Alaska Pioneer Homes

May 2011

Anchorage Pioneer Home resident turns 100

Mabel Didrickson was born in Sitka on May 27, 1911. She is Tlingit, of the Raven moiety and Beaver clan. A lifetime member of Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4, she is mother of six children, four living; aunt to many nieces and nephews, grandmother to 12, and great-grandmother to 15. She is a member of the Russian Orthodox faith.

Mabel worked part-time in the housekeeping department of the original Pioneer Home in Sitka that opened in 1913. She later worked full-time in the Home’s current building that opened in the 1930s, until she retired. She eventually lived in the Sitka Pioneer Home for a time, before coming to Anchorage to be closer to her oldest daughter. She has lived at the Anchorage Pioneer Home since 2000. Her joys include her family, eating salmon, playing Bingo and talking with people. Along with her family, the Pioneer Home residents and employees wish her a wonderful birthday!

 

The 1st Iron Chef or Skillet Competition

ANCHORAGE-Winifred “Freddie” Erickson, Anchorage Pioneer Home resident, recently won the very 1st Iron Chef or Iron Skillet competition Breakfast Gravy Cooking Competition at the Anchorage Pioneer Home.  The Iron Chef competition is the Anchorage Pioneer Home’s unique cooking competition which includes both residents and staff who submit their special recipes. The residents are the judges and conduct blind taste tests of all the anonymous recipes.

Freddie made outstanding gravy which was voted the best by residents. She was awarded the APH Iron Chef Skillet Award and now holds the coveted title of APH Iron Chef Champion!

The Anchorage Pioneer home extends a special thanks and appreciation to all the contestants for taking the time to share their cooking talent and recipes as well.

Freddie with her award, which was presented by two other aspiring Iron Chefs - Rich Saville, Administrator APH and Josh Shaver, Assistant Administrator APH.