July 13, 2016 - Glacier City Gazette

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VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 10
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016
LOCALLY OWNED AND PRODUCED IN GIRDWOOD, ALASKA
Prince William
Sound’s Beauty
Page 7
An exciting summer for
Ava Earl
By Marc Donadieu
Glacier City Gazette
Devin Boyer / Special to the Glacier City Gazette
Ava plays her guitar and sings her original tunes every day of the
week. Whether she’s getting ready for her next gig or simply having
fun, Ava keeps her musician skills sharp.
Thirteen-year old Girdwood girl Ava Earl
has had a summer to remember, and it’s
only halfway over. Fresh from her first appearance at the Girdwood Forest Fair, Earl
is currently working on a four-song EP to
be included on her new album, which will
be released later. She has a number of appearances scheduled throughout the region
this summer, including Salmonfest in Ninilchik during the first weekend in August.
What was most unexpected for her was being Devin Boyer’s visual storytelling subject
for a military photojournalists workshop, a
contest in which he was awarded first place.
Boyer is a Photojournalist Journeyman
for the 17th Training Wing Public Affairs Office at Goodfellow Air Force Base
in San Angelo, Texas. Every year there is a
Department of Defense visual storytelling
workshop for military photojournalists and
videographers, and this year was his second
time participating. Contestants must apply,
be accepted to the workshop and travel to
where it is being held. This year it was Anchorage.
The workshop’s main goal is to create a photo story on a subject, but its
other goal is to develop the skills of military photojournalists and videographers
See page 11
The living history of Crow Creek Mine – Part 2
By Marc Donadieu
Glacier City Gazette
Crow Creek Mine is home to ongoing family as well as
mining histories. Gold and its seekers are not something
from the past, and mining still happens in various size
claims every day throughout Alaska. People from all over
the world visit Crow Creek Mine for the experience, and
locals look for gold because they find it.
In an interview with the mine’s operating manager
Nate Williamson, he explained the family’s goal is to operate the site for education and preservation. The mine’s
history has a backstory that begins with gold deposited
over time and leads to the mine’s current activities, which
include gold panning, weddings and even a salmon bake
on Mondays in July.
Crow Creek Mine is a placer mine, which means gold
has been deposited by water and glacial activity that
carved out mountains. The direction of the creek would
change with every glacial growth and recession, creating
new channels. Core samples show seven ancient creek
channels on the property.
“Glaciers ripped up the hard rock deposits of gold, and
they pushed all of that material forward and into this valley here. As they receded, all of that gold bearing material
from up top would get dropped off,” Williamson said.
In 1896,somebody from the Hope/Sunrise area found
gold in a valley across Turnagain Arm. The announcement led to a big exodus to the valley in 1897. Some prospectors made the journey across in rafts by lashing logs
together to cross Turnagain Arm after breakup. They
arrived soaking wet and hypothermic at what is today
the intersection of the Alyeska and Seward Highways.
Other prospectors arrived on foot after walking around
the Arm. They arrived first, but ran out of rations. With
visible gold everywhere, the prospectors decided to work
together to find deposits.
By 1898, the mine was fully operational, and its founders were known as the Crow Creek Boys. It took time
time to get supplies and equipment, build camp, and
See back page
Forest Fair Policing Debriefed
By Marc Donadieu
Glacier City Gazette
Two days before Forest Fair began, a three-day
contract was completed to
allow Whittier Police Department to patrol Girdwood and provide public
safety during the event.
WPD, alongside officers
specifically hired from other departments for the fair,
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ANCHORAGE, AK
PERMIT NO. 26
ECRWSS
Postal Customer
provided a highly visible
law enforcement presence
throughout Girdwood and
inside. The general consensus is that the policing was
welcome, quite effective
and helped create a calm
environment during Forest
Fair weekend.
On July 5, Whittier Police
Chief Dave Schofield met
to debrief the weekend’s
results with the Contract
Committee, a subcommittee of the Girdwood Board
of Supervisors Public Safety
Task Force. The three-day
contract and WPD’s performance are viewed as
precursors to a three-year
contract currently under
negotiation between Whittier and Girdwood. Dis-
course is currently stalled
due to conflicting attorney
vacation schedules.
Chief Schofield, who is a
big fan of policing data, was
at the ready when asked for
information about police
contacts during the three
days his department patrolled Girdwood. He acknowledged he currently
had round numbers so soon
afterwards, and that specific figures could be provided
later.
“Whittier Police made
approximately 125 contacts
in the three days we were
here,” said Schofield. “That
was everything from traffic
stops, people we contacted
at the fair to calls for service
here in town. Out of that,
three citations were handed
out and one person was taken into custody and taken
into Anchorage. Those are
pretty good numbers as far
as the number of contacts
versus the enforcement level we used.”
WPD had four officers on
patrol full time, augmented
by two additional officers
walking through Forest Fair
several times a day. Schofield said he and his officers thought policing went
well and that there were no
major issues. Since it was
WPD’s first time patrolling
the event, there were lessons to be learned.
“The biggest learning
curve for us was four officers during a 24-hour pe-
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
A patch of big, leafy rhubarb grows in front of
the mess hall. “We still have the original rhubarb plants. These rhubarb plants here on site
aren’t like things like my wife planted for us this
year. Those are 120-year old rhubarb plants. The
miners used the vitamin C so they didn’t get
scurvy,” said Nate Williamson. He makes rhubarb wine from what he harvests.
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
Kegs of Alaska beer await tapping while
reposing in the chilly confines of Glacier
Creek during Forest Fair.
riod was a little on the light
side. It worked better with
additional officers coming through and keep the
other guys on the road,”
Schofield said.
The ratio of contacts was
approximately 70 percent
See page 10
Glacier City Gazette
Page 2
Area Shop Announces Bigger Space
for Bargains
July 13, 2016 | Volume 1, Issue 10
>> IN THIS ISSUE
By P.M. Fadden / Staff Writer
Thriftwood gift emporium and treasure box announces
intentions for an end of July store expansion. The Girdwoodbased second hand shop meets all-in-one curio stop plans to
unveil on July 25th a second-level addition to expand existing store square footage 800 feet. The design nearly doubles
the current display area of Thriftwood’s home goods, multimedia, clothing, sporting goods, mineral art, food stuffs, pet
products, jewelry, loom weaving, and decor stock.
“A place for everything is what we’re really aiming for,”
said Thriftwood owner and operator Chris Peterson, “and I
think customers recognize that [Thriftwood] is always looking to offer whatever things help them meet their needs.”
Opened in 2011 at its original Olympic Loop location,
Thriftwood is a labor of love for Chris and his wife. In the
business’ first five years, the co-owner couple have expanded Thriftwood inventory and shifted shop location to its
current downtown address at the new Girdwood Town site.
“That first year we were open 365 days,” said Peterson.
“We had a stock of only thrift goods from re-possessed storage units, but were always on the lookout to fill customer
P.M. Fadden / Glacier City Gazette
niches.”
“Our mission was to have in stock something for every- Thriftwood co-owner Chris Peterson progresses in construction of a second level
one,” he said, “and the store has really grown from that.”
