August 31, 2010
The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

We had 13 participants today, including: Bryn, Kat & Leon McElroy, David Poppe, Junior Benedict, Virginia Young, Rebecca Troxel, Mary Alexander, Walter & Andrea Tommy, Jeannie Bennet, Sam Metsker and Maryellen Robinson. We had chili with cornbread and zucchini with tomato & cucumber salad for lunch.

WELCOME followed by READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Jeannie Bennet.

PRAYER was lead by Jeannie Bennet, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: One modification requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN link on www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No new guests this week.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Envisioning Wellness: Per e-mail confirmation from Tim Horn, Jennifer May will be resenting on green (non-toxic) cleaning products next week, Tuesday, September 6th. Jennifer will supply Tim with a photo and slogan or tagline for flyers which Tim would like to have ready by Thursday.
Mary reminded us that Jim Sackett from Toghotthele is willing to speak to us the end of October. Jeannie reminded us that Penny Forness had expressed interest in talking to us about recruiting potential host families for the foreign exchange student program. This would be in January.

Dancing in the Streets – Maryellen reports that all arrangements for this event are falling into place. Our parade shall have floats or participation from Nenana Seniors, NSLC, the marching band, ASlaska Veterans, the Shriners, Tae Kwan Doh, Awana and Project Overhaul. She has made felt side signs for the cow in the parade announcing to everyone they are “Moooving into Recovery.” Kat has faxed flyers to Fairbanks treatment centers and had them hand-delivered to 12 step meetings. No one from the various treatment programs has responded. JR agreed to inform the Celebrate Recovery community. Arrangements still need to be made to get a DJ. Kat reminded Maryellen that Bill Troxel agreed to wear a cow costume if we can locate one.

Project Overhaul: Jeannie needs cash donations for gas money if she is going to get one more trash pick-up before the season’s end. Kat, Mary and Rebecca each volunteered to provide a donation. Jeannie will ask Bob if he woiuld be willing to donate front-loader time to expedite the process for several large trash piles. JR mentioned that new bags of trash are appearing at the end of 9th street, down by the derelict barge. This is frustrating. Discussion ensued regarding the efforts made to clean the town. Kat reminded us that to effect a change in community behavior takes time, communication and allotment of community resources towards the goal. She suggested framing it as a health or safety issue and to focus on the positive change we can see.

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Virginia: Jam session Thursday evening, 7: 30. Looks like we will be in the Parrish Hall or the Episcopalian church.

Walter: Is feeling better after feeling pretty bum due to the surgery, radiation and chemo. Glad to report he is up and visiting around. Really struggling to stay off tobacco. “This is the worst addiction.” Has been thinking about the old days, how elders would take their nets out this time of year and just camp at the river and catch and tend fish.

Andrea: Needs help moving a 35 by 30 foot building to their place at Four Mile. SDhe has been learning how to make fish nets.

Maryellen: Handed out some pamphlets about quitting tobacco use. She will be doing group again at the living center on Thursday evenings, 8-10 P.M. Starting next week we will we be having WIN meetings back over at NSLC.

Mary: Wes is gearing up for hunting season.

Sam: Reported he is talking with the Lion’s Club members here in Nenana about his goal of rebuilding Tripod Days and River Daze into major regional events. He would like to get foot races, dog pulls, a river race and vendors enough to fill the civic center. If the Nenana Lions can get 25 members, they would be eligible to get an Alaska gaming permit which would allow them to run pull-tabs, thus keeping Nenana money in Nenana. Sam explained that his bar currently sells pull tabs but the profits go to an Anchorage-based non-profit. Nenana Lions would like to get 40 members so they would stay above the 25 member cut-off. People interested in joining Nenana Lions should contact Marilyn at Coghill’s Store.

Bryn: Has just acquired two milk goats. They have built a pen for them, but,“They like to escape!”

J.R.: It gets better.

Kat: Announced the Warrior Down training will be at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center November 22-14; anyone interested in this free training should contact her or Carol Rose at TCC 452-8251, ex. 3414, or carol.rose@tananachiefs.org is her e-mail.
Full Circle Farm is making their first delivery to our community tomorrow, around Noon. Members can pick up their boxes until 10 P.M. Rebecca added that there is a promotional code for new members: Jonathan P. 2010. Anyone interested in joining can access the Full Circle Farm web site at http://www.fullcirclefarm.com/?fbid=symMsAe2R6r or they can call her for more information at 832-1078.

David: Completed his EMT training. It was a 6 credit college level course. A lot of nervousness for the final testing on Saturday but all eight [participants were able to pass and obtain level one certification. He reports they are eating a lot out of the garden and that the composting and other soil building of the past several years seems to be paying off.

Rebecca: Wants to start planning for our now annual Day After Thanksgiving Community Dinner which was so successful last year. Her mom and grandmother will be visiting for three days. They are arriving by train. They found out that you can actually get the railroad to stop in Nenana, if you make arrangements with the conductor.

Leon: Is thinking about joining the Alaska Youth Military Academy next year.

Jeannie: Has acorn squashes from the Minnema’s for sale for three dollars each. There will be a Freecycle September 10th, 5:30, at the RV Park if the weather is good, at the tribal hall if the weather is inclement. A correction to last week’s minutes: The Nenana Community Church Ladies Group is reading a book called Created to Be His Help-meet.
WELLNESS THOUGHT: When you got the blues so bad you just don’t even know what to do with yourself, go clean the toilet. You might not feel any better afterwards but at least the toilet will be cleaner. –Katie Baker
ADJOURNMENT: 1:45 P.M.

August 24, 2010

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

We had 14 participants today, including: Bonnie Reed, Kat & Leon McElroy, Beverly Joseph, Junior Benedict, Virginia Young, Rebecca & Bill Troxel, Harriet Borst, Audrey Roth, Art & Terry Thompson, Sam Metsker and Maryellen Robinson. We had rainbow pasta in ricotta with meatballs, home-made wheat bread, green beans with garlic, and Ritz crackers with sliced cheese and walnuts & raisins for lunch.

