Friends of Creamer’s Field
Spring 2008 Newsletter
P.O. Box 81065 Fairbanks, AK 99708 907-452-5162 creamers@ptialaska.net www.creamersfield.org
Inside this issue
Barn Opening Update . ........ 2
Board Changes ................... 6
Camp Habitat ...................... 7
Clean Up Day ...................... 5
Dragonfly Day . .................... 4
Events at Creamer’s............. 3
Field Sketches ..................... 8
Garden Club Grant .............. 5
Naturalist Training ............... 3
Online Weather Station ....... 5
Winter Program Report ....... 5
Quilt Raffle Preview.............. 2
Sandhill Crane Festival ....... 4
Thank You ........................... 6
Volunteer to Sew ................. 4
Wish List .............................. 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.
Field Notes
Spring Migration Celebration: April 26th
A pril 26th is shaping up to be an
activity-packed Spring Migra-
tion Celebration, with a theme this
year of From Tundra to Tropics:
Connecting Birds, Habitats, and
People. The celebration will be co-
sponsored by Friends of Creamer’s
Field, the Alaska Bird Observatory,
and Arctic Audubon Society with
support from US Fish and Wildlife,
National Park Service, Alaska De-
partment of Fish and Game, Ducks
Unlimited, Calypso Farm, and the
Welcome back our migrating birds at the Spring
Northern Alaska Environmental
Migration Celebration on April 26.
Center. This event offers something of Photo by Ken Whitten
interest to birders, artists, children,
and those who are just plain curious. 3rd Annual Design Alaska
While still in the planning stages, we
can tell you that there will be several Wild Arts Walk
bird-related activities, including a slide-
show presentation on Thursday April
24th, a puppet show, and bird-viewing
F riends of Creamer’s Field is looking for
artists, musicians, writers, and storytell-
ers for the 3rd annual Design Alaska Wild Arts
at the Creamer’s Field Migratory Wa- Walk which will take place Saturday June 7th
terfowl Refuge (and there should be a from Noon to 5 pm at Creamer’s Field Migra-
great many birds during the last week tory Waterfowl Refuge. This event is a walking
of April). Other activities will include tour of artists displaying and demonstrating
artist sketching stations, games and their work at stations located near the Farm-
craft activities, nature hikes, and Camp house Visitor Center and on the Refuge trails.
Habitat registration. Art forms with a nature theme are welcome.
This event is both a fundraiser for Friends of
Activities will take place at two dif-
Creamer’s Field and an opportunity for area
ferent locations – the Creamer’s Field
Farmhouse Visitor Center and the artists to create, display, and sell their work.
Thank you to Design Alaska for
Alaska Public Lands Information Cen-
ter in downtown Fairbanks. Events will their continued sponsorship and
run simultaneously from Noon to 4:00 support of this event.
pm at both locations. Event schedules To obtain an application and
and ample parking will be available at more information, please contact
each location. Friends of Creamer’s Field at
Mark the date on your calendars, 452-5162 or email creamers@
because you don’t want to miss this ptialaska.net. Applications must
end-of-winter and the-birds-are-here be postmarked by May 2nd, and
festival! space is limited.
Page 
Friends of Creamer’s Field
Board Members
Bob Craig
Roxie Creamer, Vice President
Pat DeRuyter, Secretary
Ray Hadley
Kris Hundertmark
Donna Krier
Sherry Lewis
Gail Mayo, Treasurer
Herb Melchior
Joy Morrison, President
Jon Runstadler
E. Tom Robinson
Non-Voting Members
Alexis Runstadler,
Development Director
Melissa Sikes,
Program Director
Cathie Harms (ADFG)
Mark D. Ross (ADFG)
This issue of Field Notes was
produced by Mary Zalar.
Legislative Alert…
Status of Opening the Barns to the Public
I n the November 2007 Field
Notes newsletter, we brought
to your attention the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game’s
(ADFG) $2 million capital im-
provement project funding
request to the State to build a
new storage facility on or near
the Refuge. The construction of
this new facility will allow all of
ADFG’s current storage items Friends of Creamer’s Field hopes to make this
in and around the barns and historic spectacular interior view of the Creamer’s barn
buildings to be removed, paving the available to the public.
way for Friends of Creamer’s Field to
barn opening campaign. We have de-
open the barns to the public.
The good news is that the storage cided to put our parade float on hold
facility funding request was included until 2009 so we can focus on lobby-
in Governor Palin’s 2009 Capital ing the State for this storage facility
budget. However, the process is not funding and working with ADFG on
yet finished. The Governor’s Capital finding an acceptable location for the
new storage facility to be built.
budget is currently moving through
the Senate Finance committee and How You Can Help…
will then move to the House Finance Please take a moment to e-mail or
Committee. ADFG’s funding request call members of the Senate Finance
could be removed from the Capital Committee and the Interior Delega-
budget in either of these committees. tion to let them know that you sup-
The Capital budget will then be voted port this funding request as the first
on by the full Senate around the 1st of step to opening the historic Creamer’s
April. dairy buildings to the public.
Also in the November 2007 Field A list of e-mail addresses and
Notes, Friends of Creamer’s Field phone numbers for the Senate and
Board President Joy Morrison asked House Finance Committees as well
for assistance with a float for the 2008 as talking points can be found on our
Golden Days Parade to launch our website at www.creamersfield.org.
Preview of Annual Quilt Raffle
K arin Franzen has graciously donated another gorgeous quilt
for our 2008 raffle. Tickets have already been sold, starting
March 4th at the Alaska Bird Conference. The quilt can now be
seen at the Farmhouse Visitor Center, and tickets are available
for purchase there. You can also see the quilt and buy tickets at
all upcoming programs such as the Spring Migration Celebration,
Design Alaska Wild Arts Walk, Tanana Valley State Fair, and at
the Sandhill Crane Festival.
Tickets are one for $5 or five for $20. The winning ticket will be
drawn on August 24th at the Crane Festival held at Creamer’s Field.
Winner does not need to be present at the drawing.
Karin Franzen’s quilt is titled Pirouette 1.

