Annual Meeting and Potluck November 2, 2012

The Fairbanks Paddlers annual meeting and potluck dinner will be held Friday, November 2, 2011 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fairbanks located at 4448 Pikes Landing Road, across from the Princess Hotel, off Airport Way.

Come swap paddling stories of days gone by, plan for next year’s season, and enjoy the food and entertainment.

The agenda will be as follows:

• 6:30 Gear Swap – Suggested 10% donation to the Fairbanks Paddlers.
• 7:00 Potluck – If you last name begins with A-Z, bring food!
• 7:30 Business Meeting – nominations will be accepted for new board members.
• 7:50 to 9:00 Guest Presentation

Growing up in the suburbs of Denver, Wendy Loya never imagined she’d have the chance to visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, though it was a place that was in her dreams of northern wilderness and wildlife. Joining The Wilderness Society in Anchorage as an Ecologist got her closer, and as a volunteer with Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges, she made her first trip into the Refuge for a 4 day hiking packrafting trip (along with Dave Payer). Now an annual adventure on her calendar, she and her partner Tim and dog Innoko travel over 100 miles in two week journeys in the Refuge, getting to know its river, mountains, coastal plain and of course, wildlife. This year the trio traveled down three rivers to go from the north slope of the Brooks Range to Kaktovik, and will share their adventure and wilderness packrafting and travel tips. Wendy enjoys skijoring with her 4 dogs when the rivers are frozen or sneaking away to see wildlife in South Africa. Tim works with troubled youth at the Pathway home for South Central Foundation. He enjoys getting out into the backcountry kayaking, mountain biking, ski touring and trekking. When not chasing packrafts down a river, Innoko enjoys a soft bed or sleeping bag to sleep on.