The Skagway News - April 10, 2020

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

April 10, 2020

April 10, 2020

Sk a g w ay, A l a s k a

Scholarships and grants Deadlines extended PAGE 11

Under the Boardwalk What can we learn from Skagway’s history PAGE 3

Page 1

$1.50

Scavenger Hunt

Have a bit of fun while social distancing PAGE 14

MOS plans assistance checks, medevac insurance reimbursment

By Melinda Munson The Skagway Assembly voted unanimously April 2 to approve 20-12R, a resolution authorizing one-time emergency assistance checks to Skagway residents. Qualified applicants will receive $400 with an additional $200 for their partner/spouse and each dependent.

The resolution is intended to help community members who depend on the cruise ship season, upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Andrew Cremata said he hopes the funds will help families until social safety nets, such as unemployment benefits, begin.

Assembly members referred to the resolution as the Skagway Deal, a reference to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, a collection of social programs implemented in response to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

To qualify for the Skagway Deal, applicants must provide proof of residency with a Skagway voter registration or an Alaska driver’s license with a Skagway address.

Borough Manager Brad Ryan said the resolution is meant to aid those who are “physically present and have been residing here.”

The emergency assistance program is for all residents, not just those experiencing financial hardship.

“It’s a type of stimulus for the community. You can apply even if you’re not in need,” said Heather Rodig, borough treasurer. She suggested that community members who are fiscally stable use their payments to support local businesses.

With school cancelled for the remainder of the year, and many businesses shuttered, Skagway families turn to the outdoors for Photo by Reba Hylton distractions and entertainment. Emmitt Williams enjoys a hike with his family.

According to Rodig, funding for the resolutions comes from a combination of sales tax and spending reductions in other areas. Currently, the MOS has enough funds in savings to cover operating costs for the next 18 months to two years.

Questions regarding the payments can be directed to Rodig at 907-983-9703 or h.rodig@skagway.org. Applications are due by June 30, 2020 and can be found at: www.skagway.org/forms or at the front counter of City Hall. Proof of voter registration can be located at www. myvoterinformation.alaska. gov.

The Assembly was in agreement that this is the first step in delivering financial aid to the community. Assembly-

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram

member Orion Hanson advocated for a future voucher system that would ensure any further aid from the municipality be spent within the community.

The second part of the Skagway Deal, Resolution 2013R, also approved on April 2, establishes a reimbursement program for medevac insurance. Applicants must

show proof of purchase between March 1 and June 30.

Applications for reimbursement can be found at: www. skagway.org/forms or at the

By Larry Persily Gov. Mike Dunleavy on April 7 vetoed two-thirds of the additional funding appropriated by lawmakers for state ferry operations.

The Legislature last month approved an increase for Alaska Marine Highway System operations of about $23.5 million, restoring a little more than half of last year’s budget cut instigated by the governor.

Dunleavy used his veto power April 7 to slice $15.5

million from the ferry system appropriation for the 2020-2021 budget year that starts July 1, leaving the marine highway with about $8 million more than this year.

That’s enough to add about 10% more service to the schedule next winter, according to state Transportation Department Commissioner John MacKinnon, who participated in Dunleavy’s budget-veto press conference.

The Legislature’s full appropriation would have add-

ed about 30% more service to the fall/winter schedule, according to a Transportation Department presentation to lawmakers last month. The Legislature’s version of the budget would have restored most of the service cuts coastal communities endured this past winter.

The ferry appropriation vetoes were part of more than $260 million cut from the 2020-2021 budget, as Dunleavy said he needed to reduce

see MUNICIPALITY page 6

Dunleavy slices AMHS funding by two-thirds

BLOTTER PAGE 7 CLASSIFIED PAGE 15

see FERRY page 12

FREE personal classifieds up to 25 words.

CALL (907)983-2354 for more information

Page 2

The Skagway News.

Skagway’s First Newspaper

Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904, and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 43 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, recording our Centennial years and beyond.

ADVERTISING & NEWS COPY DEADLINES Next issue will be published

APRIL 24, 2020

AD DEADLINE: Sun. April 19 Please email sales@skagwaynews.com All ads and classifieds

by Sun. April 5, 2020 COPY, LETTERS, CALENDAR DEADLINE: Mon. April 20 Please email editor@skagwaynews.com All news copy, letters and calendar events

By Mon. April 20, 2020 Vol. XLIII, No. 5 (876) April 10, 2020 Published biweekly Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com editor@skagwaynews.com sales@skagwaynews.com Publishers Melinda Munson Gretchen Wehmhoff Managing Editor Melinda Munson Production Editor/Sales Gretchen Wehmhoff Contributing Writers Jeff Brady Larry Persily Circulation Assistants

Chris Kuhn, Danielle Authier

Editor Emeritus

William J. “Jeff” Brady

Subscriptions

Sign up online at www.skagwaynews.com or call us at 907-983-2354 Mail checks to PO Box244, Skagway, AK 99840 All print subscriptions include online access.

Skagway (local) $30 Out-of-town $45 (periodical rate) First class $55 Overseas $65 Online Only $25 USPS 697130 ISSN 0745-872X

Periodicals postage paid at Skagway, Alaska 99840.

POSTMASTER send address changes to: The Skagway News PO Box 244, Skagway, AK 99840 Printed in Yukon Territory

by The Whitehorse Star

Opinion

April 10, 2020

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Legislators plan April telephonic town hall meetings Dear Neighbors, In the last two weeks, the legislature floored the accelerator and zoomed out of town. There’s a lot to report - and a lot still going on - and we’d very much like to hear your thoughts and take your questions.

Like everyone else, legislators started working under completely new conditions with the outbreak of the coronavirus. It was strange being in the Capitol while the public couldn’t walk in. Many of our colleagues understandably wanted to get home to self-quarantine with their families. We did our best to stay in touch by email and phone as the legislature pushed toward light speed.

In these weird times, we addressed a lot of new issues. We granted the chief medical officer the power to issue standing orders on how to treat COVID patients during the emergency and added funding for medical equipment and services. We gave the state temporary authority to waive some regulations so health care providers from Outside can provide care more quickly.

We also passed a bill to blunt the economic impacts. The restrictions that will save Alaska lives are costing businesses and workers. That’s why we expanded unemployment insurance eligibility to

people who didn’t qualify before. And we raised the benefit to make sure folks don’t get kicked out of their homes as we all shelter in place. There’s help for business owners who won’t have much of a tourist season. There’s going to be a lot more work to do, both to support our public health workers and to help Alaskans recover from the economic fallout.

We expect an extra session this fall to work on these issues more.

Before we sent our colleagues home, we passed a budget. We worked hard to get the funding Alaskans need for essential services. We paid to repair our ferries and run them year-round. We prevented the governor’s proposed $30 million cut to K-12 schools and limited his cuts to the university. We reinstated public broadcasting, including grants to radio and support for TV, so Gavel to Gavel can keep Alaskans around the state connected to the Capitol. We restored funding for Southeast fisheries, including the Southeast king crab surveys the governor put on the chopping block. And we secured the funding for a $1,000 PFD this year, too.

None of these things are guaranteed yet—the governor’s veto pen still looms over the budget. We hope he’ll listen to Alaskans and not take money away from

the services Alaskans count on, particularly in this time of need.

