The Skagway News - Dec. 9, 2022

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

Fuel tank leak sends contamination into Skagway River

By Melinda Munson

On Oct. 29, Cynthia Tronrud walked her dogs near her home, along a trail that leads to Skagway River, when she noticed something wrong.

“I could just smell the fuel,” she said. Assuming it was kerosene on newly erected utility poles, it wasn’t until the next day she investigated and discovered a rainbow sheen of oil in the stream. “It was everywhere,” she stated.

Tronrud reported smelling the fuel for several hundred feet. Oil was visible in the water for the next several weeks. At Tronrud’s last visit on Dec. 3, the creek had frozen over but the smell was still present.

According to Borough Manager Brad Ryan, a fuel tank leak occurred above Dyea Road on private property. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was notified and made a site visit.

“I have not had any follow up from them,” Ryan said.

“It [heating fuel] would have run down into the Skagway River,” Ryan confirmed.

When asked if he is troubled about the situation, Ryan responded, “We’re alway concerned about oil leaks.”

Tronrud has spoken with DEC twice.

“It’s been over a month of this fuel coming down the mountain. It’s concerning to me,” she said. Tronrud worries about her dogs who might drink from the stream, and families like her own, who utilize wells.

She hopes to get a testing kit to verify the safety of her drinking water.

Muni budget approved, school hoped for more

By Melinda Munson

The assembly passed next year’s budget on Dec. 1, taking into consideration two years of COVID-19 and one year of lukewarm recovery. Their fiscal deliberations included the Railroad Dock landslides which hampered 2022 and called into question the number of large ships able to visit Skagway in 2023.

“They passed a balanced budget for 2023 in an incredibly hard year to predict what’s going to happen,” said Borough Manager Brad Ryan. He believed the budget would “keep services intact” with an emphasis on “projects that were necessary.”

The budget is based on projections of 750,000 visitors for next season.

“I think it’s important to be conservative going into 2023,” Ryan said.

While Ryan seemed satis-

fied with the budget results, Skagway School Superintendent Josh Coughran appeared perturbed during citizens present, prior to the third and final budget reading.

The assembly funded the school to the cap at $2.3 million, but slated $500,000 instead of the additional requested $1.1 million. The extra money was meant to help cover current programs such as student activities, food service, Spanish, preschool, vocational technology and music. The district has approximately $1.1 million in reserves which the state most likely will require to be spent down by 2025.

“I wanted to state upfront that I’m thankful to live in a community that has the capacity to fund our school district to the cap and provide funding above the cap for special revenue funds,” Coughran said. “I’ve been

around the state and I fully understand how fortunate we are. That stated, I believe this process was handled poorly,” he said.

He added he was disappointed by “lack of communication from the municipality.” He said there was, “No phone call from the manager’s office, no email, no heads up that we should attend the meeting.”

Mayor Andrew Cremata implied that the onus is on the entity making the budget request.

“…when you’re asking for 1.1 million, my suggestion would be to have somebody from your staff show up to the meeting, every meeting,” Cremata said. “Because it’s not just the $1.1 million in additional revenue. If you add the rest of it, that was a $3.3 million ask of taxpayer money. So show up. That seems like a no-brainer to me.”

Coughran spoke to what could happen if the $1.1 million request is not fulfilled.

“If the overall contribution to special revenue funds is $500,000, I know we can cover art, music, preschool, vocational education, food service, technology and student activities next year,” he said. “But I’m doubtful we could do it the following year and I know we can’t in any subsequent year. It would be helpful to know with a high level of certainty what we can expect year to year so we can adjust and consider which programs we can continue to offer.”

Coughran added that this assembly was the first in 20 years not to fund the school to the cap.

“…last March, given the opportunity to fund the school to the maximum allowable amount, this assembly and mayor, minus Dan

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. BLOTTER PAGE 7 CLASSIFIED PAGE 7 FREE personal classifieds up to 25 words. CALL (907)983-2354 for more information.

Photo by Reba Hylton

Laura Mabee takes advantage of the ice rink outside of the recreation center. Public Works employees have been preparing the ice for residents as temperatures dipped.

The Skagway News.

Skagway’s First Newspaper Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904 and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 45 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, recording our Centennial years and beyond.

ADVERTISING & NEWS COPY DEADLINES

Next issue will be published

DEC. 23, 2022

Please email sales@skagwaynews.com All ads and classifieds by Dec. 16

COPY, LETTERS, CALENDAR DEADLINE: Please email editor@skagwaynews.com All news copy, letters and calendar events by Dec. 16

Vol. XLV, No 22 (938) Dec. 9, 2022

Published on the second and fourth Friday of the month

Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com editor@skagwaynews.com sales@skagwaynews.com

Letters and Opinion

Production Editor/Sales Gretchen Wehmhoff

Editor Emeritus

William J. “Jeff” Brady

Submissions

The Skagway News welcomes opinions pieces and letters to the editor. Opinion pieces should be no longer than 600 words and will be published based on space availability and relevance to current and local events.

Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words.

Submit letters and opinions to editor@skagwaynews. com. Letters may be edited for grammar and length.

Subscriptions

Sign up online at www.skagwaynews.com

or call us at 907-983-2354

Mail checks to: The Skagway News PO Box 244, Skagway, AK 99840

All print subscriptions include online access. Skagway (local) $30 Out-of-town $45 (periodical rate) Online Only $25

USPS 697130 ISSN 0745-872X

Periodicals postage paid at Skagway, Alaska 99840 and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER send address changes to: The Skagway News PO Box 244, Skagway, AK 99840

Dec. 9, 2022

Dear Valued Readers and Advertisers

Hang onto your newsie hats – The Skagway News is implementing changes to embrace the future and ensure the survival of the paper.

We are pivoting to an online-only model. Our last printed edition will be Dec. 23. You can continue to find our online edition at Skagwaynews.com. Click on individual stories or select the PDF for a more traditional newspaper experience.

We want to assist our readers during this transition in any way possible. We will maintain the printable PDF version of The Skagway News and email it to subscribers. Laptops can be checked out from Skagway Library or readers can visit the library to view the paper via desktop computer. Melinda is available to visit any Skagway resident who needs help learning to access the paper.

We will contact our advertisers with new rate sheets and advertising opportunities with our online format.

This was an arduous decision that took months of research and contemplation. While losing the print edition is difficult, it allows us to keep The Skagway News in business. COVID-19 and the landslides on Railroad

Dock sped up this transition – a move many local papers will make in the next few years.

An exclusively on-line paper is better for the environment and will allow us to focus on pushing out more news. It also increases the likelihood that we get paid a salary. We will maintain our twice per month publication schedule with updates when breaking news occurs between deadlines.

We are working on an expanded website which will include increased content, a more complete archive and the ability to listen to articles.

The Skaguay Alaskan, our local visitors guide, will continue as a printed paper handed to thousands of tourists by our famous, adorable local newsies.

Thank you for your support and embracing this community paper. We look forward to engaging with you online and in Skagway.

Melinda Munson and Gretchen Wehmhoff Co-owners/editors The Skagway News

LOW INCOME PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE & INTERNET DISCOUNTS Programs administered by Universal Service Administrative Company

(USAC), under the oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

1. LIFELINE PHONE OR INTERNET DISCOUNTS

The Lifeline program provides eligible low‐income residential customers a reduction in one of the following services:

Basic Landline Phone; or Wireless Phone; or Internet (Internet Must meet the FCC Annual Minimum Standards for Speed)

*Customers may not receive Lifeline services from more than one provider or more than one service type.

*Link‐Up service covers a portion of new service installation for non‐recurring connection fees and is available only once per customer at the same residence.

To find out if you qualify for this program: Go to http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ for information or to submit an application online. You may also print out a mail-in application or contact your local service provider for assistance.

2. AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM (ACP) INTERNET DISCOUNT

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; (All of Alaska is considered Tribal for these programs)

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount per household.

To find out if you qualify for this program: Go to http://www.ACPBenefit.org for information or to submit an online application. You may also print out a mail-in application or contact your local service provider for assistance.

**If signing up for both programs, you must apply for and be approved for Lifeline first**

You may also contact your local AP&T office for more information on these programs or visit our website at https:// www.aptalaska.com/

Publishers Melinda Munson Gretchen Wehmhoff

Managing Editor Melinda Munson

Skagwegians gather for the annual tree-lighting ceremony on Broadway. Above, residents play pick-up hockey on Skagway Recreation Center’s fresh sheet of ice. Photos by Reba Hylton.

Grizzly’s donates its 10,000 plus DVDs

10,000 plus DVDs to Skagway Library. The staff made selections to beef up the library’s collection, which now has an enhanced family section, and is selling the rest.

“It’s so nice and generous of Grizzly’s to do this because we’ve greatly expanded our collection,” said Library Director Rachel Dewan.

By Melinda Munson

This October, Grizzly’s General & Skagway Radio Shack emptied their three walls of DVD rentals, making room for Costco food products and other popular items.

“It’s the ending of an era,” said co-owner Karla Ray. It took “longer than it should have.” The family first discussed the change eight years ago, then four, then six, then two. Finally, the decision was solidified when the Rays admitted the movies cost more money than they brought in.

“We felt bad. We still had some loyal customers,” Karla said.

Karla and Duff Ray started renting videos in Skagway in 1984. According to Karla, the couple took a “little bit of money” and instead of investing in a rafting business, replaced the alteration corner of their laundromat with VHS rentals. It was a bold

move. At the time, those in town who could afford entertainment had a Betamax machine and received the occasional movie rental from Haines, via the fuel company.

