by Bonnie Kenyon

Dave Hollis: It’s hard to imagine we are entering the third week in August. The summer season is disappearing much too quickly for my taste— and I think for Hollis, as well. Dave doesn’t seem to mind that we locals refer to him not by his first name but by his last. In today’s local mail delivery, I received an “item” from Hollis with insight as to how his summer is progressing as well as his upcoming winter plans.

“I’ll be wintering at May Creek in Fran and Al Gagnon’s guest cabin. I’m looking forward to peace and quiet there.

My parents, Ruth and Ron Hollis, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 23rd in Michigan.

This is my seventh season driving shuttle vans for Wrangell Mountain Air. By mid-September I’ll have over 3,000 trips up to and back from Kennicott to McCarthy without ever getting a flat tire or hittin’ a chicken!”

Congratulations, Hollis. I was wondering if part of your van training was dodging the Miller’s flock? If so, you must have passed with flying colors.

The Welty family: This must be the year for 50th wedding anniversaries! Lynn, Sarah and Rene just returned from a trip to Xenia, Ohio, to help Lynn’s folks, John and Nancy Burtch, celebrate their 50th. Lynn tells me they had a wonderful time visiting many family members. Two weeks just didn’t seem long enough.

On her way into Anchorage, Lynn stopped at Victory Bible Camp and picked up Sarah and Rene. The girls had a great time at camp.

The ladies were greeted with a temperature of 100 degrees as they stepped off the plane. Lynn said she searched for even a small amount of shade as they walked to their car, but none was to be found. Thankfully, cooler temperatures rolled in and plenty of activities were planned such as a picnic at a nearby swimming hole. Lynn said the water was warmer than the outside temperature—nothing like our McCarthy swimming hole. A trip to an amusement park where Sarah and Rene sampled all the rides, was on the list of fun things to do. Catfish fishing (Sarah caught the one and only fish) and dinner and a play (“Annie”) were high points of their trip.

The major focus of the trip, however, was when over 200 friends and family of John and Nancy gathered after Sunday service to honor the Burtches. Don’s dad, Don Sr. and wife Margie Welty, drove up from their home in New Smyrna, Florida, to give their best wishes to the couple. Many family group pictures were taken, says Lynn, that will help seal all the good memories of family and friends.

Welcome back, Lynn, Sarah and Rene. Other than misplacing the family dog Shadow one day, Don appears to have survived just fine!

Sam, Kris and Robert Emmet Gregory: Sam and Kris are back at their Kennicott property after a stretch in Anchorage awaiting the arrival of baby Robert Emmet, who has been dubbed Emmet after Sam’s brother. What a doll! I was SO glad to get my hands on him.

Many new dads are intimidated with such a tiny fragile-looking bundle, but not Sam! He is totally comfortable with his new son and determined to introduce Emmet to all manner of life adventures.

Kris says they are “so happy” and thoroughly relishing the time they have here together before returning to New York. Sam’s mom and family are eager to see Emmet for the first time and can hardly wait for his appearance.

Congratulations, Sam and Kris, and a big WELCOME to our world, dear Emmet.

Kathleen “Nelson” Corcoran and Patrick Gainey: I am always pleased to hear from Nelson. In a  recent phone call, Nelson relayed a most exciting item of interest that I can hardly wait to pass on to you with her blessing. Nelson says she has met “the love of her life” in Patrick Gainey of Bond, Colorado.

Nelson and Patrick are being married on Saturday, September 7, 2002, at the Lazy J Ranch in Wolcott, Colorado. The marriage celebration will take place at 3:30 p.m. Nelson’s Maid of Honor will be our own Emily (Morrison) Bass who plans on traveling to the wedding from McCarthy.

The couple plans on visiting McCarthy soon afterwards. This will be Patrick’s first trip to McCarthy. We are eager to see Nelson again and meet Patrick. Our heartfelt wishes go out to the happy couple and their future together.

Kevin Smith and Dorothy Adler: Although Kevin and Dorothy are not new to our town, they are fairly new to my neck of the woods. They purchased property and are in the process of building a cabin. We are pleased to announce that Kevin and Dorothy exchanged wedding vows on Friday, August 16th with approximately 77 close friends and family members attending. Later in the evening a reception/potluck was held on Kevin and Dorothy’s west side property. Dorothy estimates that 150 turned out to celebrate with them.

