Nick Varney
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Back off, Zeus

If this wet-n-warm, freeze, then start again, continues much longer, Kachemak Drive will need a complete redo.

Nick Varney
Nick Varney
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: From candy corn to pumpkin spice

Halloween festivities usher in holiday season

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
In this 1950s image, Chell Bear (left) and Lawrence McGuire display a stringer of small trout they caught through the ice in front of the homestead cabin of Bob Mackey, for whom the Mackey Lakes were named. (Photo courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula College Historic Photo Repository)

History with a sense of humor, Part 2

The second in a two-part collection of humorous tales gleaned from old newspapers on the central Kenai Peninsula.

In this 1950s image, Chell Bear (left) and Lawrence McGuire display a stringer of small trout they caught through the ice in front of the homestead cabin of Bob Mackey, for whom the Mackey Lakes were named. (Photo courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula College Historic Photo Repository)
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Minister’s Message: ‘Hallowthankmass’ is upon us

One reason to slow down and simply enjoy the holiday time is that the holidays aren’t about getting enough.

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The welcome sign for the City of Kenai, as seen in this city Facebook page photo.

History with a sense of humor, Part 1

The first part of a two-part collection of humorous tales gleaned from old newspapers on the central Kenai Peninsula.

The welcome sign for the City of Kenai, as seen in this city Facebook page photo.
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Let there be lights!

When I stopped in at one of our local stores, I didn’t cringe when I saw all the holiday decorations on display.

Will Morrow (courtesy)
This undated John E. Thwaites photo, perhaps taken near Seward, shows the S.S. Dora grounded. (Alaska State Library photo collection)

Resilience of the Dora, part 3

Her long career had come to an end at last.

This undated John E. Thwaites photo, perhaps taken near Seward, shows the S.S. Dora grounded. (Alaska State Library photo collection)
This John E. Thwaites photo shows the S.S. Dora near Sand Point, Alaska. Thwaites sailed as mail clerk on the Dora between at least 1905 and 1912. (Alaska State Library photo collection)

Resilience of the Dora, part 2

The S.S. Dora touched lives on and became part of the history of the Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska.

This John E. Thwaites photo shows the S.S. Dora near Sand Point, Alaska. Thwaites sailed as mail clerk on the Dora between at least 1905 and 1912. (Alaska State Library photo collection)
This undated photo shows the stern of the S.S. Dora near a dock on her northerly mail route. (Alaska State Library photo collection)

Resilience of the Dora, part 1

The Dora traveled from the West Coast to Southeast Alaska, to Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, to Bristol Bay and the Aleutian Islands, and occasionally all the way to Nome.

This undated photo shows the stern of the S.S. Dora near a dock on her northerly mail route. (Alaska State Library photo collection)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Sometimes I wonder, who needs who

Dog whispers we are not. Suckers for unconditional love, you bet.

Nick Varney
Meredith Harber (courtesy)

Minister’s Message: Don’t let termination dust bring you down

If I’m honest, this time of year is the hardest for me mentally and emotionally.

Meredith Harber (courtesy)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: October is here again

The days are shorter. We are losing nearly six minutes a day. It’s getting colder.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Forever young

I have sometimes wondered if I did, in fact, squander my youth.

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: The inside story regarding moose

Moose derive their name from the Native American word, “Moswa,” meaning “twig eater.”

Nick Varney
Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)
Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)

Preserving the past with felt: Ruth Ost Towner

Ruthie untwists her thread, straightens her shoulders, reaches for a cup of coffee, and calculates her felt-making outcome.

Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)
Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: The final frontier

I never once even considered that in my lifetime it might be possible to exist in outer space …

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Photos from Ancestry.com 
In January 1900, when Dr. R. J. Alcorn began serving a sentence for manslaughter, he posed for these mug shots as Convict #739.

Filling in the blanks: The Dr. Alcorn story — part 2

Although Dr. R. J. Alcorn spent only a few years in Alaska, he certainly got around.

Photos from Ancestry.com 
In January 1900, when Dr. R. J. Alcorn began serving a sentence for manslaughter, he posed for these mug shots as Convict #739.
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Minister’s Message: Taking in the water of the Spirit

Jesus pointed out the well water satisfies thirst for a while, but “whosoever drinks of the water I shall give shall never thirst.”

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Photo from Ancestry.com 
This circa 1913 Alcorn family portrait shows Dr. R. J. Alcorn, his son Argie, his daughter Wilma, and his wife, Dr. Cora E. Alcorn.

Filling in the Blanks: The Dr. Alcorn story — part 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is Part One of a two-part story about a physician/surgeon who came to Seward in the 1920s with some curious blank spots… Continue reading

Photo from Ancestry.com 
This circa 1913 Alcorn family portrait shows Dr. R. J. Alcorn, his son Argie, his daughter Wilma, and his wife, Dr. Cora E. Alcorn.
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Minister’s Message: Be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to listen

More than ever, everyone seems to have an opinion on every subject and to be quite animated that their side is the only one that is right.

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