The Rays offered up-andcoming VHS machines for $1 more than cost. At a whopping $199, it was still an investment. VHS caught on and Broadway Video grew, moving locations several times until it ultimately landed at Grizzly’s.

“It’s been a fun business and a pleasure,” Karla said.

Co-owner Duff Ray said that sometimes Hollywood stars stopped by and rented movies when they were in town filming. Neil Patrick Harris and Corbin Bernson from “Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story” and Holly Hunter and Robin Williams from “The Big White” made appearances and left autographs.

The Duffs donated their

The library is currently selling the remaining DVDs and will have another sale this summer when seasonal workers return. Dewan says many seasonals depend on the discs for entertainment as their housing doesn’t have internet.

Cody Burnham remembers going to Broadway Video after burger feeds to rent a VHS and a Super NIntendo cartridge. He watched Broadway Video become Radio Shack and then Grizzly’s General.

“I fondly remember trying to rewind a DVD after watching one from Broadway Video the first time … it did not rewind,” Burnham said. “It is sad that streaming has replaced the excitement of looking at the “New Arrivals” board and rushing to get a copy of a movie before they are all rented, but like always, Grizzly’s has adapted and become what the town needed.”

Sales tax discussions moving ahead

By Melinda Munson

Ordinance 22-10 was sent back to committee to flesh out when the possible 1% sales tax increase would begin and what the extra funds might cover.

Proposed by Assemblymember Dan Henry, the ballot proposition would bump sales tax from 5% to 6% during the second and third calendar quarters, April through September. Henry hoped for 6.5% but the rest of the body was resistant. The national average is 6.3%.

The mayor and several assembly members brought up the importance of voters understanding where the money would be spent.

“There are many options,”

Mayor Andrew Cremata said. “The clinic is a black hole of subsidized funding that is likely to skyrocket in the coming months and years. The school budget has increased significantly over the past eight years. At virtually every meeting, residents request the assembly consider constructing a pool. Clearly defining where the money will go not only allows voters an opportunity to better understand how the money will be spent, it provides valuable information to the assembly when various budget requests are made from the clinic, school, or whomever.”

Cremata recommended the new rate not be implemented until 2024 so tour operators

have time to negotiate the added 1% into their rates.

Assemblymember Deb Potter listened to the Nov. 30 finance meeting.

“There were a lot of really good questions that came up and [it] seemed like there was some consensus that no one’s in a big hurry to get this on the ballot, or at least we have the time to postpone this until the Dec. 15 meeting and address some of those same concerns,” she said.

If Ordinance 22-10 passes, voters would need to approve the legislation. The ordinance was added to the Dec. 15 assembly meeting agenda.

To reach the Dahl on-duty provider, contact police dispatch at 907-983-2232

SKAGUAY NEWS DEPOT & BOOKS

Read the powerful new memoir by former resident Candace Cahill *****

And check out all the new titles and 2023 calendars!

WINTER HOURS: 12:30-4:30 pm Monday-Saturday 907-983-3354 • 208 Broadway • www.skagwaybooks.com

Duff and Karla Ray in the 5 x 8 foot movie rental section located in their laundromat. Circa 1984.

Photo provided by Karla Ray

By Lainey Papageorge

Everyone knew if the wooden handle was stuck down into the bed of her bright yellow pick-up truck with the straw section standing upright, Bea was flying high on her broom, inviting us to join whatever adventure she happened to be manifesting on those rare, idyllic blue-sky-summer days. She hauled ass around the dusty streets of Skagway stopping here and there to holler, “Get ready to hop on … I’ll be back around to pick you up in five minutes!”

Bea was our very own good witch, brewing mischief, laughter and wanderlust wherever she chose to scatter her sparkle – and you betcha we stopped work, or whatever we were doing, to scramble onto her merry-making bandwagon. None of us knew where we were headed, but we would have followed her anywhere.

In 1977, Bea decided that Ole (acute accent on the “e”) Slettevold, a crusty gentleman who owned the Klondike Klothes Rush Laundry with his wife, Betty, should build the women artists of Skagway a cooperative work/ retail space. I never knew exactly who paid to build the Skagway Women Artists’ Co-op, but Bea bewitched Ole to construct six small, horse-like stalls for our workshops above his laundromat. Upstairs, the workshops had a common area enclosed by a railing that overlooked a small retail storefront on Main Street.

Ole was a Nordic man of few words, yet his icy blue eyes lit up as Bea described her vision: six women artists sharing a small retail showroom with individual studios that sold their locally handmade items. Fifteen percent off the top of combined sales would pay a modest rent plus co-op maintenance, with 85% earmarked for each artist, based on individual sales each month.

