New cold storage container allows dairy and produce shelves to stay full longer

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

The challenges of operating a grocery store in Skagway sometimes means limiting the stock on hand.

The Skagway shoppers’ plan for finding milk, eggs and fresh produce at Fairway Market meant getting to the store within a day of the weekly barge. It was a first come, first served rationale.

The main problem facing the store was a lack of refrigerated storage. There was no room in the building for back up or overstock of items needing refrigeration.

With some brainstorming with district operation managers from Alaska Commercial Company, the owners of Fairway, the problem might now be solved.

A new refrigeration unit, referred to as a reefer (the cold kind) was set up in the parking lot in front of the store. This new unit, brought in about a month ago, allows Fairway to restock produce and dairy shelves throughout the week.

Fairway front end man- ager, Amanda Mixon, says it allows the store to order more for the weekly shipments. ners has gotten so intense nationally that even the federal government is now offering extraordinary bonuses and pay for those jobs.

“We’re able to order more of anything we need to keep chilled – eggs, milk. So we’re able to maintain our stock throughout the entire week,” she said.

The Military Sealift Command, a civilian organization, is offering an average annual salary of almost $100,000 per year for able seamen, plus a hiring bonus of more than $23,000.

“When they throw bonuses out like that, it’s really hard,” Tornga said.

According to public records dating from March, the AMHS was paying $26.38 per hour for an able seaman.

Shirley Marquardt, chair of the operations board, said she saw the federal offer, too.

“I did see that, and my heart sank,” she said.

Obituary

Adam Oxford Gee

N CHITTENDEN It is with great sadness Adam has left us unexpectedly June 13th, 2023 to be in the arms of God

He was born April 9, 1981 in Skagway, Alaska to Bradford and Karen (Nelson) Gee Brown Adam graduated from Proctor High School and completed Auto Mechanics at VO-Tech While in high school Adam built a Dodge mud truck that was used in the movie "Radical Jack" He loved life and was well liked by many who have crossed paths with him He was extremely gifted with many different trades Worked with several heavy construction companies in Alaska, as well as Markowski Excavating, Inc in Vermont

He also earned certification in Polaris and Husqvarna mechanics

He was employed with Naylor & Breen for 10 years where he received his CDL certification and certification with New England Crane School Adam's work ethics were commendable

Adam was a real outdoorsy guy. Enjoying camping, kayaking, panning for gold, 4-wheeling and fishing But his greatest love was his daughter Isabella who he was often heard calling her "Love"

Survived by his parents and stepfather John Brown, his daughter Isabella Coila May Gee, maternal grandmother Bonnie Nelson and numerous Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces

Mixon says she knows there is an increase in sales due to the availability of chilled items and believes that having the cold storage has made a difference in keeping the shelves stocked with dairy and produce until the next barge.

Predeceased by his sister Shandalynn Rose Gee Bragg in 2022 At the request of the family, funeral services will be private

In lieu of flowers, friends may donate in Adam's memory to Bradford Gee 128 Lead Mine Rd, N Chittenden, VT 05763 for his daughter, Bella's Trust Fund. A celebration of lives for Adam and Shandalynn will be held in early August A notice with specific information will be put in the Rutland Herald at a later date