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Another Spooktacular Pie and Dessert Auction hosted by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce gave residents a chance to try out their costumes before the Halloween weekend this year. For many years now, the Soldotna Chamber has used the annual dessert auction as a unique and fun way to raise funds for their scholarships and many activities such as Progress Days, Christmas Tree lighting, and Beautification programs that the Soldotna Chamber provides to the community throughout the year. Annually the Chamber selects a creative theme for the culinary artists to follow with their desserts as well as those who like playing dress up, this year's theme that sent bakers, bidders, and participants over the top was "Trick N' Treat." "The fun thing about this event is that it brings out your gambling as well as charitable spirit, because you not only bid for a dessert, but each buyer has a chance to win some elaborate prizes with each pie or dessert. This year the grand prize was a seven day Mexican or Caribbean cruise which was won by the Central Peninsula Hospital group that purchased several pies throughout the evening," said January Yaeger, SCC event coordinator. The person who purchased the key that unlocked a treasure chest containing $1,000 in cash this year, was Sharon Keating. Sharon then spent the cash to buy desserts and win other prizes.

The Kenai Watershed Forum's (KWF) first ever Black Tie CHAIRity Ball was held on October 10th and was a huge success according to KWF project coordinator Josselyn O'Connor. "It was such a special evening because a diverse group of supporters came out to have fun and celebrate the kick-off of KWF's capital building campaign. And there was certainly no shortage of fun," said O'Connor. "Many locals dusted off their dancing shoes and pulled out their black ties from the back of their closets, or rented one for this event. The ladies donned their best formal attire that sparkled through the night. The evening was full of laughter, delicious food, and lots of dancing," added Josselyn.

Each year, the nationally recognized organization, AmeriCorps, offers opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities. AmeriCorps was originally launched in 1990 by then President George H. Bush, and operates through a network of partnerships with both local and national nonprofit groups. This year, Simone Owens answered the call to service and with the help of Nancy Veal, the Kenai Peninsula 4-H Youth Development agent. Veal wrote a proposal with the concept of promoting community members to be involved in healthy activities. Under the backdrop of 4-H, and to celebrate National 4-H Week October 4th-10th, Owens assisted with the activities at the annual 4-H Fall Fun day. The event was held at the UAF offices on K-Beach Rd. with Owens' offering a bio-fuel demonstration. "The stereotype is that you have to be involved with agriculture to be involved with 4-H, but it's so much broader than that as my scientific bio-fuel experiment demonstrates. You can also get involved with robotics through 4-H, movie making, even hunting. It's really what you want to make happen through 4-H, which all works together to improve the quality of life in our community, and that's AmeriCorps primary purpose," explained Owens. To expand upon her service, the AmeriCorps member will also be working in school classrooms throughout the local area as well.

Autumn is a time for fun and fund raising on the Kenai Peninsula. From Black Tie events, to country western shoot 'em up and scalp 'em events, non-profit organizations show their creativity in showing the community a good time while supporting their community service programs. At the Kenai Chamber of Commerce annual beer and wine tasting event this year, a loyal and generous supporter of most every civic organization in the twin river cities, Scott Hamann of Metal Magic, put his scalp up for a challenge if the Chamber could raise enough money. "Tina asked me if I'd be willing to give up my hair to raise some money for the Chamber. I really support and appreciate the Chamber. It's a great organization and anything I can do to support their efforts on all our behalves, I told her sure. If they could raise $5,000, I'd be happy to shave my head bald and donate the hair to Locks of Love for cancer patients," said Hamann.

I have spent the last 17 days of October working in the gas fields on the west side of Cook Inlet. It was perhaps the most beautiful fall I have ever spent working in Alaska, and as beautiful as any I have ever enjoyed. The leaves were colorful and falling, as the beautiful cool, but sunny, days reminded me of my childhood growing up in Wisconsin. In those years, each fall meant corn picking, harvesting the last of the summer garden, and digging potatoes.