Photos from Friendly Frontier Days

Friendly Frontier Days was well attended last Saturday. It turned out to be an awesome day. Good food, good entertainment and good family fun.

Thank you Carol Watkins for the beautiful photo displays you have put together. You can click on each of the photos for a photo enlargement. We will run the last 3 photo displays on Friday.

Thank you Amanda for all your hard work on putting this event to together for the community, and the many vendors who supported this event.

Thank you Chamber of Commerce.

Delta Library to Host Wickersham & Seward Historical Re-Enactment

Get ready for something different! Friday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m., the Delta Community Library will turn into a time machine. You won't want to miss this chance to listen to Judge James Wickersham, who was born more than 150 years ago, reminisce about his extraordinary life as first territorial judge of Alaska. Besides serving Interior Alaska for almost eight years and bringing civil government to a previously lawless region, Judge Wickersham also served fourteen years as Alaska Delegate to the US Congress, was the first to climb Mt. McKinley, and helped establish Alaska's first college, which became the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Also on the program is William Henry Seward presenting "My Greatest Legacy". As secretary of state under Presidents Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for about 2 cents an acre in what some at the time called "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox."

Both historical characters will presented by John Venables, who played last year to standing room only crowds in both Juneau and Haines. The re-enactment is part of the Journey to Statehood Program which is a year long celebration in all three major cities of Alaska. The official kick off of the state celebration is in Fairbanks on Wednesday, May 28 and commemorates when Congress passed the first legislation leading to Statehood. Juneau celebrates on July 4, when the Senate passed the bill confirming statehood, and Anchorage plans festivities on January 3, 2009, the date President Eisenhower signed the proclamation in 1959 for Alaska to become the 49th state.

Mr. Venables graciously offered to bring his show to the Delta Library on May 30 as he is visiting family in the area over the weekend. The Delta Library Board is pleased to offer this night of historical fun to everyone free of charge.

Mr. Venables was recently told the Juneau Empire: "These two men were highly important figures in Alaska's history who should be remembered and celebrated for their contributions on the road to statehood." The audience will hear background on the characters, what they had to contend with in their lives and what they contributed to Alaska on the journey to statehood. The program is suitable for both adults and children and will include a slide show and question and answer period, music and refreshments.

The Journey To Statehood program is made possible by a grant from The National Endowment for the Humanities, the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, The Alaska Humanities Forum We the People Grant Program and the Alaska State Library.

By Joyce McCombs

Late Firing Exercises Set

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – The Army will conduct demolition training in the Donnelly Training Area June 6 to 18. The 716th Explosive Ordnance Disposal will go to 24-hour operations June 11 to 19.

The training involving explosives will take place at Washington Range, approximately 21 miles from Delta Junction and 15 miles from Fort Greely.

Delta Junction area residents may hear booming noises and feel vibrations from the explosions.

For more information call Range Control at 873-4714.

Delta Softball Teams

We tentatively have 3 Men's Teams:
Cummings Sawmill (?)
49th
Logging & Milling

and

5 Coed Teams:
Jacob White's
Morley Electric
49th
Lester/Kingston's
Nate's

Please get your team rosters and Fee's into Hanni Marchuk as soon as possible so we can get the league going. First games are tentatively scheduled for Monday June 9th (Men's), and Wednesday June 11th (Coed). We need a consensus from the Men's teams regarding if they want to play with only 3 teams.

Call Hanni for more info (907)-360-9731 or 895-4018, or email deltasoftball@gmail.com. Updated softball information can be found at deltasoftball@googlepages.com

Friendly Frontier Days Drawing Winners

Winner: Wayne Hunt - Overnight stay at Sophie Station Hotel in Fairbanks with $50 certificate to Zach’s Restaurant

Winner: Kay Sanders - Round trip for two on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage

Winner: Sarah Bevard - Overnight stay at the Tanana Loop Country Inn, a bed & breakfast in Delta Junction (includes breakfast)

Winners: S. Dinger, Wayne Hunt, Tena Walker, Chuck Creamer
2008 Friendly Frontier Days t-shirts (total of 4)

Special thanks to all those who purchased and sold tickets!

For more information, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068.

Controlled Sonic Booms Scheduled

354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – To provide local community leaders with a better understanding, four controlled sonic booms will take place east of Eielson between 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. on June 2, 2008. This is in efforts to provide local community leaders the experience their communities have raised concerns about, during past exercises at Eielson. The community leaders will also receive information about Red Flag-Alaska, Airspace to include supersonic restrictions, Eielson’s media outreach program and specific information pertaining to sonic booms.

Fort Wainright Detours

Repairs to the heating distribution system here will mean temporary detours near the post exchange-commissary mall and the post’s physical fitness center this week.
Shoppers at the mall will not be able to access it from Meridian Road. Entry to the mall is from Santiago Avenue via the access road by Northern Lights Inn or the parking lot for the credit union and furniture store. This change is expected to occur Friday and last no more than 24 hours.

The exit from the parking lot of the Physical Fitness Center will be closed Saturday. Traffic will be routed two-way through the entrance for a 24-hour period.

The entrance into the fitness center’s parking lot will be closed Monday. Access will be two-way through the exit driveway.

The Utilities Section at the Directorate of Public Works will expedite these necessary repairs to minimize inconvenience and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

Alumni Photos

Gabriel, Conor and Grace Edmison

Gracie Edmison's first ballet


Michelle (Sharp) and Jason Edmison

Photos Courtesy Michelle (Sharp) Edmison

We invite you to browse our alumni photo albums for more photos and text.

Photo of the day - May 27

Delta's Logan Schiler proudly carries the Alaskan flag after winning the 300 meter hurdles in Saturday's state track meet held at Lathrop High School.

Delta's Logan Schiler rounds the corner and goes on to become the state champ in the 300 meter hurdles. Photos by team member Samantha Trainor

Tom and Wendy Hogan Ministering at Delta Christian Center

Tom and Wendy Hogan currently live in Fairbanks, and have been in Alaska "off and on" for over 30 years. Tom has been involved in worship ministry for most of that time and has served as Worship Pastor at Door of Hope Church for the past 9 years.

Wendy has been an integral part of the worship ministry, as well as a faithful prayer support for the ministry. Wendy has a passion for intercessory prayer and is most fulfilled when she's involved in prayer and encouraging women.
God has placed a call to the nations in the Hogans, and they are in the process of transitioning to Oaxaca, Mexico, to minister among the unreached peoples of the area.

Both Tom and Wendy were trained in Portland Bible College, as well as Beacon Institute of Ministry. They have four children, and six grandchildren.

Join us on May 31 at 7:00PM and June 1 at 11:00AM, 4.5 mile Jack Warren Road.

For more information call 895-4531.

Photo of the day - May 26

The Scouts from Troop 56 of Delta Junction, participated in a Memorial Day service on Sunday at the Rest Haven Cemetary. Scouts participating are Tony Tirrell, Charlie Herman, Taylor Levinson, Nick Duanes, Robby Besch and Will Besch.
Photos Courtesy Alan Levinson - Scoutmaster

Mystery Photo Winner For the Week of May 19 - 25

The winner of last week's mystery photo is Isaac Ruse. We had 4 correct entries.

Thank you for each one that submitted their entry, along with mailing address. Please remember to include your mailing address with each entry. DNW will not accept entries without mailing addresses. We do not store your address from week to week.

Isaac will receive a gift certificate from the Buffalo Center Diner courtesy of Ed and Ann Richards .

The photo was taken in front of the Wells Fargo Bank. You will find the horse on their logo on the building.

Seems like this last week must have been quite challenging. This week, our photographer has done it again, I think this will also be just as challenging. Good luck as you look for next week's photo.

Bill and Linda Thomas Celebrating 50th Anniversary

Bill and Linda Thomas homesteaded on the Clearwater road in 1960.

They now are getting ready to celebrate their 50th anniversary on June 7th with alot of family and friends.

Delta Jct. was our home until 1976 when my dad had to medically retire and we moved to Hayden Lake ID.

Dianne and Bilinda were born in there Grandmother's home on her homestead milepost 1418 Alaska Hwy then Annie Gilbertson. Dad worked in the power plant at Fort Greeley. My sister, Bilinda, and I went through elementary school ( a shout out to my buddy Kathy Kindy), and Dale went through Jr. high. Delta Jct. was a big part of my parents lives as was ours growing up.

Anyone that has photos or a story that they could e-mail me so we could share with my mom and dad on their special day would be a great surprise, as we honor them on their 50th anniversary June 7th.

My e-mail address is dfsurvivor@aol.com.

Thank you so much Dianne Froehlich (Thomas)

Photo of the day - May 24

A male bison walks across a field near Clearwater Road with the Granite Range forming a backdrop. Image by Dwight Phillips

Vandalism at the Deltana Fairgrounds - again

A vandal is a person who deliberately destroys or damages public or private property. There are vandals in Delta Junction.

All of the windows in the Needle Work & Quilting Exhibit Hall were broken by large rocks recently. This senseless act of vandalism has again canceled plans for the fairgrounds. The improvements planned for the fairgrounds cannot be made because the money must be spent to repair the broken windows. Last year one of these same windows was broken along with damage to the horse arena and the Kids Kastle. This is thousands of dollars which must be spent to repair meaningless vandalism that could have been spent on improvements to the fairgrounds.

The people in Delta who volunteer the hundreds of hours needed to make the Deltana Fair happen are not the people who throw rocks through the exhibit hall windows. They are not the people who run their ATVs over the horse arena and damage things on the fairgrounds. Individuals and businesses in Delta donate many dollars and many volunteer hours so all the people in Delta can enjoy the Deltana Fair each year. A few hoodlums are denying the people of Delta some things that could have been at the fair and causing a lot of extra work just to clean up their mess.