It worked because Bea conjured the six women who were sure of their artistic instincts, but who also yearned to lean into one another for inspiration and critique, or just to share the day’s tragedies with tears, laughter and of course, big bear hugs. Here is the skinny on our resounding success: Bea led through community building, not command. The hexagram she created behaved like a honeycomb beehive, and folks were drawn to our nectar. Remember Skagway at this time: White Pass was king, the federal park was in its infancy and The Road only went as far as the U.S./Canada border, or dead ended in Dyea. We had 600 year-round residents. On a good week in summer we enjoyed five to six cruise ships, two ferries and zero truck and car traffic because there was no way out except by rail, boat or small plane. Money was tight unless you worked for White Pass or as a longshoreman. Art was considered a hobby, not a money maker.

The Six Women:

1. Bea Lingle meticulously painted architectural details of historical gold rush buildings and Chilkoot Trail landscapes accented with tiny native wildflowers onto an array of odd canvases she had collected, such as old tin, gold-panning utensils, tree fungus and of course, sticks and rocks. Each one was a miniature rendering of Skagway’s historical narrative, and they sold like hotcakes.

2. Dee Wagner made stuffed animals with her own whimsical patterns that featured (sometimes) weird, comical faces which animated the critters who lived along the Lynn Canal. Her animal menagerie emitted a peculiar secret life and were instantly snatched up as quickly as she could conjure them.

3. Charlotte Irwin (Jewell) carved cottages nestled under snow-laden firs onto slices of polished fossil walrus tusk. Sculptures of marine animals, bear, moose, Dahl sheep and salmon also arose from her eclectic vision. Charlotte was the original mask wearer – her face, hair and clothes always covered in dust from her trade. Her ivory and antler carving predated the Jewell Gardens, but even then she often talked about returning Skagway to its original glory as the flower capital of Alaska. And she did.

4. Redwood Dalke was a functional potter who masterfully painted snow capped mountain scenes from her Dyea home topped with glacial vistas, through the medium of ceramic glaze, onto her hand-thrown porcelain mugs, bowls, plates and platters. Redwood always wore a print dress with a work apron over it, white clay smudged on her face and through her wild, dark hair because she absentmindedly had brushed stray curls out of her eyes with clay-coated hands.

5. Nancy Dietrick captured the essence of a blossom with watercolor and pastel chalk from the vast array of Alaska wildflowers. Nancy also womanned the retail area most of the time, and we were forever in her debt. Sometimes she and Redwood sang together, filling the loft with their deep beautiful voices.

6. And myself, Lainey Papageorge, a greenhorn Southern belle jeweler –sawing, lighting my torch to solder and bang away on hand-wrought gold and silver. I was intent on finding my artist’s voice through the medium of precious metals that held Charlotte’s carvings or colored gems inlaid with Yukon gold nuggets purchased straight from the Atlin, B.C. miners. I fastidiously pierced little evergreen trees and hung diamond moons over gold nugget mountains, set into rugged waterscapes, fashioning rings, bracelets and hand-wrought chains. I’ve been plying my jewelry designs professionally for fifty years, but this is where my true art form was born.

We each followed our muse as our collections sold out every season. Bea was a wise woman when she chose us to join forces as the first Skagway Women Artists’ Cooperative, maybe in all of Alaska? We were the real deal, singing our passionate love songs through our chosen medium, about the small Alaska town we knew and cherished as our home. Life was never easy for any of us, but we made it fun, inspiring one another with our successes, learning from our failures.

Our founding mother whose joie de vivre was so powerful it made us one. Bea, you will forever be sorely missed but damn, thank you for teaching us how to fly.

Skagway Library’s Titlewish Fundraiser runs until January 21st.

All of the money raised will go directly to purchasing new materials for Skagway School’s library. Additionally, Follet will match 10% of every dollar raised. The library will use the money to replace outdated non-fiction books as well as to increase the collection of fiction books for elementary school. To help meet the goal, visit https://www.titlewish.com/1094777 and click the Donate button.

Photo provided by Lainey Papageorge

Bea Lingle July 1927 – November 2022

Nipples” team at the Elks, to their Christmas Eve fudge and eggnog open houses, they knew how to have a party. For many years, their home on Third Ave was the place to be on New Year’s Day, with all the chili and hangover salad you could eat and an open bar to cure any survivors from the night before.

Benny and Bea never really retired. They were always on the go. They would drive their big motorhome down to Mesa, Arizona for the winters, and spend long summer weekends at their Carcross cabin or camping in the Yukon. When their families started a canoe trip on some Yukon river, Bea and Benny would show up in their camper van “Awesome” to see them off. But their base was always Skagway.

Skagway’s beloved matriarch, Beatrice Hillery Lingle, 95, died where she always wanted to be — at home in her own bed — on the evening of Nov. 20, 2022.

Bea had been in a period of declining health, but it had not kept her down until a few weeks ago. She got up two more times — to be a Halloween witch, and to meet her coffee group at the White Pass depot — then went home to bed after one last alley drive around her town.

