Contributed by Charice Chambers
It was a shock and surprise, the last thing Matsu Senior Services had expected - a tote loaded with fresh silver salmon!
For nearly a decade, Northern District Setnetters, with the help of Copper River Seafoods, has donated a portion of a one day catch to Palmer Senior Center. It has become an anticipated summer meal for local seniors who take advantage of the Center’s daily meal service. With a low salmon return and all of the complications created by COVID-19, nobody expected the annual gift. Yet here it was, truly a silver miracle. In spite of overwhelming difficulties, Copper River Seafoods provided an ice-filled tote to deliver the silvers at peak perfection. The seafood processor has participated in the Silvers for Seniors program from its inception, often donating fish as well.
Silvers for Seniors is the brainchild of fisherwoman, Page Herring, and husband, Bob Cellers. Herring encouraged fellow members of Northern District Setnetters to donate a portion of one day’s catch each season to the Center. They enthusiastically agreed, and have continued their participation. Much of the credit for the program’s enduring success must be given to Herring who loves doing something special for seniors. For her, this year’s gift is especially poignant. It is dedicated to her father, Lebron Herring, who lost his life in a sudden storm while returning from setnetting in 1986.
Herring Sr. arrived in Alaska in 1965 in a Ford station wagon. Towed behind it was a Volvo stuffed with all the family’s possessions. He was soon joined by wife, Pansy, and their four children. The couple embraced the Alaskan lifestyle. Though employed as a US Customs officer at Anchorage International Airport, Herring lived to fish and hunt. Soon the family purchased a boat and a site permit. Before long, they had three boats and three permits. Dad had his, mom had one, and 22-year-old, Page, joined the family fishing business with the third permit. Her sisters fished as well. It was a real family business, and one that was quite lucrative.
With no children of her own, the Herring family business will end when Page pulls in her last net. The story is similar for many other family setnet businesses. It is a lot of hard work, at time dangerous, and with increased regulations, income has fallen drastically. The future for setnetting worries Page Herring. She hopes that in spite of all of its problems, young people will continue to carry on the tradition.
According to Matsu Senior Services head chef, Kevin Horstmann,, the fish will be put to great use. The Center will be able provide nearly 200 meals for local seniors and an additional 80 meals for local home-bound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. Additional salmon will be used in salads and salmon soup throughout the fall season.
Each year, Mat-Su Senior Services cooks up around 130,000 nutritious meals for seniors and eligible homebound individuals. At the present time, the Center’s dining room is closed to the public due to COVID-19. Currently meals are either delivered to seniors’ homes or picked up outside the Center. According to MSSS Chief Executive Officer, Elaine Phillipps, donations like Silvers for Seniors are a delicious and cost saving way to meet both financial and nutritional food goals.
