January
The Dominican friars in Anchorage premiered their documentary “Sleigh Ride: Christmas in the Last Frontier” sharing the story of two friars traveling more than 500 miles from Holy Family Cathedral on Christmas Eve, through snow, wind, and ice, to celebrate Mass in Trapper Creek, Talkeetna, and Glenallen, a journey they’ve affectionately called “the sleigh ride” for over 30 years, despite their “sleigh” being a Subaru.
February
Standing nearly 20 feet tall, Snow Ella turns heads in Anchorage with her pink mittens, heart-shaped buttons, long eyelashes, and a playful foam tongue that adds a touch of mischief to her smile. Built over two months by a small crew using about 12 tons of donated snow, Ella took shape around a stabilizing telephone pole and 80 pallets strapped together to hold the packed snow, which workers froze in place with water before carefully removing each pallet to refine her form. Inspired by a 3-year-old who wondered why there were no snow girls, Snow Ella towers as a whimsical answer to that question.
March
Western Alaska communities united after a February 6th plane crash that claimed 10 lives, holding vigils, fundraisers, and gatherings to support those grieving. After the U.S. Coast Guard located the wreckage of Bering Air Flight 445 the next day, the airline briefly paused service before resuming flights, noting its responsibility to provide essential travel in the region. As planes returned, residents across several villages formed circles around arriving aircrafts, offered prayers, and shared messages of unity, reflecting the region’s strength.
April
After an unusually snowless winter forced the Iditarod to move its start to Fairbanks and follow the longest route in race history, mushers reached Nome in mid-March with Jessie Holmes claiming his first victory after nearly 10 days and 15 hours on the trail.Their arrival coincided with the debut of a new Burled Arch which was crafted over the past year by veteran musher Ramey Smyth from a 5,000-pound Sitka spruce log and flown into Nome just in time to welcome finishers, replacing the previous arch that collapsed after last year’s race.
May
Books once destined for shredders are finding new life in Nome, where eight suitcases of rescued titles arrived at Anvil City Science Academy in late March thanks to the Bright Lights Book Project, a Palmer-based effort founded by Alys Culhane to get discarded books into the hands of Alaskans. The delivery sparked excitement throughout the school, with Principal Lisa Leeper noting how eager students were to pick out hard-copy books.
June
KNOM earned four awards at the Alaska Press Club conference: first place for Best Feature Photo, second place for Best Portrait, second place for Best Multimedia Presentation, and third place for Best Social Media Presence.
July
Each spring as melting snow reveals wind-scattered trash around Nome, longtime resident Mary Reader can be found walking with a yellow bag and a grabber, quietly cleaning up her hometown. Mary began this annual ritual nearly 20 years ago after losing her son, turning to the work as a healthy way to cope with grief and find moments of reflection. Though she doesn’t seek recognition, community members have shown their appreciation like the stranger who once handed her $100 and urged her to buy herself flowers. Mary hopes her efforts inspire others to care for the place they share.
August
In June, the Orthodox Church in America canonized St. Olga of Kwethluk, the first female Alaska-born Orthodox saint. Born in 1916, she raised eight children, served as a midwife and nurse, and cared for her community until her death in 1979. Her canonization drew bishops and Yup’ik Alaskans, including many of her descendants, with her daughter Helen Larson saying, “This is not just my mom anymore.”.
September
A 1990 time capsule from the library’s “Traveling Through Time” summer reading program was opened, thrilling curious community members. Originally filled by kids under Library Director Dee McKenna and Joe Davis, the capsule traveled around Nome for decades and even survived a 2023 fire at the Public Works Building. Thanks to local heroes Cheryl Thompson and Marguerite La Riviere, who found it safely stashed in a freezer van.
October
In the small Bering Strait village of Wales, the 24th Kingikmiut Dance Festival brought over 200 people together for three days and nights of drumming, dancing, and song, filling the Kingikmiut School gym with energy and tradition. Since 2000, the festival has served as a cultural homecoming where children learn through story and song, elders see traditions revived, and dancers return from afar to honor their roots. For the community, it’s more than a celebration; it’s a living reminder of identity, connection, and the steady heartbeat of tradition carried by the next generation.
November
The Katirvik Cultural Center in Nome recently hosted IIisaqativut, a weeklong gathering of over 40 people from across Alaska celebrating the Inupiaq language and culture. Through games, songs, and daily activities, participants practiced speaking Inupiaq in a fun, immersive environment, guided by a mentor-apprentice model pairing fluent speakers with learners.
December
KNOM hosted its second annual music festival on October 24 and 25. Nome’s Mini Convention Center came alive with performers taking turns on stage, local vendors sharing handmade goods, and residents gathering to enjoy food, connection, and entertainment. A real highlight was the performance by Alaska Native artist Martin Paul, who drew a lively crowd of fans eager to see him perform. The festival also featured several Alaska Native dance groups, individual musicians, and community bands, offering something for everyone.