WELCOME followed by READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel.

PRAYER was lead by Bonnie Reed, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: Two modifications requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN link on www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Sam Metsker introduced himself.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 Warrior Down Training: Kat passed out flyers she has made for the next Recovery Coach training she and Carol Rose will hold which will be at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center in Fairbanks November 22, 23 & 24. She gave a report on the training they just finished August19, 20, 21 which had 12 participants all of whom have committed to being at the next training as well. There were three participants there from Nenana. The larger goal is to get the White Bison trainings here in the Interior. The participants in this training have agreed to form a working coalition towards that goal. This would require getting the village corporations, native corporations, department of corrections, adult probation, juvenile probation, the current treatment providers, ministers and lay people from the faith community, members of the recovery community and people from the general public who are interested in ending the cycle of jail/treatment/the streets/ re-offense/ back to jail that is now in place. The Warrior Down program creates community based recovery support groups so that people exiting an episode of incarceration will be surrounded by people who have been trained how to help them stay in the circle of recovery. The White Bison model speaks of a “healing forest” and how a sick individual cannot be taken away and made better and then returned to the same dynamics that created the original dysfunction. The Seven Trainings are intended to help create that community-based healing forest.  

Envisioning Wellness- Beverly wants to ask Chris Haymond-Rotter from the Fairbanks chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) to be a speaker for EW. She passed out a NAMI newsletter and explained a little bit about their goals. They have family-to-family groups and peer support groups for people who are experiencing a mental health problem. They provide support to people with mental health issues as well as family members of people with mental health issues. Beverly spoke a bit about some of the dynamics of living with someone who has mental illness and why support can be so vital.

Virginia will ask Alex Ketzler if he would be willing speak with us. Mary has asked Jim Sackett from Toghotthele and he is willing to speak to us the end of October.

Dancing in the Streets – Maryellen reports that all arrangements for this event are falling into place. She will be buying some felt to make side signs for the cow in the parade urging everyone to “Moooo-ve Into Recovery.” Leon posted flyers around town. Kat has faxed them to Fairbanks the treatment centers and had them hand-delivered to 12 step meetings.

Project Overhaul: Rebecca reported for Jeannie that Project Overhaul will not be doing a bake sale August 28^th due to Jeannie’s time constraints. She would like to get one more trash pick-ups accomplished this summer. There will be a Freecycle September 10^th, 5:30, at the RV Park if the weather is good, at the tribal hall if the weather is inclement.

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Harriet: Wonders if Sharon Perry who does foot care could come speak to us as this is an especially important issue for people with diabetes and elders.

Virginia: Got 850 peonies planted; son Roland wants to do another two thousand next year. They are working on a front porch for her town house.

Leon: Is thinking of ideas for a flyer.

Bill: September 11 will be the Interior AWANA Ministry meeting all day in Fairbanks. Nenana AWANAS starts September 20^th at the Civic Center and will be every Monday right after school lets out through December 13^th.

Rebecca: Saw one of our old WIN tee-shirts at the statue dedication Sunday and she wants to get one. Maybe we could make some more? Looking forward to their holiday in October. 

Sam: Is interested in rebuilding Tripod Days and River Daze into major regional events. Wants to form a task force towards that goal and is soliciting WIN for volunteers.

Sunday at 7 P.M. at the Hering Auditorium the Shriners are hosting a one-man comedy show. The price will be 25 dollars for adults, children under 12 are free. It is family entertainment. For more information about the performance, go to: http://www.standupcomedian.com/nostalgiashow/  

Terry: The Nenana Community Church Ladies Group is reading a book called Created to Be His Help-meet and invite interested women to join them.

J.R.: Found the Recovery Coach training to be exhausting but he is very glad he attended and is excited about bringing this project forward. “It was an eye-opener,” he said. “I wish they’d come up with this when I first started (trying to sober up).”

 Kat: Passed out info cards for Full Circle Farms. We are signed up to be a delivery site and people should be able to register and order by Wednesday for delivery next week. Anyone interested in this can access the web site at http://www.fullcirclefarm.com/?fbid=symMsAe2R6r or they can call her for more information at 832-1078. 

Beverly: Made a prayer request for Katherine Marks whose brother just passed away. She also asked prayers for Elizabeth “Cookie” Rose, a well-known family systems trainer in the Interior who just passed away, prayers for her family.

Beverly also said that she is committed to bringing the Recovery Coach training into the women at Fairbanks Correctional Center, many of whom are still quite young and could have their entire lives still ahead of them.  She is distressed at how easily people become felons for multiple probation violations. She gave some background form her personal life to explain her interest in this population. “People experiencing addiction need to be treated with respect. We are asking them to step into a whole new experience.” She would like Kat to bring one of the White Bison  DVD’s to show a segment to WIN. 

Maryellen: Wants to know when will we start having WIN meetings back over at NSLC? She is having the back-to-school bar-b-que in Anderson Thursday at 4:30. P.M.

WELLNESS THOUGHT: You can’t kvetch if you don’t vote.. –Katie Baker

ADJOURNMENT: 1:45 P.M.

August 17, 2010

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

We had 10 participants today, including: Bonnie Reed, Mary Alexander, Kat  & Leon McElroy, Beverly Joseph, Junior Benedict, Virginia Young, Rebecca & Bill Troxel and Maryellen Robinson. We had spaghetti with chicken wings, garden salad, curried zucchini, and Ritz crackers with sliced cheese and walnuts & raisins for lunch.

WELCOME followed by READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel.

