Shown above are five Chihuahua puppies which are only two weeks old.  One of them is looking for a caring and attentive home.  For more information contact Beth at 895-4826.  Delta News Web photo.


 Smoky the Bear giving Delta Area Forestry a hand at parade on Saturday.  Even though the weather was uncooperative the parade was its usual success.  Delta News Web photo.  


This beautiful little girl is Alana Kaa Ala Hina Phillips born to Andrea Stephens, formerly of Delta Junction, and David Phillips of Hawaii.  Alana was born on April 20th in Hanalei, Kauai, just after the sun set.  Delta News Web Photo.


Chica, a Chihuahua, nurses her litter of squirmy two week old puppies.  Delta News Web Photo.  


Delta craftsman Tom Grapengeter of Thomas Jewelers created these exquisite earrings each holding a blue topaz.  For more information on jewelry by Thomas click here.  Delta News Web Photo. 


The Burly Woods Farm, a familiar Richardson landmark, is now for sale!  For more information and pictures click here.


Fronty Parker leads the pack in a hard fought game of croquet at a BBQ party in Delta.  Linda Johnson photo.


This violet-green swallow feeds her three young in an impressive aerial maneuver.  The young birds fledged and left the nest July 12th.  Photo by Katie Johnson 

 Shown above is Joe Maxwell, and Barb and Mike Rawalt.  Maxwell is the western Regional Evangelist for the Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA).  The Rawalts attended the first annual CMA Alaska State Rally in Tok 22-23 June.  Photo courtesy of Mike Rawalt.


Shown above is a man's gold nugget ring designed and created by local jeweler Thomas Grapengeter.  Grapengeter is a master silver and goldsmith.  He is able to create almost anything including engagement and wedding bands.  To see more of Thomas' jewelry click here.  Photo by Katie Johnson.



This is the second picture involved in stocking remote lakes.  This picture shows an ADF&G employee monitoring the discharge of fish into the lake.  Photo courtesy of Fronty Parker.


This is how ADF&G stocks more remote lakes. Oxygen supplied to this 50 gal tank keeps Lake trout alive until they get to Crystal Lake near Fielding.  The trip takes about 50 minutes. We had to take two trips to get all 600 catchable sized fish to their new home.  Photo courtesy of Fronty Parker.


Shown here is the Girls Softball Team 15 and under sponsored by Trails End.  From left to right standing: Kevin Ewing (coach), Melissa Fellman, Kim Case, Annie Rasmussen, Lisa Green, Teresa Trainor, Patsy Ewing (coach) and April Bradley.  Left to right kneeling: Melanie Bishop, Nicole Coakley and Maria Blood.  Photo courtesy of Troxell Hebert.  


Corn is supposed to be knee high by the fourth of July, right?  Kay Wardle stands by her knee high corn at Nickay's Garden.  Photo courtesy of Nickay's Garden.

2nd Annual 4th of July Community Celebration

On the Wednesday July 4th you are invited to the fair grounds on Nistler Road for an old-fashioned community celebration. There will be a Flag ceremony, food and games. There will be activities and contests for the whole family and great entertainment. You are welcome to bring along your own picnic meal and settle in with family and friends for a relaxing day of family fun. Kids bring your bicycle all decorated for the bike parade and contest. Enjoy the sounds of Mike Kingston and his talented friends as they serenade us all. We especially want to invite our Russian and Ukrainian friends to join in celebrating the 225th birthday of the United States of America. The festivities begin at 11:30 and go on until 9:00. Hope to see you there. 

Dawn Grossmann -- June, 2001


Shown here is the Girls Softball Team 15 and under sponsored by Napa Auto Parts.  From left to right standing: Kylie Miller, Dan Beck (coach), Lana Green, Tirza Knix and Caitlyn Hebert.  Left to right kneeling: Melissa Jackson, Crystal Bradley, Lindsay Sanders and Katrina Vicchiarelli.  Not pictured: Assistant Coaches Jackie Frenzl, Wanda Stewart, and Denise Coakley.  



Awards were presented at a June ceremony at Fort Greely as the base is officially realigned to a smaller mission.  Photo courtesy Cold Regions Test Center.

REST HAVEN RENEWAL!

Deltana Community Corporation is pleased to be working with the City of Delta to complete a major expansion and grooming project for Rest Haven Cemetery. Ron Lester and Paul Knopp of Deltana Community Corporation are spearheading the effort and would like to thank all the local business members who have already pledged their support. 

