WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
Your local forum for discussion, participation and comment in matters of concern to the community. WACO promotes the social, cultural and economic welfare of the Willow area.
WACO EventsVolunteer
This website is a service for the community of Willow, Alaska. Find WACO meeting minutes and agendas as well as information about committees, the community center and, local groups. Committee and group news or announcements are also posted as received. View the calendar for the schedule of local activities/events.
WACO meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Willow Community Center.
WACO Meetings
WACO Community Meeting
The first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Willow Community Center
Latest News
Linda Oxley's WACO Zoom Meeting
Time: Mar 3, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting
zoom.us/j/93714780928?pwd=YTdzQTAvNFc4WlV2c2lRc05OOEdiZz09
Meeting ID: 937 1478 0928
Passcode: t5YfNT
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 937 1478 0928
Passcode: 496570
Find your local number: zoom.us/u/aeGmxP69Rz
WACO General/Board Meeting Agenda Draft/ZOOM Meeting
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday March 3, 2021 at 7 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Tom Wise
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Wes McClure
1. Review Willow Ice obligations
2. Hockey and more hockey
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, Melissa Himes-McGill
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Scholarship
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. Establish nominating committee for board election
2. Collect community opinion about the proposed changes to transfer site accessibility
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
Time: Mar 3, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting
zoom.us/j/93714780928?pwd=YTdzQTAvNFc4WlV2c2lRc05OOEdiZz09
Meeting ID: 937 1478 0928
Passcode: t5YfNT
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 937 1478 0928
Passcode: 496570
Find your local number: zoom.us/u/aeGmxP69Rz
WACO General/Board Meeting Agenda Draft/ZOOM Meeting
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday March 3, 2021 at 7 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Tom Wise
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Wes McClure
1. Review Willow Ice obligations
2. Hockey and more hockey
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, Melissa Himes-McGill
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Scholarship
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. Establish nominating committee for board election
2. Collect community opinion about the proposed changes to transfer site accessibility
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
**********RECYCLING UPDATE*****************
2ND SATURDAY & LAST FRIDAY 11AM - 130PM
************************************************
2ND SATURDAY & LAST FRIDAY 11AM - 130PM
************************************************
Willow Area Community Organization
P.O. Box 1027 - Willow - 99688
MEETING MINUTES
Date: February 3, 2021
Occasion: General Board Meeting
CALLED TO ORDER: 705PM
QUORUM: 7 BOARD MEMBERS – 8 COMMUNITY MEMBERS – BOARD QUORUM REALIZED.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MEETING MINUTES: 11/4/21 – corrected to 240,000.00 reimbursed to fire department and approved.
12/2/21 minutes approved.
1/6/21 minutes approved.
*Gaming permits and comments by Tam and Linda added to tonights agenda.
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY REPORT – TAM BOEVE
New manager started December and hit the ground running. Huge headstart with borough experience and past residency and already very active. Property assessments are out and there is 1 month to submit objections. Assessments have gone up. School bnd reimbursement discussion regarding possible taxes to raise money. February 16 borough agenda has 5 yr timber harvest at Willow Creek for anyone interested. Got some feedback about property taxes going up.
Thanks to all who participated at the 30 January Willow Winter Games events.
NEW BUSINESS
Barb got a full time box over to the Willow Trading Post for gaming. Will get back to the Pioneer about getting pull tabs back over there.
Al advised the gaming miney market acct. has 5800.00 and Barb moved to spend money for 2 new pull tab boxes which could be about 200.00 per box. Al 2nded the motion and it was approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Linda advised we are looking at adding ice to the insurance and ways to make better use of the ice if insured. She spoke with the Lions Club regarding insurance from someone from the club would have to be there. We have purchased special event insurance in the meantime.
Wes laying out a course on Emswiler for snow machine events at Willow Lake has not been approved.
Updating flyer to note meet at Emswiler Lake Kiosk.
John Butcher ready for the snow races – prizes have been purchased – spoke to Faith and food truck will be there this weekend. BBQ Girls will not be there but King of the Mountain will. Be there.
Liability insurance this year is very labor intensive – changed companies – sent everything in and waiting for approval.
Fireworks – filling in borough permit – getting info from Doyle – included fireworks in list of activities for insurance.
Justin advised regarding parking. Someone will be there to direct people where to unload or go all the way down to park. Poker Run people can park down in the pit also. – one way traffic. Justin will be plowing the parking lots.
Tom and Wes meeting up to get radios and radar from WCC. Still working on kids games.
