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Life

Minister’s Message: Yet, I will rejoice!

“When you look at the world, what is it that you see? People find all kinds of things,…

Simon “Sam” Wible came to Alaska to mine for gold in the 1890s. Soon, he had a large hydraulic-mining camp on Canyon Creek. King David Thurman, at some point prior to 1907, was one of Wible’s employees. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation)

Life

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 1

A probate court met in Seward on Jan. 28, 1915, to determine the fate of the personal property…

The hardest part of making this classic Halloween treat is getting started, and maybe not burning your fingers. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Life

Building confidence to do hard things

Although candy making is intimidating, it’s not impossible.

This photographic portrait depicts Eustace Ziegler, the then-nationally famous oil painter who agreed to provide the artwork for George Kosmos’ publication, “Alaska Sourdough Stories.”

Life

Stories from the Kosmos

I had already purchased the book online — and was waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox…

Crusty and firm bread bowls are best for brothy soups, or make them pillowy soft for thicker stews. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Life

Beautiful bread is performance art

Though these bread bowls will soon be eaten and gone, the effort will not be wasted.

The George Navarre Borough Building, seen here in December 2011, stands on Binkley Street, but the initial decision to seat borough government in Soldotna — much less what shape that government would take — were not forgone conclusions.

Life

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 6

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Creating a borough government was no easy feat for the citizens and officials of the Kenai…

Serve your London Fog in a lovely cup and enjoy while reading the news. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Sip while reading the news

This London Fog is delicious, served in a lovely cup with milk and honey.

These spiced molasses cookies with golden sprinkles are pillowy and fragrant. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Life

Sweet, spice and everything nice

These soft, pillowy cookies are sweet and fragrant and perfect with a glass of milk.

In this old Cheechako News photo, officials consider an early display map of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 1969.

Life

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 5

Time and money are always tricky ingredients in government projects.

These satisfying spiced bagels aren't sweet on their own, but pair well with a honey walnut cream cheese to please any sweet tooth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

The simple joy of pumpkin spice

These spiced bagels are chewy and satisfying and pair well with a honey walnut cream cheese.

Dolly Farnsworth was another driving force in the early days of the borough. She housed the borough’s first administrative efforts in her own bookkeeping building — initially for free — and assisted borough clerk Frances Brymer with early efforts in taxes, assessing and accounting. (Clark Fair photo)

Life

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 4

The entire borough operating budget for the first six months was about $13,000.

Loren, editor and publisher of the Cheechako News, sold a lot of ad space during the back-and-forth publicity campaigns by communities striving to become the administrative seat for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. When the campaigns were over, he offered unifying words for the future. (Photo courtesy of the KPC historical archive)

Life

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 3

It didn’t take long for the sparks to fly.

Harold Pomeroy was the director of Alaska’s Territorial Civil Defense before becoming the first executive of the Kenai Peninsula Borough in 1964. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Digital Archives)

Life

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 2

The decision to locate the borough seat in or near Tustumena was termed by the Cheechako as “perhaps…

This 1955 aerial shows a portion of Joe and Mickey Faa’s homestead, including the Quonset hut that was on the property before it was acquired by Howard and Maxine Lee in 1948. The fields and other cleared land now house much of Soldotna’s growing medical establishment. (Photo courtesy of Al Hershberger)

Life

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 1

Binkley Street was just a gravel-covered Soldotna back road in November 1969.

This healthier version of the kid-approved classic is made with pureed sweet potato that makes the dish a vibrant orange, and nutritional yeast imparts a savory, cheesy flavor. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion.)

Life

1st day of school mac and cheese

This healthier version of the kid-approved classic is made with pureed sweet potato and nutritional yeast.

Having a ready team of work dogs made longer trips out of Seward more manageable for Steve Melchior. The woman accompanying him on the wagon is unidentified. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)

Life

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 7

Stephan “Steve” Melchior parleyed a partially fabricated past into a respected life as a miner and a builder…

Steve Melchior in his Seward yard with two of his many dogs, probably circa mid-1920s. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)

Life

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 6

This moose-and-man journey attracted considerable attention nationwide.

This hearty meal comes straight out of an Irish pub ... sort of. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

A hearty meal for adventurers

This recipe for turkey cottage pie makes enough for supper, with plenty of leftovers for elevensies.

In September 1946, the Alaska Sportsman Magazine published “Moose Ranch,” an article by Mamie “Niska” Elwell. The story describes Steve Melchior’s moose-ranching operation from the 1920s and features two photographs of Melchior.

Life

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 5

In June 1913, a peninsula game warden informed the governor that Melchior was raising a moose calf on…

These scones are an easy treat and feature locally-grown fruit. Photo provided by Tressa Dale

Life

Family meals and memories

These easy scones feature fresh cherries, grown locally.