Items of Interest

Don, Lynn, Sarah and Rene Welty: May—for the Welty family—was a rush of finishing school, getting the garden planted and adjusting to various summer jobs. The month of June is nearly over but it yielded plenty of fun time visiting with John and Nancy Burtch, Lynn’s parents from Xenia, Ohio.

They spent the first week of their Alaskan vacation fishing halibut in the Cook Inlet. The family fishing tournament was a great success. John hauled in the largest fish that weighed 85 lbs. Nancy took second place with her 65 lb. catch. A daily limit of king salmon was taken by everyone on the Gulkana River.

The Burtches timed their McCarthy visit just right. They gave Don and Lynn a helpful hand in preparing the high school graduation ceremony for Granddaughter Sarah on June 20th.

Shortly after arriving at the Welty homestead, Nancy spotted Lynn’s abundant supply of ripened rhubarb. To Don’s utter delight, Nancy’s pies and a variety of her special rhubarb desserts were waiting for Don when he returned home from a long day of flying.

I told Nancy that harvesting all that Welty rhubarb sounded like a lot of work to me but she quickly responded, “Don is worth it!”

I’m certain the Welty’s enjoyed all those freshly-baked goodies but, most important says Lynn, is the great time they had together as a family.

Keith and Laurie Rowland and family: Just up the road from the Weltys, the Rowlands were making their own family memories with the visit of Laurie’s folks, Bob and Joyce Person, of Willow, California. We only had the Persons in our area for a week, but it was a jamb-packed visit. A picnic at Kennicott and a combination flightsee and trip to visit Country Rose Pilgrim were a few of the highlights of their trip to our area.

I LOVE meeting the parents of my neighbors! Now I know why Lynn and Laurie make such wonderful friends; they have terrific moms and dads.

Jim and Peggy Guntis and daughter Kim Northrup: The Guntis’s arrived the first week of June. Frankly, I think it was with great relief for Jim and Peggy to exchange Arizona’s 100 degrees for McCarthy’s 70-80.

Kim was here for a week-long visit shortly after their arrival. This summer’s to-do list is well underway. A fresh coat of paint on walls and floor, a new back porch and the removal of Jim’s famous and well-used lift are just a few projects they can mark “completed.” I have a feeling Peggy has an enormous grin on her face to see the lift outside instead of in her living room!

Jim and Peggy are now getting ready for a visit from Jim’s daughter, Sally, and her husband Scott. I’m sure Jim is busy planning various excursions for his family.

With my mom’s arrival on June 11th, our weekly game night of Rummikube with Peggy has officially begun. Kim also joined us. Jim and Rick started up their Thursday night chess game.

The neighborhood is getting into summer mode once again. Welcome back, Peggy, Jim, Kim, and, of course, my mom!

Peggy Morasch: I was pleasantly surprised to see Peggy and her two dogs stroll up to our cabin today. Peggy drove the Alcan, accompanied by her friend, Ann, from Tennessee. Ann tagged along so she could get a closer look at this marvelous state and wishes her stay here could be extended. Peggy plans on being at her McCarthy home through the month of July. Another welcome and congratulations on your successful trip, Peggy.

Doug Ford: Doug and his brother, Jeff, are at Doug’s nearby cabin as well. We had a brief visit with them and then they were off on a hike-in-the-backcountry adventure. They returned on the 4th of July in time to take in some of the McCarthy festivities.

Jeff is from Idaho and although he enjoys the mountains in his neck of the woods, he is quite impressed with Doug’s choice of a home-away-from-home. He gave Doug a welcome hand at constructing bunk beds and making the cabin more habitable for family and friends. I’m sure both fellows are returning to their homes with numerous memories of their trip to Alaska and the McCarthy area.

Troy Hvass: Troy is thoroughly enjoying sharing the summer season with his friend Michelle Casey and her two children, Tracey and Carl. Michelle is waitressing at McCarthy Lodge and Tracey and Carl are babysitting for Betty and Lane’s son Kaylan who seems to be quite taken with his new overseers. Welcome to the area, Michelle, Tracey and Carl!

