- Blake Blair

The Incredible Adventures of Ishtar

       Dale Rosene, aka Ishtar, first started the AGLP trip 19 years ago. The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska inspired him to start this trip. “ I teamed up with a teacher from Palmer to go help with the oil spill…The start of this trip has changed so many kids’ lives, I know it has already changed mine forever.”
         Ishtar tells me his favorite part of the trip is seeing the impact on the kids. He also tells me that he likes to let kids know that there are other people who can be their friends. For Ishtar, his other favorite part is to see the first mountain as you come over the hill. ” I have made a lot of friends on this trip, like the owners Grizzly Bear Campground and the preist of the Church in Palmer that we stay in.” One of Ishtar’s friends was Mary Carey. Mary Carey was a woman who would read stories to the AGLP students. One year they visited her, and a week later they found out that she had died.
         The AGLP effected Ishtar’s daughter, Emily, so much that she moved up here and is now a teacher. Emily has one son named Daniel Boone. Boone is Ishtar’s one grandkid. ”My favorite part about being a grandpa is having him call me and sayi, ‘I love you, Grandpa.’ ” Ishtar also has one son named Brady who lives in South Carolina. 
         Ishtar has made so many people’s dream’s come true. What he does is amazing. I know the trips in the future will be even more outstanding.