Tributaries
Tidbits from the Headwaters
McCarthy Snow and Ice Sculptor Paul Hanis: Best In Snow
Within two weeks of first touching a snow carving tool to frozen water, Paul Hanis was carving at the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks. Fast-forward to this winter: Hanis won 1st Place at the 2022 Fur Rondy Alaska State Snow Sculpting Championships and was selected as a Pro Carver for the Disney+ TV show, Best In Snow.
New Oyster Farms and Fireworks Before Bedtime
The Valdez City Council convened on January 17 for a regular meeting with all members in attendance.
Arab American Doctor on the Alaskan Frontier
Last fall, Marvin Wingfield presented a talk via Zoom at the Valdez Museum titled “David Hasan Sleem: Arab American Doctor on the Alaskan Frontier.” Wingfield is the former Education and Outreach Director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).
Valdez City Council January 3 Meeting
The Valdez City Council convened on Jan. 3 at 7 pm. All council members were present. For the consent agenda, there was a unanimous acceptance of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike Britt’s resignation. Sarah Jorgenson-Owen was unanimously appointed to the commission.
Reversal of Regulation Proposed for Bear Baiting and More
On January 5, the National Park service announced a proposal to amend regulations for hunting and trapping on national preserves in Alaska. The proposed regulations would only apply to hunting and trapping on Alaska national preserves. Federal Subsistence harvest in national parks and preserves in Alaska would not be affected by the proposed changes.
Stars Shine Bright at Valdez Community Christmas Show
The community of Valdez ushered in the holiday season on Saturday, December 10 with an evening of theater, music, and dance. The Valdez Arts Council and Valdez Dance Company partnered to showcase the incredible shining talent within the Valdez community.
Kenny Lake Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count, now in its 123rd year, was started as an alternative to the tradition of the Christmas side hunt, the winner being the hunter who shot the largest pile of birds. In light of declining bird populations largely due to uncontrolled harvesting of bird feathers to decorate women’s hats, counting birds instead of hunting them appealed to conservationists.
Winter Fun Day- Oh! What a Fun Day it Was!
On December 29th, the Wrangell Institute for Science and the Environment (WISE) partnered with Wrangell St. Elias National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Glennallen Field Office, Copper River Native Association (CRNA), Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Glennallen Office, and Prince William Sound College (PWSC) for Winter Fun Day.
Valdez History Through A Fabric Lens
On Friday, October 28, the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive hosted an opening for its current exhibit: 300 Inches of Fashion: Clothing and the Story of Valdez. New curator Caren Oberg created the exhibit, selecting pieces from the museum’s archival collection.
Two Ukrainian Couples Will Find Refuge in Glennallen
Glennallen local Judy Shaw is helping two couples escape the violence in The Ukraine and take shelter in Glennallen. They will arrive in Alaska in January.
Glennallen Nordic Ski Team Competes at First Meet of the Season
The first day of the 2022 Colony Chaos Ski Meet featured a 5-kilometer classic-style race for boys and girls.
Yatibaey Evans of Mentasta Wins Public Media Fellowship
Yatibaey Evans of Mentasta, Creative Producer for GBH’s award-winning series, Molly of Denali, was selected as the 2023 Margret and Hans Rey Fellow by Boston public media producer GBH this December.
Community Christmas Bazaar
Minus 20-degree temperatures did not deter the annual Community Christmas Bazaar vendors from setting up their homemade wares this past Saturday at the Kenny Lake School.
Why We Live Here
This fall, CBS Saturday Morning did a special news spotlight on Wrangell St. Elias National Park and the town of McCarthy/Kennecott. They stated that those who live in the area as their main residence “Are convinced the best way to live is far away from everyone else.” ….I couldn’t shake off the remark that was completely inaccurate.
All is Well
On Thursday, December 1st, the Copper River Basin Child Advocacy Center (CAC) co-sponsored our 13th Annual Tree Lighting. The American Legion once again generously provided the space, time, effort and electricity for this occasion.
4-H Teaches Life Skills By Doing
Patty Miller, the Kenny Lake 4-H Club leader, puts a lot of heart and time into the youth program, and wouldn’t have it any other way. 4-H teaches life skills by allowing kids to roll up their sleeves and do hands-on, experiential learning in almost any subject. The program is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska’s land grant university, offered by the Cooperative Extension Service.
Kenny Lake Christmas Bird Count December 17th
The Wrangell Institute for Science and the Environment (WISE) would like to invite you to participate in the 123rd annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count on December 17. This event is a part of a collective bird census that is conducted each year by Audubon. Audubon has conducted this annual bird census since 1901! That is a lot of valuable information about our birds and their movements.
Court Fight over Alaska Native Carbon Credits
A new lawsuit threatens to upend a landmark, four-decade-old revenue sharing pact that’s guided the distribution of more than $2 billion among Alaska’s Native corporations.