July 01, 2023
Get to know the Mount Marathon race
Every 4th of July, people from near and far flock to our town of Seward, Alaska for the famous Mount Marathon race, one of the oldest of its kind in America. Often referred to as “the toughest 5k on the planet,” the Mount Marathon race sees competitors start in downtown Seward, race 2,974 feet up Mount Marathon, and return to town. The average uphill speed for competitors is 2mph, while the average downhill speed is a whopping 12mph. This is an event that shouldn’t be missed!
The origin story of the Mount Marathon race says that it started as a bet made in a bar between two “sourdoughs” – people who have spent several winters in Alaska, making them long-term residents – about whether it was possible to make it up Mount Marathon and back down again in under an hour. One sourdough said it would be possible, the other bet against him, and so the Mount Marathon race was born! In case you’re wondering how that bet played out, the optimistic sourdough lost, with a there-and-back time of 1 hour and 2 minutes.
It’s unclear what year that original bet took place, but the race became officially recognized back in 1915 and has been held nearly every year since then, only being missed in years with groundbreaking or catastrophic events, such as the construction of the Alaska Railroad, WW2, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the years, the race itself has grown and changed – the race now has a clearly defined course; men, women, and juniors all have their own races held throughout the day; and that 1 hour and 2-minute original time has been blown out of the water. The current overall course record was set in 2016 by Anchorage-based competitor, David Norris, with a time of 41 minutes and 26 seconds.
The original bet may have been between just two men, but today’s race sees up to 350 competitors in both the men's and women’s races, and up to 300 juniors (split between boys and girls). Qualifying for the Mount Marathon race is a feat in itself, with more people wanting to run the race each year than there are spots available. As a result, an entry mechanic had to be devised specifically for the race and includes a combination of qualifying times, sponsored spots, lottery winners, and even a raffle.
This year marks the 95th Mount Marathon race, and it’s bound to be another one for the books, with a record number of first-time racers and lottery winners – we can’t wait to see how it’s going to play out!
If you want to learn more about this year’s race, the Mount Marathon Race Committee’s annual race guide is available now, which you can find HERE.
June 27, 2023
Meet the Team Tuesday: Jessica Fry
Meet the Team Tuesday is back, and today we’re telling you all about Seward’s own Jessica Fry! Jessica is a born-and-raised Alaskan who has lived in Seward since moving from Anchorage twenty years ago.
Jessica is currently enrolled in the dental hygiene college at the University of Alaska Anchorage, which is a highly competitive program, so we’re incredibly happy to call her part of the FTT Family when school is out of session. This summer, Jessica is splitting her time between the sales floor and online classes to get ahead at school – she’s a real powerhouse!
Jessica is Alaskan Native Yupik on her mom’s side, so giving back to local communities is something that she holds close to her heart. Once she graduates, Jess plans to work as a dental hygienist in Seward at her local native clinic, and we’re all rooting for her!
Jessica has a number of favorite brands that we carry in-store, but her overall fave is Patagonia – especially the Nano Puff jacket and the Synchilla fleece. Jessica likes how versatile and environmentally conscious Patagonia is as a brand, and has a number of different products in her wardrobe that come in handy for life in Alaska.
Jessica’s other favorite brand that we carry is Ruff Wear – the perfect gear for your furry friend! Jessica has a seven-year-old English Shepherd called Ruby, and Ruff Wear is their go-to from front-range harnesses to frisbee toys. They love going on outdoor adventures together, so pet gear is a must-have for Jessica.
Outside of work, Jessica has a number of hobbies including horseback riding, snowboarding, hiking, spending time at the beach, reading, art, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
To round off our blog, we asked Jessica for a fun fact, and she said, “Ruby and I have the same birthday (October 23rd)! Proving she’s the perfect dog for me/I was destined to have her! A lot of my family pets have shared birthdays and anniversaries with my various family members,” how cool is that?!
June 12, 2023
Today is Tuesday and that calls for another round of Meet the Team! Today we’re introducing you to the warehouse team’s firecracker, Maddie!
