Friends of Creamer’s Field

Winter 2008 Newsletter

Field Notes
P.O. Box 81065 Fairbanks, AK 99708 907-452-5162 creamers@ptialaska.net www.creamersfield.org

Winter Is Full of Activity at Creamer’s Field

By Melissa Sikes

Inside this issue S now is falling and ac-

Barn & Trail Update ............ 2
Events at Creamer’s............ 3
Membership Form .............. 7
Membership Picnic ............. 4
Nutty Chatter ...................... 5
Preschool Nature Program... 3
Quilt Raffle Winner ............. 3
Recent Events .................... 7
Snow .................................. 4
Thank You .......................... 6
Our Mission
Friends of Creamer’s Field
is a community based, non-
profit organization dedicated
to providing educational,
historical, and interpretive
programs throughout the year
at Creamer’s Field Migratory
Waterfowl Refuge.
cumulating, the leaves
are long gone, and many
animals are in their win-
ter states, be it like the
ground hog hibernating
in the hillside next to the
bunkhouse or like the
fairy shrimp overwinter-
ing as an egg in the bot-
tom of the seasonal pond
waiting for warm weather and water to
wake it up. But human activity doesn’t
slow down much at Creamer’s Field. Be-
sides all the folks skiing in the fields this
time of year, many also enjoy the cold
weather walking the trails.
We are busy getting ready for winter
programs such as Thanksgiving for the
Birds on November 29th where you can
join us to make bird feeders out of recycled
materials. We are also preparing the tree
for the holiday season with bright new
energy efficient lights. Come join us on
December 6th for the second annual Green
Holiday Sale and later in the evening back
at Creamer’s for the lighting of the spruce
tree followed by singing carols and enjoy-
ing hot chocolate and cookies.
Stop in at the Farmhouse Holi-
day Open House on Saturdays during
December to make holiday ornaments out
of natural materials. On December 20th,
we’ll take a walk on the trails to enjoy
winter’s beauty. On January 17th you can
join us and learn how to track animals in
the snow. On February 14th, we’ll clear the
pond for some Valentine Day skating.
We hope you will join us for some of
our exciting winter programs or at least
come for a walk to enjoy the snow.
Winter is a magical and busy time at Creamer’s
Field. Stop by and enjoy the many activities.
Green Holiday Sale
Saturday, December 6th
10:30 am to 5:30 pm at ABO
F riends of Creamer’s Field will team
up with the Alaska Bird Observatory,
Arctic Audubon Society, Northern Alaska
Environmental Center, Wildlife and Wood
and Calypso Farm for the 2nd Annual Green
Holiday Sale! This was a popular event last
year and a great way to do holiday shop-
ping while supporting local environmental
organizations!
The sale will take place at the Alaska Bird
Observatory at 418 Wedgewood Drive on
Saturday, December 6th, 10:30 am–5:30 pm.
Unique nature-themed gifts as well as gift
memberships will be available for purchase,
and you can also find out more about the
participating organizations while you enjoy
hot drinks and snacks. All sales benefit the
participating organizations, and families are
welcome. Members of Friends of Creamer’s
Field receive a discount at the Friends table.
After the Green Holiday Sale ends, go
across the fields or down College Road to the
Creamer’s Field Farmhouse Visitor Center
for caroling and the annual tree lighting.
Page 