Skagway is in mourning for this true community angel. Hundreds of praises and memories were shared on social media following her death. And when her body was taken from the clinic to the airport for her flight to the Juneau crematorium, a mile-long procession of vehicles followed the ambulance to witness her departure. The procession even took a turn down an alley. A pair of eagles circled high overhead.

Bea was born in Skagway on July 20, 1927. She was the fourth child of Tad and Jeannette de Gruyter Hillery and a descendant of two gold rush families. It was said that Bea was unexpected, and very tiny at birth, so much so that Doctor V. I. Dahl told her mother to place her in a box on the open oven door of the wood cookstove overnight. If she was awake in the morning, then she had a good life ahead.

Was he ever right! She was a survivor from an early age, beat cancer twice after her children were born and lived a full, active life.

After her parents divorced when she was just four months old, Bea was taken to Seattle and raised there by her mom and grandmother. She would spend summers in Skagway with her dad and older sisters Helen, Jean and Virginia. Early photos from her albums show the girls dressing up for dances and going on hikes and various excursions to Dyea or Lake Bennett on the train. Their dad was a conductor on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (WP&YR).

Bea did spend one year of elementary school in Skagway but most of her education was in Seattle, where she graduated from Ballard High School in 1945. After graduation, she came right back to Skagway, which she always felt was home, to live with Helen and Virginia. She also met discharged

Navy seaman John O’Daniel, and they were married in February 1946. They had four children over the next decade: Mike, Kathleen, John and Dorothy.

Bea’s first marriage ended in divorce. Soon, however, she found a new beau in another veteran, Ben Lingle, who had moved to Skagway with his family. After a stint with a railroad battalion in Korea, he finished high school in Skagway and worked for the WP&YR as chief mechanic.

About 1960, he began helping out at Skagway Hardware. While the owners, the Dewars, were away on a trip, Bea ran the business and hired Lingle to thread pipe and cut glass.

“I would like to buy this store,” he told Bea one day. “Will you marry me?”

Bea said she didn’t know right then that she would “stop getting paychecks and become part of the inventory.”

They eventually sealed the deal with a marriage on June 9, 1961. This merger resulted in one of the biggest families in Skagway, with her four children and Benny’s daughter Robin. And they even took in some neighbor kids for a while. She loved piling them in the back of her truck “Penelope” and heading out to Dyea for a picnic.

The store at Fourth and Broadway was Benny’s domain for years. He even “fired” his wife a few times, but they grew the business together. It expanded to the building next door, and they also bought a lumberyard across the alley. The hardware store at one time or another employed all the kids (and now grandkids and great-grandkids). It still remains in the family.

Benny, a pilot, also co-founded Skagway Air Service, which operated for more than 40 years and was later run by son Mike. Bea’s can-can girl logo adorned the tails on their fleet of planes.

Bea was a gifted artist and set up her “Paintin’ Place” in sister Virginia’s Shamrock Music Box store, just north of A.B. Hall. Bea later worked with other artists in setting up the Skagway Artists’ Co-op at Fifth and Broadway (see Lainey Papageorge’s article).

The Lingles loved to socialize. From fun times at nearby Moe’s Frontier Bar after work, to bowling with the Hardware “Everything from Nuts to

The Lingles were married 48 years. After Benny passed away in 2009, Bea did not slow down. Her daughter Kathleen and husband Bob decided to move back to Skagway after retiring as teachers in Juneau to help care for Bea. She agreed to have their old home torn down to build a bigger one. It had a new lair for the Queen Bea to entertain visitors. From there, she could watch the birds and squirrels at her feeder, or sneak onto the porch for a dip in the hot tub near the bar.

Even more of a legendary tradition was Bea’s annual “Champagne Moose Turd Picnic,” in which she gathered up a group of local women and headed to the Yukon to celebrate the arrival of summer. The only men allowed were designated drivers.

Bea would zip around town until she could no longer drive, and even tried out a motorized scooter for a time. Later Bob and Kathy would load her in the van, pick up a few friends, and head to coffee and alley drives. Bea could tell anyone what was being built in town, and if anything was out of place. She loved her Skagway, and Skagway loved her back. Bea loved to find the “good” in everyone she met.

Bea was dedicated to her community and was one of the early winners of the Helen B. Clark Award, which was named for her sister. Bea’s early work with the Chamber of Commerce’s Clean Sweep, American Legion Auxiliary Christmas Doll and other causes made her an easy choice for the award, and she continued to support community causes until her passing.

The family is very grateful for the care Bob Deitrick gave his mother in-law over these past few years, especially after the loss of our beloved Kathleen to cancer in 2020.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband and sisters, and daughters Kathleen and Robin. She is survived by: sons Mike (and Sylvia) O’Daniel, John (and Janet) O’Daniel, daughter Dorothy (and Jeff) Brady, and son in-law Bob Deitrick, all of Skagway; 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their families; and the entire Skagway Hardware and Skagway Air Service extended family.

