August 1999

UAF Summer Fine Arts Camp Congratulates
a Winner

The UAF Summer Fine Arts Camp would like to congratulate Sean Purucker for his hard work and noteworthy achievements at the 1999 camp, held in Fairbanks.  Sean received an "Outstanding Visual Art Student" award as well as the "Outstanding Dorm Camper" award.  Sean is the only one of our students to have received two awards this year.

Congratulations from the faculty and staff of the UAF Summer Fine Arts Camp!

Linda Harriger --  August 23, 1999

Hunter Education Required on Alaska
Army Lands
Beginning January 1

A regulation requiring hunters on US Army lands to possess hunter education certification will go into effect in Alaska on January 1, 2000. US Army Alaska Natural Resources Chief Bill Gossweiler says the regulation has been on the books for two years, but Alaska implementation has been delayed because of the impact on hunters.

Gossweiler said Army commanders have been concerned that many Alaskans who use Army lands for hunting do not currently have the required certification and cannot obtain it in a short time. In other parts of the United States, most hunters do have the certification because every other state has some form of mandatory hunter education. The regulation was scheduled for implementation here on January 1, 1999, but delayed because of this concern.

The new regulation will affect hunters on Fort Richardson in the Anchorage bowl, Fort Wainwright in the Fairbanks area, and Fort Greely in the Delta Junction area. In addition to the bases themselves, Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely each manage large areas of nearby military lands south of Fairbanks and west of Delta. Civilian and military hunters extensively use these military reservations. A long-standing military regulation requires all hunters to obtain permits before using military lands in Alaska. This allows military personnel to direct hunters away from areas containing unexploded ordinance or active live-fire training exercises.

The new regulation does not affect Air Force lands.

Meanwhile, Alaska volunteer hunter education instructors are gearing up to provide necessary training in the areas affected by the regulation. Fairbanks ADF&G regional hunter education coordinator Bob Hunter says instructors in Fairbanks and Delta Junction are developing classes this summer and fall to meet the anticipated demand. Class schedule information
can be obtained from hunter information and
training program staff in Fairbanks (Bob Hunter – 907/459-7211) and Anchorage (Rod Perry – 907/267-2373). Alaska hunter education certification is accepted in other states and provinces that have these requirements.

Hunter education requirements are widening in Alaska. Beyond the military requirement, some younger Southcentral Alaska hunters will need to be certified next summer. Beginning August 1, 2000, hunters born after January 1, 1984 must have completed a hunter education course to hunt in Game Management Units 7, 14 and 15 (the Kenai Peninsula, the Anchorage area and the Mat/Su area east of the Susitna River).

Reprinted from Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game Alaska Hunting Bulletin - August 21, 1999

Young people and adults gathered in Gakona in late July at Alaska Ablaze! a camp meeting sponsored by Valdez Faith Harbor Church and assisted by churches in Fairbanks, Delta, Mentasta, Copper Center, Glennallen and elsewhere.  Here are some of the Delta and Valdez youth who attended (l. to r.): Amber Martinez, Tony Dickenson (above), Ebony Fowler (below) Hillel Echo-Hawk, Rachael Dunklebarger, and Louis (Valdez).  Photo courtesy Pam Dunklebarger

Boating on the Clearwater.  Linda Johnson rides with Shirley Davidson, a Tennessee visitor to Alaska with Ralph Miller of Deltana Outfitters at the helm near the outlet of Clearwater Lake.  Photo by David Johnson.

Summertime fishing fun....even if they do have to go back into the water!  Photo by Steve DuBois.

Over the years a substantial sign forest has grown up at Watson Lake, near the midway point on the Alaska Highway.  Here Katie Johnson peers out from behind a sign "tree."  Photo by David Johnson.

Even Stone sheep rams come to the Alaska Highway in the Yukon.  They may be eating salts left over from winter road maintenance.  Photo by David Johnson.

Fish and Wildlife Trooper Don Bunselmeier and ADF&G Area Wildlife Biologist Steve DuBois were flying on the first day of the Donnelly Flats Fire back in June.  Here's a picture that Steve took showing the smoke plume from a distance.

Here's a plant common along gravel river bars in the Delta area.  It's a cousin of the fireweed.  It's called dwarf fireweed by some, or river beauty.  Photo by Harold Theisen.

ADF&G area wildlife biologist Steve DuBois shot this picture of the Delta Greely area showing part of where the fire struck in June.   Thanks, Steve.

Interest in Delta News Web Remains High

An average of more than 100 hits daily are being recorded by the Delta News Web.  The master statistics pages for the website show over 6000 hits since we began testing the website in late May.

July hits are down somewhat from June, but we believe this is due to the high interest in the fire last month.

Many people tell us they are using this page as a "home" or "start" page.  With the ability to search right from the top of this page, you can "wake up" on the Internet on this page, and after checking for local events and news move right into searching.  There is information at the bottom of this page about how to make this your home or start page.  
It is an easy change in your browser settings.

Here are the statistics for the last couple of weeks.  Note that these numbers will vary somewhat from the hit counter at the page bottom because of the counting method.

07/11/99 81 ********************************
07/12/99 159 *******************************************************
07/13/99 139 *****************************************************
07/14/99 106 ******************************************
07/15/99 143 *******************************************************
07/16/99 122 ************************************************
07/17/99 133 ****************************************************
07/18/99 84 *********************************
07/19/99 135 *****************************************************
07/20/99 123 ************************************************
07/21/99 156 *******************************************************
07/22/99 153 *******************************************************
07/23/99 102 ****************************************

David Johnson -- July 25, 1999

  
Potentilla, a common flower of Alaska's taiga forest.  Photo by Harold Theisen.

 
Alaska clover.  Photo by Harold Theisen.