Who are these vandals or hoodlums? Why are they destroying things on the fairgrounds? Don't they enjoy the Deltana Fair? It will take the people of Delta to find out who is destroying their enjoyment of the fair. How are these repairs to be made? Who is going to pay? Will the price of getting into the Deltana Fair have to go up? What can you do about this? If you know who the vandals are, call the Alaska State Troopers at 895-4800.

What is the Alaska Potato Project?

The University of Alaska (UAF) School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences/Agriculture and Forestry Experimental Station (SNRAS/AFES) has an opportunity to survey non-commercial potato growers around the state. The grower responses to this general survey will allow us to develop outreach and education and best management research regarding potato growing in Alaska.

Why potatoes? Why NOT potatoes?

Potatoes are grown in communities throughout the state. They are the number one commercial vegetable crop in Alaska. Potatoes are easy to grow and grow well in Alaska.

Who is involved?

Survey participants need only one qualification: grow potatoes in Alaska. Participants do not need to grow any certain amount or type of potato as the survey is written for all levels of potato grower.

What is the goal of the survey?

The goal is to document the locations of potato growers, amount of potatoes grown, varieties grown, source of potato seed, commonly used management strategies, potential disease hot spots, and to identify areas of need for outreach and education.

What is involved in the survey?

Participants will complete the five-page survey and return it in a pre-paid, addressed envelope. In addition to the survey, the participants will also receive a list of seed potatoes SNRAS/AFES has available for them. Upon completion of the survey and based on the participants’ seed request, seed of their choice from the variety list will be packaged and sent to them in a USPS Priority Mail, pre-paid box (about 3-5lb of seed).

Who is the contact person?

If you have questions or are interested in participating in the Alaska Potato Project, please contact Jodie Anderson by either emailing her at ffjma@uaf.edu or calling 746.9461.

Carpenter Ants

As the 2008 growing season begins, several questions pertaining to problems around the home have been received. The most common question asked by Delta residents is about Carpenter ants, and how to get rid of this pest.

There are two species of Carpenter ant (Camponotus) that are known to occur in Alaska. The Carpenter ant C. herculeanus is located in Delta Junction. This species is large, black, and is the more common of the two species. The other species (not yet identified) has been found in old stumps and logs of Populus termuloides (Aspen) on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It is slightly smaller with a distinctly blue or purple sheen.

In the home, Carpenter ants like to inhabit wet or moist wood, including foundations and logs; insulation or other soft substrate, tree trunks, stumps, wood piles, or other places outside of the home. Normally in nature, Carpenter ants nest in old stumps, downed trees, or trees with heart rot. Ants also like human habitats containing untreated wood, wooden-landscape structures, damp wood, or urethane foam insulation, which are other possible nesting sites.

If ants are a problem, watch and follow them to discover their nesting site. If the ants are in your walls or foundation, you can hear they eating your structure. Usually a few ants in the home are just foraging for food, but if their numbers increase or if piles of sawdust seem to appear from nowhere, the nest should be located and destroyed.

The life cycle of a Carpenter ant starts with a single queen ant laying about 20 eggs in a small area. Soon after this group hatches, the colony expands into different members (or castes) with different roles, each having a responsibility to the colony’s growth and continuation. Colonies can have as many as 3,000 workers and can continue to grow for several years.

Control Options
· Determine location of the ant nest and look for signs of wood damage (structural).
· Eliminate areas of wet wood in which ants inhabit.
· Avoid storing wet rotting wood, or firewood, along side structures.
· Remove the nest.
· Use diatomaceous earth or sitica aerogel on the exposed nest.
· Boric acid, or other chemicals, can be used according to label directions.

If you are looking for information on Carpenter ant pest control, it can be found at www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces. If you have any questions concerning insects, weeds, plants, gardening, greenhouse problems, insect and vertebrate pest problems, and any other type of pest management questions, please contact Lynn Bundy (Delta IPM Technician) UAF-Cooperative Extension Service – Delta District located in the Jarvis Office Center, 895-4215 or her e-mail: deltariver48@yahoo.com.


By Lynn Bundy (IPM Technician)

New to Delta - Forums

Hello to all in the Delta Area.

We here at WDI and 99737.com are please to announce the launch of several new web-forums for the Delta/Deltana/Fort Greely area.

http://pets.99737.com : is a forum dedicated to this area, and will have everything from grooming tips to "for-sale ads", as well as an "Ask the Vet" forum.

http://dating.99737.com : is a forum open to people from just this area. For those 16 and over (with a "COPPA - Child Online Privacy Protection Act" parent letter) looking to find a date in the area. This board will be safe and "for the local area only". We will have a complete list, and this board will be "Full Disclosure" due to safety issues. This is a subscription board only. This is a free forum with a mandatory disclosure form.

http://firearms.99737.com : is a forum dedicated to everything about firearms. Everything from reloading to shooting, and we hope to have advertisements for shots and matches here as well.

http://rightsandlaw.99737.com : is a forum run by our very own local constitutionalist Butch Goodno. Butch will be discussing the rights you have under the constitution as well as how that impacts the laws of the United States of America, and the statutes of the State of Alaska. He will have people on this board ranging from locals to attorneys throughout the USA. Check it out! You will definitely learn about the true America.

All forums posters will need to be registered through the URL link at the top if you wish to post on them.

Thank you for reading and please post and post often.

Also we will host any forum topic the area needs. Please email wdi.admin@99737.com if you would like to have a separate topic other than the forums listed above (churches, youths, organizations, any topic at all...) and we will install the board, and ask that you help moderate it (we can give you full admin rights if you wish free of charge).

The staff at WDI and 99737.com

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 23

Melissa Brown (DOIM – 59th Signal BN) 107 votes
Deborah Snyder (ALPA) 40 votes
Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) 36 Votes
Laura White (Granite View Sports & Gifts) 26 votes
Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) 19 Votes
Mike Paschall (Delta Wind) 12 votes
Meghan Lene (NRCS) 9 Votes
Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) 6 votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town (Alaskan Steakhouse, Buffalo Center Diner, Buffalo Bar, IGA Food Cache, Granite View Sports & Gifts, & the Moose) and on Ft. Greely (the Post Office & Bistro) is Friday, May 24.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event from 11 am – 3pm. Friendly Frontier Days will be held in the area located behind the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum and Visitors Information Center.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

Photo of the day - May 23

A common red squirrel enjoys a spruce cone while sitting atop a piece of firewood.
Image by Dwight Phillips

Memorial Day Event - Sunday, May 25

The local Veterans associations and Boy Scout Troop 56 will be conducting a short ceremony in recognition of Memorial Day at the Rest Haven Cemetary, on Jack Warren Road, at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Alan Levinson
Scoutmaster Troop 56

Two Certification Classes Being Offered by Delta Mine Training Center

The first is a CPR/First Aid-AED certification class for May 30th (next Friday). The cost will be $100 per person. The class maximum is 10 students. Please have anyone interested in this class contact me by Wednesday May 28th.

The second is a MSHA 24-hour Surface certification class for June 17th-18th (Tues & Wed). The cost is $275 per person. Please have anyone interested in this class contact me by June 11th.

Carolyn Howard
Delta Mine Training Center
Delta Junction AK
Telephone: (907) 895-2051
Email: capolo@dmtcalaska.org
Website: Delta Mine Training Center

Americorps Summer Employment opportunity for Teens and Young Adults

The Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAYC) is a conservation corps committed to serving, educating, and providing job skills to Alaskan youth.
Participants, called corps-members, work in teams to accomplish meaningful projects in communities throughout Alaska.

Indian and Juneau, AK May 7, 2008: The Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (SAGA), a nonprofit funded by Americorps, is currently seeking summer corps-members, ages 16–24, for the Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAYC) to work throughout the state over 2½ months this summer. The start date is June 9th in Juneau or Indian, Alaska, and service continues through mid-August. SAYC members work on service projects throughout Alaska while living and working on a crew. On-the-job training includes work and safety skills, social and life coping skills, and vocational planning.

Qualifications: Alaska residents preferred though out-of-state applicants given ample consideration. Ideal applicants are ages 16-24; willing and able to live and work with a team of people; committed to entire term-of-service; express a desire to make positive changes in life; able to be in isolated locations for up to six weeks at a time, as well as living in a tent camp for up to 2½ months with a crew; be physically able to lift up to 50 lbs at a time and hike at least five miles a day comfortably; committed to work on GED if have dropped out of high school.

Benefits: $7.15 an hour for a 40-hour work week; possible school credit; food/housing/transportation provided for in the field; trainings in power tools and hand tools, trail construction and maintenance, wilderness safety, work and safety skills, social and life coping skills, vocational planning, and GED training if needed. Substantial education grant awarded at completion of service.

Searching for the New Ms. Wheelchair Alaska, USA!

Applications are now being accepted for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Alaska, USA! The winner will represent Alaska in August, competing against 50 other state representatives, for the national title of Ms. Wheelchair USA. The Ms. Wheelchair USA program is dedicated to celebrating the abilities and successful accomplishments of women with disabilities.

This year, one representative will be selected from each state based on the judging of their official State Representative Application Package. Judging of the Official Contestant Application, Contestant Platform Statement, two recommendation letters, and an overall impression score will result in the state titleholder selections.

To qualify, contestants must be women, ages 18 and older by July 30, 2008. There is no “age limit” in this competition! Contestants must utilize a wheelchair as their main source of mobility however; this program DOES NOT exclude women who may be able to utilize their legs. Contestants must be residents or students in Alaska for at least two months, may be married, single, or divorced. Contestants may have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, or no children.