Initially skeptical resident response to the survival of access stair. At time of pressing, Peterson
Girdwood’s only thrift shop was soon replaced with excite- had reported stair completion and work has
ment at success of the valley business and its contribution to begun on the shop’s new second level.
the local economy. Thriftwood currently claims a permanent staff of three with additionally contracted workers as
need arises.
“People have come to rely on us,” said Peterson. “It’s a
place where people come to hang-out and talk with their
neighbors.”
Investing itself in the town that supports it, Thriftwood
has grown its community service from sale of second goods
to include participation in a food cooperative offering members online access to bulk foods at reduced prices, donations
to neighboring adaptive sport organization Challenge Alaska and delivery site to organic produce supply Full Circle.
Peterson also advocates the instatement of a Saturday and
Sunday Girdwood Flea Market encouraging summer-long
P.M. Fadden / Glacier City Gazette
sales and community socializing.
Open since 2011, Girdwood’s Thriftwood
“This is a good community where down-to-earth people
Shop has grown with an aim at filling every
live, which is why we’re happy to have our business here,”
customer niche necessary to offer somesaid Peterson. “We want [Thriftwood] to offer the commuthing for everyone.
nity services and goods that are as helpful as possible.”
Repeat clientele and increased tourist visits have pro- gift easier for our customers.”
vided the consistent customer support to merit, Peterson
Current expansion status stands at construction of upperincreasing Thriftwood stock to a volume exceeding current level access. Peterson reports that assembly of a rear stair
store display capabilities. Confronted by rising consumer opening onto the second level space is progressing well.
demand and shrinking storage space, Thriftwood’s owner
“In reality, there’s a bunch more yet to do,” he said, “but,
next looked to opportunities
it’s exciting to think about
at business expansion.
what’s ahead. The 800 addi“The plans to expand the
tional square feet will allow us
store have been in the works
to display more items. I’m re– CHRIS PETERSON
since January 2016,” said Peally excited about being able to
Thriftwood Owner
terson. “We’ve been talking
include a section just for kids
with former construction
clothing and merchandise.
company EECC about the space behind our current Thrift- That’s one area that can be really helpful to the locals and
wood store and have come to an agreement regarding a sec- equal more business for Thriftwood.”
ond level space above their workshop.”
The intended July 25th grand opening is expected to be an
Labor investment toward expansion project completion occasion for much celebration at the local second hand and
has been a new facet undertaken by Thriftwood owner- curio Thriftwood emporium. While ownership has yet to
ship. In an effort to minimize costs, Peterson himself has finalize plans marking the auspicious event, owner Peterson
provided construction manpower as well as undertaken the speculates that an opening sale, hot dog roast, gaming tourby-hand remodeling requirements.
nament or live music may be in order.
“It’s a new challenge for me,” said Peterson, “but it’s
“We’ll see how things go,” said Peterson. “Right now,
important to keep costs down on this project which will there’s lots more to focus on but I’d like to do something
be means such good things for the store. What’s great special to draw a crowd. It’s the people that make what we
about this extra space is the possibilities it opens up for do and where we live,” he said, “so it’d be great to get as
store displays and customer shopping experience. Now many of them to join in the fun as possible. Visitors are alwe’ll be able to fully categorize our goods into organized ways welcome at Thriftwood, whether they be clients or
sections which will make finding bargains and the perfect just good company anybody can always drop by.”
“If you can’t find it, it’s free!”
Glacier City Gazette
© 2016 Roaming Wolverine Media, LLC
We cover the communities of Rainbow,
Indian, Bird Creek, Crow Creek, Girdwood,
Portage, Whittier, Moose Pass, Cooper
Landing, Hope and South Anchorage.
Published the second and fourth
Wednesdays of the month
Email:
[email protected]
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1903
Girdwood, Alaska 99587
Forest Fair
Thousands of visitors
mixed with hundreds...
Page 4
Frozen in Time
A look back at the week
that was...
Page 5
The Sportsman
Hidden away down Whittier’s Depot Road is a bar
called The Sportsman Inn...
Page 6
Wild Catch Café
Whittier residents have
known about the quality of
Wild Catch Café...
Page 6
Prince William Sound
Page 7
Dead Humpback
Whale Floats to Hope
There was an occurrence
that caused a bit of a stir in
Hope on June 28th and 29th.
A deceased 42-foot...
Page 8
Four Valleys
Community School
“The bike intensive was
hard and fun. Riding the
Beaver Pond Trail was
pretty cool and...
Page 9
Alyeska at a Glance
The Alyeska Bike Park has been busy with riders all summer long...
Page 10
Marc Donadieu – Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Matthew Bailey – Graphic Designer/Webmaster
Marlene Buccione – Chief Photographer
P.M. Fadden – Staff Writer
SK Malone – Staff Writer/Hope News
Volume 1, Issue 10 | July 13, 2016
Glacier City Gazette
Page 3
Live Music
Community Calendar
SILVERTIP
Marine Debris Recycling Project
All shows start at 8 p.m.
July 15 – Conway Seavey
July 16 – Xtratuf Cowboys
July 21 – The Honky Tonk Rebel
Mario Carboni
July 22 – Boogie Shoes
July 23 – Saturday Cinders
CHAIR 5
All shows start at 10:30 p.m.
July 13 – Jon Dykstra
July 14 – Larry Zarella
July 20 – Robert Hibbs
July 21 – Honey and Blood
JACK SPRAT
Summer Beer Garden Series
July 26 - Ultralucious and Broken
Tooth Brewing, 6-10 p.m.
BROWN BEAR SALOON
July 15 – Rich Sanders
July 23 – Goats with Headlamps
SITZMARK
July 16 – Nervis Rex
July 23 – Wasteland Hop
TRAIL LAKE LODGE
July 16 – The Jephries
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Cleaner needed- $18/hr, 15-30 hrs/
wk, flexible schedule, must have
transportation, supplies provided.
Call Kyli 907-350-3454. Applications at Glacier City Realty.
165 Hightower Rd.
Girdwood, AK 99587
(907) 783-2594
To Go orders welcome
9 a.m. to midnight
Wednesday thru Monday
Breakfast served all day
July 16-26, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
North Star Terminal, Port of Anchorage (INDOORS)
Wear gloves and comfortable shoes. Lunch, t-shirts and water will be provided and every volunteer can take up to 6 buoys home for personal reuse.
Email: [email protected] and leave name, phone number, contact
information, dates and times you can help or call (907) 360-9235.
Please email events for the next community calendar by July 23.
Crow Creek Mine
Salmon Bake
By P.M. Fadden
Staff Writer
Looking
forward to summer;
Crow Creek Mine
enhances its July
calendar with four
musical, flavorful
P.M. Fadden / Glacier City Gazette
Monday evenings. A piece of baked salmon
The historic, down- served at Crow Creek Mine
home venue hosts on July Mondays.
musical guests Cold
Country while serving buffet-style Cedar Plank Salmon,
BBQ Pulled Pork, grilled corn, quinoa salad, eggplant or
asparagus with balsamic vinegar and Wild Berry Crumple
with fresh whipped cream.