We planned to visit every community in the district after session to hear from you. But town halls break the ‘social distancing’ rules, so we’re going to hunker down with our own families.

Instead, we’re setting up tele-town halls to listen and answer your questions. We hope you’ll call in to hear more about what’s going on and share your thoughts on what the state ought to do next.

Our Skagway town hall will be on April 21 from 5:30-7pm, our Haines & Klukwan town hall will be on April 24 from 5:30-7pm, and our Gustavus town hall will be on April 28 from 5:30-7pm.

You can call into the town halls using the following numbers. If you have a Juneau prefix, call 586-9085.

If you have an Anchorage prefix, call 563-9085, and if you have any other prefix, call 844-586-9085.

We look forward to talking with you then. Stay safe (and wash your hands!)

- Sen. Sara Hannan and Rep. Jesse Kiehl Sen. Sara Hanna and Rep. Jessie Kiehl represent the northern portion of Southeast Alaska.

A note to our subscribers The Skagway News is dedicated to continuing our role to share news and provide readers with stories and information of interest to Skagway and the region around us.

Due to the U.S. - Canada border closures and the 14day self-isolation mandate for travelers, we are not able to provide a print copy of the paper until COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our community.

HOWEVER We will provide a PDF version of our paper to the community via our website beginning Friday, March 27. The issue will include everything you would normally find in the SN including ads from our supportive advertisers, photos, updates and the beloved Fire & Police Blotter.

Please send us your email address and name to sales@ skagwaynews.com to receive notice when the SN is .

posted or to receive a PDF version via email during March and April.

If you know of a reader who does not have access to the digital version, please let us know by calling 907-9832354. We will print a large copy on our office printer and deliver it to their door.

During the months of March and April, we will be providing our online edition (the PDF) free of charge. All print subscriptions include the digital version.

The online version will be available at www.skagwaynews.com. Continue to check our website and Facebook page for daily updates and new stories.

We hope to return to our printed paper AND online subscriptions as soon as we can.

Photo by Reba Hylton Hang in there Skagway.

Skagwegians shared their favorite pictures taken during social -Gretchen and Melinda distancing. Reba Hylton and her family spent time outdoors around Skagway and Dyea.

Send us your name and email to receive a PDF version for the month of April.

Email sales@skagwaynews.com.

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Page 3

April 10, 2020

UNDER THE BOARDWALK

Skagway has been through this before; what we can learn from the 1918-19 pandemic

By Jeff Brady In the spring of 1919, the entire family of William J. Mulvihill came down with the Spanish flu and was quarantined in their home, the historic Victorian with the short steeple at 7th and Alaska Street in Skagway. Now my home, where my wife Dorothy and I raised our children, and where some of them still live.

Fortunately, the Mulvihills and several other quarantined families survived and carried on to live productive lives, but at the time, Skagway was a scary place to be. Depending on the source, there were anywhere between 65 and 78 cases in the community, including three documented deaths from the “dreaded influenza” in Skagway between March 24 and April 16, 1919.

How did this happen?

Looking at the history, it’s apparent Skagway let its guard down.

The town survived the beginnings of the worldwide pandemic with no cases in the fall of 1918. Despite fears the disease would spread from inbound steamships or the communities of Juneau and Haines, where a few had died, the flu stayed away.

Skagwayans, as they were called then, already knew how the flu could devastate a community.

The community was first shaken by news from the Lower 48 that one of its favorite sons, Private Vincent “Happy” Dortero, had died in Iowa. Dortero was in the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry from Fort Seward in Haines that was finally being shipped off to war. Supervising Sgt. Albert Bixby reported many became sick on the chilly cross-country train ride, and

Dortero died from the flu at the Fort Dodge training camp on October 27, 1918.

His body arrived home three weeks later. He was buried in Pioneer Cemetery after a service at the Arctic Brotherhood Hall. The Daily Alaskan newspaper called him Skagway’s first casualty of World War I, just as the war was nearing its end. A headline proclaimed that the flu was subsiding in Seattle with a caveat that “there are so many conflicting stories going around.”

Actually, the flu was just arriving in Alaska, on the start of its second wave. According to a report published in 2018 on the centennial of the pandemic, Spanish influenza hit the territory on a steamship in Nome on October 20, 1918.

“From Nome, the virus spread rapidly across the Seward Peninsula and then throughout Alaska, killing large numbers of people and in some cases wiping out entire villages,” said the report from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Section of Health Analytics and Vital Records. More than 80 percent of the 1,113 Alaska deaths were Native Alaskans.

Fifty million died worldwide. The Spanish influenza actually originated in France, but due to wartime restrictions on dispatches from that country, the first reports came from nearby Spain. A victim of its neutrality, Spain’s name was wrongly attached to the disease.

The flu was at Skagway’s doorstep, its port, at the end

The old Mulvihill house, circa 1930. Courtesy of Valerie Feero Lawson, granddaughter of Gertrude Mulvihill.

of October. The ill-fated Princess Sophia was rumored to have a case on board when it docked in town for the last time on October 23, 1918.

The Thompson family from Eagle decided not to board, even after their luggage had been loaded. The late Gil Thompson told me his mother’s fear of the disease saved their lives. They avoided both the flu and a ship that would strike Vanderbilt Reef in a blinding snowstorm, killing upwards of 370 passengers and crew. Most victims of that disaster were Yukoners on their way south, but among them was district U.S. Customs Collector John J. Pugh, a former Skagway resident, heading home to Juneau.

The community was saddened by the loss of Pugh See SKAGWAY page 4

Page 4

Skagway, Haines battle 1918 flu, Yukon imposes limits on visitors (continued from page 3) and Yukon friends on the Sophia, and the young soldier “Happy” Dortero. A looming threat of disease was also present and health warnings were posted at the railroad-owned dock on October 26. The flu hit Fort Seward in Haines, just 10 miles south of Skagway, and there were two deaths. The state compiled all influenza-caused death certificates from that era.

U.S. Army pharmacist Albert Jones died at the Post Hospital on November 9. Haines fisherman Eugene Gallo died at the same hospital 10 days later.

An urgent care notice from territorial Governor Thomas Riggs was soon followed by a quarantine order that went into effect in Skagway in early November for passengers arriving on ships. Disembarking local residents were housed in the “Hospital Annex” next to the White Pass Hospital at 11th and Broadway, while those bound for the Yukon went to a “Best House” at 5th and Main.

In a letter to the Daily

Alaskan on November 8, Mr. F. Eliason wrote that he had been “in detention for five days owing to my having arrived on a ship that had touched infected ports.”

He went on to thank those in charge. “During my stay there I was treated with uniform kindness and consideration and every comfort was possible. I desire to thank Dr. Gable and his assistants and the Health Department of Skagway and to compliment them on the efficient manner in which they are combating the dread disease and feel confident that by their energetic efforts they will prevent it getting to Skagway.”

Carl Mulvihill, grandson of W. J. Mulvihill, said he doesn’t remember any family stories about the time of the flu, except how they helped provide food for the “Best House” guests. The town was later reimbursed for providing fuel for the house by the Yukon government, in thanks for keeping the disease from spreading to the Yukon, he said.

