ABOUT US

Russ & Linda with Nor’Star Disa Be Kiska at Knox and Bette Rhine’s in Newton Kansas.  September 2004

NORTH TO ALASKA

We moved from the Pacific Northwest to Juneau, Alaska to experience life in the last frontier.  We both worked for the State of Alaska.  Russ was a Procurement Officer for the Department of Transportation/Alaska Marine Highway System.  Linda was a Human Resource Specialist and the ADA Compliance Officer for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

REV RUSS

Besides full time jobs, Russ was an appointed Marriage Commissioner for the State of Alaska and married hundreds of couples each year.  These ceremonies were performed onboard the Cruise Ships, at various scenic locations around Juneau, at remote lakes accessible only by float plane, and many couples were flown by helicopter onto one of the glaciers in the area where the couples were married standing on ice.

DEAR SANTA

December each year found us both onboard one the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ships traveling throughout Southeast Alaska to all the bush communities as Santa and Mrs. Claus.  These were some of the most rewarding experiences of our lives even though we spent two weeks just prior to Christmas every year on board these ships, sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor.  We felt like the first trip away from home  interrupted our own family Christmas celebration.  It didn’t take long to realize that the Santa Sails to Town trips WERE our Christmas!  We were honored to be a part of such a worthwhile program.

DANCING WITH THE ........

Shortly after arriving in Juneau we began teaching dance classes through the community schools program, at the local college, and at the Juneau Health Club.  We were invited to neighboring communities to put on dance workshops and performed demonstrations.  We provided DJ services at wedding receptions, school dances, and other social events and church functions.

GO EAST OLD MAN

When retirement time came, we decided to move to Pennsylvania where Linda grew up.  We bought a small house on an acre of land and settled in.  It was then that we decided we had time and space for a canine companion.  We knew Knox & Bette Rhine through the dance community and we knew he was breeding Icelandic Sheepdogs.  We researched the breed thoroughly and decided the Icelandic Sheepdog would be perfect for us.  They are small enough to be good house dogs and sturdy enough to get out and join us for walks and bicycling.