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Fly fisherman Jerry Hallberg had a generous spirit and believed in passing along his knowledge of the outdoors to kids.

That’s why it’s particularly appropriate that the children participating in the Midnight Sun Flycasters Kids Camp this year will receive a special benefit, in addition to learning some fly fishing basics during a weekend of fishing.

In memory of Jerry Hallberg, the kids will receive a complete fly rod set so that when they finish the camp at Twin Bears on June 1, they will be able to go home and keep fishing.

Registration for the camp is $75 and applications are available at the Alaska Fly Shop and Sportsman’s Warehouse. The camp is open to kids ages 10 to 16.

The event is from May 30 to June 1 and includes lodging and meals at Twin Bears. A parent is required to attend if the child is under 12 and parental participation is encouraged for all of the fishermen-in-training. The Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with rainbow trout, and the kids will have plenty of time to fish over the weekend.

Parents who don’t know anything about fishing are welcome to take part and find out about casting, tying flies and the other skills involved with the sport.

For more information, call Ken Ulz at 457-6793 or Tom Norton at 490-6889.

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LOCAL BUZZ: You must have heard them by now. It wasn’t by magic, but the early wave of mosquitoes arrived in significant numbers Sunday, appearing out of nowhere, as they always do.

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TAXING: I don’t know why, but as I read the story Sunday about former Gov. Frank Murkowski’s tax complaint with the borough, the words that came to mind were from the most memorable ad of the 2006 gubernatorial contest in which he said, “Maybe I should consider a personality transplant.”

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FAIRE TIME: For those looking for old-world atmosphere, mark June 28 on the calendar.

The Shakespeare Family Renaissance Faire at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will include games, jugglers, pantomimes, old-world music, costume contests and more.

“Harps, maypoles, tumblers, and gypsy dancers are sure to please as you hobnob with the knights, ladies, and peasants,” according to the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre.

The Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre is to hold a planning session for the faire Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Empress Theatre downtown.

Anyone interested in volunteering, performing, doing demonstrations or selling arts and crafts is invited to attend the meeting. For more information, call 457-7638 or e-mail claudia@fstalaska.org

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LOCAL PRODUCE: The Farmers Market opens for the season Saturday at 9 a.m.

The vendors at the market are looking forward to seeing their old customers and new ones as well.

There is one change they want you to know about. For safety reasons, please leave your dogs at home.

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DANCERS: The prolonged departure of winter led to delays in the garage sale being planned by the four girls who are going Outside for dance school.

The dancers — Dahsn Walsh, Sara Mustard, Alison Arima and Sarah Goetz — are still collecting items from those who have good garage sale finds to donate.

If you can help them, call 388-5567 and they will be glad to pick up items for the sale.

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ENFORCE IT: Robert Earle Kreiser wants local governments, businesses and motorists to pay more attention to handicapped parking spaces.

He is 85 percent handicapped and he said it’s frustrating when drivers who have no problems getting around use handicapped parking spaces, usually “just for a minute.”

He’s got a point. If you have no problems walking, don’t park in the spaces reserved for the handicapped.

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DESERVES AWARD: The Anchorage CrimeStoppers office will be doing a great disservice if it doesn’t reverse its decision and grant a reward to the UAF student who did more to stop crime and deserve an award than just about anyone else that I have heard of.

Even though she called the police before calling CrimeStoppers, in this case an exception should be made. Our mayor and chief of police should intercede on her behalf to see if they can help.

Dermot Cole can be reached at cole@newsminer.com or 459-7530.