Photo of the day - April 28

This male great horned owl (lower) appears to be giving a "loving glance " towards his mate. It's mating season in the interior for owls and if you listen closely, you may hear them "hooting" shortly before nightfall. Image courtesy of Dwight Phillips.

Photo of the day - April 27

If you look real close, you can see a sheep on the cliff. This was near Sheep Mountain on a return trip from Anchorage. Photo by Tracy Hollembaek

Farm Family of the Year Award

Nominations for the 2007 Alaska State Fair Farm Family of the Year Due June 29, 2007

Alaska agriculture is a vital, 32 million dollar industry, composed of a wide range of businesses including farms, ranches, nurseries, and gardens. The Alaska State Fair and the agricultural community want to applaud the efforts of these farmers by honoring one family that epitomizes the spirit of Alaska farming.

We need the public’s help in nominating friends and neighbors for the 8th Annual Farm Family of the Year award. The Alaska State Fair established the award in 2000 to honor an Alaska farming family and show appreciation for all the hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture in the state.

The 2006 recipients were Rex & Bryce Wrigley and their families. Wrigley Farms was formed in 1983 when Rex & Bryce moved their families to Delta Junction from Idaho. Wrigley farms has successfully produced a wide variety of agriculture products ranging from broccoli to barley; they are very active in their agriculture community and church.

The selection committee is comprised of members from the Farm Services Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the state Division of Agriculture, and the Cooperative Extension Service.

The Farm Family selection committee will accept nominations and select a family using the following criteria:
1. Production of quality Alaska Grown products (not based on quantity);
2. Community involvement (civic organizations, school, sports, church);
3. Involvement in agricultural industry organizations (local, state and federal, etc.) and,
4. Overall farm family image, farming history, and unique or special production.

The award, sponsored by the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, will be presented at the Fair on opening day, August 23, 2007. Nominations should offer details about the family and how the family members fulfill the criteria. The nomination should be mailed to:

Farm Family
Alaska Division of Agriculture
1800 Glenn Hwy, Ste. 12
Palmer, AK 99645

or faxed to: (907) 745-7254. or emailed to: Amy_Pettit@dnr.state.ak.us

The deadline for nominations is June 29, 2007.

Alaska State Fair Farm Family of the Year

The Alaska State Fair Farm Family of the Year award was established in 2000 to honor an Alaska farming family and show appreciation for all the hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture in the state. Nominations are accepted annually, and the winner must meet criteria such as production of quality Alaska Grown product, community and agricultural organization involvement, and overall image.
2000 Huppert Family - Paul Huppert came to Alaska in 1952 and homesteaded in the Mat-Su Valley. He worked as Produce Manager for Matanuska Maid until the Produce Division was sold in 1964. Paul purchased the Produce Division and formed Palmer Produce. Today many members of the Huppert family are involved in the farming enterprise including Paul’ s son Gerald Huppert, his daughter Paula Giauque, his grandson Josh Lutz, and his granddaughter Terri Bernowski.

2001 VanderWeele Farms – Ben & Suus VanderWeele - Ben and his wife Suus began their farming operation in Mat-Su Valley in 1967. Today the VanderWeele operation consists of 160 cultivated acres that are operated by Ben, Suus, and their three children – Glenn, Rodger & Michelle and 25-30 seasonal employees. VanderWeele Farms successfully produces a variety of vegetables including potatoes, carrots, lettuces, cabbages and onions.

2002 Havemeister Farms – Bob & Jeanne Havemeister - Bob’s parents, Arnold & Emmy arrived in the Mat-Su Valley in May, 1935, one of 200 Colony families selected by the federal government to settle and farm here during the Depression. Today the farm covers 200 acres owned and leased, and the Havemeisters milk about half of their 150 cow herd, producing approximately 2.2 million pounds of milk/year. The current operation is a high- tech dairy that tags and logs in the cows and tracks milk production, age and offspring.

2003 Rempel Family Farm – Mark Rempel - The Rempel Family Farm came into operation in 1960 when Mark Rempel’s father, Dietrich, purchased the acreage from the federal government. Mark bought the farm in 1990, became organic in 1992 and USDA Certified Organic in 1995. Today Mark operates 12 acres producing 70 varieties of organic vegetables. The Rempel Family Farm booth is always popular at area farmers markets.

2004 P&M Gardens – Paul Dinkins – P&M Gardens opened in 1976. Today it consists of a nursery wholesale operation with 10 acres of land, 200,000 square feet of growing houses, a retail store, shipping and warehouse area and a fleet of trucks that deliver plants across the state. The success of P & M Gardens has lead to the need for over 70 employees during the peak season.

2005 Calypso Farm and Ecology Center – Tom Zimmer & Susan Willsrud - Calypso Farm began in 2000 as an effort to educate the community about local food supplies. Today Calypso is home to a fast-growing Community Support Agriculture
(CSA) operation which this past year supported 45 shareholders. The farm consists of 2.5 cultivated, terraced acres in a forested area 10 miles out of Fairbanks. In addition to growing food, Calypso works collaboratively with local organizations to provide handson educational and research opportunities in ecology and sustainable agriculture.

