Hometown, Alaska - Alaska Public Media

By Alaska Public MediaSociety & Culture

Hometown, Alaska - Alaska Public Media episodes

October 06, 2025 How your Permanent Fund Dividend check can support those in need | Hometown, Alaska
It’s the first week of October, and you know what that means. Thousands of Alaskans woke up on Friday to find Permanent Fund Dividend checks deposited into their bank accounts. The modest amount of $1,000 was the lowest in five years, and with inflation factored in, the lowest in state history. But even though the dollars received has shrunk, it hasn’t slowed down Alaskans generosity to Pick Click Give, a program that allows residents to donate a portion of their PFD to non-profits of their choosing. On today’s show we look at where those Pick Click Give resources go and look ahead to what smaller PFDs could mean for the program.Also featured: Episode 1 of Alaska Public Media's Dracula.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Jennifer Cross, Program Officer, Pick Click GiveDaniel Bentle, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Food Bank of AlaskaLINKS:Pick Click GiveFood Bank of Alaska
57 min
September 23, 2025 Anchorage's concealed creatures | Hometown, Alaska
Picture yourself on your favorite trail in Anchorage, the scent of spruce in the air and the soft crunch of leaves beneath your boots. It seems quiet, but are you truly alone? No. Concealed critters are all around you, hidden in the trees, underbrush and in the shadows, living their wild lives just out of sight. On this episode we hear from a local biologist and ornithologist as we explore how urban wildlife thrives quietly alongside us and how to start seeing the unseen.HOST: Kim SherryGUESTS:Cory Stantorf, biologistLisa Pajot, ornithologistLINKS:Alaska Department of Fish and GameADF&G Bird and Bat BoxesBird TLC
57 min
September 08, 2025 50 years of the Municipality of Anchorage | Hometown, Alaska
The Municipality of Anchorage is turning 50-years-old, and to celebrate the occasion the Muni is hosting a series of events that showcase the city of Anchorage, and how far we've come. On this episode we hear from historian and Anchorage Daily News writer David Reamer, who will be presenting at one of the events.Hear about the history of Anchorage's neighborhoods, what lead to creating the Municipality, and Reamer's upcoming talk "A History of Anchorage’s Older Neighborhoods: Government Hill, Mountain View, Fairview, and Spenard.”HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: David Reamer, historianLINKS:Municipality of Anchorage 50-year-anniversary pageMuni 50th anniversary eventsDavid Reamer's "A History of Anchorage’s Older Neighborhoods: Government Hill, Mountain View, Fairview, and Spenard"
56 min
August 25, 2025 Peeking behind the curtain of Anchorage's drag scene | Hometown, Alaska
Get ready for sequins, sass and stories from the stage, because on this episode we chat with two fabulous drag queens from Anchorage about the art, joy and community of drag in Alaska. From their first heels to fundraising for nonprofits, this is a fun and glamorous peek behind the curtain of the local drag scene!

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUESTS:
Golden Delicious
Athena Nuff

LINKS:
Golden Delicous Instagram
Athena Nuff Instagram
Drag Me to the Movies
49 min
August 21, 2025 Hear from the author of "Secret Alaska: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure" | Hometown, Alaska
On this episode we dive into a new book that explores everything odd and fantastic about our state. The book is called "Secret Alaska: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure" and it’s billed as an offering for everybody from “seasoned explorer to armchair adventurer.”Author Bailey Berg is a journalist who has written for the New York Times, The Washington Post and many others. She’s also written extensively about Alaska where she lives half the year, splitting her time between here and Colorado.HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Bailey Berg, author/journalistLINKS:Bailey Berg websiteInstagramFind book HERE
52 min
August 11, 2025 Bean to bar chocolate is more complicated than you might think | Hometown, Alaska
Warning: this episode may cause cravings!

This week on Hometown, Alaska, we’re talking all things chocolate with local Anchorage artisan chocolate makers. From bean to bar, discover how this sweet craft made its way to Alaska—and how one small business is turning cacao into community. Today we’ll be talking chocolate and taking a kitchen tour with Suzanne Bostrom and Jimmy Ord, Owners & Chocolate Makers of Wildland Chocolate.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUESTS: Suzanne Bostrom and Jimmy Ord, Owners, Wildland Chocolate

LINKS:
Wildland Chocolate website
Instagram
Facebook
45 min
August 04, 2025 Revitalizing Town Square Park | Hometown, Alaska
If you've recently visited Town Square Park downtown, you may have noticed some cosmetic upgrades. Built back in 1984, the park was intended to not only serve as a compliment to the Performing Arts Center, but as a centerpiece of Anchorage. The space has gone through a lot of changes over its 40 years but recently, many of those changes haven’t been good. Earlier this year Anchorage voters approved a bond that would overhaul and revitalize the park. On this episode we hear what our brand new Townsquare Park will look like, and everything that has led up to the space's much-needed makeover.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUEST: Becky

LINKS:
Town Square Park planned improvements
Town Square Park implementation concept
57 min
June 10, 2025 Everyone's a little Scottish at the Highland Games | Hometown, Alaska
We are looking ahead to an annual event that celebrates all things Scottish, from bagpipes, to tea, to tug of war and much more. The Scottish Highland Games will be taking place at the Alaska State Fairgrounds June 28 and 29. On this episode, we give you a full showcase of the things you can find at this year’s event. Later on the program we talk with a competitor who specializes in heavy athletics.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:
Jeni McDaniel, Executive Director of the Alaskan Scottish Club
Nelson Alger, board member, Alaskan Scottish club/competitor

LINKS:
Alaska Scottish Highland Games information
Alaskan Scottish Club website
Facebook
Instagram
57 min
June 02, 2025 How to get started with bonsai in Alaska | Hometown, Alaska
On this episode, we dive into a world of miniature trees, ancient artistry and abundant patience. That’s right, we’re talking about bonsai. Our guest is Paul Marmora, past president of the Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group. We hear how he got started, what it takes to care for these tiny living sculptures and how this centuries-old tradition has taken root in the Last Frontier.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Paul Marmora

LINK:
Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group
55 min
May 19, 2025 Upcoming series combines standup comedy and mental health | Hometown, Alaska
Alaska's stand-up comedy scene has been quietly gaining momentum and a new summer series at the Performing Arts Center is looking to find out just how sustainable that scene can be. On this episode, host Dave Waldron speaks with Bradley Butcher, a stand-up comic and the founder of Comedy Up North. The series debuts in June and will run through July. Hear about this year's roster, which homegrown comics are making a name for themselves and how the shows will work to normalize mental health discussions.

Schedule:
June 12: Michael Lenoci
June 26: Nicole Aimée Schreiber
July 10: Ian Edwards
July 24: Jade Catta-Preta

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUEST: Bradley Butcher, founder, Comedy Up North

LINKS:
Comedy Up North
TICKETS
52 min

About Hometown, Alaska - Alaska Public Media

From the publisher's feed

Hometown, Alaska features conversations with local civic and cultural leaders, educators, and community members making an impact on their city. Hosted by: Kim Sherry and Dave Waldron