Monday, May 28, 2007

Salmon’s return earns ‘delightful’ reception
The fifth annual Return of the Salmon Celebration, held this year on May 21 at Heritage Place, was a resounding and unqualified success. Appreciation and thanks are due to Kenai Wild for the salmon; to Drew Sparlin of United Cook Inlet Drift Association and Sen. Tom Wagoner for the halibut; to the kitchen staff at the Soldotna Senior Center for the cole slaw; to Jodie Asimakopoulos and the Heritage Place food service staff for the salmon quiche and side dishes; to Country Foods and Irv and Carla Carlisle for the corn-on-the-cob; and to the folks who contributed side-dishes of deserts.

Reader feels blind-sided
I usually support Homer Electric in their management decisions. They seem to have a good board and administration and are heading in the right direction with the co-op, but the front page article in Monday’s Clarion (May 21) has me wondering.

Woman can sympathize with neighbor shooting dog
I am writing this in response to the letter to the editor from Pamela Parsons (Clarion, May 22) whose cruel neighbor shot her family dog.

Pros and cons
Kenai Peninsula Borough voters are familiar with government election pamphlets that arrive in the mail a few weeks before municipal elections. Typically, the pamphlets contain information about the candidates — from the candidates —and short descriptions of ballot propositions written in the clerk’s office and approved by the assembly and explanations of what a yes or no vote would accomplish — but little else.

It’s not too late
Pushing its way through dense smoke and clouds, the B-24 Liberator was using new nonvisual bomb sighting techniques for the first time as it joined 605 bombers targeting oil refining and storage facilities at Ploesti, Romania.

Tradition on the line
When it comes to fishing, Bob Moss philosophy is simple: “You just gotta fish,” he says, “put the hooks in the water.”

Area reps split on gas line labor agreement
Just before state House lawmakers approved the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act on May 11, they voted on an amendment that supporters said would be the best way to ensure Alaskans went to work on the project.

Clarence ‘Sonny’ West
Kenai resident Clarence “Sonny” West died Sunday, May 20, 2007, at Central Peninsula Hospital with friends and family by his side. He was 52.

Acea David Rollins
Ninilchik resident Acea David Rollins died Saturday, May 26, 2007, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna. He was 77.

Johney C. Andrews
Maryland resident Johney C. Andrews died Tuesday, May 22, 2007, in Maryland at his home with his family by his side. He was 88.

Acea David Rollins
Ninilchik resident Acea David Rollins died Saturday, May 26, 2007, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna. He was 77.

Why we are celebrating Memorial Day
Although it’s what many people on the Kenai Peninsula associate it with, Memorial Day weekend isn’t just about fishing. It’s a time to remember those who have died in battle for this country.

Distance is reason to worry: Husband’s journey to Denali leaves much for wife to think about
The clock is ticking.

Kohring should do the right thing and step down
Innocent until proven guilty.

Peninsula People
Worley graduates from basic Kilfoyle receives honors Smola earns scholarship Riding high

Around the Peninsula
Community ping-pong offered Rowing classes available Women go on the defensive Golf tourney set to swing Community run ready to go Summer day camp available in Nikiski Midnight Sun festivities set Teens for rent

Soldotna grad fulfills dream to be a Marine, but job not over yet
Just three short years ago, a young Soldotna man was wrapping up his high school career putting such things as algebra, American history, homecoming and prom behind him.

Ability to program VCR sold separately
I’ve had cause recently to utter the standard refrain that is an unavoidable part of dealing with any form of electronics.

Peninsula Reflections
This series of articles has toured Spruce Grove Memorial Park, admiring folks who accomplished 90 or more consecutive birthdays. Most of these people were born near 1900. For white women born in the United States in 1900, life expectancy was 51 years. Nonagenarians exceeded expectations by at least 39 years, or 76 percent. For women born in 2000, life expectancy has bulged to 80 years. If the extra-hearty of the 2000 generation also has a 76 percent lifespan expansion, they will live over 140 years. Are such positive lifespans possible? Maybe.

Home gardeners fight, avoid late potato blight
As spring returns to the Kenai Peninsula, our gardening thoughts turn to what we are going to plant for the upcoming season. While many gardeners are happy with colorful flower gardens there are those of us that insist no garden is complete without vegetables. As a happy vegetable gardener I would like to help us all avoid introducing a devastating disease into our gardens. In Alaska we have been fortunate in being relatively disease free but we now need to be aware of Late Blight or Phytophthora infestans in our potato patch. This disease has been found in potato fields throughout the world (think Irish potato famine) but was first identified in Alaska in 1953 in Wrangell. The first report in the Matanuska Valley was in 1995, again in 1998, in multiple locations in 2005 and in just one location in 2006. This fungus-like pathogen can be found on many members of the nightshade family, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Last fall it was identified on tomatoes in one home greenhouse.

Around the Peninsula
Cowboy up Memorial Day services set Construction academy nails down date Peaceful people to gather Canning classes offered Used book sale scheduled SoHi schedules swim lesson registration Relay For Life planned Historical society to meet Brain awareness walk, barbecue set Dog jog set to go Vendors, runners sought Cheer camp available Annual quilt show a piece of work

SoHi softball drops 4 games
Just as Soldotna’s offense began to come alive, unfortunately, so did the clouds.

Kodiak baseball tops Soldotna
The Kodiak baseball team defeated Soldotna 2-0 on Saturday in Kodiak. The game between the two teams on Friday was rained out. The result of the late Saturday game in Kodiak was not available as the Clarion went to press.

Brown Bears have busy week
Like their namesake, the Kenai River Brown Bears are stirring with activity.

Kards nab 2nd at state
Unbeknownst to Kenai coach Tim Sandahl, the Kardinals were in position to lock up second place on the boys side of the ASAA State Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

Weddings
Knecht, Bates to marry in Kenai Kohniak, West marry at home Mahe, Kockritz marry in Canada Parks, Armstrong wed in Hawaii