At her request, there will be no memorial service. The community will again gather at the traditional eggnog open house on Christmas Eve at the Hardware. Also watch for announcements about a “Champagne Moose Turd Picnic” celebration this summer in the Yukon. – Compiled by Jeff Brady for the family

Photo by Jillian Eugenios

Family Fun Page - print and share

Across 1 Dance movement 5 Galley drudge 10 Libya neighbor 11 “Stranger Things” actress --- Ryder 13 Constraining 15 Ingested 16 Seek to know 17 --- bono (who profits?) 18 French aperitif 20 Football Hall of Famer, “Old Indestructible” Mel --21 They built Machu Picchu 23 Honshu seaport hit by earthquake in 1995

26 For a while, part of the world revolved round his Axis 30 Stock market launch 31 Dart board section 32 “Call him drunken --- Hayes ...” (Johnny Cash) 33 On which disorganized dancers rely for their clothes 36 They’re dressed for dinner 37 Above 38 Equivocate 39 Consecrated

Down 1 Fragment 2 8th letter of the Greek alphabet 3 Relaxes 4 San Fran setting 5 Food renowned for its holes 6 Attack a popsicle 7 Hill dweller 8 Express 9 Boredom 12 Opposed, in Dogpatch 14 Drops from the sky 19 Railroad track element

20 Atomic bomber, briefly? 22 Opera set in Memphis 23 Young goats 24 Kosciusko’s most famous daughter? 25 Gas law pioneer Robert 27 Remain stationary at sea 28 Elderly Harry Potter owl 29 Hoarse 31 Edifice, briefly 34 Scoundrel 35 Pass

To play codeword, refer to the grid above with 26 spaces. Three boxes have letters. For instance, box 17 has an R. Find all of the boxes in the puzzle numbered 17 and place an R in them. Do the same for the other two clues. All number 12 boxes should be filled with a C. All number 26 boxes should be filled with an I. Once you fill the spaces, you should start to put together words. As you find new number codes, enter them in the grid above and fill them in on the puzzle. Good luck.

CLASSIFIEDS

News Classified Ads cost 40 cents per word, $4 minimum.

PERSONALS-MISC. SERVICES

FOOD BANK DONATIONS

WELCOME. Donations may be sent to the Food Bank, PO Box 200, Skagway, AK 99840. The local Food Bank helps those in need with groceries. If you need assistance, or know anyone who needs assistance, at any time of year, call any pastor or 907-612-0313

JOBS

“Skagway Childcare Council is Hiring for Little Dippers Learning Center for several positions, in hopes to open January 2023. Little Dippers is a non profit learning center dedicated to serving children and families. The open positions include Administrator, Director and Lead teacher. For more information on how to apply please visit www. skagwaylittledippers.com “

PETS

FREE Golden Retriever Puppies to Forever Homes! 1 Male,1 Female. Excellent temperament! House trained with very good trainable natures & perfect for families with children and other pets! I will not re home to just any-one. Please email me first at: staceymcclelland8@gmail.com and Text (917) 619-1667

Nov. 17

Police & Fire Blotter

Nov. 27

-Dispatch contacted the clinic on duty provider.

-Fire department responded to reports of a fuel spillage. Nov. 18

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider. Nov. 20

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider. Nov. 22

-Police assisted with a vehicle lock-out. Nov. 25

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider twice.

-Dispatch helped reunite a citizen with lost items. Nov. 26

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Library Hours: NEW Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Weekends 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call 983-2665 or email library@skagway.org

Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun. 907-983-2255

For after-hours emergencies, dial 911.

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider three times. Nov. 28

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

-Fire personnel responded to an automated fire alarm. Nov. 29

-Klondike Highway closed due to a minor avalanche. Nov. 30

-Klondike Highway reopened. -Police performed a welfare check.

To reach the Dahl on-duty provider, contact police dispatch at 907-983-2232

Solid Waste Facility Hours

T, Th, Sa, Su. 1 - 3 p.m.

Skagway Museum 907-983-2420

Border stations: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Call each station for specifics.

Ferry Terminal Hours M-F 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Assembly of God Church 8th & State • 907-983-2350 Sun. Worship....................11 a.m. Wed. Bible Devotions & Prayer 7 p.m. Email skagwayag@outlook.com

First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main • 983-2260

Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Women’s Prayer 10 a.m Tues. Bible Study time varies. Please inquire. Online access available to all events.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 11th & State • 983-2518

Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m. Sun. School/Primary ...11:10 a.m. Relief Society/Priesthood..12 p.m.

