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Six years ago, Lyena Strelkoff lived a creative life as a writer, a storyteller, an actor and dancer. Then, a climbing accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.

She turned to that same creative expression to understand and manage the catastrophic event. The result? Her one-woman show “Caterpillar Soup,” a tale of transformation and triumph.

Strelkoff will perform in Healy at Tri-Valley School’s multi-purpose room on Monday at 7 p.m. The performance is intended for mature audiences and will deal with adult themes. There is a $5 admission fee.

She also will spend three days here presenting workshops to students of all ages, in Cantwell, Healy and Anderson. The workshops will focus on storytelling, writing personal stories and drama. In addition, she will present a special workshop to employees at Denali National Park.

Strelkoff said her climbing accident helped her discover her most powerful voice, allowing her not only to integrate her experience, but to transcend it and transform her insight and experience into positive opportunities for others.

Her visit here, sponsored by Denali Arts & Humanities Alliance, is made possible through partnership with Fairbanks Arts Association, Denali Reach, Rasmussen Foundation and strong support from Denali Park Salmon Bake.

Cross country stars

Athletes in the Denali Borough School District spend a lot of time driving to and from meets around the state.

Last Saturday, a group of cross country runners from Healy drove four hours to Palmer for the Palmer Cross Country Invitational and made it there just before 153 racers hit the trail for the boys 5K open run.

Andrew Talerico took second place with a time of 18:57.16. Jake Carter was third at 19:04.59. Jonathon Talerico came in 35th at 20:50.74, and Rocky Burbank was 53rd at 21:31.94.

Then, the crew piled back into the car and drove right back to Healy to play several hours of championship soccer, helping Tri-Valley School win its weekend tournament.

Meanwhile, high school senior Cori Carter took sixth place in the girls 5K open run, edging near the top of the 142 competitors with a time of 22:24.75. Sophomore BobbiLou Burbank came in 123rd with a time of 30:31.96.

The day before, the newest members of the team — all middle schoolers — ran their first race at Anchorage Christian School. For some reason, they don’t keep track of finishes for the younger runners. But veteran runner Cori Carter covered almost two miles in 13:58.21 and BobbiLou Burbank ran it in 17:20.58.

What impressed me most watching this event was how the high school runners mentored the younger runners, giving them tips on breathing and pacing — and cheering them on at the finish line. It really didn’t matter where they placed in the race itself. The team celebrated every runner who crossed the finish line.

Playground supplies

missing

Local children and adult volunteers were disappointed recently when someone stole rolls of lawn edging from the new playground renovation project at the McKinley Village Community Center.

Sometime between Aug. 23 and Aug. 29, someone took three rolls of lawn edging and a large bag of stakes from the playground area, which is in the middle of being renovated and expanded. An 8-foot 2x6 form board also was taken from the soon-to-be-constructed basketball court.

The monetary value of these supplies is about $75. That might not seem like much. The cost of lost trust in our neighborhood is much larger.

So keep your eyes peeled for these supplies. And take time to volunteer at this fabulous community project.

If you look at the playground Web site, mckinleyplayground.wordpress.com, you’ll be amazed at what a small group of dedicated volunteers can accomplish.

The completed playground, supported by a matching grant from the Denali Borough, will be something the entire community can enjoy.

Making ends meet

The Denali Preschool and Learning Center is doing what it can to reduce costs. Hanging laundry instead of using the dryer is saving $50 per month on the electric bill. Long-distance phone calls are charged to a calling card with discounted minutes. Parents are sending snacks instead of paying for a food program.

“We are economizing without sacrificing the level of care that we provide,” said director Kim Clark, in the September newsletter.

But the new nonprofit can use a helping hand. Friends and neighbors can help by doing something as simple as donating an extra box of band aids, copy paper, glue sticks or boxes of tissues.

The new board is looking into various funding possibilities to help ease the center’s financial situation.

“We are proud of the quality of care that we provide,” Clark wrote in the newsletter. She said she is confident that “with our care and your support, we will continue to make this center a warm, friendly place full of laughter and learning; a place where you can leave your kids for the day with peace of mind.”

New Anchorage trend

When I accompanied the cross country team to Anchorage, Coach Mark Jordan took the group of 12 runners to Earthquake Park one evening, so they could run up and down the gravel beach and work off some energy.

It was nearly twilight, and a beautiful bride stood at water’s edge while a photographer and her assistant took pictures. But wait, the bride was standing in the water. Moments later, she tromped up the beach and laid down on a muddy piece of driftwood, posing the whole time.

We scanned the beach. No groom in sight.

When they finished their photo shoot and sauntered by, we got the scoop.

“This is post-wedding,” explained the photographer. “It’s the newest trend in Anchorage. It’s called ‘trash the dress.’”

That is exactly what happened, I thought, looking at the line of mud on the bride’s backside as she strolled past. I put that on my lists of reasons why I don’t live in Anchorage.

Aloha, Logan

Every adult in Healy is going to be envious of Logan Juhl this winter.

The young man, only in elementary school, recently won $2,500 toward a trip to Hawaii, as a result of a banking promotion.

“It will be the most expensive prize we ever won,” his mom said. The family will now dole out way more than $2,500 to get the entire family to Hawaii. That includes Joe, Erin, Liam and Olivia.

Aloha, Juhls.