In honor of Mothers’ Day we pay tribute to Mom. We’ll meet an Anchorage teen who already teaches parenting class and learn about becoming a therapeutic foster mom. Plus, interviews with the mothers of two world-class Alaskan athletes who’ve faced some pretty tough odds — Kikkan Randall and Lance Mackey — and the legend of Sinrock Mary.
All that and more this week on AK, heard statewide on local APRN stations statewide.
Teaching Moms-To-Be
More than 1,200 teenage girls give birth in Alaska every year. Many find themselves wondering: what happens next? Katie Zager of the Alaska Teen Media Institute (ATMI) introduces us to the Power Teen Clinic, an organization that helps answer that question, as well as others.
Deborah Randall
Anchorage resident Deborah Randall has three children: Kalli is graduating from high school this year and Tanner has his own knitted clothing line and studies fashion design in New York. But Deborah’s most well-known child is her oldest: cross-country skier Kikkan Randall. AK host Rebecca Sheir talks with Deborah about the family’s adventures, past and present.
- Break: “Motorcycle Mama” performed by Sailcat from Karaoke: Sunny 70’s – Singing to the Hits
Therapeutic Foster Care
Sometimes children getting out of residential treatment programs need a “step down” before returning to their biological families. AK host Rebecca Sheir visits the home of Marilyn and Dennis Moore, therapeutic foster parents licensed through Alaska Childrens’ Services.
- Music Button: “Your Mother Should Know” performed by Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen from The Pye Jazz Anthology
Sinrock Mary
AK’s Ellen Lockyer tells us about a 19th century Alaskan woman who never had children of her own, though by all accounts she adopted several of them. Sinrock Mary made an indelible mark on Alaska’s history, as a successful businesswoman in a man’s business world.
- Calendar of Events (“Pistol Packin’ Mama (Karaoke Version)” performed by Stingray Music from Karaoke – In the Style of Al Dexter and His Troopers, Vol. 1 – Single)
On Beauty
A couple of weeks ago, poet performers gathered in downtown Anchorage to mark National Poetry Month. But one poet, Corinna Delgado, was also eulogizing her mother.
- Break: “When You’re Good to Mama” from Karaoke – Sing Chicago Movie Musical
My Two Moms
When Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day in 1914, there probably weren’t many two-mom families like the one led by Martha Murray and Jenifer Shapland of Juneau. They’ve been together for almost 23 years and are raising two boys. AK’s Scott Burton spoke to the family about life with two moms.
Kathie Smith
AK host Rebecca Sheir interviews Kathie Smith, the mother of mushers Jason and Lance Mackey, and 18-year-old Wesley. In 2001, Lance was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. In 2007, he became the first person to win both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year. He did it again in 2008. But Kathie says that her boy has always remained humble.
- Music Button: “My Mom” performed by Tony Bennett from The Playground
Listen To the Elders: Bill Barnes
Alaska Native Elder Bill Barnes, originally from Cordova, talks about his mother. Series produced by Phillip Blanchett for Koahnic Broadcast Corporation.
Rika Murphy
Hazel Felton lives in Anchorage and works for CIRI, but she grew up on the Kenai Peninsula. Her mother was the first chief of the Kenaitze Indian tribe. She spoke with AK’s Jessica Cochran.
- Closing: “Papa Loves Mambo (Mama Loves Mambo)” performed by Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra from The Originals: Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra – Latin Rhythms for Dancing (Remastered)
