Pat-O-Blog

Mexico 2009

2009-01-31T18:51:00.000-09:00

2008-09-15T21:27:00.001-08:00

Zaylan on the deck; never tired of flossing

2008-08-07T20:35:00.001-08:00

Anthony; usually ready to eat.

Zaylan with Dave Behr's Canoes

2008-07-26T12:24:00.001-08:00

A summer day in Fairbanks, AK; box of juice in hand

Zaylan at Dave Behrs City Home

2008-07-26T12:18:00.000-08:00

2008-06-25T22:39:00.005-08:00

On Phinney Road, Cape Cod 2008

2008-06-25T22:37:00.001-08:00

Mid day bike ride to Craigville Beach

2008-06-25T22:34:00.001-08:00

Paul Phinney, born in 1764, buried in a cemetery on a road that bears his family name.

2008-06-25T22:29:00.003-08:00

Long Lake, scene of the 2008 Cole family reunion, where two of us flipped the sailboat, leading to a long paddle home pushing an inverted sail.

Me & AC, June 2008

2008-06-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

Me, AC, & Judy: June 2008

2008-06-24T19:06:00.001-08:00

Picnic on the lawn with Anthony and milk bottle.

Zaylan Patrick Cole, Thanksgiving 2007

2007-12-06T20:44:00.002-09:00

First grandchild Zaylan was born in Juneau in the Fall of 2006. Generally has a sweet disposition with lots of energy.

Kennicott Mine from above

2007-12-05T21:17:00.001-09:00

Climbed up aove the long-abandoned mine for a look "down" at the ruins of the mine buildings and the glacier moraine beyond. Labor Day Weekend , 2007.

2007-12-05T21:15:00.002-09:00

Kennicott Mine from above -- not a very long hike

2007-12-05T21:13:00.001-09:00

2007-12-05T20:57:00.001-09:00

Mama Said

2007-09-08T21:54:00.002-08:00

Pat at Cleary Cabin 2007

2007-09-03T21:19:00.001-08:00

Swapped a cabin at Findlay Forest that I built in 1974 for this cabin at Cleary in 1978 with Robert Ford. Serious lack of maintenance and care over the years since then, but many retirement plans to fix long term problems. Thanks to April, David & Mei Behr for all their work so far!

2006-08-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

August, 2006. Lying on a bench at the tail of a KC 135 watching the refueling of one of the Navy Blue Angels; near Edmonton, Alberta. It looks like I'm leaning out of the plane, but it's actually a glass bubble. Got the chance to ride along with the Alaska Air National Guard. Flew from Fairbanks to Edmonton and back -- without landing.

2006-08-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Blue Angels behind Alaska Air National Guard, flying Over Alaska

2006-08-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

Close up of refueling near Edmonton, Alberta

2006-03-15T12:19:00.000-09:00

Erica Johnson, around 1983, at Martha Kowalski's house. Whose birthday?

September, 2004

2006-03-15T12:17:00.001-09:00

PC and Erica, at Uncle's house in Fairbanks.

Farmall Cub, at the ancestral Quakertown, PA farm

2006-03-15T12:15:00.000-09:00

Still running in 2003, but soon to be sold after nearly 50 years of service, just before the estate sale of the farm our parents bought around 1946.

2006-03-15T12:13:00.000-09:00

On the Farmall Cub in the mid-1980's back on the Quakertown farm near Steinsburg, PA

Fairbanks 1st Tired Iron Snowmachine "race"

2006-03-14T21:05:00.000-09:00

Moose outside Terrence's house

2006-03-13T16:11:00.000-09:00

Farm House in 2003

2006-03-12T17:22:00.000-09:00

1950's at the Farm with Grandfather Owen Costello

2006-03-12T17:18:00.000-09:00

2005-12-30T17:15:00.001-09:00

A Maxfield Parrish Christmas

2005-12-30T17:15:00.000-09:00

From the Fairbanks, Alaska Phone Book in 1959 -- who you gonna call?

2005-11-22T14:49:00.000-09:00

Looking south out of my City Hall office window; 11:00 am, November 22, at the back of the new Police Station. That bright spot over the appartment building is not the sun; its glare. Taken with a new AudioVox Pocket PC: cell phone, PDA, and more!

