Having a ready team of work dogs made longer trips out of Seward more manageable for Steve Melchior. The woman accompanying him on the wagon is unidentified. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 7

Stephan “Steve” Melchior parleyed a partially fabricated past into a respected life as a miner and a builder in Alaska.

Having a ready team of work dogs made longer trips out of Seward more manageable for Steve Melchior. The woman accompanying him on the wagon is unidentified. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: One brick at a time

I am from that “once upon a time” when no one swore in public.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
A group of friends hikes along the Resurrection Pass Trail on June 26, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Minister’s Message: A heart set on the journey

What step will you take this week toward God on your journey of faith?

A group of friends hikes along the Resurrection Pass Trail on June 26, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
This sweet, spiced cinnamon apple cake is topped with streusel and would pair wonderfully with a latte as a breakfast treat or vanilla ice cream for dessert. (Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A cake for the changing seasons

My sister calls this time of year “apple season.”

This sweet, spiced cinnamon apple cake is topped with streusel and would pair wonderfully with a latte as a breakfast treat or vanilla ice cream for dessert. (Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Rumi, Zoey and Mira, of Huntr/x, perform in “KPop Demon Hunters.” (Promotional photo courtesy Sony Pictures Animation)

On the Screen: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ deserves a spot on the big screen

It’s a film that was made to be experienced with theater-quality sound and alongside a group of strangers.

Rumi, Zoey and Mira, of Huntr/x, perform in “KPop Demon Hunters.” (Promotional photo courtesy Sony Pictures Animation)
Steve Melchior in his Seward yard with two of his many dogs, probably circa mid-1920s. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 6

This moose-and-man journey attracted considerable attention nationwide.

Steve Melchior in his Seward yard with two of his many dogs, probably circa mid-1920s. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)
Promotional image courtesy Warner Bros. Discovery 
A child races into the night in “Weapons.”

On the Screen: ‘Weapons’ a thoughtful horror set to American tragedy

Wrapped in a supernatural horror story is a distinctly human narrative.

Promotional image courtesy Warner Bros. Discovery 
A child races into the night in “Weapons.”
Fireweed is seen on a hillside in Homer, Alaska, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Minister’s Message: Seasons on the Kenai

Just as there are seasons on the Kenai, there are seasons of life.

Fireweed is seen on a hillside in Homer, Alaska, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Smoked salmon ready for taste testing in Wrangell. (Photo by Vivian Faith Prescott)

5th annual ‘Smoked Salmon Super Bowl’ names winners of tastiest fish

The fifth annual Smoked Salmon Super Bowl highlighted Alaska businesses who work to share the taste of authentic, wild Alaska seafood with the world.

Smoked salmon ready for taste testing in Wrangell. (Photo by Vivian Faith Prescott)
Fika co-owners Sierra Moskios-Schlieman and Tyler Moskios-Schlieman pose for a photograph with their Taste of Homer plaque at the 2025 HarborFest in June. (Photo courtesy of Fika Coffee Roasters)

Local coffee roastery to compete in ‘Great Alaska Coffee Roaster Competition’

The competition will take place on Sunday, Aug. 17 at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer.

Fika co-owners Sierra Moskios-Schlieman and Tyler Moskios-Schlieman pose for a photograph with their Taste of Homer plaque at the 2025 HarborFest in June. (Photo courtesy of Fika Coffee Roasters)
Kenai Peninsula District 4-H chickens are on display at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jack Money

Family fun at the fair

The Kenai Peninsula Fair was held last weekend in Ninilchik.

Kenai Peninsula District 4-H chickens are on display at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jack Money
This hearty meal comes straight out of an Irish pub ... sort of. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A hearty meal for adventurers

This recipe for turkey cottage pie makes enough for supper, with plenty of leftovers for elevensies.

This hearty meal comes straight out of an Irish pub ... sort of. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A vintage KBBI mug, repurposed and filled with various office supplies, rests in the Homer News office window on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

KBBI seeks art submissions for annual membership mugs

The mugs will be released in October, as an incentive for the fall membership drive.

A vintage KBBI mug, repurposed and filled with various office supplies, rests in the Homer News office window on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Freshly caught fish lay at the author’s feet. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)

Minister’s Message: Fishing together

We, despite our differences, are one human population, attempting to make life each day.

Freshly caught fish lay at the author’s feet. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)
In September 1946, the Alaska Sportsman Magazine published “Moose Ranch,” an article by Mamie “Niska” Elwell. The story describes Steve Melchior’s moose-ranching operation from the 1920s and features two photographs of Melchior.

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 5

In June 1913, a peninsula game warden informed the governor that Melchior was raising a moose calf on his mining property.

In September 1946, the Alaska Sportsman Magazine published “Moose Ranch,” an article by Mamie “Niska” Elwell. The story describes Steve Melchior’s moose-ranching operation from the 1920s and features two photographs of Melchior.
Liam Neeson is Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. in “The Naked Gun.” (Promotional image courtesy Paramount Pictures)

On the Screen: Profoundly dumb, deeply hilarious

‘Naked Gun’ brings back the goofball comedy.

Liam Neeson is Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. in “The Naked Gun.” (Promotional image courtesy Paramount Pictures)
These scones are an easy treat and feature locally-grown fruit. Photo provided by Tressa Dale

Family meals and memories

These easy scones feature fresh cherries, grown locally.

These scones are an easy treat and feature locally-grown fruit. Photo provided by Tressa Dale
Team Seaweed presents their research on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

‘Girls on the Water’ expedition presents on summer adventures and research

The program, run through UAF, helps expose young women to coastal ecosystems

Team Seaweed presents their research on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A community member works with clay on a wheel in the ceramics studio at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

Homer’s art scene heads into fall

Homer Council on the Arts’ activities are bursting onto the scene for all to enjoy.

A community member works with clay on a wheel in the ceramics studio at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Salmonfest-goers crowd in front of the Ocean Stage during Blackwater Railroad’s performance on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Celebrating salmon, art and culture

Salmonfest was held in Ninilchik last weekend, featuring music, community and advocacy.

Salmonfest-goers crowd in front of the Ocean Stage during Blackwater Railroad’s performance on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)