Gingerbread Houses of McMurdo

The gingerbread house event at McMurdo is one of my favorite things of the whole season, and so I wanted to post some pictures from all the years I've made gingerbread houses down here. I couldn't find any pictures of the one Elisha made when I was stuck at pole last year.


"Also, we recently learned about the passing of one of the chalet admins who has always been our biggest competition in the gingerbread contest. So in a way, a tribute to her.

As most of you have heard, we recently lost a long-time member of the McMurdo community, Liz Sutter. For those of you didn’t know Liz (though there probably aren’t many): she began in the program in 1998 as a janitor, spent a few seasons in Air Services, and then 15 seasons as Chalet admin. She deployed this season as well, but left McMurdo in early November after not feeling well. She was then diagnosed with cancer and returned to her home in Cape Cod.  Dozens (perhaps hundreds) of ice friends called, sent letters and cards, gifts and flowers, and came to visit and spend time with her at her home, and later at the nursing facility where she passed away two days ago. She was thrilled to have so much love showered upon her in her final days. Liz documented her journey through Facebook posts. Her final post, as dictated to a close friend, is below.

It is extremely difficult to say goodbye to such a vibrant individual, and someone who served as the heart of McMurdo for so many years. The only way to make it more bearable is come together and share stories, most of them hilarious, because that is what she would want us to do.

Please join us tomorrow at the Chalet, Liz’s beloved workplace for so many years, to share memories and stories and laughs.

If you have photos of Liz you would like shared at her memorial tomorrow, please place them here: I:\Temp\Liz Sutter Memories"

Liz’s former boss and co-conspirator,

Julie

McMurdo Area Manager

Antarctic Support Contract (ASC)

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our 2011/12 season delta with shuttle bill driving

another group, doing the Kress

2017 Crary Touch ("tasty") Tank

another groups creation

2012-13 Naughty Waste Bins

2012-2013 Nice Waste Bins

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2019-20 Gnome Tree house

another groups: Ob Hill

Another groups: Coffee House

Another Groups

another groups

the medical groups

another groups: Lorax, Oncler house

Another groups: Airfield Control Tower

This was the house Liz's former team made in her honor since she had been sent home with her sickness