WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2012 PAGE 1 w.wsen.n ww et Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Vol. Twenty-One Issue Six November & December 2012 $2.50 Alaska Grown—A long winter WSEN staff photo 978—The last rays of sunshine from Rick Jr. has been doing a wonderful job of what had been a busy summer cast a documenting those “early days” through the 1glow on our newly-completed cabin eyes of a pre-teen who was suddenly plucked as the snow on the mountains and the dark from city life in Florida and transported to winter clouds loom overhead. “bush life” near McCarthy, Alaska. When it came to things like a stash of fire- He, his wife, Maria, and their four sons wood, knowledge of bush living or money we (our grandsons!) ages 12-19 live in a small were not well prepared. But we were rich in farming community called Donalsonville, GA. optimism and faith. And, 35 years later we are This issue’s segment is on page 7. still here, still living in this same log cabin! PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2012 A note from the publisher month of November and the Heavenly Father is the real Gift- he sun is shining in the time to celebrate Thanksgiving. Giver. Santa Claus, today’s myth- office window this af- Each of us are experiencing chal- ical gift giver, originates from a Tternoon—October 22th. lenges of some sort and magni- person called St. Nicholas. Nich- Our low temperature last night tude. I cannot help but think of olas and his parents lived in Tur- was -10 degrees. There is an inch a young man named Israel Hale key in the 3rd century and were of snow on the ground. It’s a who recently lost his two legs Christians. Nicholas grew up sure sign winter is here when from above the knee caps down knowing the real Gift-Giver. Or- Rick lights the dependable oil in a terrible accident. He is dained as a young teenager, he stove. The wood stove is now thanking God today for life—he eventually became the bishop of able to rest in-between its occa- is still alive to love and be a a small, coastal village, and his sional use. Yes, we are stepping blessing to his family and influence spread into many na- into the winter mode. friends. Rick and I thank Julia tions. He was known for helping When we lived in Florida, the O’Malley and the Anchorage Dai- the poor. Many true-to-life mira- seasons seemed to run together ly News for allowing us to re- cles were brought about through and there wasn’t much differ- print Israel’s story as published his prayers. He spread God’s ence, but not so in Alaska. I like on September 15. You can find it goodness wherever he went and the changes with each new sea- here on page 17. A follow-up of to all who he came in contact son. Israel’s recovery can be found on with. With much thanksgiving, the family’s blog at On the cover of this issue, Rick and I wish each of you a www.friendsofIsraelhale.com. you see a picture of our log cab- Merry Christmas! in built in the summer/fall of Since this issue is the WSEN welcomes aboard the 1978. Rick Jr’s continuing arti- November/December issue, the following subscribers: Marie Las- cles of his recollections of our Christmas holiday falls within fufka, AK; Kathy Vogl, AK; and move to Alaska in 1976 from this time frame. The real story of James and Trish Wright, TX. Florida receives many positive Christmas is the story of Jesus— responses from our readership. God’s precious gift to us. Our McCarthy became “home” 2 years later. Looking through those early photo albums Table of Contents brought back many warm memo- A note from the publisher...................................................................................2 ries for me, too. As I study the Items of Interest.................................................................................................3 picture of the initial cabin lay- Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center Moves to Winter Hours .................................6 out, I am thankful for the even- Kennecott’s historic Mill Building receives attention..........................................6 tual changes that we now are Alaska Grown—A long winter............................................................................7 enjoying—an enclosed porch Local explorer returns from Northwest Passage expedition..............................9 which makes for a great entry- From Trail Dream to Ribbon Cutting................................................................11 way; the office addition where Copper Valley Telecom tests wind generation.................................................12 the kitchen door appears in the Wildland Fire Staff successfully burn debris piles near McCarthy...................12 picture; a downstairs main bed- Getting into RC airplanes—the basic sailplane................................................13 room and bathroom off the rear