Bill and Ron's Alaskan Aventure

[Jeb]

This Friday Rich and Lynn Maxwell are coming to North Pole to do three weeks of marble programs with the youth and seniors of Interior Alaska. This is a culmination of the ideas and efforts of Bill McCaleb and Ron Shepard. These guys encouraged us to proceed and have provided thousands of marbles for the kids here in the Yukon River valley, some quite valuable. Through Bill we received many donations from all over the marble universe. Books from Mr. Alley and other marble authors, shooters from Jim S., a discounted deal on 10,000 Vacors from Nancy M., and a couple of thousand Alleys and Heatons for the kids to collect. I'm sorry I can't remember right now all the folks who have donated and helped but I'll attempt a list later. We were hoping to get Bill and Ron here to open the country to marbles and see some of the Great Land, but I took too long and health precluded travel for them and now Bill has passed. I pray that he knows how far his efforts have taken us in our wild corner of the world. We are lucky Rich was able to take Bill and Ron's place spreading marble knowledge here. So, for the next three weeks, we will finish Bill and Ron's Alaskan Adventure by spreading enough marbles and knowledge in Alaska to create a legacy for years to come. Ten years from now some child will find their parent stash of Alleys, Heatons, or Vacors from Bill and Ron and wonder enough to investigate, learn, and become as hooked as we are on the beautiful glass orbs and their history. Penny, Hunter, and I feel privileged to be part of the effort to promote marbles. We know that many of you have done much more than we can ever do for kids and mibs but we'll throw in our few drops and maybe raise the level a bit. Thank you Ron. Thank you Bill. Your legacy lives beyond you into the future we will never see.

[Ric]

Thanks for the post, Jeb. Bill talked to me about your project many times and I know that he was very supportive of your efforts. He viewed his participation as a service to the marble community and the next generation. I am sure he would be very pleased to see your efforts coming to fruition. It's just one more way that his impact on the marble community and his memory will live on.

I too applaud you for your efforts.

[Fire1981]

That's awesome !!!! My old stomp'n grounds🔥

[akroorka]

1 hour ago, Jeb said:

Thank you Ron. Thank you Bill. Your legacy lives beyond you into the future we will never see.

Well said Jeb. I agree.

Marble--On!!

[Fire1981]

Are you guys driving or flying 🔥

[Jeb]

Rich and his wife arrive tonight on Alaska Airlines.  It's -22 so they're going to get a taste of the arctic on their first night.  I think we have ten to twelve different programs to do while they are here starting with Raven Senior Center to start grandparents and grandchildren marble teams.

[Joe2]

Have fun and safe travels 💕 

[Al Oregon]

Great program and hope it goes well.  Kudos to all that have helped.