The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1962-01-12
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To the Editor:

turing the last ten Gays we nave
been searching the dark skies here
abouts- dark from our short north
ern nights--for some sign Of clouds
or possible wind-producing physical
agent. None is in sight. Clouds
would serve as a warm blanket for
the sea and winds would return d
warmer and more hospitable tenn
perature to the broad central re-
gions Of Alaska. During September
and Octobet-even much of No
vember-wind was quite prevalent
reminding me very much of win
dy Nome or Hatteras Island at her
windiest.
The first two weeks of December
were warm, mild and delightful.
For ten or twelve days the coolest
weather was in proximity of SO de-
grees fahrenheit above zero. This
was too "Utopianistic" a course for
nature to follow for long. Now, for
the last twelve days our tempera-
ture here has varied between thirty
six and fifty five below zero. Other
parts of the vast interior-such as
Fairbanks-are having tempera-
lures more than sixty-five below
2ero-ice, fog, and clear skies hover
about us. Well, it is a record break
ing experience for this area. We
still hope for the winds and warmer
weather.
incidentally, / have met two cou-
pies and their families here within
the last year who have lived for
years on Hatteras Island. Both fam
lilies are connected with United
States Government services-one
with the Forestry Department
National Parks-and the other is
connected with the F. A. A. These
people are the Crafts Of Nome
formerly of Buxton, and the w.
Verde Watsons who lived in the
old Coast Guard Station at Rodan-
the (Chicamacomico) for five years
The latter / haven't really rnet-but
we have only ten miles separating
|us-but these are almost insuper-
able miles at this time of the year
/ could make the trip via the Alas
ka Railroad-but schedules won't
permit. They are in the us. Park
Service at Mt. Mckinley National
Park. Mr.. Craft is Chairman OF
Monies School Board. AS a matter
of fact, I know of the Watsons
through our travelling preacher
who serves both communicable
II did get christmas card from
them. They assure me that they toe
know many of the lHatteras Island
ers that know and that they are
readers of the Coastland Times.
Well, now we are beginning to
gain minute a day on the length
of our days-and winter will with.
lin three months begin to wage 3
losing battle to spring. Yet, it is
different to image how in our three
lor four comparatively warm months
the tremendous accumulations OF
snow, ice and frozen earth and
trees, rivers etc. can be forced into
oblivion-though they aren't really
forgotten-they are looked forward
too as ominous spectres of a long
winter.
Alaskans don't spend much time
though just watching this weather
battle-for they have to work out In
it. They have to keep as many OF
their normal pursuits of life as pos
sible still intact. This being a rail
road community, everyone is con-
nected with the railroad, or is af-
Ifected by it. They are federal en-
ployees, as this is a government
railroad. Yes, there is another gov
eminent agency here. The Alaska
Communication System is our tele-
phone and news gathering medium
It is a branch of the u. S. Army
/ am the only state employee here
at present. During summer months
there are employees Of the Alaska
Bureau of Public Works here, build,
| ing or mapping out a Fairbanks
Anchorage highway, parallel to the
Alaska Railroad.
Send US some of your warm and
gentle breeze and some unfrozer
! Winds.
Sincerely yours,
ALSA F. GAVIN