Former North Kenai resident George Coe Dudley, seen here during the winter of 1950-51, was a hard-drinking man. His messy funeral in 1967 in Kenai echoed his lifestyle. (Photo courtesy of Al Hershberger)

This parting was not sweet sorrow — Part 1

“Dudley was an easy-going, laid-back sort of guy, always laughing and joking, as well as hard drinking.”

 

Noa (voiced by Owen Teague) in 20th Century Studios’ “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios)

On the Screen: New ‘Planet of the Apes’ expands, brings new ideas to franchise universe

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” tells a story that feels more rooted in fantasy than the post-apocalypse vibe of its predecessors

 

A mural depicting imagery and iconography of Kenai brightens the entryway of the Walmart in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Visible art raises people’s spirits’

Local artist’s mural introduced as part of Walmart renovations

 

The Ladies of the Pacific lead a hula demonstration as part of Aloha Vibes at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Diamond Dance’s ‘Aloha Vibes’ brings together music, movement and celebration

The project’s all-company showcase was only one of several attractions filling the space as part of the group’s annual event

The Ladies of the Pacific lead a hula demonstration as part of Aloha Vibes at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
English muffins are surprisingly easy to make and so much better fresh. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Special breakfast for a special day

Eggs Benedict are made even more delicious with homemade English muffins

English muffins are surprisingly easy to make and so much better fresh. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Happy Valley homesteader Wayne Jones looks through the telescope built by Rex Hanks, circa 1950. (Photo from “The Pioneers of Happy Valley, 1944-1964,” by Ella Mae McGann)

A Kind and Sensitive Man: The Rex Hanks Story — Part 4

Rex Hanks had a reputation as a forthright, hard-working, inventive and sensitive man

Happy Valley homesteader Wayne Jones looks through the telescope built by Rex Hanks, circa 1950. (Photo from “The Pioneers of Happy Valley, 1944-1964,” by Ella Mae McGann)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

It’s not always better to give

I was trying to come up with my own words of wisdom to share with my son

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A copy of “Drawn from Deep Waters: True Stories from the Kenai Peninsula,” is held on Thursday in Kenai.

Off the Shelf: Congregation calling

The collection is written by patrons of Kalifonsky Christian Center

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A copy of “Drawn from Deep Waters: True Stories from the Kenai Peninsula,” is held on Thursday in Kenai.
Trees burned in the 2019 Swan Lake Fire are pictured on the Sterling Highway, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)

Minister’s Message: Showing compassion beyond crisis mode

Crisis mode, while terrifying, brings out a collective care for one another that is beautiful to witness in the moment

Trees burned in the 2019 Swan Lake Fire are pictured on the Sterling Highway, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Joe Spady rehearses “Murder at the Renaissance Faire” at the Kenai Performers’ Theater in Soldotna on Wednesday.

Dysfunction and death at the ‘Faire’

Kenai Performers put on ‘absurd’ mystery against a backdrop of Shakespeare and corn dogs

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Joe Spady rehearses “Murder at the Renaissance Faire” at the Kenai Performers’ Theater in Soldotna on Wednesday.
This green goddess salad is full of fiber, protein, and nutrition, and when paired with some pita crackers or tortilla chips makes a complete and satisfying meal. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Greens to get through the day

This green goddess salad is full of fiber, protein and nutrition

This green goddess salad is full of fiber, protein, and nutrition, and when paired with some pita crackers or tortilla chips makes a complete and satisfying meal. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Music Series lineup announced, opens June 5

The music series runs every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This is the only known photograph of Rex Hanks, seen here with his wife, Irmgard, next to their two-story home in Happy Valley—circa 1950s. (Photo courtesy of Katie Matthews)

A Kind and Sensitive Man: The Rex Hanks Story — Part 3

After working and searching for a couple of months, he found property that pleased him near the waterfall at the mouth of Happy Creek

This is the only known photograph of Rex Hanks, seen here with his wife, Irmgard, next to their two-story home in Happy Valley—circa 1950s. (Photo courtesy of Katie Matthews)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Helpful tips for those contemplating a high seas cruise

It’s not at all unusual being asked by distant relatives if I think it’s safe for them to blow a wad of cash on a cruise to Alaska

Nick Varney
Mushroom and prosciutto tortellini are ready for freezing or boiling. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

When you can’t do Legos, make tortellini

This homemade pasta may be time intensive, but produces a delcious, cheesy meal

Mushroom and prosciutto tortellini are ready for freezing or boiling. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
File

Minister’s Message: A stranger to hate

There are days when my sanity literally cannot bear the news of some of the stuff going on in communities across the nation

File
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: April is Poetry Month …

T.S. Eliot had it right: April is the cruelest month

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Photo by Clark Fair
In the summer of 2016, this was all that remained of Rex Hanks’s original homestead cabin, located just above the waterfall on Happy Creek.

A Kind and Sensitive Man: The Rex Hanks Story — Part 2

By the end of 1958, the little graveyard’s inhabitants numbered four.

Photo by Clark Fair
In the summer of 2016, this was all that remained of Rex Hanks’s original homestead cabin, located just above the waterfall on Happy Creek.
Art by Chelline Larsen and Adam Hoyt, for “Stitch, Paint, Fabricate,” fills the walls of the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Fabric and metal art showcased and juxtaposed in new exhibition

Kenai Art Center’s May show features work by Chelline Larsen and Adam Hoyt

Art by Chelline Larsen and Adam Hoyt, for “Stitch, Paint, Fabricate,” fills the walls of the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Dancers rehearse a hula routine at Diamond Dance Project near Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Aloha spirit returns

Aloha Vibes will be held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dancers rehearse a hula routine at Diamond Dance Project near Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)