Bear Week page: https://explore.org/fat-bear-week. This page includes live webcams, updates on the tournament bracket, and options for interactive voting.
Voting is free and open to all, with ballots typically submitted online during the weeklong event. The 2025 lineup will showcase both experienced contenders and exciting newcomers, sparking enthusiasm on social media about who will win this year’s title.
As preparations progress, Katmai officials urge fans to participate early by watching the live cameras and sharing their favorite bear moments on social media.
For the latest updates, visit
www.nps.gov/katm or www.explore.org/fat-bear-week. Join the conversation on X to support your favorite bear, and stay tuned for the upcoming bracket reveal to see which bear will be crowned the fattest of 2025.
Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].
Journalism is tough business. There is always, as Paul Harvey made famous, the “rest of the story”.
The transition of Suzanne Downing from Must Read Alaska has generated speculation about the cause and the future direction of our platform. Our readers deserve a complete explanation.
Foremost, Suzanne Downing is one of the most talented and accomplished journalists of our age. By any metric, she has accomplished what few have or ever will. Her work has profoundly impacted Alaska and has advanced the conservative cause.
Upon purchase by AGCI in November 2023, Must Read transitioned management from a single person to a corporate board. Every investor shared the same purpose: preserve a free and uncensored press; support Suzanne and provide a “glidepath” for her retirement at a time of her choosing; grow the platform; and ensure its sustainability.
At that time, Suzanne wanted more time with her ailing mother and some monetization of her lifetime of effort. It was uncertain how long she would continue.
MRAK’s board is diverse, consisting of men and women with reputations for success and expertise in their fields. It is a fully empowered and functioning board, dedicated to a free and independent press. Trust exists among us because we take the time to debate and build consensus. It is impossible, not to mention supreme folly, to hide the truth in such a setting. It is equally true that seven people are not going to risk their personal integrity to engage in deception. We are all Alaskans who care deeply about our state.
So, what exactly happened on Sunday, September 7th, that caused Suzanne’s resignation?
The answer is, shockingly, very little. That Suzanne had been preparing to move on is evident from her owns words, her subsequent actions, and our internal exchange. Why she was prepared to resign is her story, not ours.
To address the topics squarely that have caused the most speculation, here are the facts:
Neither Mr. Taylor nor his campaign ever requested, or received, any favor or action of any kind from AGCI. Political favoritism was creeping into MRAK’s reporting and causing concern among our readers, period. Ms. Downing was advised of AGCI’s desire to maintain neutrality in the Governor’s race long before she resigned.
Ms. Dowing was not fired; she was not pushed out or encouraged to leave. Quite the opposite: Our board sought every possible means to retain her. That door is still open.
Finally, our exchange that day was respectful; at no point was an ultimatum delivered, no single-option demand issued that she take down the article. Quite the opposite.
I asked her respectfully to revise the article to more fairly frame the issue and to quell concerns about favoritism in our reporting. I supplied what I believed to be supporting facts, for example that the waiver was proper protocol and supported by precedent and common sense. My request was summarily dismissed.
Clearly, the article never came down because its removal was never the primary concern.
During Ms. Downing’s nearly two-year tenure with AGCI, she insisted on—and received–total editorial control. Effectively, every article had each board member’s name associated with it. And yet, during this entire period, no officer ever intervened to quash an article or compromise editorial independence. Two-way trust was predicated on the understanding that if a line was crossed, it would be resolved through dialogue. Board observance of editorial independence, contrary to press reports, has been exemplary.
So what happened? MRAK’s original model, under Ms. Downing’s ownership, was free to endorse, or oppose, any candidate of her choosing. AGCI, on the other hand, develops editorial policy collaboratively, and believes neutrality serves the interests of Alaskans. This should not be viewed as dividing conservatives or Republicans. I would like to believe it builds trust and honors our diverse audience of conservative thinkers.
When AGCI acquired Must Read, the publication was “blackballed” by Facebook, meaning we couldn’t post to it. Twitter had silenced President Donald Trump, and President Biden was using the Justice Department to pressure social media channels to censor conservative content. Ms. Downing needed to take care of her ailing mother. AGCI stepped in to support, not to sideline, this conservative voice.
Change is hard, but it can lead to new and better futures. Must Read Alaska will continue to provide a bulwark of conservative news and commentary in Alaska journalism. Our emphasis may shift, but our mission will remain.
