Community News
Have you had or are about to have visitors? Has a new addition to your family just arrived? Where in the world is your military person and what are they up to? Got a new graduate, dean's list student or an award-receiving youth? Do you have a news event, activity or fundraiser you need to let the community know about? Send it to us!
E-mail your community events to news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 283-3299, drop it off at the Clarion office in Kenai at 150 Trading Bay Drive (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or mail your information to us at P.O. Box 3009, Kenai AK 99611.
Events, wedding, engagements and birth submissions may not be older than six months. Wedding anniversary announcements are printed in five-year increments beginning with the 20th.
For more information, call at 335-1241.
Hazardous waste disposal dates set
The Central Peninsula Landfill Hazardous waste disposal collection times are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates: Saturday, May 8, June 12, July 17, Aug. 14, Sept. 18 and Nov. 20. Businesses must pre-register by calling Burlington Environmental at 1-800-478-9008.
Food bank seek items
The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is seeking the following items: letter sized copy paper, silverware, re-sealable plastic bags (all sizes), sealing tape, Corelle soup bowls, scotch tape, plastic gloves (medium and large), plastic grocery bags, garbage bags (33 and 45-50 gallon).
Birthday bag items needed for youth ages 12 years old and under are: cake mixes, frosting, candles, plates, napkins, balloons and small stuffed toys.
Items for youth over 12 years old needed are re-gifted gifts, seasonal items and large baskets.
For more information, call 262-3111.
Kasilof
Begins named to dean's list
Scott Begins of Kasilof was named to the dean's list at the University of Alaska Southeast. To be named to the list students must achieve at grade point average of at least 3.5.
Kenai
Watkins earns fellowship
Kenai resident Hannah Watkins was awarded the Xerox undergraduate fellowship through the University of Rochester.
The Xerox fellows program provides engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in a research experience in the summer preceding their senior year.
Selection criteria include research interests, competitive academic performance and intellectual ability and curiosity.
Watkins will continue her work focusing on hydrogel culture environments.
She is a 2007 graduate of Kenai Central High School.
Pedginski named to dean's list
Jimmie Mae Pedginski of Kenai was named to the dean's list at the University of Idaho. To be named to the list students must have completed 12 or more graded credits with a grade point average of at least 3.50.
Little League Clinics switch nights
Kenai Little League Clinics have been moved to Tuesday nights at Kenai Middle School for the month of March. There will be no clinic March 16. Clinics are open to youth ages 6 and up. For more information, e-mail info@kenailittleleague.org.
Cribbage tourney continues
The 16th annual Cook Inlet Lions Cribbage tournament continues at 3 p.m. Saturdays through April, at the American Legion Kenai Post No. 20 at 902 Cook Street, Kenai. It is open to the public. For more information, call Raymond at 776-5688 or Bob at 776-5339.
Kenai library events announced
The Kenai Community Library at 163 Main St. Loop, will host the following activities in February: Russian story time at 3:15 p.m. Monday; pre-school story time at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday; Wee read at 11 a.m. Wednesday; and After School read at 4 p.m. Thursday.
The library's hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 283-4378.
All meetings and library programs are subject to change or cancellation due to library expansion activity. Please contact the library at 283-4378 if you have any questions about an event scheduled at the library.
Historical society seeks contributions
The Kenai Historical Society will participate in the Permanent Fund Dividend's Charitable Contributions Program.
Interested community members who sign up for their dividends online in January, should look for an option called "the gift of giving." Search for the Kenai Historical Society, click and follow the instructions to make the donation.
The group asks that participants consider leaving their contact information so that they may acknowledge and recognize the givers support.
For more information on the program, visit www.PickClickGive.org or call June at 283-1946.
School programs continue
Tot Time and Home-school programs begin at the Kenai Recreation Center.
Tot Time will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. The cost will be $1 for youth ages 1 to 5 years old.
Home-school will be held from 12:30 from 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. The cost will be $1 per child.
Kenaitze center accepting applications
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe Early Childhood Center is accepting applications for its Headstart program. Children who were at least 3 years old by September 1, 2009, are eligible. For more information, call 283-0707.
Nikiski
Kennedys garner honors
Megan and Emily Kennedy of Nikiski were named to the dean's list at the University of New Mexico.
Emily, a junior, was named for arts and science and had to earn a grade point average of at least a 3.75 to make the list.
Megan, a senior, was named for education and had to earn a grade point average of at least a 3.25 to make the list.
Both are the daughter's of John and Mary Kennedy of Nikiski.
NPRSA activities announced
The North Peninsula Recreation Service Area offers the following activities:
* Full swing golf simulator -- Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The simulator offers a driving range or more than 20 world-class 18-hole courses to play. Golf gift certificates are available.
* Open gym times for the following groups: Toddler time - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 to 12:30 p.m.; home-school open gym - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; middle school gym Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; family gym Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m.; Adult Open Gym Volleyball Thursdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m.; and Adult Open Gym Basketball Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m.
* Arts and Crafts Class for first through sixth grade youth Fridays from 4 to 5:15 p.m., $3 a class or a 10-punch card for $25.
Unless other wise noted all programs are held at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center.
For more information, call 776-8800.
