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Minister’s Message: God’s selfie

I can think of no one word that encapsulates our age, that defines our collective priorities and focus…

This is an early photo of U.S. Army soldier Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball in uniform. The patches, ribbons and medals on this uniform demonstrate that he had not yet served overseas or been involved in any combat. (Photo from Ball Family memorial slideshow, 2022)

Life

Human Complexity: The Story of Jackson Ball — Part 2

Perhaps going to Alaska was the fresh start he needed at this time in his life

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Noise

The first 10 years we were in Alaska we lived remotely

After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945, Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball posed for this photograph, demonstrating his five years of military service through his many ribbons, badges and patches. (Photo courtesy of the Ball Family Collection)

Life

Human Complexity: The Story of Jackson Ball — Part 1

A premise to explore

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Life

Minister’s Message: Hope as an anchor

The Bible uses the word hope 133 times

For many years, Abby (Lancashire) Ala (standing) gave horseback riding lessons at her home, the site of her longtime business, Ridgeway Farms. (Clark Fair photo from 2001)

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 9

The Lancashire sisters came as children with their parents to homestead in Ridgeway in 1948

Rusty and Larry Lancashire pose out in front of Larry’s Club, located about a mile north of Kenai, circa the mid-1960s. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 8

Rusty Lancashire hadn’t allowed her first impressions of Kenai in 1948 to deter her from making the central…

Nick Varney

Life

Uninged Alaska: The dawn of winter

During the Code 3 pursuit, I noticed that I could see my vitriol firing breath which was a…

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Life

Minister’s Message: When small is big

God opens doors to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for others

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: I guess it’s fall

This time of year I always think of fall when I was a kid

Rusty Lancashire kneads bread dough in her kitchen. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 7

Health care — especially emergency care — could be difficult to come by

Seton Hill University is photographed in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)

Life

Minister’s Message: Let the word of God settle into your heart

I often feel like I don’t allow myself enough time to still my heart, quiet my voice, and…

Rusty Lancashire smiles for the camera in the frame house that in the late 1950s replaced the Lancashires’ original homestead log cabin. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 6

The roads were lifelines between communities and among neighbors

Rusty Lancashire does some baking. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 5

Ridgeway homesteader Larry Lancashire was reminded of the value of such friendship in December 1950 when he shot…

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Life

Minister’s Message: The right side of fairness

In God’s kingdom, the point isn’t that those who have get more, but that those who don’t have…

Will Morrow (courtesy)

Life

Passing the time

There are lots of different ways to measure the passage of time

The Lancashire family shares a meal in their original homestead cabin. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 4

The Lancashires had settled in

Nick Varney

Life

Unhinged Alaska: Get Ready

It looks as though some early deep freeze history may be about to repeat itself

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Destination not journey

Reviewing the last column, I wondered when we started to avoid driving

1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine
Rusty Lancashire backs up the family tractor so her husband Larry can connect it to the disc for their fields.

Life

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 3

Rusty and the three Lancashire daughters arrived in Kenai on June 19