Jon Faulkner is the president of Alaska Gold Communications, the parent company of Must Read Alaska.
Nothing compares to the burst of flavor from a homegrown tomato, freshly picked from the vine and savored in its pure, raw perfection. This experience allows its essence to shine undiminished by cooking or baking.
Tomatoes are an excellent complement to a fresh catch, whether enjoyed in salads or alongside mozzarella in a caprese. They also shine in a classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. Their vibrant colors and rich flavors enhance any dish, making them a seasonal highlight that many eagerly anticipate each year. Whether savored on their own or incorporated into a larger recipe, homegrown tomatoes truly celebrate the essence of the season.
BLT, Zesty Alaskan Garden Medley, Balsamic-glazed Halibut with Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella Salad
Recipes for Zesty Alaskan Garden Medley, Caprese, Salad, and Balsamic Dressing are provided below.
Homegrown tomatoes often taste better because they are typically picked at peak ripeness, which allows their natural sweetness to shine. Furthermore, when you grow them yourself, you can control the growing conditions, ensuring they are free from pesticides and full of flavor. This personal touch enhances their taste and creates a sense of satisfaction and connection to the food you consume.
If you have the time and interest to grow vegetables, you may discover that it deepens your appreciation for the effort involved in cultivating food. Each harvest serves as a celebration of your hard work and commitment, promoting a healthier lifestyle and increasing your awareness of seasonal produce. The joy of consuming food that you have personally harvested can make each meal feel uniquely special.
In Alaska, our short growing season and cold temperatures present challenges when cultivating tomatoes. To achieve successful crops, Alaskan gardeners address these challenges by carefully selecting early-ripening tomato varieties, starting seeds indoors, and utilizing greenhouses and hoop houses for growth.
On a recent trip to Skagway, I visited Skip Elliott’s garden and greenhouses and was impressed by the wide variety of tomatoes he was growing. Skip is an avid gardener known for his successful harvests of kohlrabi and fava beans. My initial motivation for the visit was to check on his fava bean crop. I interviewed Skip last spring and wrote about the success he was having with his Alaska-grown fava beans in Foodies and foragers: Fabulous Alaska fava beans from garden trellis to table.
Skip Elliot
Despite a cold, wet start to summer and an infestation of little woolly bear caterpillars, his fava bean crop was thriving. However, as impressive as the fava beans are, his tomatoes—the real stars—were beginning to show their potential. The vibrant green vines were full of clusters of bright red and golden fruits in various sizes, ranging from cherry tomatoes to large slicers.
This was intriguing to me because each year, tomatoes are planted in my greenhouse with the hope of a bountiful harvest. However, recent seasons have led to disappointing yields. Consequently, I was eager to learn about the strategies that had worked well for Skip.
He mentioned that he is not an expert in growing tomatoes; however, for the past four years, he has embarked on a scientific quest to identify tomato varieties that thrive in our climate with a short growing season while also delivering desirable flavor. He evaluates desirability by conducting personal taste tests, where he compares the flavors of various tomato varieties in his growing conditions.
Skip’s tomato taste testing line-up
His research is ongoing, but in the hopes of improving next year’s tomato crop in my greenhouse, I asked him to share which varieties he has identified as top performers.
Skip discussed his method for narrowing down his top picks by evaluating them from multiple perspectives, including production costs, exceptional flavor, and harvest yields. He remarked, “It is hard to find a variety that tastes good and can be grown in abundance.”
Based on his research at this time, Skip identifies his top picks for cherry tomatoes as Artemis, Sungold, Sun Orange, and Esterina. Artemis is his favorite due to its vibrant red color, ease of growth, and uniquely delicious smoky flavor. Sungold performs well with a pleasant flavor profile. Sun Orange is similar to Sungold, but according to Skip, it has less tang and is a bit sweeter with the extra bonus of bearing more fruit per plant. Esterina makes the list with a note of caution regarding its tendency to grow excessively; however, Skip says it offers a fabulous flavor, and a benefit of its vigorous growth is that it continues to produce fruit into October.
When it comes to sauce tomatoes, Pilu is Skip’s top choice. He explains, “Pilu tomatoes are excellent for soups and sauces; they are cold-tolerant and yield well.”
Skip also holds Oregon Spring and Siletz in high regard, stating, “They are nearly identical; both are determinate, cold-tolerant, short-season varieties that grow in a small area. It’s amazing to see a plant that is only four feet high produce ten to twelve large fruits. You don’t need to do much work to grow them, and they thrive in greenhouses. They are not perfect slicers for sandwiches, but they are close.”
