Kenai Peninsula

This is the 1908 birth certificate of Russell Martin Wagner. (Certificate courtesy of ancestry.com)

When the Kenai had just one full-time dentist, Part 1

Wagner graduated from dental school at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco.

 

Russell Wagner graduated from the dental school within the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco in the spring of 1931. Shortly thereafter, he made his first trip to Seward. (Photo courtesy of college archives)

When the Kenai had just one full-time Dentist, Part 2

Part One discussed how Dr. Russell Wagner, the Kenai Peninsula’s only full-time dentist in 1960.

 

Photo from the Anchorage Museum of History and Art Dr. David Hassan Sleem stands on the front porch of his large Seward home in 1906.

The multitalented D.H. Sleem, Part two

Syrian-born David Hassan Sleem settled in Seward in 1903.

 

City of Kenai greenlights “People Counter Project”

The city will use $135,000 in federal CARES money to purchase cameras and other equipment.

Anchorage Museum of History and Art Dr. David Hassan Sleem stands on the front porch of his large Seward home in 1906.

The multitalented D.H. Sleem, Part one

Most people, if they have heard of D.H. Sleem at all, know the name because of his Alaska maps.

Anchorage Museum of History and Art Dr. David Hassan Sleem stands on the front porch of his large Seward home in 1906.
From a perch on Lunch Mountain, a hiker enjoys the sunshine and the view of Tutka Bay on the Tutka Backdoor Trail in Kachemak Bay State Park. (Photo by Clark Fair for the Peninsula Clarion)

How Alaska’s state parks came to be

Kachemak Bay State Park and Alaska State Parks have golden anniversary

From a perch on Lunch Mountain, a hiker enjoys the sunshine and the view of Tutka Bay on the Tutka Backdoor Trail in Kachemak Bay State Park. (Photo by Clark Fair for the Peninsula Clarion)
Gary Turner, who recently announced his plans to retire as director of Kenai Peninsula College, addresses the crowd during KPC’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Kenai River Campus on Aug. 25, 2014. (Photo courtesy Gary Turner/KPC)

Kenai Peninsula College head announces retirement

Director Gary Turner will exit at the end of the 2021 academic year

Gary Turner, who recently announced his plans to retire as director of Kenai Peninsula College, addresses the crowd during KPC’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Kenai River Campus on Aug. 25, 2014. (Photo courtesy Gary Turner/KPC)

Almost like being there

Refuge exhibit uses virtual reality to transport users to wilderness

Walter and Beverly Christensen are shown in a newspaper photo in their Clam Gulch store and post office, probably in the 1960s. (Photo provided by Mona Painter)

From Nomadic Life to Stability

The Journey of Beverly Christensen — Part 3

Walter and Beverly Christensen are shown in a newspaper photo in their Clam Gulch store and post office, probably in the 1960s. (Photo provided by Mona Painter)
Ed Haun entertains tourists w saw—In this 1972 photo, 87-year-old Ed Haun entertains tourists on his porch with musical abilities on a handsaw. (Courtesy of the Hope and Sunrise Historical Society)

How ‘Red Hat’ fits in

How the life of a man long since dead has jarred loose and clarified a nearly 50-year-old memory.

Ed Haun entertains tourists w saw—In this 1972 photo, 87-year-old Ed Haun entertains tourists on his porch with musical abilities on a handsaw. (Courtesy of the Hope and Sunrise Historical Society)
A fire crew can be seen here at a containment line for the Swan Lake Fire in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Fire crew’s departure highlights different wildfire season

With fire season winding down, state sends firefigthers south

A fire crew can be seen here at a containment line for the Swan Lake Fire in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Alaska State Troopers badge

Man found dead after apparent bear mauling

Troopers received a report that a Hope man who set out to clear a trail had not returned home.

Alaska State Troopers badge
A bag of butter boletes is seen in this July 2020 photo. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Kitchen: A secret stash of mushrooms

We have a tote bag full of the mushrooms, which are spongy and the nicest yellow color.

A bag of butter boletes is seen in this July 2020 photo. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Cooper Landing characters (from left): “Little Jim” Dunmire, Harold and Gary Davis, Beverly and Joe Sabrowski, and “Big Jim” O’Brien, circa 1940s. (Photo provided by Mona Painter)

From nomadic life to stability

The journey of Beverly Christensen — Part Two

Cooper Landing characters (from left): “Little Jim” Dunmire, Harold and Gary Davis, Beverly and Joe Sabrowski, and “Big Jim” O’Brien, circa 1940s. (Photo provided by Mona Painter)
A sign detailing the store’s mask policy is seen here outside Safeway in Soldotna on July 21, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

From ‘stupid’ to ‘a very good idea’

Local customers bring a variety of opinions to new face-mask policies at retailers.

A sign detailing the store’s mask policy is seen here outside Safeway in Soldotna on July 21, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Joseph Lee, of Idaho, backed by Ivan Zarate, of Arizona, and Abiud Zarate, of Baja California, Mexico, arrange fish so their heads can be chopped off by a guillotine-style machine Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Pacific Star Seafoods in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Limiting the catch

Kenai Peninsula seafood industry sees relatively few out-of-state COVID cases

Joseph Lee, of Idaho, backed by Ivan Zarate, of Arizona, and Abiud Zarate, of Baja California, Mexico, arrange fish so their heads can be chopped off by a guillotine-style machine Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Pacific Star Seafoods in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Chinook salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Kings fishing further restricted

Officials say king salmon runs have significantly underperformed preseason expectations.

Chinook salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service
A rescued harbor seal pups is seen at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward in this undated photo. (Courtesy Chloe Rossman/Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center on life support?

The aquarium is expecting a decline in visitor revenue of nearly 70% this year.

A rescued harbor seal pups is seen at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward in this undated photo. (Courtesy Chloe Rossman/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Noah and Eddie Land of Grace Acres Farm in Kasilof set out produce Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the Farmers Fresh Market at Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Freshness times 2

DoubleUp program helps seniors, families eat healthy

Noah and Eddie Land of Grace Acres Farm in Kasilof set out produce Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the Farmers Fresh Market at Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Rhubarb pairs well with sweet fruit like strawberries, and work well in desserts like strawberry rhubarb crumble, June 1, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) Rhubarb pairs well with sweet fruit like strawberries, and work well in desserts like strawberry rhubarb crumble, June 1, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Kitchen: Bottom-of-the-freezer berry crumble

I’m convinced it’s impossible to mess this one up.

Rhubarb pairs well with sweet fruit like strawberries, and work well in desserts like strawberry rhubarb crumble, June 1, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) Rhubarb pairs well with sweet fruit like strawberries, and work well in desserts like strawberry rhubarb crumble, June 1, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)