Chester LeRoy Oughton was in his mid-60s and still serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in Alaska when these photos were taken at McNeil Island federal penitentiary in Washington in 1972. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)

The Seward jailbreak of 1952 — Part 2

Prisoners Frank Charles Oliver and Chester LeRoy Oughton had been foiled in their attempt to reach the central Kenai Peninsula

Chester LeRoy Oughton was in his mid-60s and still serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in Alaska when these photos were taken at McNeil Island federal penitentiary in Washington in 1972. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)
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Minister’s Message: Overcoming impossible odds in Ukraine

From the Bible, we know that it is God who fights for us and wins battles

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Will Morrow (courtesy)

If the shoe fits

Alaska is a footwear-intensive place to live

Will Morrow (courtesy)
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)

The Seward Jailbreak of 1952 — Part 1

The fugitives were Franklin Charles Oliver and Chester LeRoy Oughton.

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)
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Minister’s Message: Judge with an eye toward oneself

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

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Meredith Harber (courtesy)

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

Meredith Harber (courtesy)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Not quite the Olympics … but

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

Nick Varney
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

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 of most of my friends. We lived… Continue reading

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
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.

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 Bay Historical Society for access to its… Continue reading

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.
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Bringing it to the house

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

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Nick Varney

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.

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

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

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

The spruce-covered cliffs behind Cliff House were the inspiration for the cabin’s name. (Photo courtesy of the Fair Family Collection)
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Minister’s Message: What unites? Being one in Christ

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

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Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Downtime

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

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
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)

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 is difficult to know.

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)
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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)

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.

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)
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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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Minister’s Message: A prayer pulled from the ashes

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

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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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