Life

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Finally! It’s February

True to form, January was only double the length of the other months

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
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Minister’s Message: Feel the warmth of the sun and Christ in your heart

It is good to have more daylight and feel the warmth of the sun now

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Louvie “Vi” Chapman photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum This cottonwood-log structure was Anchor Point’s first-ever school, located on the south side of the Anchor River. It was replaced with a better school on the north side, on property donated by Sherman and Louvie Chapman. Seen here are the first teacher, Helen Smith, and some of her students, including Larry Keeler standing next to Smith.

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 2

On Aug. 3, 1948, Lawrence and Lorna made their official move from Kenai to Anchor Point aboard a vessel called the John Adams

Louvie “Vi” Chapman photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum This cottonwood-log structure was Anchor Point’s first-ever school, located on the south side of the Anchor River. It was replaced with a better school on the north side, on property donated by Sherman and Louvie Chapman. Seen here are the first teacher, Helen Smith, and some of her students, including Larry Keeler standing next to Smith.
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Minister’s Message: You talking to me?

After a long human discourse on “where is God?” God ardently responds in chapters 38-41 to the dialogue between Job and his friends.

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Some of the Keelers assembled with family matriarch Samantha (second from left) in this 1952 photograph taken in Oregon. Others, L-R: George, Lawrence with wife Lorna, daughter April and son Larry, and Floyd, also known as “Uncle Shorty.” Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 1

This is the story of the Keelers who came to the Kenai

Some of the Keelers assembled with family matriarch Samantha (second from left) in this 1952 photograph taken in Oregon. Others, L-R: George, Lawrence with wife Lorna, daughter April and son Larry, and Floyd, also known as “Uncle Shorty.” Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.
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Minister’s Message: Getting involved with your church

We need to intervene with the hope of Christ to turn around the downhill slide

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Rex Edwards experimented with many activities, including fencing, for the students at the school in Seldovia. In the 1973-74 school year, he even attempted to coach football, even though the only “field” available was the beach. Here are the “Seldovia Retreaters” as they appeared in the school’s 1974 yearbook.

First in the Pool — Part 2

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part story about former teachers Rex and Beverly Edwards and the advent of a swimming pool… Continue reading

Rex Edwards experimented with many activities, including fencing, for the students at the school in Seldovia. In the 1973-74 school year, he even attempted to coach football, even though the only “field” available was the beach. Here are the “Seldovia Retreaters” as they appeared in the school’s 1974 yearbook.
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Sorry about that column

Each year our massive staff normally sets aside a few columns to reply to inquiries and comments about Unhinged Alaska subject matters. Sadly, they were… Continue reading

Nick Varney
Pastor Meredith Harber

Minister’s message: Shining inner glow of love and life in depths of winter

“It’s very simple. As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at twenty-two, you’d always be as ignorant as you were at twenty-two. Aging… Continue reading

Pastor Meredith Harber
The village of Seldovia had to push hard to make sure that a pool was included when plans for the Susan B. English School were being finalized. Here, participants in the summer swim program pose in 1998. (Image courtesy of Rex and Beverly Edwards)

First in the Pool — Part 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE: A slightly modified version of this two-part story about former teachers Rex and Beverly Edwards and the advent of a swimming pool in… Continue reading

The village of Seldovia had to push hard to make sure that a pool was included when plans for the Susan B. English School were being finalized. Here, participants in the summer swim program pose in 1998. (Image courtesy of Rex and Beverly Edwards)
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Minister’s Message: Witnessing light

When the nights are longest, when the darkness is deepest, into our midst steps Jesus

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In about 1948, after he and brother Alex had proven up on his homestead and were in the process of proving up on Alex’s, Marcus Bodnar poses here with his cabin along the Kenai River near the site of the bridge, which was just being built at this time. (Photo courtesy of the Bodnar Family Collection)

The Bodnar Brothers: Early to Arrive, Early to Depart — Part 2

Although their time on the peninsula was brief, they made an impact

In about 1948, after he and brother Alex had proven up on his homestead and were in the process of proving up on Alex’s, Marcus Bodnar poses here with his cabin along the Kenai River near the site of the bridge, which was just being built at this time. (Photo courtesy of the Bodnar Family Collection)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Raise a glass!

At some point in my adult life, I developed a preference for sipping my adult beverages out of a nice glass

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Peter and Pearl Bodnar (front, center) pose for a 1930 Christmas portrait with much of their family, probably in Manitoba, Canada. Pictured are: (back row, L-R) Alex, sister Anna (Bodnar) Bandura, brother Michael holding daughter Pearl next to his wife Jessie, and Marcus. In the front row are: Michael’s eldest daughter Olga, parents Parascevies “Pearl” and Peter Bodnar, and Michael’s middle daughter Marion. (Photo courtesy of the Bodnar Family Collection)

The Bodnar Brothers: Early to Arrive, Early to Depart — Part 1

“Over the hill came two people on an Allis-Chalmers tractor … ”

Peter and Pearl Bodnar (front, center) pose for a 1930 Christmas portrait with much of their family, probably in Manitoba, Canada. Pictured are: (back row, L-R) Alex, sister Anna (Bodnar) Bandura, brother Michael holding daughter Pearl next to his wife Jessie, and Marcus. In the front row are: Michael’s eldest daughter Olga, parents Parascevies “Pearl” and Peter Bodnar, and Michael’s middle daughter Marion. (Photo courtesy of the Bodnar Family Collection)
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Minister’s Message: Walk in the light this Christmas

The Bible says the Lord God will be the light and those walking in that light will forever rejoice

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Charles Arthur Riddiford, for whom the first post office in Cooper Landing was named, served with the U.S. Postal Service for more than three decades, mostly as a postal inspector. He achieved nationwide notoriety in the early 1920s. (USPS historical archive photo)

Riddiford: Story of a Name Change — Part 2

Generally speaking, Charles Riddiford did not seem to be an imposing figure

Charles Arthur Riddiford, for whom the first post office in Cooper Landing was named, served with the U.S. Postal Service for more than three decades, mostly as a postal inspector. He achieved nationwide notoriety in the early 1920s. (USPS historical archive photo)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaskas: You are never that far from home

It is a time to express the depth of our affection for each other and to strengthen the bond of family

Nick Varney
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Minister’s Message: Embracing the awaiting awe

It is a common practice for me to share words of encouragement with those who find themselves in need of medical attention

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This is the military plaque placed upon the Anchorage grave of Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball. (Photo from findagrave.com)

Human Complexity: The Story of Jackson Ball — Part 4

Summing any life is never easy. There is always, it seems, more to the story.

This is the military plaque placed upon the Anchorage grave of Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball. (Photo from findagrave.com)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: A few more pills

All the people I visit with these days have the same story

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)