Features

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.

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 Peninsula, starting with incorporation in 1964, followed… Continue reading

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

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

Time and money are always tricky ingredients in government projects.

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

The simple joy of pumpkin spice

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

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

Sweet, spice and everything nice

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

These spiced molasses cookies with golden sprinkles are pillowy and fragrant. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Serve your London Fog in a lovely cup and enjoy while reading the news. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sip while reading the news

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

Serve your London Fog in a lovely cup and enjoy while reading the news. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crusty and firm bread bowls are best for brothy soups, or make them pillowy soft for thicker stews. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Beautiful bread is performance art

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

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

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

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

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)
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)

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

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

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)
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)

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 one of the most surprising incidents at the meeting.”

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)
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)

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

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

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)
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.)

1st day of school mac and cheese

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

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.)
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)

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 in Alaska.

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

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

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

Steve Melchior in his Seward yard with two of his many dogs, probably circa mid-1920s. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)
This hearty meal comes straight out of an Irish pub ... sort of. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A hearty meal for adventurers

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

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

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 his mining property.

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

Family meals and memories

These easy scones feature fresh cherries, grown locally.

These scones are an easy treat and feature locally-grown fruit. Photo provided by Tressa Dale
Posing in front of Steve Melchior’s cabin on the Killey River in 1912 are (left) packer/cook Ferdinand “Fritz” Posth and hunting guide William “Wild Bill” Dewitt, with two trophy Dall sheep heads. (Photo from E. Marshall Scull’s 1914 hunting memoir, “Hunting in the Arctic and Alaska”)

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 4

Steve Melchior seemed to disappear, perhaps on purpose.

Posing in front of Steve Melchior’s cabin on the Killey River in 1912 are (left) packer/cook Ferdinand “Fritz” Posth and hunting guide William “Wild Bill” Dewitt, with two trophy Dall sheep heads. (Photo from E. Marshall Scull’s 1914 hunting memoir, “Hunting in the Arctic and Alaska”)
These childhood favorites are certainly not healthy, but they’re made with more wholesome ingredients than their drive-through equivalents. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Chicken nuggets for the soul

This childhood classic is made with organic chicken breast and wholesome spices.

These childhood favorites are certainly not healthy, but they’re made with more wholesome ingredients than their drive-through equivalents. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 3

Stephan “Steve” Melchior sent a friend to Katherine to tell her that he had died in Alaska.

Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.
A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Something warm and comforting

This mild and nutritious soup is full of fiber and vitamins, plus a healthy dose of shredded cheddar.

A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)