The Yukon-bound passengers were usually held until the next train. Two steamships would arrive throughout the winter, the SS Mary of the CPR line and the SS Jefferson of the Alaska Steamship line. Rail business was slow with one northbound train a week out of Skagway on Thursdays, and the southbound returning from Whitehorse on Fridays.

Yukon News “History Hunter” columnist Michael Gates recently wrote an article about how the Yukon avoided the pandemic. Gates found stories in the Dawson Daily News about Yukoners being held in Skagway for several days, and this item from December 12, 1918: “There is no flu this side of Fort Seward. It is remarkable that the disease is confined only to the military post there and is not in the town of Haines proper. Skagway has no cases.”

It appeared Skagway had made it through the scare virus-free.

Still, the original November 11 quarantine order for Yukoners moving through Skagway extended into February of the new year, but by then there was pressure to get rid of it. The Whitehorse Star reported that the order was lifted at midnight on February 27: “The decision was arrived at after exhaustive negotiations held by wire between Governor Riggs of Alaska, Commissioner McKenzie of Yukon, Dr. Gable of the health department of Skagway and Dr. W.B. Clarke of the health office of Southern Yukon,” noted the Feb. 28 Star.

April 10, 2020

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Books on the shelves of the Mulvihill house.

That week, according to a Daily Alaskan notice, Dr. Gable began requiring public health examinations for northbound passengers in a waiting room at the rail depot. There was no quarantine and no further check of Skagway arrivals by ship.

On Feb. 28, the Daily Alaskan reported that Skagway soldier Roy Mulvihill, the oldest son who had been in France with the 63rd Coast Artillery at the end of the war, was on his way home. Little did he know that his home would be a different place a month later.

In March 1919, with the weather getting milder, soldiers coming home and Yukoners able to move more freely through the port, Skagwayans were hopeful for a pleasant spring. Most of the townspeople came out for a big St. Patrick’s Day ball at the decorative Elks hall.

Three days later on March 20, the Alaskan on its front page reported “Influenza In A Mild Form Hits Skagway For The First Time.” The article said colds had been reported in several homes that week and the army surgeon had arrived from Fort Seward to assist. He found “some of the

Photo by Jeff Brady

cases to be Spanish influenza in a mild form.” He also examined Dr. Gable, who also was suffering “from the same thing.”

Mayor Howard Ashley called an emergency meeting of the town council that afternoon and “it was decided that all homes where people were ill would be strictly quarantined, and that for the time being all places of amusement, churches, lodges and other places where people are accustomed to congregate would be closed.”

An urgent cable was sent by the mayor to Governor Riggs requesting one additional doctor and at least two nurses. Dr. Johnston of Sitka, who had just returned to Alaska from army duty, arrived on the SS Jefferson with two nurses the next day. A temporary Yukon quarantine was put in place in Carcross for any inbound train passengers from Skagway and was later moved to Whitehorse.

The quarantines would last for five days. There were conflicting reports initially in the Alaskan about the existence of Yukon cases but the Dawson papers said there were none in the territory. As the Alaskan went to press on March 22, there were an estimated 35 cases in Skagway.

The school was added to a public notice closure list. The Popular Picture Palace advertised that it was going “dark” and a notice in the Alaskan said barber Oscar Selmer was closing his shop to “devote himself to caring for his family, as a number of them are suffering from severe colds and the house is quarantined.” The late Oscar Selmer Jr., a well-known Skagway character through the end of the century, was the baby in

THE SKAGWAY NEWS that house, born on November 25, 1918.

Death darkened three Skagway homes over the next few weeks. The first was prospector Christian Boshart, 56, who came north with the gold rush and settled in Skagway.

For the past few summers he had prospected claims in the Porcupine mining district near Haines. He had a history of lung issues and was one of the first cases in town.

He initially treated himself at home but he developed pneumonia and on March 21 entered the White Pass Hospital. He died there on March 24. The Alaskan reported, “The deceased had a most active constitution, but he could not withstand the ravages of the disease.”

The March 25 Dawson Daily News reported that a telegram sent to Gold Commissioner Mackenzie from Skagway Mayor Ashley reported 50 cases of the flu, that all were quarantined and that he “estimates it will require 20 days at least to clear Skagway of the flu, but of course there is nothing positive on that point.”

That same day the Daily Alaskan noted that Dr. Johnston reported Dr. Gable “is doing splendidly and all the rest of the cases are doing well.” Only one new case had been reported: “W.J. Mulvihill developed symptoms, and consequently his home has been quarantined … The train left this morning about an hour late owing to the absence of the chief dispatcher, Mulvihill, who is confined to his house.”

The following day the paper said the whole family was down with the flu and the next day, on the 27th, the municipal election scheduled

Page 5

April 10, 2020 for April 1 was postponed to May 6. The Star reported that Skagway cases had grown to 65.

Fearing the flu could spread from Skagway, Governor Riggs ordered that all southbound passengers “by steamship, gas boat, aeroplane or other means” were to be first quarantined for five days.

They would be housed at the Golden North Hotel and “not allowed to go on the streets or mingle with the town people during that time.” Two additional nurses were sent to Skagway on the gas boat Estebeth. Joining Mrs. McKenzie and Mrs. Boswell were Mrs. Shaw and Miss Grundy, the Alaskan reported, and all hospital patients were reported doing well.

But one man was not well.

William “Bill” Bunting, 38, a boilermaker at the railroad shops, had developed symptoms early that week and entered the hospital on Saturday, March 29. The Alaskan reported his death from pneumonia as it was going to press on the 31st. The next day, “Death Loves A Shining Mark” was the headline of a front-page obituary for the well-liked mechanic, twoterm member of the common council and member of the Eagles and Masons. He received a private Masonic service conducted by members of the White Pass Lodge.

Bunting was originally from England and came to Alaska by way of Chicago. He left a wife, Adele, whom he had married in Washington in 1914, and since that time “there has not been a day’s breach in their constant companionship.”

Northbound train passengers were also quarantined at the Golden North, run by

The old White Pass Hospital where most influenza cases were treated. Candy Waugaman Collection, Klondike Gold Rush NHP.

original owners George and Clara Dedman. Among the hotel guests was Dr. N.H. Culbertson, the Yukon’s territorial health officer. He was in constant communication with his Alaska counterparts and superiors in the Yukon.

On April 1, after five days of isolation in the hotel, he boarded the No. 1 train for Carcross. He would face further quarantining on the other side of the border and would not reach his Dawson City home via winter stage from Whitehorse until April 14. He told the Dawson Daily News that Dr. Johnston had told him that Skagway had peaked at 78 cases, “quite a number in proportion to the population of the town.”

Amazingly, there were still no cases in the Yukon, and none would arrive. Skagway was sensing the end.

In Skagway, an April 7 headline proclaimed “Flu Situation Now Clearing” and editorialized that the “Flu-bug high jinks” would soon be behind them. The quarantine of the Mulvihill house had been lifted on April 7 and the family was able to celebrate the return of soldier-boy Roy on April 10.

On April 12, the northbound quarantine was lifted by Dr. Johnston, and the southbound quarantine was erased four days later, as the Sitka doctor and four Juneau nurses prepared to leave town. The Alaskan thanked them for the community “for the painstaking attention given to their duties in caring for the residents of the city.”