Family members totaled 30 with most of them traveling here from the lower 48 states of Arizona, Massachusetts, California and New Jersey.

Kevin and Dorothy are presently planning a “fly-out honeymoon mountaineering trip” this next week.

Congratulations, Kevin and Dorothy! We look forward to having you as neighbors this winter.

Tim Mischel: Tim, who has called McCarthy/Kennicott home for 25 years, has recently purchased a “summer home.” No, not in Mexico or Florida, but right here in my neighborhood. He is now a west side landowner.

Although Tim still calls the Angle Station above Kennicott “home,” he is pleased to have a home away from home more closely connected to the road system, he says. So, when the winds are howling on the mountain and the snow a bit too deep for his comfort, Tim will simply travel south and spend a little time in his new vacation spot.

Tim, welcome to the neighborhood!

Troy Hvass: Another new close-by “neighbor” to us is Troy. He also just purchased a piece of property. In between his cooking job at the McCarthy Lodge, Troy is clearing brush for an upcoming cabin site which he hopes to work on this winter. In the meantime, he has constructed  a tent platform and is quite pleased with the progress that is being made on his new land. Another welcome, Troy!

McCarthy’s first Mary Kay party: I believe I can safely report that downtown McCarthy has experienced its first ladies’ Mary Kay party. Tammy Rowland, while visiting here with her husband Roger and family, invited the ladies of McCarthy area to sample her skin care products. The party was held at Ken and Nancy Rowland’s town house on August 12th with six ladies in attendance. All ladies were familiar with many of the products, and I was the only woman who had never participated in one of these specific get-togethers.

Three of us ladies came from the west side and were met at the bridge by our chauffeur, Ken Rowland, in his vintage jeep. That night the weather was more than adverse for such an occasion. It had been raining all day and the wind was blowing. Ken made sure he was on hand to escort us ladies back to the bridge. We can attest that in spite of wind and rain, the Mary Kay products stood fast and Tammy acquired a few new customers!

Howard and Chris Haley: Best wishes and congratulations are in store for Howard and Chris who were married on July 3rd right here in McCarthy. Over 50 people, consisting of McCarthy area locals, family and friends from Washington, British Columbia, Valdez and the Copper River Valley, gathered at the McCarthy Kennicott Community Church to hear Chris and Howard exchange their vows. John Adams presided as marriage commissioner. After the ceremony, a reception was held at Chris’s cabin with lots of good food to go around.

Chris lives and works in Valdez when she is not in McCarthy working on her cabin.

Howard grew up in Kenny Lake and is currently working at the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal as union Teamster. We expect to see much more of Chris and Howard. Both look forward to their visits to our area and may, in the near future, call this “home.”

Sourdough Drilling hits water: Kirk and Linda Shively have made a couple of productive trips to our area this summer. We are happy to report that several local people on the west side of the Kennicott have obtained good wells due to the expertise of Kirk and crew. Kirk says more prospects continue to sign up for future wells. So far the depths of the wells have ranged from 28' to 74'.

Our congratulations to Howard and Chris (Harris) Haley, Jim and Audrey Edwards, Chad Reymiller, Carmen Russo and the others who now have their own water source. And a big thanks to Sourdough Drilling for jobs well done!

Attention McCarthy & Kennicott residents: Can you help? Fred Rains, grandson of Aubrey Pratt, who lived in the area approximately 1917-1918, is seeking a Victrola with the Sears & Roebuck label. The name Pratt is carved into the bottom or back  by a child. One of the records on it or used frequently by Mrs. Pratt was her favorite song entitled, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.” This record may or may not be with the Victrola. Prior to the Pratts’ departure, the Victrola was sold to someone in the area. The remaining family is interested in finding this family relic. If you can help, please call at 520-979-1326 or write Fred Rains, 4675 S. Harrison Rd. #134, Tucson, AZ. 85730.

Break-in at the museum: I am sorry to report that someone broke into the cash box which is used for donations at the McCarthy-Kennicott Museum on August 10th. According to Meg Hunt, the cash box had been pried open. Fifteen dollars in change was left behind but it is estimated that approximately $100 in bills could have been stolen.

Welcome home! We want to extend a big WELCOME HOME to Audrey Edwards who recently returned from a trip to Anchorage to undergo surgery. She is extremely happy to be in her own home and is recuperating daily. Be sure to pass the word when you are up for a cup of tea, Audrey.