Right now we are at 13 kids for the hockey game per Wes. Getting jerseys from Play It Again Sports in Anchorage. Wes finding out about sizes this week and fine tuning details and final number of players. Al will pick up hockey jerseys from Play It Again Sports in Anchorage. On 9 February and drop off check for payment.
Agreed to meet 3 March for further details.
Brenda asked for feedback on scholarship. After discussion, decided to go forward with one scholarship and move finalization to next meeting.
Al advised we may want to be careful with money as we will not be bringing in as much as usual without the Iditarod and we still have our monthly bills. Linda advised she is working with the borough to see if they will absorb some of it since we don’t have access to our building.
Barb discussed possibly renaming website to avoid confusion. This is an ongoing discussion and we will work on ways to improve outreach and communication.
Melissa discussed a neighborhood wanted to know if they could get signs funded to watch for children riding bikes. Approached Lions Club but their funds are gone. Tam advised to check with Steve Charles and Willow Trails.
Julie advised the library got its first wall today for the new library.
Dana – Community Enrichment - currently 3 projects – Memorial Day event for veterans; want to represent all branches of the service and put stories together – Dog Park Social with ice cream and training component – family event to decorate family bird houses.
Shout out to the men and women of the Houston, Caswell and Willow firefighters – started Mon. with a vehicle fire; Mon. night a very large fire by the dump and then a residential fire in Houston all night long.
THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS!
COMMUNITY GROUP REPORTS
No other club reports.
Al reminded net proceeds earned in a calendar yet must be used by the end of the following year.
Al also has the permits for the Trading Post but barb advised she has already given them a copy.
ADJOURN 940PM
P.O. Box 1027 - Willow - 99688
MEETING MINUTES
Date: February 3, 2021
Occasion: General Board Meeting
CALLED TO ORDER: 705PM
QUORUM: 7 BOARD MEMBERS – 8 COMMUNITY MEMBERS – BOARD QUORUM REALIZED.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MEETING MINUTES: 11/4/21 – corrected to 240,000.00 reimbursed to fire department and approved.
12/2/21 minutes approved.
1/6/21 minutes approved.
*Gaming permits and comments by Tam and Linda added to tonights agenda.
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY REPORT – TAM BOEVE
New manager started December and hit the ground running. Huge headstart with borough experience and past residency and already very active. Property assessments are out and there is 1 month to submit objections. Assessments have gone up. School bnd reimbursement discussion regarding possible taxes to raise money. February 16 borough agenda has 5 yr timber harvest at Willow Creek for anyone interested. Got some feedback about property taxes going up.
Thanks to all who participated at the 30 January Willow Winter Games events.
NEW BUSINESS
Barb got a full time box over to the Willow Trading Post for gaming. Will get back to the Pioneer about getting pull tabs back over there.
Al advised the gaming miney market acct. has 5800.00 and Barb moved to spend money for 2 new pull tab boxes which could be about 200.00 per box. Al 2nded the motion and it was approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Linda advised we are looking at adding ice to the insurance and ways to make better use of the ice if insured. She spoke with the Lions Club regarding insurance from someone from the club would have to be there. We have purchased special event insurance in the meantime.
Wes laying out a course on Emswiler for snow machine events at Willow Lake has not been approved.
Updating flyer to note meet at Emswiler Lake Kiosk.
John Butcher ready for the snow races – prizes have been purchased – spoke to Faith and food truck will be there this weekend. BBQ Girls will not be there but King of the Mountain will. Be there.
Liability insurance this year is very labor intensive – changed companies – sent everything in and waiting for approval.
Fireworks – filling in borough permit – getting info from Doyle – included fireworks in list of activities for insurance.
Justin advised regarding parking. Someone will be there to direct people where to unload or go all the way down to park. Poker Run people can park down in the pit also. – one way traffic. Justin will be plowing the parking lots.
Tom and Wes meeting up to get radios and radar from WCC. Still working on kids games.
Right now we are at 13 kids for the hockey game per Wes. Getting jerseys from Play It Again Sports in Anchorage. Wes finding out about sizes this week and fine tuning details and final number of players. Al will pick up hockey jerseys from Play It Again Sports in Anchorage. On 9 February and drop off check for payment.
Agreed to meet 3 March for further details.
Brenda asked for feedback on scholarship. After discussion, decided to go forward with one scholarship and move finalization to next meeting.
Al advised we may want to be careful with money as we will not be bringing in as much as usual without the Iditarod and we still have our monthly bills. Linda advised she is working with the borough to see if they will absorb some of it since we don’t have access to our building.