Maddie is our resident shoe expert, as well as a member of the warehouse dream team where she helps with restocking and shipping out your online orders. She may be small, but she has a mighty presence behind-the-scenes here at FTT.
Maddie moved to Seward in April of this year, and is loving it so far! She is originally from Southern California, but spent last summer living and working in Seldovia, Alaska where she realized how much she loves the freedom Alaska affords. As Maddie put it, being in Alaska was “her destiny,” and she’s not planning on leaving anytime soon.
When asked about her favorite products that we offer in-store, Maddie chose the Antler Dream Catchers by local artist, Vicky Johnson. Each dream catcher is handmade in Alaska, one-of-a-kind, and made from shed caribou antlers. These products really capture the spirit of Alaska, while also (hopefully) bringing some sweet dreams.
Maddie is also passionate about brands that keep sustainability at their heart, such as Rumpl. Maddie says, “I will always recommend the Rumpl blankets because they are lightweight and super warm. They are also made from recycled water bottles and ethically sourced down.”
When she’s not at work, Maddie loves getting outside and exploring the beauty of the landscape around her. You can often find her exploring new waterfalls and hiking trails in her time off, as well as researching the plants and animals of Alaska.
Growing up in Southern California, Maddie is a big fan of the beach, so living in Seward allows her the opportunity to get out on the water, which she loves. She’s also a keen surfer and hopes to one day surf the Bore Tide in Turnagain Arm.
Finally, we asked Maddie for a fun fact that may surprise people, and we learned that she can do a backflip – pretty cool if you ask us!
June 01, 2023
Local Spotlight: Seward Pride Alliance
Today marks the start of Pride Month, and to celebrate, we caught up with Seward Pride Alliance (SPA) President, Anthony Baclaan (he/him) to learn a little more about the organization. We also learned about how SPA has benefitted from past donations to the Seward Community Foundation, and how YOU can get involved!
What is your name & pronouns and your position within the Seward Pride Alliance (SPA)?
Anthony Baclaan (He/Him), President Seward Pride Alliance
How long have you been involved with SPA?
I have been a founding member since the group's inception in 2019 and President since 2021.
Can you tell us a little about the mission of SPA?
Our mission is to provide Seward with inclusive resources, education, and outreach that fosters a strong, engaged community of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. We do this through community events like our most recent trivia night, or our alphabet soup panel discussion, also through community meetings, and our awesome fundraising events like our Santa Ball and Mermaid Festival Booth. But most importantly it’s about visibility. Being an out-and-proud member of our group or wearing one of our shirts has the biggest impact in this community.
When someone knows they are loved and they know who they can trust, they know they are not alone and they are safe. It is those who suffer in silence that need us the most. It is showing the next generation that it is ok to embrace diversity and inclusion. And even the visitors to our town know that everyone is loved in Seward.
How do/have donations from the Seward Community Foundation impacted SPA?
Most of our donations go towards executing our annual Pride Weekend in June. We have numerous events and try to make them low-cost or free of charge. We hand out a lot of resources, stickers, and buttons and we have in the past supported some events for the Seward High School Pride Club. We also have a BIG surprise hopefully coming this spring!
What events do you have coming up and how can people get involved?
Pride weekend is coming up from June 8th to the 11th. You can find info for all the amazing events on our social media or website.
Where can we find you online?
Or Facebook, Instagram, and Venmo @sewardpride
For apparel, visit bonfire.com and search “Seward Pride”
Anything else you’d like to add?
With Pride Week coming up we are giving out free Progress Pride flags to any business who would like to put one up for Pride Weekend. If you are interested please contact us at
Sewardpride.info@gmail.com and we can bring one by.
Round-up donations that you make online or in-store at FTT help to fund the Seward Community Foundation and the local organizations they support, such as the Seward Pride Alliance – from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continued support! Happy Pride Month!
May 29, 2023 1 Comment
Meet the Team Tuesday: Travis Enter
We’re back with another edition of Meet the Team Tuesday – this week we’re shining a spotlight on co-manager and behind-the-scenes powerhouse, Travis Enter!
