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Minister’s Message: Memento mori

In the early centuries of Christianity, the Desert Fathers — Christian monks who withdrew into the wilderness — practiced the strange and beautiful discipline of… Continue reading

 

Emmett Krefting, age 6-7, at the Wible mining camping in 1907-07, about the time he first met King David Thurman. (Photo from the cover of Krefting’s memoir, Alaska’s Sourdough Kid)

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 4

AUTHOR’S NOTE: In 1913, King David Thurman, a Cooper Landing-area resident who often seemed one step ahead of authorities, was finally convicted of violating game… Continue reading

 

Bulgogi kimbap is a favorite lunchtime staple and easy travel meal. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Kimbap when craving Korean food

Bulgogi kimbap is a favorite lunchtime staple and easy travel meal.

 

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Minister’s Message: Considering the saints

This week, in many Christian churches, we celebrated a tradition called All Saints’ Day. It’s a time in our church year where we remember those… Continue reading

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There are two ways to make this complex and lovely sauce, which pairs sweetly with ice cream. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Dulce two ways

This dessert sauce can be eaten by the spoonful, but it’s best over ice cream.

There are two ways to make this complex and lovely sauce, which pairs sweetly with ice cream. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
This is part of the intake data entered when, in 1913, King David Thurman began his 50-day sentence in the Seward Jail for violating Alaska’s game laws. A 1911 attempt to nail Thurman for such a violation had failed.

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 3

AUTHOR’S NOTE: King David Thurman, a miner and trapper who lived and worked in the Cooper Landing area during the early 1900s, was known for… Continue reading

This is part of the intake data entered when, in 1913, King David Thurman began his 50-day sentence in the Seward Jail for violating Alaska’s game laws. A 1911 attempt to nail Thurman for such a violation had failed.
Photo from the L.H. Peterson Collection, Lot 8749, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Simon Wible’s mining camp on Canyon Creek, August 1911, four years after the summer in which Emmett Krefting met King David Thurman here.

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 2

AUTHOR’S NOTE: King David Thurman came to Alaska seeking gold. One of the earliest specific records of his movements was described by Emmett T. Krefting,… Continue reading

Photo from the L.H. Peterson Collection, Lot 8749, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Simon Wible’s mining camp on Canyon Creek, August 1911, four years after the summer in which Emmett Krefting met King David Thurman here.
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Minister’s Message: The ‘Unholidays’

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6 “Better a dry crust with peace than a house… Continue reading

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Roasted pumpkin seeds are packed with healthy fats and antioxidants and are a perfect snack for fueling growing brains and bodies. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Seasoned seeds to snack on

Roasting pumpkin seeds reduces food waste and creates a perfect treat for fueling growing brains and bodies.

Roasted pumpkin seeds are packed with healthy fats and antioxidants and are a perfect snack for fueling growing brains and bodies. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
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Minister’s Message: Yet, I will rejoice!

“When you look at the world, what is it that you see? People find all kinds of things, that bring them to their knees,” sang… Continue reading

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The hardest part of making this classic Halloween treat is getting started, and maybe not burning your fingers. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Building confidence to do hard things

Although candy making is intimidating, it’s not impossible.

The hardest part of making this classic Halloween treat is getting started, and maybe not burning your fingers. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Simon “Sam” Wible came to Alaska to mine for gold in the 1890s. Soon, he had a large hydraulic-mining camp on Canyon Creek. King David Thurman, at some point prior to 1907, was one of Wible’s employees. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation)

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 1

A probate court met in Seward on Jan. 28, 1915, to determine the fate of the personal property of Cooper Landing-area resident King David Thurman,… Continue reading

Simon “Sam” Wible came to Alaska to mine for gold in the 1890s. Soon, he had a large hydraulic-mining camp on Canyon Creek. King David Thurman, at some point prior to 1907, was one of Wible’s employees. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation)
This photographic portrait depicts Eustace Ziegler, the then-nationally famous oil painter who agreed to provide the artwork for George Kosmos’ publication, “Alaska Sourdough Stories.”

Stories from the Kosmos

I had already purchased the book online — and was waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox — when I discovered an article about… Continue reading

This photographic portrait depicts Eustace Ziegler, the then-nationally famous oil painter who agreed to provide the artwork for George Kosmos’ publication, “Alaska Sourdough Stories.”
The George Navarre Borough Building, seen here in December 2011, stands on Binkley Street, but the initial decision to seat borough government in Soldotna — much less what shape that government would take — were not forgone conclusions.

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 6

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Creating a borough government was no easy feat for the citizens and officials of the Kenai Peninsula, starting with incorporation in 1964, followed… Continue reading

The George Navarre Borough Building, seen here in December 2011, stands on Binkley Street, but the initial decision to seat borough government in Soldotna — much less what shape that government would take — were not forgone conclusions.
In this old Cheechako News photo, officials consider an early display map of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 1969.

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 5

Time and money are always tricky ingredients in government projects.

In this old Cheechako News photo, officials consider an early display map of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 1969.
These satisfying spiced bagels aren't sweet on their own, but pair well with a honey walnut cream cheese to please any sweet tooth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

The simple joy of pumpkin spice

These spiced bagels are chewy and satisfying and pair well with a honey walnut cream cheese.

These satisfying spiced bagels aren't sweet on their own, but pair well with a honey walnut cream cheese to please any sweet tooth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These spiced molasses cookies with golden sprinkles are pillowy and fragrant. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Sweet, spice and everything nice

These soft, pillowy cookies are sweet and fragrant and perfect with a glass of milk.

These spiced molasses cookies with golden sprinkles are pillowy and fragrant. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Serve your London Fog in a lovely cup and enjoy while reading the news. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sip while reading the news

This London Fog is delicious, served in a lovely cup with milk and honey.

Serve your London Fog in a lovely cup and enjoy while reading the news. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crusty and firm bread bowls are best for brothy soups, or make them pillowy soft for thicker stews. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Beautiful bread is performance art

Though these bread bowls will soon be eaten and gone, the effort will not be wasted.

Crusty and firm bread bowls are best for brothy soups, or make them pillowy soft for thicker stews. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference attendees fill the room in Kachemak Bay Campus's Pioneer Hall during the opening panel on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference announces 2026 keynote speaker, faculty list

The keynote speaker for the 2026 conference will be poet and essayist, Jane Hirshfield.

Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference attendees fill the room in Kachemak Bay Campus's Pioneer Hall during the opening panel on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)