The 22nd Soldotna Chamber of Commerce pie and dessert auction at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex was a flood of fun and funds, true to this year’s “Under the Sea” theme. The sold out event brought out the creativity of the community when it came to decorations, costumes and culinary artistry. With the hundreds of special events that have been hosted at the Sports Complex the decorations for “Under the Sea” topped them all, “Andy Rash of our staff led the charge in decorating this year and it was totally spectacular,” said Tami Murray, Soldotna Chamber CEO. “The costumes followed whatever theme the participants wanted to dress up or down for. Best Group costume went to Foster Construction for their cops and prisoners costumes. It was interesting because the owners were the cops and their employees the prisoners and the symbolism didn’t go unnoticed,” said Murray. Voted the best individual costume was Rose Waters who came as a pineapple. Balloting was instantaneous with the Chambers wireless computer survey equipment.

Jill Schaefer bought the lucky key that unlocked the Alaska USA treasure chest and went home $1,000 richer and Shelly Saner, Soldotna City Clerk walked the plank and won $1000 cash. “We had some great support from Alaska USA and our community partners so we had some great prizes to give away this year and Shelly and Jill were so excited it was fun to see them win,” added Murray. Another highlight of the evening Under the Sea was when Norm Blakeley took to the stage to auction off the Vera Howarth scholarship desert. “Sara Hondel, our education/tourism coordinator created the slide show. She went over to the historical society and found an amazing photo album there made by Vera’s daughter, so Sara borrowed it and scanned as much as she could to make a great slide show that helped our new comers understand who Vera Howarth was and the purpose of the scholarship that bears her name. To date we have awarded $45,000.00 dollars in spirit of Soldotna scholarships in Vera’s name and this year with one dessert we raised nearly $6,000 to go into that special scholarship fund,” explained Murray. The homemade box of Baklava by Lori Weimer went for $3,600 and was bought by Bill Eckhardt of Alaska USA Federal Credit Union and was followed by $2,350 dollars of add-ons.

Many young entrepreneurs attended this year’s pie auction representing many new businesses in the community, “We love the new businesses and networking them with our veteran business folks who can mentor them. We don’t want to see the old timers slipping away either. Norm promised me next year he was going to have an old timers table and bring back some of the folks that started the Vera Howarth scholarship. One year I hear that pie went for something like $13,000 dollars. We live in an amazing community and thanks to everyone who came out, volunteered, bid and supported the Soldotna Chamber,” said Murray. Jennifer Howell, won the people’s choice for best dessert and the Alaska Airline and Split the Pot winner was Amanda Faulkner of Frontier Community Services.