PRAYER was lead by Beverly Joseph, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: One modification requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN link on www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Project Overhaul: Rebecca reported for Jeannie that Project Overhaul cannot do a car wash to raise funds to complete clean-up haul-out to the landfill this summer at the Court House; they have no outdoor faucet. She is thinking about trying a bake sale August 28.th. She is accepting cash donations.  She would like to get two more trash pick-ups accomplished this summer. There will be a Freecycle September 10^th, 5:30, at the RV Park if the weather is good, at the tribal hall if the weather is inclement. 

Envisioning Wellness- Mary Alexander said she had not been able to contact Kris Capps in Healy yet to find out how to get a presentation about Railbelt Renewable Energy. Mary did ask Jim Sackett from Toghotthele. He is the new CEO for Toghotthele and per his conversation with her he is willing to speak to us about their latest and proposed development projects, any time after AFN, the end of October. Mary will get a confirmed date from him.

 Dancing in the Streets – Maryellen is making progress arranging for floats and participants in the parade for our 7^th annual celebration of National Recovery Month, Dancing in the Streets. So far she has the Alaska Native Veteran’s, the Shriners, the Healy/Nenana Marching Band, Project Overhaul and Akeela House. David Poppe will parade at least one of his cows. She has talked to Rosemary who likes the idea of having a theme of “Moooo-ve Into Recovery.” Kat reports she has completed flyers; Leon volunteered to post them around town. Kat will fax them to Fairbanks entities. Maryellen says she thinks a DJ has been lined up to provide music and entertainment. 

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Bonnie:  There is space for two more people for the Senior’s trip to tour Usibelli mine in Healy; see Vicki at Senior Center to sign up.

Bill: Troxels celebrated their third anniversary of living in Nenana. Don’t forget August 22 will be the dedication of the Alaska Territorial Guard statue at 4:30 P.M., dedication of the tribal hall to Mitch Dementieff at 5: 30 and welcoming pot latch for the Episcopalian Bishop at the tribal hall at 6: oo P.M.

AWANAS starts September 20^th at the Civic Center and will be every Monday right after school lets out through December 13^th.

Maryellen: Is busy working on tobacco policy for Kristi’s restaurant. She will be doing a back-to-school bar-b-que in Anderson on the 26^th at 4:30 P.M. She has been talking to Bob from Full Circle Farms and they are willing to pick up Nenana as a delivery site if we have five families participating. People have the option of getting produce boxes weekly or bi-weekly. Kat will contact Bob to get details.

Beverly: Has been talking to a woman in Fairbanks who is a member of National Association for the Mentally Ill; she is willing to come to Nenana to present to us about NAMI, who they are and what they do.

Virginia: Reminds everyone that we are doing Jam Sessions each Thursday evening at the tribal hall, 7:30-9:30 P.M. This is open to all.

Kat: David Poppe is doing the EMT training for the next two weeks. She and Carol Rose will be doing another Recovery Coach training at the Morris Thompson Center in Fairbanks August 19 & 20^th.

Mary: Says that the jam sessions are really a lot of fun. They are going to have a school board work session Monday; a representative will be there from the Alaska School Board Association from Anchorage.

Rebecca: Was notified that the baby shower for Darcia Grace has been cancelled.

WELLNESS THOUGHT: We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. –Albert Einstein

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.

August 10, 2010

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

We had 12 participants today, including: Bonnie Reed, Gavin Reed and Abraham Reed, Mary Alexander, Kat McElroy, Aurora McElroy-Ruchti, Beverly Joseph, Junior Benedict, Tim Horn, Jeannie Bennet, Harriet Borst, and Maryellen Robinson. We had cream of broccoli with chicken soup, cole slaw, homemade wheat bread & butter, Ritz crackers with sliced cheese and walnuts & raisins for lunch.

WELCOME followed by READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn

PRAYER was lead by Junior Benedict, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: One modification requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN link on www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Bonnie introduced her son Gavin, who grew up in Nenana, and her grandson, Abraham. Kat introduced her grand-daughter Aurora.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 Envisioning Wellness- Mary Alexander said she had read in Kris Capp’s Healy column in the News-miner that they had a presentation about Railbelt Renewable Energy; she is willing to contact Kris to get details to see if we could have a similar presentation here. Mary also suggested we ask Jim Sacket from Togeltthele to speak to us about their latest and proposed development projects, one of which is the Minto Flats view home sites being developed out on the Park’s Highway. Mary will ask him. Dancing in the Streets – Maryellen reports she is making progress arranging for floats and participants in the parade for our 7^th annual celebration of National Recovery Month, Dancing In The Streets. She will follow-up on the leads provided to her by WIN members for float and participant ideas including getting the Mudge family involved to organize the marching band. Kat reports she has about 300 bars of soap made for give-away. Mike will cook the meal; he will utilize the Nenana City Public School kitchen and has volunteers arranged for assistance.  Railbelt is planning to use a DJ again as getting a live band to commit is difficult. Mary suggests if we waited until after moose hunting season (September 20), it would be easier.  Tim suggested that we do PR to the radio stations and newspaper in Fairbanks. Project Overhaul: Jeannie reported that Project Overhaul is broke; she has no more funds for gasoline. She wants to organize the Nenana Youth Group to do a car wash to raise funds to complete clean-up haul-out to the landfill this summer.  

She is considering the A-Frame or the Curt House as possible sites for this fund-raiser as they both have highway access and could facilitate traffic. She is thinking about doing this on Saturday, August 21^st. It was suggested she get radio time on KIAM to advertise. She asks if anyone has shop-vacs, as this added service could generate more funds.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Kat: She and Carol Rose will be doing another Recovery Coach training at the Morris Thompson Center in Fairbanks August 19 & 20^th.

Mary: School board meeting tonight, 6:30, in the Pit.

Beverly: St Mark’s pot latch for the new bishop will be Saturday, August 22, at the tribal hall. Tuesdays at 6:30 P.M., they have prayer circle; anyone is welcome to attend. Bev would like people to know she is doing Reiki at her home.

