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There were chilidogs, prizes and great networking opportunities at the latest Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Afterhours hosted by Lela and Scott Rosin owners of the newly renovated Kenai River Lodge at the bridge in Soldotna. "We've completed makeovers on more than half of our rooms now featuring three suites now with full kitchens and all complete amenities, basically all you need is your toothbrush and your ready to stay the night, week or month, and of course you get to fish while you're here on our 300 feet of river frontage. The make over has included all new outdoor decks and indoor rooms with furnishings from Busy Beaver log furnishing a local company that did all of the new furniture for us and they have really done a beautiful job," Lela told the Dispatch.

The renovated property has caught the essence of the Alaskan experience and Scott says that was Lela's doing, "She's had a vision for it should be since we first started looking at the property and seeing the results of her creativity and designing is really exciting for me, and the local contractors and family members have really done a great job also in turning her vision into reality." According to Lela it has been a family effort but a labor of love, "The kids have learned the art of hard work and have been a big help. Being involved with the hard work has given them a sense of pride in ownership of the lodge and they really appreciate being part of it, it was a team effort and working together has been part of the job," she said. The Rosin's also own the Duck Inn on K-Beach Rd. and the Upper Deck lounge at the Kenai Airport. Participants at the Afterhours celebration had nothing but praise for the chilidogs which Lela said were created by their chefs at the Duck Inn. For reservations or more information call Lela or Scott Rosin at the Kenai River Lodge at 262-4292, or visit www.kenairiverlodge.net, or stop by for a personal tour of their facility on the Sterling Highway at the bridge in Soldotna.