July 14, 2011: Natalie Humphrey-Kauffman, 10, introduces Dylan the Eastern screech owl to visitors at the American Bald Eagle Foundation. Humphrey-Kauffman is a graduate of ABEF’s junior bird handler class.

July 16, 1971

Pipeline halt will cut down jobs

Closure of the Army’s Haines-Fairbanks petroleum products pipeline from Haines to Tok will result in about a two-thirds reduction in personnel at the Haines terminal, Col. B. A. Spinks, director of petroleum supply control center, U.S. Army, Alaska, said last night.

The pipeline will be placed in standby status capable of going back into service on about 30-day notice in case of an emergency, Spinks reported. Work will begin Monday to empty the line between Haines and Tok using alcohol, water and finally air.

“We do not anticipate further use of the line except in the case of national emergency,” the petroleum director announced.

Some people presently employed by the pipeline will retire, he said, while others will be offered transfers to Whittier, Anchorage or Fairbanks. The exact time of the reduction in personnel is not certain, Spinks said. However, he pointed out that employees are entitled to 60-day notice, and such notice has not yet been given.

July 18, 1996

Berry crop battered by rough winter

For local strawberry lovers, the summer’s bringing slim pickings.

A lack of insulating snow wiped out farmer Bob Henderson’s entire Anway crop and a decision to switch varieties zeroed out production at Chilkat Valley Farms. The two farms account for nearly all of the valley’s commercial strawberry supply.

In addition, the deep freeze also zapped a handful of plots in private gardens.

“The ground was saturated and then froze. Frost tore the roots right out of the ground,” said Henderson, who lost four 50-foot rows of Anways. The exceptionally large, juicy local berry is named after the Haines horticulturist who made them famous in the Northwest.

July 14, 2011

Wise beyond their years

Youths graduate new bird handler program with knowledge to share

Dylan occasionally overshadows other birds at the American Bald Eagle Foundation, even though the Eastern screech owl stands only six inches tall “if he puts his horns up.”

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Humphrey-Kauffman, 10, and Lydia Haxton, 11, introduced cruise ship guests to Dylan. Humphrey-Kauffman and Haxton both are graduates of an ABEF junior bird handler class, along with Lindsey Jobbins, Shaye Otton and Lyric Wiggins.

“I love Dylan,” Haxton said. “He’s cute, and he now fully trusts me.”

The class met on Saturdays for three months under the direction of Dan Hart and intern Jamie Perry.

The students received their diplomas in June at a graduation ceremony and range in age from 9 to 15, said Cheryl McRoberts, ABEF director of operations.

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