St. Therese Catholic Church 9th & State • 983-2271 Sun. Mass.......................5 p.m. Mass Mon. & Tues.....12:10 p.m. (when a priest is available)

RECREATION CTR SCHED

Skagway Recreation Center • 12th & Main • 983-2679

11/8 53 40 trace

11/9 58 52 .40

11/10 61 47 .11

11/11 49 46 .04

11/12 53 46 .02 11/13 54 49 1.85

11/14 59 42 .50

11/15 60 40 .60

11/16 62 41 .01

11/17 66 50 .45

11/18 56 43 .02

11/19 56 43 1.12

11/20 32 28 .40

11/21 44 32 .22

11/22 43 31 .45

11/23 45 37 .07

11/24 40 36 .24

11/25 39 3011/26 39 30 .27

11/27 34 25/11/28 30 2111/29 21 1411/30 21 912/1 13 7 .75

Submitted by Skagway Police Department

Assembly and superintendent see tense moments over budget

Henry, chose not to do so and fell $217,451 short of the cap amount,” he said.

Assemblymember Orion Hanson and Cremata contradicted that assertion.

“We funded what the school asked for,” Hanson said.

Cremata attributed the shortfall to a bookkeeping error on the part of the school.

Assemblymember Dan Henry motioned to raise the 2023 special revenue fund contribution to the requested $1.1 million. No one seconded the move.

“…we have the bare minimum that we feel comfortable as a government to keep the lights on,” Hanson said.

In his remarks, Coughran also stated that he witnessed the assembly “publicly denigrate and question the legitimacy of an extremely well respected organization.” This was in part, reference to Cremata’s remarks during the Nov. 15 meeting that some of the school’s 2022-2023 budget pages were missing. Coughran explained that the pages are numbered by fund, not sequentially.

Coughran invited the assembly to his office and school board meetings. Cremata, for the second time, mentioned a work session between the municipality and the district.

“It would be really helpful, I think, moving forward, so that we don’t get into scenarios where we feel as though there’s antagonism – because there shouldn’t be,” he said. “This is just appropriation of money in a fiscally responsible way. So I want to make sure that we can all sit down to better understand the school budget…”

Another area in the municipal budget that received increased attention is assembly spending.

“The assembly budget has gone up immensely,” Ryan said.

The assembly allocation climbed from $734,198 in 2022 to $1,118,187 in 2023. This is due to spending being accounted for in the correct place, such as legal counsel, and spending actually increasing. The assembly now has two employees, a borough clerk and more recently, a deputy clerk. Assembly members are also traveling more to events such as Alaska Municipal League and AME [Mineral] Roundup.

“They want to be engaged,” Ryan said.

The 2023 budget passed with Henry as the sole no vote. The document underwent three public work sessions and three public readings. The approved budget will soon be posted at skagway.org under government/ quick links.

8

Yuletide 2022

Saturday, December 10th

December 10th -11th

12 PM Christmas Movies – Skagway Traditional Council. 11th & Broadway

3 PM & Come watch a show or two! Shows will be posted at the STC bulletin board outside the STC building.

6 PM $5 admission. Concessions available for purchase.

December 10th -17th

10 AM-5 PM Klothes Rush Gingerbread House Contest Display - Kone Kompany. 499 Broadway

Bring in your creation any time after November 25. Display & voting runs December 10th -17th

10 AM-6 PM Grizzly’s General Annual Coloring Contest Display - Grizzly’s General RadioShack. 353 5th Avenue

Bring in your creation any time after November 25. Display & voting runs December 10th -17th

Sunday December 11th or Monday, December 12th

2-4 PM Painted Clay Ornaments – Donna Griffard Studio. 590 6th Avenue

Paint your own Skagway made cookie cutter shaped ornaments with colorful glazes (bisque fired clay)! $8 each or 3/$20

Items will be returned after firing. Call Donna for details or to arrange private studio time. (907) 983-2333.

Wednesday, December 14th

6:30 – 7:30 PM Christmas Hymn Sing - First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main Spend an hour singing your favorite hymns that tell the story of Jesus' birth and learn a few new ones along the way. Children to adults are welcome. Refreshments afterwards.

Saturday, December 17th

7 AM-8 PM 2022 Christmas Bird Count – Locally sponsored by the Skagway Bird Club. Various locations in Skagway & Dyea Welcoming anyone curious about our birds. You can watch a feeder from inside a warm house, or join a group moving along a route outside. See https://sites.google.com/site/skagwaybirdclub for more information.

10 AM-5 PM Klothes Rush Gingerbread House Contest Display - Kone Kompany. 499 Broadway

Grizzly’s General Annual Coloring Contest Display - Grizzly’s General RadioShack. 353 5th Avenue Last day for display & voting.

11 AM-3 PM Treat Yourself to Sweetness- Klothes Rush/Duffs/Grizzly’s General. 301-353 5th Avenue Enjoy a sweet treat at all 3 stores on 5th Avenue!

