Homegrown conversations for curious minds.

In celebration of National Library Week, Cathy Cronlund & Sue Paulsen sit down to reminisce about their lifetime love of libraries and their careers as school librarians. This interview was recorded at the Petersburg Public Library on April 4th, 2025 by Kari Petersen.

Logan Haley speaks with long-time educator and librarian Sue Paulsen. The interview centered on her growing up around educators and becoming one herself, as well as what Petersburg was like in the 1950s and ‘60s. This interview was recorded in April 2024 as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Leslie Schwartz discusses with Kesia Luhr what it is like to be a Baha'i in Petersburg, Alaska. She shares pieces of family, Petersburg, and World History and how it relates to her journey as a Baha'i. This interview was recorded in April 2024 as an assignment for Kesia in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Rick McKay talks to his grandson, Zander Jones, about living in Petersburg and his lifetime of working at the local cannery. This interview was done as an assignment for Zander in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Charles “Chuck” Thynes talks to his granddaughter, Alysa Thomassen, about his lifetime of commercial fishing in Alaska. Alysa inquires about the changes he's seen in commercial methods and regulations over the years. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2025 as an assignment for Alysa in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

John Wikan talks to his grandson, Jakob Wikan, about his time working in Washington State and then moving back to Petersburg to open his own business, Wikan Enterprises; a staple marine diesel mechanic shop in Petersburg, serving the local fishing fleet for several decades. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment for Jakob in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Diane Marsh talks to Kinley Lister about the Homestead Café, the family owned business she and husband, Ottis, ran while raising their family. The Homestead Cafe was a well loved Café in downtown Petersburg where community members, including captains and the coffee crew, would gather and visit. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment for Kinley for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Irene “Ikie” Roundtree talks with Kieran Cabral and Shannon Peeler about life in Petersburg running a seaplane business while raising 3 kids with her legendary husband, Alaska bush pilot Lloyd Roundtree. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment for Kieran in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

Shalene McCollum talks to her daughter, Mattea McCollum, about growing fishing in Alaska and using Alaska's natural resources. This interview was recorded in May of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Derek Lopez talks to Cheyenne Steele about life in Petersburg, his career, and what he enjoys about living in Petersburg. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

Bryana Ratliff talks to her mother Dea Ayriss about numerous topics covering, being born and raised in Alaska, her favorite hobbies while growing up, and to now. This interview was recorded on May 12, 2024 as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Renown Alaskan Artist, Ray Troll, talks to Kari Petersen about his new book Spawn Till You Die: The Fin Art of Ray Troll, a collection of his life's work. Mr. Troll also talks about his love of paleontology, a podcast he started with a friend called Paleo Nerds, and all that inspires his lifetime of art. This interview was recorded in September 2024.

Elijah Whitacre talks to Renaker D. Parks about his time working for the Alaskan Pulp Company as a logging engineer in the 1990s and working for the Forest Service as a silviculturist in the 2000s. This interview was recorded May 4th, 2024 as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Diana Owens talks to Lakell Deinhardt about coming to Southeast Alaska with her husband and raising their family in logging camps around the region during the height of logging on the Tongass. This interview was done in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Breiland Willis interviews his grandmother, Karen Eddy, on April 17, 2024 to talk about early Petersburg and logging camps in Alaska. She shares her story about life with her husband, the late Jack Eddy, and how they built a home and a family here in Petersburg. This interview was recorded as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

James Valentine talks to Anya Pawuk about various topics surrounding owning a business, traveling, coaching, and the advice he would offer for life. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

Vivian Hjort is interviewed by Jonas Anderson and talks about her last 25 years living in Petersburg, Alaska. Her time working with a helicopter company before moving to a position with the United States Forest Service as a dispatcher. This interview was recorded on May 8th, 2024 as part of a project for Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class.

Rik Cumps talks to his great uncle, John Havrelik, about what brought him to Alaska and his experiences working all over the great State. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

Charlotte Martin speaks with her grandmother Liz Pawuk about programming computers in the 60's, the foundational era of their development. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

A compilation of songs and poetry readings from past episodes of Homegrown Conversations that celebrate the annual FisherPoets gathering in Astoria, Oregon. Featuring Alec McMurren with additional works by Pat Dixon, Geno Leech, and Nicole McMurren.

Norwegian Dance Instructor, Heidi Lee, and former student, Lilith Odegaard, have a conversation about culture in Petersburg. This conversations was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Lily in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at the Petersburg High School.

Stan Hjort talks to Axton Kravitz about growing up in Washington State, his time in the U.S. Coast Guard, and moving to Petersburg. This interview was done in April of 2023 as an assignment for Axton in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at the Petersburg High School.

Brian and Marjorie Paust have committed their lives to serving Alaskan communities as educators since the early 1970s. Their dedication and enthusiasm are impressive, as are their tales of life in the Arctic. In this interview, they speak about their early years in Kivalina, a village on the Chukchi sea, where they opened a high school for local children. They also tell of the birth of their son Nathaniel in Kotzebue during a blizzard on Christmas Eve.