Travis heads up our warehouse team as the back-of-house manager, ensuring that online orders remain speedy and stock is always ready to shop. You won’t always find Travis on the shop floor, but his presence is always felt!
Travis has called Seward home since December of 2021, and we’re privileged to call him part of the FTT Family.
We challenged Travis to pick one of his favorite brands that we offer online and in-store – he chose family business and close friends of FTT, Birch Grove Studios, based in Wasilla, AK! Travis loves the range of products offered by Birch Grove Studios, from hand-stamped mugs to honey pots. Travis especially loves the mountain design that can be found on mugs and bowls here at FTT.
Outside of work, Travis loves to explore Alaska, going on as many hikes as he can. He especially enjoys adventuring with his furry friend Burt, who loves to accompany him on long walks. Travis is also a keen photographer who loves to capture the beauty of Alaska and beyond! He will be visiting Scotland next year and can’t wait to bring his camera along.
At FTT, Travis is known for his daily “would you rather” questions for the team and always has one on hand and ready to go, we asked him to think of one for this blog, so here goes: Would you rather be able to travel an unlimited amount with no money, or have unlimited money but never get to travel? Next time you stop by, be sure to let Travis know your answer!
May 17, 2023
Last time you stopped by Forests, Tides & Treasures in the Seward Small Boat Harbor, you probably couldn't help but notice the colorful displays of bags, coats, and fleece jackets from one of our favorite vendor partners, Cotopaxi.
We love Cotopaxi and especially admire their commitment to making their communities a better place to live. Cotopaxi founder, Davis Smith, grew up in Latin America where he saw first-hand the hardships that resulted from unequal access to opportunity. Smith looked to create a business model that was geared towards community support but also had a low impact on the planet. From this idea, and his passion, Cotopaxi was born. Today, Cotopaxi prides itself on being active in communities across Latin America with a special focus on those that are under-served and under-represented.
Today, Cotopaxi is all about GEAR FOR GOOD® – they’re B Corp certified, carbon neutral, sustainably made & repaired, and people-minded, which means there’s even more to love about their stand-out products.
The most popular Cotopaxi line, Del Día, are bags made using only repurposed fabric, meaning each pack is totally unique. The Del Día line includes everything from 42L travel packs to fanny packs, so you’re bound to find your perfect color combination in a size that speaks to you.
We are also big fans of the Teca Fleece Jackets, which come in both women’s and men’s sizes. These are made from recycled and repurposed materials and feature pops of Cotopaxi signature colors. The Teca Fleece Jacket is an every-season essential in Alaska, no doubt!
We’re proud to carry Cotopaxi both in-store and online here at Forests, Tides & Treasures, and we’d be thrilled to help you find the Cotopaxi product that best suits your lifestyle. Stop in to talk to us about the full Cotopaxi line or feel free to shop our collections available online. We can’t wait to see what you choose!
May 09, 2023
Meet the Team Tuesday: Cassie Desrochers
Here at Forests, Tides & Treasures, we believe that we’re always better together, and that starts with having a strong team! As a way to help you get to know our rockstar crew, this summer we’ll be featuring the faces of the FTT Family.
Our first featured team member is Cassie Desrochers, co-manager and friendly front-of-house face of Forests, Tides & Treasures.
Cassie moved to Alaska six years ago and spent time living in Portage, Girdwood, and Anchorage before arriving in Seward in 2020. She’s been an asset to the FTT Family since 2021, and we’re so pleased to have her!
When it comes to favorite brands and products that we carry in-store, Cassie has a hard time picking her faves because she loves everything! There wouldn’t be any fun in letting her get away with that answer, though, so, when pushed, Cassie says that one of her favorite brands we carry is Cotopaxi, and she loves everything about them. The Kapai 3L Hip Pack is the Cotopaxi product that Cassie uses most often, but she recently added the 1.5-liter version to her collection too.