2005-11-13T18:04:00.000-09:00

Toyota and family; about 1987?

2005-11-13T18:03:00.000-09:00

Our Toyota never got to this condition

2005-11-01T11:59:00.000-09:00

2005-11-01T11:13:00.000-09:00

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Man bites dog, gets 60 days

Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - Staff Report

The state court system has bitten back in the case of the man accused of biting his dog.

A District Court judge sentenced John Ray Martin, 39, of Fairbanks to 60 days in jail after he pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals last week as attorneys prepared for a trial. He was also fined $250 by Judge Jane Kauvar.

The dog, a boxer mix, had been a ward of the state until Monday. Martin, who was scheduled for release Monday after having been in jail since his Sept. 9 arrest, could have gotten the dog back.

But when he didn't pick it up, it was put up for adoption. Animal control manager Matt Ruger said the rescue organization Homeward Bound will adopt the dog.

Martin was arrested after witnesses called police to Golden Heart Plaza following what they called an attack on the dog. A witness told police Martin put the dog in a headlock and bit part of its ear off after the dog's previous owner asked for the animal back because Martin wasn't taking good care of it.

The dog yowled in pain and began bleeding freely. Police witnessed blood on the dog and Martin's face. They found the tip of the dog's ear, which measured about half a square inch, according to court records, on the ground.

Cruelty to animals is a Class A misdemeanor in Alaska. Martin could have received up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Contact the News-Miner at 459-7575 or newsroom@newsminer.com .

2005-10-29T15:47:00.000-08:00

Erica and Madeline, 1984 or 85 -- notice the little spruce tree, Datsun B-210 and the old house color.

2005-10-29T15:45:00.000-08:00

same view, 2005

2005-10-25T18:48:00.000-08:00

Liam at work

2005-10-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

Dining Room Days

Rudy Voigt in his '60's

2005-10-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

In 1975, Rudy ran for one of 11 seats on the Fairbanks Borough Assembly. He came in second with 1667 votes. Karen Parr was the winner, with 1894. Gina Herron, an unfamiliar name, was third with 1080.

Rudy Bowling at 91

2005-10-20T18:19:00.000-08:00

A year-long survey by ABC indicated there are active league bowlers age 90 and older in at least 35 states, Puerto Rico and Ontario, Canada. The oldest bowlers heading into the 2002-03 season were:Alaska - Rudy Voigt, Fairbanks 91

http://www.bowlingfans.com/extras/extras09202002.shtml

Rudy on Wolf Control

2005-10-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

Do you wolf lovers realize you are unfair to the moose lovers? Remember the wolf usually has five or more young, but the moose has one and, once in a while, twins. How long would it take for the moose to be completely wiped out if we did not control their numbers? I love the wolf, too, but I also feel for the moose. When did you have your last wolf meal? Don't forget, many people are alive today because they were able to get a moose to eat when there was nothing else.Rudy Voigt / Fairbanks
2003

http://www.shewolfworks.com/wolfsong/news/Alaska_current_events_270.htm

Rudy

2005-10-20T18:01:00.000-08:00

From 2005 Fairbanks Daily News Miner. Rudy has been a figure of note in Fairbanks for years, once a figurehead in anti-guvment antics. Only a year or two ago, he tore down the house he lived in for decades and sold the lot for a new bank.

