"Musical Chair" is a photograph by Amaia Nicole Crain, with model Alisa Sonne, on display through August in her solo photography exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

August First Friday in Homer

Summer is in full swing and Homer’s galleries and public art spaces are abuzz with artists showcasing new and ongoing work.

"Musical Chair" is a photograph by Amaia Nicole Crain, with model Alisa Sonne, on display through August in her solo photography exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Former Homer News Editor-in-chief Michael Armstrong poses for a photograph Oct, 26, 2024, in Wilmington, Vermont. (Photo by Janet Shook/courtesy)

Aging Gracefully: Write your own story

One unfortunate aspect of aging is that the number of memorial services you attend begins to exceed weddings.

  • Aug 1, 2025
  • By Michael Armstrong Homer News Contributor
  • ColumnHomer
Former Homer News Editor-in-chief Michael Armstrong poses for a photograph Oct, 26, 2024, in Wilmington, Vermont. (Photo by Janet Shook/courtesy)
Posing in front of Steve Melchior’s cabin on the Killey River in 1912 are (left) packer/cook Ferdinand “Fritz” Posth and hunting guide William “Wild Bill” Dewitt, with two trophy Dall sheep heads. (Photo from E. Marshall Scull’s 1914 hunting memoir, “Hunting in the Arctic and Alaska”)
Posing in front of Steve Melchior’s cabin on the Killey River in 1912 are (left) packer/cook Ferdinand “Fritz” Posth and hunting guide William “Wild Bill” Dewitt, with two trophy Dall sheep heads. (Photo from E. Marshall Scull’s 1914 hunting memoir, “Hunting in the Arctic and Alaska”)
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Minister’s Message: ‘Bed rotting’

There’s not much worse than sleeping your life away.

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These childhood favorites are certainly not healthy, but they’re made with more wholesome ingredients than their drive-through equivalents. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Chicken nuggets for the soul

This childhood classic is made with organic chicken breast and wholesome spices.

These childhood favorites are certainly not healthy, but they’re made with more wholesome ingredients than their drive-through equivalents. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Author Naomi Klouda poses for a photo in this undated photograph. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Klouda)

Local author Naomi Klouda publishes dictionary for Alaska’s glaciers

Naomi Klouda was working as the editor of the Tundra Drums weekly newspaper when she began to notice the presence and number of glaciers in… Continue reading

Author Naomi Klouda poses for a photo in this undated photograph. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Klouda)
A small placard provides context and the traditional, indigenous names of a Kenai Birch tree in the Pratt Museum Botanical Garden on Friday, July 25. The Kenai Birch is a hybrid species only present on the Kenai Peninsula. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Out of the office and under the trees

Throughout this summer, the Pratt has offered guided tours centered on the “science and spirit of the forest.”

A small placard provides context and the traditional, indigenous names of a Kenai Birch tree in the Pratt Museum Botanical Garden on Friday, July 25. The Kenai Birch is a hybrid species only present on the Kenai Peninsula. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Vanessa Kirby is Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal is Reed Richards, Joseph Quinn is Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” (Promotional image courtesy Marvel Studios)

On the Screen: New ‘Fantastic Four’ falls short of superb

This new take on “Fantastic Four” is totally fine.

Vanessa Kirby is Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal is Reed Richards, Joseph Quinn is Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” (Promotional image courtesy Marvel Studios)
The winning designs of the Second Annual City of Soldotna I Voted Sticker Contest are displayed. (Graphics courtesy City of Soldotna)

Winners announced for Soldotna voting sticker design contest

The voting stickers will be available at Soldotna polling locations during the Oct. 1 municipal election.

The winning designs of the Second Annual City of Soldotna I Voted Sticker Contest are displayed. (Graphics courtesy City of Soldotna)
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Minister’s Message: Living like lambs (in the midst of wolves)

The only chance lambs have of survival is if they have a shepherd watching over them, guarding them, protecting them.

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Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 3

Stephan “Steve” Melchior sent a friend to Katherine to tell her that he had died in Alaska.

Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: I should have known better

It all started off rather quietly.

Nick Varney
A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)

Southcentral cat rescue seeking foster homes, adopters for stray felines

In 2024, the organization helped rescue 589 cats.

A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)
A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Something warm and comforting

This mild and nutritious soup is full of fiber and vitamins, plus a healthy dose of shredded cheddar.

A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

68th Annual Progress Days events to take place this weekend

The celebration includes events around town from Wednesday through Sunday.

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Artist Ingrid McKinstry stands next to her current mixed media exhibit and her work available year-round at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ingrid McKinstry

An exploration of curiosity

Homer artist showcases new and previously completed mixed media pieces.

Artist Ingrid McKinstry stands next to her current mixed media exhibit and her work available year-round at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ingrid McKinstry
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

Salmonfest to return for 15th year of fish, love and music

This year’s festival will take place from Aug. 1-3 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
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Minister’s Message: Connecting meaningfully with God

What is church, and how is the body of Christ to be lived out?

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Homer Public Library Director Dave Berry makes an outgoing call on the library’s public phone on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Out of the office: Nostalgia is calling

I stopped in at the Homer Public Library and was hailed by a couple of youths who were trying to use the library’s analog public phone.

Homer Public Library Director Dave Berry makes an outgoing call on the library’s public phone on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: AI or not?

AI is here to stay, for better or worse, and we have to recognize that there are limitations to its usefulness.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)