Neil O’Donnell and daughter Catherine: With each “welcome” I write, I cannot help but think of someone else who is visiting or has recently visited the area. I’m sure I won’t get everyone in this month’s items, so please forgive me if I leave you out. Our little town has swelled for a season with summer neighbors and holiday visitors.

Neil and Catherine are two familiar faces to the area who always look forward to staying a spell in their cabin. Catherine, 6, had a grand time at the July 5th McCarthy parade. Participants in the parade showered the bystanders with candy and even coins. I couldn’t help notice Catherine busy at work filling her backpack with all sorts of bounty. In fact, several onlookers gave Catherine a hand. She seemed quite pleased with the extra help.

Dolan and JoAnn Collins: Dolan and JoAnn stopped by the other day for propane and a nice visit. JoAnn and the town of McCarthy go back a long ways when she was a part owner in the McCarthy Lodge. Now her son, Doug Miller, is part owner and operator.

The Collins’ arrived here from their home in Yakima, Wa. a couple of weeks ago. They have a cabin in Kennicott not far up the road from another son, Jim Miller. Dolan and JoAnn love the area and hope to retire here in the future.

JoAnn says they are staying busy clearing some of their property to enhance their gorgeous view of the glacier.

Thanks for taking the time to visit, JoAnn and Dolan! Have a wonderful stay in the McCarthy/Kennicott area.

Copper Oar: Rafting is a seasonal activity in our area and Copper Oar has already geared up for a busy 2003. Gaia Thurston-Shaine, guide for Copper Oar, in preparation for a “custom trip” to the Upper Nizina, stopped by for propane and to introduce us to manager Leo Durand of Maui. Leo has guided for Destination Wilderness, owner of Copper Oar, on trips all over the world.

An abundance of multi-day trips are booked, says Gaia, and the season is looking better than she can recall in past years.

Other guides are Jodi Shephard, Rick Petter and Chelle Crowder. Gaia’s parting words to me–and you, if you are in the area–were: Hope to see ya on the river.

Have a great season, Copper Oar!

Roadside Potato: If you’ve ever visited McCarthy, I’m sure you are acquainted with our own Roadside Potato. A lot of good food is sampled from this local eatery and has been for several years now. Denise Jantz, the original owner and operator, has finally decided to “pass the potato” to colleague and friend, Stephanie Peikert (also widely known as “Spuddy”).

A potluck and celebration to transfer the Potato and to witness the dubbing of Denise to the knight of the spud order was held on July 1 at the toe of the glacier. Nearly 60 people attended the grand festivity.

The ceremony rites were performed by Paul Barrett and Gary Green. Paul officiated the transfer; Gary Green, the “dubbing” which was performed with a “hot dog on a stick.”

Lots of good food—most of which was prepared by (you can guess) the potatoheads and, as you can see by this item, much fun, laughter and, yes, a few tears were had by all.

Congratulations to both young ladies: Stephanie to her new position as owner and operator of the Roadside Potato and to Denise as she moves on to expand her rental cabin business to an additional location on the McCarthy Road. We expect great things out of these two young entrepreneurs!

Baby Announcements: May was certainly baby month for three ladies in the community. Each mother is celebrating the births of baby girls. We are pleased to announce and congratulate the following mothers for a job well done!

Athena Swinford and Aaron Hall gave birth to a healthy 6 lb. baby on May 17 at their cabin across McCarthy Creek. Elishaba and Papa Pilgrim assisted with the delivery of “Gypsy Princess” which is only a nickname at the present time until a final version is chosen.

Elizabeth Schafer and Howard Mozen are proud parents for the second time around. A 9 lb. 4 oz. baby was born on May 24 at 10:35 a.m. at their home in Anchorage. Baby “Moose” (another temporary nickname) came into the world at 21 ½ inches long with a full head of brown hair.

Michelle Niland is the proud mother of a 6 lb. 15 oz. baby girl named Leka who was born May 24 at 10:52 pm at her cabin located near the Nizina. “She is a beautiful, sweet baby and growing every day,” exclaimed Michelle.

