Justin Ruffridge performs during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Justin Ruffridge performs during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

An evening of books and song

Musicians give fireside serenades to librarygoers

Only feet from the Soldotna Public Library’s fireplace, and against a backdrop of passing cars, a selection of local musicians played music to a small group of engaged listeners — and a couple of people with noses firmly lodged in books — on Thursday.

Elena Corey and Jim Pate opened up the evening, dubbed “Music by the Fire,” together playing guitars while Corey sang. They performed recognizable Christmas songs like “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “for the kids,” Corey said. Adults and children joined in the singing, or just bobbed their heads along.

Corey, between verses, interacted often with the gathered listeners. While singing “White Christmas,” she remarked, “we’ve certainly got that here.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

After they completed their prepared set, Corey and Pate took requests, figuring out the music and key for songs like “Good King Wenceslas.”

After Corey and Pate departed, taking their guitars with them, the next two artists played the library’s piano. Justin Ruffridge played Holiday-flavored jazz piano and was followed by Hannah and Josiah Burton. Josiah played the piano while Hannah sang along. They branched away from holiday-themed offerings, playing a variety of songs including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The later hours of the event were scheduled to be covered by Sue Biggs and Jack Will — the schedule says they were bringing friends — and Mi’shell French and Jane Parrish of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, who were bringing the sounds of flute and bassoon to the library.

Throughout the afternoon, listeners came and went, families and children sitting for a while before returning to the stacks in search of a good book. While Ruffridge played, his son Ellison returned from a successful expedition with a book tucked under his arm, giving a big thumbs-up to his father before taking a seat to break into his finding.

One attendee sat right next to the fire and listened along while taking a big chunk out of a Clive Cussler novel. It was the art and ambiance, filling the entire library far beyond the seats by the fire, that library staff thanked each of the performers for providing.

For more information about the Soldotna Public Library and their programming, find “Soldotna Library” on Facebook or visit soldotna.org/library.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Justin Ruffridge performs during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Justin Ruffridge performs during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hannah and Josiah Burton perform during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hannah and Josiah Burton perform during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in Life

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)
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.

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)
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 mid-October 1898.

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)
Healthy eating headlines elementary school musical

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

Blueberries are photographed in Cooper Landing, Alaska, in August 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Minister’s Message: A reminder that the earth provides

There is new life, even when we can’t see it.

The Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference is held at Kachemak Bay Campus starting on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference returns for 23rd year

This year’s keynote presenter is author Ruth Ozeki.

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

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

file
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.
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.

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)
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… Continue reading

Most Read