Crow Creek Operations Manager Nate Williamson and
Head Chef Wes Masters envision the Mondays as relaxed
reasons to gather among friends at the Mine’s majestic setting.
“It’s a trial run that’s been talked about for awhile, and
we’re finally pulling the trigger,” said Masters, also of Masters Catering.
“Think good music, food and family-style, mellow fun at
a great site,” added Williamson.
Upcoming Crow Creek evenings of dining and dancing
are July 18th and 25th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with no reservation required.
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
The Dirty Hands closed Marlow Pavilion on
Saturday at Forest Fair.
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
Debonair Dirtbags played the Hopp’n Barley Stage Saturday at Forest Fair.
The Glacier City Gazette is interested in freelance writers and photographers
from Cooper Landing. Please contact [email protected]
Glacier City Gazette
Page 4
July 13, 2016 | Volume 1, Issue 10
Creativity grows wild at Forest Fair
By P.M. Fadden
Staff Writer
Thousands of visitors
mixed with hundreds of
vendors during the July 1st
thru 3rd annual art inundation of Girdwood Forest
Fair [GFF]. In its 41st year,
2016 GFF was an eclectic
assemblage of over 150
artisans showcasing handmade, aesthetic works
across watercolor, acrylic,
woods, metals, photographic, textile, glass, canvas and body art mediums.
“This is one of the premier local arts events in
the state of Alaska,” said
watercolor artist Edward
M. Zegzdryn of his sixth
consecutive GFF experience. “What Girdwood has
here is a vibe conducive to
art.”
Preparing the art-friendly forest is no small undertaking. Event organizers
carefully provide a setting
where creativity can build
off of itself.
“Each fair is a year in the
planning,” said GFF Media, Events Coordinator
Terri Adkins. “It’s twelve
months of meetings. And,
while planning, we remember that GFF began
with only a handful of artists sharing among friends.
Our intention is to carry
on that original spirit as
best we can.”
That valley presence
of artists-in-concert has
remained
undimmed
throughout
subsequent
years. The 30-member
Girdwood Valley Center
for the Arts represents a
modern artist collective. Its
Olympic Loop showroom
displays art spanning mediums and purpose, and its
artists celebrate 20 years of
GFF participation.
Annual GFF’s are convention-like in that artists
like of those of GVCA assemble to share creatively
in a setting unanimously
opined to be ideal for idea
generation.
“Alaska is my inspiration,” said 3rd-year GFF
artist Vladimir Zhikhartsev.
Zhikhartsev, a medalist
ice sculptor and watercolor
artist, splits time between
art instruction and attending art fairs such as GFF.
“This beautiful forest inspires me as do my fellow
artists,” he said, “them, and
the characters coming out
for the shows. I like them—
that’s also what I come to
see.”
Decorative aid for the
many ‘characters’ at GFF
comes from Stacie Smiley of Stray Cat Design
and Alaska Henna. Smiley
claims 19 years beautifying
GFF crowds with henna
art.
“I come every year to see
what other artists are doing and show what I can
do,” Smiley said. “I wouldn’t
miss it.”
Photographer
Coby
Brock returned for his 2nd
GFF based upon the positive experience of his first.
“I’ve been photographing wildlife for 9 years. I see
this as a location for great
examples of art,” Brock
said. “Alaska is the best
place for the growth of my
photography, and I’m glad
to look around and at many
new faces interested in the
same. It inspires me to improve my own work.”
Life long photographer
Didier J. Lindsey agrees.
“Let’s face it,” Lindsey
said, “an artist’s income can
be inconsistent, so Forest
Fair is for the great displays
and fun venue.”
Lindsey speaks from 25
years of GFF shows.
“Alaska and Forest Fair
have been good to me and
my photography,” he said.
Watercolor artist Hailey
Morgan was a first-time
GFF participant.
“I’m loving the positive
interactions among artists
and happy feedback from
clients,” Morgan said. “I’ve
been doing shows for eight
years, but this year’s Forest Fair was the only show
I wanted to attend—the
crowds, the artists, the fairgrounds--it’s all here.”
Veteran vender Laurel
Carnahan has been coming
to GFF for 21 years.
“I’ve seen the fair grow a
lot,” she said. “It’s my favorite show for its roots in artistry. It draws great people
and those with a serious eye
for collecting.”
Sixteen year old Gabriella Thompson recognizes
GFF’s healthy air for art.
Thompson, aided by Dad
Jonas, has been a GFF participant since 10 years old.
She sees GFF as a showcase
of animals and art. What’s
more, GFF is also a means
by which the junior artist can give back to nature.
Ten percent of Thompson’s
art sales are donated to state
wildlife associations.
Alexandra Cronquist is a
2nd-year GFF metals artist
who sees the fair’s potential
for positive personal as well
as professional growth.
Cronquist concluded GFF
2016 with plans to take her
art on an around-the-world
journey.
“Every medium is diverse, like every artist,” she
said. “For me all that adds to
the fun vibe of the fair. I’m
thrilled to take with me the
inspiration I’ve found here
when I travel.”
Glass artisan Tomilyn
Clark hails from nearby Kenai. Clark has been a GFF
volunteering or vendor for
over 20 years.
“I was raised on the Kenai River. Fishing there
with my dad are some of
my fondest memories. For
that, I came up with my
fused glass salmon and I’m
overjoyed to share them at
a great local show. For me,
art and life are about versatility and we’ve certain got
that [at GFF],” she said.
Second year fair vender
Jess Baker has yet to accumulate decades of GFF experience, yet already senses
its uniqueness.
“I’m impressed by the
great art and interesting
people. There’s just more
and more around every
corner,” Baker said. “As
long as I am able, I will
return to Girdwood Forest Fair for inspiration
and fun. We’re living the
dream here,” she said.
P.M. Fadden / Glacier City Gazette
Artists display their work at Forest Fair.
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
The Ski Inn on Hightower Road had its soft
opening during Forest Fair weekend. For
more information on Ski Inn and availability, go to www.akskiinn.com.
Volume 1, Issue 10 | July 13, 2016
Glacier City Gazette
Page 5
FROZEN IN TIME: A look back at the week that was…
By P.M. Fadden
Staff Writer
Monday, July 11 – Archaeologists unearth an entombed Chinese army
of 8,000 life-size clay sculptures formed over 2,000 years ago at the behest of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, 1975.
Tuesday, July 12 – Puff-puff, pass; U.S. Surgeon General Leroy Burney reports a direct link to exist between smoking and lung cancer,
1957.
Wednesday, July 13 – Acting under the Articles of Confederation,
U.S. Congressmen enact the Northwest Ordinance, establishing rules
of governance within the Territory, admission of new states to the
Union and limiting slavery’s expansion, 1787.
Thursday, July 14 – Joplin, Missouri is the first state to host a national park honoring an African American with the George Washington
Carver National Monument in 1951.
I
Friday, July 15 – Alaska Proud: at Nenana,
President Warren G. Harding drove the
golden spike that signified the completion of
the Alaska Railroad, 1923.