2006 Wrigley Farms – Rex & Bryce Wrigley was formed in 1983 when Rex & Bryce moved their families to their families Delta Junction, Alaska from Idaho. Over the years Wrigley Farms has successfully produced oats, oat hay, barley, brome, broccoli, potatoes and hogs. Rex and Bryce are both active in their area Soil & Water Conservation District and Farm Bureau Chapter. The family is also active in their church and community.

Retiree Appreciation Day at Fort Wainwright

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - The 22d Annual Retiree Appreciation Day will be held May 5 at the Last Frontier Community Center. All military retirees and their families, regardless of branch of service, are invited to attend.

The day's activities will begin with cholesterol screening from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The speaker session will be held from 10 a.m.-noon. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) William Matz, president, National Association for Uniformed Services will address legislative issues concerning retirees and Mr. Joseph Montoya, TRICARE Retiree Dental Program coordinator will discuss retiree dental care.
Visitors may update ID cards, renew on-post vehicle registrations, attend a health fair, and gather information from a number of post agencies at the Information Bazaar and Health Fair from noon-2 p.m. The health fair portion includes cholesterol tests, eye exams and blood pressure checks. Personnel will be on hand to discuss physical therapy, shoes and exercise, healthy backs and nutrition. The Medical Activity-Alaska will also have Vials of Life available for the retirees.

Lunch (Roadhouse Hearty Buffet) will be available from noon-1:15 p.m. at the Chena Roadhouse located inside the Last Frontier Community Center. The cost for lunch is $15.30, payable in advance to Sharon Harris. A transition briefing for the new Bassett Army Community Hospital begins at 2:15 p.m.with a tour of the hospital immediately after.

Interior Alaska is home to 2,536 military retirees and 152 surviving spouses of deceased military retirees.

For more information, retirees may call Sharon Harris at 800-478-7384 or e-mail her at Sharon.harris@richardson.army.mil.

Briefing for TRICARE enrollees on Bassett

A briefing on the move from the old to the new Bassett Army Community Hospital at Fort Wainwright will be held at Fort Greely's Gabriel Auditorium on Tues., May 1, 3-4 pm & again at 6-7 pm

The briefing will include:

• Facility/care enhancements
• Service impacts during transition

The briefing is for all TRICARE enrollees--(active duty/reserve members, retirees, family members)

Lieutenant Governor Welcomes Man Embarking on 6,000 Mile Bike Journey

Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will welcome and meet with Glenn Fenster of Florida to discuss epilepsy awareness in the State of Alaska. Mr. Fenster will depart from Anchorage the next day on his 6,000 mile bike ride to Miami, Florida to raise epilepsy awareness.

Who: Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will meet with Glenn Fenster
What: Epilepsy Awareness
When: Friday, April 27 at 2:45 p.m.
Where: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Upper level sidewalk outside of Alaska Airlines ticket counters

Contact: Kate Morgan, Special Assistant/Communications @ 269-7460

Photo of the day - April 26

In Tuesdays picture of the trees with their roots standing in the parking lot now lay down with the roots facing the water and the trunks are fastened together with other logs. This provides the erosion protection for the bank at Rika’s landing. Rock will also be placed in front and on top of the logs. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Produce Truck has returned to Delta

CV Farms will be in Delta on Friday, April 28 for 5 to 6 days.

On this trip they are offering 3 kinds of apples, strawberries, asparagus, potatoes, lettuce, spinach and alot more.

They will be located across from the Buffalo Gas Station. Look for the big orange truck.

Aglow Community Yard Sale!

Have you been “spring” cleaning?
Has it got you steaming?
Dressers and Closets “bursting” at the seams
Odds and Ends “stacked” up to the beams
Is your garage “bulging” at the doors?
How long has it been since you've seen the “floor”?
Rid yourself of never ending “dusting”
From piles and piles of things just a “rustin'”
Bring them to the “Yard Sale” at the Community Center
A $10.00 space will make you a “Renter”
Turn the items that you may have considered to “trash”
Into someone else’s “treasure” for hard cold “Cash”

Aglow will be hosting a Community Yard Sale at the Community Center on Saturday the 19th of May.

Please call Kathy Fields at 590-7100 for more information, and to reserve a space.
Others numbers to call would be Dawn Somerlot at 590-4110 or Anne Reierson at 378-9252

Fort Greely Installation Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting

Fort Greely, Alaska--The Fort Greely Installation Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) will meet at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, 23 May 2007 at the Community Center in Delta Junction, Alaska.

The goal of the RAB is to give individuals who represent the diverse interests of the community the opportunity to regularly review progress and interact with the decision makers concerning Fort Greely's environmental restoration program. The aim is to increase public understanding and the quality of the installation environmental restoration program.

The RAB meetings are held quarterly, are announced in advance and are open to the public.

