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Chester LeRoy Oughton’s entry photos at the Alcatraz Island federal penitentiary in 1953. Oughton was convicted of first-degree murder in Alaska. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)

Life

The Seward Jailbreak of 1952 — Part 1

The fugitives were Franklin Charles Oliver and Chester LeRoy Oughton.

Will Morrow (courtesy)

Life

If the shoe fits

Alaska is a footwear-intensive place to live

Nick Varney

Life

Unhinged Alaska: Not quite the Olympics … but

This unhinged winter and its obnoxious attitude has been an eye-opener

Meredith Harber (courtesy)

Life

Minister’s Message: Cleaning house — for the spirit

Winter is a great time to think about the “bushel” of stuff that we have in our lives

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Lost in Space

I grew up in a big old two-storied farmhouse. It was pretty much the same as the houses…

This is the memorial plaque that since 2001 has adorned the grave of James William Johnson, also known as “The Screaming Swede.” Photo courtesy of Peggy Arness.

Life

The heroic rise and tragic fall of ‘The Screaming Swede’ — Part 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I would like to thank Peggy Arness for access to her history files and the Resurrection…

Will Morrow (courtesy)

Life

Bringing it to the house

For pure hypnotic value, it’s hard to beat curling.

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Life

Minister’s Message: Judge with an eye toward oneself

To avoid judgmentalism and hypocrisy, we must look to a standard above our own.

The spruce-covered cliffs behind Cliff House were the inspiration for the cabin’s name. (Photo courtesy of the Fair Family Collection)

Life

Twists and turns in the history of Cliff House — Part 3

So many oddities. So many contradictions. So many holes in the story.

Nick Varney

Life

Unhinged Alaska: Hey Julius, the Ides of January are topping the suckometer, too

The unremitting inundation set a record for our little cabin by the sea.

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Life

Minister’s Message: What unites? Being one in Christ

It seems everywhere you look and on every level people are gridlocked

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Downtime

Now here we are, two-thirds of the way through the longest month of the year

Robert “Bob” Huttle, posing here next to Cliff House, spent the night in this cabin in April 1934 and mused about a possible murder there. (Photo courtesy of the Huttle Collection)

Life

Twists and turns in the history of Cliff House — Part 2

How much of the doctor’s actions Bob Huttle knew when he stayed in Cliff House 10 years later…

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Life

Minister’s Message: Hope is the remedy to our constant fears

Fear takes any number of guises

This 1940s-era image is one of few early photographs of Cliff House, which once stood near the head of Tustumena Lake. (Photo courtesy of the Secora Collection)

Life

Twists and turns in the history of Cliff House — Part 1

Here, then, is the story of Cliff House, as least as I know it now.

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Life

Minister’s Message: What’s in a name?

The Scriptures advise, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”

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Life

Minister’s Message: A prayer pulled from the ashes

“In that beleaguered and beautiful land, the prayer endures.”

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Life

Peninsula Crime: Bad men … and dumb ones — Part 2

Here, in Part Two and gleaned from local newspapers, are a few examples of the dim and the…

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Life

Minister’s Message: What if Christ had not been born?

It is now time to look at the work and life of Jesus Christ.

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Life

Peninsula Crime: Bad men … and dumb ones — Part 1

Gleaned from local newspapers, are a few examples of the dim and the dumb.