Gavin: Is happy to be visiting Nenana and seeing positive changes from the grassroots level, people willing to do for themselves instead of waiting for some program. “This is exciting, encouraging.”

Jeannie: Has green beans for sale from the Minnema’s, $2.25 per pound.

Maryellen: Will be doing a back-to-school bar-b-que in Anderson on the 26^th at 3:30 P.M.

Bonnie: Don’t forget, the city is flushing the water pipes tomorrow. DON’T DO LAUNDRY!!!

Tim: Wednesday begins soccer practice, 6-8 P.M.

Joe Verhagen’s Eagle Scout court of honor will be Wednesday, 7 P.M. at the conference center.

Energy Fair at Chena Hot Springs on the 15^th. There will be a pot luck that day after church at Jeannie Bennet’s home.

On the 18^th, at 7:15 P.M., baby shower for Darcia Grace.

August 22 will be the dedication of the Alaska Territorial Guard statue.

WELLNESS THOUGHThttp://www.hazelden.org/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?item=4025

“The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually.”

 Greg Anderson

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.

August 8, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were 7 in attendance today, including: Kat McElroy, Maryellen Robinson, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, David Poppe, Virginia Young and Tim Horn. We had scalloped potatoes with smoked sausage, fresh milk and fresh garden salad for lunch.

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel.

PRAYER: Was lead by Virginia Young, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

We began WIN today with a long informal discussion about the need to have restrooms and other facilities available for public use.

Project Overhaul: It was estimated there were between 15and 20 volunteers for our clean-up efforts on Wednesday, July 28^th, including various visiting church youth groups, the Verhagen’s, William Horn and Leon McElroy. They did a total of six loads in all. Tim reported that everyone enjoyed the sandwiches and fresh milk that Kat provided for lunch for the volunteers. Bill noted that, like the Freecycle which has become an expected part of our community culture, Nenana residents are responding positively to the clean-up efforts, and people have begun pitching in to help out. He cited several specific examples of neighbors coming out to help when clean-up was taking place at various residences, with others assisting to cut down dead trees and load trash onto trailers. He also noted that four adults from the Healy area who had been overseeing one of the youth groups would be willing to participate in future Project Overhaul efforts.

Envisioning Wellness: Tim Horn has still not heard back yet from Mrs. May who is interested in presenting about “green” cleaning.  Discussion ensued regarding potential presenters. Virginia agreed to ask Alex Ketzler if he would be willing to talk to us about community development and some of his “million dollar ideas.” Bill Troxel agreed to ask our magistrate Brian Fisher if he would be willing to present to use on the issue of Title 47, Involuntary Commitment, per our previous WIN discussions regarding possible community responses to protect chronic inebriates. Bill will also ask Brian to make inquiries of our state trooper Malek to ascertain if he would be willing to present on public safety issues. We continue requesting suggestions for future EW presentations.

 Dancing In The Streets: Arrangements are proceeding for what Kat has determined will be our 8^th annual community wellness dinner. She researched the WIN minute archives and 2010 will mark our 7^th annual Dancing in the Streets Recovery Month celebration. Maryellen is working on the parade, which will begin at 4:30 P.M. Tim suggested she contact Candace Mudge to see about getting the marching band involved; they were apparently a big hit at the Healy 4^th of July celebration. It was also suggested that she ask the “two Judy’s, from the Senior Center” who organized the parade here July 4^th. Kat reports that Akeela House will come again from Anchorage; Harold informed Railbelt that they will encourage the Akeela House residents to stay for the dance after they complete their presentation. We do not know if Mike Anderson will be cooking this year; if not, Kat will be begging for volunteers to assist. Dinner is to be served around 5 P.M., with music to begin around 7. Music has not been set. Tim suggested we ask Candace if the Mudge’s would like to play; they did a very good job a couple of years ago.WELLNESS THOUGHT:  Everywhere you go, there you are.  –Anonymous

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Bill: August 15^th, a Sunday, will mark the Troxel’s third anniversary for coming to Nenana and will be celebrated with a bar-b-que at Jeannie Bennett’s house, “one P.M.-ish.”  Aug. 19^th is Bill’s birthday; Aug. 23^rd is Aerin’s 12^th birthday.

Do not forget that August22, 4:30 P.M. will be the dedication of the veteran’s statue at the visitor’s center and that evening will be the welcoming pot luck for the new Episcopalian minister.

David: Has been busy making hay. He had nothing but mechanical problems for several days in that process. He took the starter apart on his tractor to fix the bendix drive. Then he had to weld the Power take-off adapter unit when it twisted apart. The work is harder than he had expected but he has cut about six acres he estimates. The meat chickens are ready to butcher. His dad is celebrating his 90^th birthday this week in Iowa and his mom’s is doing better physically.

Kat: is looking to buy dry fish or fresh salmon to make dry fish. Tim says to ask Patty Mackey.

Virginia: Is having a wonderful summer. Her son has been helping her complete work on her town house. She has been picking berries with her friend Colleen. She took soup from the community safety/village pride dinner over to her neighbors at the Old House and notes there has been major clean-up going on over there. She has an electric kitchen range for sale, only a few years old, $100.00., and six panels of Styrofoam blue-board for 26 dollars a piece.  

Bonnie: The Seniors will tour Usibelli mine in Healy on Thursday, August 19^th. Audrey Roth celebrated her 90^th birthday July 28^th.

Tim: Is glad to report that Todd and Mikail Ronnander are on the road, making their way back to Alaska. Todd has been hired to teach at Healy school. The Ronnader children will be attending school in Nenana.

The jam session this Thursday evening will be at the Episcopalian Parrish hall, 7:30. There will be musical devotions at Bonnie’s the evening of Monday the 9^th; taco feed at 5:30 and devotions at 7. Don’t forget Joe Verhagen’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be August 11, in the evening, at the Nenana Conference Center. Also, soccer practice begins that night, 6-8 P.M. and every Monday thru Friday thereafter.