The winner of the Ms. Alaska title will receive an official MWUSA crown, banner, and qualify for the live competition and show August 7-9, 2008 in Akron/Cleveland, Ohio. This nationally televised, competition promises exciting activities, family fun, friendly competitions, and is designed to showcase the successful stories of women who have overcome obstacles and are uniquely contributing to our society.

The state competition fee is $200. Contestants may pay the fee themselves, get donations from family and friends, or obtain sponsorships from area groups, business, etc. All supporters will be acknowledged in the national program book. The fee is to be submitted with the application package. Deadline to enter is June 5, 2008.

Interested contestants can request an Official State Representative Application Package by visiting the website at http://www.mswheelchairusa.org/ or by calling the Ms. Wheelchair USA office at 330-612-5242. or Fine Productions at 330-603-1201.

Ms. Wheelchair USA
2926 State Rd., Suite 206
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
330-612-5242
www.MsWheelchairUSA.org
info@MsWheelchairUSA.org

Ms. Wheelchair USA is a Fine Production!

BBB Tips for Planning Your Perfect Wedding

Anchorage, AK—May 22, 2008—Planning a wedding is a time-intensive and often stressful process that requires a great deal of research. To help you plan your perfect wedding, your BBB offers the following tips:

• Plan in advance. The easiest way to avoid getting scammed is to give yourself enough time to properly investigate vendors. This will make you less likely to make a decision you may later regret.
• Location, location, location. Many wedding venues deal with numerous caterers, florists, deejays, photographers and videographers, or they may require you to use preset vendors. Ask questions; they may have more insight on who provides good customer service.
• Look at your vendors’ previous work. Photographers aren’t the only ones with portfolios—caterers, florists and wedding cake bakers have them too. Ask to see photographs of previous work or, in the case of wedding planners, ask for sample itineraries. If a vendor is hesitant to provide this, there may be a reason, so ask questions.
• Contact references. Many vendors provide references, so get in touch with them. Ask them how their experience was with the vendor, and what problems, if any, they experienced. If they had a problem, ask how the vendor handled it.
• Ask for a dry run. Caterers, wedding cake bakers and deejays will give you samples of their work before you have to make a commitment. Deejays will provide sample song-lists for the event, while caterers and wedding cake bakers will provide food samples to make sure they’re what you’re looking for.
• Contract details. Get everything in writing and always read the entire document. Just because a contract has been printed doesn’t mean changes can not be made before signing. Never give more than 50 percent as a deposit. Ask the vendors what they will do if you have to cancel the event. Ask if you will receive a full refund if you need to cancel, and how much notice you need to give.
• Have a backup plan. Even if you’re backup plan is as simple as having a small stereo and digital camera on-site, be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Your backups might not be as good as the real thing, but it’s better than nothing.

Consult your local BBB. Go to bbb.org to get a free reliability report on the vendors you are considering. BBB reliability reports provide valuable information on companies.

About the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington
Your BBB is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 907-562-0704 in Alaska, 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at http://www.bbb.org/.

Photo of the day - May 22

This full curl dall sheep ram is saying "come on make my day". The photo was taken in Denali National Park and the next frame shows these guys locking horns. They were definitively just goofing off. Photo by Steve Thomas

Friendly Frontier Days Schedule

Saturday, May 24, 2008
Most events from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm

11 am
Flag presentation by the 49th Missile Defense BN Color Guard; with Marion Gaunt singing the Star Spangled Banner

Chainsaw dovetail notching demonstration (Sponsored by Dalton Log Shells)

11 am - noon Lumberjack Challenge practice

11 am – 11:20 am Registration for Children’s Pet Parade

11:15 am Marion Gauntt (patriotic song)

11:30 am – 12:15 pm Children’s Pet Parade (Sponsored by Durham Realty)

11:30 am – 2 pm Buffalo BBQ ($6 adults, 12 and under $4)

12 pm – 4 pm Hay wagon rides (Sponsored by Delta Friends of Ag)

12:15 pm – 4:30 pm Music by: Halfway Home, Jammin’ Salmon Dixieland Band of Ft. Wainwright, Taylor Simington (song), & Christine Upton (accordion)

1 pm – 4:30 pm Lumberjack Challenge (Sponsored by Delta Friends of Ag)

3 pm – 3:45 pm “Kiss a Pig” event (Pigs courtesy of Shaw Creek Dairy)

4 pm Friendly Frontier Days drawing

11 pm Buffalo Wallow Square Dancers – Dancing under the Midnight Sun (Visitor Center)


All Day

• Door prizes
• Bounce House
• Antique tractors on display
• U.S. Army climbing wall and informational booth
• Highways End Farmers Market
• Fundraising booths: Delta Lions Club, Forget-Me-Knot Quilter’s Guild, National Honor Society
• Carol McNabb’s funnel cakes and homemade ice cream
• Family scavenger hunt activity (Sponsored by Delta Friends of Agriculture)
• Sullivan Roadhouse Museum open
• Children’s petting zoo (animals provided by Shaw Creek Dairy, Tracy Heller, & S.Valley Farms)

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 21

Melissa Brown (DOIM – 59th Signal BN) 107 votes

Deborah Snyder (ALPA) 40 votes

Laura White (Granite View Sports & Gifts) 21 votes

Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) 20 Votes

Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) 16 Votes

Meghan Lene (NRCS) 9 Votes

Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) 6 votes

Mike Paschall (Delta Wind) 6 votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town (Alaskan Steakhouse, Buffalo Center Diner, Buffalo Bar, IGA Food Cache, Granite View Sports & Gifts, & the Moose) and on Ft. Greely (the Post Office & Bistro) is Friday, May 24.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event from 11 am – 3pm. Friendly Frontier Days will be held in the area located behind the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum and Visitors Information Center.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

Saturday Singalong

How time flies when you're havin' fun, and homemade music is FUN!

Singalong, Saturday the 24th, at 7pm in the Delta Senior Center.

The midnite snack (at 9pm) is waffles. Bring your favorite topping to share.

The music theme is DOGS and other CRITTURS.

Join us for musical fellowship with your geetar, ojnab, manderlin or other string instrument, your voice, enthusiasm and appetite.

Call 895-4104 PLEASE to confirm attendance or not, so that we may plan. Thanx

Photo of the day - May 21

Though I am more of a country mouse myself, I like to visit Anchorage once a year. I thought this was an attractive photo of downtown Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. In the summer the main drag is beautifully painted in flowers and blooms and they have a few botanical gardens as well. Photo Courtesy Marlin Dunklebarger

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 20

Deborah Snyder (ALPA) 40 votes

Melissa Brown (DOIM – 59th Signal BN) 40 votes

Laura White (Granite View Sports & Gifts) 21 votes

Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) 20 Votes

Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) 14 Votes

Meghan Lene (NRCS) 9 Votes

Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) 6 votes

Mike Paschall (Delta Wind) 1 vote

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town (Alaskan Steakhouse, Buffalo Center Diner, Buffalo Bar, IGA Food Cache, Granite View Sports & Gifts, & the Moose) and on Ft. Greely (the Post Office & Bistro) is Friday, May 24.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event from 11 am – 3pm. Friendly Frontier Days will be held in the area located behind the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum and Visitors Information Center.

Kiss a Pig Deadlines Update

Kiss a Pig voting at Delta Junction locations (the Moose, the Buffalo Center Diner, Granite View Sports and Gifts, the Buffalo Bar, IGA Food Cache, & the Alaskan Steakhouse) and on Ft. Greely (the Bistro and Post Office) will continue until this Friday, the 23rd of May rather than the originally stated pickup date of Wednesday, May 21.

On Friday afternoon, the cans will be removed from these locations but voting will continue the following day at the Friendly Frontier Days event from 11 am - 3 pm (located in the green space behind the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum and Visitors Information Center).

At 3pm the 3 Pig Kissers will be announced and shortly thereafter the Pig Kissing will commence!

Updates will likely be posted on the Delta News Web as new votes and nominations come in. Please note that it may not be possible to check the Ft. Greely cans as frequently as those in town. Votes and nominations can also be dropped off at the Delta Chamber of Commerce office (Jarvis West Building, Suite 1B).

For questions, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at deltacc@alaska.net or 895-5068.

Your BBB Warns of Wedding Season Scams

Anchorage, AK—May 20, 2008—Wedding season is upon us and your BBB wants to help you protect yourself from unreliable vendors and unforgivable scams. A little bit of caution can help keep your wedding day special.

The Ring: Selecting a ring can be a daunting process. Unscrupulous jewelers use methods ranging from bait and switch tactics to swapping the stone after your purchase. Protect yourself by requiring the gem certificate at the point of purchase. After the ring is made, have a gemologist examine the stone to ensure it matches the original certificate.

Choosing a Wedding Photographer: The prices of digital photographic equipment have dropped in recent years, allowing amateur photographers to buy professional equipment. While amateurs may offer discounted packages that are comparable to their professional counterparts, they sometimes fail to follow through. Unscrupulous professional photographers may not deliver your package at all. To ensure you are working with a reputable photographer ask for references and work portfolios, or visit bbb.org to view their reliability report.

Online Wedding Planners: Many brides have sung praises of Web sites specializing in wedding planning. Many of these Web sites frequently have unsatisfactory ratings with the BBB, and it’s important to research a site before using it. Free reliability reports on these businesses are available at bbb.org.

Wedding Planners: Since planning a wedding is complicated, you may consider using a wedding planner to assist you. Selecting the right wedding planner requires careful research. Some planners will charge exorbitant rates for their planning services and may add surplus charges on top of vendors’ fees. Ask for references and use them.