While in Skagway I also met with John McDermott, who has been growing tomatoes for over thirty years. When asked about his favorite slicer tomato, he was quick to mention the Mortgage Lifter. He explained that it is a well-established heirloom variety known for producing large fruits that are ideal for sandwiches.
Prepared with a plan to focus on specific tomato varieties for next year’s growing season, the final question was where to obtain the seeds. John emphasized the importance of sourcing from seed producers in the Pacific Northwest that have varieties that can thrive in our climate, which include Territorial Seed and Osborne Quality Seeds.
Other suppliers in the Pacific Northwest include Adaptive Seeds, One Green World Nursery, Uprising Seeds, Siskiyou Seeds, and a few additional companies. Some suppliers source their seeds from various regions, so it is essential to investigate the origins of the seeds before making a purchase.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds, located in Maine, sources some of its seeds from the Pacific Northwest, which are well-suited for Alaska’s climate. Tomato Growers in Florida have a strong track record of providing both seeds and supplies and also offer short-season tomato varieties that are productive in Alaskan greenhouses.
To achieve optimal results, take the time to research which seed varieties will thrive in your specific conditions and ensure you obtain them from reputable suppliers. This careful selection can result in a more abundant harvest of fresh tomatoes to enjoy.
Here are a few recipe ideas that showcase the fresh and vibrant flavors of vine-ripened tomatoes, highlighting their versatility in various dishes. You might enjoy preparing a Zesty Alaskan Garden Medley, creating a classic Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and basil, or mixing up a simple balsamic vinaigrette to enhance a fresh garden salad topped with tomatoes.
Zesty Alaskan Garden Medley
Zesty Alaskan Garden Medley
This refreshing cold dish features seasonal vegetables sourced from Alaskan gardens and is drizzled with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Draw inspiration from your own garden to explore seasonal variations.
Medley Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower (or substitute broccoli), cleaned, dried, and cut into florets
1 fennel bulb, cleaned, thinly sliced, and stored in water with lemon juice
(Alternatively, you can substitute one bulb of kohlrabi and add ½ teaspoon of ground fennel in the vinaigrette.)
2 to 3 ounces of lemon juice (as needed for fennel bulb lemon water)
8 ounces of green beans (or substitute snow peas or sugar snap peas),
cleaned, cut, and blanched
1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes, halved (or cubed tomatoes)
½ cup parsley, chopped (for the garnish)
Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette Ingredients:
2 lemons, zested and juiced (or substitute 5 of ounces lemon juice)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or substitute ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
5 ounces olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, more or less to taste
Yields approximately 8 servings.
Preparation:
The lemon vinaigrette is made by mixing together lemon juice, lemon zest, minced shallots, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Use a whisk or immersion blender to blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Then, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to help the ingredients emulsify. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the vinaigrette aside while you prepare the vegetables.
Next wash all the vegetables under cool water, then trim and cut them as indicated above. To prepare the fennel bulb start by cutting the bulb in half and then slicing it very thinly. Have a bowl with lemon water available to transfer the fennel slices. Store the fennel in the lemon water while blanching the green beans.
Blanch the green beans by placing a large pot of water on the stove over high heat, ensuring there is enough water to fully submerge the beans. Add salt to the water at a rate of approximately 1 teaspoon per quart. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare a bowl filled with ice water for an ice bath. Once the water reaches a boil, add the green beans and allow it to boil again. Boil the green beans for one minute. After boiling, drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. The goal is to have the green beans blanched but still crisp. Once they are chilled, drain the beans again and refrigerate them while you prepare the other ingredients.
When all the vegetables are prepared, drain the fennel and combine all the vegetables together in a large bowl and gently toss together while drizzling with the lemon vinaigrette taking care to evenly coat the vegetables. Garnish by sprinkling the chopped parsley on top.
Store under refrigeration, serve cold to enjoy this crisp and fresh seasonal garden medley.
Caprese Salad
Classic Caprese Salad
It doesn’t get any easier to enjoy vine-ripened tomatoes than with a Caprese salad. This recipe is quick and can be easily adjusted to make use of just one tomato at a time as they ripen. You likely already have balsamic vinegar and olive oil in your pantry; if that’s the case, all you need to add to your shopping list is some fresh mozzarella from the market.
