43°

Did you happen to see the huge flock of cranes flying overhead last week? As snow is welcomed when anticipating Christmastime, so the sight of migrating birds is warmly welcomed when anticipating Alaska's springtime.

Recently, neighbors have been delighted to observe a variety of fowl that are making brief stops in our area on their annual journey north. Willie Morris showed me photos that he took of a flock of white-fronted geese and a pair of Barrow's goldeneye that he spotted at Stariski Creek marsh last week. My son, Caleb, joined Willie and Marilyn Morris at the marsh one morning and said they saw Mallards, Northern Pintail, Mergansers and Teal. In the inlet in front of our house we are seeing Harlequin ducks, scoters, oldsquaws and loons. Using my "Guide to the Birds of Alaska" book, I'm pretty sure I spotted a pair of red-necked grebes, as well.

"It is time to get fired up about the rodeo season," Shirley Schollenberg announced. "In an effort to generate some interest in cutting, we are offering several free cutting clinics for kids interested in competing in that event," she said.

The first clinic at noon May 23 in Soldotna and the first rodeo is at 7 p.m. that evening. For anyone interested in joining high school rodeo, applications are available by e-mailing Ina Jones at lazyj@horizonsatellite.com. This is the first year that events for the Wrangler Division will be offered, which is specifically for grades six through eight.

High school rodeo and the Wrangler division require a fee to pay upfront, and then members compete for free at all the rodeos. Participants are required to provide school transcripts, as well as signed, notarized authorization from a parent or guardian. Send applications to Ina Jones, Box 15401 Fritz Creek, AK 99603.

The annual horse camp sponsored by the Trail Blazer's 4-H club will be held at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Advanced camp will be held from May 27 through 30 and costs $100. Basic camp will be held June 1 through 3 and costs $75. For questions or applications, e-mail Shirley Schollenberg at shirley@horizonsatellite.com.

Debi Henderson said the Ninilchik Community Library will host a "Mega Yard Sale" during Memorial Day weekend, May 23 through 26 on the library grounds. They are offering community members a place to hold their own yard sale. Spaces cost $10 daily or $25 for three days. Call Debi at 252-3544 to reserve a spot.

Anchor Point Seafoods is sponsoring a flag-designing contest for folks ages 5 to 20. Participants are asked to design a flag using the fishing industry theme. Flags are to be made of nylon, be 18 by 24, weather resistant and submitted by June 1 to Anchor Point Seafoods at Mile 3.2 North Fork Road. Top prizes include the winner's choice of an iPod Nano, Nintendo GameBoy or a bicycle. Participants will receive prizes and winners will be announced June 20 at the grand opening of Anchor Point Seafoods' Farmer's Market. For more details, call Angela Warner at 299-0989.