Destination Weddings: If you’re planning an out-of-town wedding, you need to be particularly careful. Choosing planners and vendors by telephone or online can be dangerous, as it’s difficult to determine whether they’re legitimate. Ask for references and call them. Contact the local BBB in the business’s area, and request reliability reports from the BBB. If the BBB has no record on the business consider using someone else altogether.

Wedding Insurance: Wedding insurance has become a new trend in helping couples protect their investment. Although wedding insurance does not protect against the bride or groom backing out, it provides coverage in cases of bad weather, bankrupt vendors, damage caused by attendees, emergency trips to the hospital and more. As always, check with friends, family and your BBB before buying an insurance policy.

Free reliability reports and scam alerts are available from your BBB at bbb.org.

About the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington

Your BBB is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 907-562-0704 in Alaska, 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

Photo of the day May 20

What do you do with your dog on the first warm sunny day after the ice melts out of the gravel pits? Fronty Parker took his golden retriever Honda for a bath. In this picture Fronty is shown lathering Honda before sending her back into the water to rinse off.

Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 19, 2008

Laura White (Granite View Sports & Gifts) - 21 votes

Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) - 20 votes

Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) - 14 votes

Meghan Lene (NRCS) - 9 votes

Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) - 6 votes

Mike Paschall (Delta Wind) - 1 vote

Deborah Snyder (ALPA) - 0 votes

Melissa Brown (DOIM) - 0 votes

* Please note that this list has been updated PRIOR to checking the two Kiss a Pig cans at Ft. Greely this week. Ft. Greely cans will be checked very soon.

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town and on Ft. Greely is Wednesday, May 21.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

ABC Television Returns to Delta Junction

Mike Tvenge e-mailed me a week ago last Friday with the news that KATN Channel 2 (ABC) has returned to the Delta Junction airwaves. We are excited to finally be back serving the residents of Delta Junction. If anyone has any comments or questions regarding ABC, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Thanks for your time and welcome back!

Kip Harmon
Station Manager
KATN Channel 2
ABC Alaska's Superstation
516 Second Avenue #400
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-2125 Voice
(907) 456-8225 Fax

Chinook by George Hosier II - The Untouchables

Some people don’t like animals in the house. I pity such shallow minds. That type of person must be completely devoid of one of the most basic of common denominators which define human decency. I would call house pet bashers “petty”, but the term might be confusing, since it seems that petting is the last thing on such folks’ minds when an animal trespasses into their personal space.

To see their pupils dilate, to observe their cheek twitch, to watch them writhe and fidget, to hear them whine, you would think someone was trying to hand them a religious pamphlet or a Ron Paul flyer. I tell you, it’s not normal to stifle one’s primordial petting urge. But when someone so perverts their instincts to the point that a kitten or a puppy actually invokes a reaction of disgust, I consider that to be a clear sign of pathological mental illness.

To read the entire story, we invite you to browse our Chinook pages.

Photo of the day - May 19

Bonaparte's gulls are the only black-headed gull commonly seen in interior Alaska. I photographed this Bonaparte's gull at Quartz Lake recently. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Delta Softball Back On!

Due to numerous individuals calling in and volunteering to help with the league this summer we are attempting to pull the season together after all.

Please visit Granite View Sports for your team packets and registration forms.

You can Contact Hanni Marchuk (day) 907-360-9731, or (evenings) 895-4018 for more information, email: deltasoftball@gmail.com, or visit the website deltasoftball@googlepages.com for more information.

Mystery Photo Winner For the Week of May 12 - 18

The winner of last week's mystery photo is Karen Sutherland. We had 17 correct entries. Thank you for each one that submitted their entry, along with mailing address. Please remember to include your mailing address with each entry. DNW will not accept entries without mailing addresses. We do not store your address from week to week.

Karen will receive a gift certificate from the Buffalo Center Drive In, courtesy of John and Linda Sloan.

The photo was taken at IGA in front of the deli window. You will find the mouse peeking out of a hole at the bottom of the shack that is painted around the deli window.

You never know where our mystery photographer will strike next. Seems like he is being sneaky this year.

Good luck as you look for next week's photo.

Home Energy Rebate Grant Program Guidelines

The Home Energy Rebate Grant Program will rebate up to $10,000 to a homeowner who improves the energy efficiency of his or her home. A qualified homeowner must improve the energy efficiency of the home at least 1 step using the energy rating system. (See additional requirements and the energy rating and rating points section below.)

A final rating of a 1 Star plus (1 +), or greater must be achieved to qualify for a rebate. This is a one time rebate for any one family or home.

To participate in the program:

• Select an AkWarm energy rater and schedule an As-is AkWarm energy rating. AkWarm energy raters can be found on the AHFC web site by going to: http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us/iceimages/reference/icboraters.pdf
• The As-is energy rating generates an Improvement Options Report that serves as a guideline for AHFC and the homeowner as to the energy savings, cost of the improvement & return on the energy improvement investment. Use this report as your guide to choose the improvements you wish to make to increase your home’s energy efficiency.
• Make the improvements you selected from the Improvement Options Report within one year (see additional requirements below). You may do the work yourself or hire a contractor. Only those items relating to energy efficiency and recommended in the Improvement Options Report are eligible for a rebate.
• After the work is completed, request your rater do a Post Improvement AkWarm energy rating. The rater will verify the work completed and provide you with a new energy rating certificate. The rebate amount is determined by the increase in the rating from the As-Is rating. (For example, if the As-is rating was 3 Star+ and the Post Improvement rating is 4 Star = 1 step = $4,000.00).

Maximum Rebate Amounts:

One step - up to $4,000
Two steps - up to $5,500
Three Steps up to $7,000
Four steps up to $8,500
Five or more up to $10,000

• A homeowner is only eligible to receive a rebate of actual expenses, no matter how many points or steps have occurred. For example, if a homeowner spends $3,500 on energy efficient improvements, and moves two steps, he or she will only receive a rebate of $3,500, not $5,500. April 2008
• You have one year from the date of the As-is energy rating to complete the energy efficiency work, acquire the Post Improvement energy rating, and submit the completed application & required documents to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

You are not eligible for the Home Energy Rebate if:

• You have participated in the Weatherization Assistance Program after May 1, 2008.
• You have received a Home Energy Rebate after May 1, 2008.
• Your As-is rating was done before April 5, 2008* or is more than one year old.
• You fail to provide the requested information.

*A rating done between April 5, 2008, and May 15, 2008 will be eligible for rebate purposes. These ratings are paid by the homeowner, and will not be reimbursed by AHFC. The cost of ratings done after May 15, 2008 will be reimbursed by AHFC directly to the rater, up to $500 for the As-is and Post Improvement ratings combined.

The energy rater will be paid 65% of the reimbursable cost of the rating ($325) for the pre-, or As-is rating, and 35% ($175) for the Post Improvement rating. The rater must have the homeowner sign the rater application form for rater reimbursement.

Energy rating and rating points

The amount of the rebate is determined by the number of steps increased between the Asis and the Post Improvement energy ratings.

This chart can help you understand the correlation between your energy rating points and the energy rating stars for your home’s energy rating. There are 10 steps between rating levels:

Points Rating

0-39 1 Star
40-49 1 Star+
50-59 2 Star
60-67 2 Star +
68-72 3 Star
73-77 3 Star +
78-82 4 Star
83-87 4 Star+
88-91 5 Star
92-100 5 Star+

For example: A rating of 2 Star plus (60-67 points), to 3 Star (68-72 points), would be one step. A rating of 2 Star (2 ), to 3 Star (3 ), would be two steps.

Additional Requirements:

To be eligible for a rebate, the final energy rating must be at least 1 Star plus (1 +), and have increased one step and at least five points. This is applicable to all homes with a final rating of 3 Stars (<3>3 +) or more, an increase of at least one step and three points is required.

Submit your home energy rebate application with copies of the As-is and Post Improvement energy rating, receipts, and a property tax assessment or other proof of ownership within one year of the date of the As-is rating to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation at:
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Energy Efficiency Rebate
PO Box 101020
Anchorage, AK 99510-1020

To be eligible for a rebate, the homeowner must be the year-round occupant of the upgraded home and submit the rebate application & required documents within one year of the date on the As-is rating. Each family and property is eligible for one rebate only. The person to whom the rebate is paid will be required to submit a Social Security number, and the amount of the rebate will be reported to the United States Internal Revenue Service. An IRS form 1099 will be mailed to you at the end of the year in which the homeowner received the rebate.

Rebate funds are subject to appropriation by the Alaska Legislature, and are subject to funding availability. If or when funding becomes limited, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation may terminate the program. Public notice shall be provided on the AHFC website www.ahfc.us .

For more information contact:
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
PO Box 101020
Anchorage, AK 99510-1020
907-338-6100 (Anchorage)
1-800-478-2432 (toll free statewide)
www.ahfc.us

Photo of the day - May 17

This is a photo of a couple of fellows trying their luck at dipnetting in the Chitina River. If you are new to this area you may not know that dipnetting at Chitina is a subsistence fishery offered to Alaskan residents. One technique is to secure yourself to a rope for safety sake and hold your extra long handled net in a back eddy and wait for one of several species of salmon to swim in to your net. Generally a family is allocated 30 salmon and while some do it out of necessity, most do it for fun, but after all the work they swear that this is the last time and then go back the following year. Chitina is off of the Edgerton Highway, which is one of Alaska's highways, branching off from the Richardson south of Copper Center. Photo Courtesy Marlin Dunklebarger

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 16, 2008

Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) 20 Votes

Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) 14 Votes

Meghan Lene (NRCS) 9 Votes

Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) 6 votes

Mike Paschall (Delta Wind) 1 vote

Laura White (Granite View Sports & Gifts) 0 votes

Deborah Snyder (ALPA) 0 votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town and on Ft. Greely is Wednesday, May 21.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

UAF Tanana Valley Campus Summer Classes at DCAC

The Delta Career Advancement Center would like to let everyone know that there will be two courses available for Delta Greely residents to take during the month of June. By popular request we are repeating the one credit bird class offered last summer with local Fish and Game Biologist Steve DuBois. The class will be divided between classroom learning and a field trip. It is scheduled for June 5th, 7th, and 12th.