The project has already begun with Ron working to establish a survey line on the north and east boundry of the expansion. The first stage of the plan calls for a 50 foot access on the north and east boundry with removal of trees from the undeveloped NE section. Ron will be working his equipment to clear the access and dig a ditch that would provide a place to bury stumpage from the NE portion as well as produce gravel for finishing the access. This will provide a gravel road and some parking around the entire cemetery including the expansion. The most immediate need is for volunteers to contact Ron or Paul about harvesting firewood from the undeveloped NE portion. That portion will be flagged clearly with survey tape. It is hoped that this work could begin immediately and be completed by June 30 so the second stage of the project could resume.

The second stage of the project has several thrusts. The first has to do with the old portion of the cemetery and the removal of stumpage left by last years wind damage. There is lots of work requiring little expertise such as raking and reseeding. This work can start any time! Volunteers should bring their own tools. Secondly, a fence is planned to enclose the entire cemetery. This is slated to be an all weather wood fence with 2"x6"rails, 4"x6"posts, with a 1"x8"cap. All wood surfaces will be painted before construction. So painters, carpenters, and weekend warriors bring your tools and participate with us! Deltana and the City will provide all materials for the various jobs. Thirdly, if there is remaining funding, we would like to purchase a new lawn mower and possibly put in a self-draining sprinkler system throughout the cemetery. It is hoped that with full community participation all work could be finished by mid to late July. 

This is an opportunity for individuals as well as groups to show support for their community. Any persons efforts on any given day WILL make a difference! Please contact Ron Lester or Paul Knopp to let them know of your willingness to participate. They will coordinate with volunteers on the different stages. Ron Lester 895-4394 or Paul Knopp 895-4150.

Kassie Fararr -- June 21, 2001

Deltana Community Corporation's column

After taking care of routine agenda items, the Deltana Board listened to a presentation by Debbie Joslin concerning the recent redistricting boundaries. She has been in contact with Bill Walker, attorney for the City of Valdez, in that City's lawsuit concerning their new district boundaries. In a suit of this type individuals must be named as plaintiffs: not Cities or corporations. Debbie is looking for individuals willing to be named in a suit that may be filed by our local district. I will move forward here to an update since the last Deltana meeting. The City of Delta has met with attorney Bill Walker along with four Deltana Board members. Mr. Walker gave an overview of the situation; Valdez and Delta are both supporting Plan #1 as presented by the redistricting board at a public meeting last month. He felt that Delta had an excellent claim against the board's decision. He has found another attorney to represent the City of Delta without cost to the City. Since this is public interest litigation, the state will compensate attorney's fees in a successful suit. If the suit is unsuccessful the attorney will receive no pay. The City will find individuals as plaintiffs and go ahead with that suit. Both the lawyer and Debbie thought that the multiple lawsuits would be consolidated. While the Deltana Board members present did not think Deltana should be involved in the suit we would be supportive of the effort. To that end Deltana re-wrote a resolution making specific points about the process and the results of the redistricting boards decision for our district. 
Ron Lester reported on the Cemetery Fence project. The current work is on the re-seeding effort. Ron is grading one road through the center then placing soil and grass seed in the two other roads. He said he needs more woodcutters and volunteers to help with the next stage, which is the fencing. Roy Gilbertson has ordered the fencing material. The material was changed from all weather wood to vinyl. The vinyl is maintenance free and Roy will provide it at cost plus shipping. It was decided to write letters to community service organizations to try to boost the number of volunteers available before the fencing started. Anyone wishing to participate in this joint City/Deltana project should contact Ron at 895-4394.
Under Community Update Kassie said that she had spoken with Linda Sorenson about the Local Emergency Planning Committee activities. Linda stated that the LEPC had received a $7,500.00 operating grant. That grant will pay wages for she and Al Edgren to continue their efforts. They also received a $6,000.00 grant that will be use for training: specifically an incident command class. It was also learned that Rick Johnson had officially tendered his resignation to the City Council. She handed out job announcements for six full time positions with Chenega Corporation. Chenega is the Native Corporation contracted to maintain the vacant buildings remaining at Ft. Greely. There were also two External Affairs Digest articles which included information naming Ft. Greely as the site of the Missile Defense, showing an increasing defense budget for the NMD, and text naming Ft. Greely as a Test site. 
Bob Weeks and Charlie Anderson were there to request help in dealing with the State of Alaska over the condition of Cummings Road. The residents are frustrated by rumors of lawsuits against any one individual that would try to improve the road. They are thinking about forming a Service area to maintain the road. Paul said that that is a long process. There is a possibility that the residents could make the State fix the road under the terms of the Agricultural Land disposal. Deltana renewed a resolution supporting an alternate route for access to Cummings Road. 
Loretta Schooley was present to state her disapproval of the board's lack of action concerning her request for work on the Sourahada Road. She had brought many letters of support for work on that road and objected to the board taking on other projects instead of this one. It was a consensus of the board that the intent of the project was, through upgrades to the road, to acquire State maintenance. Two separate board members had spoken to Gene Eggleston on the subject. Gene was adamant that there was absolutely no possibility that the State would take over maintenance. Jim Schooley was a Deltana Board member at the time and record shows that he said he would contact George Levasseur about maintenance. The project stalled at that time. The board has agreed to revisit the issue. Loretta will present a clarification of the project request at the next meeting. Loretta also had a complaint about the Deltana articles in the Delta Wind. The last column was twenty column inches and her objection was that one third of the column was City news. She stated that, if this continues, she might exercise her option to edit. Kassie responded that, as information person, she was tasked with reporting City Council news. Additionally, the City and Deltana work cooperatively on many projects and information must move back and forth. The current redistricting decision and two other projects are pending: the T.V. transformer, and Rest Haven Renewal. Loretta also wanted to clarify that the "Rest Haven Renewal" article was placed in the Letters to the Editor because she thinks that, next to the police blotter, that feature receives high readership.
The next meeting of Deltana Corporation is Thursday, August 9th at 7:00p.m. at the Clearwater Fire Station. The public is always welcome. 

