Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)

Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts

July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)

Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
X̱’unei Lance Twitchell receives his legislative citation from Rep. Andi Story, D Juneau, at a ceremony at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
X̱’unei Lance Twitchell receives his legislative citation from Rep. Andi Story, D Juneau, at a ceremony at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)

July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting

Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

Nick Varney
A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
File

Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

File
This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)

Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A band performs during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Midnight afternoon

Nikiski turns out for annual solstice festival.

A band performs during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Mary L. Penney and her son Ronald, circa 1930, probably in New York prior to her move to Florida, where she lived out the final years of her life. (Photo courtesy of the Penney Family Collection)

Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska adventure — Part 10

Stories of their adventures persisted, and the expedition’s after-effects lingered.

Mary L. Penney and her son Ronald, circa 1930, probably in New York prior to her move to Florida, where she lived out the final years of her life. (Photo courtesy of the Penney Family Collection)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: A bug in the system

Schools are in the news lately, both locally and nationally.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
File

Minister’s Message: Long sleeves

I chose the easy way in the moment but paid the price in the long run.

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The Homer News, a small print publication based in Cortland County, New York, features photos on the back page of readers who travel with copies of the newspaper. This issue of The Homer News shows Gary Root visiting Homer, Alaska and posing for a photo with the New York paper under the "Homer Alaska, Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" sign at the top of Baycrest Hill. Photo courtesy of Kim L. Hubbard

Meet ‘The Homer News’

Surprise! Your local newspaper has a third ‘sister’ paper.

The Homer News, a small print publication based in Cortland County, New York, features photos on the back page of readers who travel with copies of the newspaper. This issue of The Homer News shows Gary Root visiting Homer, Alaska and posing for a photo with the New York paper under the "Homer Alaska, Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" sign at the top of Baycrest Hill. Photo courtesy of Kim L. Hubbard
“Bibim guksu” or “mixed noodles” are traditionally served with a thin wheat flour noodle called somyeon (somen). (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Spicing up summer

“Bbibim guksu,” which means “mixed noodles,” is traditionally served with a thin wheat flour noodle called somyeon (somen).

“Bibim guksu” or “mixed noodles” are traditionally served with a thin wheat flour noodle called somyeon (somen). (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Pride celebrants pose for a photo at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Showing up for Pride

Nearly two dozen people marched carrying flags, signs and other rainbow-hued decorations from The Goods Sustainable Grocery to Soldotna Creek Park.

Pride celebrants pose for a photo at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids take off running as they participate in field games during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Summertime fun times

Annual Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival take places Saturday.

Kids take off running as they participate in field games during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)