South Anchorage Hillside Living - Best Version Media

22/10/2024

"Two peas in a pod" is how these sisters embody being identical twins, including their working and personal relationships together. Meet Angelyn Starr and Enjoli Strait where family comes first for these two, but twin-time takes top priority. Their families both respect and appreciate that fact. In the working world, they remain side by side with their business ventures, which ironically also complements one another's business. These Fun-loving women lead full lives with business, family, and recreational activities. However, if you could pick one attribute that celebrates them both it would have to be their artistry. When it comes to quilting, these women reign as queens! If you're a quilter in town, you no doubt know who they are.
Thank you for such an uplifting story, ladies!
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

16/10/2024

Hello readers and friends! Looks like I got a bit behind with my posts recently so I'll catch up with the latest issues.

Brittany and Aubin's love story is built on shared adventures, unwavering support, and a deep-seated commitment to family. They have seamlessly woven their lives together, creating a vibrant and joyous home filled with laughter and love. Meet the Quesnell family--Brittany, Aubin, and their three daughters, Suzie, Phoebe, and Rosie. Their home has become the natural gathering place for family during the holidays and for the neighborhood kids alike. Between juggling two busy careers and three beautiful daughters, this loving couple still manages to put family first and find time for travel and adventure. Enjoy!

28/08/2024

28/08/2024

With the start of school this month, I felt this story was befitting. Luke Almon and Carrie Hailey have been on a public service journey from Indiana to Alaska. Carrie oversees aviation meteorology with the National Weather Service, and Luke is the principal of South Anchorage High. Public service is the cornerstone of their lives. They appreciate the power of community and of giving back to that community for the benefit of all. Together they cherish the adventures and unique opportunities that Alaska has offered them. We appreciate their leadership and service.

17/07/2024

From their Color Art Printing business to playing golf in warmer places, Richard and Deanna Teders work hard and play hard--together. With a blended family of four and aa new grandson, family plays an important role in their lives, and Richard and Deanna celebrate their children's unique successes as well as their own. Deanna enjoys art-focused fundraising events and has launched a variety of local events on her own to showcase numerous artists and their varied talents. Richard strives to perfect his game of golf. It's all about staying active and engaged for the Teders family. We appreciate their family bond and community spirit of giving.
Thank you, Richard and Deanna!
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

27/06/2024

When your great-grandfather was once the Alaska Native Chief on Attu Island, one is destined to have a remarkable journey in life. Such has been the case for Helena Schmitz and her husband Brad. From the repatriation of her family's remains and the founding of her non-profit "Atux Forever," Helena focuses on community remembrance and hope. Brand compliments Helena's heritage preservation work with his dedication to education and community engagement. Brad initiated a global network of pen pal involvement from Alaska, in addition to social welfare impact with his mission to combat food insecurity. Together, this husband and wife duo is moving mountains. Thank you to you both!

08/05/2024

"Twenty-four years and counting" is how our feature couple describe their enduring love story. As transplants from Washington state, Melody and Russell Price are relative newcomers to Alaska, although it was Melody's dream since childhood. From running a pet supply business to running a non-profit, Melody prioritizes serving her community. She recognized early on that Alaska requires thinking outside of the box, and that is what she does best. Russell helps local businesses thrive with engineering needs for their fluid power needs. "Know yourself and remember to give back" is the mindset that enables Melody and Russel to synchronize their lives with their core values and prioritize opportunities for philanthropy. What a great story!
Thank you to you both, Melody and Russell.
~Janna Hardy, Publisher and Community Connector

01/04/2024

From New Zealand to Alaska, George and Jessica Schmuke carry the spirit of adventure wherever they go, and in everything they do. George enjoyed being part of the rowing team when he was in college, and Jessica has conquered more than 25 marathons. Together, they summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 2021. Today, many of their adventures include their children: 11 year old Juliana, and 8 year old Acton. The family is involved with skiing all winter, and they hike and bike in the summer--in addition to their worldwide travels. This family's love for adventure will undoubtedly create vivid memories for a lifetime. Savor the moments....
Thank you to George and Jessica!
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

27/02/2024

"Sisterhood" is the focus of our feature story this month. Janna Beasley and Kristine Whitford are but 16 months apart in age, however, their sisterhood has made them inseparable as best friends. These women not only have husbands that are also best friends, but homes that are a block apart, and a career with the Anchorage Fire Department dispatch unit. They embrace family, community involvement, and support for the challenges that face all complicated and engaged families. Their commitment and dedication goes well beyond their career. We thank these women very much.
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

30/01/2024

For the love of dogs, we have a very exciting feature story this month--just in time for mushing season!

