Vicke Kukowski speaks during a ceremony dedicating the Kenai Senior Center’s greenhouse to her dad, Bill Osborn, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Vicke Kukowski speaks during a ceremony dedicating the Kenai Senior Center’s greenhouse to her dad, Bill Osborn, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Senior Center dedicates greenhouse

Tucked snugly next to the Kenai Senior Center is a greenhouse brimming with lush cucumber plants and black gardening boxes. On Tuesday afternoon, pale gray light filtered through the structure’s translucent siding while a slow stream of visitors trickled in and out of the open door.

They and others were among those who gathered at the center for a ceremony dedicating the greenhouse to a former Kenai Senior Center regular and gardening enthusiast, Bill Osborn, who died in 2018 at the age of 89. On top of his service to the senior center, Osborn also served the city in other capacities, including on the Kenai Harbor Commission, the Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission and the Kenai Council on Aging.

The talk of Tuesday’s gathering, however, was Osborn’s green thumb.

“He loved his garden,” said former Kenai Senior Center Director Rachael Craig. “He loved his vegetables. We always could count on his rhubarb that he brought to the center on the Fourth of July.”

Craig recalled fondly Osborn’s years of service to the center, including his positive and uplifting disposition, his generosity with the fruits of his labor and his unrelenting advocacy for the efforts of the senior center. As this year’s Fourth of July festivities came and went, she said she could still picture Osborn in his straw hat, helping out.

“On a down day, he was always there to come and lift you up,” Craig said.

In attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony were Osborn’s wife, Betty; his daughter, Vicke Kukowski; and his son-in-law, Ray Kukowski. Vicke spoke on behalf of herself and on behalf of her brother Keith, who was unable to attend.

“Our family really, really appreciates it an awful lot and we hope that for years to come that that little greenhouse out there, with some expert help, will continue to help (provide) food for folks,” Vicke Kukowski said.

Unveiled at Tuesday’s ceremony by Vicke Kukowski and current Kenai Senior Center Director Kathy Romain was a plaque reading “Bill Osborn Memorial Greenhouse and Garden,” which will be affixed to the exterior of the greenhouse structure.

It was Vicke who first floated to Romain the idea of building a greenhouse at the center in honor of her dad. Romain brought on Craig to consult, and they were all in agreement: a greenhouse. Money for the construction of the greenhouse came from memorial funds given by Osborn’s family and friends.

Now, stakeholders hope Osborn’s gusto for gardening can be passed on to others. Craig encouraged greenhouse patrons to pause for a moment inside and think about Bill.

“​​I think each of us, when we step into the greenhouse … can hear Bill telling us, ‘Maybe I might add a little fertilizer to this,’ or, ‘Maybe we should add this next year,’ ” because he’s with us celebrating,” Craig said.

Tuesday’s ceremony ended with a buffet-style lunch that included a garden-themed cake and salad — topped with cucumbers grown in the greenhouse.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

Vicke Kukowski (left) hugs Kathy Romain (right) after unveiling a plaque dedicating the Kenai Senior Center’s greenhouse to Bill Osborn during a ceremony on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Vicke Kukowski (left) hugs Kathy Romain (right) after unveiling a plaque dedicating the Kenai Senior Center’s greenhouse to Bill Osborn during a ceremony on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plants grow inside of a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

The door to a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn stands open on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

The door to a greenhouse dedicated to Bill Osborn stands open on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Rachael Craig shares memories of Bill Osborn during a greenhouse dedication ceremony on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Rachael Craig shares memories of Bill Osborn during a greenhouse dedication ceremony on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Family of Bill Osborn attend a ceremony dedicating the Kenai Senior Center greenhouse to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Family of Bill Osborn attend a ceremony dedicating the Kenai Senior Center greenhouse to Bill Osborn on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Children receive free face-painting during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Festival fills park with education, music, vendors

The Kenai River Festival is the biggest event the Kenai Watershed Forum puts on each year

A freshly stocked rainbow trout swims in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lake fishing still ‘excellent’

Northern Kenai Fishing report

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (left) and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf (right) present budget information during a city council work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai adopts budget, staff recruitment strategies

The city expects there to be a general fund surplus of about $436,000 in fiscal year 2025

A special weather statement has been issued for the Kenai Peninsula and surrounding areas. (Screenshot via National Weather Service)
‘Unseasonably strong storm’ forecast for this weekend

Saturday is set to be busy around the central peninsula, with a variety of events scheduled

Photo provided by United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Chugachmiut Board Vice Chair Larry Evanoff from Chenega, Chair Fran Norman from Port Graham, and Director Arne Hatch from Qutekcak break ground for the Chugachmiut Regional Health Center in Seward, June 3. The occasion marked the start of construction of the $20 million facility. The 15,475-square-foot tribally owned and operated health clinic will serve as a regional hub providing medical, dental and behavioral health services for Alaskans in seven tribal communities.
Ground broken for new regional health center in Seward

The tribally owned and operated facility will serve as a regional hub providing medical, dental and behavioral health care

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kasilof River personal use gillnet fishery closed

It’s the Kenai River optimal escapement goal, not a Kasilof River escapement goal, that is cited by the announcement as triggering the close

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai cuts ties with out-of-state marketing firm

Council members expressed skepticism about the firm’s performance

A firefighter from Cooper Landing Emergency Services refills a water tanker at the banks of the Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Alaska on Aug. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Cooper Landing voters to consider emergency service area for region

The community is currently served by Cooper Landing Emergency Services

Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna music series kicks off with crowds, colors and sunshine

A color run took off ahead of performances by Blackwater Railroad Company and BenJammin The Jammin Band

Most Read