Life

Photo by Christina Whiting Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.

A new Lit Lineup

Homer Public Library’s annual Lit Lineup encourages year-round reading.

Photo by Christina Whiting Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Off the Shelf: ‘Anxious Generation’ underserves conversations about cellphones

The book has been cited in recent school board discussions over cellphone policies.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: More of the same?

I have no particular expectations for the New Year

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Mitch Gyde drowned not far from this cabin, known as the Cliff House, on upper Tustumena Lake in September 1975. (Photo courtesy of the Fair Family Collection)

The 2 most deadly years — Part 8

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

Mitch Gyde drowned not far from this cabin, known as the Cliff House, on upper Tustumena Lake in September 1975. (Photo courtesy of the Fair Family Collection)
”Window to the Soul” by Bryan Olds is displayed as part of “Kinetic” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Movement on display

Kenai Art Center’s January show, ‘Kinetic,’ opens Friday

”Window to the Soul” by Bryan Olds is displayed as part of “Kinetic” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
These savory dumplings are delicious steamed, boiled, deep fried, or pan fried and are excellent in soups or added to a bowl of ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Facing the new year one dumpling at a time

I completed another impossibly huge task this weekend and made hundreds of wontons by hand to serve our large family

These savory dumplings are delicious steamed, boiled, deep fried, or pan fried and are excellent in soups or added to a bowl of ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Spencer Linderman was a game biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in 1975 when he and pilot Robin Johnson crashed while flying a goat survey in a glacial valley near upper Tustumena Lake. Neither man survived. (Photo from a eulogy in the Homer News)

The 2 most deadly years — Part 7

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

Spencer Linderman was a game biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in 1975 when he and pilot Robin Johnson crashed while flying a goat survey in a glacial valley near upper Tustumena Lake. Neither man survived. (Photo from a eulogy in the Homer News)
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Minister’s Message: The song of the season

There is another song of the season that the Gospel writer Luke records in the first chapter of his book

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Peppermint patties and a Charlie Brown tree

These icy mints are a nostalgic treat perfect for spreading holiday cheer

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Keanu Reeves is Shadow the Hedgehog in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Sonic 3’ brings craft, stakes to colorful kid’s movie

When I was a kid, in the early 2000s, Sonic the Hedgehog was a pretty big deal

Keanu Reeves is Shadow the Hedgehog in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)
Paetyn Wimberly performs “The Christmas That I Know” during the 23rd Annual Christmas Lights and Holiday Nights Skating Recital at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Skating in the park with Santa

The Soldotna Parks and Recreation Department will host another holiday open skate on Tuesday, Dec. 31

Paetyn Wimberly performs “The Christmas That I Know” during the 23rd Annual Christmas Lights and Holiday Nights Skating Recital at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
AnnMarie Rudstrom, dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present, reads Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Goods in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ warms a winter night at The Goods

The full text of the book was read live at the store across two weeks

AnnMarie Rudstrom, dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present, reads Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Goods in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: The little tree that could

Each year I receive emails requesting a repeat of a piece I wrote years ago about being away from home on Christmas.

Nick Varney
The mouth of Indian Creek in the spring, when the water is shallow and clear. By summertime, it runs faster and is more turbid. The hand and trekking pole at lower left belong to Jim Taylor, who provided this photograph.

The 2 most deadly years — Part 6

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

The mouth of Indian Creek in the spring, when the water is shallow and clear. By summertime, it runs faster and is more turbid. The hand and trekking pole at lower left belong to Jim Taylor, who provided this photograph.
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Baking family history

This recipe is labeled “banana fudge,” but the result is more like fudgy banana brownies

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Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

“The Kingdom of Sweets” is available at the Homer Public Library

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Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter solstice skiing fundraiser delayed until January

StarLight StarBright raises funds for the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society

Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: The opportunity to trust

It was a Friday night when I received a disturbing text from my son that every parent dreads — especially when you’re 4,000 miles away.… Continue reading

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Map courtesy of Kerri Copper This map of Tustumena Lake was created in 1975 by John Dolph as he planned an Alaska adventure — and delayed honeymoon — for himself and his wife, Kerri. On the upper end of the lake, Dolph had penciled in two prospective camping sites.

The 2 most deadly years — Part 5

AUTHOR’S NOTE: The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975. This series discusses the tragedies of those… Continue reading

Map courtesy of Kerri Copper This map of Tustumena Lake was created in 1975 by John Dolph as he planned an Alaska adventure — and delayed honeymoon — for himself and his wife, Kerri. On the upper end of the lake, Dolph had penciled in two prospective camping sites.
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Peanut butter balls for Ms. Autumn

This holiday treat is made in honor of the Soldotna El secretary who brings festive joy

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