As you know, Anchorage is steeped in sled dog tradition, dating back to Alaska's romantic gold rush era as early as 1915, the dawning of our new city. Initially, it was all about working dog teams. Then in 1918, the first sporting contest on 4th Avenue set the stage for the enduring passion that underlies Anchorage's relationship with racing sled dogs. Now for decades, the colorful Fur Rendezvous world sprint racing championship and the start of the Iditarod--the "Last Great Race on Earth"--have been glamorously staged here.

"Where is the famous starting line?" has been by far the most frequently posed query by the approximately 100,000 summer visitors that wander down 4th Avenue looking for an iconic marker. Addressing the puzzling year-round invisibility for Alaska's most internationally famous events, the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Board of Directors appointed prominent architect and board member Jim Huettl to head up and arch committee under Fur Rondy guidance. In 2017, they became a non-profit corporation titled the Anchorage Mushing District, Inc. Once the money is raised, a permanent steel arch is planned, located west of 4th Avenue and D Street, which will feature a steel truss adorned with a dog musher, sled, and team of dogs--the perfect iconic symbol for the Mushing District.
~Janna Hardy and Sue Todd

05/12/2023

Will you look at this perfect Christmas cover! One of our readers reached out to me earlier this past summer and said that she and her family would like to be our December feature. She then shared photos of her holiday-themed home and I couldn't agree more. Scotti and Brian Steele and family grace our cover this month, and share their story about how they transformed the inside of their home from pepto bismol pink to the beauty it is today. What a fine job they've done! Enjoy....
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

27/11/2023

Joe Meehan is not your "average Joe." If you indulge in Alaska's great outdoors then you've no doubt experienced some of the impact that Joe has had on our state throughout his 25-year career with the Department of Fish and Game. From the Palmer Hay Flats, to Potter Marsh, to neglected refuges and sanctuaries around the state, Joe resolved to effect transformative change, and he made good on that promise and more in a huge way. Please offer homage to this man for the vision and impact he's given our state. Thank you, Joe!
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

25/10/2023

Dr. Mark Mitchell and wife Jan Henderson live by the motto: laughter is the music of the soul. It was obvious to me from the start that these two enjoy each other AND life. Together they tackle big home improvements, display HUGE Halloween decorations, and are involved with generous Rotary projects for communities near and far. They love "giving" and having an impact on the community. They also enjoy cooking together and savoring wine with friends--with laughter resonating in the background. Mark and Jan definitely celebrate life in a big way.
I'll toast to that!
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

19/09/2023

I need your help hillside readers! A couple of months ago someone reached out to me about doing the December feature on their family, specifically because of how they decorate their home for the holidays. I have since misplaced their name/number. If anyone knows who this might be, please have them get back in touch with me. Thank you sooooooooo much!!!
~Janna

18/09/2023

Traveling halfway around the world to a new "country" is one thing, but moving and ending up in Alaska as immigrants from Africa is quite another! Yet the Karief family has embraced Anchorage with open arms and is truly grateful for this unique land of opportunity. A more tight-knit family would be difficult to find. Their motto is, "Family: Where love knows no bounds." May we welcome them warmly to our ever-growing, diverse community at large.
~Janna Hardy, Publisher

07/08/2023

Robbie Swann had a dream about a magical playground that occupied her mind during the isolation of COVID. She wanted to create this playground on their spare lot next door, to bring the children and community together, and what an outpouring it has been! She and her husband Marvin Colgin worked hard to make that dream into a reality, and nearly 2.5 years later, the laughter she hears everyday as the children play fills her heart with joy.
~Janna Hardy, Publisher