Barb discussed possibly renaming website to avoid confusion. This is an ongoing discussion and we will work on ways to improve outreach and communication.
Melissa discussed a neighborhood wanted to know if they could get signs funded to watch for children riding bikes. Approached Lions Club but their funds are gone. Tam advised to check with Steve Charles and Willow Trails.
Julie advised the library got its first wall today for the new library.
Dana – Community Enrichment - currently 3 projects – Memorial Day event for veterans; want to represent all branches of the service and put stories together – Dog Park Social with ice cream and training component – family event to decorate family bird houses.
Shout out to the men and women of the Houston, Caswell and Willow firefighters – started Mon. with a vehicle fire; Mon. night a very large fire by the dump and then a residential fire in Houston all night long.
THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS!
COMMUNITY GROUP REPORTS
No other club reports.
Al reminded net proceeds earned in a calendar yet must be used by the end of the following year.
Al also has the permits for the Trading Post but barb advised she has already given them a copy.
ADJOURN 940PM
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU ARE IN ORDER WHEN YOU NEXT SEE JULIE MITCHELL.
She has served as Willow Librarian for ten years and is being recognized by the Borough this week for her fine service.
Let's shower her with THANK YOU greetings!!
www.facebook.com/Willow-Public-Library-154729194546255
She has served as Willow Librarian for ten years and is being recognized by the Borough this week for her fine service.
Let's shower her with THANK YOU greetings!!
www.facebook.com/Willow-Public-Library-154729194546255
Congratulations Julie!
Congrats Julie.
We DO appreciate you Julie! Not always said but always felt in our daily Willow life.
We appreciate you, Julie! Willow is a better place with you in it.
Congratulations julie
Congratulations Julie! You are a blessing to our community.
Congratulations and thank you julie 👏👏👏💕
Well done, Julie; thank you for all you do for our community!!❤️
Congratulations Julie you are Awesome
Thank You Julie
Timeline Photos
***Note the drivers meeting only applies to the kids snowcross event. Show up and participate anytime at the other events***
linda oxley is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: linda oxley's Zoom Meeting, WACO
Time: Feb 3, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting
zoom.us/j/94711305054?pwd=TElwUy9iNlJKWFBGNmJuK0lrT1Uzdz09
Meeting ID: 947 1130 5054
Passcode: SDJ66p
OR
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 947 1130 5054
Passcode: 348213
Find your local number: zoom.us/u/adwmp3cObi
Topic: linda oxley's Zoom Meeting, WACO
Time: Feb 3, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting
zoom.us/j/94711305054?pwd=TElwUy9iNlJKWFBGNmJuK0lrT1Uzdz09
Meeting ID: 947 1130 5054
Passcode: SDJ66p
OR
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 947 1130 5054
Passcode: 348213
Find your local number: zoom.us/u/adwmp3cObi
***WACO COMMUNITY ZOOM MEETING***
Topic: linda oxley's Zoom Meeting,
Youth Forum
Time: Feb 4, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 983 8056 8880
Passcode: uSP3FW
OR
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 983 8056 8880
Passcode: 884463
Find your local number: zoom.us/u/avbiULzyV
Topic: linda oxley's Zoom Meeting,
Youth Forum
Time: Feb 4, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting
zoom.us/j/98380568880?pwd=aUp5Nm1hKzErbDF0d1JoRXFhRWYyZz09
Meeting ID: 983 8056 8880
Passcode: uSP3FW
OR
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 983 8056 8880
Passcode: 884463
Find your local number: zoom.us/u/avbiULzyV
WACO General/Board Meeting Consent Agenda - ZOOM Meeting info TBA – check Facebook
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday February 3, 2021 at 7 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Tom Wise
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Wes McClure
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, Melissa Himes-McGill
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Willow Winter Games
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. Scholarships
2. Barb Ensley to speak regarding renaming of WACO Facebook page.
3. Melissa to discuss options for funding of neighborhood signs for kids on bicycles.
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHO, WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
Chair Report:
Looking into the possibility of adding ice rink activities to the annual liability insurance to allow increased event use of the ice rink. Will bring info to the WACO Meeting February 3rd. Otherwise focus on activities for the Willow Winter Games.
Carnival Report:
Thanks to board members and other key Willow leaders for developing a nice selection of outdoor activities to replace this year’s Carnival. Please see flyers, Facebook and the WACO website for info.
Dates: Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 20 and March 12-13. Hope all of you find an activity that speaks to you!
