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Clad in parkas, arctic winter boots and fur hats, more than 30 people attended the Democratic caucus at the McKinley Village Community Center on Tuesday night.

The turnout in this rural neighborhood was good, considering temperatures hovered between 30 and 40 degrees below zero all day.

Two clever voters got a laugh when they showed up with paper bags over their heads, complete with two cut eye holes. Their anonimity didn’t last long.

Clearly, these particular voters are informed, concerned and want to have a voice in the political process. En masse, the group discussed pros and cons of the two front-runners — Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. The consensus seemed to be that both are good candidates.

One undecided voter urged the group to help her and others like her to choose the best candidate. “Sway us,” she challenged.

There was talk of Obama’s appeal to younger voters, of Obama being, at last, an “inspirational” candidate.

“We need that kind of excitement,” one person said.

A voter wondered why Hillary Clinton tends to overcompensate to show she is tough. There was much discussion on how much her time as first lady really counts as political “experience.”

One voter said she would cast a vote for whichever candidate she thought was electable against a Republican.

Another voter relayed a story from the Los Angeles Times, which described Clinton as an “essay” and Obama as a “poem.”

Most of the folks there were well-read, had watched the political debates and were happy to share their opinions with the group.

In the end, the vote was 19 for Obama, 11 for Clinton and one for John Edwards.

As everyone bundled up to leave, someone said, “Whoever the nominee is, let’s get behind them.” The sea of fur hats nodded in agreement.

The Republican caucus was held in Healy at the same time.

Spelling champs

It was a showdown between two determined competitors, just like a tennis match. But instead of tennis balls, they attacked spelling words, back and forth, the tension growing and the crowd cheering with every correct spelling.

And when it was over, after 17 words without a miss, the word “colloquial” ended the game.

Fifth-grader Isabella Saxe is Tri-Valley School’s champion speller in grades third through eighth. Right behind her, Larissa Pollack pounced on every word. Rounding out the top spelling trio: Liam Juhl, a sixth-grader.

All three spellers now head to the Interior Alaska Spelling Bee in Fairbanks on March 1.

Be a blanketeer!

Denali Quilters hosts its “Make A Blanket Day” on Saturday in the Tri-Valley Community Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual service project is inspired by “Project Linus,” whose mission is to “provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer blanketeers.”

This year, the blankets will be donated to Fairbanks CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), a program that provides advocacy for children of all ages, who end up in state custody. The quilts will be distributed by CASA volunteers to children assigned to this program.

Glass bead making

The last time Floyd Brooks offered this “Lampworking” class, students raved about it. So here’s another chance to learn from an expert. The class will be held Saturday at the Anderson School Shop from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $90 per person and includes use of tools and glass. Class size is limited, so call Sandi Trumbower at 378-4575 to reserve your spot.

Too cold for Ice Dogs

Consistent temperatures of 40 degrees below zero have postponed a visit by the Ice Dogs until Feb. 20.

This will be the second annual visit for the Ice Dogs, who visited last year and signed autographs for local kids. This year, they will host three one-hour sessions: the IP and Mites (ages 8 and younger) from 2:30-3:30 p.m.; the Squirts and PeeWee/Bantams (ages 10-14) from 3:45-4:45 p.m.; and High School from 5-6 p.m. Dinner will be provided by Healy Hockey.

“The Ice Dogs have been good friends to Healy Hockey,” said local parent Jeff Yanuchi, who is organizing the event.

According to Yanuchi, Head Coach Rob Proffitt allowed the Healy Squirts to tour the new locker room, meet the players, and most exciting of all, sit on the bench during pregame warm-ups, and collect the pucks out on the ice.

We look forward to their return visit.

Basketball/hockey honors

Congratulations to Healy hockey players Luke Jordan and Parker Vacura for their selection to the 2008 Greatland All-Conference Team. Honerable mentions went to Craig Clark, Evan Venechuk and Kaz Cizmowski.

Congratulations to Courtney Talerico for earning a spot on the All-Tourney team at the Nenana Invitational Tournament and being named the Girls Most Valuable Player.

How to find this column online

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner has updated its Web site, so it should be easier to find this column. Go to www.newsminer.com.

Gone are the days of searching the headlines for words that indicated the story might be about our area. Now, just click on “Local Columns,” and this column will be one of your choices.