The RAB assisted with the restoration efforts required by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process from 1995 until portions of Fort Greely were withdrawn from surplus in 2001 to support the U.S. missile defense program. The RAB is now assisting with the installation environmental restoration program.

The RAB membership currently includes: the Community Co-chair, Stephen Hammond, the Fort Greely Installation Co-Chair, Lieutenant Colonel Gregory McClinton, Fort Greely garrison commander; community members Dick Anderson, Steve Fields, Pete Hallgren, Tom Miller, Mike Murphy, and Carol Stock. A representative from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation participates in each meeting and a representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is invited to participate in each meeting.

Members of the RAB have committed to a goal of attending all RAB meetings and devoting ample time to review any related Army documents within prescribed time frames.

Public participation on the RAB is strictly voluntary. The Army does not provide financial support to the public members for their services nor are members compensated for work hours lost or time invested.

For more information about the RAB and its activities, call Stephen Hammond at telephone 907-895-5441, see the RAB's website at www.smdcen.us/rabfga, or call Christine Boerst, Fort Greely director of public works and environmental coordinator, at telephone 907-873-4665.

AGIA Public Hearing

Senate Finance will take public testimony on AGIA (Natural Gas Pipeline) on Monday April 30, 2007 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Delta Junction LIO. We are located in Suite 218 of the Jarvis Office Building. Call 895-4236 for questions or directions.

Photo of the day - April 25

The picture shows a number of trees with their roots that will be used to stabilize the bank at Rika’s Landing. The project started during low water levels and should be finished before the river rises. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Food conference brings experts, entrepreneurs together

Fairbanks, Alaska—A conference highlighting Alaska homegrown specialty and gourmet foods will take place in Fairbanks, May 4–5 at the Hutchison Institute of Technology’s culinary arts facility. Sponsored by Cooperative Extension Service, the event is specially designed for Alaskans interested in the specialty food business.

The conference aims to provide resources to guide small business owners through the food product development process and features keynote speaker Stephen Hall, author of “From Kitchen to Market.” Hall is president of Food Marketing International, a company that coaches specialty food firms who would like to expand their businesses.

The first day of the conference features a trade-show, which includes taste-testing participants’ products giving attendees a chance to explore business partnerships. The second day consists of roundtable discussions moderated by small-business professionals on business-related topics such as brand design, website development and customer service. The sessions will focus on experiences of industry professionals, business experts and Alaska’s own successful specialty food entrepreneurs.

The event is also geared toward individuals interested in starting product production, restaurateurs interested in carrying local products and others in the food business. Although the event is tailored to the food industry, organizers say the concepts of networking and overcoming geography apply to many Alaska small businesses. There is a $75 registration fee. For more information call 474-2420 or visit www.uaf.edu/ces.

Delta Summer Softball League 2007

We are gearing up again for the summer season of softball. If you are willing and able to help out with odd jobs for the season please contact Hanni Marchuk at 907-360-9731 during the day and 895-4018 in the evenings. There was a lack of help last season, and if no one is willing to help out this year we may not be having a Softball League during the summers anymore!

Umpires are badly needed, if you are willing to be an umpire this year please contact Hanni at the numbers above. Pay is $20/game. We will arrange to educate you on the slow-pitch softball rules if you have never umpired before, so don’t let a lack of experience stop you!

Men’s League is on Monday nights beginning June 4th. Coed League is on Wednesday nights beginning June 6th. Team Rosters with a minimum of 9 players must be turned in by May 25th or that team will not be able to play. This is for scheduling purposes.

All Team Rosters and Registrations may be mailed to Hanni Marchuk, Po Box 514, Delta Junction, AK 99737. Please make check or money order out to Delta Softball League, send cash through the mail at your own risk. Team Fee’s must be post-marked or delivered to Hanni Marchuk by May 25th or you will be taken off the schedule. Player Fee’s are due with registration; no registrations will be accepted without payment. All players must be registered and fee’s paid before their first game. If someone is not in town until after the season begins they may still register and join a team.

If you are new in town or don’t have a team please call Hanni Marchuk or Richard Lester and we will do our best to get you on one.

Anyone entertaining the thoughts of putting together a team need to communicate any scheduling restrictions well in advance so we schedule accordingly. Game times were as follows last year 6:30, 7:45, and 9:00.

Team and Player Fee’s for those planning on playing in the first games are due by May 25th. I will not be accepting Fee’s the day of the first season’s games. This causes delay’s in the start of the games and causes headaches for those of us trying to get the season off to a great start, so get your player’s fee’s in on time.

Team Fee: $200
Player Fee: $25 men’s
$25 co-ed
$40 both

If you have any questions concerning the Delta Softball League please call Hanni Marchuk during the day at 360-9731 or in the evenings at 895-4018.