Kelly O'Soup talks with her daughter, Meghan, about her work for the USFS. This interview was done in April of 2023 as an assignment for Meghan in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

Martin Susort talks to his grandson, Kyle Biggers, about his time in Petersburg, what has changed over the years and what keeps him here.

Malcom Fry talks with his father, Louise “Chris” Fry, about their family history and Chris's travels in Southeast Alaska prior to making it his home. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Malcom in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at the Petersburg High School.

Novalee Thomas talks to Petersburg High School Teacher, Ioana Ward, about growing up in Romania and how it compares to Petersburg. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Novalee in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History class at Petersburg High School.

Tina Sakamoto tells Alexus Sakamoto-Quezon about her great grandfather, Harry Sakamoto, when he was taken to Japanese internment camp and how it affected their family. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 as an assignment for Alexus in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at the Petersburg High School.

Will Ware talks to Kasiah Lopez about owning a small business and living a Lingít way of life. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Kasiah was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

Colyn Lyons, grandson of Amy Hallingstad, talks with Owen Anderson about his life growing up with his grandmother and about why she is an important figure in Alaska History. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Owen was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

Carolyn Hurtt talks to her grandson, Jaren Whitethorn, about what brought her to Petersburg, what has changed in the community over the years, and why she has stayed. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Jaren was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

Kathy Emmenegger talks to her grandson, Jack Engell, about what brought her to Petersburg and why she has stayed. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Jack was a senior in High School and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

Stacey Eilenberger asks Diane Benson about naming her son, how her work centering on Elizabeth Peratrovich has impacted Diane's life, teaching at the University level and taking part in writing a new textbook for Alaska History, as well as Diane's life in theater and film. This is part 2 of a 2-part interview done in April of 2023, and was an assignment for Stacey in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

Diane Benson talks with Stacey Eilenberger about growing up in foster care, attending BIA boarding schools, coming of age, getting her MFA in Creative Writing, and running for political office in the State of Alaska. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview done in April of 2023, and was an assignment for Stacey in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

Debra O'Gara talks with Mikayla Garza about her life's work and motivations. Debra is an accomplished Tlingít weaver and published author. She is a Lawyer and has been a Judge, Magistrate, and Policy Specialist for the Alaska Women's Resource Center. Debra is currently teaching Tribal Government at UAF and is also a PhD Candidate in their Indigenous Studies Program. This interview was done in April of 2023, and was an assignment for Mikayla in Mr. Shumway's Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.

State Trooper, Cody Litster, talks with his son Wyatt about what brought him to Alaska and how he became a State Trooper. This interview was recorded in April of 2023 when Wyatt was a senior at Petersburg High School and was an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

Devon Guthrie talks to his dad, Alex Guthrie, about growing up in Petersburg. They discuss Alex's experience growing up with limited supervision; and the differences Alex sees in Petersburg, from his time as a kid to now raising children. This interview was recorded on April 19, 2023 when Devon was a senior in High School, and was done as an assignment for Mr. Shumway's Alaska History class.

Rachel Cassandra talks about her Alaskan experiences prior to taking a job as News Reporter for KFSK. She also discusses the current environment of journalism and ethics of the industry.

Mary Katasse-Miller talks about her life, family, and Lingít culture as she prepares to leave Petersburg for South Dakota to be near family.

Mary Katasse-Miller talks about meeting her husband Jay Miller and their life together. Mary also discusses the meanings behind both of her family's Lingít crests.

Jonathan Canek Elias Sosa, a freshman at Petersburg High School talks about growing up in Mexico and immigrating to the US in 2018. He is a member of the library's GOAT Radio Show for teens and discusses an upcoming special radio show he has planned to honor Mexican Independence that will be celebrated on September 15 & 16, 2022.

Marisol Westhoff talks about coming to Petersburg from Mexico to work in the cannery, and how she came to call Petersburg her home with husband, Tom, and their three young girls.

Matt Gerrits talks about his beloved duck StarFlower, her miraculous survival, charisma, & local fame.

Sue Jensen Paulsen talks with Kari Petersen about the history of Petersburg Public Library. 2022 National Library week will be celebrated with a heartfelt dedication of the Helmi Jensen Community Room.

Two dear friends and sisters by marriage talk about their business ventures in this Listening Project recorded in 2010.

Alec McMurren plays his original “Fisher Folk Songs” and gives poetry readings while discussing his love of the annual FisherPoets Gathering, happening online Feb. 25-26.

Joni Johnson talks about the Petersburg Community Foundation's mission & grants as well as endowments and support for local non-profits. The library's Build A Better World Challenge is featured as a way to support local non-profits in January.

Rachel discusses working in the U.S. and abroad before finding home in Petersburg.

Rachel talks about growing up in Israel, coming to the U.S., and returning to Israel to join the Army.

Nicole Hallingstad, a member of Petersburg Alaska Natives Without Land, discusses the history and future of Landless Natives.