Major Milestones at Creamer’s Field for Barns & Trails

By Alexis Runstadler, Development Director

T here is exciting news re-

garding the location of
the new Alaska Department of
with a portion of our ConocoPhillips grant earmarked for
the barns. They will perform a complete code review of the
three barns and the creamery so that we can gain a clearer
Fish and Game (ADFG) storage picture of the status of these buildings that will guide us
facility. As many of you know in our planning and fundraising efforts.
from my previous updates, In the meantime, the Historic Buildings Committee will
the Friends of Creamer’s Field continue to work with ADFG on the storage facility loca-
Historic Buildings Committee tion and construction plans. Once a few more details are
has been working with ADFG ironed out, ADFG will hold a community meeting to discuss
Administration to secure a suitable location for the new the project and hear public comments and concerns. We
state-funded storage facility. The main goal of Friends of will keep you informed as to when this meeting will occur.
Creamer’s Field during meetings with ADFG was to ensure If you would like more information before the community
that the new storage facility was not constructed anywhere meeting or if you would like to become involved in this
on current Refuge field acreage or allowed to remain in exciting project now, call me at 452-5162.
place in and around the historic buildings.
Recently ADFG Commissioner Denby Lloyd gave his
approval for the new storage facility to be constructed
on a piece of unused Refuge land between the west field
and the Fairgrounds. This location was the top choice of
state owned land by the Historic Buildings Committee
because it is not field
Friends of Creamer’s Field acreage and its use for
a storage facility is in
Board Members line with the Refuge
Amal Ajmi Management Plan.
Cyndie Beale, Vice President Construction will
Bob Craig hopefully begin in
Roxie Creamer, President 2009 and once com-
pleted, ADFG will re-
Pat DeRuyter, Secretary
move their equipment
Ray Hadley, Treasurer and storage from the Dale Summerlin, Vice President of ConocoPhillips and
Donna Krier Alexis Runstadler, Development Director of Friends of
barns, creamery, and
Gail Mayo Creamer’s Field cut the ribbon made of natural materials to
yard behind the barns,
officially reopen the Boreal Forest Trail. Photo by Melissa Sikes
Herb Melchior paving the way for
Joy Morrison Friends of Creamer’s
Jon Runstadler Field to open these Boreal Forest Trail Reopening
E. Tom Robinson
Non-Voting Members
areas to the public. In
anticipation, Friends
of Creamer’s Field will
O n the lovely afternoon of Thursday, September 4th,
Friends of Creamer’s Field, the Alaska Department
of Fish and Game, and ConocoPhillips hosted the Boreal
Alexis Runstadler, be starting a capital Forest Trail Grand Reopening and Ice Cream Social at
Development Director campaign in 2009 to Creamer’s Field. Over 230 people attended to celebrate
Melissa Sikes, raise funds for any the completion of the Boreal Forest Trail reconstruction
Program Director repair or reconstruc- and enhancement. Representatives from all three organi-
Cathie Harms (ADFG) tion work needed on zations were on hand to mark their partnership and the
Mark D. Ross (ADFG) the buildings before successful completion of this important community project
the public can access which was made possible by a generous grant from Conoco-
This issue of Field Notes was them safely. Phillips. After the official ribbon cutting ceremony,
produced by Mary Zalar. As a first step, we attendees enjoyed guided trail walks led by Melissa Sikes
Tax ID# 92-0137107 have hired the local and Mark Ross, copies of the new Boreal Forest Trail guide,
firm Design Alaska and Hot Licks ice cream sundaes.

