Dave Kiffer - Alaskan Poet, Historian, Humorist

  Begich plane disappeared 50 years ago Two US Congressmen disappeared on ill-fated flight Even after half a century, it remains the most famous missing plane in Alaskan history. On Oct. 16, 1972, a Cessna 310C, tail number N1812H, lifted off from Anchorage International Airport for a three plus hour trip to Juneau. It never arrived and the disappearance would reverberate through Alaskan and national politics for decades. Because of Alaska's size, lack of roads and often bad weather, it is not unusual for planes, particularly small ones, to come to grief. And for much of Alaska's history is has not been unusual for planes to completely disappear in the vast wilderness and the open ocean. But with modern electronics and communications, most lost planes are eventually found. When the Cessna, carrying two US Congressmen, failed to arrive in Juneau, it sparked one of the longest and most expenses searches in American history, but no trace of t...

  " If you have an election last ​ ing more than ..." Welp, we - an d the country an d state - survived an other election . There were enough disappointing results to satisfy everyone an d keep the pundits punditing for an other two years. By then, it will be time to have a presidential election an d .... well, I don't even want to think about that. So, what did I personally learn during this election season? I am so glad you asked. My landline still works. Just about every day of the last month of the election cycle, between noon an d 1 pm, it rang. I was home for lunch most days. I watched it ring. It was from someplace like Dayton, Ohio or Pierre, South Dakota. Wherever the call centers were located. They never left a message. Of course, the phone rang other times during the day from such equally weird locations. But it was never an yone I wanted to talk to. So, I just screened an d didn't an swer. But it rang. Must have driven the cats crazy all...

  A Southeast Cruise , Circa 2025 On board the SS MegaMinnow, November 17, 2025 Dear A untie Ethylene, I just wanted to take a minute to tell you how much we a re enjoying our cruise to A laska, the one you suggested we take last year. We were a little concerned a bout going so late in the year, but you were a bsolutely right, we saved a ton of money. I can’t believe it but we snagged the seven-day tour for $150, mostly inclusive, a nd they even upgraded us to a “captains suite” with not one, but two outside windows! Of course, the weather has been less than optimal, but your suggestion that we bring extra dimenhydrinate pills was a life saver.  I have never slept better than when we bucked into that 110-mile-per-hour hurricane between Juneau a nd Ketchikan last night. Talk a bout rock a bye baby, I felt snugger than a seabug in a searug.  Wouldn't have even known a bout the chancy weather except that the lifeboat outside our window was gone when we woke up....

  POEM #423 . CONTROLLED BURN . (copyright 2022, by Dave Kiffer) . Microscopic ash will linger in the air For weeks. . To remind us Of our lingering loss With every breeze . Even without frames The body of the house Continues to exist . Just like the lives Of all the people Who ever stayed there. . An old house With much more Than its three stories

  Autumn Cine . (Copyright 2022 by Dave Kiffer) . November is the last reel of summer, The sunny heroine clinging bravely To the edge of the tall building. . The wind that will break her loose, And send her spinning down, Has already began to muster. . The sun brightly lights her eyes But its warmth has already fled, Credits rolling, from the chill to come.

  POEM #426 BLACK FRIDAY . (Copyright 2022, by Dave Kiffer) . In the dream I am slick in the Red Serge, Taller in my Stetson, Striding in my Strathconas, Brass buttons blinding all, My head proudly propped by the starched tunic collar, My tummy tucked By a Sam Browne. . Which is odd, because I am neither a Mountie Or a Canadian. But there you have it. Mom would have been proud She always loved the Mounties And their Red Serge And puffy breeches With the yellow stripes. . I am also in a Walmart But not the local one Where they would Have been surprised By my Mountie kit. It is Black Friday But it must be Canada Because the shoppers Are not fighting. . I am not shopping. I am trying to avoid two Mountie Constables Who are obviously looking For something in the store Although I am not sure It is me. I assume that if They see me, I must salute. I am afraid I will do it wrong. . So, I dart around people Thronging the bait and switch sales And the dream goes on and on An endless loop lik...

  Seeking the Right to Vote A century ago, Native Leaders Charlie Jones and Tillie Paul were charged with a crime November 7, 1922 was a lovely day in Wrangell. We know that because Judge James WIckersham, then living in Wrangell, noted it in his diary the "fine weather." But there was a storm brewing that even Wickersham, the longtime Alaska political leader, was unaware of. And the storm would establish once and for all, that the Native residents of Alaska would have the right to vote, no matter what obstacles were put in their way by the power structure. At the center of the debate were Charlie Jones, also known as Chief Shakes VII, and Matilda " Tillie " Paul . Jones, who had voted before in Wrangell elections, wanted to vote that day. When the poll workers said no, he came back with help from Tillie Paul . Both were charged with breaking the law. The question of whether or not Jones could vote was based on a disagreement over w...

  SOUTHEAST LOG   10-29-22 Crash knocks out internet PRINCE RUPERT - Residents of Northwest BC (and southern Southeast Alaska) were without internet service overnight last week after a vehicle knocked over several transmission poles near Burns Lake. Officials say service was resumed by the next morning. THE PRINCE RUPERT NORTHERN VIEW $3M for landslide mitigation SKAGWAY - The borough assembly will spend more than $3 million to help mitigate future landslides at the Railroad Dock. The idea is to make it possible for smaller sized cruise ships to still use the dock. It had been estimated that it would cost more than $40 million to make the dock usable for larger cruise ships. THE SKAGWAY NEWS New mental health facility being built TERRACE - Work has begun on an expanded Seven Sisters mental health facility, officials say. The new facility will have 40 rather than 20 beds and will replace the building that is being torn down to make room for the new community hosp...