Support KUAC-FM

2005-10-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

KUAC-FM offers listeners continuing education every day
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - PUBLIC SERVICE: KUAC-FM offers the finest news and public affairs programming available on the radio in Fairbanks.
That's one reason why I'm glad to support our public radio station, which is holding its annual pledge drive through Sunday.
My favorite shows are "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," morning and afternoon offerings on which issues of public policy and culture are explored in depth for four hours a day.
They are daily newsmagazines, covering everything from politics to movies and sports. As a source of continuing education, I find them invaluable.
The shows are informative and entertaining and if you haven't done so already, I encourage you to tune to 89.9FM to hear what I mean.
For me, these thought-provoking programs alone are enough to justify supporting KUAC. But listener contributions are a key to keeping them on the air, along with "Talk of the Nation," "Fresh Air," "Marketplace," "Performance Today" and others.
Contributions can be made by calling 474-5822 or going on the Web at www.kuac.org.
KUAC has been a vital part of Fairbanks since it began sending out a signal on Oct. 1, 1962, with opening remarks by University of Alaska President William R. Wood and announcements by fledgling broadcaster Larry Holmstrom, who introduced Beethoven's "Emperor Concerto."
Fairbanksans were advised back then that "special radios are needed to receive the broadcasting" because "normal radios owned by most people will not receive FM broadcasting."
Normal radios have long since added the FM band and KUAC, the first local FM station, is recognized as providing a public service to Alaskans in our part of the state, as well as to those who listen on translators in Nome, Tok, Eagle, Healy, Nenana, Delta, Central, Circle Hot Springs and Bettles.
There are other stations from Haines to McGrath and Valdez that pick up programs regularly from KUAC.
Fairbanks is a better place because of KUAC and while I don't listen to every program, I do listen every day and I always hear something that enriches my life.
For instance, while driving to the airport Sunday afternoon, I heard the bittersweet tale on "This American Life" of the two comics who had their big break on the Ed Sullivan Show. Unfortunately they were booked on the night the Beatles debuted.
On Tuesday, while driving to work I heard a law professor talk about the trial of Saddam Hussein and the legal maneuvering that is likely to take place.
KUAC is on the air 168 hours a week and the mix of programming is more varied than that of any other station in Fairbanks, with shows devoted to many musical tastes.
On evenings and weekends the station is staffed mainly by volunteers, many of whom bring their own CDs and albums to share with the audience.
The station could not continue to provide so much local content without the steady commitment of its volunteers.
I was asked recently by KUAC volunteer Murray Richmond, the former pastor of the University Community Presbyterian Church, to serve on a community task force to help the station develop better communication and build partnerships for the future.
As I said, I believe in KUAC and I agreed to be part of that effort.
The group will investigate opportunities to set up a "community input committee," mobilize volunteers and identify important local issues. These are all worthy goals.
Another good idea is that the station is going to start a weekly public commentary section, sort of a "letters to the editor" on the air. Guidelines for submission are posted at www.kuac.org.
* * *
HELPING OUT: One of the longtime volunteers at the station is my brother Pat, who has hosted various programs for many years.
For several years during the KUAC pledge drive, my twin brother and I have joined him on "Any Old Time," making a pitch for contributions from listeners.
We plan to do that again Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. "Any Old Time" is the longest-running program produced by volunteers, devoted to folk, country and bluegrass music.
Each year we've had a loose theme of some kind. Last year we argued about whether Bob Dylan is the most overrated man of the 20th century, which is what my brother Terrence believes, although he is mistaken. We've also delved into truck driving songs, Texas tunes and the work of John Prine.
This year we've had a lot of familial debate about the theme of the show. At first it was to be "novelty songs." The ideas that popped into my mind were Lorne Greene doing "As Time Goes By" and William Shatner's take on "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," which some say may be the worst song in recording history. The next idea that popped into my mind was that no one would listen.
Now the scene has shifted and we might explore the psychology of country and folk music, touching on the Dionysian urge, the fundamental incompatibility of men and women and the influence of Jean Paul Sartre.
In other words, we'll be playing Merle Haggard, George Jones, Billie Joe Shaver, Roger Miller, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Greg Brown and Lucinda Williams.
I hope you'll tune in Saturday at 7 p.m. and call us with your pledge.

Liberty Bell Trolley

2005-10-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Trolley ran from Allentown to
Philadelphia; Stop #99 on Rosedale road near the family
farm. Ended service in early 1950's; I only rode it as a baby.
We followed the abandoned tracks when we road our
bikes to Quakertown.

Two Coles

2005-10-19T10:51:00.000-08:00

Liam & Madeline, back in happier times, the early 1990's

2005-10-18T10:50:00.000-08:00

Texas Instruments first

Missing Muktuk

2005-10-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a cold beer in the morning with some muktuk!
Nowhere better to store your stash than a bank bag!
click to enlarge