August 15 there will be an Energy Fair at Chena Hot Springs. August 18 will be a baby shower for Darcia Grace.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT: 1:50 P.M.

July 27, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were 15 in attendance today, including: Alex Ketzler, Mary Alexander, Kat & Leon McElroy, Maryellen Robinson, Art & Terry Thompson, Beverly Joseph, Rebecca Troxel, Jeannie Bennet, JR. Benedict, Miles Martin, Harriet Borst, Tim Horn and Merrily Verhagen. We had cream of broccoli with prawns soup and fresh garden salad for lunch and chocolate mocha cake for dessert.

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel.

PRAYER: Was lead by Jeannie Bennet, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN  e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Alex Ketzler was welcomed.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

Expanding Tourism in Nenana: Kat McElroy provided copies of the letter generated requesting Princess Tours make Nenana a primary stop on the tour bus agenda. The letter was read and tweaked further. Miles Martin provided input from his experiences attending the Highway Neighbors workshops to learn about promoting tourism. He said that representatives from the various bus tour companies presented quite specifically what they look for and desire in any designated stop area. It takes at least 20 minutes to off load and then again to on-load a tour bus. They need restrooms, some attraction or entertainment and a guaranteed schedule. Art said that in their previous discussions about this, the mayor had no objection to exploring making a low-cost lease to Princess if they are interested in utilizing our Salmon Bake building. Discussion ensued regarding the origins of that project and questions were posed regarding the funding restrictions that might apply to future usage. Ultimately, that is unknown to us.

Highlights that Nenana offers, an historic railroad bridge, the Native Cemetery, working fish-wheels when they are in operation, the barge lines, and the Cultural Center, which we all agree is a gem. Alex interjected that it is one of only a very few retail outlets left offering local Alaska-Made art and crafts objects. Kat agreed that people want to connect with the people of Alaska when they visit and are always interested in learning the story of the origins of art/crafts and the artist or craft’s person. He has steadily expanded the number of permanent displays and historical artifacts but is limited due to funding. He explained about insurance costs and how vital this is especially for articles that come in on loan for display, as they are irreplaceable.

The Cultural Center already has bathrooms, including handicap-accessible. Alex said that every year visits from tourists have increased since he began running the Center four or five years ago. “Independent visitors as well as tour bus numbers continue to increase,” he said. Alex mentioned that the front porch and stairs to the Cultural Center need to be replaced. “The big picture vision,” Alex said, “Is to ultimately be able to keep the Center open year ‘round to accommodate winter tourism,” which continues to increase. Japanese visitors especially are interested in seeing displays of the Aurora Borealis.

Alex has other ideas for economic development including bottling for sale water from our local spring up on the hill and mass-production of smoke- tanned moose hides for skin sewing. The cost for smoked moose hides has doubled and doubled again. At 25 hundred dollars per, it would be a lucrative enterprise. Tim suggested that we ask Alex to do an Envisioning Wellness presentation about these various ideas.  

Project Overhaul: Jeannie Bennet estimates she may have upwards of 15 volunteers for Wednesday, July 28^th. The Verhagen’s have volunteered the use of their trailer which will increase the number of loads they can do. Jeannie has an ambitious list generated of places to do pick up from and hopes to make multiple trips morning and afternoon. Kat will make sandwiches and provide milk for lunch for the volunteers. They will start out on the Loop at nine A.M.

Envisioning Wellness: Tim Horn has not heard back yet from Mrs. May who is interested in presenting about “green” cleaning. The ATV meeting went well Thursday but there was no clarity regarding having a youth presentation on ATV Safety. Rebecca and Merrily both said that they know their children would be able to do an ATV Safety presentation for us. We are requesting suggestions for future EW presentations.

WELLNESS THOUGHT:  Happy birthday, Leon!!!!!!!

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Harriet: Has notice there is an obvious improvement in the community because of the clean-up efforts.

Jeannie: Is glad that the census is finished. Is excited by how little garbage there is around town.

Art: City Council meeting is next Thursday.

Maryellen: Is working on the parade for Dancing in the Streets, September 17^th. Is encouraging everyone to do a float. Wants volunteers for a WIN float, Project Overhaul float, a Railbelt float. She brought an advertisement for Full Circle Farms who are accepting applications for their CSA. People interested should go to their web site http://fullcirclefarm.com/?fbid=symMsAe2R6r to find out about this. The FAQ’s link is http://fullcirclefarm.com/questions.html?fbid=symMsAe2R6r which will answer most people’s questions about this service.  Maryellen and Kat are interested. Miles, the Troxels, Beverly and her daughter-in-law Kelly and the Whites are interested. A community needs to have at least ten subscribers. We would need a delivery site.

Kat: Community Pride/Village Safety meeting Thursday evening, 6:30 P.M. at the tribal hall. It is pot luck.

Mary: Have been crazy busy. Is concerned about the article she read in the Newsminer about problems at NSLC. Urges people to go to school board meetings. “We need community involvement.” She mentioned we have no PTA, no active Native Parents group. There are two seats on the school board open.

Merrily: Joe’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be August 11, in the evening, at the Nenana Conference Center. Also, there is a meet and greet scheduled for August 7^th, at Noon, at the coffee hut across the highway from the A-Frame. Come talk with the people running for office.

JR: Good to see so many people involved this year in the clean-up.

Miles: Is interested in an update on the Science Museum project. Reports his garden is doing well. Celeriac (looks like a potato, tastes like celery) and sun root (a bulb, you cook it like a potato, from the Andes) are doing especially well. He has been expanding their garden repertoire.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT: 1:54 P.M.

July 20, 2010

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were 13 in attendance at meeting today, including: Kat  and Leon McElroy, Trent Stephen, Jeannie Bennett, Art & Terry Thompson, Tim Horn, Maryellen Robinson, David Poppe, Audrey Roth, J.R. Benedict, and Merrily Verhagen. We had chicken enchiladas and garden fresh mixed salad for lunch.