Saturday, July 16 – NASA’s Apollo 11 blasts off from Cape Kennedy
bound for a Lunar landing, 1969.
Sunday, July 17 – US Congress authorizes use of paper ‘money’ in
repayment of debts public and private, 1861.
Courtesy photo
President Harding about to drive the Alaskan Railroad’s golden spike
at Nenana, Alaska, 1923.
These dates in history are happily brought to you by the Glacier City Gazette
in the hopes that the current week is just as noteworthy. Cheers.
Girdwood Board of Supervisors
Accepting Resumes for the
Girdwood Public Safety Advisory Committee
The Girdwood Public Safety Advisory Committee will be a 3 person
committee working as the liaison between Girdwood public, Whittier Police, City of Whittier, and the Girdwood Board of Supervisors
(GBOS).
The Girdwood Public Safety Advisory Committee will act as a subcommittee to GBOS, holding regular public meetings, reporting
progress and issues to the GBOS at their monthly regular meetings.
As a new sub-committee of GBOS, the first Girdwood Public Safety
Advisory Committee will be responsible for creation of bylaws and
operating principles, as well as oversight of Whittier Police Contract.
Interested applicants should provide their resume and a letter of interest before July 18, 2016:
Girdwood Board of Supervisors:
PO Box 390, Girdwood, AK 99587
[email protected]
Glacier City Gazette
Page 6
July 13, 2016 | Volume 1, Issue 10
The Sportsman offers Whittier charm
By Marc Donadieu
Glacier City Gazette
Hidden away down Whittier’s Depot Road is a bar called
The Sportsman Inn. Nobody uses the last word of its name,
and no signage announces the bar’s location. It’s tricky to
find because the building is nondescript, and nothing from
the exterior indicates the drinking establishment resides
within. A small, thin, red-lettered neon sign says ‘open,’ and
on a gorgeous sunny July afternoon, the main doors were
propped wide to invite people in.
After walking up the brown-stained wooden steps to the
second floor, the first thing one sees it a big silver barbecue
across from the doors. Since The Sportsman doesn’t serve
food, guests are allowed to bring their own for grilling.
Take-out from other establishments is welcome too.
Once inside, there is a spacious enclosure featuring different sections for people to sit and recreate. Cynthia Monrean
has been the manager for eight years, yet she calls herself the
party coordinator. She greets me warmly as I choose a stool
at the bar. Then she shows me how she introduces herself
to first time customers. She creates a friendly atmosphere
by asking what brings them to Whittier because people are
visiting for a variety of reasons.
“People are here because they know we’re here,” Monrean
said. “This is what I call the locals and seasonal locals bar.
We’re kind of way out of the way, and if you don’t know it’s
here, it’s not quite so easy to find. There’s not a map or any
sign saying ‘right here.’”
During the course of our conversation, she explains to
me the niche The Sportsman fills in Whittier. People work
there every summer for cruise outfits, fishermen, tender-
men, dock crews for fish companies, people on the ferry
from Cordova, weekend boaters and random visitors. The
Sportsman is a venue for locals wishing to avoid heavy tourist traffic.
It is the atmosphere that Monrean has helped create that
entices visitors to return for more. She has made it a point to
have a variety of games and complex puzzles around to keep
customers amused. She tried a couple out on me, and I failed
miserably at solving them.
“I enjoy getting things together so people can have a really good time. It’s not so much about the drinking as it is
just coming in and relaxing and having a good time, having
a place to come and hang out with each other. Sometimes
people come in and don’t have a drink. They want to play
pool, and they’re welcome.”
The Sportsman has three pool tables, free darts, and free
shuffleboard. A piano is available for anyone to play available for anyone to play, as is her acoustic guitar, which she
is willing to lend. There is the occasional, unadvertised potluck.
The game room is a separate area from the main bar.
Monrean said people typically go back there for a quieter
space and once a week to play Dungeons and Dragons.
There are two large windows nearly side by side overlooking Passage Canal, the barge dock, the ferry dock and the
mountains across the way. Once in a while a whale is seen.
Just because The Sportsman may take a little effort to
find, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit the next time you’re
in Whittier. Just don’t be deceived by the old, faded sign for
a long defunct Chinese restaurant and expect to eat. Every
once in a while the sign lures people in who have the expectation of food, not drink.
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
The Sportsman basking in Whittier’s July
sunshine.
Monrean said, “My favorite are the people that are walking around and they see the completely weather beaten sign
that says Chinese food upstairs. They come up the stairs and
say, ‘We want some Chinese food.’ I tell them it’s my ploy to
get them in here to drink and play pool. There has not been
a Chinese food restaurant here for quite some time.”
Once you’ve been to The Sportsman, it’s hard to forget
how easy it is to get to.
THE SPORTSMAN
101 Depot Road
Open 3 p.m. to closing
May to September
Saturday July 30
The Sportsman’s house band
Captain, Cook & Crew will be playing.
Whittier’s Wild Catch Café
By Marc Donadieu
Glacier City Gazette
Whittier residents have
known about the quality of
Wild Catch Café for a few
years now, but word of its
reputation is traveling beyond
the tunnel. A fresh, simple
preparation concept that enhances natural ingredient
flavor drives owner/chef Hai
Han His passion is cooking,
and he serves food he wants
to eat. He also has many international customers who
appreciate healthy cuisine, so
he wants his food to stand out
with little touches.
“It’s a simple menu and people enjoy it,” Han said. “Whatever they pay for, they get to
enjoy. It’s not just something
to fill their stomach. When
kids tell me, ‘That was the best
burger ever,’ that means a lot
to me.”
The breakfast menu is
served from 6-10:30 a.m. and
includes sandwiches, burritos
and omelets. The lunch/dinner menu begins service at
11:00 a.m. and concludes at 8
p.m. It has five types of burgers, a salmon burger, halibut
fish and chips, artisan sandwiches and some vegetarian
options. While the choices
are basic, it’s the little details in
the preparation that make the
food stand out in a delicious
way.
On a recent visit, I got to
sample four items on the
menu: the salmon burger, the
bison burger, a bacon cheeseburger, and the halibut fish
and chips.Clearly taking pride
in his preparation and execution, Han graciously gave me
an explanation of his vision
for each item before the tasting began. Each item had its
own pleasant surprise of fresh
flavors,and I walked away impressed.
The salmon burger is actually a sockeye salmon fillet
pan fried in olive oil. It comes
topped with an unexpected,
intriguing crispy topping of
caramelized celery, onion,
fresh garlic and ginger. The
deep flavor compliments the
sockeye nicely. Han wants
people to taste the fish, which
accounts for the light touch of
homemade tartar sauce. The
burger comes with French
fries, but you can substitute
for mixed greens and balsamic
vinaigrette.
The bison burger was next.
A handmade patty of ground
bison obtained from a Nevada
ranch is the star of this item.
The clean, lean, light mineral
taste of the meat is amazing.
The burger is lightly dressed
to let the natural flavor stand
out and not get lost in a mix of
condiments.