But on April 16, while one

Alaskan headline declared Skagway to be “Free from the Flu,” another said “Death Takes Skagway Child.”

Just days before school would reopen for the rest of her classmates, 14-year-old Eva Adams died at home in the care of her mother, Mary.

The father, Charles, a railroad man, was in Whitehorse and had not yet returned on the southbound train, the Alaskan reported. “Death was the result of pneumonia, this child ill but a few days, and in this time the ravages of the disease were too severe for the girl to make a winning fight.” Dr. Gable was back on duty and signed the death certificate.

Eva Adams was laid to rest in a private ceremony two days later at the cemetery, where “a limited number were allowed to attend.” Two days later, the newspaper printed a “Card of Thanks” from Mr. and Mrs. Adams, expressing “sincere thanks to the many friends for the acts of kindness shown during the illness of their daughter Eva.” Life was almost back to normal, though caution was still urged by Mayor Ashley who said there would be no public dances for 10 days.

Fraternal orders were allowed to meet and the local band led by the Selmers got together to practice for the first time in weeks. The town must have approved of the job Ashely was doing; he was re-elected in a landslide on May 6.

School reopened the following week and the Popular Picture Palace advertised it would be showing “The Des-

ert Man” starring William S. Hart that weekend. A Pioneer Dance was to be held Saturday, April 26 at the Elks and was expected to be “the largest of its kind” since there had been no dance since St. Patrick’s Day and “the people are all recovered from the epidemic which occurred immediately afterwards.”

Though it was never stated specifically, Skagway’s luck probably changed during that March 17 dance.

As I sit in the old Mulvihill house, my mind wanders to what it was like then. Quarantined at the home had been W.J., his wife Nellie, both in their 40s, and five children.

Harold “Mickey,” 18, had started work as a brakeman on the railroad and Verna was also grown, having just returned from a trip to Whitehorse before the flu arrived.

The younger children in the home were Vincent, Gertrude and Donald, ages 15, 12 and 10 respectively.

Years later, Mickey’s son Carl was about their age when as a Boy Scout, he climbed the stairs in the old Arctic Brotherhood Hall and discovered something odd. The A.B. Hall had been city hall at the time of the epidemic, but by the 1950s it hosted scouts and other groups. While rummaging through the attic during a break from a patrol meeting, young Carl found evidence of that difficult time: several placard signs that said simply, “INFLUENZA.” He said there were “lots of them, they probably put them in the winsee SOCIAL page 6

April 10, 2020

Page 6

Editors’ Column

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Why I almost ran away; COVID choices

By Melinda Munson Two weeks ago, I almost ran away. Alaska’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 were rapidly multiplying. It was time to fly our 18-year-old to our new home in Skagway -- or put the rest of the family on planes back to our former residence in Chugiak.

I’m not a quitter but I was scared. We had just arrived in town after an 800-mile move.

As the cruise season disappeared, so did my husband’s job and ad revenue from my newly acquired newspaper.

We have a house with a mortgage back in Chugiak, the added expense of our Skagway rental and no foreseeable income.

With two hours to make a choice, we decided to bring our daughter here and tough it out with the rest of the town.

It’s possible we could lose our home. We made peace with it the best we could.

Lately, life has been full

of uncomfortable, quick decisions. This morning my husband and I talked about ventilators. If things got bad, would we advocate to put our medically fragile child on the life-saving device or would we cede the equipment to someone with no prior medical issues? Would that choice even be ours to make? Probably not.

Now, I often walk around feeling like Alice In Wonderland. Face mask on, glasses fogged, the world I took for granted shifts periodically.

Even small formalities are fraught with uncertainty. Do I hold the door for the woman with groceries? Should I handle cash? Is it okay to kiss my children?

Financially, the next 18 months look bleak. Our dream of buying a home in Skagway has changed to a desparate hope that we can pay our rent.

Trips to the grocery store are filled with tension as I almost

physically feel the funds slipping from our bank account.

Emotionally, I’m struggling. Other than illness and death, sheltering-in-place is my worst nightmare. As the mother of multiple kids with special needs, isolation is already a reality I fight against daily. I work hard to get respite workers to share the load. I appreciate the time my kids spend at school being supported by the education community. I frequently have kid-free play dates with other moms. With all of those resources gone, I am floundering.

Currently in our home, there are no homemade puffy paint chalk sessions or elaborate obstacle courses. We spend our time unpacking, filling bellies and wiping bums, keeping our hands to ourselves and taking the occasional hike when Skagway’s “slap you in the face” wind has temporarily relent-

Lessons from the 1918-19 flu might help today (continued from page 5) dows of homes.”

Memories have faded and descendants of those affected Skagway families that I contacted don’t recall any specific stories passed on from the 1918-19 pandemic.

“I suspect they didn’t talk about it all that much,” Carl said. Perhaps those in the homes didn’t want to remember those years and kept their memories tucked away.

One is left to imagine how Skagwayans passed the time. Was it anything like what Skagwegians are experiencing now during the COVID-19 pandemic?

In the old Mulvihill house parlor, a bookshelf built into the wall holds hundreds of books. Most are what I have collected and read over my 30-plus years living there, but on the top shelf is a row of dusty titles that came with the historic house. Several are romantic titles and mysteries from the early part of the previous century. When I started looking into this story and imagining life in this quarantined house without TV or Wi-Fi or even flush toilets (there was a two-holer

in the old shed out back), I returned to that top bookshelf.

This title stood out: How It All Came About by L.T. Meade. I opened it and found it inscribed with the date of its gift, “Xmas 1918,” in pencil. Through a little internet research, I discovered author Meade was a popular author of fiction for young girls. I can imagine this book being a gift for young Gertrude that Christmas, and how she found time to read it while out of school when her family was confined to the home.

Photo by Melinda Munson

Melinda Munson, and daughter Julia, share a takeout meal from Skagway Brewing Company. They stay six feet apart as Julia self-isolates after arriving in Skagway.

ed. We have no house internet, six Blu-ray movies and 1,200 square feet occupied by eight people.

Everyday, I look for something to boost my spirits. And thankfully, Skagway delivers.

From the teddy bear windows to Skagway’s Got Talent, this town is handling the crisis with grace and humor. I feel comforted that the municipality created an emergency as-

sistance program to help families bridge the gap between bills due now and future unemployment checks. I’m a fan of Tu-Tu Tuesdays and the strangers who wave from their cars as they drive by.

Thank you, Skagway. Stay healthy, stay quirky and stay safe.

Melinda Munson is co-owner of the Skagway News.

Perhaps that is why it was left behind, a subtle reminder for the next time Skagway faced down a disease from afar. May we keep it away from home.

Special thanks to Carl Mulvihill and Valerie Feero Lawson of the Mulvihill family, Stan Selmer of the Selmer family, Yukon historian Michael Gates, Judy Munns of the Skagway Museum, Rebecca Topol and Clint Farr with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and Alaska State Library Historical Collections (1918-19 Daily Alaskan).

Photo by Reba Hylton

Emmit William bikes through quiet streets while social distancing with his family.

Municipality encourages residents to appy for assistance (continued page 1) front counter of City Hall.

Skagwegians who provide proof of medevac insurance purchase will automatically be enrolled in the Skagway Ambulance Subscription service free of charge.