Photo of the day - April 24

A beautiful picture of the elk on the game ranch this month. Photo Courtesy Ruby Hollembaek

Photo of the day - April 23

The geese are coming back to Delta Junction and the jets flying training missions. Photo Courtesy Carol Watkins

Photo of the day - April 21

View of Mt. Hayes from Donnelly Creek. Eagle Air took two climbers to the base of Mt. Hayes for a summit climb. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Photo of the day - April 20

Sunset on the Tanana River just north of Big Delta. Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips

Carefree Gourmet by Joyce McCombs - Dog Treats

This week the Carefree Test kitchens are doing a bit of time travel and heading back to the good old days of March 2002. In the past two weeks I’ve had countless requests from worried pet owners to run a few recipes for home made chow for Fido. Although I don’t ever re-run a column, (although it’s tempting after 18 years of writing!), I’m happy to oblige with this revised and updated list of ideas for pets. I also want to let you know that lists of the products affected by the pet food recall are available free at the Delta Library and on line at menufoods.com. I haven’t heard of anyone in town who actually purchased any of the suspect food, and I sure hope all our beloved local critters stay healthy.

To view the rest of Dog Treats Recipes we invite you to browse our Carefree Gourmet pages.

Photo of the day - April 19

One of Robert Packard's buffaloes on Nistler Road. Photo Courtesy Henry Summers

Working together to prevent abuse

Interior Health officials are gathering to review the latest studies on how abusive environments can affect the development of young children, and how entire communities can help support victims of violence. Read more.

Photo of the day - April 18

Lauren Pennington (long time former Delta resident) took this photo south of Delta in late March, early April.

A sign of spring - Denali Park road open

No bears have been spotted yet, but due to light snowfall and warmer temperatures, private vehicles will be able to drive as far as the Teklanika River rest area at Mile 30 in Denali Park through May 18. Beginning May 19, the park shuttle bus system will begin providing access beyond the Savage River. The first 15 miles of the park road will be open to private vehicles throughout the summer season. More information here.

Railroad feasability study ready for review

Premier Dennis Fentie and Governor Sarah Palin have yet to meet to discuss the outcomes of the joint Alaska-Yukon railroad study which was completed in July 2006. In January, Fentie announced a meeting with Palin would take place in the "immediate future". The study consists of 225 documents and outlines a route with Carmacks as the hub, a segment heading north to Delta Junction and one heading south to a deep water port in the Inside Passage. Read more

Alyeska safety procedures under review

After last January's tank farm fire at Pump 9, the state Department of Labor's Joint Pipeline Office and Alyeska are looking at several areas that may need safety revisions including evacuation procedures. Read more here

Alaska's Senator Ted reaches milestone

83 year old Ted Stevens became the longest longest-serving Republican in U.S. Senate history on Friday, April 13. Although he's served 39 years in office, he remains behind six Democrats on the all-time longevity list. Read the highlights of Senator Stevens political career here

"Showdown..." a sellout!

Exclusive to the Delta News Web

Well, not exactly a sellout, for no admission is charged to enjoy the Delta Christian Drama Association presentations---this the sixth now---but the 3 evening run was entertaining, well attended and highly acclaimed as usual!

Unlike the earlier productions, this drama is contemporary – Paradise Gulch is a fictional town in Montana—and is an original script co-written and co-directed by George and Gaylene Hosier.


Executed by a cast—oh, my there aren’t words, at least in this reporter’s vocabulary, to express the admiration we have for this cast of 10, most of whom have no acting experience, but DO have enthusiasm, dedication, and faith.

The hundreds of man-hours of preparation by cast and other volunteers were evident—there were no glaring errors, no glitches, no gaffes, and no disasters.


Volunteers included set design and construction—a magnificent painting, depicting a “wild Montana skies” and landscape view from the window of the Spangler home, done by Vladimir Kurilchenko—the ranch house furniture built by Josiah Holbrook---music by several sets of musicians, including Ms Beth Abbott and Ms Autumn Abbott, and Ms Anna Kurilchenko---without the young dedicated Christian volunteers, these productions could not be actualized—thanks to them, and many other indispensable volunteers whom we have failed to acknowledge by name. They are all magnificent!

The drama concluded with a play within a play, using a total cast of 20, some of whom were called “extras”. Truly, there are no “extras” in this enterprise, for it was obviously a team effort and a labor of love.

The playwright combined a sort of slide show, voice over, pageant, object lesson, morality play, and grand finale spectacle – the magnificent costumes and showmanship we have come to anticipate from this group and this wardrobe mistress.

If you missed this show, you missed a treat, a winner, and an affirmation of faith by the participants. If you have attended none of the six presentations by DCDA, make a resolution to see the next one---try it, you might like it.

Click on the photos for enlargements. They will open up in a new window.

Thank you to Ken Farrow for a wonderful review and for our local photographer Carol Watkins for a beautiful display of photos.

AGIA Teleconference

The Legislature will be taking public testimony on the Natural Gas Pipeline Project on Saturday 4/21/2007 beginning at 1:00 PM.

Delta LIO will be a site for this if there is any interest.

Please call the Delta LIO by 4:30 PM on Friday 4/20 if you wish to testify on this project. 895-4236

Photo of the day - April 17

Spring is now here. I took this shot of my wife's rose. So enjoy there are more flowers on the way. Photo copyright Richard Mitchell

AGLOW Offers Beginner Beading Class

A beginners beading class will be taught by Viki Faber, well-known Delta beader from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday May 19.

