By MacKenzie Dysinger

In a world of Amazon delivery and quick shipping, packages can be sent from anywhere in the world with one simple swipe of a finger. The rise of technology and the age of the smartphone has brought with it the ability to instantly connect with friends from all over. However, despite the wonder of these amazing advancements, an email or text message still cannot replace the sense of anticipation and excitement that comes from a written letter, or hand-packaged piece of mail.

The residents of McCarthy, Alaska are well acquainted with the excitement mail brings. McCarthy residents, numerous in the summer, depend on the mail planes to provide them with a menagerie of supplies. From the regular necessities to the occasional grocery order, to the more outlandish mail items such as a Lazy Boy chair, Copper Valley Air Service has delivered it all.

Copper Valley Air Service welcomed the school age children of the Copper River Native Association (CRNA) on Thursday June 17 to experience the loading of the McCarthy mail plane. The Bonieks, owners of this family run business, enjoyed the opportunity to involve the children in their day. The week leading up to the field trip, the children had learned how to write and format letters as well as create their own stamp designs. As the kids watched a truckful of mail be meticulously loaded onto a small airplane, Laura Boniek explained the unique delivery process.

Before too long, colorful drawings of airplanes and helicopters covered the space near the hangar entrance where the children stood behind brightly flagged ropes. Laura and her daughter, Rebbecca Boniek, had brought out handfuls of chalk to occupy the children as they eagerly awaited the mail plane take off. Becca, a pilot herself and the operations manager for Copper Valley Air Service, took the time to give the kids a tour of a Cessna 172. She not only showed them how the wings worked and where the pilot sat, but also where her trusty dog, Dexter, rode along with her.

Before they left, a few of the children peppered Becca with questions. The kids’ questions ranged from wondering what the color of her first airplane was, to asking if she was afraid on her first flight. One child even asked Becca who taught her to be a pilot. Responding with a shrug and a smile Rebecca simply replied, “My dad.”

She told the group that it was her dad, Martin Boniek, that taught both her brother and her how to fly. Copper Valley Air and the Bonieks have passed down the joy of flying from one generation to the next, including the children visiting from CRNA. The idea of becoming a pilot, a mailman or even both was quickly added to the kids’ list of possibilities.

The school age children from CRNA have already visited the Silver Springs Fire Station, Sammie’s Garden Spot, and Moose Creek this summer. The group looks forward to having more field trips this month exploring the unique places, businesses, and organizations that characterize the Copper River Basin.

Read more about what Copper Valley kids have been up to with:

Cantwell Kid Researching Airborne Disease

Rocketing into Field Day

Glennallen Wrestlers Cinch State Title