Chamber MembersWelcome Spring

May 8, 2025

Allison Sayer - CRR Staff

On April 24, the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce held a spring community potluck supper and dessert auction hosted at the Copper Valley Air Hangar at the Gulkana Airport. A little over 30 people enjoyed the opportunity to share a meal in the short pause between managing winter weather and the busy summer season. Before supper, attendees shared prayers for the young men recently lost in a tragic accident  and all of their loved ones.

This year, auction funds went towards the Visitor Information Center (VIC) and the installation of new signs marking the entrance to the Copper Basin designed by Bob Stickney. The VIC is going to have a new outdoor kiosk displaying local business information 24 hours a day this summer.

Eric Lutz volunteered as the auctioneer. The dessert that sold for the highest amount was a chocolate “homestead cake” made by Carol Neeley with Jan Finch-Holmberg’s butterscotch frosting recipe. 

Carol was unable to attend the event. Her daughter Sharon Neeley Daniel shared the cake was called a “homestead cake” because it was made entirely from dry pantry ingredients, similar to what homestead families might have available in between opportunities to resupply. The cake sold for $90.  

First National Bank Information Security Specialist Melissa Jean gave a compelling and informative presentation about cyber fraud. She shared that in 2023, almost 25 million dollars was reported lost to fraud in Alaska alone. The true number may be far higher, she said, because not all fraud is reported. 

Business email compromise represented the largest category of fraud- over twelve million dollars. Jean said a common variety of this fraud is for employees to receive emails that seem as though they are from their own employer requesting information. 

The most important way to protect yourself, Jean said, is to always “stop and think” when you are asked for money or information. Close the email, hang up the phone, and confirm independently whether this family member, government agency, coworker, supervisor or company is truly trying to get a hold of you. 

Scammers play on victims’ emotions, creating a sense of urgency. Jean said it is important to recognize: When you feel you need to do something immediately, that is a red flag. Jean also recommended daily bank or credit card account monitoring, and frequent credit monitoring. 

Chamber Board President Jordanny Sutherland shared the first community dinner and dessert auction was a fundraiser for a long-time chamber member. It was “so much fun,” she shared, the chamber decided to continue having the event annually. 

The person who came from the farthest away to the event was Bryan Emerson. He and his wife were completing a road trip of several thousand miles around North America. They happened to be staying at the Red Eagle Lodge in Chistochina, and owner Richard Dennis invited them to come along. Bryan’s wife remained in Chistochina for the evening with their dog.