The second class is very valuable for those of us who need more skills in keeping finances straight. Eileen Herman, owner of North Star Bookkeeping will be teaching a three credit QuickBooks class using the 2007 version of the software. This class will begin on June 10th and run through June 28th.

Both classes will be taught at the career center, located at 1696 North Clearwater Avenue, and will have the $50 per credit off voucher applied from Partners for Progress in Delta Inc.

To register please contact Cheryl Helkenn at 895-4605 or chelkenn@dgsd.k12.ak.us.

Governor Unveils Plan to Return Surplus to Resource Owners

Conservation and long-term solutions remain key focus

May 15, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today unveiled a short-term energy plan to address the skyrocketing costs of energy in Alaska. The package includes two parts – returning surplus funds through a grant to all electric utilities to reduce ratepayer bills and an Energy Debit Card for the next 12 months. “Alaskans are feeling the pinch of high energy costs,” Governor Palin said. “The state treasury is swelling, while family checkbooks are evaporating. The right thing to do is to return surplus monies to the resource owners through energy relief. Instead of going to Washington, D.C. for relief, Alaskans should be independent enough to take care of this energy problem ourselves.”

Since coming into office, the Palin Administration has been focused on long-term solutions to Alaska’s energy crunch. In some of Alaska’s communities, consumers are faced with the nation’s highest energy costs. In 2007, a comprehensive energy supply inventory was initiated to identify alternatives to high-cost energy supplies.

Earlier this spring, Steve Haagenson was appointed as the State’s Energy Coordinator. In his capacity as the Executive Director of the Alaska Energy Authority, he is developing a statewide plan to reduce costs, promote conservation and secure long-term supply solutions for each part of the state. Results of that work are expected by year-end 2008.

“For instance, in Bush Alaska, the best solutions to high diesel prices are to use less and find alternatives,” Governor Palin said. “We cannot lose sight of the need for these long-term fixes, but as crude oil prices continue to set daily records, Alaska’s families, communities and businesses cannot afford to wait.”

Returning surplus funds through grants to electric utilities will result in a 60 percent reduction for all ratepayers. The benefit will flow to homeowners, renters, schools, governments and businesses. A review by the Department of Law has indicated that there should be no federal income tax consequence since the grants act to offset the revenue collected by the utilities themselves.

In addition, there will be conservation incentives for the utilities. For every 1 percent reduction in 2008 kilowatt hour sales from 2007 sales, the state will make a year-end contribution for capital energy projects to the utility.

The Energy Debit Card will go out to every qualifying Permanent Fund Dividend applicant. The benefit will be $100 per month per PFD recipient. The amount allocated for children’s benefits will accrue to the card of the sponsor on their PFD application. Money not used on the card one month will carry over to the next month. It is expected that the amount available to individuals through the card will be considered income by the IRS.

The temporary Energy Debit Card can be used for purchases from Alaska energy vendors, such as heating oil distributors, natural gas utilities, electric utilities, gas stations and other retail fueling stations.

The value of this plan is approximately $1.2 billion. The grant to electric utilities is expected to be $475 million, while the Energy Debit Card totals are forecast to be $729 million. The Governor has proposed this energy relief plan for one year.

Photo of the day - May 16

An old fashioned baptism being performed on Caleb Parker in the icy cold water, one of Delta's local gravel pits. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Initiative Prohibiting Public Funding of Campaigns Moves to 2010 Ballot

(May 15, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska) – The Office of Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell notified sponsors of 07ANCO that the signature petitions were properly filed, allowing the initiative to proceed to the 2010 Primary ballot. The initiative bans the use of public funds for political campaigns, lobbying, and influencing the vote on ballot measures. The initiative also prohibits political contributions by holders of government contracts, and forbids legislators and staff from being employed by holders of government contracts for two years after leaving state service.

Sponsors were required, within one year, to submit 23,831 total signatures, including at least seven percent of those who voted in the previous election in 30 House districts. To date, the Division of Elections has verified 28,629 voter signatures.

According to state law and due to the date the petition was filed by the sponsors, this ballot measure will not appear on the August Primary Election ballot. Barring an unforeseen special election, the measure will be placed on the ballot on the 2010 Primary Election.

To view the proposed bill language for 07ANCO, please visit the website .

The lieutenant governor’s initiative website .

Photo of the day - May 15

It's spring time. Time for all you hawg riders to get out there and burn up some pavement. This rider (Ricky Mitchell) in his spring ready riding gear, ready to RIDE, one serious rider. Peter Fonda eat your heart out. (Photo courtesy Richard Mitchell)

Photo of the day - May 14

The lynx is the only cat native to Alaska. Because they are shy and unobtrusive animals, people think that lynx are scarce. In Alaska, however, they are commonly seen during long periods of summer daylight. This lynx couldn't resist taking a look back, enabling the photographer to get a good look at him. Image by Dwight Phillips

Congratulations Delta High School Seniors

It's hard to believe that Delta is seeing another school year come to a close. The Delta News Web would like to congratulate each senior for a job well done. You have achieved to your goal for this part of life. We want to wish you well for the future, that you will go out and chase your dreams and fulfill them. Congratulations again to the CLASS OF 2008

Gen Makaula Apolo
Danielle Attaway
Marshall Brown
Donald Bunselmeier
Carey Brooke
Joshua Duane Corey
Elizabeth Craig
Tonya DeLong
Alicia Dickenson
Angela Dickinson
Howard Echo-Hawk
Zachary Erickson
Tressa Ewing
Calvin Fellman
Savanna Frederick
Stephen Hebert
Daniel Helkenn
Jaclyn Jensen
Alaina Kemp
Vyacheslav Kilimnik
Kyra Kimball
Marcelo Kirk
Kendall Knight
Shelah C. Knix
Peter Kosmin
Lyubov Kulinich
Samantha Losselyong
Dina Lukinov
Chelsea McClinton
Brittani McClure
Whitney McLaren
Svetlana Medyanikova
Casey Moritz
Kyle Olsen
Gary Olsen-Saville
Allie Pelto
Vonda Powers
Theodore Rovan
Logan Schiler
Oksana Shastitko
Garrett Smith
Jessica Smith
Melissa Sorenson
Hun Tak
Nils Theisen
Amanda Trainor
Alan Waldo
Wilbur Wiley
Shaylana Zvorak

Delta Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon

The May Membership Luncheon will be held at noon on May 15, 2008 at the Jarvis West Building Conference Room. Lunch is provided by IGA Food Cache and the menu is Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Vegetables, Dinner Roll, Dessert & Drink for $10.00 Please RSVP to the Chamber office at 895-5068 by May13th to be entered into the drawing for a free lunch.

Guest Speaker is Lorna Shaw. Lorna is the Executive Director of the Council of Alaska Producers, a mining industry trade association comprised of the large, hardrock mining companies active in Alaska. A fourth generation Alaskan with a graduate degree in business administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she previously held government and community relations positions with Kinross Gold’s Fort Knox Mine in Fairbanks and has also served on the staff of Alaskan representatives in both the state legislature and the U.S. Senate. Lorna serves on the board of directors for the Resource Development Council and is past president of the Alaska Mineral and Energy Resource Education Fund (AMEREF). She lives in Fairbanks with her husband, Kelly and 2 ½ year old daughter, Rachel.

Children's Pet Parade

The Children’s Pet Parade will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 11:30 AM at Friendly Frontier Days in the area behind the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum and the Visitors Center.

Children and pets: come dressed in frontier-type clothing. Registration will begin 15 minutes before event begins.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded. 1st place will also receive a $25 Chamber Gift Certificate redeemable at local Chamber Member businesses.

For questions, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068.

Sponsored by Durham Realty

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 12, 2008

Meghan Lene (NRCS) 9 Votes

Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) 14 Votes

Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) 20 Votes

Laura White 0 votes

Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) 6 votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town and on Ft. Greely is Wednesday, May 21.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

Delta Softball League Cancelled

The Delta Softball League for this Summer, 2008 is Cancelled due to a lack of particiapation.

Deadline for team registration was 9-May-08. We needed a minimum of 4 mens teams and 4 coed teams to proceed. We only received registrations for 2 of each.

I will try to put together a few tournaments for this summer, but regular league play is cancelled.

Questions? Contact Hanni Marchuk (Day) 907-360-9731, (evening) 907-895-4018, or email at deltasoftball@gmail.com

I hope to see more participation next year.

Community Clean-Up and Yellow Bags

Notice from Chamber of Commerce: The yellow garbage bags MUST be brought back to the Visitors Center and disposed of in the special dumpsters that have been brought in just for this occasion. Please do no leave the garbage bags alongside the road, they will not be picked up. We do not have volunteers and trucks to pick up the bags this year. The Chamber of Commerce coordinates the cleanup, order the cleanup bags, arranges for oversize dumpsters to be brought to the Visitors Center, and also provides a free lunch to participants.

Notice from the City of Delta: There is no roadside service. Delta Sanitation will position two 30-yard roll offs at the Triangle where yellow bags can be delivered. They can be delivered to the landfill at no charge, but not if mixed with household garbage (charged at 50%).