Those purchasing medevac insurance should be aware that two medevac companies service Skagway, Guardian Flight and Airlift Northwest.

Either entity could respond

to a medevac request from Skagway. There is no longer a reciprocity agreement between the two medevac services so subscriptions to both companies are recommended.

Guardian Flight charges $125 for an annual household policy. Airlift Northwest charges $99. The municipality will reimburse up to $224 for the cost of both policies.

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Page 7

April 10, 2020

Skagway’s food supply stable, some products unavailable

By Melinda Munson

Skagway’s Fairway Market has empty spots on their shelves. Geographically isolated, the small IGA store is generally better stocked after the weekly barge arrives. On Thursday, two days after the barge unloaded, items such as chips and yogurt were scarce.

The missing products are not a result of Skagwegians buying more than they need.

Unlike some food stores in Alaska and across the county, Fairway Market has not seen hoarding.

“They don’t seem to be panicking,” said owner Tim Fairbanks, describing customer behavior. He attributed the lower than normal product count to issues with distributors who are struggling to keep enough workers to fill orders.

There is one item that residents might be consuming more than usual. Fairbanks noted that flour is running out fast. He theorized that “staying at home, everyone is baking.”

In response to COVID-19, the store implemented a 15-person limit to facilitate social distancing. So far, Fairway hasn’t had to keep customers waiting.

Fairbanks encourages shoppers to wear face masks.

They should use hand sanitizer (located at the entrance) and wipe down carts with disinfectant wipes both before and after use. Shoppers can place their orders over the phone, pay with a credit card

and pick up at the curb.

The store currently has one product restriction. Each household is limited to one toilet paper package per day.

Last week, Fairbanks’ supplier informed him he would be limited to 500 cases of product, a sharp decrease from the typical 1,700 to 2,000 Fairbanks said he typically orders. The news worried Fairbanks who started making arrangements with other suppliers to fill the gap.

Within a week, Fairway’s supplier backtracked and removed limitations. Fairbanks described the situation as frustrating.

“I just want this (COVID-19) over,” Fairbanks said.

You Say Tomato owner Julene Brown agrees.

“It’s really stressful on staff,” she said. With the additional cleaning that must be done between each customer, Brown described her employees as “wiped out.”

You Say Tomato enforces an eight person maximum policy, which includes store employees, who are masked.

Customers must receive permission from the cashier to enter. Brown, whose natural food store is smaller than the IGA, also encourages residents to call in grocery orders.

Brown described her shop as “less full than normal” in regards to product. “People are not shopping their usual (habits),” she said. She noted that customers who normally shop exclusively at Fairway are coming to her store to get

Police & Fire Blotter Submitted by Skagway Police Department

March 28 Police responded to reports of fireworks being shot off near 6th Ave.

April 6 EMS responded to a medical emergency on 9th Ave.

Two reports of stolen heating oil; one a mistake

By Melinda Munson On March 9, two fuel tanks were reported to have been drained of heating oil on 15th Ave. According to Skagway Chief of Police Ray Leggett, one of the reports was a mistake.

Leggett says that while the police department does have a person of interest in the

verified case of stolen oil, “I don’t know if we’re going to be able to tie him to it.” Leggett recommends residents contact their fuel company and ask to have a lock installed.

“Locks keep people honest, he said.

Photo by Melinda Munson

Fairway Market customer Melanie Lawrence checks out with the help of cashier Dan Rossi. “I have no Clorox, no toilet paper and no hand sanitizer,” Lawrence said, pointing to her cart. Instead, she was stocking up on celery and crab for a dip. See her recipe below.

items, like flour.

Brown is also hearing inconsistent messages from her supplier. One week there are limitations and the next, restrictions are lifted. Currently, she is not limiting customer purchases.

The organic proprietor had a final, commonsense message for the community.

“Wash your hands and respect the six feet,” Brown said.

Yummy Winter Crab Salad

By Melanie Lawrence -2 packs imitation crab cut into pieces (not canned) -1 can large pitted olives; cut into thirds -4 stalks celery, chopped -1 tsp. mustard -1 tsp. Cavener’s Greek Seasoning -2 tbs. mayonnaise Mix all ingredients well then chill.

“It’s an eyeball recipe,” says Lawrence. “So use mayonnaise, mustard and seasoning to your own taste.”

A letter to our advertisers Dear Advertisers: We recognize this is a difficult time for Skagway and businesses who depend on the tourism season. We wanted to update you on our plan for The Skagway News and for the Skaguay Alaskan visitors guide.

1) We will offer free digital advertising to all of our Skagway News print advertisers. In other words, if you have an ad in the print version of the SN, you are able to have a digital presence on our website as we roll out the new site.

2) Due to the border closure and 14-day mandatory isolation procedures, we are not able to provide a print version for the next two issues or until we are able to safely and economically get the paper from our printer in Whitehorse, or make other printing arrangements. We ARE, HOWEVER, providing a free PDF version of the SN on our website and via email when requested. So, readers will still see your ads in the online PDF version of the paper. In addition, we are offering to print a copy of the paper from our office for readers who need a print version.

3) We are offering free online access at www. skagwaynews.com until May 1.

Regarding the Visitors Guide 1) We plan to make two runs of the Skaguay Alaskan visitors guide. The first run will be smaller and we will print it in several runs of thousands as we need them. We plan to print and revise the second version to be ready July 1.

2) We plan to offer a 20% discount for ads in the Skaguay Alaskan. Some of you have already received a 10% discount for early placement and purchase. We will add 10% and submit a refund of 10% to your account.

3) At this point, the use of our famous Newsies to hand out the paper will depend on the COVID-19 situation and how comfortable parents feel. We will make sure visitor guides are still distributed around town and to visitors as they disembark.

We value the community of Skagway. We know we are all making tough decisions to allow us to make it through this to the other side. Thank you for supporting The Skagway News and we wish you the best.

-Melinda and Gretchen

April 10, 2020

Page 8

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Social distancing

Billi Clem’s dog takes sheltering-in-place seriously.

Photo provided by Billi Clem

Pam Joy captures a layer of snow atop the Kone Company sign.

Photo by Pam Joy

Dini, from the Netherlands, plays with her dog, Llova, as she waits for th

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Page 9

April 10, 2020

g Skagway style

he MV Tazlina to dock.

Left and below Emmitt Willams enjoys time at the beach.

Photos by Reba Hylton

Frankie Kollasch plays in a recent snow flurry.

Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff

Photo by Katie Kollasch

April 10, 2020

Page 10

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

The Skagway News picks for hunkering down with kids Bear hunt: View the live stream of AlasPBS Kids: An Alaskan staple, public television Goodnight with Dolly: Country mega-star ka Zoo’s polar bear, Cranbeary. Click on the live doesn’t disappoint whether it’s on a traditional tele-

By Melinda Munson

and “book lady” Dolly Parton reads aloud one children’s book a week in this 10-part series. Her southern lilt is a delight as she snuggles in bed with manicured nails and pristine hair. This mesmerizing ten minutes is fun for parents too. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=tT9fv_ELbnE Bollywood dancing: Bollywood movies are famous for their vigorous, all-over body moves.