Outside of work, Cassie is a keen hiker, and one of her favorite local spots is the stunningly scenic Vagt Lake Trail in the Chugach National Forest. When Cassie isn’t enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors, she likes to curl up with a good book, such as The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune, a book she’d recommend everyone read. Cassie also loves to travel, and her dream vacation would be a trip to Vietnam & Thailand.
Finally, we asked Cassie for a fun fact and she said, “I currently live in a 500 sq ft yurt with my fiancé, two dogs, and a kitten.”
If you stop by Forests, Tides & Treasures this summer, ask Cassie to see more pictures of Noodle, the cutest kitten ever, she has a whole folder on her phone dedicated to Noodle!
June 27, 2022
Tarryn Zerbinos
Vibrant is a word often used to describe Tarryn Zerbinos’s acrylic paintings. She enjoys mixing realism and abstract art to create a world that is thought provoking and warms your heart and home. She pulls inspiration from the world around her. This includes the mountains of Alaska, wildlife, traveling, and motherhood.
Tarryn was born in Alaska, but raised in Wisconsin. It was there she spent a short time studying fine art at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, before traveling to Utqiagvik, AK where her love for Alaska was rekindled. Quickly her two week visit in Utqiagvik transitioned to a permanent move. It wasn’t until a few years down the road when she had her two children, that she realized she needed to get back into doing what she loves, which is creating. She now spends her time living in Anchorage, AK painting murals, windows for businesses, creating art on her down time, and exploring the backcountry of Alaska with her husband, her two sons, and their dog.
Can you tell us about your "process" / if there's a certain way you go about deciding your subjects/compositions - or favorite things to capture?
- My favorite things to paint are underwater critters and sunsets. I am in awe when I see a sunset in real life and I am so inspired to capture every color.
What is your favorite art form?
- Painting- specifically murals, there’s nothing like painting on a giant wall and then standing back to see the whole picture come together.
When did you first start creating?
- I’ve been creating my whole life but I didn’t start to hone in on my craft until I was around 17 years old.
What inspires you to create your work?
- Alaska is my biggest inspiration however I do tend to paint with my heart so whatever is on my heart in the moment tends to come out on canvas. When I was transitioning out of nursing my youngest I went through a phase of creating more maternal pieces.
What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska?
-I love flying in the backcountry of Alaska with my family. We love finding little beaches to land on and camp on Prince William Sound. There’s nothing like the sea breeze and watching otters and seals play around in the water.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
-Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The world needs your art now more than ever.
May 01, 2022
Seward First Fridays- Women in Wellness!
We are so excited to kick off the 2022 First Friday Art Walk series here in Seward AK on May 6th from 6p to 8pm at our Forests Tides & Treasures Shop. We will be featuring Seward local Wellness providers Carly Locke and Lavina Dickinson. These two women literally changed our lives for the better over these last 18 months helping us overcome some very challenging physical conditions. We believe in our hearts that they can help just about anyone live a more comfortable and complete life through their wellness techniques of acupuncture and massage therapy. We invite you to come listen to what they have to share, participate in actual demonstrations of their crafts, sample some of their wares and maybe even take something home with you at the end of the night.
Women in Wellness
Carly Locke is a board-certified acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in pain management, functional movement, and holistic facial and skincare services. She serves our community through her business Alchemy Wellness.
Lavina Dickinson is a Coast Guard veteran, second generation LMT massage therapist, and wellness educator. She is passionate about taking a holistic approach to bodywork. She loves utilizing her knowledge of anatomy, energetics, and mindfulness to affect positive outcomes for her clientele.
Starting at 6:15pm and 7:15pm, each will talk about their craft, demonstrate their techniques, and introducing you to some of their go-to products while answering any questions you might have about everything wellness.
What will they cover?
Carly: her goal is to help you understand what acupuncture is and how it can improve your life and wellbeing.
Carly will also be making a variety of natural wellness products used in her practice Alchemy Wellness shop available for purchase:
Lavina Dickinson, LMT
Lavina: her goal is help you understand how Bodywork can enhance your life and affect positive outcomes through a holistic wellness approach.
Lavina will also be making a variety of products and packages available for purchase:
We look forward to seeing this Friday- May 6th- from 6p-8p.
