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Nick Varney

Life

Unhinged Alaska: Hey Boreas. Knock it off. You’re flash freezing my karma

For the last few weeks, we have been hosting Boreas, the Greek god of winter

Members of the Keeler family and some Anchor Point church members get a ride on Jimmy Elliot’s “mud sled” on the way to services at the Elliot home, circa 1956. Lorna Keeler is sitting on the far-left side of the sled. April Keeler is the middle girl of the trio sitting in back, and Larry Keeler is standing behind those girls. (Photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum)

Life

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 4

Lawrence and Lorna Keeler and their family moved from Oregon to Alaska in June 1948 and began building…

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Life

Minister’s Message: Redrawing the boundary lines

Dark forces have made their way into the world ever since the time of Adam and Eve and…

A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Off the Shelf: Meditations on middle age

“Another North” shares lifetime of experiences through personal narratives

Karl Schmidt readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Kenai Peninsula dart community experiences resurgence

13th Annual Cabin Fever Reliever Dart Tournament was hosted at the Elks Lodge in Kenai last weekend

Meat- and vegetable-filled dumplings, fried eggs and nori stew in hot meat broth in this recipe for mandu-guk, or dumpling soup. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Dumplings for dragons

In Korea, the Lunar New Year is one of the major holidays, and families gather to cook and…

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Finally! It’s February

True to form, January was only double the length of the other months

Brothers James (left) and Lawrence Keeler with their Kissel car, circa 1910s. Both brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in World War I. James was killed in battle. Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.

Life

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 3

Lorna Keeler had a well-deserved reputation for being the bachelor’s friend in time of need

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Life

Minister’s Message: Feel the warmth of the sun and Christ in your heart

It is good to have more daylight and feel the warmth of the sun now

“Will it Work?,” by Chris Jenness, is included as part of the People’s Choice Judged Exhibition at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

‘People’s Choice’ show makes attendees the judges at Kenai Art Center

A voting box will be present at the center all month, with each person getting one vote

Sam Rockwell portrays Aidan and Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway in “Argylle.” (Promotional photo courtesy Apple Original Films)

Life

On the screen: Anticipated spy flick falls flat in unmemorable ‘Argylle’

Overlong and a little jumbled, the film fails to play to its own strengths

A creamy, rich and filling is ensconced a puff pastry crust in this French chicken and mushroom pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

A meal to warm frigid days ahead

On colder days I cook more caloric meals for my own family at home to keep our body…

Louvie “Vi” Chapman photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum This cottonwood-log structure was Anchor Point’s first-ever school, located on the south side of the Anchor River. It was replaced with a better school on the north side, on property donated by Sherman and Louvie Chapman. Seen here are the first teacher, Helen Smith, and some of her students, including Larry Keeler standing next to Smith.

Life

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 2

On Aug. 3, 1948, Lawrence and Lorna made their official move from Kenai to Anchor Point aboard a…

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Life

Minister’s Message: You talking to me?

After a long human discourse on “where is God?” God ardently responds in chapters 38-41 to the dialogue…

The 2022 lineup of John Damberg’s Latin Jazz Quintet stand for a photo in 2022. John Damberg plays marimba and vibes, Mark Manners plays classical guitar, Bob Andrews plays bass guitar and Eiden Pospisil plays drums. Laura Koenig, pictured here with a flute, will not be playing with the quintet this weekend — the group will instead feature Karl Pasch on clarinet. (Photo courtesy John Damberg)

Life

Latin jazz swings into town

Anchorage quintet to bring ‘fun and accessible’ music to Soldotna

"The Boys" by Katie Hafner. (Photo via Amazon)

Life

Off the Shelf: A quirky pandemic love story that hits close to home

Hafner portrays the toll forced isolation can take on the human psyche within the context of the COVID-19…

These rhubarb dream bars are equally sour and sweet and are delicious served cold or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Sweet treats propel afternoon skiing

A sweet treat makes ski practice days that much more special for him

Some of the Keelers assembled with family matriarch Samantha (second from left) in this 1952 photograph taken in Oregon. Others, L-R: George, Lawrence with wife Lorna, daughter April and son Larry, and Floyd, also known as “Uncle Shorty.” Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.

Life

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 1

This is the story of the Keelers who came to the Kenai

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Life

Minister’s Message: Getting involved with your church

We need to intervene with the hope of Christ to turn around the downhill slide

Jaquel Spivey is Damian, Angourie Rice is Cady and Auli’i Cravalho is Janis in “Mean Girls.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

Life

On the screen: ‘Mean Girls’ is a special, musical, spectacle

The adaptation of the 2017 Broadway musical is a surprising early-year hit