In this class, you will learn basic beading techniques and complete a beading project. This project may be a suncatcher or a pair of earrings.

A small fee of $15 to cover beads, needles and other materials. For more information, please call Viki at 895-4667 between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

This class is being sponsored by Delta Junction Aglow. For more information about Aglow, please call Fran Hallgren at 895-5532 or Kathy Fields at 895-1950.

Photo of the day - April 16

What do residents of Nome do with their old Christmas trees? They plant them on the sea ice to create the Nome National Forest (Seasonal). In this recent picture you can see the old Christmas trees along with plywood characters that are also placed in the forest.
Photo Courtesy Gary Cooper

Paint the Town Purple - Fundraiser held over the Weekend

A photo layout of the Paint the Town Purple that was held on April 14th. It was a fund raising day for the towns folks of Delta Junction to support the teams that will be walking in the Relay of Life. Click on the photo for an enlarged version of the photo. Courtesy Carol J Watkins

Photo of the day - April 14

My husband and I visited Brian and Kristin Whitson and our 8-month old grandson Everett from March 29- April 7, 2007. My husband, Don Waliszek, took the picture of this grouse out by Clearwater Lake. We had such fun in Delta Junction. What a great place to visit our family. From Maine visitors Don and Joanne Waliszek

Dessert Tuesdays

The Mountain House Mad Hatters Relay for Life team will be having “dessert Tuesdays” as a fundraiser at Adams Ribs Restaurant until the Relay for Life event May 11th.

Every Tuesday there will be several desserts, made by Mad Hatter team members, available to enjoy by donation to the American Cancer Society.

Also on the following Friday nights, April 17th and 24th, team members will be the servers and all tips will go to the Relay for Life.

Come out to enjoy a good meal and support the fight against cancer.

Thanks to Mark and Miki Adams for their generous support of the Mountain House Mad Hatters Relay for Life Team.

For more information or to make a donation to the team contact Janice Templin-Weller at 895-4292.

Delta Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon

The next membership luncheon will be held on April 19, 2007 at noon at Clearwater Lodge. Lunch is $12.00.

Guest Speaker is Karl Hanneman, Manager of Public and Environmental Affairs and Special Projects, Teck Pogo, Inc. Karl will present a slide show providing an update on the Pogo Mine including some of the challenges faced in 2006.

Pogo is an operating underground gold mine with a current estimated gold resource of 5.6 million ounces averaging 0.41 ounces/ton, a projected mine life of 10 years, and an annual production rate of between 350,000 and 500,000 ounces of gold. Newly constructed, gold production began at the mine in early 2006. As of the end of the second quarter 2006, the mine was still in the commissioning phase, and was not yet operating at commercial production levels. The mine is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining, Inc. - a member of the Japanese Sumitomo Group. Through a joint venture agreement with Sumitomo, Teck Cominco, a Canadian mining company, has a 40 % interest in the property; its wholly-owned subsidiary, Teck Pogo, Inc. (TPI) is the mine operator. (11/06 Northern Alaska Environmental Center)

All who RSVP by April 17, at 4pm will be entered into a drawing and the winner will receive their meal free. Call the chamber office at 895-5068 for reservations.

Dr. Duane Gish of Institute for Creation Research to Speak in Fairbanks

Dr. Duane Gish, UC-Berkeley Faculty Member and well-known author, lecturer and debator for the Institute for Creation Research, will be speaking numerous times April 15-17.

Sunday (4/15)-10:00 a.m., Bible Baptist Church ("The Bible and Creation"). 11:00 a.m., McGrath Rd. Baptist Church ("The Bible and Modern Science"). 6:00 p.m., Bible Baptist Church ("The Scientific Evidence for Creation").
Monday, April 16, 3:00 p.m., UAF Wood Center Ball Room ("The Issue - Creation/Evolution"). 7:00 p.m., UAF Wood Center Ball Room ("Creation, Evolution and the Fossil Record").
Tuesday (4/17) - 10:30 a.m., Bible Baptist Church - speaks to homeschool students ("Dinosaurs and the Bible"). 3:00 p.m., UAF Wood Center Ball Room ("Intelligent Design or Blind Watchmaker?"). 7:00 p.m., UAF Wood Center Ball Room ("Origin of the Universe").

For most meetings, Q&A time is planned. All meetings are open to the public without charge. Dr. Gish will gladly autograph any of his books he has authored.

9th Annual IDEA Curriculum/Homeschooling Fair in Fairbanks

IDEA Homeschooling Program presents its 9th Annual Curriculum Homeschooling Fair at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks, April 19 & 20th. Approximately 60+ exhibitors will have curriculum and materials available for purchase, order, or examination.

The exhibit hall will be open from 10-6 on Thursday, April 19th and 9-4 on Friday, April 20th. A total of 30 workshops will be available for parents to attend on these days.