Our store is located in the Seward Harbor at 1317 4th Ave
You can reach us my phone wirth any questions- 907-831-1995
Please feel free to contact us via email as well at info@fttreasures.com
Thanks to all and be well!
The FTT Family
January 02, 2022 1 Comment
Tom was born and raised in Seward. He and four brothers grew up playing in the woods and exploring the mountains. Many years ago Tom was driving to Long Beach to attend a course in underwater diving for construction. Cathy was heading Outside to visit family, and a mutual friend suggested they make the drive together down the Alcan…. So they headed down the highway together and reconnected that spring - the rest became history!
Tom and Cathy Gillespie have lived decades in their home in Bear Creek, raising their two now-adult sons, Dylan and Austin, to whom they passed on their passion for the outdoors. Free time was commonly spent hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing and camping.
Tom worked as a heavy equipment operator for Metco in Seward for close to three decades. During this career, he spent countless hours working in raging creeks and under the waterfall on Lowell Point Rd during floods. In the winters, he would be up at 3 a.m. clearing borough roads during blizzards. He was an amazing operator, no matter which equipment he was on. “People would often tell me how they enjoyed watching him work - with his concentration and finesse,” Cathy recalled proudly.
Cathy had retired from Seaview Community Services not long before Tom got sick. He was still working for Metco when she retired, but Tom’s retirement and travel was in their plans.
Tom, who had always been tireless, began experiencing fatigue a couple years ago, but kept on going. He had a variety of tests but none of them were conclusive. Last January, he was at work and had a difficult time holding his pen. When this didn’t get better he went to the ER in Seward, where he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was shocking and rocked our worlds. "We had been thinking it might be a pinched nerve but it never occurred to us that it would be a tumor," Cathy explained.
So began the trips to Anchorage. After his initial MRI, we went up for the brain biopsy. It was supposed to be an overnight stay but he had a stroke that night in the hospital, leaving him with paralysis on his right side and inability to speak - needing 24/7 care. So began almost four months in the hospital. He was diagnosed with lymphoma and began chemotherapy by way of a port in his chest.
Originally, Cathy wasn’t able to visit him at all due to covid restrictions but later was able to have limited visitation. Cathy spent the winter hotel hopping and coming home on weekends to check on the house, mail, etc. While in Providence, his oncologist ordered a bone marrow scan, which showed that Tom also has a rare lymphoma called waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Tom had radiation treatments five days a week during the month of April.
Before Tom was finally released in June, friends and neighbors jumped in and built a wheelchair ramp, installed a stair chair and remodeled our bathroom to accommodate his disability. Friends, to this day, bring food and help in any way they can.
“We have gotten so much support from family and friends near and far, but the community of Seward has been incredible. We’ve always loved Seward [and being able] to call it home, but the people here are truly a special breed.”
The eldest Gillespie son, Austin, works for an engineering firm in Anchorage during the construction in spring, summer and fall. In winter he commercial fishes in the Bering Sea. When Tom was diagnosed they were able to get a call out to him, but decided it was best for him to stay on the boat. He was back in Anchorage in the spring, spending much time in Seward working on ADA projects for his dad. He will be leaving for fishing this month.
Dylan had been working at Resurrect Art Coffee House and was saving up to continue on his love for world travels. But when his dad got sick, Dylan and his girlfriend Ally changed their plans and stayed in Seward. Tom and Cathy own a vacation rental next door to their home, so they canceled all reservations, where Dylan and Ally currently live.
“[I am] so thankful to have them close by. The love both boys have for Tom is heartwarming.”
Currently, Tom is on a daily chemo pill at home; he’s very fatigued but fortunately hasn’t experienced many nasty side effects. He still needs around the clock care, of which Cathy takes on the majority. Tom has an MRI every three months–his last being early December–where results showed some decrease in his tumor and no new growth; the family and community are all hoping and praying for the best.
Friends in the Seward community continue to help in many ways, from bringing food, picking up groceries, splitting and bringing in firewood, helping Cathy organize and navigate massive piles of paperwork, and financial support. The help is extensive, and the list goes on.
