Montenegro.com visits Judy Ferguson, the famous American writer from Fairbanks, Alaska.

Judy Ferguson and Gordan Stojovic in Belgrade on April 10, 2005. At the beginning of the last century in the rivers of people who during the great gold the fever in search of dreams of prosperity and wealth went to Alaska there was also a large number of Montenegrins. They were from all over Montenegro. It was mainly about people who had been staying and working in the city for some time other parts of the USA who are lured by stories of great opportunities for to earn money in the harsh regions of Alaska, they headed north. Many pioneers from Montenegro left the wasteland of the former "Russian America". their bones or disappeared forever without a trace. Only one of them succeeded they found what they were looking for, became rich and returned most often to the warmer parts of America, others again became famous and successful citizens of Alaska and remained where their sons, grandsons, great-grandchildren... Of course, families should be singled out among the multitude of our settlers Hajduković, Stijepović, Dapčević and of course all other names whose members stand out among the most respected and deserving people in this part of the world. Famous pioneer John Hajduković, governor Mike Stijepović, etc. Like many others, this very important page of our nation's history is also to some miraculously we forgot. Carelessness, lack of adequate institutions and much more that. Fortunately, their great effort, success and suffering, although almost from us completely forgotten, they fascinated some other hardworking and smart people who did what is the duty of each of us who care a little about preservation of roots, traditions. American writer Judy Ferguson from Fairbanks, Alaska in her work "Parallel Destinies" preserved from oblivion all the achievements, all that for brave and smart Montenegrin pioneers left behind in these parts of the world and not only them but also their descendants, those generations of American Montenegrins who still live in that part of this great country.

"Parallel Destinies" book cover. We have admired and communicated with Judy's work for many years. We learned a lot from this fantastic woman who is always there for us full of obligations selflessly met. She recently informed me about hers arrival in Belgrade and Montenegro. I was very happy about the fact that I would to have the opportunity to meet and talk to her in person soon. Although we are planned to see each other only after he came to Montenegro by chance are in Belgrade and so on April 10 we finally met on the balcony of one we started a conversation in the beautiful ancestral villas. For hours and hours I just listened to incredible stories about her life, work, Fr Montenegrins, families about her inspiration. I listen to stories about successes and the falls of many famous people from our region. About her experiences, wishes and expectations. We are certainly laying the foundations for something that will surely happen to further enlighten our knowledge and make these two so far apart countries, Montenegro and Alaska, which connect two very important things, heritage of our settlers and similarities in natural beauty over the already existing, indelible bridge of human transgression. I personally and Montenegro.com will do everything in our power to Judy - the works will be translated and published in Crno as soon as possible It's burning. To be available to anyone who wants to know how, when, why and who they all were. In the meantime, we continue socializing and cooperating, doing everything we can the hardworking and brave never go into oblivion again. Gordan Stojovic Montenegro.com