by Bonnie Kenyon
Kevin Smith: Once it is time to begin “Items of Interest” my search begins in earnest to find willing “items.” Some people in our town enjoy their privacy and I respect that and try to accommodate them. When Kevin stopped over yesterday morning before mail, Rick and I questioned him as to his winter plans. It is always interesting to us what our neighbors do for fun (or work) in the winter months. For the most part, local job opportunities are for the summer season only.
Kevin is our neighbor just down the road a piece. He works the summer months for Kennicott Wilderness Guides which is located in Kennicott. When I asked him if I could share his winter plans with you, Kevin graciously agreed.
South America – Argentina, to be more exact – is Kevin’s winter destination. He plans on leaving the McCarthy area soon and spending at least a month working with a friend (who also worked as a guide with Kevin this summer) guiding mountain trips on the tallest mountain in South America. He then will return to our country and travel to the Cape Cod area to visit his family.
South America experiences its summer season during our winter so he can be assured of plenty of sunshine and warmth. We can think about Kevin this winter when our temperatures take a dive into the sub-zero figures! According to Kevin, several other summer workers from our area plan on visiting Argentina so that must be the hot spot for this year. Have a great trip, Kevin!
Don, Lynn and Réne Welty: Speaking of trips... daughter René just returned from one. Rene’s travels took her to the state of Maine where she, along with 6 other high school students, canoed down the Allagash River. Three teachers from Alaska’s Chugach School District led the way – aptly put because the program is titled, “Voyage to Excellence Student Leadership Committee.”
Rene said she had a great time. A highlight was the day the group spent in Boston. They visited a fine arts museum, the Harvard College campus and Harvard Square and took in some of the historical parts of the big city. I think cobblestone streets are a far cry from our McCarthy Road!
Lynn’s job with the Park Service has come to a close for the season so she is able to concentrate on harvesting the garden. She has also donned her “teacher’s hat” and René has begun her school work.
Don is more-than-busy working for Rowcon Services on their new shop project.
Lynn informs me that the Welty family has grown in size since the last item of interest was printed. Their chicken flock is now 9 in number. When the Collin’s family left Long Lake this fall, they deeded over their 4 layers. In fact I can testify to the great quality of eggs produced from the crew, because René brought me a dozen the other day when she came by to use the Internet.
Another addition is “Lady,” a border collie who has come to make her home with the Weltys. A friend from Fairbanks who raises border collies introduced the 5 month old pup to her new owners. Dave Persón, also of Fairbanks and a land owner in McCarthy, transported Lady to her new home.
Lynn says the chickens are not quite sure how to take Lady who seems to thoroughly enjoy herding the flock and sending them flying back to their coop!
The Rowland family: The Rowlands live down (or up) the road from the Weltys. Keith and Laurie have their hands full keeping hungry mouths filled. I don’t mean just the 5 growing Rowland children, either. Recently they, too, acquired a flock of chickens – 31, to be exact. I hear the critters are having a hay day finding interesting places to roost. The other day Keith, on his way to Rowcon’s new shop, made his way down the hill on his way to work. Nothing seemed unusual until he arrived at the site. Hearing clucking noises, he assumed Don Welty was jokingly making fun of him in his new farmer image. However, he soon realized the chicken sounds were coming from the undercarriage of his truck. It seems two of the chickens went to work with Keith, says Laurie; one didn’t make it there alive but the other survived the ordeal!
School is in full swing for Kaleb, grade 8; David, 6th; Daniel and Hannah, grade 5, and Jubal, first grade. Anna Wallin has returned as teacher’s helper—Laurie’s right hand. When I called the Rowland house this afternoon, I found out that the instructors had held a Pioneer Craft class for Hannah and Jubal earlier in the day, silhouette and splatter painting. Hannah is eagerly looking forward to the braided rag rug class, says Laurie.
Neil Darish: Neil tells me that McCarthy Lodge is in winter mode now. That means you need to plan ahead if you want to enjoy the benefits the lodge offers. Friday is “the” day and will be for the winter season. Noon to 5 pm all patrons can take advantage of the lodge’s services such as showers, Internet service and laundry. If there is enough interest, he hopes to provide Friday night meals which will be served from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Neil informed me he will not be renting any rooms in the hotel this winter. He has successfully shut that portion of the business down until spring. I suspect Neil just might take a leisurely nap and maybe even read a few good books. Sure hope you don’t get bored, Neil!
Ralph, Merle, Bob and Tyee Lohse: These four Lohse men came for a visit during the first week in October. A fresh pot of coffee was in order. It didn’t take long for Rick and the men to circle the kitchen table, find a seat and make good headway on the coffee. This was the first time that Ralph brought two of his brothers to visit. Rick and I have known Bob and his wife, Loni, every since we arrived at Long Lake in 1977. (They now live at Lower Tonsina.) In fact, if I recall correctly, Bob, Loni, Ralph and Linda were all at Long Lake that winter. We learned a lot from these wonderful folks.
Merle is another Lohse brother who we first met in early October. Merle is a retired police officer from Apple Valley, MN.
Of course, most of our readers recognize Tyee’s name as he is Ralph and Linda’s oldest son and often appears in the Items column.