Missing a Piglet?

Unusual? Yes! Just think how surprised we were! Tuesday evening, May 13th, we had a piglet in our yard at 5686 Remington Rd. He stayed in the vicinity for about 45 minutes seemingly lost.

If you have lost a piglet or know of someone who has, you may look just passed the Clearwater Baptist Church due east, and hopefully you will be able to finish the nursery rhyme "...and this little piggy stayed home". Jim and Deb Snyder 895-4624

We sure hope he has found his way home by now.

Photo of the day - May 13

This last Sunday at Lost Lake much of the ice along the shore was in the late melt stage. As ice melts apparently from the surface of the ice as well as below the ice (water temperature is warmer), the solid ice fractures into slender rods or candles which lie on their side and continue to melt. When the ice fractures into these candles it’s a very unique sound, like hundreds of glass bottles bumping into each other in the water. It’s a rite of spring to take in the sounds and sights we’ve become accustomed to. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Your Local BBB Warns to do Research Before Donating

Fake charities and scams seek to steal your donations in a time of crisis

Anchorage, AK—May 14, 2008—The recent disastrous earthquake in China, affecting tens of thousands of Chinese citizens, and the cyclones that ravaged Myanmar, which has only recently allowed outside aid to enter its borders, has led many Americans to give to charities. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of the public’s eagerness to help victims. Your local BBB has the tools to make sure your donation goes to a genuine charity that can provide real help.

“In the face of any disaster, Americans will immediately step forward with donations to aid the victims and their families,” said Robert Andrew, President and CEO of the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Unfortunately, as we saw after Hurricane Katrina, scammers will try to take advantage of the generosity of the public; that’s why it’s important to take your time and do your research before donating to a charity relief effort.”

Your local BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance offers advice to ensure your donations go to genuine charities and relief efforts. To receive free reports on charities visit www.give.org.

When in doubt, check it out. When an unfamiliar organization asks you for a donation, don’t give without gathering details about the charity, the nature of its programs and its use of funds. Find out what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions after they have fully funded their disaster relief activities.

Make sure the charity can actually help. New charities spring up virtually overnight promising aid to victims. These groups may have good intentions, but lack the means and experience to deliver aid quickly to those in need. In the case of donating to victims of the Myanmar cyclones, many charities cannot yet enter the country; make sure you donate to one that can.

Giving later might be better. Don’t give in to excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any request to send a “runner” to pick up your contribution. Do not give cash. Checks or money orders should be made out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.

Protect your personal information and your identity. Do not give your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor, in response to an email solicitation, or to a Web site linked from an e-mail.

Remember, not all soliciting groups are charities. If you want to make a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes, make sure to verify the organization’s tax-exempt status at www.irs.gov.

For more information on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and to view more than one thousand BBB Wise Giving Reports™ on charities across the nation, go to www.give.org. To find information on local charities and organizations, visit your local BBB at www.bbb.org.

About the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington
Your BBB is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 907-562-0704 in Alaska, 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

Brenda Smith Alaska Office Manager/PR Communications Manager
Tel: 907-644-5202
Fax: 907-562-4061
Email: brenda@thebbb.org
www.bbb.org Start With Trust

Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon & Western Washington
3601 C Street Suite 1378
Anchorage, AK 99515

Your BBB has launched a new Web site to cap a major transformation of BBB. Check it out at www.bbb.org.

Reduced Rates and Extended Hours for Community Clean Up Day

Once-A-Year Annual Community Clean Up Day
Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:00am to 5:00pm

All household garbage reduced by 50%. Does not apply to $25 refrigerator disposal, commercial services, or $10 Unsecured Load Service Fee

All yellow-bagged garbage free-of-charge. Can be delivered to the Triangle, near the Visitor’s Center

Contact City Hall (895-4656) or Chamber of Commerce (895-5068) for more information related to Community Clean Up Day

Annual Delta Junction Community Cleanup

Saturday, May 17 from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Please join other fellow community members in participating in this year’s Community Cleanup. Spend an hour or two cleaning up the trash throughout town that has been collecting this past year.

Participants can pick up their special yellow Cleanup bags in the Visitors Center parking lot the day of the event and from there head to their clean up area. Once finished, the yellow bags are to be brought back to the Visitor Center parking lot and unloaded into the dumpsters.

From 11:30 am – 1:30 pm there will be a free Chamber sponsored lunch for participants, which includes grilled hot dogs, chips, and drinks. People are asked to bring a dessert to share.

There will be a prize awarded to the person finding the most interesting piece of garbage.

To participate, contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net to sign up for a clean up area. This is a great hands-on opportunity for individuals, families, or groups to help out in their community.

Photo of the day - May 12

This is a photo of an airboat about 25 miles up the Salcha River. There are numerous remote cabins on the Salcha and airboats are one of the preferred craft to navigate the shallow waters of the upper Salcha. Photo Courtesy Pam Dunklebarger

Mystery Photo has Returned

The Mystery Photo contest has begun. You will see a new mystery photo posted every Monday.

Take your family out for a drive and see who can find the Mystery Photo.

Please remember when you submit your entry, you will need to submit your entry to mysteryphoto@deltanewsweb.com and you will need to have your full name with your full mailing address. If we don't have your mailing address with your entry each week, you will not be entered in the drawing for that week. We do not store addresses, so please be sure each week when you submit your guess to include your mailing address.

Thank you for Ed and Ann Richards of the Buffalo Center Diner and John and Linda Sloan from the Buffalo Drive In for sponsoring a second annual mystery photo contest.

Photos from Relay for Life 2008

Relay for Life was held on Friday, May 9 through May 10 at the Delta High School Track Field.

Click on the photos for enlargements.
Photos Courtesy of Carol Watkins.

Relay for Life 2008 - Photos

The LEGENDS proved what Musical Iron Men they really are as they played into the wee hours of the morning for the track walkers.

Does anyone know what star/planet is just above-left of the rest of the moon?
Click on the photos for photo enlargements.
Photos Courtesy of Michael Kingston

Photo of the day - May 11

It won't be long before this will be a common sight. This young bumble bee is in the process of getting itself a little pollen to help make its way through the short summer.
Photo by Steve Thomas.

Baccalaureate Service for Delta Graduates

A Baccalaureate Service will be held to celebrate Delta Junction graduates on Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church.

Sponsored by the Delta Ministerial Alliance, the baccalaureate service is for all graduates, regardless of religious affiliation.

Each graduate present will receive a gift from the Delta Ministerial Alliance.

The speaker will be Butch Palermo, pastor of Seventh Day Adventist Church in Delta.

Please call 895-4490 for more information.

Last Chance to Register for Little League

Did you miss Little League registration? There is still time to get your child registered.

Come to the baseball park behind Interior Building Supply at the city park on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can register then.

If you can't make it Saturday, call Dave Becker at 895-5210 to arrange to get registration materials.

Wedding Engagement - Roy Peters and Andrea Lambert

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey L. Lambert Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter Andrea K. Lambert to Mr. Roy L. Peters son of Mr. and Mrs. John Peters (Delta area) and Mrs. Linda Peters. A June 3rd wedding is planned in Pensacola Florida. You may visit their wedding website at: royandandrea.ourweddingday.com for updates.

Photo of the day - May 9

A pair of great horned owls converse as they decide what the photographers intent is, shortly before flying away. Image by Dwight Phillips.

Military Spouse Appreciation

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - All around the nation, over the next few days, military spouses will be honored for their devotion and sense of duty. On Fort Wainwright, several events are planned in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, beginning May 9 and continuing through Sunday, May 11 (which is also Mother’s Day).

Army Community Service (ACS) Program will give away small gifts and serve refreshments on May 9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Welcome Center (Bldg. 3401).

Family MWR will continue the Spouse Appreciation celebration from May 9 through May 11 with complimentary tanning sessions at the physical fitness center and free tokens for the driving range at Chena Bend Golf Course. Spouses will need to show their ID cards.

The AAFES Main Exchange will have a special cake in honor of Mother’s Day and Military Spouse Appreciation on Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m. Manager’s Specials will be featured throughout the day, and targeted items will appeal to both male and female spouses.

AAFES will also launch a “Salute to the Military Spouse” essay contest on Sunday. Twelve essay winners will receive $500 shopping sprees and have their photos and essays published in an AAFES calendar. Details are available in the store or online.

Photo of the day - May 8

Blackpoll warblers will be arriving in interior Alaska soon from their winter grounds in South America. Blackpoll warblers are one of my favorite birds because of their unique song which is so high pitched many people can not hear it, and because of their incredible annual migratory route (see the attached map). In Scott Weidensaul's outstanding book on bird migration, "Living On The Wind" he states that blackpolls weigh less than half an ounce and yet they make an incredible migration of 12,000 miles round trip each year. In the fall, they gather on the Atlantic coast and then launch off on an 80-90 hour nonstop flight, and use prevailing winds to bring them back onshore in South America. And for all you cat owners, keep your cats indoors. Wouldn't it be ashamed to have your cat catch and unnecessarily kill a blackpoll warbler after it had worked so hard to get here. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Friendly Frontier Days Prizes to Be Awarded on May 24

Friendly Frontier Days prizes to be drawn on May 24. Drawings include:

• 1 night stay at Sophie Station Hotel in Fairbanks. Includes $50 certificate to Zach’s Restaurant
• Round trip for two on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage
• 1 night stay at the Tanana Loop Country Inn, a bed & breakfast in Delta Junction (includes breakfast)
• 2008 Friendly Frontier Days t-shirt (total of 4 to be given out)
  

See a list of our local businesses for more information on the drawings.