Youth Forum Report:
We are really glad that so many folks have turned to the park for outdoor activities during the WCC renovation and covid restriction recommendations. Here’s what we are working on right now:
Bike Park plan almost fully developed – will be built in Newman Park in the woods behind the open area (someday to be a softball field); next step is to find funding for the summer build. Thanks to Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation (MSTPF) for the funding to build the plan.
Informational kiosks for the Shem Pete trail are being built now by Alaska State Parks, funded by remaining bond monies from 2016 & from MSTPF grant.
A grant possibility to build a community garden/greenhouse is being explored. Stay tuned!!
WILLOW LIBRARY
Library Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Noon – 8:00pm
Wednesday and Friday 10:00am- 6:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 3:30pm
We will be closed Monday 2/15 for President’s Day.
We have bi-weekly STEAM packets available with an Instruction Video produced by the Big Lake Library.
The Library has PFD forms and tax forms are starting to come in.
Willow CERT Consent Agenda WACO February 2021
CERT continues to meet monthly through a conference call with an average of 12-15 attending.
Pandemic Response
In January 2019, the MSB Emergency Operations Ctr presented the full day CDC “Point of “Dispensing (POD)Essentials class for Willow CERT volunteers. The class prepares volunteers to work at a POD site during a public health emergency such as a pandemic or a biohazard event. 3 months later, at the Alaska Shield 2019 exercise, Willow CERT volunteers practiced the skills from the class and assisted MSB, Public Health and Red Cross in establishing a POD in a simulated event.
We never expected that less than 2 years later, we would be putting those skills to use locally during a worldwide pandemic!
Willow CERT Volunteers worked cooperatively with the CERTs from Talkeetna, Palmer-Wasilla, Butte, and Glacier View at the four State of Alaska Public Health Covid-19 mass vaccination clinics at the Fairgrounds in Palmer. Our teams worked under the direction of the Mat Su Borough Dept. of Emergency Services to help execute this important event.
CERT volunteers from all teams helped inside and outside Raven Hall in various roles. Outside we effectively managed the parking lot under challenging conditions of cold temperatures, wind, icy terrain, snow and high volume of traffic. Most of the 2500 appointments were for people over the age of 65, many requiring assistance in the parking lot. It was challenging, but a great opportunity to network with other teams and a very satisfying experience. The appreciation expressed by people leaving after being vaccinated made it all worthwhile!
Not all of our volunteers are able to support this effort and our team respects that. The safety of our team members comes first. The 7 volunteers from Willow CERT that were able to help donated 103 hours of their time during the four days of clinics.
Willow CERT worked with the Borough in supporting the Covid testing sites last summer and hopes to continue to support the pandemic response with the vaccination clinics as needed.
Brenda McCain
Willow Trail Committee Report
The winter has been good for our trails with consistently moderate temperatures and snowfall. Despite the cancelation of the Willow Winter Carnival, a variety of trail events are still happening through the Willow Winter Games including kids sled dog races, snowmacnine events, the Willow 300 Sled Dog Race and the Sven Eriksson 25K Tour. All events will be at Newman Park. Check the published schedule of the Willow Winter Games for details.
There are more trails to explore east of the Parks Highway. The Tuxedo Trailhead on Tuxedo Dr. towards Stevens Lake offers access to the Haessler/Norris Trail System. Also, the Willow Kash Trailhead at the junction of Kenny Blvd and Willer Kash can put you on the Emil Stancec trails. Both these systems are multi-use trails but managed for dog teams by dog mushers. When using these trails, be on the watch for teams and take good care of the trails. The rhythm of the dogs feet and their light panting as they go by is a treat to hear.
Another excellent month for donations. Thank you Randy Bedard, Elizabeth & Scott Stuart, Jim & Cindy Klauder, Daryl Royce & Kelly Fehrman, Crystal Byers, Charles Michael, Snowhook Adventure Guides and John Sharrock for your generous contributions.
To get good information on Willow’s winter and/or summer trails, , visit:
www.waco-ak.org/committees/trails/
The Willow Trail Committee meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7pm via Zoom.
All are welcome. Ask to join us at [email protected]
Join us on Facebook: Willow Trail Committee
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday February 3, 2021 at 7 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Tom Wise
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Wes McClure
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, Melissa Himes-McGill
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Willow Winter Games
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. Scholarships
2. Barb Ensley to speak regarding renaming of WACO Facebook page.
3. Melissa to discuss options for funding of neighborhood signs for kids on bicycles.
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHO, WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
Chair Report:
Looking into the possibility of adding ice rink activities to the annual liability insurance to allow increased event use of the ice rink. Will bring info to the WACO Meeting February 3rd. Otherwise focus on activities for the Willow Winter Games.
