12-29-08; "The Shop"

The Shop has been in use on a pretty consistent basis for about a month and a half. This season, I mean. The Shop has been available for community use for a number of years now; I can't remember exactly when I built it, but it's been going strong every winter since.

Snow machine season is when it stays busy; usually starting in late October or November and running until March/April. And lately it's been busy.

By my count we've had approximately 37 machines worked on this season. Most of these have been snow machines, with a few 4-wheelers, and some of these have been in multiple times/multiple days. But that is a lot of activity.

I also figure we've had at least 79 guys participate, on 23 different days. The actual figures would be higher, but those are the numbers I'm aware of. There are more that didn't get counted.

So check it out...37 repairs made at 23 different times, with 79 guys involved, in a healthy, drug and alcohol free environment. Not bad for six weeks. This is why I think the shop is a good thing.

The pics are from tonight. We had ten guys hangin' out for a couple of hours, working on Aaron's Yamaha (previously Nathan's). That was after Kelly finished changing a bearing in his chaincase. Then they put Eric's Bravo in for the night; they'll check out his stator tomorrow.

12-6-08; "Don't Wreck the Rec.!"

-Wesley Evans-Carol Pitka-Bennett Madros-

There has been increasing discussion among the Nulato City Council about "moving" the Teen Rec. to another location...

-George Peter-Tyler Ekada-Jay Ryan Evans-

The Sports Association is feeling too cramped in the former Headstart building and they are looking for another location with more room for bingo, pan, etc...

-Keith Nickoli-Gabe Pitka-Dean Painter-

As we all are aware, there are few suitable buildings to choose from...

-Claude Semaken-Kyle Patsy-Melvin Demoski-

So the Teen Rec. has been talked about (on more than one occasion) as a possible future Pan House...

-Jonathan Nickoli-"Moose" Stickman-Cynthia Ekada-

Which would force the Nulato Life Project to find another location for the kids...

-Cory Madros-Kelly Sommer II-Arthur Demoski-

I am of the opinion that our kids should be a priority...

-Venita Demoski-Alexie Pitka-Larissa Silas-

And I believe the "Teen Rec" should remain the "Teen Rec"...

-Serena Semaken-Tiffany Patsey-Nichole Silas-

Every young person's name you see here agrees with me...

-Joe Solomon-Glenn Demoski Jr.-Cameron Hildebrand-

If you feel the kids are important and deserve to keep their Rec...

-Cosmos Mountain-Rodney Hildebrand II-Glenda Demoski-

You might want to let the Nulato City Council know...

-Eric Huntington-Travis Ekada-Gavin Sam-

On behalf of Nulato Youth, I thank you!

-George Demoski-Alyssa Agnes-Louann Silas

11-23-08

Here's some Nulato Life Project news:

The shop is open. Kelly and Joe have already used it for snow machine work. Today it looks like Neal is going to use it too. The shop is always available for community use on a "first-come-first served" basis. If you need it, let me know. The only restrictions are:
-sober / drug free. As part of the program (not to mention being at my house) the shop is an alcohol and drug free environment. No exceptions.
-ask first. Call me first if you want to use the shop and we'll work it out.
-clean up your mess. This is obvious.
-don't "borrow" stuff. Tools are available in the shop, and if the tools STAY in the shop, they'll be available the next time, and the next time, and the next time...get it?

Joey has been beaver trapping, and he's doing really good. The beaver are fat, the fur is in good shape and the ice isn't too thick. More guys should get out there; no need to wait for spring. (You can use the shop for skinning if needed)

Oats hits the road

Oats told me she's going to Job Corps. She takes off Dec. 1st and will be there in Palmer for 2-3 years; at least that's her plan.

She wants to get trained in Human Services and plans to get a job as a counselor.

She'll get to return to Jaxxon for a couple of weeks in December (Christmas, I guess) and again in July.

When asked "What will you miss most?", her answer was "Nuthin'" (ouch, that hurt!) Then she said she'll miss her family. She'll be seeing Deanna, who is also there.

We'll see ya' later Oats, and we are gonna miss you!

10-3-08

The Burgers!

We had some extra food left over from moose hunting/camping trips, so I cooked up some burgers and dogs at the Rec. Wasn't exactly like McDonalds or BK, but I never eat their stuff anyway. The line was long and the burgs all disappeared, but we had a few dogs left over. I started giving away a free pop to anyone who would eat another dog; Pluto and Travis ate the most.

Here's a pic of Joe moose hunting too. Didn't see any moose but we heard one in the woods; he wouldn't come out. I think the moose smelled us (it wasn't me!)

more photos (moose hunting trip)

Just thought I'd post some more pics. Gerald and George can climb trees like bear cubs, and they're not bad shots with a pistol either.