✁
Upcoming Events at
Creamer’s Field
All events are located at Creamer’s Field
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge unless otherwise
noted. Call 452-5162 for more information.
Thanksgiving for the Birds, November 29th, Noon–4:00 pm
Take part in our annual Thanksgiving for the Birds family fun
event! We will make bird feeders out of recycled materials and
learn about winter birds in Fairbanks.
Creamer’s Field Tree Lighting and Caroling
December 6th, 6:00–8:00 pm
Come to the Farmhouse Visitor Center for our annual tree lighting
and caroling followed by hot drinks and cookies. This year, the
white spruce in front of the Farmhouse will be decorated with
new energy saving LED lights.
Holiday Open House at the Farmhouse Visitor Center
December 6th, 13th, and 20th, Noon–4:00 pm
Bring the family to make holiday ornaments and crafts using
natural materials. Browse our great selection of gifts in the
Creamer’s Field Gift Shop.
Winter Solstice Walk, December 20th, 1–3:00 pm   July 14 Flowers in the Garden
Celebrate the joys of winter with a walk on the Refuge trails on
the shortest day of the year.  Join us after the walk for cookies
and hot drinks! Meet at the Farmhouse Visitor Center.
Winter Nature Walk & Track Casting Program
Saturday, January 17th, 1–4:00pm
We’ll be exploring the refuge and learning about animal tracks
and signs and then making plaster casts of animal tracks at the
Farmhouse Visitor Center. Families are welcome. Walk begins
at 1:30 pm.
Annual Winter Field Party, Saturday, February 14th, Noon–4pm
Join us for an afternoon of free winter fun out in the field. Snow-
shoes from Beaver Sports will be on hand for folks to try. The
waterfowl pond closest to the Farmhouse will be cleared off for
an afternoon of skating fun. Bring your skates and skis! Hot
drinks will be available and the Farmhouse Visitor Center will
be open to warm up after skating. Families welcome.
Visitor Center Winter Hours
The Visitor Center and Gift Shop located in the historic
Creamer’s Farmhouse is open on Saturdays from Noon until 4
pm. Come on in after a walk or ski to warm up with a hot drink.
The entryway to the Farmhouse is always open and is one place
to go for information on upcoming programs, trail guides, and
trail condition information. The trails are always open!
If you are interested in volunteering in the Farmhouse Visitor
Center, please call the office at 452-5162. Training sessions will
be offered every month throughout the winter.
Page 
Preschool Nature
Discovery Program
P reschoolers are invited to a nature discovery
program on the second Tuesday of every
month from 1–2:30 pm at the Creamer’s Field
Farmhouse Visitor Center. Each month features
a specific theme with storytime, crafts, and a
brief walk on the Refuge. The cost is $3 per
child, and reservations are required as there is
a maximum of 20 children per class. Please call
452-5162 for reservations. Creamer’s Field intern
Shannon Pearce will be organizing and leading
this program.
Dates & Themes:
December 9 Whose Footprint is That?
January 13 Winter Survival
February 10 Snug in the Snow
March 10 Bunnies
April 7 Seeds & Seedlings
May 12 Ponds
June 9 Summer Solstice
August 11 Life in a Field
Quilt Raffle Winner
T he drawing for this
year’s quilt raffle was
held on Sunday, August 24th
at the end of the Sandhill
Crane Festival. Jane Levay
of Fairbanks won “Pirouette 1,” the beautiful
quilt created and donated by Karin Franzen.
Congratulations Jane and thank you to Karin
and all of the ticket holders. The annual quilt
raffle is one of Friends of Creamer’s Field’s most
successful fundraisers.
Our Craft Bins are Full!
W e no longer need donations of milk jugs,
containers, and paper tubes – our boxes
of craft materials in the basement are overflow-
ing! Thanks again for helping us restock our sup-
plies. If you haven’t yet heard, the Fairbanks
Wal-Mart is accepting paper, plastic pop bottles
and plastic milk jugs, cardboard, and aluminum
cans for recycling. The bins for these items are
just inside the front entrance doors.
Page 
Mark Ross, Educator for the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, congratulates Pat Degen and Betty Carlson
on their volunteer of the year award. Photo by Melissa Sikes
Membership Picnic
T his year’s membership picnic immediately followed
the Boreal Forest Trail Reopening and Ice Cream
Social on September 4th. Members who attended this
