Special History Issue
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WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2004 PAGE 1 Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Volume Thirteen Issue Five September & October 2004 Two Dollars Special history issue page 6 PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2004 A note from the publisher legend, Al Swalling. Not as well t is August 31st and except known around McCarthy as some Ifor a minimum temperature other figures, Al worked for the of 27 degrees night before Copper River & Northwestern Rail- last, summer is still hanging on in way for many years. In fact he was in the McCarthy area. Most summers I charge of all structures (except watch for those sudden freezing bridges) along the railway from Cor- nights and keep the row cover near- dova to Kennicott. by to protect plants such as zucchi- We continue to bring you ex- ni from coming to an early end. This cerpts from The Chitina Leader on year I did not need it – at least not page 18. During McCarthy’s early until the other night. The zucchini years this was the only newspaper plants and the potato plants were reporting on the area mines and not impressed, but, then, after all it social happenings. is almost September. Many of our Long-time subscribers (more trees are turning yellow, earlier important, friends) John and Susan WSEN staff photo than usual, and locals are saying it Bury and their daughter Katharine John Bury, KL7QZ, works a “LEO” is because of the unusually hot tem- paid us and the McCarthy area a amateur satellite from our front yard. peratures this season. Whatever the visit. John was instrumental in in- reason, it has been a wonderful sum- troducing our family to amateur mer and we are being able to enjoy radio soon after our arrival in the the fall colors and still bask in the McCarthy area during the late 70’s. 70 degree temperatures. After telephone service arrived and Rick and I want to thank all our we were able to call family mem- readers for their kind remarks bers, our ham radio days slowly Wrangell St. Elias about the improvements in our phased out. With John’s visit, how- News printing quality since our upgrade ever, the spark was renewed and in equipm ent. The new equipment Rick dug out all the old equipment VOL. Thirteen, Issue Five, Sep- tember & October 2004. has made our lives a bit easier as and it is now in operation again. well! Published every two months at While the men talked old-times McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO We also have heard from many and John tuned Rick in on new up- Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588- of you how much you appreciated grades to our late hobby, Susan and 8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX the last two issues’ coverage on the Katharine registered as contestants (907) 554-4494 Kennicott River Service Bridge by in the Half Marathon race (page E-mail: [email protected] Laurie Rowland. The bridge has tru- 31). Although they didn’t win, they “Copyright © 2004 by Wrangell ly been a wonderful addition to our did finish the course and are vowing St. Elias News. No part of this pub- local infrastructure and we have to return next year. Next time they lication may be reproduced by any means without the express permis- heard only praise from our neigh- will bring friends and additional sion of the publishers.” bors. It has made their lives easier runners. Contributors to this issue: Peggy and more productive. WSEN welcomes aboard the fol- Guntis, Susan Smith, George Ce- In this issue (page 6) we resume lowing subscribers: Richard Hagger- bula, Kenny Smith, Ned Rozell, the Centennial Project written by ty, VT; Ruth Otto, IN; Sharon White, Holly Anne Holm, Paula Easley Doug Miller. Doug explores the GA; Mary Frances DeHart, AK; Kath- and Doug Miller. founding of McCarthy with a special erine McDaniel, TX; Donald and Ju- Subscription price is $11 for one year in the USA. Canada $12.50. look at John and Josephine Barrett. dy Morfield, AK; Dick and Mary Other countries $20. Advertising We encourage readers with special Bishop, AK; Ron Adler and Susan rates upon request. Deadline for knowledge of area history to contact Weston, AK; Lorraine Jallen, AK; publication in next issue is October Doug and collaborate on future in- Spike and Pearl Jorgensen, AK; 15. stallments of the Project. Charles Sanitra, VA. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID On page 10, Kenny Smith gives AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. us a personal look at an Alaskan WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2004 PAGE 3 Items of Interest country trip. “It was a little lonely The foundation is laid, both top and Don, Lynn, Sarah and Rene up there,” says Rene, but her in- bottom floors are enclosed, window Welty: There is so much going on at structor had taught her well, and openings and door are cut out and the Welty homestead that I’m not she made a successful flight. Al- the roof is just waiting for covering. sure where to begin. I just got off though the Cessna 150 is a great Jeremy Keller and Troy Hvass are the phone with Rene who is minding plane to learn the art of flying, Rene working on this project and making the home front while the rest of her looks with longing at the family’s great headway. family is at work at their various Super Cub with a desire to master Needless to say, Michelle, jobs in the community. The Welty the art of maneuvering this bush daughter Tracey and son Carl are family just returned from a 5-day plane off and on the family’s air- eager to see it finished before the backcountry trip to Granite Creek strip. I remind Rene that is like ask- first snowflake falls. By the looks of located near the Bagley Icefields. ing your dad for the keys to the things (and the sounds from that Daughters Sarah and Rene were brand new family car (or maybe direction), I’d say things are well flown in 2 days prior to Don and more challenging!). ahead of schedule! Lynn. According to Rene, the girls Area building projects under- This last week on our way to did the “whole camping scene” -- way: Summertime is “the” time for mail, Peggy Guntis and I stopped by complete with bear gun -- just in area residents and visitors to build the Wallin property. Scott was on case. cabins, workshops, cellars and addi- hand and eagerly gave me a tour of A major surprise dropped in on tions. This year there seems to be a the Wallin cabin project. First of them (not a bear, thank goodness!) rush on local construction projects. all, the driveway to the building site in the form of Eli Potter, guide with My immediate neighborhood is pro- is a gem. Maybe things like roads St. Elias Alpine Guides. “Dad” pro- ducing a variety of the sounds of and driveways don’t mean all that vided the young ladies with their progress. much to some of you readers, but own personal rock-climbing expert. Rick and I walked down to How- out here in the McCarthy area, Later Don and Lynn flew out to ard and Chris Haley’s place the these things are necessities and the meet up with Sarah and Rene. The other day and they were busy at grade of those jobs can really mean foursome spent the next 3 days hik- work on their new addition. Build- a lot to those who use them on a ing, exploring new territory and ing in stages is keeping the Haleys regular (and not so regular) basis. making the most of their special from being overwhelmed (I hope!). The cabin foundation, floor, family time in the midst of a very The foundation and floor for their walls, roof, windows and insulation busy summer season. master bedroom and bath is in are in place. A bit of inside finish The end of August will bring place now. Since our visit Howard work, and installation of the wood forth a variety of changes for the informs me that the new sunroom stove and Scott, Sally and daughter Welty family, says Rene. She and her (Chris insists it is a front porch) is Anna will feel their summer here in dad will leave for hunting camp now enclosed, and Chris is already McCarthy has produced much fruit where she will work as an assistant moving in lock, stock (her new from their “much” labor. A job well cook. Sarah leaves for college at the canned produce) and her own billy done and a great addition to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Lynn goat head mount. community, Scott, Sally and Anna! will oversee the operations of their Plans are for filling it with A few construction projects are homestead and begin making prepa- house plants, barber chair and hair- underway at the Welty family home- rations for the upcoming winter dressing instruments. Howard is stead. A framed structure for a months. now wondering when he will be able greenhouse is in place for next My chat with Rene produced a to install the dry wall. My advice, year’s planting. Lynn is sure to put terrific item of interest that carries Howard, is to do the job while Chris that to good use. Don has put in a with it my heartfelt congratulations. is sleeping! John Adams, their foundation for a future workshop, Instructor/pilot Martin Boniek, with neighbor and local contractor, and a nearby hillside is now adorned Wrangell Mountain Air, has been makes regular trips to give them a with a walk-in root cellar.