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Jeannie Bennet, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was lead by Kat McElroy, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There was one modification.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Trent Stephens was introduced; he is the grandson of Darrell and Deanne Kraus.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

 Project Overhaul: Jeannie Bennet reported that she is planning a work party for sometime next week. Leon & JR volunteered to help. She would like to start as early as 9 A.M. so they can make at least two runs to the landfill. Wednesday the 28^th seems good for this. Tim said she would ask William to help; perhaps we could get the Nenana Youth Group involved; the more the merrier. David suggested running a morning crew and then an afternoon crew to accommodate everyone’s schedules. Kat said she could make sandwiches for the workers.  Jeannie asked David if he could use his little trailer to haul the sofa and other junk that got dumped down by the railroad bridge over to the staging area by the tribal hall. Merrily said she noticed bags of garbage have been dumped alongside the highway. Jeannie said she is working on getting some of the 15 fifty-five gallon barrels to be used as litter cans positioned out there, like at the turn-out by the bridge, and other places about town for public use.  Nenana Youth Group: Kat has had phone and e-mail communication with Brianna, who is trying to organize a youth carnival for mid-August. Kat has suggested to Brianna that she attend WIN meetings to keep us posted on how we can help as well as to brainstorm strategies for making this carnival a big success. Maryellen Robinson and Keri Frazier worked with the Nenana Youth Group at Railbelt and put together goodie bags for Brianna and Josephine to use as incentives and prizes for youth group activity participants; Brianna is looking for other prizes. Jeannie suggested that they generate a begging letter for businesses in Fairbanks as well as Nenana. Kat, Walter Tommy and Beverly Joseph will be doing a Talking Circle Fridays, 6 P.M., at the YERC for youth, suggested ages 12-19. The goal would be eventually to have the youth run the Talking Circle for themselves. 

Envisioning Wellness: We have no EW speaker scheduled for July. Merrily will ask Lisa Kangas of the 4-H ATV Safety Education group when they meet Thursday. Tim is talking to Jennifer May in Fairbanks who is tentatively scheduled to talk late August or early September about “Green” cleaning products. Jeannie suggested asking Penny Forness to talk to us about the foreign exchange student program in Nenana. This would likely be the end of the year or early January as that is when they are soliciting applications for families for the next school year.

WELLNESS THOUGHT:   Nothing to it but to do it. —Eleazar Baker

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Merrily: ATV Safety Club meeting Thursday, July 22, 6:30 P.M., at Kristi’s Cuisine. Pizza will be served. ATV Safety Club camp-out will be the 28^th & 29^th.

Joe will have his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony which will be open to the public, August 11^th, 7 P.M., at the Conference Center next to Kristi’s. Desserts will be served. This is also his birthday.

Maryellen: Has begun to plan for Dancing In The Streets parade; the event will be September 17^th this year. The parade is scheduled to begin at 4:30 P.M.

Tim: Jam session Thursday evening, 7:30 P.M., at the tribal hall. Thursday is also game night at the library, starting at 7:00. Community Safety/Village Pride meeting will be at the tribal hall July 29^th, 6:30. The Sobriety Pot Latch will be Friday, July 30^th; boats will leave from Nenana all thru the morning. August 22, 2 P.M. will be the dedication ceremony for the Veteran’s Memorial statue over by the Visitor’s Center. That evening will be the welcoming community dinner for the new bishop.

J.R.: There are wild strawberries ripe out at the airstrip; he picked and ate a bunch the other evening. He is looking for a ride to Fairbanks to pick up his stuff. He may take custody of his 4 year old niece who was orphaned last month.

Kat:  J.R. has finished the vapor barrier and put plywood walls up in the sober house. People should go check it out. He has put primer on the new walls and is getting ready to paint them.

David: 11 baby chickens got born on the 14^th, right on schedule; all doing well. Meat chickens and the turkeys are growing, egg chickens are laying, and the cow is giving milk. He has been making loose hay out at the air strip.

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.

July 13, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were 13 in attendance today, including: Art & Terry Thompson, Rebecca, Bill, Aerin & Ethan Troxel, Bonnie Reed, Cornelius Benedict Jr., Kat McElroy, Jeannie Bennett, Audrey Roth, Virginia Young and Merrily Verhagen. Because of the drum group, we delayed lunch until after their performance; we then enjoyed baked salmon, boiled rice, mixed greens salad, green beans, red jell-o, corn chips, and coffee cake.

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was lead by Bill Troxel, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: Agenda accepted as presented.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list with no noted corrections or addendums.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: JR was welcomed back.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

Project Overhaul: The Denali Borough has granted us another 20 tons of tipping fees free for fiscal year 2010/2011. Rebecca noted that the ATV Safety Education Club will be having a camp here in Nenana in August. She wonders if we could get the use of some ATV trailers so that the youth might be able to assist in Project Overhaul efforts. Kat and David have a small trailer as does Miles. Perhaps Jack Duyck would allow the use of his. This could be a good community service project for the kids.

WELLNESS THOUGHT:  God is subtle, but not malicious. — Albert Einstein

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Audrey: Has noticed that the town looks better due to everyone’s clean-up efforts. She enjoys seeing that.

Bonnie: Leaves for Wrangell Friday and will be gone for two weeks to visit her son. Carl is back and Tim & William return on Monday.

Jeannie: Just had another census training. This time they learned how to verify vacancies and delete addresses that are no longer viable. They will start tomorrow.

J.R.: Everyone agreed it was nice to see him.

Virginia: Is working with Gabriella Blair, weeding their peonies. Son Roland is encouraging her to put another thousand roots in.

Terry: Nothing much.

Art: Has been working with the mayor, kicking around some ideas for economic development for our area. UAF gave back 2 thousand acres of land on the other side of the Nenana River. This land is within two miles of the end of the road that was put in last year during the test drilling. Mayor Jason is seeking funding to push that road out to the Ag lots and exploring options for a bridge across the Nenana.

