Anchorage Daily News

AUG. 24, 1983

Audrey and Merl Badger

Merl and Audrey (Suttle) Badger of Palmer celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Aug. 24.

Their anniversary party for friends and family will be at the home of Audrey's parents, Glenn and Janet Jacob of Esty Drive in Palmer, on Sept. 6. Hors d'oeuvres and music will be from 1 to 5 p.m.

Audrey and Merl met while attending Palmer High School and fell in love. They married shortly after at United Protestant Church of Palmer in 1983, built their home and raised a family on Lazy Mountain. As the proud parents of three boys, Merl Jr., Steven and Eric, Audrey and Merl have been active in the community and schools.

In 2000, Audrey received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Mat-Su Borough for her years of work at Butte Elementary School. Merl and Audrey celebrated their honeymoon in 2005 in Hawaii.

On sunny weekend afternoons, Merl and Audrey host family barbecues and gatherings. Their warmth and willingness to open their home and their hearts to family and friends has endeared them always to those who know them.

Audrey works for the city of Palmer as the library assistant at Palmer Public Library. Merl is a self-employed framing contractor. Their oldest son, Merl Jr., is attending college in Sacramento, Calif. Steven is in his last year of Mat-Su Career Tech High School, studying to become a chef. Eric is a sophomore at Palmer High School.

OCT. 19, 2008

Katharine McDonald and Michael Hodges

Mr. and Mrs. Michael McDonald of Lincoln, Neb., announce the engagement of their daughter, Katharine Rose McDonald, to Michael Whitley Hodges, son of Jonathan Hodges and Lyn Whitley of Anchorage. The wedding is planned for Oct. 19.

Both are U.S. Navy officers and met while deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Katie is a graduate of Boston University with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. She is a Navy pilot in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Michael, a lifelong Alaskan, is a graduate of Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering. He is a Navy EOD officer stationed in San Diego.

JUNE 7, 2008

Jessica and David Short

David and Jessica (Torkelson) Short of Anchorage were married June 7 in Boe Memorial Chapel at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

The wedding was officiated by the Rev. Mike Berg, who was also an assistant coach on the Ole hockey team on which David played, making for a personalized ceremony. The best man was James Short, brother of the bridegroom, and the maid of honor was Erin Olander, friend of the bride. Attendants included Keith Townsend, Andy Heyne, Mark Skeba, Pat Gilles, Randi Leek, Brittany Kruger, Lindsey Nicklason and Rachel Gilbertson. Ushers were Andy Ockuly and Josh Biser. Michelle Torkelson was the personal attendant for the bride, and Christie Short read Scripture.

The reception was at Straight River Golf Course in Faribault, Minn., where guests participated in a golf tournament and danced to a band. The couple spent four weeks touring Western Europe before settling in Anchorage.

Parents of the bride are Bill and Lauryl Leek of Nevis, Minn., and Bethel and Mark Torkelson of Divide, Colo. Jessica is a 2002 graduate of Nevis High School and a 2007 graduate of Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business finance.

Parents of the bridegroom are Jim and Heather Short of Anchorage. David is a 2000 graduate of Dimond High School and a 2005 graduate of St. Olaf College, where he was a co-captain and defenseman on the hockey team. David works at MWH Global in Anchorage.

JUNE 21, 2008

Whaley Schmoyer and Alan Braham

Whaley Ann Schmoyer and Alan Mark Braham were married June 21 in Anchorage during a garden wedding at the home of the bride's parents.

Whaley's uncle, Bill Vincent, officiated. The couple were surrounded by friends, family and as much love and support as they could ask for.

Whaley, born and raised in Anchorage, graduated from Service High School. She earned a degree in marketing from Western Washington University and works as a business analyst for the state of Alaska. Whaley owns WHL Designs LLC, a local art business. She enjoys hiking, camping, mountain biking and riding on a motorcycle stunt team with her husband.

Alan, born and raised in Eagle River, graduated from Chugiak High School. He works for Allied Building Products and rides for Arctic Attack, a local motorcycle stunt team. Alan enjoys camping, dirt biking and any other activity that involves a motor.

DEC. 21, 2008

Heidi Robertson and Lyle Wilder

Heidi Robertson and Lyle Wilder of Port Alsworth (on Lake Clark) would like to tell the world that they will become man and wife on Dec. 21 in Billings, Mont.

Heidi and Lyle met eight years ago. Their first date was at the Alaska State Fair.

Heidi is from Lewistown, Mont., and Lyle was born and raised a third- generation Alaskan from the Lake Iliamna area.

Heidi's parents are Dave and Faith Robertson of Main Bay on Prince William Sound. Heidi graduated from high school and attended Montana State University in Billings, graduating with a master's in outdoor education and secondary English. She is in her second year of teaching primary education at Tanalian School in Port Alsworth.

Lyle's parents are Dave and Jacque Wilder of Port Alsworth. He graduated from Tanalian High School and had five years of schooling through Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Moody Aviation in Elizabethton, Tenn. Lyle earned a degree in aviation as a maintenance specialist. He has worked for Lake & Peninsula Airline as a pilot-mechanic since 2003. Lyle is a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay.

Both love adventure with all outdoor sports.

MAY 29, 2008

Brittany and Timothy Graham

Brittany Lynn Hanes of Chugiak and Timothy Allan Graham of Eagle River were married May 29 in Shreveport, La.

The couple became friends during high school and reconnected at the University of Alaska Anchorage in spring 2007. Tim proposed Dec. 1 during their visit to San Diego. They have started their life together in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Brittany is the daughter of Penny Hanes of Ruston, La., and Gordon Hanes of Shreveport. She graduated from Chugiak High School in 2004. Brittany attended UAA. She is pursuing a degree as a nutritionist and is a personal trainer.

Timothy is the son of Debbie Treece of Eagle River and Allan Graham of La Mesa, Calif. He graduated from Chugiak High School in 2004. Timothy attends Stephen F. Austin University, where he is pursuing a degree in business. He is a multiline specialist for State Farm Insurance.

How to submit a Together announcement

The Daily News publishes engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements every Monday at adn.com and in the Life & Style section. We have teamed with Legacy.com to offer guest books and photo galleries to accompany all announcements. Those placing an engagement announcement also have a convenient online gift registry. Couples are encouraged to personalize these new enhancements. After a submission is made to the Daily News, Legacy.com will contact the submitter with an e-mail that contains a link to the extra features.

We accept all anniversaries, for couples married just one year or 60. We accept submissions from former residents who did not grow up in Alaska. We have extended the deadline to submit weddings and anniversaries from three months to six.

Engagements start at $55 for up to 200 words. Wedding announcements start at $5 for up to 70 words. Anniversary announcements start at $10 for up to 70 words. Couples celebrating their 40th anniversary or beyond can place a free announcement of up to 200 words; 201 to 350 words is $75. More words costs extra.

No engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement may exceed 700 words. Our electronic forms count words as they are typed. Our online forms allow for photo uploads and secure payment. See our forms at adn.com/help. Our online forms help us process submissions as quickly and accurately as possible. A $15 service fee will be added for announcements that are e-mailed, dropped off at or mailed to the Daily News.

Submit wedding and anniversary announcements no later than six months after the event.

We edit announcements for clarity and news style. All announcements become the property of the Anchorage Daily News and may be republished in any format.

ADVERTISEMENT