Monthly Archives: January 2007

The next membership luncheon will be held on January 18, 2006 at noon at the TROPHY Lodge.

Guest Speaker will be Nicole McCullough, Associate Vice President of Planning for ASCG Incorporated of Alaska. Nicole will discuss the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Transportation Plan and what it means to Interior Alaska.

In October 2006, the DOT&PF kicked off the Interior Alaska Transportation Plan (IATP) and contracted with ASCG to develop the plan. IATP issues include: Gas Pipeline Impacts; Potential Mineral Development; Military Training; Railroad Expansion; Tourism Potential and Aviation System.

Please call the Chamber office at 895-5068 for reservations.

All who RSVP by January 16th at 4pm will be entered into a drawing and the winner will receive their meal free.

(Article was submitted by Steve Casey. He is from Stonewall, LA and is a chaplain for people with mental disabilities. He has 3 grandchildren that live in Wasilla.)

Delta Junction—The busy holiday season is over and it is time to settle down and think about taking some classes during the winter months. Whether you are working toward a degree or just want to increase your knowledge, Tanana Valley Campus has a full schedule of classes slated to begin on January 29th.

For the spring semester the Partners for Progress in Delta have decided to continue the vouchers that have been popular in recent years. The voucher is valid for $50 per credit. For example, a three credit class normally costing $381, would now be $231 – a big reduction!

Classes being offered include the areas of anthropology, business, computer applications, English, justice, math and sign language. The classes will be held in Delta and at Fort Greely. For further information or to register for a class please contact Cheryl Helkenn at the Delta Career Advancement Center 895-4605.

Yesterday at around 4:30pm, a few of us got a picture of the comet McNaught outside our office across the mountain range . Photo Courtesy Lisa Labaska.

Date: Wednesday – January 10, 2007
Time: 1:30 PM
Place: Fort Greely Chapel

For those attending the services you will need to have your driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration to get on post.

If you would like to bring a finger food or refreshment, please contact Debbie Joslin at 895-4565.

The Library Board meeting that was scheduled for today, Jan 9 is postponed due to cold weather.

Introduction to Solar Energy for Alaskan’s Workshops ANDCOLD CLIMATE Home Building Techniques Workshop

Richard Seifert, Energy and Housing Specialist with the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service will present An Introduction to Solar Energy for Alaskan’s on Friday, February 2, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Come and learn about local progress and experience in solar energy for Delta Junction. There is a $10.00 fee to cover the cost of the Alaska Solar Design manual – registration required. What’s possible, what’s real, what’s for me?

Rich will also conduct Cold Climate homebuilding Techniques Workshop on Saturday, February 3, 2007 from 9:am to 5:pm. Topics include windows, ventilation, cold climate options, walls, indoor air quality, roofs, foundations and more.

Participants will receive a totally revised Cold Climate Manual and CD. This class is free, however registration is required “A must for anyone anticipating buying or building in the near future, especially those who are new to the area.” The course will cover basic home buying information and new technology.

Call the Delta District CES office at 895-4215 or Rich Seifert at 1-800-478-8324 for more information and to register, please register by February 1, 2007. Both classes will be held at the Delta Career Advancement Center located behind the Delta Junction High School. Seating is limited; please register early to confirm your participation.

Certification is required by Alaska State Regulation 18 AAC90.300 for individuals engaged in the following practices:
1. Use or supervise the use of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricted-use pesticides (RUP);
2. Use or supervise the use of an EPA general or RUP for commercial purpose (for hire);
3. Satisfy the requirements of a pesticide permit;
4. Act as a pesticide consultant;
5. Purchase or sell EPA Restricted-Use Pesticides.You must be 18 years old to apply for certification.

Classes will be offered the week of January 22, 2007 to provide information on safe handling and correct application. An exam is included and required for those seeking certification.

Certification and re-certification dates and times will be determined as our office receives an indication of the number of new folks needing certification in any of the categories. An initial certification workshop for Demonstration & Research (category 2) Private Applicator (category 3), Turf & Ornamental (category 4), Right of Way Pest Control (category 9) and will be a 16-hour workshop.

