The Fascinating Story of Alaska's Own, Matanuska Maid Dairy
Did you know that a local high school student gave the dairy its name? And did you know that the Matanuska Maid had a name?
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A drawing of a young lady on ice skates wearing a fur-trimmed parka was on every Matanuska Maid product. You’ll meet her shortly.
Most people in Alaska had a carton of Matanuska Maid milk on the table at breakfast. The young lady on the carton was known as the Matanuska Maid.
The dairy got its start in around 1935 as a cooperative created by the colonists who put together the town of Palmer, Alaska.
In its first year, the co-op sold 5,458 pounds of butter and 26,000 eggs.
By the 1940s, they were producing more than $1 million dollars in annual sales.
A 1935 Colony Farm
The photo above shows the Raymond Rebarchek farm.
Hey, we need a Name!
The Matanuska colony decided, in 1935, that the dairy cooperative should have a name.
A contest was held, and an interesting thing happened.
Dorothy Ann Sheely, a local high school student, came up with the chosen name. Instead of Matanuska “Made”, she came up with Matanuska “Maid”. Her prize was $25. And that was a nice sum in 1935.
Pictured above is Dorothy Ann Sheely Bush in 1993, she was the school girl who won the dairy naming contest. Also pictured is her mom, Charlotte Sheely with Dorothy in 1935.
BONUS
In 1960, Matanuska Maid wanted a name for the young lady ice skater featured on their dairy products.
Mrs. John Secora of Anchorage came up with the name, “Anuska” which was the contest winner.
Notice that Anuska is Matanuska without the “Mat”.
Yes, You Can Share this Edition
It’s so easy to share this edition of Alaska Stories with your friends or family or even co-workers… And when you do, they will be so happy that they will write a hit song about you that will make you famous… Well, it could happen.
Click on the following link:
A TV Weather Girl and the Matanuska Maid
In the photo above is Phyllis Hayes.
Before Anchorage, Alaska’s KENI-TV, channel 2 weather girl, Theda Comstock stood behind the weather map, astonishing everyone with her ability to write backwards (it was really a camera trick), Phyllis Hayes was presenting the nightly TV weather.
But Phyllis had another fun personality.
Everyone in Anchorage, and throughout Alaska, wanted to see “Anuska”, the Matanuska Maid, in person. So, the dairy chose Phyllis and some other delightful ladies, to dress up in the famous fur-trimmed outfit and meet all those eager Matanuska Maid fans at gatherings, events, and parades all over Alaska.
A Fun Memory
When Mary of Alaska Stories was a young girl in Anchorage, she used to sit at the breakfast table with her seven brothers and sisters. As they enjoyed their hot or cold cereal, they would read what was on the Matanuska Maid milk carton and scrape off the wax with their thumbnail. Then they would rotate the carton, scrape wax from the other side, then the other, then… well, you get the picture.
Did you enjoy reading cereal boxes and milk cartons at breakfast? Do you still read them?
Matanuska Maid
Like so many things, Anuska, the Matanuska Maid, has hung up her ice skates for good. And Matanuska Maid, that began in 1935, has delivered its last quart of milk.
For our purposes here at Alaska Stories, it doesn’t matter why it’s gone, only that we still have the memories.
For so many years, Matanuska Maid was ours… and we loved it.
From Our North Stars (that’s you)
From our Alaska Gold Rush edition
Avril wrote:
“I always find out something new even though I lived there for 12 years. It's truly amazing how these gold rush people lived in tents and survived.”
Jeanne shared this:
“My maternal grandfather was one of those who left Skagway for Whitehorse to look for gold and his sister, my great aunt, was a “dancehall girl” during the gold rush.
My grandfather didn't strike it rich, but moved to Juneau, where he married, and my mother was born. My aunt “retired” to the Bay Area for the rest of her life.
Reading your story reminded me of what my mother told me. I never had the opportunity to know either my grandfather or aunt. Just heard the stories.”
Tom had this memory:
“In the late 1970s while living in Juneau, my brother and brother-in-law from Anchorage decided we would hike the Chilkoot Trail. After meeting in Skagway, we decided to walk the 9 miles to the trailhead (Dyea) rather than wait for a ride.
Climbing the steps with a full pack with only minimal provisions was tough, making us realize what the prospectors endured. There was a Mountie stationed at the top as we crossed into Canada. After spending a night at a cabin, we made it to Lake Bennett and enjoyed lunch and a train ride on the White Pass & Yukon RR back to Skagway.”
Connect with Mike and Mary
Great memories of Matanuska Maid.
Now are you hungry for some breakfast cereal in a bowl full of Matanuska Maid milk? We are.
Do you have a comment? You can reach us by replying to this email.
Or, you can Contact Us to say, “I loved the Matanuska Maid Dairy.”
Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Alaska Stories
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