Gold Rush Royalty Take Throne Today

"Gold Rush Royalty Take Throne Today
By Terry Wilson
For The Star
This is not the first time Gold Rush Days 2005 Queen Mary Barrie has worn a crown. In 1963, after a two-day competition, which included a talent section, 17-year-old Mary won the title of Gold Rush Days Queen in Old Town Valdez.
'It was a heck of a contest,' says Mary, who performed a lively Charleston in full flapper costume as her talent. 'The crown was hand-made.'
Her husband, Darwin, also has a spot in the history of Valdez as a member of the original Valdez High School Buccaneer basketball team. A graduate of the class of 1955, of which there were seven members, Darwin says the team played in a division with Cordova, Wasilla, Kodiak and Nome.
He also played on local teams, who would regularly compete with each other. 'The best spirit in Old Town, and now, was for basketball. People love to watch the games,' Mary says.
Darwin came to Valdez in 1951 and has fished commercially, worked as a longshoreman for North Star Terminal and Stevedores, and was employed by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for 23 years as a berth operator.
'I helped load oil into the first tanker (in 1977),' Darwin says.
Mary arrived with her family in 1962 and has dedicated a great deal of her life to community service. Both she and Darwin are active with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, as well as the Pioneers of Alaska.
'I have cooked and worked a lot. I remember sewing garters for days for Gold Rush Days,' Mary says.
Both are honored to be this year's King & Queen and say they have been 'spoiled' by living in Valdez.
'It would be hard to leave,' Darwin says. 'I like it here.'
'We're a close-knit people,' adds Mary. 'We've stood together, and did things for each other."