“Tom and I wish we could thank each and every one but there are so many who have touched our lives through this. We just want everyone to know what it means to us.
That said, I almost felt like I was writing an obituary, writing about things he can no longer do. But he still keeps his sense of humor and positive outlook through all this. Our family has always been very close but this has brought us and the boys so much closer.”
Tom loves creating, and was known to have a knack for building with logs. Cathy claims Tom’s “biggest accomplishment is our log home on Bear Lake where we raised our family and still live.”
Cathy continues:
“Each winter when the lake froze over, he would put up a tree offshore and string it with lights. Tradition. This winter, our oldest son followed that tradition.”
As a nod to this tradition, and in honor of one of Seward’s finest, we’ve named our Polar Bear Jump Team “Tom’s TREEsures”. We plan to dress as trees to pay homage to his very own frozen tree on Bear Lake - with Tom’s son, Dylan Gillespie, and his girlfriend Ally, also on our team!
“He is very kind and would do anything for anyone. He has an incredible sense of humor and wit. Even through all this darkness, he continues to make us laugh.”
It is our hope and goal to raise funds and celebrate in a tradition that is very unique to Seward, all in the name of finding an end to cancer and to spread awareness of the good people whose lives are touched by its relentless hands.
We are grateful to know people like Tom, who for decades have built the wonderful community that we live in today. We are invigorated to fight against cancer, foster unity with our neighbors, and find even more ways to support the Gillespie family, and more.
We extend special gratitude for Cathy and family for their willingness to open up with us about Tom's story and allowing us to elevate cancer awareness (and its complications) on these platforms. Your strength and vulnerability is something to be admired and not taken for granted. Thank you.
December 30, 2021
To begin, we hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season with you and yours.
We began the year not sure what a post-covid year would look like in Seward, Alaska. There were so many different strategies being implemented around the US and world. It was hard to decipher what the most responsible way to navigate it all as responsible community members and a small buisness. To our surprise, however, the momentum of 2020 continued from the 1st days of 2022 and we were able to continue serving our community and visitors safely, responsibly and without disruption.
On the flip side, staffing was extremely challenging all year long for us. Having wound up with only half of the team we normally have for the summer, we were forced to close 2 days a week and open 3 hours less a day. But because of the mix of Team have and their perseverance, we still had a record season.
Familial surgeries at the beginning and end of year created additional challenges for us. Linda wound up having to shoulder most of the day-to-day duties during the height of the season. Luckily, there were lots of silver linings in all of this though; one being that we were able to stay on top of ordering and avoid a lot of the logistical challenges that so many experienced.
This year, it was especially exciting to watch one of our local staff members, Marisa Phasomsap, blossom into one of our top 10 selling artists. It's incredible to think just a year ago she started out selling hand-painted rocks in our shop. We are so proud of her. And she continues to stock our shelves with her work even now after after leaving for college in the Lower 48.
Great job, Marisa! We celebrate you and all that lays ahead for you.
Expanded Offerings & Top Hits
We were also fortunate to be able to continue to expand our reach across Alaska as a result of our expanded selections this year. Guests literally came from all over Southcentral Alaska to shop with us throughout the year. Some of the biggest hits were the addition of Salomon Shoes, Cotopaxi and Kavu clothing. We were also able to expand our selections of Salmon Sisters, Kuhl and Patagonia mercahndise with success. It tickled us to no end that Alaskiwear hats became our biggest hat line, hands-down this year.
Meg Smith and Annie Brace continued to lead the way in the Gallery, along with His Design metal wall art and Todd Salat’s Aurora Hunter photo prints. We started carrying Ivory Jacks jewelry and knives from Juneau, with their single and double Damascus axes becoming the biggest conversation pieces. We added coffee this year and enjoyed all the smells of Uncle Leroys out of Anchorage and Harborside Coffee out of Kodiak all year long..Ruffwear continued to be one of our anchor lines, so it was not surprising that adding dog treats Alaskins from Soldotna and Drool Central from Anchorage were such hits.
