Sundays
The history of Samson Hardware
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The history of Samson Hardware
October 18, 2009
FAIRBANKS — It survived floods, earthquakes, near fires, boom-to-bust times and 105 years of brutal winters, but one of Fairbanks’ oldest establishments —Samson Hardware just off Cushman Street— proved no match for the yellow excavator that leveled it the morning of Oct. 8.
Book Reviews
Observations shaped by tragedy, sprinkled with humor and filled with wisdom
Published October 18, 2009
Merle P. Martin is a former Alaskan who maintains strong ties with the Last Frontier. A Professor Emeritus in business technology and management information systems at Sacramento State University, he’s also taught in Thailand, the Russian Far East, and at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. And before all that he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and directed the Alaska Air National Guard.
Alaska Science Forum
Mobile reindeer processing unit deployed to Western Alaska
Published October 18, 2009
Like herds of northern cattle that lived on tundra plants, more than 600,000 reindeer ranged over Alaska less than a century ago. Today, reindeer numbers are down to about 10,000 or so, due to their tendency to elope with caribou, be eaten by wolves and bears, and other reasons.
Scott McCrea
I texted this article while driving, but you shouldn’t do as I do
Published October 18, 2009
FAIRBANKS - There seems to be a lot of controversy, and rightfully so, over the issue of people sending text messages while driving. It’s a good debate to have, but are we engaging the right players?
Theresa Bakker
Trips south can remind Alaskans how lucky we are to call Alaska home
Published January 25, 2009
I used to look down on people who left Fairbanks during the winter. How weak, I thought, to leave this conditioning tank of a character-building climate for a little sunshine. Staying here through the darkest, coldest months of the year felt like a badge of honor, a testament to the stamina of the people who call Alaska home.
Interior Gardening
Two-pound tomatoes and fall garden chores
Published September 20, 2009
What a weird year. As I write this column on Sept. 10, my peas and zucchini are still producing gobs, even though they are usually the first casualties of the fall season.
Judith Kleinfeld
How you can get a good power sleep
Published October 18, 2009
Lots of us have sleep problems. It’s hard to fall asleep or we wake up early in the morning.
In The Bush
A nostalgic glance at the first 50 years on Lake Minchumina
Published October 18, 2009
LAKE MINCHUMINA, Alaska - “(1959) Sept. 6. Shot moose at Crane L. — got it skinned, brought it home in float plane.”
Judy Ferguson
Slipping an Alaska visit in under the wire
Published October 4, 2009
FAIRBANKS — Just before snow overcame summer, my brother Walter Eskridge, and I slipped around the state as golden leaves blanketed the hills, and merchants closed their doors. The last time Walter was here was 39 years ago.
Archives
Away or Outside, it’s always somewhere else
Published October 11, 2009
When my wife and I moved to Maine in 2000, we quickly learned that to Mainers we were “from away.”
Wayward snowmachine almost costs trapper his fingertip
Published October 11, 2009
Norm Phillips Sr. is one of the founding members of the Alaska Trappers Association and served as president of the organization for many years. He moved to Alaska from Oregon in 1950 and began a lifelong association with the land, one that included hunting, fishing and trapping.
Summer on the Yukon River is one to remember
Published October 11, 2009
Nenana, July 15:
Jesse and I sank into the couch in Ted and Jackie Suckling’s living room. It was gray outside. Our canoe was stashed above town.
Polar bear tourism booms on Alaska's North Slope
Published October 4, 2009
KAKTOVIK — With its passengers bundled against the arctic wind blowing off the Beaufort Sea, the small boat speeds smoothly across the lagoon.
Quota International’s Cham Fashional is fabulous at 50
Published September 27, 2009
FAIRBANKS — The ladies of Quota International of Fairbanks know exactly what it means to be fabulous at 50. This year, the annual Cham Fashional fundraiser celebrates its 50th anniversary with an evening of champagne and fashion and the theme “As Good As Gold.”
Logger and hunter Earl Callihan finds life in rural Alaska to his liking
Published September 27, 2009
Earl Callihan looks the part of the classic sourdough. His face is ruddy from years spent out in the weather. His hair and beard are white as snow. Earl prefers wool pants with red suspenders. Most importantly, he still has a twinkle in his eye that reflects the wonderful life that he’s led.
Local Fairbanks teachers get their groove on with the Pioneer Park Pickers
Published September 20, 2009
FAIRBANKS — Even school teachers know how to get their groove on. The proof appears every Tuesday night at the Pioneer Museum at Pioneer Park.
Not eaten by bears, former Maine resident preps for winter
Published September 20, 2009
My wife and I were not devoured by bears over Labor Day weekend.
Jujiro Wada: musher, long distance runner and Fairbanks co-founder?
Published September 13, 2009
His name was Jujiro Wada, and he was born in Japan in 1875, yet his life is interwoven with the threads of Alaska and Arctic history.