annual event enjoyed good food and good company un-
der a tent in the picnic area. After a very short business
meeting in which all of the current Board members
were ratified by a vote of the membership, the 2008
program and Visitor Center volunteers were thanked
by Melissa and Alexis. The evening concluded with the
presentation of this year’s Gail Mayo Volunteer of the
Year Award. Co-winners for 2008 are Betty Carlson and
Pat Degen. Both of these ladies are long-time volun-
teers for Friends of Creamer’s Field programs and in
the Visitor Center. Our deepest thanks and congratula-
tions to both Betty and Pat. The Gail Mayo Volunteer
of the Year Award is presented each year to one or two
volunteers who have made an outstanding contribu-
tion of time and energy to Friends of Creamer’s Field.
The lovely plaque listing the winners hangs in the back
room of the Farmhouse Visitor Center.
Suggestions Please!
F or the last few years, the Annual Membership
Picnic has been held at the end of the summer,
sometime after Crane Festival. Because attendance
the past three years has been very low (about 10%),
the Friends of Creamer’s Field Board of Directors
will be considering a change of date and venue for
this event in an effort to increase attendance. If you
have any suggestions or ideas on this issue, please
contact a Board member or the office at 452-5162.
Snow at Creamer’s Field
by Melissa Sikes
C reamer’s Field received its first dusting of snow on Sep-
tember 28th this year, a bit earlier than average (October
10th), but some welcomed it just the same. Mark Ross got in
his first ski of the season that day. As of October 28th, we have
around 9-10 inches covering the fields, and the skijoring trails
have been groomed. Many folks and dogs have been out enjoy-
ing this white gift. But what do we really know about the snow
that covers Creamer’s for almost half of the year?
Snow does not start out as what we see fall from the sky. It
is in fact precipitation of ice in a flake or cluster form. When
falling from the sky, it is in the form of six-sided ice crystals
formed when water droplets come in contact with tiny ice crys-
tals or dust particles within the atmosphere at temperatures
well below freezing. Water droplets can exist at temperatures
as low as -40° F, but contact with the dust or ice crystals is
what causes flakes to form. The formation of these hexagonal
structures of ice takes place in uniformity. If an excess of
moisture is present in the atmosphere, the crystals change into
snow crystals.
The term snow is often used for both the white materials
falling out of the sky and that on the ground. However these
two forms are completely different. Once the snow hits bare or
snow-covered ground, it cannot keep its crystalline shape and
becomes granular. The warmth and pressure cause the crystals
to change. The crystal changes its shape into more of a rounded
form even if the temperature remains below freezing.
When snow falls on the ground, it tends to have different
temperatures with the snow closer to the ground being warmer
than the snow on the top. Place your hand on the snow, and
your hand will get cold. But, if you dig down into the snow, you
can build a cave that will enable you to stay comfortable for
an extended period. This is because snow is mostly air. (Fresh
powder is 93% air.) Air spaces between the crystals work the
same way as air spaces between fibers of wool or goose down,
preventing air movement and slowing heat loss. Thus, the
lighter and fluffier the snow, the better insulator it will be. Old,
hard snow has less air (60-70%) and feels colder if you build
a burrow in it or even stand on it. This is why our snow is a
great insulator—it tends to be lighter and fluffier due to the
fact that we don’t have melting and thawing creating denser
snow packs. It protects the vegetation and all sorts of animals
from the cold, even in our subarctic temperatures.
Regardless of how snow is formed or what state it is in, many
people and animals appreciate the snow at Creamer’s Field.
Be it for exercise in the winter or survival until temperatures
allow animals to wake up from their winter’s naps, the snow
is a big part of the beauty of our wonderful refuge. Come out
and enjoy the snow at Creamer’s Field.
Information from 1996 Groliers Multimedia Encyclopedia
version 8.01, Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1996
 Page 