Bill: The Continental Singers will perform at the Civic Center Friday night, starting with a taco-themed pot luck at 5 P.M. Then on Saturday, beginning around 5:30 P.M. there will be a Freecycle and BBQ. It will be held in the Troxel’s yard on First Street. July 26^th begins the week for Bible Camp at the Civic Center. July 29^th at the tribal hall will be our quarterly Community Safety/Village Pride meeting. Lastly, August 22 will be the dinner to welcome the new Bishop.

Rebecca: Still has all 20 chickens, all doing well. They should start laying eggs in September.

Kat: Has been asked to have WIN generate and submit a letter to Princess Tours requesting that they stop their busses in our community.  We have a very nice and under-utilized Cultural Center, fish-wheels, an active riverfront dock with two commercial barge services none of which visitors get an opportunity to know about. Discussion ensued. Consensus opinion seems to be that it would be nice if busses could utilize the old salmon bake building which would give them easy access to that end of town. Kat will generate a letter highlighting these points for WIN members to sign and submit. Art thinks we should create a tourism or historical commission, some entity to help push visitor interest in our community as we no longer have a chamber of commerce.

Merrily: ATV Club will begin meeting again, starting next Thursday. They meetings will be at Kristi’s Quisine and pizza will be served for the attendees. The ATV Club camp is scheduled for August 28^th and 29^th.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT: We adjourned at 1 P.M. to the big George Hall to attend the performance of the Silver Cloud Drum Group who are in Alaska for the second time to perform at the Pow Wow held last week-end in Fairbanks. Our tribal chief, Willie Lord had invited them to come to Nenana to play and sing for us. They come from New York and are an Inter-tribal drum group with members representing tribes from various parts of Canada, New England, The South West and as far away as Panama. There were about 50 people; we joined in their dancing and Christina Sunnyboy then lead us in a rendition of a local Athabascan song, An’a Happy Day, to reciprocate.

July 6, 2010

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were six in attendance at meeting today, including: Kat McElroy, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, Bonnie Reed, Jeannie Bennett and Robin Campbell. We had scalloped potatoes with hot links and garden fresh mixed salad, Ritz crackers and sliced cheese and walnuts & raisins for lunch.

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was lead by Kat McElroy, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were no modifications.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: There were no guests today.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

 Project Overhaul: Jeannie Bennet reported that the mayor of Denali Borough has granted them another 20 tons free tipping fees at the borough landfill for fiscal year 2011 which she can begin to use immediately. She reports that Project Overhaul dumped 14.69 tons of rubbish with an estimated value of around thirteen hundred dollars. Way to go, Project Overhaul! People notice that the whole town is looking tidier and it is appreciated. Jeannie had a formal thank you to the borough and mayor David Talerico at the awards ceremony for people to sign. Any person interested in making a personal thank you to them for their generous donation and assistance in our town clean up effort can access the web site at http://www.denaliborough.govoffice.com/  or may e-mail mayor Talerico directly at Dave@denaliborough.com . Awards were presented Saturday. Dave Shaw has donated 15 fifty-five gallon barrels to be used as litter cans. They will be painted and placed about town for public use. The city is supplying plastic liners. Project Overhaul will empty them as needed.  Nenana Youth Group: Kat reported that Maryellen Robinson and Keri Frazier worked with the Nenana Youth Group at Railbelt and put together goodie bags for Brianna and Josephine to use as incentives and prizes for youth group activity participants. 

Envisioning Wellness: We have no EW speaker scheduled for July. Rebecca reports she has yet to hear back from Lisa Kangas of the 4-H ATV Safety Education group despite multiple voicemail messages and emails. We are open for suggestions.

WELLNESS THOUGHT:   “We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.” Charles R. Swindoll

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Bonnie: July 9^th at 2 P.M. will be the dedication of the recycling project at Nenana Native Council. The Senior bus went to town today.

Jeannie: Robin Campbell said that half the old appliances warehoused by the tribal haul have been hauled by the Water shed Council to the staging area over by Crowley’s. The other half will need to be hauled off. Robin clarified they need to get a work crew organized to do this and she would like it accomplished before the dedication of the recycling project.

Robin: Community Safety/Village Pride meeting will be at the tribal hall July 29^th, 6:30.

Bill: Their friend Leonard from Tok has been making friends here in Nenana. They introduced him to the mayor and to Jack Coghill on Saturday.

6 P.M. Friday the singing group The Continental Singers will give a performance at the Civic Center. Marilyn Duggar is spearheading this.

Saturday at 5:30 P.M. will be the next Freecycle, with a bar-b-que, at the Troxel’s.

Rebecca: Called the mayor and asked about getting the intersections around town brushed out. Some of them are so overgrown you cannot see if traffic is coming. Jason told her this task was “on the calendar.” Discussion ensued.

Rebecca also asked if Old Minto will be hosting their annual sobriety pot latch this year. Kat suggested Don Charlie would know.

Lastly Rebecca noted how many seats on the school board and city council are open this election. A hint to those politically motivated.

Kat: Is brushing out the back end of the three lots she bought adjoining their place. She hopes to have it cleared by spring in time to erect a hoop house to begin some experimental agriculture. She is gratified to see others in Nenana interested in food security and nutrition issues.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.

                                                       MINUTES 

June 29, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.There were 20 participants today, including: Karla, Brianna & Derek Jeffers, Beverley Joseph, Geraldine & Josephine Bean, Shauna Mitchel, Bonnie Reed, Kat McElroy, Virginia Young,, Erik Ketzler, Keri Frazier, Jeannie Bennet, Tara, Audrey Roth, Nine Alexander, Katherine Marks, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, and Maryellen Robinson, We had bean and ham soup, mixed greens salad, lemon cupcakes, Ritz crackers & sliced cheese and raisins and mixed nuts for lunch. 

