Soldotna Community News

Visitors from Australia at Dolly Farnsworth's home this past month included Myrna and Fred Taylor, their daughter, Sue, and her husband, Simon Bennett, and their children, Samantha, 17, and Dean, 10. This is Myrna and Fred's third trip to Alaska, but the first for their daughter and her family. They cruised the Inside Passage, seeing Glacier Bay and stopping at Ketchikan and Juneau. Disembarking in Whittier, Myrna and Fred went to Soldotna, while the Bennett family detoured by train to Denali, seeing Mount McKinley and Fairbanks. Dolly and her daughter, Nina Kersten, hosted the group at Bear Cove for a week. They enjoyed clamming, halibut fishing, four-wheeling on the beach and seeing black bear, loons and otters. They returned by water taxi. In Seward they saw Exit Glacier, the SeaLife Center and Kenai Fjords. They plan to fly to Wolverine River for salmon fishing and bear viewing before heading home.

Birthday wishes go out to Ron Weilbacher on July 18; and Mavis Lancaster on July 22.

Kenai Peninsula Football Camp for youth up to ninth grade will be held at the Soldotna High School football field from 9 a.m. to noon today through Thursday. The cost is $50 per athlete. For more information, call Galen Brantley at 398-8862 or e-mail him at gbrandtley@kpsd.k12.ak.us.

The Family History Center at 159 Marydale Ave. is free and open to the public Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers are available to help with family research, genealogy and family histories. Resources include five high-speed computers, microfilm, microfiche and library materials.

For more information, call 262-3581.

The Society of Artistic Garment Expressions will hold a free presentation on wearable art Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 105 Robin St. at Robin Place Fabrics. For more information, call at Pat Reese 262-5438.

Progress Days will be held July 28 and 29. If you are interested in having a float for the parade (free) or being a vendor ($25.00), the deadline is Friday. For more information, call the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at 262-9814.

Want to lose weight with friends? You can join TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibility) on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the First Baptist Church, 159 South Binkley. For more information, call Cathy Wagner at 262-3276.

The Northwood Quilters meet Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church on the Kenai Spur Highway. Everyone is welcome. Open quilting and needlework. For more information, call Jan at 262-5098 or Barb Steckle at 262-2407.

The Birch Ridge Golf Course will hold a Senior Amateur Tournament (over 50 years old) on July 19 and 20. For more information, call 262-5270 for more details.

The Bird Homestead Golf Course will host the Quilters Tournament on July 21. It is a benefit for Funny River Quilters, who donate quilts. For more information, call 260-4653.

Send me your news, events and family happenings.

Submitted Soldotna news

Referees meeting planned

Kenai Peninsula Football Officials Association general membership meeting will be held at 6 p.m. today at Skyview High School. Community members interested in officiating high school or Pop Warner football are invited to attend. For more information, call Randy Sparks at 398-1396 or Joe Mato at 398-7533.

Nutrition class serves up information

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank will offer free nutrition classes "Putting Local Food Resources to Work" on Wednesdays for seven weeks from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the food bank at 33955 Community College Drive in Soldotna.

The classes will be taught by Colleen Sonnevil of the Cooperative Extension Service. For more information, call 262-3111.

Seniors plan summer bazaar

The Soldotna Senior Citizens Center will hold its annual summer bazaar, bake sale and quilt show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27 and 28 at the center. Crafts and baked goods will be available.

The center also will hold its endowment trust fund barbecue from noon to 3 p.m. July 28. Barbecue, live music, a motorcycle display and wool spinning exhibit are some of the planned events.

Garage sale fundraiser planned

The Kenai River Rotary Club of Soldotna will hold its annual garage sale fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 during Progress Days in Dr. Jerry Hu's parking lot on 125 N. Binkley St. in Soldotna. Donations will be used to fund the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, an international student exchange program. For more information, call Nancy at 953-0495.

Donations sought for troops

The Peninsula Yellow Ribbon Club is in the process of making thank-you gift baskets for returning soldiers and Marines. Community members interested in donating a gift, a gift card or making a thank-you card for the baskets may call Bill and Carol Keller at 262-0492 or 394-1072. Arrangements can be made to pick up donations.

Kids reading program continues

Kids are invited to join the Triumvirate Bookstore Frequent Reader Program. Upon signing up, kids can pick out one free book, a reading calendar and reading program rules at the bookstore in the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna. Bookstore hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Each time a reader returns their initialed calendar (weekly or monthly) to the bookstore, they can pick out another free book and get their calendar punched. Get up to four extra punches each month for special activities like reading to a younger sibling, attending a storytelling session, reading to a nonparent adult or filling out a "kid's pick" sheet on your favorite book. For more information, call 953-7262.

KPC council seeks members

Kenai Peninsula College is seeking interested community members to serve on its college council. The 15-member council serves as an advisory board to the college director and advocates for the interests of the college to the community and Legislature. Members serve three-year terms.

Available seats this coming academic year include two from the central peninsula and one from the southern peninsula. Those applying for the positions will be asked to attend the 6 p.m. Sept. 13 council meeting at the Kenai River Campus in Soldotna to discuss their qualifications with the council.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume by Aug. 17 to: College Director, Kenai Peninsula College, 34820 College Drive, Soldotna AK 99669. For more information, call 262-0318.

Seniors plan activities

The Soldotna Senior Citizens Center will host the following events this week: Today — Art class at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., dancing at 10:30 a.m. and piano music at 11:45 p.m.; Tuesday — Board meeting at 12:30 p.m., cards, board games at 1 p.m.; Wednesday — Cards at 10 a.m., music at 12:15 p.m., craft workshop at 1 p.m. and shopping at 1 p.m.; Thursday — Art class at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., blood pressure checks at 11 a.m., shopping and cards and games at 1 p.m.; and Friday — Summer craft and bake sale.

Cameras, photo printers sought

The Soldotna Rotary Club is seeking donations of working digital cameras and photo printers for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District's art program. Equipment may be dropped off at Sweeney's Clothing or Joe Kashi law office.

For more information, call 398-0480.