Life

Learning for Life: Back yard birch tapping

Backyard Birch Tapping Ever wonder how to make Birch Syrup from our native birch trees? Cooperative Extension Service has the publication “Backyard Birch Tapping Basics”… Continue reading

Owen Boyle, of Nikiski, is geared up for a dive on an oil platform in Cook Inlet sometime in the sixties. He worked as a commercial diver in the dangerous waters of Cook Inlet for 40 years and was inducted into the Association of Diving Contractors International Hall of Fame this February. (Photo courtesy Owen Boyle)

Diving blind, 40 years in the Cook Inlet

Owen Boyle spent 40 years diving the dangerous waters of Cook Inlet, submerging himself in the treacherous tides and blinded by the dark waters, to… Continue reading

Owen Boyle, of Nikiski, is geared up for a dive on an oil platform in Cook Inlet sometime in the sixties. He worked as a commercial diver in the dangerous waters of Cook Inlet for 40 years and was inducted into the Association of Diving Contractors International Hall of Fame this February. (Photo courtesy Owen Boyle)

Business Briefs

Chambers set schedules n The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce meets noon today at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex for a presentation from Alaska State Troopers.… Continue reading

Ron Sexton, owner of Trinity Greenhouse in Soldotna, opened his doors to the public on March 1, but has been working all winter long to get his greenhouses ready for the 2017 season. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Local greenhouses are springing to life

On the first day of spring, greenhouse workers’ hands were busy mixing, potting and planting, even though their workspaces are still flanked with several feet… Continue reading

Ron Sexton, owner of Trinity Greenhouse in Soldotna, opened his doors to the public on March 1, but has been working all winter long to get his greenhouses ready for the 2017 season. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Here’s the thing: Help me, help you

Our little family is compromised of two very different personality types. My son and I are wacky, outgoing, impulsive, and live each day mostly relying… Continue reading

Learning for Life: Beekeeping in Alaska

Beekeeping in Alaska While it is early spring many beekeepers in Alaska have already placed their “bee” order and are getting hives and equipment ready… Continue reading

“Signing of the Alaska Treaty” by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, depicts William H. Seward (seated by the desk) and Russian envoy Eduard de Stoeckl (standing by the globe). The painting, from the collection of the Seward House Museum, Auburn, New York, is on display this spring and summer at the Anchorage Museum. (Image courtesy of Seward House Museum)

The treaty that ceded Alaska from Russia to the USA

Five million dollars or ten million? Payment in dollars, British pounds or gold? In Washington, D.C., Russian envoy Eduard de Stoeckl and Secretary of State… Continue reading

“Signing of the Alaska Treaty” by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, depicts William H. Seward (seated by the desk) and Russian envoy Eduard de Stoeckl (standing by the globe). The painting, from the collection of the Seward House Museum, Auburn, New York, is on display this spring and summer at the Anchorage Museum. (Image courtesy of Seward House Museum)

Community News and Notes

News and Notes Stafford graduates from South Dakota State Katie Marie Stafford of Kasilof graduated after the fall 2016 session at South Dakota State University… Continue reading

Notes from the recycling bin

Did you know … March 22 is World Water Day. In 1992, World Water Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to focus… Continue reading

Minister’s message: Seeing the signs

Recently I heard about a church sign with one letter misplaced. The sign should have read “United” but because one letter was moved it read,… Continue reading

Learning for Life: Chick fever is in the air

Chick fever is in the air: Raising backyard poultry There are numerous reasons why we choose to keep small poultry flocks in our backyards with… Continue reading

Unhinged Alaska: Yo, Mother Nature, you need a nap

Last month I inferred that Old Man Winter was behaving like a borderline psychotic suffering conflicting flashbacks inclusive of the peak of his ice age… Continue reading

Community News and Notes

News and Notes Callie Kant, Drew Kant named to dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene Callie Kant and Drew Kant, both of Soldotna, have been named… Continue reading

This statue of William Seward stands on a pedestal in Seattle’s Volunteer Park. The citizens of Seattle erected it in 1909, and the attached plaque cites the purchase of Alaska as the culmination of Seward’s long and useful life serving the American people. Alaska has several Seward statues including a bust in the town of Seward and a new unveiling planned for July 3 in Juneau during this sesquicentennial year. (Photo by Shana Loshbaugh)

William Henry Seward: visionary of national growth

William Henry Seward was a visionary and one of the most important diplomats in American history. As Seward’s Day (March 30) approaches, most Alaskans have… Continue reading

This statue of William Seward stands on a pedestal in Seattle’s Volunteer Park. The citizens of Seattle erected it in 1909, and the attached plaque cites the purchase of Alaska as the culmination of Seward’s long and useful life serving the American people. Alaska has several Seward statues including a bust in the town of Seward and a new unveiling planned for July 3 in Juneau during this sesquicentennial year. (Photo by Shana Loshbaugh)

Notes from the Recycling Bin

Did you know … Heavy metals are naturally occurring chemical elements that have a high atomic weight and a density of at least 5 times… Continue reading

Church News

First Baptist Church of Kenai begins Bible study First Baptist Church of Kenai, 12875 Kenai Spur Higway, starts a 12-week Kay Arthur Precepts Bible study… Continue reading

Voices of Faith: Is there light enough for you?

I’m writing this on Feb. 14. Happy Valentine’s Day! When you read this, you will be enjoying more than 2 hours more sunshine than I… Continue reading

Shelby Moore, 9, went through the rows of art created by her fellow Mountain View Elementary School students at an “Evening of Art” on Thursday, March 2. She stopped to look more closely at the oil pastel turtles created by fifth-graders.

Mountain View Elementary transformed into art gallery

On Thursday night, Mountain View Elementary’s gymnasium was transformed into an art gallery with watercolors, pastels, origami and music compositions adorning the walls. At “An… Continue reading

Shelby Moore, 9, went through the rows of art created by her fellow Mountain View Elementary School students at an “Evening of Art” on Thursday, March 2. She stopped to look more closely at the oil pastel turtles created by fifth-graders.

School news for March 6

School board to meet The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. in the borough building at 148 N. Binkley… Continue reading

Yankees in Russian America

The United States did not exist when Russians first claimed Alaska’s coast. But by the time British Captain James Cook entered the inlet now bearing… Continue reading