Rick was able to take a photo of mother and baby, but somehow it got lost in the world of digital marvels. Our apologies to all.

Adam and Becca Adams are the proud parents of their first baby girl. Amelia was born May 14 at 3:55 pm at Elmendorf AFB Alaska. Amelia weighed 7 lb. 5 oz. Adam is John Adams’ son. Our congratulations go out to the entire Adams family.

Jurgen Ogodnik: Jurgen stopped by the other day and provided us with some good news that I wanted to pass on to all our readers. Jurgen is working on a brand new CD with his well-known and accomplished classical guitar music. Be on the lookout for news of its availability for purchase. We know you will want to get your own copy and stock up for future gifts for friends and family. Stay tuned!!

Denise Jantz: Since Denise sold Roadside Potato to Stephanie Peikert (“Spuddy”), I thought she just might kick her feet up for awhile and take a much-needed vacation. Wrong! She is busy at work enlarging her cabin rental business – more cabins on a new lot ½ mile from the footbridge. A successful 80' well was dug by Kirk and Linda Shively of Sourdough Drilling on Denise’s new location.

Mona and Al Jantz, Denise’s parents, are due to arrive on June 23 bringing Denise’s sister, Roberta, and Roberta’s 3 children, Tara, Brenna and Kenny.

I’ve concluded that Denise is just too busy to take a vacation!

Patrick and Kathleen (Nelson) Gainey: What a pleasant surprise to have Patrick and Nelson back in the neighborhood. They had been living in Bond, Colorado, but decided their McCarthy home was where they’d rather be. The Gaineys brought their new dog, Irish, who is making himself right at home. Nelson is presently working for McCarthy Air in the office. She and Patrick are preparing to return to McMurdo Station in the Antarctic for another stint this fall/winter.

Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Gainey!

Brooks, Diane and Ian Ludwig: The Ludwigs are off to a new adventure. Brooks has taken a new job in Fairbanks so they have packed up their belongings and headed to the big city. They are currently living in a townhouse up on Chena Ridge surrounded by a stand of birch trees. Brooks is 10 minutes from his job with Alaska State Parks. Diane said to pass on to her friends their new address: PO Box 82496, Fairbanks, AK. 99708.

Because Brooks’ new job is year round, we may not be seeing their smiling faces as often (especially during the winters) as we have in the past. For that we are sorry.

We are assured, however, that between email and postal service we will stay in touch. Keep those emails coming our way, Diane! We are eagerly awaiting more good news from your new neck of the woods.

McCarthy Kennicott Community Church gives THANKS: On the late evening of Thursday, May 29th a fire broke out in the church’s generator building but was quickly and efficiently extinguished by town residents. Our sincere thanks goes out to every person who sounded the alarm, running to the rescue, saving the generators and the majority of the building and keeping the fire from spreading to the church building.

Thanks to the Pilgrim family and John Adams’ generosity in providing building materials and labor, the generator building and generator was up and running in time for Sunday morning service.

Everyone’s efforts are greatly appreciated by us all!

McCarthy/Kennicott residents and visitors say thanks: While many of us wait for the upgrade to the McCarthy Road, we cannot help but be grateful and say so for the tremendous work done on our behalf to keep the road open and safe to those who live in and visit our area.

Our thanks go out to the Chitina maintenance station DOT operators and our local grader operator, Lane Moffitt. You guys are appreciated more than you know!

Year-round taxi service for the Copper Valley: Ed and Suzanne Wilson of Backcountry Connection in Glennallen have announced that they are now offering a year-round taxi for the Copper Valley. They are also offering jumpstarts and deliveries. Their rates for Glennallen and Copper Center are $2.00/per person and $1.00/per mile. Rates for other areas will be discussed when a call is made to 822-5292. This service is being made available to individuals as well as businesses and corporate business accounts can be set up for monthly billing.

Their service hours are 7 am to 8 pm; however, for emergency purposes, they are offering 24-hour service.