Sept. 9th / Moose hunt

We had a great hunt in Kaiyuh. "We" is Miles "Milo" Stickman, George "Jew-Jew" Agnes, Gerald "Pluto" Patsy and me. What a cool trip. We camped at my usual spot on the slough between Niminhdaaldlo Hu and Humphrey's camp, above "Rabbit Creek" (Gguh Ts'agheelinh Dinh).

The weather was nice; just a few sprinkles now and then, not too cold, not too hot, and no bugs (Nulato is still a gnat farm). We saw lots of people at JP's cabin, Jordan, Vern Jr. and Jr. Alexie, some boys from Kaltag and I forget who else. We got there on Saturday, so there were a lot of people out hunting; by Sunday night most everyone had left.

Milo shot our moose (his first kill) around Taameel Teeloyeet, going down toward Doughnut Island. Milo's quite the gunner; one shot and it dropped, stone dead. We got the moose Sunday night and came back on Monday.

These were some good guys to camp with. Milo, like I said, is a dead-eye shooter and tough meat packer; Gerald is a funny, entertaining guy that can suck up candy like a shop-vac; and George is an all around good guy to have in camp. A quick learner too.

We all had a great time. Thanks to the Tribe for allowing us to use the SAR boat. Another trip is planned later; around the 14th. More about that when it happens.

Hope you like the pics.

8-30-08

School's back in business. Hope the new teachers are cool and it's a good year. According to "Dots", the seniors are already working on their trip; planned for spring '09. Word is they're thinking of cruising down to LA to check on Kobe and the purple and gold crew. Hmmmm, that sounds like fun. Better make arrangements early though; the Staples Center is usually a sell-out, and this season's prospects look pretty good (watch out Celtics).

Yesterday the Rec. got a by-pass load of pop; which is 1000 lbs +. We now have lots of pop, Gatorade, Propel, Vitamin water, etc. The old "three pop limit" is a thing of the past. You can buy as much as you want (as long as you bring your own bag to carry it home).

Hope we have enough water to get into Kaiyuh for hunting. There are some September trips planned. More on that later.

Until next time...

Spirit Camp Photos

Here are more pics;

Tyler and Alyssa, Megan, Bri and William, Jay chopping wood, Jesse.

Spirit Camp; day 3

Spirit camp went well. The kids had a great time learning about fish skin boots, setting a net, cutiing fish and a lot more. The camp set-up was perfect; so was the weather, until Saturday.

Props to Lisa and Carol, the elders, the cooks, volunteers and everyone else for a great camp.

Here are a few more photos.

Wiggie chillin', Kendra and William, the fishrack and Joanne in the "kitchen".

Spirit Camp; Day 1

Spirit camp is under way! The boats were loaded and headed up with the kids, elders, camp staff and other helpers. Looks like it should be a blast! Here are some photos. From the top; Megan and George; Little Dean; Wiggie; A boatload headin' up.

more camp photos

more camp pics; top to bottom. Grandma Rita and Paulina making a fishnet; Mikey; Cameron; Grandma Rita, Angela and Percy Jr.

more spirit camp photos

here are more pics; top to bottom. Sittin' round the campfire; Randy Jr. and Charles; Matthew; Tent City.

Meet the team

If you're wanting to know who's at the Rec working with the kids, now you'll find out. They have been traveling around the state for about six weeks. They spent time in Naknek, Chignik Lagoon, Kokhanok, and now here.

(From top to bottom)

"Julie", 21, from Copper Center, Alaska. Favorite thing about this summer? "Meeting lots of different people in different villages."

"Chris",23, from Jones, Michigan. Favorite thing? "Seeing all the different ministries."

"Tadi", 18, from Wayne, Michigan. "I like the simple life" (slower pace, subsistence culture, etc.)

"Jesse", 22, from Stasburg, Pennsylvania."I really enjoy my team-mates."

Change of plans; 7-14-08

Campfire apparently has cancelled their trip to Nulato this year. Too bad. They always seem to do a good job with the kids.

The good news is we already have a replacement. A team of four (2 guys, 2 girls) is already here and starting their program at the Rec. They will be doing stuff at the Rec all week, then they'll help out with Spirit Camp next week. Stop by and say "hello"; if you have any kids, bring them too! Their program for 12 & under kids is every day 1-3 pm.

(photos to come later)

7-14-08; See you in a couple of weeks!

The crew took off yesterday. I can never remember which is "Nulato #1" and which is "#2", but it was William's crew. They're off to California (Redding). Here are some photos.