US Army aviators handle fingerlings from an Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish hatchery enroute to a remote Delta area lake.  Photo by Brian Eaton.

  
Travis DuBois shows off a lunker king salmon he hooked on the Gulkana River south of Delta.  Photo by Steve DuBois.

Larry Dorhorst on his big tractor ready to cut hay.  Picture by David Johnson.

 
Anabelle Basalyga wins a prize at the 1999 Deltana Fair. Picture taken by Cyndi Souhrada. 

US Army troops making the steep downhill return after a training climb up Donnelly Dome.  Richardson Highway goes from left to right on the top of the picture.  Photo by Tom Lucas.

  
Into the eye of the storm -- An Alaska Fire Service retardant bomber drops a load on the advancing Donnelly Flats Fire in June.  Photo by Steve DuBois.

This "mountain of wildlife" is near the junction of the Alaska Highway and the Haines Highway in Haines Junction, Yukon.  Photo by David Johnson.


When you head up the Alaska Highway at Dawson Creek in B.C., here's what you will see at the beginning of the road.  The visitor center is nearby.  Photo by David Johnson

Caribou photo by Brian Eaton.

The Yukon River passes through a narrow canyon just upstream from Whitehorse, not far from the Alaska Highway.  This was the scene of many a boat wreck 100 years ago.  The river is tame by comparison today, as it has been dammed just below this point.  Photo by David Johnson.


Summertime and the living is easy:  "Hey....I can't fish ALL day long...."  This big Alaska Peninsula brownie was caught taking it easy near Cold Bay by former Delta resident Orin Wear.  Thanks to his mom, Cinde for the photo.  See below for another photo of this bear. 8/19/99


Staying awake was obviously too much work.  Back to the land of Nod.  Photo by Orin Wear. 8/19/99

Delta PeeWee hockey players and their coaches turn out for a full team shot.   Photo by Steve DuBois.

Alaska Camp Ground Owners 
Association to meet in Delta

In mid September, 30 to 40 campground and RV park owners from across Alaska will converge on Delta Junction.

These ACOA business men and women will meet at the Community Center in downtown Delta Junction from Thursday, September 16, 1999 through Saturday, September 18, 1999. They will discuss the tourist business in the state, listen to local and state speakers, elect new officers, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Delta.

The plan is to show Delta to these important business people from across the state. This includes serving them Delta breakfasts, dinners cookouts with Delta meats, and tours of Delta farms and tourist attractions.

The Delta Convention and Visitors Bureau (DCVB) is coordinating the event locally.

Local businesses are being offered opportunities to sponsor events such as lunches and speakers. Businesses who want to participate and showcase their businesses are encouraged to call the DCVB. In addition to sponsorship, "Welcome to Delta" gifts are needed. 

For more information about the ACOA Convention and possible sponsorship opportunities, contact Susie Kemp (895-4667/5077) or Larry Smith (895-4369).

Chris Christopherson -- August 18, 1999

The M/V Tonsina on it's way through Valdez Narrows out into Prince William Sound with a load of North Slope crude oil.  The Delta connection?  Every ounce of crude oil in this vessel came under Nistler Road and through Pump 9.  Photo by David Johnson.

Deltana Community Corporation will hold its annual election on October 5, 1999. Seats D, E and F will be on the ballot this year. A Declaration of Candidacy must be filed by each candidate by September 5, 1999. The forms are available now. Candidates must be a qualified DCC voter and a resident for the required length of time for the office sought. Please contact Paul Knopp at 895-4150 for a form. 

Donna Gardino, Administrator - August 8, 1999

Ralph Miller OF Deltana Outfitter's steers a riverboat through the shallows at Clearwater Lake in early July.  Photo by David Johnson.

Parachute drop over Ft. Greely.  Note the C130 in the upper right.  Photo by Brian and Kay Eaton.

 
The Delta area is good habitat for moose.  These two were dancing in Richard Mitchell's yard.  Photo by Richard Mitchell.

Volunteering in Prison

One of the advantages to having a prison in the community is the opportunity to become involved in a volunteer capacity.  A private citizen volunteering his or her time to assist rehabilitation has had an impact on many inmates’ lives. The fact that YOU want to be there, are interested in them, and aren’t paid for it speaks volumes to men who have spent their entire lives thinking only of themselves.

Spiritual activities rank high among the volunteer opportunities and are very rewarding. Regular contact with church groups who are committed to prison ministry has turned many lives around permanently. These volunteers conduct worship services, Bible studies, and lead prayer groups. Other needs include teaching crafts, tutoring, recreation assistance and leading specialty classes. Activities are as varied as the volunteers themselves.

To qualify to be a volunteer you must:

1. Be willing to commit your time.
2. Be consistent and faithful to your commitment
3. Not be a family member or on the visiting
   list of an inmate housed at the facility
4. Not have a recent incarceration or arrest. Certain crimes, like drug offenses, generally mean a permanent disqualification.
5. Be over 18
6. Attend orientation class provided.
7. Abide by the rules of the facility.

The amount of time spent is up to you. Some people will do a one-time class for a couple of
hours only. Others will come in every week for years.

While we cannot use volunteers until we are open and operating, once open we need a solid group of volunteers who are excited and ready to serve. We encourage Delta area residents to think about this now and be prepared to say "yes" when we issue an invitation to make a difference!

Fred and Tana Wood -- July 31, 1999 

Crossing the finish line at precisely midnight!  Kenna DuBois running in the Midnight Sun 10K Race, June 1999. Photo by Steve DuBois.

Our Delta parade clown giving smiles to everyone.  Photo by Brian Eaton.  


Photo by Brian Eaton.  


Photo by Brian Eaton.  


Photo by Brian Eaton.  


A show of flags and horses at the Deltana Fair parade.  Photo by Brian Eaton.