Kassie Farrar -- July 23, 2001

Golden Valley Electric Association Delta Junction lineman Fred Sheen tightens overhead wires to a renovated service entrance in Delta.  David Johnson photo.

At 2:52 p.m. Sunday July 22nd, a dust devil came through and touched down on one of Nickays greenhouses. Bummer!  Photo courtesy of Nickays Garden.

Dwight Phillips proudly displays his Paxon lake trout caught earlier this summer.  Photo courtesy Dwight Phillips.

Shown above is the new logo for this year's Deltana Fair. Shirts will be available next week, along with this year's premium book, 3-day passes and special reserved parking permits.  Picture courtesy of Dawn Grossman.

Bruce and Dawn Grossmann welcome their first grandchild, Rafe Tyndale Godfrey Grossmann born 6 July 2001 at 3:30 pm, the exact date and time of his paternal grandmother, Marjorie Grossmann, but many years later! He came to us weighing 7 lbs, 9 ozs and at 20 inches tall was born wide eyed and looking all about to see what the Lord had in store for him. Proud parents are Sarah Grossmann and Matt Luthy of Fairbanks. Excited uncles and aunt are Benjamin of West Hollywood, California and Elias and Annalise Grossmann of Delta Junction.  Photo courtesy of Dawn Grossman.

Viki Faber, Jo McBride, Tana Wood and Mike Rawalt along with Barb Rawalt and Jackie Nelson-Lizardi cleaned 1 1/2 miles along the Nistler road.  The group started at the hockey rink and worked all the way up to Mil Tan Road.  Photo courtesy of Mike Rawalt. 

Delta News Web's Horseback Adventure!


Kelly Keaster works with Pepper, one of the many horses at Keaster Clearwater Expeditions, before leading an afternoon tour.  The Keasters offer several different options for guided trail rides.  Photos by Delta News Web.

 Katie Johnson, aboard "Hollywood", has her stirrups adjusted by Lacey Keaster (right) before going on a guided ride with Kelly Keaster.  


This picture was taken while on our ride with Kelly.  Accompanying us were several out of state Keaster family members and friends.  The ride was smooth and a lot of fun.  We will surely call on Kelly again and hopefully go for longer.  

My Dad and I went for an hour-long ride with Kelly and a few others.  I enjoyed myself immensely and really felt comfortable on my horse, Hollywood.  Keaster Clearwater Expeditions offers several different options for horseback riding.  For information regarding horse rides you may reach them at 907-895-4936.