The bacon cheeseburger
was equally delicious in a different way. It has handmade
patty of free-range, grass fed
beef flown up from Califor-
The City of Whittier is hiring a
Receptionist/Office Assistant
This is a non-exempt,
hourly, temporary position.
For a summary of responsibilities,
education, experience and skills required,
please visit
www.whittieralaska.gov
or call the City Office at
907-472-2327
nia. It has a higher fat content
than the leaner bison, offering a full, fresh beef flavor in
every bite. There is a noticeable difference in flavor from
the heaviness found in most
ground beef, making it irresistible.
Han likes to put his own
touches on the food, and the
halibut fish and chips is no exception. He uses a beer batter
with an ingredient to make it
lighter in texture and flavor.
“We don’t want to make it
too heavy,” Han said, “so it’s
half flour and half rice flower, which makes it light and
fluffy.”
The perfectly cooked halibut with the light batter goes
quite well with the homemade tartar sauce, which adds
a pleasantly tangy flavor.
Han has been running his
café since he purchased the
building in 2011, which had
been unused the two previous years. He renovated and
upgraded the kitchen and put
in a front deck to create more
space. He started the business
in 2011 by serving only Kaladi
Brothers coffee and gradually
grew into the establishment it
is today.
Han immigrated to the
U.S. at the age of 13 and spent
those years in Whittier.
“I was born in China,” he
said, “but I was basically raised
in Whittier. I worked for my
uncle [Joe Shen] at Anchor
Inn. He taught me about having a work ethic. I didn’t realize it then, but now I look
back and say wow.”
As a chef, Han learned
his skills working in Boston
restaurants. He started cooking in a fine dining Italian
restaurant where he learned
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
Hai Han, the chef/owner of Wild Catch Cafe
in Whittier displays a salmon burger, a bison
burger, a bacon cheeseburger, and halibut
fish and chips. The bison and free range grass
fed beef are flown in to Anchorage.
about treating food properly.
He also waited tables so he
could understand that side of
the business. Then he met a
French chef and repeatedly
asked him if he had any job
openings until one became
available.
Han knew nothing about
French cuisine but wanted to
learn everything he cold because he was fascinated by the
cuisine’s flavors. He immersed
himself in the kitchen to appreciate the techniques and
the refined flavors. The most
important lesson he learned
was to use his taste buds to
understand the balance of flavors. He also worked beside
some skilled people with culinary degrees.
“The majority of the guys
who worked there graduated
from the Culinary Institute
of America. I was studying
architecture at the time,” Han
said.
If you’re in Whittier and
have an appetite, check out
wild Catch Café. Han’s dedication to detail and preparation
will have you coming back
regularly.
WILD CATCH CAFÉ
12 Harbor Loop Road
6 a.m.-8 p.m.
(907) 472-2252
Volume 1, Issue 10 | July 13, 2016
Glacier City Gazette
Page 7
Prince William Sound’s Beauty
Leah Vanden Busch / Special to the Glacier City Gazette
While working aboard Lazy Otter Charter’s boat the Qayaq Chief, I get to experience the best and worst conditions that Prince William Sound
has to offer. These photos illustrate the best of days. They are the reason why we choose to live in Alaska and not merely visit. The glaciers pictured here are located in Harriman Fjord, which is apopular area to drop off sea kayakers seeking a remote and quiet campsite.The photos of the
humpback whale capture a once-in- a-lifetime experience I will never forget. Captain Ben and I were fishing in Sawmill Bay, off of Evans Island,
when we heard a whale surface near our boat. The whale was feeding on what must have been a massive school of salmon smolt because we
were lucky enough to watch the action for over an hour. When feeding so close to the shoreline, humpback whales create a bubble net and use
their pectoral fins to corral the juvenile salmon into a dense mass and then, with their mouth wide open, lunge through the fishy feast. It is an
extraordinary luxury that we have a 2.5-mile tunnel through the mountains to bring us straight to this rich ocean paradise!
Glacier City Gazette
Page 8
July 13, 2016 | Volume 1, Issue 10
Dead humpback floats to Hope
SK Malone
Staff Writer
There was an occurrence that caused a
bit of a stir in Hope on June 28th and 29th.
A deceased 42-foot humpback whale was
found on the mudflats at mile 15 of the
Hope Highway. The whale was reported
to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association officials, who responded to the
scene. NOAA located the whale that evening between 9 p.m. and midnight, and
they collected a few samples such as skin
and blubber.
Later that evening the tide swept the
whale back into Turnagain Arm. By
Wednesday morning the Humpback had
reappeared on the beach just before mile
13 on the Hope Highway. NOAA was notified again and staff from the Alaska Sealife
Center, NOAA Fisheries and NOAA law
enforcement responded. People stopped
along the roadway to take photos from
the shoulder, and a few went down to the
beach for a closer view.
Down on the beach, some stood around
and observed the necropsy. Others gently
laid a hand upon the whale as if to pay their
respects. I arrived to observe what was
happening, as well as take some photos.
The stench was awful and inescapable. It
could be smelled 4-5 miles away.
“The ASLC took the lead on collecting
samples needed for the necropsy. The location of the whale made it difficult for officials to take samples, due to the fact the
area was only accessible during the low
tide.” said Julie Speegle of NOAA. “The
samples have been sent to laboratories
to further investigate the cause of death
which includes the possibility of disease or
toxins. The testing will include checking
for exposure to harmful algal blooms, histopathology (which means they will check
for changes in tissues caused by disease)
and culture for bacteria.”
As of July 7, the results of the necropsy
was unknown.
“Scientists are highly interested in results from the samples that were collected
from this whale and other deceased whales
from around Alaska this year,” Speegle
said. “They are curious as to whether or
not they may be related to an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event which was declared
last August, for the Gulf of Alaska. This
means that larger whales in the gulf are unexpectedly beaching themselves or dying at
an unusual rate. The cause of that UME is
unknown.”
The humpback that washed up in Hope
was swept back out into the arm by Thursday afternoon, and as of July 7 it had
washed up on the mudflats at Kincaid Park
in Anchorage. NOAA is asking people to
stay away, as the carcass may attract bears
or carry diseases. The plan is to leave the
whale where it is until the next high tide. If
you happen to see a marine animal hats on
trouble, stranded or beached please call the
Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding hotline
at (877) 925-7773.
SK Malone / Glacier City Gazette
A dead humpback whale washed up in Hope on consecutive days in
early July.
Whittier’s Shotgun Cove Road
907-783-1910
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
SALES
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
RENTAL PROPERTIES
The bridge over Second
Salmon Run on Shotgun
Cove Road lets residents
avoid crossing a creek to
enjoy views across
Passage Canal.
www.GlacierCityRealty.com
Girdwood Construction
Marc Donadieu / Glacier City Gazette
After a weekend break, construction on the
Girdwood Bike Path resumed on July 11.