Volunteer Naturalist
Training Program for
Creamer’s Field
H ave you always wanted to help out with
programs or in the Farmhouse Visitor Cen-
ter at Creamer’s Field? Would you like to learn
more about the natural and cultural history of
Creamer’s Field? Have you ever wanted to learn
how to lead a walk on the trails at Creamer’s?
Come join us for the Naturalist Training Program
this spring!
The eight-week Naturalist Training Program
is held on Thursday evenings March 20–May 8,
7–9:00 pm at the Noel Wien Library Auditorium.
You are welcome to attend any of the sessions.
The goal of the course is to impart an under-
standing of the natural history of the forests,
wetlands and fields along with the history of
Creamer’s Field. Participants also learn the art of
planning and leading a short thematic program
designed for the audience and the environments
at Creamer’s.
This course is free, although participants
can choose to earn 1-2 college credits at a cost
of $90. College credit will be given to those who
keep a notebook of all course reference material,
lead three interpretive walks at Creamer’s Field
between June 1 and September 1, 2008, and sub-
mit an outline and post-walk reflection for each
walk. The course is limited to 25 participants, so
register soon! Call Mark Ross at 459-7301 for more
information or email him at mark.ross@alaska.
gov. Registration materials can be obtained at the
Creamer’s Field Farmhouse Visitor Center in the
entryway, which is always open.
The Farmhouse Visitor Center will be open
daily, 10 am–5 pm, starting Saturday, May 17th
Page 
✁
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.
Spring Migration Celebration
Saturday, April 26th, Noon–4 pm
Come to the Annual Spring Migration Celebration at Creamer’s
Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Scheduled to coincide with
the peak of bird migration, there will be talks, birding walks,
wildlife viewing and activities for the whole family such as
puppet shows, crafts, and games. Activities will take place at
the Alaska Public Lands Information Center and the Creamer’s
Field Farmhouse. This free event is open to the public.
Frog Walk
Sunday, May 11th, 1–3 pm
Join Friends of Creamer’s Field for our annual Frog Walk! Bring
the kids and the mud boots to learn about Alaska’s elusive wood
frogs! Meet at the Farmhouse Visitor Center.
Design Alaska Wild Arts Walk
Saturday, June 7th, Noon–5 pm
Enjoy an afternoon at Creamer’s Field for the 3rd annual
Design Alaska Wild Arts Walk. Stroll the Refuge amid a col-
orful assortment of artists and musicians as they demonstrate
their skills and display their work in this festive fundraising
event. Admission is $10 (children 17 and under are free) and will
include a choice of pastries and bagels, and a cup of gourmet
organic coffee, cocoa, or tea. Proceeds will support Friends of
Creamer’s Field.
Dragonfly Day
Saturday, June 21st, 10 am–5 pm
Friends of Creamer’s Field invites you to the inaugural Dragon-
fly Day, where local scientists will gather to educate the public
about dragonflies and their kin and train interested visitors
on how to properly collect and record data on these amazing
insects. This event is co-sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service, ADFG, University of Alaska Museum of the North,
and other local organizations.
Guided Nature Walks
Weekdays throughout June, July, and August
Join Friends of Creamer’s Field Naturalists on a Guided
Nature Walk to learn more about the wonders of Interior Alaska
and the Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Walks
begin at the Farmhouse Visitor Center, and are held 10–11 am
Monday–Friday, 7–8 pm Wednesdays, or by special request for
groups over ten.
Page 
Photo by Ken Whitten
Celebrate Dragonflies
at Creamer’s Field
J une 21, 2008 will be Dragonfly Day at
Creamer’s Field. Friends of Creamer’s
Field is helping to put on this new event
to celebrate a much revered and loved in-
sect. Knowledge of Alaska’s 32 species of
dragonflies was recently made more acces-
sible through the guidebook, Dragonflies
of Alaska, written and compiled by John
Hudson and Robert H. Armstrong. These
two specialists will be on hand at Dragon-
fly Day, along with other entomological
experts, to educate visitors on identifica-
tion and proper collection techniques. A
workshop on photographing insects will
also be offered, as well as nature walks,
crafts and information tables from local
organizations. Vendors with dragonfly
themed items will also be invited.
Volunteers and help with planning this
event are needed. If you want to help, par-
ticipate, or get more information on this
exciting new event, please contact Melissa
at 452-5162.
Spread Grain for the Birds!
Come help the Borealis Kiwanis spread
grain in the newly plowed fields this
Spring! Individuals and families
with children aged 10 and older are
welcome. Call the Friend’s office at
452-5162.
Crane Festival Features The Nature Nut
August 22–24, 2008
J ohn Acorn, also known as The Nature Nut, is a Canadian naturalist who
is known for his inspiring personality and infectious love of nature. He
is also an accomplished musician, combining folk music with educational
lyrics about the natural world. He is currently a lecturer at the University of
Alberta, a research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology,
and a research associate at the E.H. Strickland Entomology Museum.
As the host and creative force behind the popular television series Acorn,
the Nature Nut, he has educated and entertained audiences worldwide. As a
best-selling author, he has had a huge impact on amateur entomology, and
his field guides have earned him numerous awards. He has been an invited
keynote speaker at more than 60 festivals, workshops and conventions
across Canada and the U.S including last year’s Kachemak Bay Shorebird
Festival in Homer.
We are looking forward to a fabulous festival, which will take place
August 22–24. See you there!
Pat Knopf, Vicki Rayburn, Amy Houtchens, and Alice DelBosco spend a
Sunday afternoon at the Farmhouse making potholders for the Gift Shop.
Photo by Melissa Sikes
Do you like to Sew? We need you!
O
n one Sunday afternoon each month, the Farmhouse has been coming
alive with the sound of sewing machines whirring in the library/meet-
ing room. A group has been meeting to sew potholders that are sold in the
Farmhouse Gift Shop. We need help with cutting, ironing, and sewing. No
quilting or sewing experience is necessary; we’ll be happy to teach you.
All materials are provided, but we are happy to take any donations of
wildlife related material, especially crane fabrics. Bring your machine if
you have one.
If you’d like to join us, come on by the back room of the Farmhouse
Visitor Center on Sunday March 30th, April 27th, or June 1st any time be-
tween Noon and 6 pm. Stay for as long as you like. We usually have good
treats and always have great conversations to entertain us. Call Melissa at
452-5162 for more information.