Kids Nutty Chatter

Kids
(please
Nutty Chatter add the Bill Berry image of squirrels for this page)

©W.D
. Berr
y
Snowflakes
Snowflakes and snow crystals are made of ice, and pretty much nothing more. A snow crystal, as the
name implies, is a single crystal of ice. A snowflake is a more general term; it can mean an individual
snow crystal, or a few snow crystals stuck together, or large agglomerations of snow crystals that form
"puff-balls" that float down from the clouds.

Collecting Snowflakes
Black construction paper makes a good
collecting surface, since it's easier to see
the crystals against a dark background. Five Little Snowflakes
Collect a few flakes on the paper and then
use a magnifier to look close but you can Five little snowflakes Four little snowflakes
also see a lot with the naked eye. Falling by my door Falling down on me
One blew away One blew away,
And then there were four Then there were three
Snowflake Fun Three little snowflakes Two little snowflakes
Falling down on you Having lots of fun
Cut out the snowflakes and paste on One blew away One blew away,
the rectangles where indicated to make Then there were two Then there was one
finger puppets, adjust for size if
necessary. Use the finger puppets One little snowflake
when reading the poem to the right Sitting in the sun
It melted away

Activity from bry-backmanor.org

Page 

Thank You to Our Volunteers and Supporters

M any thanks to our
hardworking volun-
teers and generous donors
after the unexpected
departure of our sched-
uled hosts.
Special Festival Donors
Thank you to these gener-
ous Crane Festival Donors:
Gail Mayo
Anna Maguire
Bud Marschner
that support the many • Thank you to Mary Za- ABR, Inc. Jamie Marschner
public programs and activi- lar for producing the Alaska Bird Observatory Ginger Meta
ties at Creamer’s Field. Field Notes newsletter Alaska Distributors Co. Carrie Dershin
• A big thank you to Wal- again this year. Alaska Feed Co. Shannon Pearce
Mart for donating $1,000 Arctic Audubon Society Joy Morrison
Sandhill Bun on the Run Patty Peirsol
to Friends of Creamer’s Crane Festival
Field for the purchase of El Dorado Gold Mine & Karin Robinett
Thank you to all Riverboat Discovery E. Tom Robinson
new LED light strands the wonderful
fo r t h e Fa r m h o u s e Karin Franzen Don Ross
volunteers who Gulliver’s Books Anne Ruggles
spruce tree! made this year’s Sandhill Hot Licks Homemade Jon Runstadler
• Thank you to the Lath- Crane Festival an enjoyable Ice Cream Ethan Runstadler
rop High School Class of and successful event. Many North Star Golf Club Vreni Runstadler
1968 for donating $500 hands made this truly a Dr. Phyllis Pendergrast Ken Russell
to Friends of Creamer’s community effort. Curtis Thorgaard Brenda Sadler
Field. Festival Presenters Wedgewood Resort Tami Seekins
• Thank you to Susan John Acorn The 2008 Tanana Valley Susan Sharbaugh
Grace for donating a Jeff Bourque Sandhill Crane Festival Amelia Sikes
book to our library. Sean Bourque was supported in part by Derek Sikes
• Thank you to Alaska Randy Compton a 2008 City of Fairbanks Kaley Sikes
Tent and Tarp for the Sue Guers Hotel-Motel Grant. Nina Sikes
donation of a tent for Mark Ross Ron Teel
Herb Melchior Crane Festival Volunteers Mary Teel
our Boreal Forest Trail Nancy Bayer
Reopening and Member- John Wright Karen Toland
Joyce Bateman Christine Villano
ship Picnic. Festival Photographers Deb Bennett
Bud Marschner Katie Villano
• Thank you to Ann Pel- Tricia Blake Jim Villano
tier and ConocoPhillips Herb Melchior Laurie Boeck
Ron Teel Cara Wardlaw-Bailey
for handling the produc- Susan Campbell Marilyn Whitehead
tion and mailing of the Ken Whitten Betty Carlson
Christy Yuncker Ken Whitten
invitations to the Boreal Jim Chumbley Mary Zalar
Forest Trail Reopening Silent Auction Donors Adia Cotter
and the donation to pur- The following kind in- Roxie Creamer Creepy Critters Volunteers
chase the Hot Licks Ice dividuals donated items Sarah DeGennaro T hank you to Joey
Cream for the event. to the Crane Festival Si- Pat DeRuyter Slowik and Brandi Flesh-
• Thank you to Becky and lent Auction that raised Laurel Devaney man, spider researchers
Dan Mickles for donat- over $500 for Friends of Jim DeWitt at UAF, for sharing their
ing their Fred Meyer Creamer’s Field: Nancy DeWitt knowledge and to these
coupons to purchase Jan Cannon Keith Echelmeyer volunteers:
refreshments and craft Nansi Chandler-Norum Robin Eliot Pat Degen
materials for the Creepy Jeffrey Joe Kylie Eliot Sarah DeGennaro
Critters Program. Ab Kuenzli Susan Grace Quanna Hager
Gail Mayo Ray Hadley Shannon Pearce
• A special thank you to Jon & Alexis Runstadler Don Hampton Mark Ross
Don and Lorena Heck- Jamie Smith Shirley Harris Kaley Sikes
man from Texas who Ron Teel Erica Johnson
extended their stay in Lucy Tyrrell Frank Keim
Fairbanks to work as our Ken Whitten Donna Krier
August Refuge Hosts Carl Wolfe Sherry Lewis
 Page 

