In this Feb. 9, 2014 photo, David Siemk of Morton Grove, Ill., uses hatchets and spiked shoes called "crampons" while ice climbing at the more than 100-foot-tall Wildcat Canyon icefall at Starved Rock State Park new Utica, Ill. The shoes are generally composed of 10 steel spikes pointing down for traction and two pointing forward to stab and hold in vertical ice. (AP Photo/NewsTribune, Scott Anderson)

Perfect conditions for perfect climbing

UTICA, Ill. (AP) — Year-round tourist attraction Starved Rock State Park does not attract mountaineers every year.But an extremely cold December, January and February, with… Continue reading

In this Feb. 9, 2014 photo, David Siemk of Morton Grove, Ill., uses hatchets and spiked shoes called "crampons" while ice climbing at the more than 100-foot-tall Wildcat Canyon icefall at Starved Rock State Park new Utica, Ill. The shoes are generally composed of 10 steel spikes pointing down for traction and two pointing forward to stab and hold in vertical ice. (AP Photo/NewsTribune, Scott Anderson)

Business News

■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce meets at noon on Tuesday at Frosos Restaurant. RSVP to 262-9814. ■ The Kenai Chamber of Commerce next meets… Continue reading

Dutch Babies, King Cake

Carnival, a festive time of the year beginning on the 12th day after Christmas (Epiphany) concludes with the celebration of Mardi Gras (French for Fat… Continue reading

Pioneer Potluck: About remodeling the old farmhouse, a hair cut for Jimmy and chocolate cake

I so appreciate the interest in this column from all you readers. Many of the questions I get concern Mom and Dad. Here is a… Continue reading

  • Feb 25, 2014
  • By Grannie Annie
  • Food

Pioneer Potluck recipes for Feb. 26, 2014

CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE CAKEBake this in a fluted or tube pan — quick and easy. Great potluck dessert. I usually bake this for Easter.In a large… Continue reading

Submitted photo Got your goats? These Boer goat twins, owned by Mike Merrick of Soldotna, were born Feb. 5, early in the morning. The one on the left is going to a farm in Seward; his brother is going to be a 4-H project for a boy in Moose Pass. They may show up at the fair this summer at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik.
Submitted photo Got your goats? These Boer goat twins, owned by Mike Merrick of Soldotna, were born Feb. 5, early in the morning. The one on the left is going to a farm in Seward; his brother is going to be a 4-H project for a boy in Moose Pass. They may show up at the fair this summer at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik.

Schools briefs

School board to meet The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. in the borough building at 148 N. Binkley… Continue reading

News and Notes

Katherine Obrien of Kenai, and Daniel Rivenbark of Soldotna were named to Dean’s List at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Students with a GPA… Continue reading

Here’s the thing: More to healthy living than just what you eat

It’s that time of year again. Everyone wants to be healthy, and everyone wants you to know about it. If you don’t share your every… Continue reading

Learning for Life: Provide your own financial security

America Saves Week is Feb. 23 to March 1. University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is encouraging people to save money for their financial… Continue reading

In this undated photo, Clove currant's spring show of deliciously fragrant flowers, left, is followed in midsummer, by a crop of delicious, sweet-tart berries in New Paltz, New York. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

Native plants offer fruit, beauty

More and more gardens are going native these days. Butterfly weeds are edging out delphiniums, clethra is hobnobbing with flowering dogwood, and sunflower is strutting… Continue reading

In this undated photo, Clove currant's spring show of deliciously fragrant flowers, left, is followed in midsummer, by a crop of delicious, sweet-tart berries in New Paltz, New York. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

Church news

Hidden talents show takes the stage The Midnight Son Seventh Day Adventist Church invites the public to watch a Hidden Talent Show at 6:30 p.m.… Continue reading

Send all the bouquets upstairs

Dr. Kenneth Wuest, who taught Greek, was my favorite college professor because he always brought something beyond the day’s lesson to the classroom to inspire… Continue reading

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Refuge Notebook: Time to apply for summer jobs at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Are you interested in working at one of the premier wildlife refuges in the nation this summer? The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has a few… Continue reading

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Homer Cycling Club’s Big Fat Bike Festival this weekend

The Homer Cycling Club’s Big Fat Bike Festival is today through Sunday. Events include beach bonfires, a group ride from Anchor Point to Homer, burger… Continue reading

In this Feb. 6, 2014 photo, Steve and Kathy Muench ride the trails at Jug Mountain Ranch near McCall, Idaho. Fat bikes sport oversized balloon tires run at low air pressures that are specially designed to ride on packed snow and other surfaces. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Roger Phillips)

Snow fun: Clunky bikes with fat tires catching on

MCCALL, Idaho (AP) — You’ve probably seen these in a bike shop, in a bike rack, or even hanging from the ceiling of a bar… Continue reading

In this Feb. 6, 2014 photo, Steve and Kathy Muench ride the trails at Jug Mountain Ranch near McCall, Idaho. Fat bikes sport oversized balloon tires run at low air pressures that are specially designed to ride on packed snow and other surfaces. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Roger Phillips)
In this image released by G.C. Media, Victor Mooney, right, stands inside his custom built row boat "The Spirit of Malabo," as he prepares for the Goree Challenge, his fourth attempt at crossing the Atlantic to raise funds for HIV/AIDS, on Wednesday Feb. 19, 2014 in Maspolamas, Gran Canaria.  (AP Photo/G.C. Media,Handout)

Sunk, but undefeated, NYC man faces Atlantic again

NEW YORK — A tenacious New Yorker who has been trying for nearly a decade to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, but has been… Continue reading

In this image released by G.C. Media, Victor Mooney, right, stands inside his custom built row boat "The Spirit of Malabo," as he prepares for the Goree Challenge, his fourth attempt at crossing the Atlantic to raise funds for HIV/AIDS, on Wednesday Feb. 19, 2014 in Maspolamas, Gran Canaria.  (AP Photo/G.C. Media,Handout)

What’s Happening

■ The Triumvirate Theatre presents “Barefoot in the Park,” 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22 at Triumvirate Theatre in the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna.… Continue reading

This image released by Columbia Pictures shows Joel Kinnaman in a scene from "RoboCop." (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures - Sony, Kerry Hayes)

Reeling it in: A new ‘Robocop’ – what could go wrong?

“Robocop”Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer1 hour, 57 minutesMan, last weekend was like a 1980s revival filmfest. Not only was there a new version of 1987’s “Robocop,” but also on… Continue reading

This image released by Columbia Pictures shows Joel Kinnaman in a scene from "RoboCop." (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures - Sony, Kerry Hayes)
The Bookworm Sez: Get the skinny on 'A Big Fat Crisis'

The Bookworm Sez: Get the skinny on ‘A Big Fat Crisis’

You feel as though you might have to quit your job.Yeah, you’re that desperate to get away from the treats that somebody’s been leaving in… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Get the skinny on 'A Big Fat Crisis'