Debra Van Zandt:
CLASS OF 1976
Morse High SchoolClass of 1976
San diego, CA
Debra's Story
Life
FEBRUARY 2006>
HI EVERYBODY:
I LIVE IN TOK, ALASKA ABOUT 90 MILES FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER. YOU WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH OUR TOWN TO GET TO ANCHORAGE. I LIVE IN A HOUSE WITH 5 ACRES, 2 DOGS, AND 4 CATS. HERE IN TOK, I OWN MY OWN BUSINESS: ALASKA CUSTOM CANE FLY ROD COMPANY. I MAKE BAMBOO FLY/SPINNING RODS, AND OTHER FLY/SPINNING ACCESSORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABOVE. I AM THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE U.S. TO OWN HER OWN BAMBOO SHOP AS IT IS STILL A MANS FIELD TO TODAY. ALL OF MY RODS ARE HAND AND MACHINED TO TAPERS TO FIT THE FLY FISHERMAN/WOMAN IN ALL OF US. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN: MEAGAN 27 YO AND CHRISTOPHER 25 YO AND 5 GRANDCHILDREN, 1 OF WHICH IS A GIRL. I AM CURRENTLY SINGLE AND ENJOYING LIFE HERE. I AM A VOLUNTEER EMT WITH OUR LOCAL EMS SQUAD. THE NEAREST ANYTHING IS 4-6 HOURS AWAY. OUR TOWN IS SMALL SO WE ONLY HAVE 1 GROCERY STORE, A COUPLE OF GAS STATIONS, LOTS OF CHURCHES, A COUPLE OF RV PARKS AND 1 RESTAURANT. WE FISH FOR SALMON OF ALL SORTS DURING THE SUMMER AND HUNT MOOSE/CARIBOU DURING THE WINTER. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF FRESH MEAT AND FISH. I USED TO LIVE IN A ONE ROOM CABIN HERE WITH WATER YOU HAVE TO USE IN BUCKETS, HEAT WATER FOR A BATH, USE A HONEY BUCKET OR FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, A 5 GALLON BUCKET WITH A PLASTIC BAG TO DO YOUR DUTIES IN. JUST LIKE CAMPING...Expand for more
BUT YEAR ROUND. CURRENTLY WE HAVE A WOOD STOVE THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP STOCKED FROM SEPT-MAY FOR THE COLD SEASON. WE HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH ABOUT 5 CORDS OF WOOD TO DATE. AT -50 BELOW WHEN YOU THROW BOILING WATER OUTSIDE IT BECOMES POWDER AND POOF BE GONE. IT IS SOOO COOL. WE DO THAT EVERY WINTER. HERE ALSO ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHT. SO BEAUTIFUL WHEN THEY ARE OUT AND IN FULL PLAY. THE COLDEST IT HAS GOTTEN HERE IS -75. AT THAT TEMP YOU DON'T GO ANYWHERE OR TOUCH ANYTHING OUTSIDE AS IT BREAKS, YES, YOUR CAR TOO. NO ONES CARS WILL START AT THAT TEMP. HEAVEN FORBID WE SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN EMS RUN. YOU JUST HUNKER DOWN AND READ, WATCH TV IF YOU CAN, PLAY CARDS, ETC.. WE SEE MOOSE AND CARIBOU ALL THE TIME. ONCE IN A WHILE YOU CAN SEE BUFFALO ON THE WAY TO FAIRBANKS. IT IS WAY BEYOND HERE WHAT I COULD WRITE. IN THE EARLY 1980'S I WAS AWARDED A LETTER OF COMMENDATION AND HONOR CERTIFICATE FROM THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR MY ACTIONS REGARDING A SHOOTING VICTIM. I HAVE PUT IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE WITH THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA, MYSELF EARNING THE HIGHEST AWARD IN SCOUTING BACK THEN-THE FIRST CLASS AWARD. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE DONE VARIOUS VOLUNTEER WORK AND NOW JUST ENJOY LIFE AS A GRANDMA (GRAM) AND LIVING HERE IN TOK. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REUNION AND SEEING FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN SAN DIEGO.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!