Dr. Thomas F. Sweeney was a dentist seeking adventure and riches. He also had some mistaken ideas about the difficulties that life in remote Alaska entailed. (Public photo from ancestry.com)

Life

Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska Adventure — Part 5

The three-masted ship called the Agate was a reliable 30-year ocean veteran when it entered Cook Inlet in…

These high-protein egg bites are filled with tomatoes, parsley and feta, but any omelet-appropriate toppings will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

A little care for the caretakers

These high-protein egg bites are perfect for getting a busy teacher through the witching hour in late afternoon.

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science students perform “Let’s Eat,” their fifth grade musical, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Healthy eating headlines elementary school musical

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science stages “Let’s Eat” for its annual fifth grade musical.

The Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference is held at Kachemak Bay Campus starting on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Life

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference returns for 23rd year

This year’s keynote presenter is author Ruth Ozeki.

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Life

Minister’s Message: Prudence prevents pain, and, possibly, fender benders

Parents carry the responsibility of passing down prudence and wisdom to their children.

This Library of Congress photo shows the U.S.S. Maine, which exploded and sank in the harbor at Havanna, Cuba, about the same time the Kings County Mining Company’s ship, the Agate left Brooklyn for Alaska. The Maine incident prompted the start of the Spanish-American War and complicated the mining company’s attempt to sail around Cape Horn.

Life

Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska adventure — Part 4

The Penney clan experienced a few weeks fraught with the possibility that Mary might never be returning home.

This salad mixes broccoli, carrots and pineapple chunks for a bright, sweet dish. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

A bright and sweet Mother’s Day treat

Broccoli, pineapple and carrots are the heart of this flavorful salad.

Artwork by The Art Gaggle is displayed as part of “What We Do” at the Kenai Art Center on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Local artists share ‘What We Do’ in May show at Kenai Art Center

An eclectic mix of local art makes up the May show at the Kenai Art Center, “What We…

Students throw brightly hued powder into the air during a color run at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Color run paints students with kaleidoscope of hues

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science on Saturday gathered parents and students for a color run helmed by…

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Life

‘What gives it teeth’

Indigenous author Lily H. Tuzroyluke spoke on her novel and writing process last week at the Homer Public…

Nick Varney

Life

Unhinged Alaska: Backtracking rusted memories

It’s amazing how something as innocuous as a simple phone call can set one trekking down their own…

The bark (or barque) called the Agate, which carried members of the Kings County Mining Company from Brooklyn, New York, to Cook Inlet, was probably similar to this three-masted barque featured on Wikipedia.

Life

Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska adventure — Part 3

The Brooklyn investors in the mining venture ran into trouble from the beginning.

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Life

Minister’s Message: Noticing the gorilla

Where we turn our attention determines what we can and cannot see.

People from various faiths stand together at the conclusion of a prayer by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Heartbeat of Mother Earth Drum group during a National Day of Prayer Celebration hosted by the KPen Interfaith Community at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Celebrating unity and diversity

An array of groups offered prayers and songs at The National Day of Prayer concert in Soldotna.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Donna Shirnberg rehearses”Picnic” at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Life

Small town America grapples with big emotions

Kenai Performers stage playwright William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Picnic.”

Individual Artist Awards logo. Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation

Life

Rasmuson Foundation accepting applications for Individual Artist Awards

Project Awards are for short-term projects that clearly benefit the artist and their development.

These sweet, stuffed pancakes, called hotteok, are found in Korea, and they make a perfect after-school snack. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Sweet bread to help savor the moments

If this stage of his childhood can so quickly become a memory, how fast will the rest of…

Nikiski Bulldog Theatre actors rehearse “All Shook Up” in the Nikiski Middle/High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Elvis-themed musical brings music and moves to Nikiski stage

“All Shook Up” combines the familiar tunes of Elvis Presley with Shakespearean narrative of romance and identity.

Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Soldotna Music Series announces lineup, starts June 4

The Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series will bring performances to Soldotna Creek Park each Wednesday.

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Life

Minister’s Message: Experience the abundant life Jesus has for you

Life of all forms is definitely abundant in most parts of the world.