Re-certification workshops for all four categories will be an 8-hour workshop.

Wood Preservative (category 13) training will require 8 hours of instruction as DEC requires applicators to have increased knowledge in laws and safety.

CES is scheduling classes for the week of January 22nd. The initial certification workshop for categories 2, 3, 4, and 9 will be Tuesday, January 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This will join the re-certification class, which is planned for Wednesday, January 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (all will have a 1 hour lunch break). The initial certification and re-certification workshop for Wood Preservation (category 13) will be Thursday, January 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. These dates are tentative and will vary depending on the needs of the participants.

Phil Kaspari, Pesticide Program Coordinator with the Cooperative Extension Service will be the instructor. Classes will be held at the Delta CES Conference Room in the Jarvis Office Center.

Registration deadline is January 19th. Contact the CES office at 895-4215 to register and inquire about certification/re-certification fees.

Name of Deceased: Fred E Wood, age 68. Date of Death January 4, 2007.

Died as he wished, with his wife at home in Delta Junction.

Service: Memorial Service at Delta Christian Center, Delta Junction, Saturday January 13, 3 pm. No visitation, burial, graveside service etc. Officiating at Memorial Service, Pastors Howard and Yvonne Echo-Hawk.

Born September 29, 1938, Columbus Ohio

Education :Received His BA from Evergreen State College, Olympia Washington.

Military Service in US Army 1958-1961

Alaska history: Served at Fort Richardson in late 1950′s, voted in the Statehood Referendum. Returned to live in Alaska at Delta Junction in March of 1998.

Employment/occupation/retired: He retired from Department of Corrections in Washington State in 1992. Taught at Walla Walla Community College for 6 years before moving to Alaska. Most recently retired as Branch Manager of Alaska Motor Coaches (Laidlaw) in Delta.

His faith, his love of Jesus was foremost in all he did. He was a member of Delta Christian Center.

Hobbies/special interest: His wife, Tana, was his best friend and constant companion. He loved his family, and friends. He enjoyed travel, road trips and camping, halibut fishing and especially his wood shop. Many of his happiest hours were spent in his shop.

Survivors: Wife of 28 1/2 years, Tana. Children: Lorelei Berndt, Seattle; Deborah Spille, Nampa, ID; Ginny Ricketts, Walla Walla, WA; Fred Jr. Caldwell, ID; Floyd Caldwell ID; Rick, Boise, ID. He is also survived by much loved sons and daughters in law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is much missed by his brother Bill and sister in law Anne of Springfield, ID, nieces and his sister, Wilma in New England.

Memorials: Fred and Tana were involved in helping build a school in Kayunga, Uganda. Any $$ given in lieu of flowers will be sent to them.

His ashes will be scattered at a favorite site in SE Oregon.

Another year is upon us. I’ve noticed that people have many fascinating ways of celebrating the New Year. Sauerkraut and pork is the requisite New Year’s Eve meal among certain Americans of German descent. In Cambodia, celebrants put on new clothes and wage a massive water battle. The king of Swaziland eats part of a sacred pumpkin and throws the leftovers to his warriors. Some people get sloshed until they puke their guts out and pass out in the chip dip on New Year’s Eve. Others wear ridiculous paper hats, blow noisemakers, and sing an unintelligible song in an obsolete Scottish dialect.

Then there are the diehards whose entire year is ruined if they don’t have a chance to usher in the New Year by discharging a box of shotgun shells into the air. Personally, I find that to be a childish and dangerous practice. Why can’t people understand that a slug or a shower of birdshot landing on one of their reveling companions’ head would turn a party into a tragedy? I, long ago, resorted to a safer technique. Now I only shoot high-powered hunting rifles into the air. That way, when the spent bullet surrenders to the persistent tug of gravity, it will land far away on some other crowd of merrymaking strangers and never disrupt my festivities.

To read the entire article we invite you to browse our Chinook pages.