YOUR KAYAKING
CONNECTION
IN WHITTIER
www.alaskaseakayakers.com
TOLL FREE:
DAY TRIPS s CUSTOM TRIPS s INSTRUCTION s RENTALS
1-877-472-2534
Glacier City Gazette
Volume 1, Issue 10 | July 13, 2016
Page 9
Four Valleys Community School
By Briana Sullivan
Special to the Glacier City Gazette
Intensives, T-Ball and Soccer are
hits this summer
“The bike intensive was hard and fun. Riding the Beaver
Pond Trail was pretty cool and I really liked the ice cream
at the end,” said 9-year old Brenner Zaccaro. His confidence
level riding on trails noticeably increased after the Bike Intensive in June, shared his Father Marco.
Judging by the photos on Facebook, the kids participating
in FVCS summer activities are having a blast. The Exploration Intensive featured time spent at the Forget Me Not
Nursery, where kids learned about plants, composting soils,
bugs and observing “behind the scenes” of the favorite local
nursery. Youth were able to meet several hens, who clearly
play an essential role in the healthy system of life thriving at
the nursery. Thank you to Courtney and the Ruckle Family
for making this exploration possible and volunteering your
time to educate future gardeners, growers and consumers.
Opportune kids and instructors floated Portage Creek last
week with Chugach Adventures in the Hydrology Intensive.
Seen in big blue rafts, they were smiling and reveling in the
experience and place they may not have journeyed otherwise. They were learning all the way. Erin Leighton and
Laura Deatherage lead the kids for two days of fun, placebased learning in inspiring and exceptional locations. How
fortunate we are to live near numerous locales.
Next on the Intensive lineup is Salmon and Science with
two separate age groups, wrapping up by printing time, followed by Field Sports Intensive July 18 and 20 for grades
K-3 and 4-7. FVCS is still running a register for one, get
another at no charge promotion. This offer is thanks to a
matching grant from Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area.
Well over a dozen T-Ball kids shared many sunny practices and confidence-building as well. These small, yet energypacked youth appeared ready to play ball while lined up for
a photo. Thank you to coaches and parent volunteers Guy,
Melissa, Dan, Shannon, Aaron, Ari, Kevin, Chris, Shawn,
Nate, Mel and all others who stepped on the field to help.
Amidst all the pre-Summer Olympic excitement, our
Girdwood kids can get in on the action and spirit. Girdwood
Olympic Games will take place during the final week of July.
July 25-28 (Mon-Thurs) will feature our own version of the
Summer Olympics. Events include Olympic Ring Hoopla,
relay races, obstacle courses, balloon volleyball, and much
more. Crafts centered on Olympic history will also be incorporated into this fun and engaging, energy-burning camp.
Thereafter, the real Summer Olympics with several
sports, countries, world renowned athletes, much anticipation and the only-every-four-years concept can be a focus
throughout August. Grades K-3 and 4-7 groups can join just
in time to get in the Olympic spirit at the Girdwood Olympic Games.
Dare I bring up August? Of course there’s more fun to
be had during summer with Four Valleys. Coming at you:
Little SMASHers Tennis Camp and SMASH Tennis Camp I
Erin Leighton / Special to the Glacier City Gazette
FVCS Summer Soccer program ran June
7 - July 14 with nearly 70 kids age 3-15. The
Arlberg field held strong with great weather,
apart from one rain-soaked recent week.
Soccer is the largest program for the community school annually.
and II will be right here August 8-12. Stay in the game with
this chance on the brand-new courts with Aaron Haines.
Intermediate Art Camp at the infamous Summer Arts
Camp also occurs in August, so sign up now if procrastination is always first this summer. Until then, enjoy July and
if you’re feeling like Slow Yoga is high on your real list of
needs, join the final class as a drop-in Thursday, July 21 at
9am for 50+ Slow Yoga with Briana.
DISCOVER THE
WILD
OF ALASKA
20 Years Experience in Girdwood
For your new home, or next remodeling project,
build with someone who will give you quality
to last a lifetime.
(907) 382-6485
schubertgeneralcontracting.com
Just 45 minutes south
of Anchorage on the
scenic Seward
Highway! AWCC is
a non-profit wildlife
refuge located on
a scenic 200 acre
preserve dedicated
to wildlife
conservation
and education.
CALL
907.783.2025
VISIT
Mile 79, Seward Highway,
Portage, AK 99587
W W W. A L A S K A W I L D L I F E . O R G
Glacier City Gazette
Page 10
Forest Fair Policing Debriefed
Continued from front page
on the Alyeska Highway, 20
percent in Girdwood, and a
handful at Forest Fair, Schofield reported. He was very
complimentary of the volunteers for Forest Fair security
and the way they managed
the event. Much of the contacts involved traffic stops
for minor infractions and
looking for impaired drivers.
If a minor was caught in possession of alcohol, a check
was conducted for warrants
and prior convictions, and
the alcohol was dumped.
The presence of WPD
led to the arrest of a highly
intoxicated man who had
broken into a home sometime before 3:30 a.m. on
Sunday morning. The tenant who rents the unit below the first floor was returning home and noticed
a person in the house. Not
having her cell phone, she
posted a plea for police help
on the Girdwood Facebook
page. Someone almost immediately phoned for help,
and WPD arrived seven
minutes later, despite some
initial confusion about the
street address because it
was only identified as the
owner’s house. The suspect
was taken to Anchorage,
and his arrest was the only
one over the weekend.
Supervisor and Public
Safety Task Force Co-chair
Sam Daniel was complimentary of the job done
by WPD’s officers on such
short notice. He also described the Friday morning
fair meeting between himself, Supervisor Tommy
O’Malley, Chief Schofield
and his officers, retired
Alaska State Trooper Mike
Opalka, and Forest Fair security.
“We did a walk-through
of the park,” Daniel said,
“and you guys went up and
met with the resort folks as
well. I thought for never
having done this before
that things came together
quite well considering what
could have happened. And
who knows what could
have happened had there
not been any public safety
in Girdwood.”
After canvassing people
at the fair, Opalka stated
he had not heard of any
problems, and that WPD’s
presence created a positive
effect inside the fair and in
the rest of town.
“I never got any negative response from anybody,” Opalka said, “and
that includes the people in
the booths and the security people. Gus O’Malley
[Forest Fair Chairperson]
was very positive in his
response at seeing the uniforms here, and that he
believes that had a tremen-
Alyeska at a glance
By Shannon Markley
Special to the Glacier City Gazette
Sitzmark Shenanigans
The summer has been in full effect, as has
the Sitzmark music scene.
Sitzmark holds FREE concerts at 10 p.m.,
featuring a new band each week. Next up,
on Saturday, July 16th is local brass band
Nervis Rex putting the SKA in AlaSKA.
Every Saturday night, the signature sound
of hard-hitting drum beats and fast horn
section please the crowd no matter where.
These guys bring their high tempo. They
go! With tons of original music and popular
F R E E ! SUMMER CONCERTS
ALL
AAL
LL SHOWS
SHOWS
OWS SSTART
TART AT
TA
AT 10PM
10PPM
10
M
JULY 16 NERVIS REX
PUTTING SKA IN ALASKA
JULY 23 WASTELAND HOP
INDIE HIP-HOP
JULY 30 GOOD TIME TRAVELERS
ACOUSTIC FOLK
OPEN
FRI - SUN
dous effect on the attitude
and behavior of a lot of
people in and around the
Forest Fair, particularly on
the other side of the highway where we don’t have
uniformed security working.”
