Ester Community Association

October 20, 2024 – Hartung Hall

The fall membership of the nonprofit Ester Community Association, Inc will be held at the Hartung Community Hall 4pm to 6pm

We’ll recap our year, learn about our upcoming events, and make plans for winter in the park.

We will also be electing board members – if you’ve wanted to become more engaged in the community this is your chance! We are looking for new board members to join our team.

While everyone may attend, only members whose annual dues are paid (via the website, or in person at the meeting) may vote in the election, or on other issues that come to a vote.

Membership can be renewed online using our Square site: https://my-site-100388-102972.square.site/

Learn more about this year’s event.

Live music:
2 p.m. Dave Parks
2:35 The Skidmarks
3:30 Tim Easton
4:25 Vitamin U
5:15 Missy Beth and the Morning Afters
6:15 The Thneeds
7:05 Steve Brown And the Bailers
8:00 Cowgrinder
8:50 Act of Congress
9:35 Monolith Green

The annual spring membership meeting will be held both in person at Hartung Hall and virtually at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. If you’re not able to attend in person, please email the ECA to request a link to join the meeting.

We have a number of very important matters to discuss as a community.
• Community planning updates and next steps
• Spring work projects & park clean-up
• Hartung hall repairs
• Park volunteers & summer maintenance
• Mortgage Meeters
• Fourth of July
• Ester Fest
• Plus updates, announcements, financial reports, and more!

Membership can be renewed in person or online using our Square site: https://my-site-100388-102972.square.site/

It’s time for the annual Easter egg hunt!!

DROP OFF EGGS: Noon – 1 p.m.
Children 11 and under bring 6 decorated eggs to the Ester Community Hall. Label container with child’s name and age.

HIDING EGGS: 1:30
Anyone 12 and older can help hide eggs.

EGG HUNT: 2 p.m.
Groups will be: ages 1-2 (indoor or on deck); ages 3-5 outside Hartung Hall, ages 6-8 JTEL Clausen Cabin and ages 9-11 at the Ester Gold Camp.Egg hunting starts at the community hall with the youngest group first. Then the group will walk to the next two locations, and return back to Hartung Hall after searching.

Best parking location is the lot across from the Golden Eagle Saloon. Everything is in walking distance from there.The ECA will provide prize eggs for each age group, the Easter Bunny and snacks to share following the hunt.

Be creative: creative judging for creative decorating!

Ester, a community renowned for its do-it-yourself ethos and close-knit bonds, announces its first-ever Community Planning Meeting. The facilitated session will be held on September 17 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Flossie & May’s within the iconic Ester Gold Camp.

This milestone event is poised to serve as a platform for Ester residents and stakeholders – old-timers and newcomers alike – to contribute their insights, ideas, and aspirations for the community, and collaboratively mold the town’s future.

RSVP and learn more on our Community Planning Page.

THE PARADE:
The parade begins at the corner of Ester Loop and Main Street, progresses down Main Street to the Judges’ stand (across from the Golden Eagle Saloon) then follows Village Road to the Old Nenana, past the post office to the park.Sign-up and line-up 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Marching begins at noon! (Bribes for judges are strongly encouraged!) No pre-registration required.

THE POTLUCK & PICNIC – 1 p.m.
Potluck starts at 1 p.m. In addition to a truly incredible pig, the ECA provides burgers and dogs and some sides/salads.Bring generously sized potluck items to the community park following the parade for ONE FREE ENTRY.

THE PIG
Cuban-style roasted pig is incredible!! We will once again feature a delicious pig with this year’s picnic/potluck.

THE PRICE
Suggested pig roast/potluck donations are $5 kids, $10 adults, $25 family.Donations above costs support the Ester Community Park purchase and operation!

Looking for something lighter? We have limited items available a la carte. Skip the food line and head straight to the grill for:
Hamburger -$4
Hot dog – $2
Water/Soda – $1

THE PICNIC & GAMES
We have a great field to enjoy picnicing and games.Planning to bring your own food instead of potlucking? Please consider leaving a donation in the “appreciation station” by the gazebo to help support the park which offers such enjoyment for so many families for all these years. Or branch out this year and participate in the community potluck. The more who participate the better it is for all!

MEMBERSHIP
The Fourth of July is a great time to contribute to the community by becoming a member of the Ester Community Association. Annual membership is $10, or $25 family.