Carnival Report:
Thanks to board members and other key Willow leaders for developing a nice selection of outdoor activities to replace this year’s Carnival. Please see flyers, Facebook and the WACO website for info.
Dates: Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 20 and March 12-13. Hope all of you find an activity that speaks to you!
Youth Forum Report:
We are really glad that so many folks have turned to the park for outdoor activities during the WCC renovation and covid restriction recommendations. Here’s what we are working on right now:
Bike Park plan almost fully developed – will be built in Newman Park in the woods behind the open area (someday to be a softball field); next step is to find funding for the summer build. Thanks to Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation (MSTPF) for the funding to build the plan.
Informational kiosks for the Shem Pete trail are being built now by Alaska State Parks, funded by remaining bond monies from 2016 & from MSTPF grant.
A grant possibility to build a community garden/greenhouse is being explored. Stay tuned!!
WILLOW LIBRARY
Library Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Noon – 8:00pm
Wednesday and Friday 10:00am- 6:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 3:30pm
We will be closed Monday 2/15 for President’s Day.
We have bi-weekly STEAM packets available with an Instruction Video produced by the Big Lake Library.
The Library has PFD forms and tax forms are starting to come in.
Willow CERT Consent Agenda WACO February 2021
CERT continues to meet monthly through a conference call with an average of 12-15 attending.
Pandemic Response
In January 2019, the MSB Emergency Operations Ctr presented the full day CDC “Point of “Dispensing (POD)Essentials class for Willow CERT volunteers. The class prepares volunteers to work at a POD site during a public health emergency such as a pandemic or a biohazard event. 3 months later, at the Alaska Shield 2019 exercise, Willow CERT volunteers practiced the skills from the class and assisted MSB, Public Health and Red Cross in establishing a POD in a simulated event.
We never expected that less than 2 years later, we would be putting those skills to use locally during a worldwide pandemic!
Willow CERT Volunteers worked cooperatively with the CERTs from Talkeetna, Palmer-Wasilla, Butte, and Glacier View at the four State of Alaska Public Health Covid-19 mass vaccination clinics at the Fairgrounds in Palmer. Our teams worked under the direction of the Mat Su Borough Dept. of Emergency Services to help execute this important event.
CERT volunteers from all teams helped inside and outside Raven Hall in various roles. Outside we effectively managed the parking lot under challenging conditions of cold temperatures, wind, icy terrain, snow and high volume of traffic. Most of the 2500 appointments were for people over the age of 65, many requiring assistance in the parking lot. It was challenging, but a great opportunity to network with other teams and a very satisfying experience. The appreciation expressed by people leaving after being vaccinated made it all worthwhile!
Not all of our volunteers are able to support this effort and our team respects that. The safety of our team members comes first. The 7 volunteers from Willow CERT that were able to help donated 103 hours of their time during the four days of clinics.
Willow CERT worked with the Borough in supporting the Covid testing sites last summer and hopes to continue to support the pandemic response with the vaccination clinics as needed.
Brenda McCain
Willow Trail Committee Report
The winter has been good for our trails with consistently moderate temperatures and snowfall. Despite the cancelation of the Willow Winter Carnival, a variety of trail events are still happening through the Willow Winter Games including kids sled dog races, snowmacnine events, the Willow 300 Sled Dog Race and the Sven Eriksson 25K Tour. All events will be at Newman Park. Check the published schedule of the Willow Winter Games for details.
There are more trails to explore east of the Parks Highway. The Tuxedo Trailhead on Tuxedo Dr. towards Stevens Lake offers access to the Haessler/Norris Trail System. Also, the Willow Kash Trailhead at the junction of Kenny Blvd and Willer Kash can put you on the Emil Stancec trails. Both these systems are multi-use trails but managed for dog teams by dog mushers. When using these trails, be on the watch for teams and take good care of the trails. The rhythm of the dogs feet and their light panting as they go by is a treat to hear.
Another excellent month for donations. Thank you Randy Bedard, Elizabeth & Scott Stuart, Jim & Cindy Klauder, Daryl Royce & Kelly Fehrman, Crystal Byers, Charles Michael, Snowhook Adventure Guides and John Sharrock for your generous contributions.
To get good information on Willow’s winter and/or summer trails, , visit:
www.waco-ak.org/committees/trails/
The Willow Trail Committee meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7pm via Zoom.
All are welcome. Ask to join us at [email protected]
Join us on Facebook: Willow Trail Committee
www.waco-ak.org
Maps, descriptions and planning for winter and summer trails in the Willow, Alaska area.