As news reporter at KHNS during the boom years of the Haines cruise ship industry, Ed May watched the reactions of tourists arriving here. After the scenery and the small-town charm, what they seemed to appreciate most were Alaskan stories.
“The guides who made the most money in tips were the ones who told the best stories. That got me thinking that Alaska’s greatest renewable resource is its stories, especially stories of the genuine Alaskan lifestyles from back in the day,” May said.
In an interview this week, May said that observation inspired his self-published book, “Alaskan Sourdough Starter,” a compilation of profiles of 27 Alaskans who’ve lived in the state at least 50 years, including 23 Haines residents. The book, which includes some historic photographs of its subjects, reads like a transcription of interviews, interspersed with essays that mix May’s musings with facts about life in the North.
“It’s a living history of people who are here, including a few others from Southeast and up north,” May said.
Tales from residents include Gene Clark’s account of getting caught in a conveyor in the Schnabel Lumber Co. mill, Evelyn Hotch’s description of being force-fed rancid cod-liver oil by Bureau of Indian Affairs officials in Klukwan, and Richard Woods’ story of childhood friends hit by a rotary snowblower while playing in snow tunnels at the Nome airport.
In other chapters, Joe Hotch describes nearly drowning after falling off his fishing boat, Jim Shook relates serving as a state trooper security guard to three Alaska governors, and John Schnabel tells of the many sawmills he launched and operated.
“I look upon myself with a certain amount of approval because, I hide my bad points,” Schnabel told May. “I feel we provided a benefit to a lot of people through the employment opportunity… I don’t pat myself on the back but I feel comfortable with the way I lived,” Schnabel said.
May said he thinks his book gives a “pretty broad glimpse of Alaska life.” The book’s title derives from the fact that to early settlers to Alaska, sourdough was a staple. “Sourdough was a necessity back in the day. That was the first thing you needed.”
Recordings of the books’ subjects speaking, as well as additional photos, are at May’s website, insightpassage.com, and at a YouTube website at alaskansourdoughstarter. May has lived in Petersburg the past four years. He and his family were in town last week on a sailboat.
The family’s next adventure is traveling to Ecuador, where May says he intends to work on future books. He said he has material enough for several. “Alaskan Sourdough Starter” is available at The Babbling Book.