VOLUNTEER
Want to help? Send an e-mail to [email protected] and the volunteer coordinator will help line out ways you can help including set-up, food table management, grill mastering, clean-up and other duties.

The annual spring membership meeting will be held both in person at Hartung Hall and virtually at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7.

If you’re not able to attend in person, please email us for the Zoom link.

There is a waiting room enabled and we will not admit you unless we recognize your full name. If you’re new to the ECA please let us know that you’re planning to attend online so we know you’re a real person – you may experience a brief wait before being added to the meeting.

We have a number of matters to discuss as a community including but not limited to.
• Spring work projects & park clean-up
• Park volunteers & summer maintenance
• Mortgage Meeters
• Fourth of July
• Ester Fest
• Community planning meeting
• Plus updates, announcements financial reports, and more!

You must be a current member to vote although the meeting is open to any community member. Membership can be renewed in person or online using our Square site: https://my-site-100388-102972.square.site/

The annual meeting of the nonprofit Ester Community Association, Inc will be held Sunday, October 16, at 4pm, at the Hartung Community Hall – you may attend in person, or via Zoom.

We’ll recap our year and finances, learn about our upcoming events, and make plans for winter in the park. We will also be electing board members – if you’ve wanted to become more engaged in the community this is your chance!

While everyone may attend the meeting, only members whose annual dues are paid (via the website, or in person at the meeting) may vote in the election, or on other issues that may come to a vote.

If you plan to join via Zoom please message or email the ECA for the link.

Ester 4th of July Parade and Potluck Pig Roast — Interior Alaska’s quirkiest way to celebrate Independence!

THE PARADE:
The parade begins at the corner of Ester Loop and Main Street, progresses down Main Street to the Judges’ stand (across from the Golden Eagle Saloon) then follows Village Road to the Old Nenana, past the post office to the park. Sign-up and line-up 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Marching begins at noon! (Bribes for judges are strongly encouraged!) No pre-registration required.

THE PIG
Cuban-style roasted pig is incredible!! We will once again feature a delicious pig with this year’s picnic/potluck.

THE POTLUCK & PICNIC – 1 p.m.
The potluck is an important fundraiser for the Ester Community Association as well as a great way to picnic and celebrate our Independence Day.Bring generously sized potluck items to the community park following the parade. Potluck starts at 1 p.m. In addition to a truly incredible pig, the ECA provides burgers and dogs.

Suggested donations are $5 kids, $15 adults, $35 family.

Looking for something lighter? We have limited items available a la carte. Skip the food line and head straight to the grill for:
Hamburger -$5
Hot dog – $3
Water/Soda – $1

Donations above costs support the Ester Community Park purchase and operation!

THE PICNIC & GAMES
We have a great field to enjoy picnicing and games. Planning to bring your own food instead of potlucking? Please consider leaving a donation in the “appreciation station” by the gazebo to help support the park which offers such enjoyment for so many families for all these years. Or branch out this year and participate in the community potluck. The more who participate the better it is for all!

MEMBERSHIP
The Fourth of July is a great time to contribute to the community by becoming a member of the Ester Community Association. Annual membership is $10, or $25 family.

VOLUNTEER
Want to help? Send an e-mail to [email protected] and the volunteer coordinator will help line out ways you can help including set-up, food table management, grill mastering, clean-up and other duties. Thanks! 

Thank you Ester!! Our Chili Feed was a wonderful time and we raised over $1,000 for the Ester COMMUNITY Park. More than 80 people passed through throughout the day to enjoy a bite and support the park. Amazing!!

Special thanks to—

Chili makers: Meagan, LJ, Monique, Hillary, Amy, Janice, Ritchie, Amanda and Diandra. Plus Jamie for the inspired mac & cheese!

Desserts: Monique, Meagan, Amy, Ritchie, Melissa and Jennifer. So delicious!!

Cornbread/breads: LJ, Meagan, Carol, Margaret and Alex.

And special thanks to the ECA board members— Meagan for bringing all the fixings, bowls and utensils; Monique, Janice, LJ, Meagan and Amanda for working the event and helping with set-up and clean-up; and everyone who helped spread the word and organize this year’s feed.

A special mention to Jesse, Bryan and Hannah for playing some beautiful tunes.

And last but not least a huge thanks to Doug and Hillary at The Golden Eagle Saloon for hosting us, and bartenders Chadwik and Jamie for taking care of us all day.

We are so lucky to have such a great community. #EsterRocks