Impressions of a place far away from everywhere...........................................16 of the cabin; a new woodshed In the blink of an eye.......................................................................................17 that now contains a winter’s McCarthy Road improvements........................................................................20 worth of firewood. Yes, I have Cooking with Peggy.........................................................................................24 reason to count my blessings A look at the weather.......................................................................................26 today. With that said, I recall FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.......................................................................27 that we are about to enter the WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2012 PAGE 3 Items of Interest took off on a Northwest Passage Expe- Malcolm Vance: What a surprise dition. WSEN’s first issue to hear Malcolm’s voice on the tele- (July/August 1992) printed the story phone the other day! Our visits with of McCarthy’s own local explorer. Malcolm have been too far in between “Malcolm and three other adventurers these last 30 years, so when he said he set out to recreate the trek made in wanted to stop by I knew we were in 1923 by Danish explorer, Knud Ras- for an item of interest. mussen.” It was quite an adventure With plans to “spend more time and one worth reprinting. Since Rick out here,” Malcolm said he needed to and I are still celebrating WSEN’s 20th replenish his propane supply before anniversary and the longer-term re- winter sets in. Thankfully, he had ex- turn of Malcolm, it seems only fitting tra time for a cup of tea, cookies and to include our first cover story (Local a round of good ole “catching-up.” Explorer returns from Northwest Pas- Malcolm’s summers are still tak- sage Expedition) and a welcome en up with gill net fishing in Bristol home, once again, to Malcolm. Bay. He and his twin brother, Marc, (Please find his story on page 9.) own and operate the “Bristol Nymph.” Returning to the present time, This fall season Malcolm worked in Malcolm has acquired a new title in the Brooks Range “wrangling horses” life—Grandpa. He seems quite for Mike McCann. Now he’s back pleased with his new role. He informs home in McCarthy—maybe for the me that son, Malcolm Jr., and girl- winter. Preparing for the possible long friend, Felicia, are parents of a baby haul, he purchased his first, ever, boy (now 1 year old) whose name is snowmachine, a SkiDoo Legend. He Bentley Mikhail Vance. The younger says it should do fine hauling water Vance and his family are living in and firewood. This will be Malcolm’s Fairbanks while he and Felicia attend first winter in 15 years. the university. He first arrived in McCarthy the Where has Malcolm been spend- fall of 1982. He only meant to pay our ing the majority of his time while in- town a visit, but, after meeting many between McCarthy visits, I ask him. of the local folks, he ended up stay- While living in Fairbanks, he acquired ing, purchasing property and a cabin. a culinary arts degree and work in a Malcolm’s sense of adventure soon led local restaurant. Then he moved to him into dog sledding, eventually ac- Cordova where he took up construc- quiring his own team of Alaskan Hus- tion work during the last 3 winters. kies which he raised right here in He’s now back home and is prepared McCarthy. to spend the winter. However, adven- In the winter of 1991/92, Mal- ture is still alive and well in Mal- colm (then 29 years old) and his team colm’s genes, so, who knows when it Wrangell St. Elias News (USPS 011301) VOL. Twenty-One, Issue Six, November & December 2012. Published every two months at McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX 1-866-487-7657. E-mail: [email protected]. “Copyright © 2012 by Wrangell St. Elias News. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers.” Contributors to this issue: Peggy Guntis, George Cebula, Julia O’Malley, Ned Rozell, and Rick Kenyon Jr. Subscription price is $14 for one year in the USA. Canada $16. Other countries $23. Advertising rates upon request. Deadline for publication in next issue is November 15. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wrangell St. Elias News, McCarthy #42, PO Box MXY, Glennallen AK 99588-8998. PAGE 4 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2012 may call once again. In the meantime, with the park service is finished, giv- most important asset is in fine work- Malcolm, welcome home! ing him more time to batten down the ing order—their wood heating stove. The Jeremy Keller family: A few hatches for the long winter ahead. Carl says they have tested it out and days ago, we had the pleasure of a vis- Thanks for keeping us updated on found it more than satisfactory.