Volunteer Kathy Taylor-Yokel works with a visitor to make a
plaster cast of a track at the Tracking Program on January 19th.
Photo by Mel Sikes
Nice Weather Prevails for Winter
Events at Creamer’s Field
W hile the winter in Fairbanks has had some weeks at 40
below, the weather on the days we held our programs
was surprisingly mild. The Thanksgiving for the Birds program
had a nice turnout and included a few new feeder styles. The
annual Tree Lighting was attended by over 150 folks, and we
had nice balmy weather at -5° compared to the -20° of last
year. Hot chocolate and cookies were a big hit for all the sing-
ers. More than 143 people joined us to make some wonderful
ornaments with natural materials during the Saturday Open
Houses held in December. On December 22nd, 15 people and a
dog joined us on another balmy -5° day for the annual Winter
Solstice Walk.
On January 19th, warm weather graced us yet again for our
Tracking Program. At 10° above, 15 folks joined us to walk
for almost an hour and a half without getting too cold. We
were treated to many moose, hare, and squirrel tracks out in
the Boreal Forest. After the walk, many visitors made plaster
casts in the Farmhouse. February 16th was the second annual
Winter Farm Field Party. We cleared off one of the duck ponds,
and despite some weird wind and snow the day before, the ice
was great for skating. The temps again reached 10° above, and
the 77 people who showed up to skate and try out snowshoes
enjoyed a wonderful sunny afternoon of winter fun. Thank you
to Beaver Sports for providing the snowshoes for this event.
Page 
Creamer’s Field Weather &
Trail Conditions Now Online
W hat are the current weather and trail conditions
at Creamer’s Field? Now you can find out online
before you get here!
After being offline for quite a while, the Creamer’s
Field Mesonet meteorologic station is back online. This
station is located just off of the Farm Road trail to the
east of the barns. The Creamer’s Field station records
air temperature, wind chill, dew point, relative humid-
ity, and wind speed and direction every 15 minutes.
The main Mesonet website is www.tanana-watershed.
org/mesonet/ or you can link directly to the Creamer’s
Field data from our website at www.creamersfield.
org.
Also new this year, Friends of Creamer’s Field is pub-
lishing a weekly summary of trail conditions combining
weekly reports from the Alaska Dog Mushers Associa-
tion and Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association trail
groomers with other pertinent trail information. This
trail condition report is posted at all of the Creamer’s
Field trailheads, the Farmhouse entryway, and on our
website.
Fairbanks Garden Club
Receives Beautification Grant
T he Fairbanks Garden Club has been awarded a $500
grant to create a planting of native plants and
shrubs in a selected area along Creamer’s Lane. The
“Let’s Go Native” grant is sponsored by the National
Garden Club and Principal Insurance Company.
The Garden Club will begin the planning process
in April and will need volunteers starting in late May
or early June to begin planting. If you are interested
in helping with this project, contact the Friends of
Creamer’s Field office at 452-5162 or Ruth Knapman
at 457-6380.
Clean Up Day Volunteers
F riends of Creamer’s Field needs volunteers for the
2008 Fairbanks Clean Up Day on Saturday, May
10th. We will be removing litter from our “adopted”
portion of College Road—between the front viewing
area and just past the light at the Fairgrounds. Please
come out anytime between 10 am and 1 pm on May 10th
to help!  Yellow bags can be picked up at the Farmhouse
starting May 1st and you can park and start from the
front viewing area or the Fairgrounds.
Page 

