The Blue Tarp

Series produced by KTNA

Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Image by: KTNA Talkeetna 
The Blue Tarp 

The Blue Tarp, a radio program and podcast, covers the stories of the people and places of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley. From old-timers to newcomers, there’s room for everyone under the Blue Tarp.

The Blue Tarp, a radio program and podcast, covers the stories of the people and places of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley. We strive to share the stories of this area with the voices of those who lived them.  History is being made every day so the stories might be decades old or more current.  With this show, we hope to cover many facets of the Susitna Valley story.

Why The Blue Tarp? It's an evocative image for rural Alaska.  They cover so many aspects of our life. From old-timers to newcomers, there’s room for everyone under the Blue Tarp. Season One launched in January of 2020, and ended the year with eight episodes and two holiday specials. The first season’s theme was historical buildings which served as the stages for stories about people. Season Two launched in March 2021 and its eight episodes covered unique Susitna Valley events. Season Three began in March 2022 and will tell about local aviation through the stories of the women who have been instrumental in this important component of local life. Hide full description

The Blue Tarp, a radio program and podcast, covers the stories of the people and places of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley. We strive to share the stories of this area with the voices of those who lived them.  History is being made every day so the stories might be decades old or more current.  With this show, we hope to cover many facets of the Susitna Valley story.Why The Blue Tarp? It's an evocative image for rural Alaska.  They cover so many aspects of our life. From old-timers to newcomers, there’s room for everyone under the Blue Tarp. Season One launched in January of 2020, and ended the year with eight episodes and two holiday specials. The first season’s theme was historical buildings which served as the stages for stories about people. Season Two launched in March 2021 and... Show full description


32 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
The Fairview Inn is referred to by some as “Talkeetna’s living room.” On this episode of the Blue Tarp, we hear from people for whom the Fairview ...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Apr 01, 2021
  • Length: 28:58
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
For more than eighty years, the territorial schoolhouse building has stood in Downtown Talkeetna, Alaska. It has served many purposes over the dec...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Apr 23, 2021
  • Length: 29:02
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Since being built by Frank Lee around 1916 and later moved to its current location, the Talkeetna Roadhouse has been a staple of local life. Today...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Apr 23, 2021
  • Length: 29:02
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
In this episode, we’re visiting one of the first buildings you see as you turn onto Talkeetna’s Main Street, Nagley’s General Store. Since it was b...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: May 26, 2021
  • Length: 29:02
  • Purchases: 2
From: KTNA
Series: The Blue Tarp
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
In this episode, we’re headed to Curry, a place “up the tracks” from Talkeetna that has been the site of a luxury hotel, a thriving small town, and...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: May 26, 2021
  • Length: 29:01
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
In this episode, we head across the river, past Trapper Creek, and toward the Petersville mining district, where we find the Forks Roadhouse miles ...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: May 26, 2021
  • Length: 29:01
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
In this episode, we take a tour of some the humble yet vital cabins that sheltered miners and trappers in the area, many of which still stand today...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: May 27, 2021
  • Length: 29:01
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Join us in this episode as we wrap up our first season with two buildings that used to form part of daily life for many in Downtown Talkeetna, but ...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: May 27, 2021
  • Length: 29:02
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
One of the more common questions visitors ask Talkeetna residents is what we do in the winter. We’re starting off our second season by answering p...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Jan 26, 2022
  • Length: 28:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
In this episode, we’re taking a look at the event that has turned the darkest time of year into the biggest party for the last forty years, the Tal...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Feb 21, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Today, we’re looking at an event…or rather two events with very similar names and themes having to do with…moose excrement. Come along as we hear ...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Today, we’re exploring another festival from Talkeetna’s recent past, Miner’s Day. It’s another example of the sort of celebration that took place...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 28:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Today, we’re looking at another annual gathering that brings hundreds of people to Talkeetna each March. In most years, it is a reminder that Spri...

Bought by KSKA


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Today, we’ll hear about Alaska’s state sport, dog mushing, and how mushing events have played a role in life in the area. Mushing races can be as ...

Bought by KSKA


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Today we’ll be focusing on two annual festivals across the river from Talkeetna in Trapper Creek. If you’re looking for summer fun, or if you want ...

Bought by KSKA


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
As we wrap up our second season focused on events in the Northern Susitna Valley, we are coming back to Talkeetna. Specifically to the Sheldon Com...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
Thank you for listening to this episode, which marks the beginning of our third season, which will focus on women in aviation.

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Jun 03, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
For this season, we’re focusing on aviation in the area, particularly the stories told by and about women in the field. For this episode, we’re g...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Jun 03, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
From: KTNA
Series: The Blue Tarp
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. On this episode, we’re going to begin our look...

Bought by KSKA and RadioFreePalmer


  • Added: Jun 03, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: The Blue Tarp, Credit: KTNA Talkeetna
This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. On this episode, we’re going to hear what it m...

Bought by KSKA


  • Added: Jun 03, 2022
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1