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)
File

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.

File
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.
File

Minister’s Message: Connecting meaningfully with God

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

File
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)
This is the most famous photograph of Steve Melchior, as a copy of it resides in the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. The Melchior family owns a very similar photograph, with a note in pencil from Steve Melchior on the back. The note, written for family members back in Germany in the late 1920s when Melchior was suffering from rheumatism, says, “That is the only way I can get out because my legs won’t walk anymore. I don’t like driving a car, and the dogs take me wherever I want to go. The one in the front is called Bill (in German, Wilhelm), and the one on the left is called Waldman. The black one on the right is called Nick or Nikolaus. Three good, loyal workers, my bodyguard.”

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 2

By at least his early 20s, Steve Melchior had begun to fabricate a past.

This is the most famous photograph of Steve Melchior, as a copy of it resides in the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. The Melchior family owns a very similar photograph, with a note in pencil from Steve Melchior on the back. The note, written for family members back in Germany in the late 1920s when Melchior was suffering from rheumatism, says, “That is the only way I can get out because my legs won’t walk anymore. I don’t like driving a car, and the dogs take me wherever I want to go. The one in the front is called Bill (in German, Wilhelm), and the one on the left is called Waldman. The black one on the right is called Nick or Nikolaus. Three good, loyal workers, my bodyguard.”
Gluten-free baked goods are often dry and unsatisfying, but these cakes are moist and sweet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Goodness without gluten

These cakes are moist, sweet, and honestly the best gluten-free cake I have ever made.

Gluten-free baked goods are often dry and unsatisfying, but these cakes are moist and sweet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
David Corenswet is Superman in “Superman.” (Promotional image courtesy DC Studios)

On the Screen: ‘Superman’ a bold vision of hope, kindness

The film dares to say that kindness is “punk rock.”

David Corenswet is Superman in “Superman.” (Promotional image courtesy DC Studios)
A clay tea set on display at the Kenai Potters Guild exhibit, “River,” hosted by the Kenai Art Center. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Making art shaped by the river

Kenai Potters Guild Clay On Display exhibit focuses on a river’s effect on self and community.

A clay tea set on display at the Kenai Potters Guild exhibit, “River,” hosted by the Kenai Art Center. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Peonies bloom on Friday, July 4, 2024, in the garden beside Cosmic Kitchen on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting

Homer chamber hosts 6th annual Peony Celebration

The weeks-long festival features art exhibits, events, flower sales, guided farm tours and more.

Peonies bloom on Friday, July 4, 2024, in the garden beside Cosmic Kitchen on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
A clipping from a Homer Death Cafe poster.

Homer group tackles death and dying through open conversations

The local group mirrors a growing worldwide trend of “Death Cafes.”

A clipping from a Homer Death Cafe poster.
These fudgy brownies are a classic, decadent treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dessert for a thoughtful reader

These classic fudgy brownies are dense and decadent.

These fudgy brownies are a classic, decadent treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers scoop up ducks at the finish line during the annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 5, in Anchor Point.

Locals win at 4th annual Anchor River duck races

The event is part of the Anchor Point VFW’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Volunteers scoop up ducks at the finish line during the annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 5, in Anchor Point.