Opalka also addressed
another concern – the perception that Girdwood is a
lawless party town and the
amplification of that message by media sources.
“We got so much publicity from radio stations and
the news that there was to
be no law enforcement in
Girdwood, that there were
no cops. One radio station continuously put out
‘No cops in Girdwood! Big
party! Let’s take the alcohol
and go down!’ I heard that
myself. You go to town and
talk to people. ‘You’re from
Girdwood? There’s no law
down there. We’re gonna
go party.’ I wanted to make
July 13, 2016 | Volume 1, Issue 10
sure that that particular
scenario did not happen.”
In an interview before
the debriefing, Supervisor
O’Malley had nothing but
positive comments about
WPD’s presence at Forest
Fair. He is the Forest Fair
Night Security Supervisor
and Co-chair of the Public
Safety Task Force.
“When they asked me
what I would like to see as
far as policing,” O’Malley
said, “I told them that I
didn’t want to hear sirens, and I would like it if
they helped little old ladies
across the street, smile at
everybody and be as present and obvious as they
could. They succeeded beyond my expectations.”
O’Malley also described
being woken by security at
5 a.m. after an inebriated
fellow with an unopened
12-pack tried to stagger
into the vendor camping
covers of “Sell-Out,” “Impression that I Get,”
and “History of a Boring Town,” these guys
always make you dance, dance, dance!
The following Saturday, July 23rd, Wasteland HOP will be coming from Fort Collins,
Colorado to the Sitz stage to keep the night
alive. Wasteland Hop is a lyrical lovechild of
an exotic ménage a trois between rock, hip
hop and folk. Mixing influences from The
Roots to The Black Keys, Fort Collins indie
hip-hop band Wasteland Hop’s songs are
a striking back-and-forth between soulful
lead vocalist Steph Jay and MC Mickey Kenny, who shatters the divide between rap and
poetry. The band blends Kenny’s insightful
lyrics with high energy, funk-fueled beats,
very much in the same vein as Colorado
hip-hop artists Flobots.
Aside from the Summer Concert Series,
the Sitz has a little something for everyone.
Starting last Friday, July 8th, the Sitzmark
kicked off its first week of Absolut Trivia,
which will take place at 7 p.m. every Friday
night. Grab a team of 6 or go alone. This is
your time to show off what useful (useless?!)
facts you have stored away. There are raffle
prizes, a prize for the first place team. There
are also $2 Tacos, and $5 Altos Margaritas
every Friday. So what are you waiting for?
Be sure to also join us at the Sitzmark on
Sunday, July 17th for the 2nd installment of
Summer Paint Nite. Grab your friends and
some cocktails and bring out your inner artist. Tickets are discounted to $25 when using the discount code of ‘Denali20’ and can
area. The man was stopped,
given a ride home and was
happy to be riding in a police car without cuffs.
“He wanted into the
campground and didn’t
have a pass,” O’Malley
said. “I took his alcohol
away, and he was swaying.
It was Officer Casselman
who pulled up because they
monitor our radio.
Casselman says, ‘Hey,
would you like a ride in a
police car?’
The guy goes, ‘Yeah! Can
I drive?’
‘No, that’s my job,’ Casselman said.
‘Can I take my beer?’
‘Yeah, put ‘em in.’
‘Can you put on the siren?’”
‘No.’
“It was like talking to
a five-year old. Casselman later told me the beer
was all closed containers,”
O’Malley said.
be purchased at PaintNite.com. The Paint
Nite Series has sold out every time the Sitz
has hosted it, so don’t hesitate and get your
tickets today!
Mountain Biking World
Rain or shine, the Alyeska Bike Park has
been busy with riders all summer long.
Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
from 12-6 p.m., riders have been shredding
the mountain trails and hitting the jumps all
weekend long. Coming up on Saturday, July
16th, the Alyeska Bike Park will be hosting
the Alyeska Enduro Race, which features a
6.5 mile loop consisting of three downhill
timed segments linked by uphill segments
that are not timed. Your result will be the
combined time of the three segments. Your
total lap time will not be used to determine
your placing. Registration will begin at 9
a.m. with racing beginning at 11 a.m.
CALLING ALL
THE LADIES!
The Mountain Learning Center will be
holding another Women’s Bike Clinic on
Sunday, July 17th. This one-day clinic is
geared towards women cross-country bikers who want to learn and improve downhill techniques to conquer AK’s challenging
bike trails. Bring your own bike or rent one
of our downhill bikes. Call (907) 754.2275
for registration and more information.
TRIVIA
AT NOON
$2 TACOS
FRIDAY NIGHTS
7PM | FREE
ON FRIDAYS!
@RALPH KRISTOPHER
BEERS ON TAP | 21 & OVER | FOOD ‘TIL LATE | THESITZMARK.COM
DOWNHILL
BIKING
OPEN FRIDAY - SUNDAY, NOON - 6PM
WOMEN’S BIKE CLINIC
SUNDAY, JULY 17, NOON - 4PM
BOOK ONLINE OR CALL 907-754-2275
Photo courtesy of Alyeska Resort
The Alyeska Bike Park has been busy with riders all summer long.
Glacier City Gazette
Volume 1, Issue 10 | July 13, 2016
Page 11
An exciting summer for Ava Earl
Continued from front page
by pairing them with successful, highly
experienced mentors with military or civilian photography experience. Mentors
teach story telling through imagery, and
Boyer said it is a great learning experience
that has pushed his photography skills to
new levels. You can see his first place images at: https://www.facebook.com/DODWMPW/photos/?tab=album&album_
id=1079477788790502.
Workshop members must conduct research beforehand to identify and study a
subject. Boyer was researching subject ideas
in Anchorage Press when he came upon the
article about Ava Earl in the October 1, 2015
issue.
“She had just recorded her first album,”
Boyer said. “I started listening to her music, and it’s unique folk/rock music. This is
crazy, a 12-year old girl playing this kind of
music. It’s different. You don’t really hear
that everywhere. Most young teenagers
want to replicate the music of some pop star
from L.A.”
Boyer was awarded first place the workshop for his photos documenting a few
days of Earl’s life. All of the projects were
presented on the last day of the shop, and
photojournalists had a 10 images maximum
limit. Local news outlets in Anchorage provided the judges, who look for visual interpretation and everything that goes into storytelling. Twenty-four photojournalists and
videographers submitted entries.
“It is a life-changing workshop,” Boyer
said. “It definitely teaches you a lot about
photojournalism at a realm that is almost
foreign to most photographers. The first
thing you think about when you get into
the job is ‘I’ve got these really cool photos.’
So what’s the story? That’s always what the
question is. It’s definitely a life changing experience, especially for being a military pho-
tographer.”
Boyer lives at Goodfellow AFB where
he takes photos every day. He frequently
asks himself questions to find new subjects
or angles with the familiar material he sees
around the base. He challenges himself to
find something different or to see from a
new perspective to tell a compelling story
with images.