Changes & Opportunities on Friends of

Creamer’s Field Board
by Joy Morrison, Board President

N on-profits like Friends of Creamer’s Field rely heavily on their Board of

Directors for direction and oversight. We are fortunate to have 16 very
supportive Board members who have been guiding the progress and operation
of Creamer’s for a long time. This month we said goodbye to one of our long-
term members, Jim Chumbley. Jim was one of the original members that helped
establish Friends in 1990. He served 14 years as a Board member including two
terms as President. Well-known in our community as a realtor, Jim brought spe-
cial knowledge and experience to the Board. He worked for ADFG for five years
Jim Chumbley and is a keen bird-lover. His 14 years on the Board will be remembered for the
humor and goodwill he brought to the meetings. We wish him well in his future
and know that he will be involved with Friends whenever he is in Fairbanks.
A new Board member, Roxie Creamer, has been elected to the position of Board
Vice President. We welcome Roxie to the Board and to the executive committee.
Roxie grew up around the Farmhouse and the fields, and is the grand-daughter of
Charlie and Anna Creamer. We are very fortunate that she recently retired from
UAF and is now willing to devote her time to our Board and the many plans we
have for the near future.
If you are interested in serving on the Friends of Creamer’s Field Board of
Directors please contact President Joy Morrison at 474-5055 or ffjfm@uaf.edu.
The Board meets once a month for approximately two hours and has an all day
Roxie Creamer planning retreat at least once a year.

