Monday, January 2, 2006

Community support helps center help others
On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the LeeShore Center, I would like to extend thanks and appreciation to the many community members, businesses and service agencies who generously donated their time and assistance to our agency during 2005.

Donations warm children’s hearts, beds
The LeeShore Center would like to thank the Kenai Piecemakers quilting group for the time and love they put into making quilts for the children who reside with us. This year the group donated 101 quits and a quilted book. One quilter alone made 60.

New York Times not acting in country’s interest
It is an outrage that the Editors of the New York Times illegally leaked information about National Security Agency (NSA) warrant less wiretaps on the eve of the Senate vote on renewal of the Patriot Act. Those involved have committed treason, and have aided and abetted our enemies in the war on terrorism.

Era not flying high
Era Aviation Inc., one of just two airlines providing regularly scheduled service between Kenai and Anchorage, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday after its lender restricted cash flow to the company.

Goodbye to 2005
Industry Kenai Peninsula Borough City of Kenai City of Soldotna Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Central Peninsula General Hospital Goodbyes Fisheries Crime and justice Volcanoes Weather Wildfires Arctic Winter Games The bear facts Hungry?

Mushers howling over lack of snow
The start of January often a is peak time for sled dog training due to cold temperatures and a solid accumulation of snow that has been building since late October, but this season has been anything but favorable for mushers and their canine companions.

Roads host fewer moose deaths
The dark winter months are still dragging on and the number of moose-automobile accidents on the Kenai Peninsula is peaking, but like this year’s snowfall, winter accumulations remain below average.

New year, new resolutions
The dawning of a new year always seems to be a time for looking forward, when many think about all the changes in life that may be wanted or needed.

Robert Ingels
Sterling resident Robert Ingels died unexpectedly Friday, Dec. 30, 2005,on the Monopad Platform. He was 57.

Louis F. Papke

Betty Florence McGalliard
Soldotna resident Betty Florence McGalliard died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 76.

Rights of Alaska halibut sport fishermen protected — for now
Gov. Murkowski and the (Alaska Department of Fish and Game) Commissioner McKie Campbell are due real big plaudits from all of us for their firm stand against the Charter Boat Individual Fishing Quotas at the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting on Dec. 8. Their firm leadership led a watershed vote to rescind those predatory IFQs. The public won, we kept our halibut harvest rights.

College offers everyone the change to pick up new knowledge
New Year’s Day always seems to be a time of looking toward the future and giving thought to all the changes we would like to make over the next 12 months.

Something old, new, borrowed and one worth remembering
It’s hard to believe it’s 2006, but 2005 is in the history books.

Peninsula People
Keating graduates from police academy Lassen competes at debate championship McBride graduates from TSU Rahlfs elected historian of debate club Williamson graduates from seafarer’s program Patriotic arts program winners on display VFW scholarship winners announced

Theater staff helped make outing first rate
It is nice to know there are still places of business where an employee strives to put customer service first.

Hunting for home hazards
It’s the time of year many well-intentioned and ambitious folks make their New Year’s resolutions. Here’s one to put on your list — this is the perfect time to do a home hazard hunt.

January offers good views
When I moved here a few years ago, I knew I was about 7 degrees too far south to see the midnight sun but it crossed my mind that due to our moon’s inclined orbit (by 5 degrees) we could almost see a noon full moon (yes, I made that term up).

Births
· Earl and Christina Ellingson of Soldotna announce the birth of their son, Earl James Ellingson V, at 7:35 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25,2005, at Central Peninsula General Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 21 inches.

Community News
Soldotna Elks table tennis results Scholarship offered to high school seniors 4-H Club set to mush LeeShore community classes set

Alaskans can start filing PFD applications Monday
As an incentive to get more Alaskans to apply online, the state Permanent Fund Dividend Division will make early direct deposits this fall for those who file in January.

Around the Peninsula
DEC gets cooking with food safety class Peninsula fair seeks members KPC to host open house Historical society soaring with topic Nikiski senior board to meet

Around the Peninsula
Historical society to meet Board to consider peninsula fishing Deadline for writers’ event nears Peninsula fair seeks members

Quilting for kids

College bowl games offer chance to indulge in football and food
Want to pass on a dirty kitchen? Head out to watch the games Digging in to bowl games Meatballs in Barbecue Sauce Hot Crab Dip Mozzarella Sticks Sack ’Em Salsa Three Cheese Nachos Zesty Curry Dip Spicy Chicken Wings

My best friend

Sports Briefs
The Skyview and Ninilchik basketball teams split a pair of games Thursday at the Holland America/Sitka CHARR of Alaska Holiday Shootout in Sitka.

Senior Menus
Nikiski Ninilchik Soldotna

Senior Activities
Kenai Nikiski Ninilchik Soldotna

A look back at the highlights of the area sports scene in 2005
Wrestling Hockey Cross-Country Skiing Basketball Mushing Track and Field Soccer Baseball Motorsports Rowing Golf Cross Country Running Volleyball Football Swimming