Recent Programs at Creamer’s Field

T he 11th annual Tanana
Valley Crane Festival
held August 22nd–24th was
brunch to great food at the Tex-Mex Dinner, and much
more, all who attended found something to do. Thanks to
all the wonderful volunteers whose dedication and energy
a resounding success. Many helped to make this event so successful.
cranes, geese and ducks The Annual Creepy Critters program on October 25th
graced the fields during the provided visitors with a chance to talk to local spider ex-
festival. We even had a finale perts, look at specimens of tarantulas and whip scorpions,
event on Sunday when a and learn more about our eight-legged residents. With dif-
juvenile bald eagle scared up ferent levels of crafts, spider snacks, and lots of information
the crowd of birds feeding about spiders, attendees had a wonderful afternoon dedi-
on the fields. John Acorn, cated to spi-
John Acorn shows a bug in a our very entertaining and der fun. We
net. Photo by Melissa Sikes
personable festival speaker, would like to
dazzled visitors with his knowledge of both the avian and give a special
insect fauna of Creamer’s during his walks and talks. thank you to
We also had great presentations by Herb Melchior on UAF spider-
photography, Mark Ross on drawing cranes, Randy Comp- researchers
ton and Jeff and Sean Bourque on birds of prey, and John Joey Slowik
Wright and Sue Guers on research data from bird studies and Brandi
on the refuge. John Wright also led a wonderful birding Fleshman
hot spots tour on Saturday to look at cranes in other loca- for sharing
tions around Fairbanks. With varied and creative crafts, their knowl-
Sarah Degennaro paints a spider face with
entertaining crane callers, great music and food at the edge. many eyes. Photo by Melissa Sikes

Membership Response Form

Become a member of Friends of Creamer’s Field, make a donation, or renew your membership.
(Please check the renewal date in the corner of your mailing label.)
❒ New Member ❒ Renewal ❒ Donation $______
❒ $15 Students & Seniors ❒ $20 Individual ❒ $40 Family ❒ $75 Supporter
❒ $100 Contributor ❒ $250 Steward ❒ $500 Patron* ❒ $1000 Lifetime*
❒ Patron and Lifetime: please check here if you would like to receive a historic Randall Compton print of Creamer’s
Dairy signed by the Creamer family with your membership (valued at $150).

Payment: ❒ Cash ❒ Check ❒ Credit card Visa or MasterCard (circle one)

Friends of Creamer’s Field
Card Number__________________________________ Expiration Date_______
PO Box 81065
Signature_ ____________________________________ VCode*:_ ____________ Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
*3 digit code on card back
907-452-5162 (office)
Name_ __________________________________________________________
907-459-7309 (Visitor’s Center)
Address_ __________________________________________________________ email: creamers@ptialaska.net
City_ ___________________________ State__________ Zip___________ website: www.creamersfield.org

Phone_ __________________ Email_________________________________

❒ This is a gift membership for the above name from __________________________________
❒ I have a new mailing address, phone, or email.
❒ I would like to receive my newsletter via email.
❒ I would like to volunteer. Please contact me with information about upcoming volunteer orientation sessions.
Friends of Creamer’s Field is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is fully tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
 utdoor Almanac
“I heard a bird sing in the dark of December
A magical thing, and sweet to remember....”
-Oliver Hereford
28 Oct 08: For the past week, a small flock of pine
grosbeaks has visited every morning. The song
alerts me to their presence; a rather soft, melodi-
ous, warbling song. This is a first for the Farm-
house bird feeder. Perhaps the grosbeaks are more
abundant this winter. MDR
Only two birds consistently sing all winter
in Alaska’s interior. We hear the calls of
many: croaking ravens, rattling woodpeckers,
screeching jays along with chickadees, red-
polls and others, but the grosbeak is one that
sings a full melodious song.
About the size of a plump robin, the males
are rosy red. Their black wings have two
white bars. Females are gray with a wash of
mustard on the head and rump. Young males
are gray also but with russet head and rump.
And the other winter singer? I’ll share more in the next installment.
Listening for Winter Song
Pine Grosbeak
(Pinicola enucleator)
A unique trait of the male gros-
beak, which is rarely mentioned in
bird literature, is its tendency to sing
all through winter.
The name grosbeak refers to
the big bill. It’s designed like a
nutcracker for opening seeds.
Sunflower seeds are their pre-
ferred feeder fare. They will visit
a roomy, roofless feeder. Black
sunflower seeds provide the best
nutrition.
irds
s g iv in g for the -B4 p.m.
Than k 29, Noo n
Nov.
Saturday, ake Bird Feeders
M Creamer’s Field Visitor Center
open Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
information: 459-7307 or 452-5162
Visit the farmhouse to view feeding birds;
HEA R them on the indoor sound systems.


your membership?
Is it time to renew

www.creamersfield.org
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
P.O. Box 81065
Friends of Creamer’s Field