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Public Health nurse retires after three decades

After a 30 years of practicing nursing in Petersburg, working with parents and children, and promoting public health programs, Marlene Cushing is retiring. The long-time Public Health Nurse was honored for her many years of service last month by the Petersburg Childrens Center as “The Champion of Children for 2008”. Cushing took over as public health nurse here in 1978 when she and her husband Dave moved from Ketchikan. Matt Lichtenstein recently spoke with her about the many changes she’s seen in local public health over the decades:

Remembering a fishing pioneer

It’s been more than a half century since Alaskan fishermen began to fish king crab commercially. In southeast Alaska, one of those crabbing pioneers was Lloyd Pederson of Petersburg, who passed away at the age of 87 on March 30th
Pederson began longlining at the age of 14 with his father Hilmer aboard the arcade….eventually he went on to buy his own boat, the Middleton, in 1953. He fished her for another 40 years after that. He decided to prospect for king crab in southeast in the late 1950’s, making his own pots and other specialized gear. The commercial fishery that he helped develop gave a boost to Petersburg’s wintertime economy, providing more work for boats, crew and canneries. Pederson later took the unusual step of having his daughter jean crew aboard his boat at a time when women were not commonly hired as deckhands. Pederson was prominent for his activism in the industry but also for his sense of humor. Many locals remember his 1963 rambler station wagon, wildly decorated with everything from bouy bags to planters. In simple terms, Jean Curry describes her father as a good man……Matt Lichtenstein recently asked Curry about her dad.

Historic shrimper more than just a boat

Petersburg lost a piece of its history in April, when the fishing vessel Charles W slipped quietly beneath the calm waters of Frederick Sound. The 108-year old schooner was listed on the national register of historic places but without enough funding for restoration, she had to be scuttled. For those who knew her, the Charles W was an icon of Petersburg’s past. Once a mainstay of the local economy, she represented a way of life and livelihood for several generations of fishermen and seafood processors.
Matt Lichtenstein produced this story:

ASAA approves new statewide drug and alcohol policy

For the first time, high school sports and activities will be subject to a statewide policy against tobacco, alcohol, and drug use. The new rules include both consequences and an educational requirement for students who get into trouble. The Alaska School Activities Association approved the policy during its meeting in Petersburg.

Fishing pioneer remembered

It’s been more than a half century since Alaskan fishermen began to fish king crab commercially. In southeast Alaska, one of those crabbing pioneers was Lloyd Pederson of Petersburg, who passed away at the age of 87 on March 30th
Pederson began longlining at the age of 14 with his father Hilmer aboard the arcade….eventually he went on to buy his own boat, the Middleton, in 1953. He fished her for another 40 years after that. He decided to prospect for king crab in southeast in the late 1950’s, making his own pots and other specialized gear. The commercial fishery that he helped develop gave a boost to Petersburg’s wintertime economy, providing more work for boats, crew and canneries. Pederson later took the unusual step of having his daughter jean crew aboard his boat at a time when women were not commonly hired as deckhands. Pederson was prominent for his activism in the industry but also for his sense of humor. Many locals remember his 1963 rambler station wagon, wildly decorated with everything from bouy bags to planters. In simple terms, Jean Curry describes her father as a good man. Matt Lichtenstein recently asked Curry about her dad.