Soldotna
4-H members shined
The 4-H Public Presentation and Educational Display contest was held Saturday, February 13 at the Borough Building in Soldotna. 4-H members prepared interesting public presentations on topics such as wind power, trapping lynx, global warming, fire fighting and other science topics. Educational displays were also centered around science topics such as geology, basic cell anatomy, foods, eggs and swine selection and care. Many of these displays will be exhibited around town. The Kenai Visitor's Center, The Kenai Library, Cad-Re Feed and the Challenger Learning Center are just some of the places the displays can be viewed.
Champions of the Public Presentation Contest are as follows:
Seniors (grades 9-12) Sarah Cobb, Speech; Joanna Daniels, Power Point; Esther Knox, Illustrated Talk; Kade Foust and Cody Warfield, Team Demonstration
Intermediate (grades 6-8) Anna Marie Motis, Illustrated Talk; Elyssa Barkman, Power Point; Chantel Warfield and Kassidy Foust, Team Demonstration;
Junior Winner: Aaron Motis, Illustrated Talk
Three Cloverbuds gave presentations: Miriam Bowser, Joseph Schwartz, Andrew Milligan
Winners of the Educational Display Contest:
Senior Science, Esther Knox; Intermediate Science: Eli Butler and Chena Litzen tied, Intermediate Technology, Kody Knox; Junior Science: Taylor Shelden Each of these first place members will receive a $45 gift certificate to the science supply center of their choice. The money for these awards is supplied from the SET (Science, Engineering, Technology) funds from Natural Resources.
Nine Cloverbuds (grades K-2) entered displays: Anna Shelden, Andrew Milligan, Coen Braxling, Tyle Owens, Whitney Owens, Matthew Schwartz, Nicholas McConnell, Jacob McConnell, Joseph Schwartz
Seattle getaway fundraiser continues
The Rotary Club - Kenai River Soldotna is offering a chance to win a Seattle getaway that includes two round-trip airline tickets from Anchorage to Seattle - winner can choose the dates between May and September. Getaway includes two tickets to a Mariners baseball game - reserved seats, two rounds of golf at the Tacoma Country Club, three nights lodging in the home of a Rotarian and more.
Tickets are $25 per chance and can be purchased from any Kenai River Rotarian. Proceeds will be split between Rotary International's goal to eradicate Polio worldwide and other Kenai River projects.
For more information, call Bonnie Nichols at 262-9630.
Center celebrates St. Paddies' Day
Soldotna Senior Center will host St. Patrick's Day community celebration dinner and entertainment March 17 at 5:30 p.m. A traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner with all the trimmings will be served. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 10 years and younger and can be purchased at Soldotna Senior Center, Sweeney's Clothing and Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, reservation or location, call 262-2322.
Cancer fundraiser planned
The annual St. Baldrick's Foundation event in Soldotna to raise money for childhood cancer research is set for March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Soldotna Sports Center.
Volunteers are needed to have their heads shaved in exchange for donations Also needed are items to raffle, barbers and hairstylists and volunteers for the evening of the event.
To volunteer or donate, call Dan Nelson at 252-0369 or Marcia Jacobs at 394-4030.
Kenai Watershed Forum seeks contributions
Kenai Watershed Forum will participate in the Permanent Fund Dividend's Charitable Contributions Program.
Interested community members who sign up for their dividends online in January, should look for an option called "the gift of giving." Search for the Kenai Watershed Forum, click and follow the instructions to make the donation.
The group asks that participants consider leaving their contact information so that they may acknowledge and recognize the givers support.
For more information on the program, visit www.PickClickGive.org or call Josselyn O'Connor at 260-5449.
Safety Day seeks entries
Organizations interested in the annual Soldotna Safety Day are asked to call Nancy Mitchell at 262-4440, fax 262-4449, mail her at 35202 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 1, Soldotna, AK 99669, or e-mail her at nancy.mitchelle.c4xc@statefarm.com .
The event will be held May 15.
Sterling
Hoeldt has a daughter
Haili Hoeldt of Sterling announces the brith of her daughter, Indego Serindepidy Erikson, at 1:49 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009, at Womna's Way Midwifery in Soldotna. She weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces.
Her grandparents are Rondell Gonzalez and Greg Gonzalez.
Kincaid earns honor
Benjamin Jay Kincaid of Sterling was named to the president's list at Pensacola Christian College.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Kincaid of Sterling.
Senior center activities announced
Mondays -- Exercise group at 10 a.m. and Spanish class at 1 p.m.; Tuesdays -- Crafty Quilters at 10 a.m., and bingo at 7 p.m.; Wednesdays -- exercise group at 10 a.m.; Thursdays -- Crafty Quilters at 10 a.m., Spanish class and 1 p.m., and card players at 6 p.m.; Friday -- exercise group at 10 a.m. and choir practice at 1 p.m.
On going events -- First and third Fridays -- movies with snacks at 6 p.m., movie at 7 p.m.; First and third Saturdays -- Carving Club at 10 a.m.; Sundays -- breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Call 262-6808 for more information.
E-mail your community events to news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 283-3299, drop it off at the Clarion office in Kenai at 150 Trading Bay Drive or mail your information to us at P.O. Box 3009, Kenai AK 99611.