The Delta Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the Annual Festival of Lights lighted parade, scheduled for Feb.10 at 7PM. We’re having a parade and everyone is invited.

The Parade is open to trucks, cars, horses, sleighs, floats, snow machines, 4-wheelers, individuals, business…well, just about anyone and anything that is lighted.

So start stringing the Christmas lights on the trailer, bundle up and come on down for the lighted parade.

There is no entry fee, entry forms are located at the Delta Chamber of Commerce office in the Jarvis West building.

For additional information or to sign up over the phone please call Dawn at 895-5068.

The Delta Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for the Annual Festival of Lights Celebration scheduled for Feb. 9 and 10. This winter celebration is filled with many activities. The Polar Plunge has proven to be one of the most popular, famous for its “chilly” fun. It is always a treat to see who gets to jump into the Icy plunge tank.

This year the Polar Plunge is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 4 PM outside the Delta High School. Anyone can nominate someone for $5.00 and additional votes are $1.00.

Nominations are already coming in for the following folks: Lorraine Veihl, Virginia Mancuso, Lyle Hutto, Tim Omalia, Darryl Johnson, and Fronty Parker. The top three vote getters jump! So nominate your friends or family…they’ll love you for it.

Polar Plunge Nomination cans are located at the following locations: Alaskan Steakhouse, Buffalo Bar, Buffalo Center Diner, Clearwater Lodge, Buffalo Center Service, Frontier Pull Tabs, Granite View Sports & Gifts, GVEA, IGA Food Cache, Buffalo Center Auto Parts, Jacks Liquor, Moose Lodge, Video Unlimited, Mt. McKinley Bank, Wells Fargo, two cans at Ft. Greely and the Delta Chamber office.

If you would like any additional information please contact Dawn at the Delta Chamber of Commerce office, 895-5068.

Robert “Bob” Hendrix, Sr. from the American Legion Service Office will be in Fairbanks on 11 – 12 January 2007. He will be at the Vet Center, on 4th Ave., on the 11th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, then at the American Legion Post #30 in Moose Creek from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On the 12th , he will be at the Vet Center, on 4th Ave. from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

The American Legion Service Officer provides information on VA benefits, helps with the filing of a claim with VA for benefits, compensation, health, pension and can answer questions on pending claims. Can also assist Veterans returning from Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom on benefits provide by VA for them.

Contact number is (Anchorage) 907-276-8211 or toll free at 1-888-353-7574, ext. 4802. Thank you for your assistance.

Miss Mary Longwell, Delta’s own Ballet School Director, offered a semester end viewing of her dance classes last week.

On Saturday, 12-30-06, parents of enrolled students were invited to view the young ballerinas demonstrate their progress during the 9 week session.
The goal of the viewing was to show to parents, not only individual progress, but also what is involved to lay the foundation for what ultimately may result in excellence and appreciation of the beauty of ballet.

Classes presenting to parents included creative dance (pre-ballet for 4 and 5 year olds), beginning ballet, introduction to ballet, teen creative ballet and ballet training. The “ballet year” consists of 3 semesters, a summer camp, and a dance recital.

Classes will begin again during the week of January 15th. Schedules may be determined at mandatory registration on Saturday; January 13th, from 2 to 6 PM at the studio located in the Jarvis West Building. Please see the Delta News Web for details.

The Polar Pickers and the Delta Singalong Society collaborated in an evening of mellow music on Saturday evening, camaraderie, conversation, snacks and fun.

Compliance with the “no musician left behind” act was evident–this was a supportive event, welcoming any and all skillset levels.Marci and Frank Whiteside were there, along with Lisa and Robert Miller–Holly Stewart with her new guitar, and Mary Ellen and Dan Lucas with Omniharp and guitar–Mary Saarloos and Art playing his Big Bass fiddle–TomIvey, a superlative 5 string banjo picker, Will Wiley and his son Web, each with their guitars

The snacks and refreshments were better than good, and so was the company!!If you missed out this time, that was your loss–but redemption is at hand!! The second Saturday, 1-13, we’ll do it again–watch the DNW, and join us then–