Kate’s Flowers and Gifts florist Kate Mastres arranges a bouquet at the shop on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Wednesday was a busy day for the shop, with the Valentine’s Day holiday. Mastres said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kate’s Flowers and Gifts florist Kate Mastres arranges a bouquet at the shop on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Wednesday was a busy day for the shop, with the Valentine’s Day holiday. Mastres said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Roses are red, violets are blue

Wednesday was a busy day for Kate’s Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna. Florist Kate Mastres, who started the shop with the help of her parents in 2016 after the owner of Tammy’s Flowers and Gifts decided to close, said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said.

Prepared bouquets of pink roses wait for customers to pick them up at Kate’s Flowers and Gifts on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Wednesday was a busy day for the shop, with the Valentine’s Day holiday. Florist Kate Mastres said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Prepared bouquets of pink roses wait for customers to pick them up at Kate’s Flowers and Gifts on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Wednesday was a busy day for the shop, with the Valentine’s Day holiday. Florist Kate Mastres said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kate’s Flowers and Gifts florist Kate Mastres arranges a bouquet at the shop on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Wednesday was a busy day for the shop, with the Valentine’s Day holiday. Mastres said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kate’s Flowers and Gifts florist Kate Mastres arranges a bouquet at the shop on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Wednesday was a busy day for the shop, with the Valentine’s Day holiday. Mastres said she had been at the shop until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning preparing for the next day and arrived at 10 a.m. The shop does custom bouquets as well as some pre-designed ones, she said. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Previous
State begins transfer of child welfare services to tribal communities
Next
Humphreys to lead state Medical Board

More in News

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

Most Read