IDEA homeschooling families get FREE admission; there is a $20 charge (reimbursable by some other homeschooling programs) for non-IDEA families.

Door prizes are awarded throughout both days.

See the ideafamilies.org website for complete lists of both workshop topics/presenters and exhibitors.

Family Photos

Dawn and James Male are Queen and prince of this ice castle at Ice Alaska in Fairbanks. Taken by Jim Male

For additional text and photo enlargement and other family photos, we invite you to browse our

Photo of the day - April 13

An otter hams it up for some members of the Delta High School Band on their recent trip to Cordova. Submitted by John Netardus

Army on the Move - Exercise Increases Air Traffic

Residents of Delta Junction and neighborhoods near Fort Wainwright will experience increased aircraft activity April 16 through 23 as Soldiers train.

Task Force Dragon field training exercise includes night-flying operations with CH-47 (Chinook), OH-58 (Kiowa) and UH-60 (Black Hawk) aircraft in and around the Donnelly Training Area and into and out of Fort Wainwright. Officials expect the flights to begin near darkness and last throughout the night.

The Soldiers will also conduct some convoy live-fires and other maneuvers as part of the exercise. The training is necessary for mission readiness and to maintain the pilots' certification using night vision goggles.

Residents can expect to hear more activity than normal during the week.

Kiss a Pig - Friendly Frontier Days

Friendly Frontier Days is scheduled for May 26, 2007 and one of the highlights of this event is the annual Pig Kissing Contest. Three lucky people get the chance to jump in the pig pen, run around and roll in the mud until they catch their pig of choice and plant one big kiss on the cute little pig. Now it may not be love at first sight...but be assured that the participants and the onlookers will have a "squealing" good time.

So how can you or someone you know kiss a pig? I'm here to tell you. All you have to do is find one of the pig voting cans that are placed at businesses around town and nominate or vote for someone. Nominations are $5 and once a person is nominated then others can vote for them for $1 each vote. The three people that have the most votes by May 26 will kiss a pig. Now you can vote for anyone that is 18 years or older, it can be you, a friend, enemy, or family. Anyone...so place your vote today.

Pig cans are located at Buffalo Diner, IGA, Frontier Pull Tabs, Granite View Sports, Delta Library, Mt. McKinley Bank, Wells Fargo, Tiki Tanning and Nails, Calico Cow, Clearwater Lodge.

If you are a business member of the Delta Chamber and would like a pig can in your business please let Dawn know at the Chamber. Call 895-5068

Alumni Photos

Ben Grossmann on the Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank, CA directing the filming crew on the Six Flags commercial. Photos Courtesy Dawn Grossmann

For additional text and photo enlargements, we invite you to browse our alumni photo albums.

Photo of the day - April 12

Springtime at the ranch as the elk view us on a recent "hay day".
Photo Courtesy Ruby Hollembaek

Can you spare 5 minutes for 25 cents?

The Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission has settled on four finalist designs for Alaska's Quarter, due out in 2009.

Governor Palin and the Commission are seeking your comments on the designs.

To see the possible quarters and to offer feedback on them, visit http://www.gov.state.ak.us/coin_comments.php.

Public comments are welcomed through April 22, 2007.

Robert Hendrix - American Legion - Assisting Vets

Robert “Bob” Hendrix, Sr. from the American Legion Service Office will be in Fairbanks on 24-25 April 2007. He will be at the Vet Center on 4th Ave in Fairbanks, on the 24th from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, then at the American Legion Post #30 in Moose Creek from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On the 25th, he will be at the Vet Center on 4th Ave from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

The American Legion Service Officer provides information on VA benefits, helps with the filing of a claim with VA for benefits, compensation, health, pension and can answer questions on pending claims. Can also assist Veterans returning from Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom on benefits provided by VA for them.

Contact number is (Anchorage) 907-276-8211 or toll free at 1-888-353-7574, ext. 4802. Thank you for your assistance.

Photo of the day - April 11

In this picture are chum salmon fry that are just emerging from the gravel along the Tanana River. They can now be easily spotted in the shallow clear water. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Photo of the day - April 10

Aurora was taken near Donnelly Dome. Photo Courtesy Jason Langiewicz

LBC Public Meeting to Adopt Decisional Statement Regarding the Deltana Borough Proposal

STATE OF ALASKA LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION (LBC) NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The LBC will meet on Thursday, April 12, 2007, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held in Suite 1760, 550 West Seventh Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. Items on the agenda include: (1) adoption of a statement of decision regarding the Deltana Borough proposal; (2) selection of the Vice-Chair of the LBC

The LBC concluded at the decisional session in Delta Junction on March 17, 2007, that the Deltana Borough incorporation proposal meets all of the legal standards applicable to borough incorporation. Accordingly, the LBC approved the Petition for incorporation of the Deltana Borough on that date. On April 12 in Anchorage, the Commissioners will meet to adopt a written decisional statement required by law to explain in detail how the legal standards are satisfied.

There will be no public testimony regarding the adoption of the LBC decisional statement at the April 12 meeting.

