Tributaries
Tidbits from the Headwaters
Scott’s Story
My name is Scott Somers, and I am not a doctor or other healthcare professional, I am a type 2 diabetic who has learned a great deal about health and fitness. This is the story of my health journey.
Project Santa: A Community Helping Each Other Out
Most people, at some point in life, fall on hard times. In the Copper Basin, if hard times come during the holiday season, Project Santa is there to lend a hand and make sure kids in the community receive presents for Christmas.
Changing Ice in the Copper Basin
Two recent studies have explored changing ice conditions in the Copper Basin. Many locals have already observed changes in winter river conditions over time, including later freeze-ups and earlier breakups.
CRNA Climate Resilience Plan Update
On the evening of Thursday, October 16 CRNA Environmental Coordinator Sarah Sherwood hosted a Zoom forum to present updates on the CRNA Climate Change Plan and receive community feedback.
Voleys Share Their Long Walk
Ray and Stephanie Voley shared the adventures from their 2005-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at the Kenny Lake Library on Wednesday, October 26.
Thelma Schrank Receives Lifetime Service Award
Long time Slana resident Thelma Schrank has been awarded the Harry Yount Lifetime Service Award by the Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR).
Making Copper Tools at Copper Archaeology Camp
On August 1-3, Kory Cooper, Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Purdue University, collaborated with Ahtna, Incorporated in hosting a Copper Archaeology Camp. Participants made objects and tools by hand from native copper nuggets using stones to shape the metal and visited the Gulkana archaeology site, where thousand-year-old artifacts were excavated in the 1970s and ‘90s.
Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
On the evening of Thursday, October 27, the Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner meeting. This year, the dinner was served at the Tolsona Lake Lodge.
McCarthy Mudslide Mayhem
Copper Valley Department of Transportation (DOT) crews have been busy working on clearing mudslides on the McCarthy Road since the first week of October. Both sides of the road experienced major damage from extensive rain. And just when a mudslide was cleared, another one soon occurred.
Fall Play: Witness for the Prosecution
Glennallen High School Theatre students are busy working on the fall play: Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution.” It will be performed at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday November 10, Friday November 11, and Monday November 14.
Bear Medicine
A little bear wandered around Chistochina for several days last month. He was malnourished and alone. A neighbor guessed that he was a runt, already small, and couldn’t keep up with Mama when she crossed Sinona Creek, which ran high this year. The bear was the talk of the town as he let himself into people’s houses, peeked through windows, and went from place to place looking for food and family.
Junior High XC Record Breaking Season
Junior High Cross-country season ended with Championships at Palmer High School. All runners ran continually faster times with each race.
A Visit to the Ahtna Cultural Center
The Ahtna Cultural Center, now closed for the season, reopened for the first time since the Covid pandemic this summer. Situated in the campus of the Wrangell St Elias National Park administrative office and visitor center, the Cultural Center offers the opportunity to learn about Ahtna language, history, and contemporary culture.
GHS Passports and Travel Class Dreams of the Mediterranean
On May 26, 2023, local Glennallen High School students will embark on a 10-day journey through Europe “Along Mediterranean Shores.” This opportunity, organized and taught by Debbie Lorence, joins the Glennallen Geography & Travel class with students from Chicago taking the same trip.
Copper Basin Structure Fires: More than Usual?
If you paused and wondered about all the structure fires in our area this past year, you are not alone. We were curious to know if this was normal or if there were more than usual in the Copper River Basin in 2022.
September in the Garden
After a summer of barely keeping up with my garden to dos, the month of September has been a busy and productive one. Having assistance on the farm has been something of a revelation. It is amazing what three people can accomplish in a day, or several days!
Trophies, Travels and Epic Adventures
Congratulations to Glennallen Girls’ Cross-country team for their 1st place win at Regions and 2nd place trophy at the State Cross-country Championship in Anchorage.
Wild Food Feast in Kenny Lake Celebrates the Watershed
On September 24, over 70 people gathered for a potluck celebration bringing 30 dishes made with ingredients from the Copper River watershed. From pickled beluga to moose soup, salmon chowder to zucchini cake, candied chanterelles to bull kelp pickles, dishes were organized into the four categories of Flying, Walking, Swimming and Growing.
Alaskan History Author Dazzles in Valdez
In 1997, author Laurel Downing Bill received an unusual inheritance from her aunt Phyllis Carlson–a treasure trove of Alaskan history. Carlson was an Alaskan historian and reference librarian who dedicated her life to writing and preserving the stories of the 49th state. Since her aunt’s death in 1993, Bill has made it her mission to carry on this storytelling legacy.