From UAS Alumni E-Newsletter, Winter 2008:

Alumni Events Recap

    UAS Alumni & Friends has been keeping busy with events across the state.  In JUNEAU, on Saturday, November 22, 2008, two cooking classes accomodating 15 participants each were held at Chez Alaska for the event "Holiday Entertaining 101."  This was the second annual event of its kind held for the alumni association at Chez Alaska Cooking School, which is owned and operated by UAS alum Laraine Derr.  Derr and chef Sharon Barton served as instructors as attendees learned about cooking a Juniper-brined Crown Roast of Pork and accompaniments in the morning, and a Panoply of Fowl with Turkey, Goose and Cornish Game Hens and sides in the afternoon. For a photo slideshow of this and other events please see our new photo gallery. 

    Meanwhile in KETCHIKAN, the Ketchikan chapter of UAS Alumni & Friends hosted their first "101 event" titled "Yule Fuel: Elegant and Easy Holiday Treats," also on Saturday, November 22.  Alumni & Friends joined Chef Tim to learn to make delectable dishes in Yule Fuel101: Elegant and Easy Holiday Treats.  We would like to thank Chef Tim Frank, Cape Fox Lodge and Schoenbar Middle School for the use of their kitchen.

In this photo:  Cape Fox Lodge's Head Chef Tim Frank demonstrates how to make caramel apple tarts on November 22 in the Schoenbar Commons in Ketchikan.  From left to right: Denise Chapin, Chef Tim, Debbie Berto (sitting), Janey Halloran, Jerilyn Lester & Sue Bethel.  

    The next week, on November 29, in ANCHORAGE, UAS Alumni & Friends from Juneau, the Anchorage area, and other locales attended the Shootout. The Great Alaska Shootout, now a 31-year tradition at UAA, is fast becoming a tradition at UAS as well.  Forty UAS Alumni & Friends converged on the Sullivan Arena to watch the final two games of the tournament for the second year in a row.  They cheered on as Portland State defeated Seattle University 81 to 67 to take third place in the eight-team tournament.  Later they watched as San Diego State took the tournament championship by overpowering Hampton University 76 to 47.

      Finally, this past week on December 6, 2008 in JUNEAU, over 100 UASAA members, friends and children joined us at the Mourant Cafe for the 4th Annual Gingerbread Magic event.  UASAA provided gingerbread house kits, additional frosting and extra special candies to make their decorated, delectable dream houses.  This popular event is traditionally held the first week of December and sells out quickly.  There is usually a waiting list for this event, and this year was no exception. 

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Full Article from UAS Alumni E-Newsletter, Fall 2008:

Buildin' Bridges and Breakin' Trail 

s of six-inch crushed rock.  Four hundred cubic yards of D-1 gravel.  Seven wooden footbridges.  Four hundred feet of floating boardwalk.  How's this for a shopping list?  To this add 13,500 hours of labor from Trail Mix and numerous volunteers and $1.3 million in fund-raising.  Mix this together, add a dash of vision and an ample sprinkling of determination and what do you get?  You get the largest trail project in Juneau history, connecting the UAS campus with the existing trailhead near the boat ramp and rebuilding the remains of an existing trail along Peterson Hill.  You also get an attractive destination that provides educational and recreational opportunities for UAS students and helps to build a bridge with the Juneau community.
 
Chancellor Pugh first conceived building the Auke Lake Trail in 2001 during master planning for the campus.  Before beginning construction, UAS sought and received regulatory approval from over a dozen federal, state and local agencies and sought feedback from local residents.  The City and Borough of Juneau played an instrumental role, agreeing to provide $200,000 in development of the park located at the existing boat ramp.
 
A fund-raising campaign for the $1.3 million project commenced in July 2005 and was successfully completed ahead of schedule in January 2008.  Notable donations included: former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield, the Rasmuson Foundation and the UAS Alumni & Friends Association ($25,000 over 2 years).
 
Prior to the development of the trail, UAS anthropology students under the direction of anthropology professor Daniel Monteith conducted a cultural and resource management inventory.  Beginning in the Spring of 2006 and continuing through the Spring of 2007,  the work included conducting an archeological survey of the path of the trail, as well as oral history and enthnohistorical research.  The survey revealed a number of items, including the remnants of a fox farm that formerly stood near the lake.  Geology professor Cathy Connor oversaw a geo-archeological study of the area.
 
The construction work is being coordinated by Trail Mix.  Work commenced in April as Trail Mix employees and local volunteers began clearing a portion of brush, small trees and lumber from the existing trail.