Contributed by Charice Chambers
Catherine Reitz displays her salmon sandwich.
Catherine Reitz sat quietly savoring a self-created fresh salmon sandwich. With a smile on her face, she explained that she was remembering the old days back east. There she shared Sabbath with the rabbi. Then she enjoyed lox and bagels, now fresh-caught salmon on fresh-baked bread: nearly heavenly. For Judy Gardner, the fresh salmon dinner brought back childhood memories of fishing with her brothers on their boat, and hours spent, lines in the water, at the end of a dock on a lazy summer day.
For many seniors, the chance to enjoy fresh caught salmon is a luxury. Many no longer have access to this Alaskan treat. Fortunately, Northern District Setnetters has, for the 6th consecutive year, donated fresh silver salmon to the Palmer Senior Center. Silvers for Seniors, as this annual event has become known, was the brainchild of fisherwoman, Page Herring. She encouraged members of Northern District Setnetters to donate a portion of one day’s catch to the Center. Their response was enthusiastic. Even in a year in which they were operating under many restrictions, Northern District Setnetters donated even more silvers than in the past. Herring was gratified. For fisherman like Trevor Rollman, it was a no-brainer. His father moved to Alaska in 1969, and the family began set netting in the 70s. Rollman was born into the business and fished their site on the Kenai Peninsula north of Nikiski from his youth. Today, a teacher in the Mat-Su, Rollman believes that, “It is our responsibility to give back to the community, particularly seniors.”
Viewing tote of silver salmon, from left chef Phyllis Moore, Northern Setnetter Page Herring, MSSS Facilities Manager Lowell Burgett and ChoreRespite Manager Beth Westland.
Since the inception of Silvers for Seniors, Copper River Seafoods has done much to make the event a success. Each year, the company has provided a tote with ice to haul fish from the Port of Anchorage to the Center in Palmer. They have donated fish as well. Created by a trio for Cordovan fishermen, it was, and is, the company’s goal to bring a better product to market. Insistent on iced and bled fish, the company believes that salmon represent a limited natural resource that must be cared for and respected. According to Representative Billy Green, Copper River Seafoods has always tried to support the community. Giving to seniors is a form of repayment. These are the “folks who got us here as a generation. They helped us and now it makes me feel good to do something nice for them.”
According to Matsu Senior Services head chef, Phyllis More, the over 100 fish will be put to good use. The center will be able provide nearly 250 meals for local seniors.
and an additional 130 meals for local home bound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. Additional salmon will be used in salads and salmon soup throughout the fall season.
In fiscal year 2017, Mat-Su Senior Services provided 24,403 nutritious congregate noontime meals in their community dining facility. Additionally, 55,208 meals were delivered to homebound senior and eligible individuals during the same period.
According to MSSS Executive Director Fred Traber, donations such as Silvers for Seniors are a much-needed supplement to achieve both financial and nutritional food goals of the Center.
