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When the baby-boomers were still in diapers there was no greater fear for their parents then the Polio epidemic in America. Thousands had died or been paralyzed by the dreaded disease during the first half of the 20th century. The March of Dimes became a household word for that generation as thousands marched and saved their dimes on cards and in containers to help find a cure. The organization began during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt himself was paralyzed with what at the time was believed to be polio, and he put out a national call for everyone to contribute a dime to find a cure. The effort was successful and in 1952 Jonas Salk began testing his vaccine on volunteers, and Roosevelt is today emblazoned on the face of U.S. dimes.

Sightings of the late-great King of Rock Elvis Presley as well as sightings of great deals on pre-owned quality vehicles are occurring more frequently these days at Alaska's Auto Country on the Spur Highway just outside of Soldotna. At a time when fears of a crumbling auto industry are rampant, partners Shawn & Jana Whitmore are having their greatest sales months ever. "This is truly a great time to be buying a vehicle because there are so many available due to the lack of confidence that the general public has right now. So the buyer has a better opportunity today to negotiate one of the best deals on a vehicle of their choice than probably any time ever," Whitmore told the Dispatch.

After arriving back home from the slope on Friday December 19th I asked the boys of my household what was the first adventure they wanted to participate in? They unanimously chose rabbit hunting over fishing, basketball at one of the local gyms or anything else I could think of.

It won't be long and the Holidays of 2008 will join their predecessors as happy memories. But before the glow is over and the thrill of the season abated, there is a great treat for anyone who loads their family and friends into a nice warm vehicle and heads out the North Rd. to John and Brenda Klimpke's home in Nikiski. For the last four years the Klimpke's have been putting on a light show extravaganza the likes of nowhere else on the Peninsula. Just how many lights are there burning at the Klimpke's? "I quit counting after 27,000 and that was before we added the Ferris wheel and all the led lights this year. HEA actually checked us out one time because of our electric usage spike they figured something funny might be going on out here," laughed Klimpke.

Ever since it's opening The Crossing at the Soldotna Bridge has become a popular gathering place. For just a nice evening out of the kitchen or a holiday occasion, birthday or anniversary with a loved one or friend, The Crossing has become a signature for fine dining and entertainment on the Kenai Peninsula. "We still bust out laughing every time we recall the Las Vegas hypnotist show, totally at the top of our best nights out in 2008," said a patron during their holiday party being held at The Crossing. "It was the most beautiful wedding I'd ever been to, with the river setting, the Bride, the Hoopah, the elegant decorations, it was just a wedding no one will ever forget and so much less expensive then if we had attempted it on our own. We are fortunate to have Alicia and Cherie and their wonderful facility in our community," recalled another.