Katie Johnson, Delta News Web -- June 28, 2001 

Deltana Board Meeting

An almost full board and two members of the public attended the June 14th meeting of Deltana Community Corporation. Mike and Jeannie Wilcox were present to request improvement funding for Farrar Road which is off Tanana Loop Extension. After agenda changes to accommodate public comment at an earlier time in the schedule board President Paul Knopp moved on to correspondence. 
The Department of Forestry had sent a letter outlining a five-year timber sale plan. Public comment period is over but the plan can still be viewed by anyone at the Dept. of Forestry. Deltana also received Project and Grant Management Plan Guides intended to assist community efforts such as ours.  
Russ Bowdre updated the board on the latest redistricting boundaries. Delta would align with Northern Mat-Su and the Denali borough. Areas previously within the Delta precinct east of Spruce Road (Barley Way) would be placed in District 36 (the Tok district). No map was available so the board is not declaring exact boundaries. It appears that this would make Gene Therriault our Senator and Scott Ogan our house Representative. The last word Russ got was "Don't give up!" Valdez and Palmer are bringing suit against the redistricting committee, and Robert Castoe said that North Pole is also. However, lawsuits of this nature are historically overturned in the State Supreme Court. Overall Russ expressed disappointment that the redistricting board had apparently not heeded the majority will of Delta residents as presented before the board at a local meeting.
It can only be hoped that area residents happened to catch Deltana's article "Rest Haven Renewal" presented in the Delta Wind as a Letter to the Editor. If you missed it the Delta News Web has kindly agreed to keep the article up for a while longer. To view the article go to webeditor@deltanewsweb.com.  There is no space here to reproduce it entirely but I will present a summery. "Rest Haven Renewal" is a joint project funded by the City of Delta and Deltana to clean, improve, and enlarge the cemetery grounds. Ron Lester and Paul are spearheading the project and need many volunteers to clear land (possible firewood harvest), rake, paint fencing and more. If you or your family members have any inclination to participate with the community this way please contact Ron at 895- 4394 or Paul at 895-4150.
The subject of a Maintenance Fund came up again. Kassie Farrar said that under current constraints of grant monies Deltana has no ability to perform recurring maintenance. Such a fund could help keep up the playground equipment we purchased, mow the ball field, or pay service fees for the portable toilet that the State wants to contribute for public use at the Clearwater Boat Launch. It is Kassie's view that, in the future, people will have two choices, a borough with a tax base to provide support for these services or individuals and companies contributing funds to the implementation of a maintenance fund. Deltana is able to accept donations and would draft criteria for facilities/projects meeting requirements. After much discussion about the probable support for such a fund the board decided to task our administrator Eileen Herman with writing letters to specific business and use groups to make inquiry. 
Under City Council update Kassie shared information from Pete Hellgren. The million-dollar grant, which the City had received, had been tied up for a while but has now been moved over to the Economic Development Agency. Pete met with EDA last week and the disbursement is pending approval of the City's use plan. He anticipates no problem with that approval. The local airport is slated for upgrades. The old landfill will be stabilized up to DEC standards and equipment purchased to compact and move the material. Also building modifications are being considered on that site to accommodate a pumper truck. Pete anticipates that would have a positive effect on insurance rates in the area. Initial phases of work on the new landfill will begin. Also the City has $100,000.00 in hand for work on the translator tower, of which $25,000.00 is from Deltana Community Corporation. An additional $25,000.00 has been appropriated by the legislature this year. Under advisement from an inspector the existing structure will probably be rebuilt and upgraded. The hope is to have it completed by this fall. No radio is included however Kassie spoke to Dan Beck about the pending broadcasting license that the School District has applied for. Dan was excited about the possibilities for the low frequency FM band with an approximate range of 5-10 miles. The school received some of the equipment from the Ft. Greely station. The school district is considering offering a class on broadcast communications. The students could run feature interviews, emergency broadcasts, local meeting and sports events. They need an engineer to help set it up and funds to purchase programming. The board briefly discussed what Deltana might do to support this effort. The recall election is going forward on July 10 in Delta Junction. Suzie Kemp and Roy Gilbertson are on the recall ballots. There will be room on the ballot for a 200-word rebuttal to the alleged charges. The State has contributed $90,000.00 toward an ambulance for the City. Kassie next read a letter from Representative John Harris to the City. Pete stated that at one time Harris had made a clear statement in support of the City settling the lawsuit with Allvest. Harris indicated that there would be no problem getting funding from the state to help the City meet the financial obligation. He is now being a little more cautious but still hopeful that this will occur.
Mike and Jeannie Wilcox outlined to the Deltana their interest in improving a three-quarter mile portion of Farrar Road. They feel that their truck farm suffers from the condition of this road. Additionally there are many families that use the road for access to their properties. They suggested a fabric/gravel lift of approximately 2 feet in depth to bring the road surface higher. The board questioned the Wilcox's and discussed among themselves possible plans. A motion to pass this to committee for assessment and review passed unanimously.
After adjournment some board members discussed the satisfaction many have gained from sitting on this board, the small time investment required, and the vacancies. Any member of the Deltana area may sit on the board to fill current vacancies. The General elections will be in October. To express an interest in being on the board of Deltana Corporation please contact Paul Knopp. The next meeting will be July 5, 7:00p.m. at the Clearwater Fire Station.

Kassie Fararr -- June 26, 2001