Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Get Ready

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

Nick Varney
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Destination not journey

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

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
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.

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

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

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.
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Minister’s Message: God’s sustaining anchor

We can lean into God and His promises that he will support and guide us

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Minister’s Message: The 1st qualification for ministry

Our first qualification as pastors or to serve in any capacity in ministry is to love Jesus Christ

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[   2a—] Larry and Rusty Lancashire (at left) pose in front of a B-24 bomber in the early 1940s with another unidentified couple. Larry was a B-24 co-pilot during World War II. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 2

Larry Lancashire’s status as a military veteran would aid him in his homesteading efforts on the Kenai Peninsula

[   2a—] Larry and Rusty Lancashire (at left) pose in front of a B-24 bomber in the early 1940s with another unidentified couple. Larry was a B-24 co-pilot during World War II. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)
[1a—] After doing business in the Kenai Commercial Company store, Rusty Lancashire climbs into family station wagon, with its sagging back bumper, to head for home. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 1

Mrs. Lancashire certainly didn’t fit Lee’s notion of what a homesteading woman should look like.

[1a—] After doing business in the Kenai Commercial Company store, Rusty Lancashire climbs into family station wagon, with its sagging back bumper, to head for home. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)
This plaque was created in the 1980s to memorialize persons known to have been buried in Homer Community Cemetery. The plaque was considered necessary because so many of the graves here had lost their markers or had never been marked. (Clark Fair photo)

Homer Community Cemetery: Difficulties in filling a public need (Part 2)

For about a half-dozen years, the Homer Community Cemetery served its purpose without a hitch

This plaque was created in the 1980s to memorialize persons known to have been buried in Homer Community Cemetery. The plaque was considered necessary because so many of the graves here had lost their markers or had never been marked. (Clark Fair photo)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

What I did on my summer vacation

My wife and I needed a sunny, warm getaway, so we went to London

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Pastor Meredith Harber takes a ride on her bike. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)

Minister’s Message: Slow down!

When you ride your bike, you’re able to observe more around you than when you drive

Pastor Meredith Harber takes a ride on her bike. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: The road goes on forever…

These trips have given us a unique look at the drive from Kenai to Anchorage

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Clark Fair photo
Homer Community Cemetery was first established in 1928 and has been closed to non-reserved burials since the early 1980s.
Clark Fair photo
Homer Community Cemetery was first established in 1928 and has been closed to non-reserved burials since the early 1980s.
Mable Smith pecks away at her typewriter in the Cheechako News office in Ridgeway, circa mid-1960s. (Cheechako News photo)

Don’t stop the presses

The Mable Smith Story — Part 2

Mable Smith pecks away at her typewriter in the Cheechako News office in Ridgeway, circa mid-1960s. (Cheechako News photo)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: 20 years feels like yesterday

Time can slip by carrying memories still as fresh as yesterday.

Nick Varney
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Minister’s Message: The miracle of compassion

Jesus’ compassion convicts me in two ways.

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Cheechako News photo
Mable Smith came into her own as a reporter for the Cheechako News (central Kenai Peninsula) in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Don’t stop the presses

The Mable Smith Story — Part 1

Cheechako News photo
Mable Smith came into her own as a reporter for the Cheechako News (central Kenai Peninsula) in the 1960s and early 1970s.
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Minister’s Message: Let Jesus help you overcome obstacles

I’m thankful the Lord helps us overcome obstacles and he keeps some obstacles out of the way

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Charles “Windy” Wagner, in his later years, and an unknown woman smile for the camera in Wagner’s Kenai River cabin. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 3)

The conclusion of a three-part story about the life of the man most people knew as “Windy”

Charles “Windy” Wagner, in his later years, and an unknown woman smile for the camera in Wagner’s Kenai River cabin. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
Charles “Windy” Wagner was an adept gardener who liked sharing his produce and telling stories about its quality. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 2)

By most accounts, Charles “Windy” Wagner was an energetic, boisterous storyteller who entertained his listeners

Charles “Windy” Wagner was an adept gardener who liked sharing his produce and telling stories about its quality. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

If the shoe fits …

I thought Sambas were simply affordable indoor soccer shoes from my high school and college days. Who knew I was so ahead of my time?

Will Morrow (courtesy)