Ingredients:
2 cups of balsamic vinegar
3 to 4 tomatoes, sliced
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1 bunch of fresh basil leaves
1 ounce olive oil, more or less for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Yields approximately 4 servings
Preparation:
Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until it has reduced by half and has thickened to a glaze that coats the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the glaze to a separate container to cool.
Just before serving, layer the tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil on a serving dish, alternating each ingredient. Drizzle the arrangement with olive oil, followed by the balsamic glaze. Finally, sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Enjoy the Caprese salad by itself or paired with crispy bread.
Balsamic vinaigrette topped Caprese-style garden salad with balsamic-glazed halibut
Balsamic Vinaigrette
This recipe is an excellent go-to for dressing a wide range of salads. It is simple to prepare, and the inclusion of Dijon mustard aids in the easy emulsification, resulting in a smooth consistency that coats the lettuce without being too thick. You can adjust the flavors to suit your preferences by varying the amount of olive oil and finishing the dressing with your desired level of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Additionally, this dressing keeps well in the refrigerator for several days; just remember to stir it thoroughly and let it reach room temperature before using it on your salad.
Note: The balsamic-glazed halibut shown in the picture above was prepared by spooning a light glaze of balsamic reduction over pan-seared halibut just before removing it from the sauté pan.
1 teaspoon fresh basil (or substitute ½ teaspoon dried basil)
1 cup of olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, more or less to taste
Preparation:
Combine balsamic vinegar, minced shallots, Dijon mustard, and basil in a bowl or mixing container. Using a whisk or immersion blender, mix the vinegar, shallots, mustard, basil, until they are fully incorporated. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil to allow for emulsification. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more of the olive oil if the flavor is too tangy for your taste preference. Set the mixture aside while preparing the vegetables.
Enjoy the bold and sweet flavor of this dressing, which beautifully complements grilled seafood or chicken, adding a delightful tang to your meal. Additionally, this dressing works well as a substitute for drizzling over sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella in a Caprese-style dish.
Brenda Josephson is a Haines resident. She enjoys spending time fishing, foraging, and savoring Alaska’s abundance of natural and wild foods with her family. Brenda serves as a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her by email at [email protected].
On June 23, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule. The Clinton-era rule had restricted timber harvesting and road construction on 58 million acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands, about a third of U.S. forest lands. Closing off access to public, working USFS lands has stifled responsible forest management and halted economic opportunity for local communities.
In Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the Roadless Rule restricted access to 9.2 million acres of the forest, which spans 16.7 million acres total. The first Trump administration briefly made a small portion of the Tongass eligible for timber harvesting and road construction in 2020. The result? Only 186,000 more acres of timber harvest would have been eligible, and only 50 more miles of new roads could be constructed over the next 100 years. President Biden announced a review of the Roadless Rule within hours of his inauguration and subsequently reinstated the 2001 limits.
Sustainable forest management entails the selective cutting of some trees to thin the forest and decrease the fuel load, reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. For forests within the inventoried roadless areas, the restrictions limited the ability of the USFS to undertake prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, and other timber harvesting activities, as well as impeded access for firefighters.
Secretary Rollins said that the rescission of the rule removes “absurd obstacles to common sense management of our natural resources” and that “properly managing our forests preserves them from devastating fires and allows future generations of Americans to enjoy and reap the benefits of this great land.” The press release also estimates that of the acreage impacted by the Roadless Rule, 28 million acres are in areas at high or very high risk of wildfire.
The Roadless Rule has also harmed local communities. The USDA’s press release states that “Utah alone estimates the roadless rule alone creates a 25% decrease in economic development in the forestry sector.” More than 70,000 people live within the boundaries of the Tongass. Southeast Alaskans who depend on the timber industry near the Tongass have seen employment decline to fewer than 400 jobs in 2020, a tenth of the jobs available in 1990.
Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Bruce Westerman (R., AR), said that the decision “acknowledges that we cannot lock up our forests and throw away the key.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said of the rule, “A good forest is like a garden. You actually have to tend it and take care of it. If we do this the right way, we can prevent fires and improve production.”
Kudos to the administration for tending to the gardens that are the working lands of the U.S. Forest Service.
Sarah Montalbano is an energy policy fellow at Center of the American Experiment and a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum Center for Energy and Conservation. This column was originally published at IWF on July 1, 2025.
