The Kenai Peninsula Builders Assoc. (KPBA) took a virtual taste “Tour of the Tuscany” May 30th for their 9th Annual wine tasting fund raising event for their unique scholarships. Randal Nelson is the president of the KPBA, “It’s a great spring event and this is a very important part of what our organization does for the community in involving young people in the trades and training to be our future work force. It’s also a time for us to get together and celebrate the fact that while we are competitors we are united in improving our community and making it a better place for future generations,” said Nelson. KPBA scholarships are given to local youth pursuing careers in the trades, “This year we had four great recipients all going to trade school and all planning on coming back to Alaska and be part of our workforce and that’s very exciting for us,” he added.

Cindy Rombach is executive officer for the KPBA and told the Dispatch, “This year’s event was co-sponsored by Jack White Real Estate, Soldotna and Kenai. Tuscan wines and champagne, exceptional Italian cuisine, a variety of local beer, fun, live music, beautiful décor, prizes all took place at the Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center. We were excited and very grateful that Jack White Real Estate co-sponsored our wine tasting this year. Since opening their Soldotna and Kenai offices, they have also opened their hearts to our association and community. KPBA sincerely appreciates their participation, generosity and support,” she said. Additional sponsors included First American Title; M&J Plumbing & Heating; Stewart Title, TDS Construction, Alaskan Seamless Gutters, Best Transit Mix, Rain Proof Roofing, Cornerstone Custom Homes and Designs, Kelly Griebel, Century 21 Realty Solutions – Freedom Realty, Davis Block & Concrete, Spenard Builders Supply,Anna Johns, Century 21 Realty Solutions – Freedom Realty, Homestate Mortgage Company and Installation Services, LLC. “Additional thanks to Alaska Cab, Don Jose’s, Kenai, Dorothy Cunningham and the Vagabond Inn, K&L Distributors, and Kenai Catering. We are looking forward to next year’s wine tasting . . . until then . . . grazie and arrivederci!” said Rombach.

The night before the Tour of Tuscany many KPBA members and hundreds of friends gathered at the Soldotna Senior Center to wish retiring SBS Soldotna manager Rick Abbott and his wife Phoebe well in their retirement after 42 years of dedicated service to everyone needing building supplies in the community. SBS executives were on hand to congratulate and thank Abbott for his service and friendship to the community. Known as the SBS sign guru Abbott inspired thousands who stopped at the corner of K-Beach Rd. and the Sterling Highway to think beyond themselves and their everyday difficulties with life. Rick will be staying in the community that he helped build and enjoying his retirement gift, which was not a gold watch to see time tick by, but a trailer and new band saw so he can keep building and contributing to life and fun on the Kenai.