“How can I go beyond what I am used
to? Another thing the course taught us was
just getting out there and talking to people,”
Boyer said. “Once you open someone up,
you discover things that you didn’t know.
You would have no clue that something like
that existed with them.”
Boyer’s approach leads to new subjects
and photographic possibilities. The story
becomes about something different because
he brought that information out of the person and the world gets to see a new side.
Talking to people and socializing is where
the stories come from, he said. Boyer used
this knowledge during three days of photographing Earl in her natural environment
simply living her life.
Earl found the photographic subject experience exciting because she is not shy around
cameras.
“It was not what I was used to and it was
also kind of fun because I could let someone
else have a look at my life,” Earl said. “I was
mostly just doing the normal things that I
do. I worked really hard that week because
I was doing the Girdwood Youth Showcase,
and so I had a couple of practices with the
kids. I also practiced myself for Forest Fair.”
Boyer photographed Earl at different
times of day such as eating breakfast and
brushing her teeth before bed to try to capture ten memorable images that told a story
about the singer/songwriter and how she
lives. Earl was pleased with the results.
“I thought they were great,” Earl said.
“They told a story, and they did that very
Devin Boyer / Special to the Glacier City Gazette
Ava leads a group of kids as they practice for the upcoming youth
showcase at the annual Forrest Fair in town. Ava is in charge of this
year’s showcase and is responsible for teaching the kids their songs.
One of the songs on the kids’ setlist is one of Ava’s original pieces
called “Patchwork City”, a folk-rock song about Girdwood.
well. Also, they were just fun, and they were
me. It was what I do and how I act. I play
guitar and I teach kids stuff.”
Just as Boyer is expanding his technical
skills as a photographer, Earl is developing
her repertoire as a musician. She is willing
to try new ideas and use instruments other
than the guitar when composing songs because the results lead to new directions.
“If I’m in a creative mindset, I just go
downstairs and do stuff on my guitar,” Earl
said. “I think the hardest part is coming
up with guitar chords because I’ve written
a lot of songs now and I’m trying to come
up with something different on the guitar.
Sometimes I go to the piano or the ukulele.”
Earl started performing four years ago, so
she is confident and comfortable during live
sets. Now her goal is to work on her stage
presence. She observes performers she admires and tries to learn from them. Earl says
it’s easier for her to play on stage than it is to
speak there, but she said she is getting better
at explaining her songs, bantering with the
audience and having fun when performing.
“What I like about my music is that I can
share it with people,” Earl said, “because
when I’m not onstage, I talk a lot, so people
kind of get used to me being talky. When
I perform, I feel like I get a little more attention for what I have to say, especially
because I’m young, people listen to me because they’re not used to young performers
as much as adult performers. I feel I should
get my message out there. Being heard is
important too.”
TED STEVENS DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 23rd 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Girdwood Health Clinic
Senator Ted Stevens wanted to insure that the residents of Girdwood and the Turnagain Arm Area had a facility that could
provide health care to the residents. With his help, the old post office was acquired with a grant from the Denali Commission.
It is now the home of the Girdwood Health Clinic.
Girdwood Health Clinic is hosting free food and activities to honor Ted Stevens
and his legacy to Alaska.
12:00 Presentation
Ted Stevens Award presented to
2016 Friend of Girdwood Health Clinic
JOIN US FOR
FOOD, FUN AND
SHARE STORIES
OF “UNCLE TED”
AND HIS LEGACY
Page 12
Glacier City Gazette
July 13, 2016 | Volume 1, Issue 10
The living history of Crow Creek Mine
Continued from front page
construct a water pipeline. Supplies were barged in bulk
up Turnagain Arm to Old Girdwood where there was a
harbor and a dock. They would bring supplies up to build
camp. Miners then had to create their own system to get
the gold.
“They hiked three miles up stream and chopped down
hemlock trees,” Williamson said, “and they drove them
vertically into the creek channel to create pilings that
spanned well across the creek. They cut the moss into
three-foot wide, six to ten-foot long rolls and blankets.
They rolled it up and strapped it to their backs and hiked it
up to the wall of pilings. They wove the blankets between
the pilings. The glacial silt and sand clogged up the mats of
moss and created a dam wall.”
Miners had to formulate their own devices to use hydraulic mining to extract the gold. Using hand bent and
riveted sheet metal, miners created a pipeline that funneled down into the water cannons that are on display today. Parts of pipeline are still out in the forest to be seen by
visitors. Water cannons were used to pressure wash and
stack gold bearing material and run it into giant sluice boxes that were 30-feet long, ten-feet wide and ten-feet high.
The heavier gold stayed in the boxes, which were located
all over the property.
Miners averaged around 700 ounces of gold a month,
which is around $1 million today. When labor, supplies
and equipment are factored in, the mining camp was a low
expense, high profit business. The site was home to 12 to
20 people with necessary skills such as cooks, hunters, fishermen, blacksmiths, animal tenders, and some miners.
“Crow Creek Mine, to me, epitomizes the romanticized
idea of the gold rush,” Williamson said. “This is what the
gold rush was at its height. These are individual men who
abandoned everything, left their past behind to come up
here to strike it rich. These guys found the largest producing placer gold mine in the Southcentral Alaska region.”
The Crow Creek Boys decided to hire Arnie Erickson
to manage the mine in 1911. The mine remained viable
until it closed due to World War II. When the mine reopened after WWII, hydraulic mining continued until
the late 1950s when stricter discharge regulations were
passed. Naturally occurring arsenic gets concentrated with
hydraulic mining, and on federal lands, arsenic cannot be
discharged into waterways.
It was no longer viable for Erickson to mine on property.
At the time, it was still a very remote location, making it
too expensive to purchase modern mining equipment for
a large-scale operation. Instead, Erickson started a smaller
scale mining operation for recreational mining. Families
and friends were successful finding gold. Locals were given
access and word of mouth spread. The approach developed
naturally, and it grew out of renting pans.
As Arnie got older, he had a place in downtown Anchorage, and his good friends and neighbors were Barney and
Cynthia Toohey. They began helping out during winter
and summer with caretaking for the property, so they were
at the mine a lot. In 1969, Erickson sold the mine to the
Tooheys, who moved to live full time at the mine’s the off
the grid location.
The mine’s mission is to take care of the property and
not turn it into a large-scale operation. The family wants
to maintain property, which has the oldest building in the
Anchorage municipality – the mess hall. They want to
keep history alive because Crow Creek Mine was involved
in the development of Alaska. The historic Iditarod trail
comes up the road, and mushers would have stayed at the
mine.
“We’ve kept these buildings standing to keep this history
alive,” Williamson said. “I’m very passionate about keeping
this accessible to people so they can interact. They don’t
have to go to a museum and look at pictures on a wall or
artifacts in a display case. If they come here, they’re doing
it right now. When people go panning, it’s an interactive
museum display. You’re reliving history a little bit, you’re
engaged in it.”
This article was sponsored in part by the Kenai
Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area.
Shannon Malanaphy / Special to the Glacier City Gazette
Zach Isaacs and Kelly Rodgers recently celebrated their wedding at Crow Creek Mine.
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