4-6 PM Community Holiday Rollerblade Party & Light Show Fundraiser – Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main With Opening appearances by Flying Toad Circus and more. Rollerblade Light Show by Reuben Cash.

Small Concession Stand, including Soft Serve Ice Cream by Jay Burnham. Funds raised from concessions go towards Kids Programming at the Rec Center. $5 per person. $10 per family.

Sunday, December 18th

3-4:30 PM Holiday Book Club - Skagway Public Library. 769 State Street Stop by the library in December to borrow a copy of the Library Book Club's December selection, "The Ultimate Gift." Then, on Sunday, December 18th, join us for our discussion of this heartwarming story just in time for the holidays!

4:15 – 5:45 PM Christmas Movie Matinee - First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. 475 Main Street Come watch the Christmas Story told from the viewpoint of the animals on the big screen, especially Beau the Donkey and Ruth the Sheep. Popcorn and refreshments are provided.

Tuesday, December 20th

December 1st – December 31st All times are Alaska time Daily Skagway Holidays in Lights! Winter Light & Decorating Contest - Sponsored by Royal Caribbean Group

DEC working, assess leak impact

(Continued from front page)

“I think everyone else should too,” she said.

According to Rachael Krajewski, DEC Southeast environmental program manager, “no odor has been reported from drinking water” in the area. The DEC is discussing options to test two wells in the vicinity of the leak. Krajewski noted that residents should obviously avoid drinking water that has a sheen or unusual smell.

9:30 – 10:15 AM Spinning – Holiday Theme Ride with Johanna – Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Spin out that holiday stress with a blast of cardio & have some fun rocking out to holiday themed tunes!

5:15 – 7:15 PM Picklebell – Holiday Pickleball! – Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Fun music and themes will be in the gym. Holiday colors and costumes encouraged!

online at https://skagway.com/skagway-holidays-in-lights-winter-light-decorations-contest/ Daily Reindeer Take & Go Craft - Skagway Public Library. 769 State Street

According to Krajewski, the DEC is engaging with the land owner where the contamination originated “to discuss cleanup and assessment options.”

6:30 PM Blue Christmas Service: a service of remembrance and hope - First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main While there is much to be joyful for, there are also many things that are not the same this year due to loss or change. This service creates a space for the loss and pain to be mourned and set free in the presence of hope.

up your craft kit & make a festive wine cork reindeer decoration from the comfort of your home.

Wednesday, December 21st

Friday, December 2nd

“We’re still working to assess the extent of the impact,” Krajewski said. Questions can be directed to her office at 907-465-6648.

6:30 – 8 PM Christmas Caroling - First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main Join us as we take the top hits of the Christmas Season around town for all to hear. Enjoy treats, making memories, and surprises along the way. Dress for the weather and meet at the Church. Let us know if your household would like a visit!

For event details, schedule updates & more information visit www.skagway.com/events

3:30-5 PM Public Safety Facility Open House - Public Safety Facility. 308 17th Avenue Meet the firefighters & first responders. Tour the Fire Engines, Ambulances & Jail Cells

Thursday, December 22th

9:30-10:15 AM Spinning – Holiday Theme Ride with Johanna– Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Spin out that holiday stress with a blast of cardio & have some fun rocking out to holiday themed tunes!

5:15-7:15 PM Picklebell – Holiday Pickleball! – Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Fun music and themes will be in the gym. Holiday colors and costumes encouraged!

5:45-6:30 PM Spinning – Holiday Theme Ride with Kendra– Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Come enjoy the holiday festivities AND get your workout in!

Friday, December 23rd

5-6 PM Warm Up for the Yuletide Tree Lighting! – KLGO Trail Center. 520 Broadway Enjoy hot beverages, yummy snacks and a warm space to wait for Santa’s arrival or warm up after 5:30 PM Yuletide Tree Lighting - 5th & Broadway Kick off Yuletide celebrations with Santa as he arrives on the firetruck and switches on the Yuletide Tree Photos with Santa – Happy Endings Saloon 401 State Street

8:15-9 AM Spinning – Holiday Theme Ride with Kendra– Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Come enjoy the holiday festivities AND get your workout in!

Saturday, December 24th

December 3rd

Monday, December 26th

Sunday, January 1st

hosted by Glacial Naturals – Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main

off Yuletide with time to ship gifts out for the holidays. Come down to support your fabulously creative

and jewelry, botanical home and body goods, stunning photography, Made in Skagway members

Yuletide Paint Night & Game Night Potluck hosted by Alaskan Fairytales – Elks Lodge. 6th & State

this great family fun night with a Potluck, then get paint night going with a choice of items to paint! family will be entertained with board games set up at the other tables. $20-$60 depending upon art chosen.

Wendy Anderson cranks the siren on a vintage Skagway Fire Department truck at the Skagway Public Safety Building open house.

Photo by Melinda Munson