Over seventy people showed up to Jeannette's Potluck. The variety of food was as versatile as the makeup of the crowd. But the crowd had one thing in common. They were gathered to say goodbye to a good friend, Jeannette James. Many commented that Jeannette's husband deserved much praise for sharing Jeannette with Alaska for 32 years. His support behind the scenes made it possible for Jeannette to serve in the legislature for ten years and serve the governor as a railroad consultant for four years.
Jeannette was presented a plaque by Representative John Coghill on behalf of the Interior Alaska Republicans for her years of devotion and volunteer work for the Republican Party. Jeannette was raised a Democrat but said watching a third generation of welfare working the system and watching environmentalists blocking development of natural resources that could create jobs convinced her the Democrats were out of touch with her philosophy.
Roger Burgraff tells attendees how Jeannette was a warrior was the mining industry and for natural resource development. Half a dozen people at the picnic shared their stories about Jeannette and how she touched their lives.
Jeannette said when her and Jim came to Alaska they settled in Anchorage. She was an accountant and a client flew her to Fairbanks to help him with a case. She said she met more friends in two days in Fairbanks then she had met in a year living in Anchorage. She and Jim moved to Fairbanks soon afterwards.
Ladd McBride laughs at his own joke as he tells the crowd Jeannette's work ethics constantly reminded him of the value of hardwork. Because of that he buys his wife, Shirley, a new broom every Christmas.
Former legislative aide for Jeannette, Barbara Cotting, told of her experience the second year she went to Juneau for Jeannette. Jeannette told her she was going to sponsor a bill to enact a concealed carry law. Barbara said she didn't even know what that meant. When she found out she thought "I don't even like guns." But she said she likes people who own guns so said she would carry the bill. She said the Alaska State Troopers sent a squad car to pick up Jeannette and Barbara for a meeting with the Commissioner of Public Safety. The ride and the interrogation by three top public safety officials didn't intimidate Jeannette, in fact. it fueled her passion for getting the law passed.
Ralph Seekins presented Jeannette with a bust of George Washington on behalf of the National Rifle Association for her suuport for the Second Amendment.Dick Bishop from the Alaska Outdoor Council presented Jeannette and Jim with lifetime memberships to the Alaska Outdoor Council for their contributions to guns rights and to the rights of all Alaskans to have access to Alaska's fish and game. He said Jeannette was not the stereotype for fighting for the Second Amendment which made it tough for the opposition.
The grande finale of the evening was a complete surprise to Jeannette. A former legislative aide for Jeannette arrived with three other members of the Sweet Adelines who are a quartet called the "Velvets" to serenade Jeannette and Jim. They were a delight to the entire crowd. The Velvets will be completing at the national finals in Washington next March and shared one of the songs they will be singing in the finals.
The performance by Velvet brought a smile to everyone's faces.
Pat Fink and Jim James listen to Jeannette talking about her 32 years in Alaska. She said there will never be a better place to live than Fairbanks.