WELCOME by this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was lead by Jeannie Bennet, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were no modifications requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically    

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Nina introduced her friend Katherine Marks.           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

Substance Abuse: Brianna Jeffers gave a good talk using the Power Point presentation she originally launched earlier this month at the Rural Provider’s Conference in Kodiak. She agreed to provide WIN with electronic copy of her Power Point to addendum the minutes; see attached power point document.  She started with some basic information about herself. She indicated that her family has been impacted directly and indirectly by substance abuse. She had slides detailing the physical, mental and emotional affects of alcohol abuse. Other slides explored some of the systemic damage of alcohol abuse on our communities including fetal alcohol affects to the children of mothers who drink during pregnancy. She provided some basic statistics about alcohol abuse in our state. She talked about social and legal issues that emerge due to problematic drinking. Brianna talked about the dynamics that push binge drinking and differentiated between alcohol abuse and addiction. One slide spoke to the signs of someone who has a drinking problem. She then talked about reasons for youth to strive to pursue a clean and sober life style and some of the efforts of her cohort in Nenana towards those goals.

Brianna’s slide show ended with suggestions for ways people can help, a slide with web-based helpful teen resources available and a slide detailing contact information for local and statewide assistance. A lively discussion followed. Bonnie asked Brianna how she had become involved in doing the slideshow. Brianna responded that it was the result of a youth leadership skill-building effort. She described the youth group that Connie Sommer has begun at the Nenana Youth/Education Recreation Center (the YERC). Bill asked if her research has documented any difference for wet/damp/dry villages. Brianna said that dry villages have experienced problems with illegal importation of alcohol but also have experienced a decrease in public intoxication. She believes, “no matter what, it does at least slow it (drinking) down.”

Brianna said that their youth group is trying to organize a carnival for this summer. She obtained a 400 dollar donation from the city to help fund this project. We brain stormed other fund-raising strategies. She said they need at least another 200 dollars. Discussion ensued regarding ways WIN could help support other alternative activities for the youth group. Kat said she would like to help the youth to put together educational activities for the youth to take to the younger students at NCPS. Beverley said that she would be interested in helping do talking circle. She also mentioned Ala-teen and Ala-tot which are programs to help youth deal with parental alcohol abuse.

It was suggested that Brianna and the other members of her teen group attend WIN on a regular basis and that we keep the youth group as a regular issue on our agenda so that we can provide ongoing material, technical and hand’s-on support.  

Project Overhaul: Jeannie said that tomorrow (June 30^th) is the last day she has to use up the remainder of the free tonnage at the Denali Land-fill. She is organizing a work party. She has multiple sites around Nenana where junk and trash has been cached. She wants to be able to get an early start to make multiple trips. Virginia Young has volunteered the use of her truck and they will again utilize the NNC trailer. Nominations were made for prizes which will be awarded July 4^th. Further nominations may be made by telephoning Rebecca Troxel or Jeannie Bennet. Jeannie is already working on arrangements to continue Project Overhaul into the next fiscal year; she intends to continue gathering and disposing of trash as the summer progresses.

WELLNESS THOUGHT:  Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Anonymous

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Jeannie: Had an awesome time at Kokrine Hills Bible Camp and really enjoyed being able to attend Paul Starr’s funeral potlatch.

Bill: St. Mark’s Vacation Bible School Begins July 26. Sunday, August 22, six-ish, will be the welcoming pot latch for the new bishop, Mark L., at the tribal hall.

Bonnie: August 22 is also going to be the day of the dedication of the Veteran’s Memorial statue now located near the old Taku Chief by the Visitor’s Center. July 29 will be the next Community Pride/Village Safety dinner at the tribal hall. Lastly, there will be no meal Monday, July 5^th, at the Senior Center as they will be closed for holiday.

Virginia: Next music get-together will be Thursday, July 1^st, 7:30-9:30, at the tribal hall. This is open to anyone in the community; people are encouraged to bring an instrument and copies of any music they might wish to share/play.

Keri: Thanks to everyone for helping and attending Railbelt Mental Health & Addiction’s 25^th anniversary picnic/bar-b-que/party on Saturday. A good time was had by all.

Katherine: Thanked Brianna for the presentation; told her she had done a good job.

Nina: July 2^nd  at 4 P.M., they will have a dedication ceremony at the YERC; it will be being re-named after her father, Frank Alexander.

Kat: announced for Robin Campbell, the 2010 NNC Spirit Camp will be July 19-22 at Twin Bear camp off Chena Hot Springs Road. Youth under age 12 will need to have a parent or designated responsible adult chaperone. For information, contact Robin at 832-5454 or her cell phone 378-8048.

Beverley: She will be getting a seeing-eye dog. There will be a on-site visit by the people who provide the dogs to ascertain her needs. She is concerned about the number of loose dogs in Nenana as she has heard from the other blind person who uses a seeing-eye dog that it has been a problem for him. She also reminded people that she is a Reiki practitioner. She intends to have a training for people interested in learning beginning Reiki in September. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands.”

Geraldine: Thanked Brianna for the presentation.

Shauna: Informed us that Brianna and Josephine weeded and re-seeded the back play yard at the Head Start. Tuesday, August 24^th, the public health nurse, Felicia, will be at Head Start to provide a children’s health fair.

Brianna: Thanked everyone for coming to her presentation and for the feedback, information and offers of assistance. Her cell phone number is 750-9607 for people who want to help the youth.

Maryellen: Thanked everyone for at their help getting the party organized Saturday,

Rebecca: Stated that their friend from Tok continues to be amazed by the wide variety and frequency of events in our community. She asked Jeannie about the next Free-cycle. It was agreed it would be July 17^th, 5:30 P.M., at the Troxel’s. July 9^th, 2 P.M., there will be a dedication of the recycle center at the tribal hall.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT: 2 P.M.