Dance Doo Daa with Shefali burns energy and exposes students to a different culture. Follow up with Deepak Tulsyan whose tiny dance helpers could make anyone smile. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emkoMDZZMnw&t=53s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGS-wg02gQ&t=53s Alaska Zoo: Closer to home, The Alaska Zoo offers an interactive education program Mondays through Fridays at 11 a.m. Participants can find the link (posted the night before) on the zoo’s Facebook page, @TheAlaskaZoo.

stream button, a red circle on the bottom of the Youtube box. https://www.alaskazoo.org/polar-bear-camera Write for the local paper: The Skagway News wants to hear from Skagway’s youth. Write a letter to the editor, pen a news article or take a picture of the community. Entries could appear in the next issue.

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems: “Let’s find a way to be isolated and together at the same time,” says Willems, the Kennedy Center education artist-in-residence. Enjoy 20- minute art lessons from Willem’s Massachusetts studio. Kids will appreciate his dorky sense of humor and bold art in this collection of 15 drawing tutorials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8 Pranks: Take this opportunity to extend April Fools’ Day for the entire month. Send pictures of pranks to melinda@skagwaynews.com. Jokes should be safe, harmless and in good fun.

vision or smartphone. The website features games, podcasts, videos and a daily newsletter with activities and tips. The PBS parents tab links to more stay-at-home resources including guidance for talking to kids about COVIS-19. https://pbskids.org Radiolab for Kids: WNYC Radio in New York curated kid-appropriate episodes of the popular Radiolab program. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, these podcasts are appropriate for older kids and will make everyone a little smarter. https://feeds.feedburner.com/radiolab-kids Wow in the World: NPR’s first podcast specifically made for children answers important science questions like: How do astronauts poop in space? Hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas entertain and educate “curious kids and their grown-ups.” https://www.npr.org/about-npr/527044769/wow-in-the-world-a-new-npr-podcast-for-curiouskids

Window visits get them out of the house and residents love the waves Photos by Judy Mallory

Judy Mallory and her husband take daily drives to visit with friends through the window. She says it is a great way to connect. “Behind those windows are lots of smiles,” said Mallory.

Look closely. Who are these window wavers?

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

April 10, 2020

The Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund call for grant applications

The Juneau Community Foundation’s Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund is accepting applications for funding support from April 1 through June 1, 2020. This Fund offers grants to organizations that benefit and enhance the health, education and welfare of individuals in Southeast Alaska.

Examples of possible Foundation financial support include, but are not limited to: • Charitable organizations, foundations or other non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations, or child care institutions, foster parent programs and early childhood education programs in Southeast Alaska.

• Individuals, within organizations, who are pursuing special training/education in any field of professional endeavor, for use in defraying costs for tuition, transportation or lodging expenses related to attendance at professional conferences, training or educational programs.

• Events or special services that enhance the overall quality of life, such as through amateur sports organizations or children’s music and theatre activities and encourage participation through sponsorship of programs and events open to all individuals.

Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of program to be supported or attended, reasonableness and accuracy of proposed budget, background and experience of applicant, support from other sources, and appropriateness to the objectives of the Fund.

Application forms can be found at www.juneaucf.org or contact Paul D. Douglas, Advisor, 3014 Foster Ave., Juneau, Alaska 99801, Phone (907) 463-3042. Completed applications must be mailed to Paul Douglas and postmarked no later than June 1, 2020.

Margaret Frans Brady Fund 2020 scholarships

The Juneau Community Foundation and the Brady family of Skagway have announced that the Margaret Frans Brady Fund will make available up to $10,000 in scholarship funding in 2020 for qualifying area students who are pursuing artistic excellence. Applications for the 2020 arts scholarship are requested.

All application materials must be received by May 15, 2020 (extended from April 15 for all JCF scholarships).

Application forms are available via a link on the Juneau Community Foundation website at http://juneaucf.org/index.php/fund-mf-brady/ The Margaret Frans Brady Fund was established in 2012 at the Juneau Community Foundation to support arts and education projects and programs in Skagway and northern Southeast Alaska. A separate MFB Scholarship Fund was established a year later to assist students and artists in our area with scholarships to help them improve their creative abilities. Since 2013, a total of $45,600 has been awarded to 55 area students.

Scholarships are considered for all students pursuing creative arts including writing, music, visual and performance arts. These scholarships include grants to help artists attend arts camps, schools, colleges, symposiums or conferences.

The scholarship committee will make recommendations and announce this year’s scholarships by May 10, 2020.

Scholarships will be sent to the tax-exempt non-profit or educational institution that awardees will be attending.

For more information, contact Jeff Brady, MFB Scholarship Committee Chair, at wjbradyak@me.com or 907973-2354.

Page 11

Otter this world Co-editor Gretchen Wehmhoff met up with a sea otter near the ferry terminal in March.

Photos by Gretchen Wehmhoff

April 10, 2020

Page 12

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

MV Tazlina is the only operating AMHS ferry in Southeast (continued from page 1)

The MV Tazlina prepares to dock in Skagway.

state spending to more closely match revenues hit hard by falling oil prices.

The governor did not veto any of the $19 million that legislators appropriated for overhaul of the 43-year-old state ferry, the Aurora, and for the addition of crew quarters to the system’s two newest vessels, the Tazlina and Hubbard.

State lawmakers passed the budget bill and left Juneau on March 29, sending the appropriations to the governor.

Lawmakers had not seen “any indication up, down or sideways” of whether the governor would use his veto powers to reduce ferry funding, said Sen. Jesse Kiehl.

The Juneau Democrat also represents Skagway.

The Legislature is technically still in session — lawmakers rushed through their work and recessed to get home early amid the statewide social-distancing directive intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Because they did not formally adjourn, the clock continues to run on the session.

Under state law, that gives legislators just five days — until April 12 — if they want to reconvene to attempt an override of any vetoes.

There are no plans to reconvene, as there are not 45 votes — the required three-quarters majority — to override budget vetoes, Kiehl said April 4.

The governor has a loyal

base of supportive legislators sufficient in numbers to block an override.

Lawmakers might get back together in a special session in late summer or fall to consider additional public works spending and further state response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its damage to the economy, Kiehl said. “Right now, I expect there will be one (a special session).”

The extra $8 million for the Fiscal 2021 budget will not change this summer’s ferry service, said Rep. Sara Hannan. “The summer schedule is already out. … The operating money that we added is for the fall/winter season.”

The spending plan approved by lawmakers, she said, was “to have at least two vessels operating at all times” during the winter season. This past winter, due to budget cuts and mechanical breakdowns, Skagway went without any ferry service for seven weeks, until the first week of March, with other coastal communities even worse off.

The Aurora has been out of service since last year. Plans for a winter overhaul were canceled when officials determined the vessel needed millions of dollars in steel work — with no funding to cover the cost.

“They think they can get the Aurora back in 12 months, if things go well,” Kiehl said.

The Tazlina and Hubbard

Photos by Gretchen Wehmhoff

cannot make a same-day Juneau-Haines-Skagway round trip without a crew change — the run exceeds the U.S. Coast Guard 12-hour limit on crew time — and the ships, both launched in the past couple of years, lack crew rest quarters.

With that constraint, the ferry system this summer will not be able to provide the same frequency of service between Haines and Skagway as in past years because the Tazlina is unable to stop in both communities on the same voyage out of Juneau.