• Cable Guy Towing & Recovery
• Mt. McKinley Bank (see Pablo)
• Durham Realty
• Busy Bee Office Supply
• Frontier Pull Tabs
• North Star Bookkeeping
• Airport Equipment Rentals
• Delta Chamber of Commerce Office
• Arctic Chiropractic

Friendly Frontier Days Shirts for Sale

Preorder your Friendly Frontier day t-shirts or sweatshirts! If there is enough interest, children’s sizes may also be ordered.

T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts are gray in color.

Adult T-shirts: S-XL -$15 and 2X -3X $16
Adult Hooded T-Shirts: S-XL - $26 and 2X-3X - $27

T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts should be available for sale at the Chamber of Commerce office (Jarvis West Bldg, Suite, 1B) by May 19, but please call before stopping by to be sure. They will also be sold all day at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 11:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net for more information.

What is VE Day

VE Day finally arrived on May 8, 1945 after fierce efforts by the allied forces. The previous year British, Canadian, and U.S. ftroops invaded Normandy, and began to drive the Nazis out of France. At the same time, the Soviets were launching their own counter-offensive. They pushed the German army completely out of Europe. Seizing their advantage, the Soviets advanced into Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Romania.

By 1945, the German defenses had begun to collapse. The Soviet army occupied the eastern one-third of Germany. Eventually, the allies surounded Berlin. On April 30, Adolf Hitler commited suicide. Germany surrendered soon after.

Article used from Hear it Now 1945 website, you can read more information about VE Day and hear a report.

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 5, 2008

• Meghan Lene (NRCS) -2 Votes
• Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) -13 Votes
• Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) - 10 Votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town and on Ft. Greely is Wednesday, May 21.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

Friendly Frontier Days Volunteer Job Descriptions

Friendly Frontier Days will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008 11 am – 4:30 pm At the “Delta Triangle”.

BBQ Help

Grillers will help with cooking hamburgers, buffalo burgers, brats, and hotdogs for the annual BBQ. Help is needed from 11 am – 2:30 pm. Those grilling will need to take an online Food and Safety exam, a requirement of the Alaska Department of Conservation (DEC) for handling food. After passing test, you’ll receive a food worker card (card is good for 3 years). Exam is free and takes only a short amount of time to complete.

Food Prep/Floater

Food preparers/floaters will help chop vegetables, make sure baked beans, condiments, coleslaw, desserts, chips, and lemonade and water are stocked. Help is needed from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. Those helping with food prep will need to take an online Food and Safety exam, a requirement of the DEC for handling food. After passing test, you’ll receive a food worker card (card is good for 3 years). Exam is free and takes only a short amount of time to complete.

Chamber of Commerce Table

Help sell Friendly Frontier Days raffle tickets, t-shirts, and meal tickets. Remind people to sign up for a chance at winning a door prize. Help is needed from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm. This job allows volunteers to be seated the majority of the time.

Meal Ticket Collectors

Collect meal tickets from those going through the BBQ line. This job is very relaxed and volunteers will be able to perform their job seated. Help needed from 11:15 am – 2:30 pm.

Setup Help

Volunteers will help set up tents, tables, grills, set out garbage cans, and other miscellaneous activities. Help needed from 9 am – 11:00 am.

Takedown Help

Volunteers will help take down tables, chairs, and tents, clean trash up from grounds area, etc. Help is needed from 4:30 pm - ?

*Volunteers need not volunteer for the entire length needed for said job. Volunteer for any amount of you are able give!

Nenana Ice Classic

The Tanana River officially went out on May 6th, 2008 at 10:53 pm Alaska Standard Time. We are in the process of gathering the names of the winners and will contact them once we have all of the names and information gathered. The winners will share a Jackpot in the amount of $303,895.00. The payoff will be made on June 1st, 2008. For more information check out the official Nenana Ice Classic webiste.

"Miss Elsie" Randle Passes Away

Elsie L. H. Randle, 85, passed away on 1 May 2008. A friend checking on her found her collapsed on her floor. She okayed being taken to Fairbanks Memorial hospital, but only when sure that her dog would be cared for. That night, she passed away in the hospital at 3 am.

"Miss Elsie," as she was known to many, loved children, vanilla ice cream, dancing, and dogs. And barbeque. She was a great cook and years ago owned her own little hamburger and barbeque shop, in a cabin about where Delta's Buffalo Drive-In is today.

Born Elsie L. Harvey, her marriage certificate indicates that her place of birth is unknown. She married John J. Randle on 5 July 1946, in Chicago, Illinois. He preceeded her in death in 1995. They had no children. But she was especially fond of a little girl Elsie had watched grow up, Ayla Chapman. And her "Lower 48" family and friends kept in touch with her by phone and mail.

A day or two before her death, she prayed the sinner's prayer of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Miss Elsie had lived in Delta since September, 1959, nearly 50 years. On May 30, she would have turned 86. Her memorial share-a-dish will be at 12:30 noon, Saturday, 10 May, at Delta Community Center. For info, or to share stories/photos, please call 895-4240, or 895-3222. Help before and after her service would be very welcome.

Relay For Life Gold Sponsors

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Thanks for supporting the Relay For Life

• Delta Building Supply
• Delta/Clearwater Moose Lodge 911
• Delta Concrete
• Delta Lion's Club
• Golden Eagle Outfitters
• IGA Food Cache
• Kel's Spetic
• Morley Electric

Photo of the day - May 7

With spring well under way, the neotropical migrants have started arriving in interior Alaska after their long migration from Central and South America. One of the warbler species that should be arriving soon are Wilson's warblers. Wilson's warblers prefer brushy habitat types and can be seen and heard singing in the Donnelly Dome area in the next few weeks. The males can be identified by their "canary" yellow color and their black "cap". Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Local Folk Band & Classic Auto Joins 2008 End of Rally

The End of Road Rally invites have a new addition to their events. The local folk band, "Simple Folk Uprising" has joined the list of musical festivities to take place June 19 - 22 at the Sawmill Creek Lodge.

A classic-collectible auto area ride is also planned. At the heart of the event will be the Toy Run.
Riders & participants will travel from the lodge to a location in Delta with a new toy to donate for a special cause such as Project Christmas and to the childrens' ward at the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. For details about the rally and more information, log on to www.endofroadrally.blogspot.com or contact Thomas Pyatt at 895-4924

Chinook by George Hosier II - Breaking Up

Ah, Breakup! My favorite season of Alaska’s year. How oft during the tedious months of winter have I pined for these halcyon days? Now the time has come for long lost treasures to be relinquished from the icy talons of winter’s merciless grasp. Viruses, long dormant, can now be released into my bronchial passages to test the mettle of my immune system. The unyielding ground, softening beneath my feet, tenderly draws my finest dress shoes into its embrace until I find them enveloped in an undulating ocean of glistening mire, sloshing and gurgling in rapturous celebration of its emancipation.

My yard blossoms luxuriously with toilet paper tubes, discarded Kleenexes and utility bill stubs that had been sown to the arctic wind by a frostbitten raven rummaging for a snack in my burn barrel. These assorted relics of a bygone season had been imprisoned for five interminable months in the snowdrift that entombed them. As they unfurl to greet me now, I experience an unexpected surge of nostalgia. I look fondly down with a tremulous smile of reminiscence, my feet softly making rude noises in the goop of my yard.

To read the entire article please visit our Chinook pages.

Chinook by Geroge Hosier II - Ingenuity

Nowadays everything is disposable. That’s really annoying. A guy used to be able to fix his own stuff when it broke without having to buy a new one or pay a computer geek to install a new motherboard that costs more than the original item. They call it modern convenience, but I just call it expensive.

Take a coffeepot for instance. It’s a real basic concept. Get something that holds water. Scoop water out of a puddle down by the creek. Put it on a fire until the mosquito larvae stop wiggling. Then dump it through a filter full of ground up coffee beans… and…Presto! You have coffee. In the old days, if you wanted to get fancy, you might stick a percolator in your coffeepot. Then the boiling water would gurgle up a little tube, spurt into a perforated chamber that held your filter full of grounds, and then drip back down into the coffeepot as fresh, hot coffee for your drinking pleasure.

To read the entire article please visit our Chinook pages.

Photo of the day - May 6

A young bull moose stands out as he's framed by a beautiful winter landscape.
Image by Dwight Phillips

The "Bug Lady" is Back

University of Alaska Fairbanks - Cooperative Extension Service – Delta District welcomes back Lynn Bundy for the 2008 growing season as the integrated pest management technician (IPM).

Lynn aka “The Bug Lady” is back and available to help with pest problems of the yard & garden, greenhouse, home, and crops. She will be in the CES office: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30am to 4:30pm to receive samples and discuss problems.

If you are looking for information on pest control, it can be found at www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces. If you have any questions concerning insects or weeds, plants, gardening, greenhouse problems, insect and vertebrate pest problems, and any other type of pest management questions, please contact Lynn Bundy at the Cooperative Extension Service located in the Jarvis Office Center, 895-4215 or e-mail: deltariver48@yahoo.com.

Meeting Reminder - N. Richardson Hwy. Scenic Byway

Communities along the North Richardson Highway State Scenic Byway, between Fort Greely and Fairbanks, are developing a Corridor Partnership Plan (CPP) with assistance from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The goal of this project is to develop a plan that represents the vision of the communities along the byway and that tells the complete story of the byway corridor.

At the workshop, there will be a presentation on the draft vision and goals and the draft CPP document. Completion of the CPP will open up grant funding opportunities for projects outlined in the plan.

Please join in for the presentation on the draft CPP, and give us your thoughts and feedback! We want to gather your opinions!