It’s really satisfying curating such an assortment. We are blessed to be able to work with all of these people, building relationships with each artist, artisan and vendor along the way.
We were especially lucky to grow our Team this year with a few even working remotely with us.
To say the least, 2022 is really looking good with this Team. We look forward to continuing to build it throughout the year. (We are still looking for a Warehouse manager and Retail clerks for the summer season. Send anyone interested to our Coolworks job posts: here!)
Giving back is a huge priority for us. Seward has a wide range of incredible organizations, nonprofits and businesses who put their hearts and souls back into this beautiful town, and in 2021 we strived to do our part as well.
We had the privilege of working with a range of organizations, including:
We have the groundwork laid to begin working with even more organizations in 2022 and will be unveiling a new 'Round-up" program in the Spring! It really does take all of us working together to address the serious challenges faced those living in our communities.
After a slew of cancellations in 2020, Seward was able to bring back the First Friday Art Walk Summer Series in 2021. It was so wonderful to participate in First Friday events throughout the summer, with both dear old friends and new artists alike.
One of the most unique First Fridays happened in July when we had Annie Brace (Corso Graphics) and all 3 of her kids participate together on that cold windy day. It was a mini art festival right under our awning! (You can read more about Annie, Eliza & Cooper in their Heart of Art entry: here!)
Only the 2 deliveries by Meg Smith (Meg Smith Design) made via her own bush plane could have topped the Brace Family Art-A-Palooza. Meg never ceases to amaze us with her jetsetting bada**ery in both her personal and professional endeavors, though. (In fact, you can learn more about her history with Art, Design & Airplanes in our Heart of Art blog entry: here!)
We must confess, though, that our top highlight of 2021 was when we streamed the Olympic heats of our local swimmer Lydia Jacoby live for you in the wee hours of the morning this summer. Our whole community came out and screamed oursleves hoarse crying together, hugging everyone around us as she went on to win both gold and silver medals in the Tokyo Olympics! Welcome to Seward Alaska - where we have more Olympic Medals than stoplights.
In 2022, we will be growing soon and can't wait to share all the news once we finalize everything and have signed on the dotted line. We are over the moon and deep into plans, designs and new collaborations to make it all happen.
In 2021, we were so proud to make our first foray into sponsoring local events, by being one of the co-sponsors of the 2021 New Years Eve fireworks last year. We decided to make it a tradition going forward and are also co-sponosring the Firewroks again this year. We will be streaming the fireworks live on our Facebook Page 12/31 at Midnight if you want to see!
We will also be ringing in the New Year by jumping in the frigid waters of Seward’s Boat Harbor for the Alaska Polar Bear Plunge, benefiting the American Cancer Society on January 15th. We are jumping in honour of a local dear to our hearts who is fighting cancer and also to raise awareness and funds for cancer survivors. Please keep your eye out for upcoming emails/posts on social media about how you can donate to support the cause!
As we wrap things up, it is not an exaggeration to say that none of this would be possible without you. Your patronage, support and participation make all this possible. You are our inspiration and the force that drives our FTT family. We would be less without each of you and all that you share with us. You make us better. We are forever grateful to each of you.
We always say that our store reflects all of you and 2022 will be no exception. Fun things are coming. Stay tuned… And keep on sharing!
We are better together. Always.
Thank you for being you and taking the time to share your lives with us.
All the best in 2022 for you and yours,
The FTT Family
Linda, Cliff, Deb, Mary, Cassie, Travis, Carol, Morgan, Smokey
Woof! Smokey Here!
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the belly rubs, ‘good boy’s, and daily treats this year.
And while many-a-canine will joke and say, “Life is Ruff”, and even though I strongly believe that the shop iRoomba is secretly run by an evil feline, it’s been wonderful to share this year with you all. If you stop in, know that my resolution for 2022 is to go through 32 moosey chews - so if you want to give a dog a bone… (*wink*)
Hope your next seven (dog) years bring you lots of belly rubs, and warm couches to stretch out on. Woof!