Improved frequency could return next summer after crew quarters are added to the Tazlina, though the governor’s veto will affect how much service the ferry system can afford.

Kiehl expects it will be at least a year before work is completed on the Hubbard, which also will include installation of a side-loading door to better accommodate more ports of call. But it’s not as if that means a loss in sailings in the meantime — the new ship has never entered service.

Currently, the Tazlina is the only ferry operating in Southeast Alaska, other than a small shuttle boat, the Lituya, between Ketchikan and Metlakatla.

The Columbia, Kennicott and Tustemena (which serves Cook Inlet, Kodiak and Gulf of Alaska communities) had

been scheduled to return to service this month, but the state announced April 1 that the ships will be delayed until mid-May. Because of travel and work restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is taking longer to reassemble the crews and provision the ships to start service, the state said.

Kiehl said he also is concerned that winter overhaul work on the LeConte will not be finished in time to put the ferry back into service in Southeast as scheduled. The ship’s first stop in Skagway is set for May 19. “My concern is that there are some highly specialized subcontractors” that need to fly into the state to work on the ship at the Vigor shipyard in Ketchikan, the senator said.

Quarantine restrictions on interstate travelers could make manufacturers reluctant to send crews to Alaska, Kiehl said. “Maybe the state will be able to finagle and make it happen,” getting the work done and putting the ship back into service mid-May, he said.

With the governor’s veto, the ferry system operating budget for the state fiscal year that starts July 1 is about $108 million. Slightly less than half of the money would come from passenger and vehicle fares; the rest would come from state dollars.

The separate $19 million appropriation for the Aurora overhaul and crew quarters on the Tazlina and Hubbard is in the capital budget section of the appropriations bill; the money cannot be used for operating expenses.

The budget as signed by the governor also includes a separate $15 million for annual maintenance to the fleet, the same as Dunleavy had requested.

In addition to the ferry operating money, the governor also vetoed: • Funding to restore the Ocean Rangers program, which until last year had put marine engineers aboard cruise ships to monitor for environmental compliance.

Lawmakers added back $3.4 million for the program that Dunleavy zeroed out last year.

• $12.5 million for the University of Alaska system.

• $4.3 million in pre-kindergarten grants.

• $2.7 million for public broadcasting radio and TV stations.

Dunleavy also vetoed the legislative appropriation of a $1 billion transfer of Permanent Fund earnings to the constitutionally protected principal of the fund. Lawmakers had approved the transfer to cover the principal’s loss to inflation.

Putting the $1 billion off-limits in the principal would reduce the fund’s ability to pay Permanent Fund dividends in future years, the governor said.

The governor said he plans to cover more than $200 million of his vetoes by spending some of the federal dollars Alaska will receive through federal coronavirus relief and economic stimulus legislation. Dunleavy wants to use federal dollars to replace the state dollars in his vetoes of $100 million in state reimbursement for local school construction debt payments, a $30 million boost in state funding for public schools, $37 million for Regional Educational Attendance Areas and $5 million to respond to homelessness.

“We have been presented the unique opportunity to capitalize on a one-time fund source through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” the governor said.

However, it’s debatable whether that is an allowable use of the federal money, House Speaker Bryce Edgmon said in a prepared statement April 7.

“From our initial understanding, federal funds can only be used for expenditures incurred due to COVID-19, not expenditures unrelated to the COVID-19 response,” Edgmon said. “The governor’s vetoes gamble with vital programs like Medicaid, community assistance, school bond debt reimbursement, K-12 education, homeless grants … and more. There is no guarantee that the federal government will pick up the tab.”

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Page 13

April 10, 2020

Pandemic

by Lynn Ungar

What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath— the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love-for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.

From all of us at the Red Onion Saloon...

Stay Safe Skagway!

Page 14

Family Fun Page - print and share

The keys will be posted online next Friday.

April 10, 2020

Across 1 Finn’s conveyance 5 Rush job letters 9 It replaced the franc 10 Make over 13 Image of a deity 14 Kind of recording 15 Maidenhair trees 17 Confucians’ path 18 Fanciful idea 19 Plug 20 Wager 21 Photo, briefly 22 Astound 24 Operated by hand 27 Boston Bruins great 28 Graceful antelope 29 Official count 31 Narrative of heroic exploits 32 Stick to 33 Ollie’s mate 34 Some butters 35 Long fish

Down 1 Prevail 2 Pertaining to sound reproduction 3 Prime cooking spot 4 “The Hobbit” author 5 Burning of another’s property 6 Hardens 7 Angelus prayer 8 Tiny piece of atmospheric pollutant 11 Coarsely ground foodstuff 12 Table-top game 16 Obtained 19 Smoothness 21 La --- (South American capital) 22 Short stocking 23 Woody plant 24 Sail poles 25 Like pond scum 26 Tilts or slants 28 Southernmost Mariana island 30 Mineral spring

Scavenger Hunt The Skagway News

Find these items and snap a picture! You could win a $25 gift certificate to Glacial Coffeehouse.

1. Heart shaped rock 2. Three bears from three different windows 3. Go on a hike and take a picture.

4. Christmas lights 5. The place you can buy a replica of a news story describing Soapy Smith’s last day 6. Where the mayor spends a lot of time 7. Someone in a tu-tu (at least 6-feet away)

Easter Wordsearch Angel

Easter

Joy

Rise

April

Egg

Kiss

Rite

Bells

Faith

Lamb

Roman

8. A business that is still open

Bible

Gall

Lent

Sin

Bonnets

Gift

Life

Sleep

9. A window with a candle in it

Bunny

God

Lord

Spear

Cross

Holy

Mary

Thirty

Die

Hymn

Palm

Three

10. An outdoor clock

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Open to Skagway residents age 17 and younger. The first person to submit all photos from the list: to melinda@skagwaynews.com (in a single email) wins a $25 gift certificate to Glacial Coffeehouse.

Pictures must be taken outside.

March 27 answer keys

Color Me!

THE SKAGWAY NEWS COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONGOING Library Hours: Closed to the public until further notice due to COVID-19.

Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed Sat. and Sun. For after-hours emergencies, please dial 911.

Senior Lunch postponed at Presbyterian Rec. Hall.

April 10, 2020

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

Ads must be pre-paid unless advertiser has a business account with the newspaper.

Skagway residents may drop off ad and payment at the News Depot. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. Out-of-town ads must be pre-paid with a credit card and should be phoned in to 907983-2354. All ads appear in our on-line edition for a minimum of two weeks. Next deadline: Sunday, April 22 , 2020 FREE PERSONAL CLASSIFIEDS up to 25 words!

CALL (907)983-2354 (restrictions apply)

Border stations: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Call each station for specifics.

JOBS-OPPORTUNITIES Little Dippers Learning Center is now hiring teachers for the 2020 Season. Visit www. skagwaylit tledippers.com/ employment to learn more!(1-2b)

Elk’s Burger Feed: No burger feeds until further notice.

THE MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY is currently hiring the following positions: Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Visitor Information Specialist II Groundskeeper Emergency Responder Receptionist/Medical Assistant A Municipality of Skagway announcement and application can be downloaded from the website at www.skagway.org.(1b)

WEEKS AHEAD School closed for the rest of the year.

See www.skagway.org for borough meeting updates.

