This excerpt from a survey dating back more than a century shows a large meander at about Mile 6 of the Kenai River. Along the outside of this river bend in 1948 were the homestead properties of Ethen Cunningham, William Franke and Charles “Windy” Wagner.

States of Mind: The death of Ethen Cunningham — Part 4

Franke surrendered peacefully and confessed to the killing, but the motive for the crime remained in doubt.

This excerpt from a survey dating back more than a century shows a large meander at about Mile 6 of the Kenai River. Along the outside of this river bend in 1948 were the homestead properties of Ethen Cunningham, William Franke and Charles “Windy” Wagner.
This nutritious and calorie-dense West African Peanut Stew is rich and complex with layers of flavor and depth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This nutritious and calorie-dense West African Peanut Stew is rich and complex with layers of flavor and depth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Rozzi Redmond’s painting “Icy Straits” depicts her experience of sailing to Seward through a particularly rough region of the Inside Passage. Redmond’s show will be on display at Homer Council on the Arts until Sept. 2, 2024. (Emilie Springer/Homer News)

‘A walk through looking glass’

Abstract Alaska landscape art by Rozzi Redmond on display in Homer through Monday

Rozzi Redmond’s painting “Icy Straits” depicts her experience of sailing to Seward through a particularly rough region of the Inside Passage. Redmond’s show will be on display at Homer Council on the Arts until Sept. 2, 2024. (Emilie Springer/Homer News)
Children dance as Ellie and the Echoes perform the last night of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna music series wraps up season with local performers

The city is in the second year of its current three-year grant from the Levitt Foundation

Children dance as Ellie and the Echoes perform the last night of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Emilie Springer/ Homer News
Liam James, Javin Schroeder, Leeann Serio and Mike Selle perform in “Leaving” during last Saturday’s show at Pier One Theatre on the Spit.

Homer playwrights get their 10 minutes onstage

“Slices” 10-minute play festival features local works

Emilie Springer/ Homer News
Liam James, Javin Schroeder, Leeann Serio and Mike Selle perform in “Leaving” during last Saturday’s show at Pier One Theatre on the Spit.
Charles “Windy” Wagner, pictured here in about the year in which Ethen Cunningham was murdered, was a neighbor to both the victim and the accused, William Franke. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

States of Mind: The death of Ethen Cunningham — Part 3

The suspect was homesteader William Henry Franke

Charles “Windy” Wagner, pictured here in about the year in which Ethen Cunningham was murdered, was a neighbor to both the victim and the accused, William Franke. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
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Minister’s Message: Comprehending a truth beyond knowledge

The love of Christ passes knowledge

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Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Bring it on

It’s now already on the steep downslide of August and we might as well be attending a wake on the beach

Nick Varney
This pie balances tart Granny Smith apples with a buttery brown sugar caramel sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

New possibilities served with a side of apple pie

Celebrating the first day of school with a sweet treat

This pie balances tart Granny Smith apples with a buttery brown sugar caramel sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: As Time Goes By…

The world was endless with simply a dollar in an envelope

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
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Minister’s Message: Entering rest

I asked a group of people to share their ideas of what they think of when they hear the word “rest.”

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William Henry Franke signed this draft-registration card in August 1942 in Massachusetts. At the time, he was serving with the U.S. Merchant Marine. Four years later, he would move to the Kenai Peninsula. In January 1948, he would kill Ethen Cunningham.

States of Mind: The death of Ethen Cunningham — Part 2

Conjecture about motive was rampant immediately after the shooting and in the months before Franke’s court date

William Henry Franke signed this draft-registration card in August 1942 in Massachusetts. At the time, he was serving with the U.S. Merchant Marine. Four years later, he would move to the Kenai Peninsula. In January 1948, he would kill Ethen Cunningham.
This red beans and rice recipe depends upon building layers of flavor over time. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Savoring the last of summer with slow-cooked beans and rice

Some dishes simply cannot be rushed and won’t fit into a hectic schedule

This red beans and rice recipe depends upon building layers of flavor over time. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: The quest for unity

The solution for unity must be in terms of honoring God and God’s values

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Former Kenai resident and businessman Hal Thornton first arrived in Kenai on the evening that Ethen Cunningham was murdered. He described his experience with this event in the Kenai chapter of this memoir.

States of Mind: The death of Ethen Cunningham — Part 1

It may have seemed like an open-and-shut case

Former Kenai resident and businessman Hal Thornton first arrived in Kenai on the evening that Ethen Cunningham was murdered. He described his experience with this event in the Kenai chapter of this memoir.
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gyoza wrappers are filled with shrimp and onion paste. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Wrapping up summer

These dumplings are relatively easy to make and are very forgiving, perfect for inexperienced folders

Gyoza wrappers are filled with shrimp and onion paste. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
The Triumvirate Theatre’s cast of “The Sound of Music” rehearse at Soldotna High School on Friday, Aug. 2.

Triumvirate Theatre comes alive with ‘The Sound of Music’

The stage adaptation of the 1960s Julie Andrews film opens Friday

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
The Triumvirate Theatre’s cast of “The Sound of Music” rehearse at Soldotna High School on Friday, Aug. 2.
Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Fair 2024: Back to the Last Frontier

Some of the highlights this year will include horse rides, hamster balls, pig races, rodeo and competitions

Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
On its last legs. When the Peninsula Clarion’s Ashlyn O’Hara captured this image of Good Time Charlies in 2022, the old bar and strip club was about to be demolished to make room for a highway-safety project.

A violent season — Part 7

No bar stands today north of the Sterling Highway and across from the Birch Ridge Golf Course.

On its last legs. When the Peninsula Clarion’s Ashlyn O’Hara captured this image of Good Time Charlies in 2022, the old bar and strip club was about to be demolished to make room for a highway-safety project.