Thank You to Donors and Volunteers

Thank you so much to all of our generous volunteers.  Your hard work and
support are always appreciated! 
• Thank you to the • A big thank you to Bob Caroline Wolf
Friends Wish List Alaska Skijoring and and Linda Craig for Robin Yokel
If you have any of these items P u l k A s s o c i at i o n helping with the 2008
Green Holiday Sale
to donate, please drop them by for their generous gift shop inventory.
& Farmer’s Market
the Farmhouse Visitor Center: donation. Their vol-
Program Volunteers Bazaar Volunteers
unteers also donate
• a working baby monitor Stacia Backensto Nancy Bayer
time during the winter
• empty toilet paper and paper Kyle Campbell Bob Craig
to keep the Creamer’s
towel rolls Sarah DeGennaro Pat Degen
Field multi-use trails
• clean, empty plastic gallon Tony Gasbarro Sarah DeGennaro
groomed. 
milk jugs Gail Mayo Kathy Taylor-Yokel
• Thank you to the
• clean, empty half-gallon milk Charlie McNeill
Marion Stroec ker Farmhouse Visitor
cartons Vicki Rayburn
Weeks Charitable
• birdseed Mark D. Ross Center Volunteers
Foundation for their
• crane, bird, or wildlife-themed Jon Runstadler Nancy Bayer
generous donation in
cotton fabrics for potholders Kaley Sikes Betty Carlson
support of our pro-
• a working DVD player Nina Sikes Bob Craig
grams.
Amelia Sikes Roxy Creamer
• Thank you to Karla
Jen Stutesman Pat Degen
and Larry Zervos for
Kathy Taylor-Yokel Sarah DeGennaro
their generous dona-
Mike Taras Brenda Sadler
tion to support our
John Tyson Marilyn Whitehead
programs.
Matt Weaver Caroline Wolf
 Page 

DAY CAMP PROGRAMS

Nature Education & Ecology
for Youth Ages 4 – 11
at Creamer’s Migratory
Waterfowl Refuge
PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Half-Day Program 9am – 12pm
Ages 4 – 5 $110
Nature Sprouts I June 16 – 20
Nature Sprouts II June 23 - 27
Full-Day Program 9am – 4pm
Ages 6 – 7 $185
Nature Detectives I July 7 - 11
Nature Detectives II July 14 - 18
Nature Detectives III July 21 – 25
Ages 8 – 9* $235
Water Striders I July 7 - 11
Water Striders II July 14 - 18
Water Striders III July 21 – 25
Ages 10 -11* $235
Refuge Adventurers July 14 – 18
*includes 1 overnight campout
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
A registration fee of $20 is required per fam-
ily. Tuition and fees must be paid in full to
secure your child’s registration.
Online registration is available
March 1 - June 1 at www.northern.org
SCHOLARSHIPS available.
Call for more information.
QUESTIONS? Call (907) 452-5021 ext. 32
or Email camphabitat@northern.org

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.
 Owls of Interior Alaska
Our Interior owls become most conspicu-
ous this time of the year. Males are especially
Northern Hawk Owl vocal, setting up territories and attracting
length 16 inches females.
wingspan 28 inches
Great Horned Owl
length 22 inches
wingspan 44 inches The group on the left
Great Gray Owl is composed of the year-
length 27 inches
round resident owls.
wingspan 52 inches
Though sometimes difficult
to find, they are present in
preferred habitat.
Regularly heard now
is the song (hooting) of
the Great Horned:
Boreal Owl a deep booming:
length 10 inches wHoo, wHooooo,
wingspan 21 inches
wHoo, wHoo
and Boreal: a fairly rapid
series of seven “toots”:
phoo, phoo, phoo,....
Short-eared Owl
The two on the right
are not year-round resi-
dents. One is present from
April to October. The
other is a resident of
northern coastal tundra,
occasionally wandering to
the Interior in search of
winter food.
Snowy Owl
(rare visitor to
the Interior)
length 23 inches
wingspan 52 inches
(migratory)
length 15 inches
wingspan 38 inches
You’re Invited:
of Thursday evenings,
Start
nteer March 20 to May 8
Volu ng
Train
i and beyond 7p.m.
information: 459-7301


your membership?
Is it time to renew

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