To view the proposed agenda, click on the Notices link on the LBC Web site and select April 12, 2007, LBC Public Meeting or call 907-269-4501 and request that a copy be faxed to you.

Teleconference sites for the meeting may be added for the convenience of the public and/or LBC members. Individuals wanting to participate by teleconference should contact LBC Staff by 9 a.m. on April 12, 2007. There will be no public testimony regarding the adoption of the LBC decisional statement on the Deltana Borough. Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to participate should also contact LBC Staff by telephone at 907-269-4560; fax at 907-269-4539; or e-mail at LBC@commerce.state.ak.us

Persons interested in receiving future LBC notices by electronic mail may subscribe to the LBC Notice List service by visiting the LBC Web site set out above, clicking on the link to the LBC Subscription service by visiting the LBC Web site set out above, clicking on the link to the LBC Subscription Service, and following the instructions.

If you want to participate in the meeting on April 12, you can gather at City Hall at 10 am in the small conference room. (City Administrator Pete Hallgren said they would be serving cookies!) The LBC will be paying for that teleconference call.

If someone wants to call in from their home, you can, but you will have to pay for the call. The phone number to call in yourself, and pay for the call, is 1-800-315-6338, Code 729.

Building Expert to Offer Classes in Delta

Interior Alaska building expert Charlie Deer will be offering classes at the Delta Career Advancement Center. The Heating System Workshop will cover design, installation, and maintenance of energy efficient boilers. This two day workshop presented by AHFC and ABSN will be held from 8 am to 5 pm, Thursday and Friday, April 26th and 27th.

There will also be a one day workshop: Thermodynamics of a Cold Weather Window – “What you should know about insulated glass performance and design”. This one day workshop will be held on Friday, April 20th, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

These classes are sponsored by Alaska Building Science Network and are offered at no cost to the participants. For questions or to register, call Cheryl Helkenn at 895-4605.

GVEA Requesting Price Increase

Golden Valley Electric Association is requesting permission to increase rates for all customers by 4.13 percent. They are asking that this increase become effective June 1, 2007.

If the regulatory commission approves the request, residential customers will see a small increase in their monthly bill. For a household using 780 kilowatt hours of electricity each month, the new increase would add $3.35 to the monthly electricity charge, one of four factors used to tabulate the monthly bill.

GVEA has approximately 36,000 residential customers, 6,000 small commercial customers and 500 large commercial customers around the Interior.

For more information click here.

Return of the Geese - a Sure Sign of Spring

A few dozen Canada geese were spotted Sunday at Delta Junction's Clearwater Lake, about 100 miles south of Fairbanks, by Bill Barron.

The sightings at the lake usually mean geese will begin arriving in Fairbanks within a week. In preparation, crews just plowed the fields at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge on Friday, April 6. Click here for more information.

Photo of the day - April 9

This moose was spotted down by the Clearwater lake area. If you look close you can see what looks like antler buds starting on this young bull. Photo copyright Richard Mitchell

Photo of the day - April 7

"Taken on the afternoon of May 8, 2004 on the West side of the Nistler Road bridge. The water would continue to rise until early the next morning causing the worst flooding in 40 years in the Delta area. Photos courtesy Sebastian Saarloos."

Click here for a summary of the flood.

Photo of the day - April 6

Photo taken during an ATV trip on the 33 mile loop last September.
Photo Courtesy Michael Rogers

He's Alive - Song by Don Francisco

The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow and half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breaking through to drag us all away

And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call
I hurried to the window and looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet

There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me as she told us where she’d been
She said they’ve moved him in the night and none of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away and now His body isn’t there.

We both ran t’ward the garden and then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him was more than I could tell

Something strange had happened there just what I didn’t know
John believed a miracle but I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation didn’t lift me very high’
Cause I’d seen them crucify Him, and then I saw Him die

Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive, it wouldn’t be the same

Suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room
Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees and I just clung to him and cried

He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes
Love was shining out from them like sunlight from the skies
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d every had just melted into peace

He’s alive, He’s alive, He’s alive and I’m forgiven

Heaven’s gates are opened wide
(Repeat chorus two more times)

He’s alive, He’s alive, He’s alive….He’s alive!

Submitted by Pastor Howard EchoHawk
Delta Christian Center

Friendly Frontier Days Sweatshirt Pre-orders

Friendly Frontier days is just around the corner scheduled for May 26, 2007. Pre-orders are being taken for hooded sweatshirts. Sweatshirts are available in all sizes and will cost $25. The Delta Chamber orders short sleeved T-shirts that will be available before and during the Friendly Frontier Days Event. We only order a limited amount of sweatshirts. So, this is your chance to make sure to get one. Event T-shirts and sweatshirts will have the logo (see below) and sponsor names on the back and will be a steel grey. Please call the Delta Chamber office to place your order 895-3279 payment may be made by cash, check or credit card.

Workshops for Rural Small Businesses and AG Producers

Chad Padgett, Alaska Acting State Director of USDA Rural Development, has announced that workshops on renewable energy and energy efficiency will be held next week in Delta Junction and Fairbanks for rural small businesses and ag producers.


