Tom Blyth portrays Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." (Promotional photo courtesy Lionsgate)

On the Screen: ‘Hunger Games’ still has something to say

Surprisingly rich prequel interrogates contemporary politics through dystopian lens

Tom Blyth portrays Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." (Promotional photo courtesy Lionsgate)
This cornbread is sweet and fluffy, perfect with chili after a long day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Cornbead and crockpots for chilly days

This cornbread is sweet and fluffy, perfect with chili after a long day

This cornbread is sweet and fluffy, perfect with chili after a long day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Charles Arthur Riddiford, for whom the first post office in Cooper Landing was named, served with the U.S. Postal Service for more than three decades, mostly as a postal inspector. He achieved nationwide notoriety in the early 1920s. (USPS historical archive photo)

Riddiford: Story of a Name Change — Part 2

Generally speaking, Charles Riddiford did not seem to be an imposing figure

Charles Arthur Riddiford, for whom the first post office in Cooper Landing was named, served with the U.S. Postal Service for more than three decades, mostly as a postal inspector. He achieved nationwide notoriety in the early 1920s. (USPS historical archive photo)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaskas: You are never that far from home

It is a time to express the depth of our affection for each other and to strengthen the bond of family

Nick Varney
Carol Ford portrays Aunt Nancy in “Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble,” a short film by Raleigh Van Natta. (Photo courtesy Raleigh Van Natta)

Local filmmakers given spotlight at Winter Film Series

The series is an offering of short films intended to spark discussion about film in the local community

Carol Ford portrays Aunt Nancy in “Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble,” a short film by Raleigh Van Natta. (Photo courtesy Raleigh Van Natta)
File

Minister’s Message: Embracing the awaiting awe

It is a common practice for me to share words of encouragement with those who find themselves in need of medical attention

File
"Specific Gravity, a multimedia work by Michael Armstrong is on display in Homer Council on the Arts' "Fun with 5x7" show in November and December 2023. Photo by Michael Armstrong

A life guided by art

Former Homer News editor Michael Armstrong pursues his creative life

"Specific Gravity, a multimedia work by Michael Armstrong is on display in Homer Council on the Arts' "Fun with 5x7" show in November and December 2023. Photo by Michael Armstrong
A copy of William L. Iġġiaġruk Hensley’s “Fifty Miles from Tomorrow” is held outside the Peninsula Clarion building on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: A powerful record of Alaska Native advocacy

In “Fifty Miles From Tomorrow,” William L. Hensley divulges a lifetime worth of insight into both his childhood in the northwest Arctic and his decades of service as an unwavering champion of Alaska Native rights

A copy of William L. Iġġiaġruk Hensley’s “Fifty Miles from Tomorrow” is held outside the Peninsula Clarion building on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sugarplums are made of toasted nuts and dried fruit with spices and honey, rolled in sparkling sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dreaming of sugarplums

These fruit specialties conjure the magic of the holidays

Sugarplums are made of toasted nuts and dried fruit with spices and honey, rolled in sparkling sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This is the military plaque placed upon the Anchorage grave of Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball. (Photo from findagrave.com)

Human Complexity: The Story of Jackson Ball — Part 4

Summing any life is never easy. There is always, it seems, more to the story.

This is the military plaque placed upon the Anchorage grave of Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball. (Photo from findagrave.com)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: A few more pills

All the people I visit with these days have the same story

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
file

Minister’s Message: The hope of Christmas

History tells us that Jesus factually lived and later died on the cross. Therefore, the Christmas story is true history

file
Promotional photo courtesy Toho Studios
From left, Yuki Yamada portrays Shiro Mizushima, Hidetaka Yoshioka portrays Kenji Noda, Kuranosuke Sasaki portrays Yoji Akitsu and Ryunosuke Kamiki portrays Koichi Shikishima in “Godzilla Minus One.”

On the Screen: New ‘Godzilla’ surprises as one of the year’s best movies

The film shines not because of a giant computer-generated monster, but instead because of its emotional narrative grounded in humanity, history and politics

Promotional photo courtesy Toho Studios
From left, Yuki Yamada portrays Shiro Mizushima, Hidetaka Yoshioka portrays Kenji Noda, Kuranosuke Sasaki portrays Yoji Akitsu and Ryunosuke Kamiki portrays Koichi Shikishima in “Godzilla Minus One.”
The sun shines over Tern Lake on Sunday, May 22, 2022 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tales of trails

‘Trail Mix Journal’ collects stories and experiences from local wilderness

The sun shines over Tern Lake on Sunday, May 22, 2022 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fresh mozzarella, above, is great if you find yourself with a gallon of milk on its last day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Mozzarella saves the day

After all our Thanksgiving guests departed, we received a delivery of several gallons of milk nearing their expiration date

Fresh mozzarella, above, is great if you find yourself with a gallon of milk on its last day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Older and wiser, or not

Turning 50 has been a more laid-back experience

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Charles Riddiford, far right in the back row, posed for this Spokane Post Office staff photo in 1898 when he was just a clerk. The photo appeared in a 1922 edition of the Spokesman Review, along with a discussion of the post office’s tremendous growth.

Riddiford: Story of a Name Change — Part 1

So who was this Riddiford, and why did this name hold such sway at the site of Joseph Cooper’s boat landing for more than a decade?

Charles Riddiford, far right in the back row, posed for this Spokane Post Office staff photo in 1898 when he was just a clerk. The photo appeared in a 1922 edition of the Spokesman Review, along with a discussion of the post office’s tremendous growth.
Sara DeVolld performs as part of the Waltz of the Flowers Corps de Ballet in “The Nutcracker” with Eugene Ballet at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Shona DeVolld)

Becoming part of a ‘magical holiday tradition’

Local ballet dancer Sara DeVolld performs in Anchorage for ‘The Nutcracker’

Sara DeVolld performs as part of the Waltz of the Flowers Corps de Ballet in “The Nutcracker” with Eugene Ballet at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Shona DeVolld)
A copy of Sherry Simpson’s “The Way Winter Comes” is held in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Inhabited by winter

Juneau writer spins haunting tales of Alaska’s darkest season in 1998 short story collection

A copy of Sherry Simpson’s “The Way Winter Comes” is held in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
These festive gingerbread cookies are topped with royal icing and sprinkles. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Rolling out the gingerbread

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time for the holiday classic

These festive gingerbread cookies are topped with royal icing and sprinkles. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)