White spruce bearing heavy cone crop at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center, August 12, 2014.  Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS.

Refuge Notebook: Spruce mast events – feast or famine

Peer out the window or take a walk around the neighborhood asking yourself if the spruce trees bear an unusually large load of cones this… Continue reading

White spruce bearing heavy cone crop at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center, August 12, 2014.  Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS.

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ “An Evening of Piano with Jason Farnham,” on Friday at 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. Farnam describes his style… Continue reading

A guide waits to net a pink salmon caught by a member of military who spent two days fishing on the Kenai River Friday August 8, 2014 near Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai River Foundation hosted the "Wounded Heroes" fishing event that brought more than 70 military members down to the Kenai River and paired them up with area guides who took them fishing August 8-9. Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion
A guide waits to net a pink salmon caught by a member of military who spent two days fishing on the Kenai River Friday August 8, 2014 near Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai River Foundation hosted the "Wounded Heroes" fishing event that brought more than 70 military members down to the Kenai River and paired them up with area guides who took them fishing August 8-9. Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Scarlett Johansson in a scene from "Lucy." (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)

Reeling it in: ‘Lucy’ won’t make you think too hard

“Lucy”Universal Pictures1 hour, 29 minutes“We only use 10 percent of our brains.” That’s one of those strange little science tidbits that you pick up somewhere,… Continue reading

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Scarlett Johansson in a scene from "Lucy." (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)
The Bookworm Sez: 'The Removers' shows a darker side of coming-of-age

The Bookworm Sez: ‘The Removers’ shows a darker side of coming-of-age

Clean up your mess!It’s something you’ve been told your entire life. Put away your toys. Color inside the lines. Straighten your room. Keep your handwriting… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'The Removers' shows a darker side of coming-of-age

Business news

■ The Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce will hold a joint luncheon at noon on Aug. 20 at the Kenai Visitor Center. An update… Continue reading

Pioneer Potluck: About birthday parties and starting traditions

We had a wonderful time this weekend celebrating two birthdays. Great granddaughter Cecile lives in Washington and is visiting here, and her cousin Natalie, who… Continue reading

  • Aug 12, 2014
  • By Grannie Annie
  • Food
Homemade and made from scratch all butter crust fresh blueberry pie

Homemade and made from scratch all butter crust fresh blueberry pie

Even folks who say that can’t make pie, especially a two-crust pie, can achieve success with “All Butter Crust Fresh Blueberry Pie.” Well-chilled butter makes… Continue reading

  • Aug 12, 2014
  • By Sue Ade
  • Food
Homemade and made from scratch all butter crust fresh blueberry pie
Refuge Notebook: Wind carries insidious exotic plant seeds

Refuge Notebook: Wind carries insidious exotic plant seeds

Roses are red, violets are blue, but what are all the yellow flowers along Kalifornsky Beach Road?! Along almost the entire length of Unity Trail… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Wind carries insidious exotic plant seeds

DNA tests to start on zoo’s bison

HUTCHINSON, — Across developed Kansas, with its roads and communities, homes and farms, it’s hard to imagine that millions of bison once roamed freely across… Continue reading

In this photo taken on June 29, 2014, South Sister rises high above the Sparks Lake, a popular place for canoeing and kayaking, in the central Cascades in Deschutes County,  about 35 miles west of Bend, Ore. (AP Photo/Statesman-Journal, Zach Urness)

Wilderness lakes offer escapes from masses

BEND, Ore. — With so many recreation-minded visitors descending on Central Oregon this summer, I’m almost hesitant to point this out: Besides Sparks, Elk, Cultus… Continue reading

In this photo taken on June 29, 2014, South Sister rises high above the Sparks Lake, a popular place for canoeing and kayaking, in the central Cascades in Deschutes County,  about 35 miles west of Bend, Ore. (AP Photo/Statesman-Journal, Zach Urness)

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibits ■ First Thursday at Kobuk Kaladi Coffee Shop is “Art For Humanity” from 4-7 p.m. These artists are showing — Jan Wallace,… Continue reading

Fresh herbs rock on corn, in chicken and more

If you’re into gardening, your yard is probably burgeoning with fresh herbs. And, if you don’t garden, supermarkets make fresh herbs available pre-cut and packaged,… Continue reading

  • Aug 5, 2014
  • By Sue Ade
  • Food

Pioneer Potluck: About leaving valuable things behind

1970’s August. Cooper Landing, Alaska   My husband at the time, Richard and I were going on a leisurely trip to Anchorage to do some… Continue reading

  • Aug 5, 2014
  • By Grannie Annie
  • Food

You’ve got to be kidding me

It has been a classic summer so far with stunning sunscreen weather blanketing the peninsula encouraging a significant surge of visitors.  Even the few stretches… Continue reading

Courtesy photo/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge A rehabilitated bank at Jim's Landing on the Kenai River provides a resting place for a tired sockeye salmon.

Fish need riparian vegetation

It’s that magical time of year once again when the salmon are flooding through the Kenai River and its tributaries. People and wildlife alike flock… Continue reading

Courtesy photo/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge A rehabilitated bank at Jim's Landing on the Kenai River provides a resting place for a tired sockeye salmon.

Seasons of life

Eccles. 3:1-8 (NKJV) To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to… Continue reading

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson as Hercules in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Kerry Brown)

Hercules a rare disappointment from “The Rock”

“Hercules” Paramount Pictures 1 hours, 30 minutes Years ago I saw “The Scorpion King” starring a charismatic wrestler known as The Rock. I remember telling… Continue reading

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson as Hercules in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Kerry Brown)

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibits ■ For the month of July, the Kenai Fine Art Center will host an exhibit of quilting from around the state, coordinated… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: One for me, and one for you

Bookworm Sez: One for me, and one for you

One for me, and one for you. Divvying up candy when you were a kid was an almost-exact science. Everybody had to have an equal… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: One for me, and one for you