Who: People interested in enhancing and maintaining the North Richardson Highway Scenic Byway

Fairbanks Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Pioneer Park, Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Exhibit Hall, 2300 Airport Road, Fairbanks

Delta Junction Meeting
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah Street, Delta Junction

Relay For Life Silver Sponsors

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Thank you for all of your support:

The Legends
Kaya Associates
Wells Fargo
Crowley Petroleum Distribution
Mt. Mckinley Bank
Alaska Tent & Tarp

Photo of the day - May 5

This picture was taken on May 1, 2008. He originally was 10 ft. tall, but the sun came out. Taken at New Hope Community Church. Photo Courtesy Barbara Schneider

Learn to Return - Navigation/GPS Workshop

Navigation/GPS Workshop teaches the basics to find your way home

Whether you’re following caribou across the tundra, day-tripping on your ATV or searching for a favorite fishing hole, having a GPS receiver along can save time and point you in the right direction. That’s why UAF Mining Extension and the Delta Mine Training Center are offering a two-day workshop on the basics of backcountry navigation and GPS use Tuesday and Wednesday, May13-14, in Delta Junction at the Delta Mine Training Center classroom.

Gary Cooper will lead the workshop. The Delta-Greely School District science and technology teacher of 23 years will focus on a wide range of topics such as reading topographic maps, understanding navigational coordinate systems and navigating with a Silva compass and a Garmin GPS. These skills can be used in charting and mapping, plotting a course, navigating from point to point, locating previously identified sites or any number of similar activities.

The Navigation/GPS workshop runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May13-14, in the Delta Mine Training Center classroom, corner of Nistler Road and Richardson Highway next to Buffalo Fuel. GPS units will be provided. To register for this free workshop, contact Christy Roden at 907-895-4215.

Wells Fargo Names Stroud Delta Junction Store Manager

Wells Fargo has named Josh Stroud store manager for Delta Junction.

Most recently, Stroud served as a management trainee as part of Wells Fargo’s Alaska Management Training program. He has more than three years of previous financial services experience in New Mexico where he worked for Wells Fargo Financial. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from New Mexico State University in December 2005 as a member of the Golden Key Honor Society.

Stroud can be reached at 895-4691 or Joshua.S.Stroud@wellsfargo.com.

Department of Motor Vehicles Closures for May

DMV will be closed the following days in May:

Saturday May 17th

Wednesday May 21st

Will be open for scheduled road tests in the morning but closed in the afternoon Thursday May 22

Relay for Life - Auction "A Chair That Cares"

American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Delta, cordially invites you to a “One-of-a-Kind” Auction“A CHAIR THAT CARES”

Team members employed their talents by creating Pieces of Art from old and new chairs.

Please join us on Saturday May 10, 12 noon at the Delta High School Track.

Randy Peterson Auction Company

All chair sales proceeds go to benefit Relay for Life of DeltaHope to see you in “DELTA”

Thank you Sponsors

I would like to thank Delta Meat and Sausage and Trophy Lodge for sponsoring me to go to the Arctic Winter Games in Hockey - Yellowknife Yukon Territory. It was fun and an experience I will never forget.

Thank you from Brett Smith

Photo of the day - May 3

This Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch breeds in Alaska and probably the Canadian Rockies, then moves into Washington in winter. Although Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are not often seen, they are widespread. This particular bird was photographed in Anaktuvuk Pass, a small native village in the Brooks Range approximately 200 miles from the Artic Ocean.
Image by Dwight Phillips

Donnelly Training Area Prescribed Burns

The US Army Alaska and the Bureau of Land Management’s Alaska Fire Service will conduct multiple prescribed burns in the Donnelly Training Area near Delta Junction. Spring 2008 burn projects include the Buffalo Drop Zone, Wills Range Complex, Texas Range, Bolio Lakes and the Oklahoma Range.

The 575 acre Buffalo Drop Zone and a 50 acre parcel in the Wills Range were successfully burned April 23. Other prescribed burns will occur between May 2 and early June as weather and military training schedules allow.

The purpose of the burns is to reduce areas of brush and cured grass to assist in preventing serious wildfires from occurring as a result of military training activities. The size of the individual burns will vary. The Oklahoma Range covers about 48,500 acres and the other areas cover about 6,000 acres.

Firefighters from the Alaska Fire Service and Fort Wainwright will be present to monitor and hold the fire at fire lines and other boundaries. Smoke may be visible near Delta Junction as a result of the burning operations.

For more information about prescribed fires, contact the Fire Information Office at the Alaska Fire Service, 907-356-5511 or visit the BLM Alaska Fire Service website

Ms Elsie Randle - Is There a Memorial Service Planned

A venerable Delta resident has left us. Is anyone planning a memorial service for Ms Elsie Randle?

If not, will anyone collaborate with us to plan and present one? Date to be announced. Call 895-4104.

Photo of the day - May 2

A familiar sight to all Deltoids, Rainbow Mountain looms beside the Richardson Highway south of Delta Junction. Image by Dwight Phillips.

Deltana Fair Sponsors, Volunteers and Advertisers Needed

July 25-27, 2008

The 2008 Deltana Fair is being planned -- want to be a part of this wonderful community activity/event? It is really easy to get involved. Just call 895-FAIR (895-3247) and leave a message about what you’d like to do.

So, what would you like to do? Volunteer to help at the fairgrounds before or during or after the fair. Superintendents are needed for several divisions at the exhibit hall. There are all the special events during the fair that need help to actually happen -- like the Pipeline Run in the Late Night Sun, or the Parade, or the Kids’ Games, or -- well, you get the picture -- there are lots of areas where volunteers are needed. If you have always thought a favorite activity should be at the fair and it isn’t, volunteer to make it happen.

Sponsors are also needed. Recently a letter went out to all the businesses that have helped in the past to sponsor fair events. If we missed you, don’t get miffed -- call us and we’ll send you one of the opportunity letters.

Advertisers are needed!!!

Advertisers are needed. This year there will be a premium book printed (as well as having the information on the website). To have that happen, we need advertisers. There will be placemats printed (with advertising) and distributed to various restaurants in the area between Tok, Paxson, and Salcha. Please contact Ann Geise at 895-4466 or 347-6052 or leave a message at 895-3247.

Donations are always welcome. You can donate your time, your money, or some item that can be one of the prizes in the Multi-Item Raffle.

Also needed are your ideas. Call 895-3247 and leave a message, or contact the fair manager Judy Sowell, assistant fair manager Deb Heral, multi-item raffle coordinator Gay Bowley, exhibit hall manager Wendy Jennings, or one of the Deltana Fair Association board members -- Carol McNab, Ellie Schneider, Ann Geise, Flower Cole, Louis Stockwell, Lynn Robertson, Pablo Martinez.

Deltana Fair --- 895-FAIR --- 895-3247

Bake Sale At Poorboy for Relay for Life

These Relay for Life participants can bake the best homemade baked goods!

The Poorboy and The Posh will have bake goods available at the restaurant tomorrow.

Come check it out!

You won't be sorry!
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Call: 907/895-1805

Relay For Life - Bronze Sponsors

On behalf of The Relay For Life, we would like to give thanks to all the Bronze Sponsors. Thank you for your support!

The Bronze Sponsors are:

• MDA Kinetic Energizers
• Buffalo Center Drive-In
• Stanford ApartmentsPosh Salon/Poor Boy Restaurant
• Ellie's Dog-Gone Kennels
• Marie Fett
• Raven's Brew Coffee, Inc.
• A Higher Knead Message
• Heritage General Contracting
• Team M & J Auto Body
• Energy Center
• Junction Realtors
• Clearwater Lodge
• Cybersteppers
• Pepsi Co.
• Forget Me Knot Quilters
• J-L Ventures
• Alaska 7 Motel
• Delta Meat & Sausage, Inc.
• Mountain House Lodge & Adams Ribs
• Alaskan Steakhouse & Motel
• Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers
• Crossroads Family Denistry
• Sweet Occasions
• Fraternal Order Alaska State Troopers
• Acacia Floral & Circle S Greenhouse
• Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
• Delta Industrial Services, Inc.
• Delta Petro Wash

Photo of the day - May 1

A fledgling great horned owl rests in the spruce forest. Image by Dwight Phillips

Mystery Photo is Returning on May 12

Well once again it's that time of year when the Delta News Web begins its "Can you guess the Mystery photo Contest!" Delta is beginning to awake from its long slumberous hibernation and more and more you'll see the locals enjoying time outside doing the activities they enjoy the most. Our hope is that in your travels to work, play, or just to the daily things such as getting groceries, checking the mail etc. that you'll begin to observe things around you.
The contest will kick off on May 12 and will go through September 15. We will be giving out 18 gift certificates this season, compliments of Buffalo Center Diner (Ed and Ann Richards) and Buffalo Drive In (John and Linda Sloan). We want to thank both places for being so gracious again and donating their $10 certificates to the DNW and the community.

In our contest we'll have a new photo each week taken from within a 10 mile radius of our lovely town of Delta Junction. The Delta News Web editor will receive emails from those who want to participate and the entries received will be put into a drawing each week, and a winner will be selected. The winner will be awarded with a $10 gift certificate, for your dining pleasure. So open your eyes and begin to more keenly observe Delta's beauty and maybe you will be rewarded for your efforts!

To read the rules of the Mystery Photo contest, please click here. If entries submitted do not have a mailing address included, the Delta News Web will not consider your entry, and you will not be entered that week. So please remember to send your mailing address each time you submit your name to the DNW with your guess. Addresses are not stored.

Photo of the day - April 30

Three nice bull moose (at least two, well over 50 inches) stand in the shadows of Mount Hayes in the Alaska Range. Image by Dwight Phillips.