Email Updates & New Events:

LINEMAN APPRENTICE: SKAGWAY AP&T IS NOW HIRING for a full-time Lineman Apprentice

editor@skagwaynews.com

CLASSIFIEDS at our Skagway location. Our successful candidate will be a self-starter, highly motivated, flexible, detail-oriented, willing to follow directions, and willing to travel. They will possess excellent team and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with minimum supervision. Must have a High School Diploma or GED; must be willing to live within 5 miles of Skagway; must have the capability to attend and successfully complete the 4-year AP&T Apprenticeship Program.

For additional information about the Lineman Apprentice position, please pick up a detailed job posting at AP&T’s Skagway office, or email Human Resources at (christina.h@aptalaska.com). This posting will close on February 28, 2020. EEO Employer/Vets/ Disabled ~ AP&T is a Drug and Alcohol-free workplace(1&2b)

Dyea along the Chilkoot Trail in the vicinity of the old Hosford sawmill, and one 2.18 ac. parcel below the incinerator near the Skagway River.

Call for further details, ARA, David Brena, 907-983-2700. (11cb)

need with groceries. If you need assistance, or know anyone who needs assistance, at any time of year, call any pastor or 907-6120313. (1cp)

FOR SALE: Duplex, three bedrooms and two baths on each side. Constructed 2019. Fridge, range, washer/dryer included, partially furnished. Call 907-7232931.

The Municipality of Skagway is accepting bids for Skagway Public Restrooms Janitorial Services. A full copy of the request for bids can be obtained by e-mailing m.gihl@ skagway.org. Bids are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. 2020 at City Hall in Skagway, AK.(1B)

JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Dahl Memorial Clinic is now interviewing for Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant. For applications and job description, go to www. skagway.org/administration/page/ employment-opportunities (13cb)

RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE. Skagway Olde Town Building, 7th & Broadway. Contact Mike Healy 907-973-2337(16cb)

HOUSING-PROPERTY

CHILKAT VALLEY NEWS & WHITEHORSE STAR available at Skaguay News Depot & Books.

(1cp)

COMMERCIAL-PROPERTY DOWNTOWN SKAGWAY SPACE available for lease: 1200SF retail space next to Eagles Hall. Great location in the heart of Skagway’s Historic District between 5th and 6th Ave. on Broadway. This is for the south retail in the Kelly Block Building. Contact jimpjewell@ gmail.com or text Jim at 907-6120114.(1cb)

RETAIL SPACE ON BROADWAY for lease. See info at: www. skagwayrealestate.net. (1cb)

MARKETPLACE FOR SALE: 401 5th Avenue, 2, one-bedroom houses on one lot. $374,000. Contact: David Brena, ARA, 983-2700.(1cb) FOR SALE: Three parcels of land.

First time on the market. One 40 ac. parcel on AB Mountain (the Skyline Trail goes through the NW corner), One 83.4 ac. parcel in

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

BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD Alaska Writers Guild offers free online seminars

Sitting at home with your writerly self? Never fear!

Alaska Writers Guild is converting their programming to webinars, with a few surprise webinar events thrown in just for you! Visit www.alaskawritersguild.comfor free seminars with Alaskan poet Caitlin Buxbaum and Alaskan author Kris Farman.

Page 15

RECREATION CENTER SCHEDULE Skagway Recreation Center • 12th & Main • 983-2679 Cardio • Weight Room • Locker Rooms • Showers • Rock Wall Mon. - Thur. 5:30 am - 9 pm, Fri. 5:30 am - 7 pm, Sat.10 am - 5 pm, Sun. 1 pm - 7 pm

The Recreation Center is Closed until further notice due to COVID-19 per the Municipality

Wash your hands.

SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY Please contact each worship location for their udpated COVID-19 schedule Assembly of God Church

8th & State • 907-983-2350 Sun. Worship....................11 a.m.

Thu. Intercessory Prayer.6:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

5th & Main • 983-2260 Sun. Morning Worship .....10 a.m.

Sun. Sunday School...............4 p.m.

Wed. Women’s Prayer ..........7 a.m.

Thur. Celebrate Recovery.....6 p.m.

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)

Life Link Fellowship Bible Church

11th and Main • 907-612-0121 Sat. Night Worship ............7 p.m.

Sunday Service.................11 a.m.

LEGAL AD

The Skagway News The Best paper in town.

April 10, 2020

Page 16

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Clem Clan works to cover Skagway with masks

By Melinda Munson more complicated.“ I was overwhelmed by learning but I had enough time.”

The first masks took up to two hours. Now, Clem and her crew can create a mask in 20 minutes.

The patterns have changed six or seven times as the CDC comes out with updates regarding materials, mostly changes to the filtration system. Newer versions include a paperclip in the nose seam to help prevent eyeglasses from fogging. Ideally, each person has two to three masks to allow for laundering. (The masks can go in the dryer.)

There are three sizes: adult, medium and child. The material Clem is currently using features airplanes, chickens or Coca-Cola.

Each mask requires 14.5 inches of quarter-inch elastic, which can’t be found in stores.

Donations of elastic can be made to Clem or Alaska Mask Makers.

The masks are not intended for medical use and are not utilized by the Dahl Memorial Clinic. The CDC continues to urge members of the public to

stick to homemade masks and reserve medical grade masks for health workers. When wearing masks, individuals should refrain from touching their faces, maintain social distancing and frequently wash hands. A tutorial for handling face masks can be found at https://www.who.int/images/ default-source/health-topics/ coronavirus/masks/masks-1. png Those without access to a cloth mask could use scarves or bandanas. The CDC website features directions for nosew masks, including one that uses a cotton T-shirt.

When President Trump announced the new CDC guidelines that all Americans wear masks in public, he was not wearing a face covering.

“I won’t be doing it personally. It’s a recommendation,” he said.

Clem said she’d be happy to send a mask his way.

She’s pleased she found a way to help the community.

It “makes isolation bearable,” she said. “If we weren’t doing this we’d be arguing with each other.”

Billi Clem of Klondike Tours is running something akin to a sweatshop in her home.

“If they’re sitting here, they’re doing something,” she said, referring to her family.

Complaining is not allowed.

No one is remunerated for their time.

In two weeks, the Clem clan produced around 250 cloth face masks. The masks are given to Skagway’s residents free of charge. Clem’s first priority is to cover workers employed by essential businesses such as the bank and grocery stores. The Remedy Shoppe, Skagway’s marijunana dispensary, was the first entity to receive the handmade masks.

Clem was already producing the masks when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines on Saturday, recommending all individuals wear face coverings when out in public as carriers of COVID-19 may be asymptomatic.

“Alaska is always pretty much prepared for the apocalypse. That’s the way we live,” Clem said. A quilter for over 20 years, she already had plenty of material. “Luckily, I’m a fabric hoarder,” she said.

Alaska Mask Makers, a Facebook group dedicated to producing and distributing face masks, started March 22.

Clem began her assembly line the next day.

Clem describes quilting as “sewing a straight line.” Jessie Baker of Fairway Market wears a mask made by Billi Photo by Melinda Munson Constructing the masks was Clem.

Greg Clem helps assemble masks with his family.Photo provided by Billi Clem

Billi Clem, an avid quilter, uses her fabric collection to sew masks Photo provided by Billi Clem