“These renewable energy workshops scheduled for Delta Junction and Fairbanks will build upon the recent workshop held in Palmer that was a success with area small businesses and ag producers,” said Padgett.

The workshops are half-day events covering the topics of renewable resources, bio-diesel, retrofitting for energy efficiency, and financing options for rural small businesses. The last hour of the workshops will include a session on how to apply for grants and loan guarantees from USDA Rural Development’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program.

“We are partnering with UAF Cooperative Extension Service, the Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Division of Agriculture in these workshops,” said Padgett. “The intent of these workshops is to provide information to help mitigate the impact of high energy costs on Alaska’s ag producers and rural small businesses.”

The workshop scheduled for Delta Junction will be held on Thursday, April 12th from 1:00 to 4:30 in the Cooperative Extension Service conference room in the Jarvis Office Building. Advanced registration is required. To register, call the Cooperative Extension office at (907) 895-4215 by April 10th.

The Fairbanks workshop will be held on Friday, April 13th from 9:00 to 12:30 in the Borough Assembly Room in the Fairbanks North Star Borough Office at 809 Pioneer Road. Advanced registration is required. The deadline for registration is April 11th. To register, call the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation at (907) 452-2185 or toll-free at (888) 476-3332.

Photo of the day - April 5

A Parka squirrel at Pump Station 10. Photo Courtesy Henry Summers

Photo of the day - April 4

This White-tailed ptarmigan was observed in the granite Mts. this last weekend; it was burrowing into the snow to escape detection. This species of ptarmigan is uncommon north of the Alaska Range. It is smaller in size and does not have black markings on the tail feathers as the willow ptarmigan does. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Open House Public Meeting - EIS

Open House Public Meeting
Thursday, April 12, 2007
5pm - 8pm
Presentation at 6:30pm
Delta Junction Community Center

The Army intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed increase and reorganization of aviation assets in Alaska. This will allow the Army to transition to a force that is capable of providing a broad range of integrated aviation training experiences to the forces of U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK), and more aviation capabilities when the unit deploys to support operational missions abroad.

Exisiting aviation units would potentially be reorganized and stationed at Fort Wainright, Fort Richardson, or other installations to support the training assets on U.S. Army training lands in Alaska.

The Army proposes to add helicopters capable of providing medical evacuation, air reconnaissance, close air supper, and aviation attack capabilities. Proposed reorganization of aviation assets involves construction of new facilities, execution of day-to-day support operations, and routine joint military training at nearby training lands and ranges. The EIS will analyze the impacts of the proposed action and a full range of reasonable alternatives upon Alaska's natural and man-made environments.

To participate in the public scoping process, please attend the open house public meeting on April 12 from 5pm to 8pm at the Delta Junction Community Center. Written comments identifying potential impacts to be analyzed in the EIS must be received not later than May 4, 2007 and may be directed to:

Aviation Alaska EIS
c/o Denise Trutanic, CH2M Hill
301 W. Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 601Anchorage, AK 99503

or by Email: aviationalaskaeis@ch2m.com

Web updates available at: www.usarak.army.mil/conservation

Photo of the day - April 3

One of our resident snow bunnies at Delta Cyber School. Submitted by John Netardus

Vote Today (April 3) on Statewide Advisory Vote

Alaskans vote today on a Statewide Advisory Vote. The ballot question is this:

"Shall the legislature adopt a proposed amendment to the state constitution to be considered by the voters at the 2008 general election that would prohibit the state, or a municipality or other subdivision of the state, from providing employment benefits to same-sex partners of public employees and to same-sex partners of public employee retirees?

The State has provided this statement of support. Supporters have developed this website.

The State also provided this statement in opposition. Those opposed to the amendment developed this website.

The Bible-Is-Reel Contest Challenges Teens to Create Reality TV with Bible Characters

The contestants begin by finding their own character in the Bible, then creating a "trailer" that tells the story of that character, using the guidelines provided.

Kevin Jackson/CR (April 1st, 2007) Reality TV is kicked up a notch when children, teens, and youth pastors are challenged to bring Bible characters to life. The Bible-Is-Reel competition is taking advantage of the newest video sharing forum, GodTube.com, by instructing competitors to upload a 1-3 minute preview of their newest creation in trailer format.

The contestants begin by finding their own character in the Bible, then creating a "trailer" that tells the story of that character, using the guidelines provided. All the productions must be G-rated.

Winners will be given Shofar Awards, which will be chosen from a variety of categories. The grand prize winner will be given ten fully-paid tours to the Holy Land to expose the kids to other cultures.

For further information on how to enter your movie Click Here Source: The Christian Post

Photo of the day - April 2

A couple of Robert Packard's buffalo on Nistler Rd. Photo Courtesy Henry Summers

Photo of the day - April 1

Ice beauty - this photo was taken South of Delta down the Richardson Hwy- in the Rainbow Mountain area. Taken early March 2007. By Dawn Male