Home2

Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Hey Boreas. Knock it off. You’re flash freezing my karma

For the last few weeks, we have been hosting Boreas, the Greek god of winter

Nick Varney
File

Minister’s Message: Redrawing the boundary lines

Dark forces have made their way into the world ever since the time of Adam and Eve and now Jesus shows up to redraw the boundary lines

File
A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Meditations on middle age

“Another North” shares lifetime of experiences through personal narratives

A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye's pair of second-hand snowshoes rest in a snowberm near Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Frozen by indecision

In video games, there’s often a defined pathway for progression — a direct, prescribed set of challenges meant to be tackled in a certain order… Continue reading

Jake Dye's pair of second-hand snowshoes rest in a snowberm near Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Meat- and vegetable-filled dumplings, fried eggs and nori stew in hot meat broth in this recipe for mandu-guk, or dumpling soup. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dumplings for dragons

In Korea, the Lunar New Year is one of the major holidays, and families gather to cook and play games over a long weekend

Meat- and vegetable-filled dumplings, fried eggs and nori stew in hot meat broth in this recipe for mandu-guk, or dumpling soup. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Brothers James (left) and Lawrence Keeler with their Kissel car, circa 1910s. Both brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in World War I. James was killed in battle. Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 3

Lorna Keeler had a well-deserved reputation for being the bachelor’s friend in time of need

Brothers James (left) and Lawrence Keeler with their Kissel car, circa 1910s. Both brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in World War I. James was killed in battle. Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.
File

Minister’s Message: Feel the warmth of the sun and Christ in your heart

It is good to have more daylight and feel the warmth of the sun now

File
Sam Rockwell portrays Aidan and Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway in “Argylle.” (Promotional photo courtesy Apple Original Films)

On the screen: Anticipated spy flick falls flat in unmemorable ‘Argylle’

Overlong and a little jumbled, the film fails to play to its own strengths

Sam Rockwell portrays Aidan and Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway in “Argylle.” (Promotional photo courtesy Apple Original Films)
A creamy, rich and filling is ensconced a puff pastry crust in this French chicken and mushroom pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A meal to warm frigid days ahead

On colder days I cook more caloric meals for my own family at home to keep our body fires roaring

A creamy, rich and filling is ensconced a puff pastry crust in this French chicken and mushroom pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Louvie “Vi” Chapman photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum
This cottonwood-log structure was Anchor Point’s first-ever school, located on the south side of the Anchor River. It was replaced with a better school on the north side, on property donated by Sherman and Louvie Chapman. Seen here are the first teacher, Helen Smith, and some of her students, including Larry Keeler standing next to Smith.

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 2

On Aug. 3, 1948, Lawrence and Lorna made their official move from Kenai to Anchor Point aboard a vessel called the John Adams

Louvie “Vi” Chapman photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum
This cottonwood-log structure was Anchor Point’s first-ever school, located on the south side of the Anchor River. It was replaced with a better school on the north side, on property donated by Sherman and Louvie Chapman. Seen here are the first teacher, Helen Smith, and some of her students, including Larry Keeler standing next to Smith.
File

Minister’s Message: You talking to me?

After a long human discourse on “where is God?” God ardently responds in chapters 38-41 to the dialogue between Job and his friends.

File
The setting sun casts the sky in gold over Kachemak Bay on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Early sunsets over Homer

It’s not much of a secret, I think, that winter is not my favorite season. Ironic, perhaps, considering I’ve made my home a place where… Continue reading

The setting sun casts the sky in gold over Kachemak Bay on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The 2022 lineup of John Damberg’s Latin Jazz Quintet stand for a photo in 2022. John Damberg plays marimba and vibes, Mark Manners plays classical guitar, Bob Andrews plays bass guitar and Eiden Pospisil plays drums. Laura Koenig, pictured here with a flute, will not be playing with the quintet this weekend — the group will instead feature Karl Pasch on clarinet. (Photo courtesy John Damberg)

Latin jazz swings into town

Anchorage quintet to bring ‘fun and accessible’ music to Soldotna

The 2022 lineup of John Damberg’s Latin Jazz Quintet stand for a photo in 2022. John Damberg plays marimba and vibes, Mark Manners plays classical guitar, Bob Andrews plays bass guitar and Eiden Pospisil plays drums. Laura Koenig, pictured here with a flute, will not be playing with the quintet this weekend — the group will instead feature Karl Pasch on clarinet. (Photo courtesy John Damberg)
"The Boys" by Katie Hafner. (Photo via Amazon)

Off the Shelf: A quirky pandemic love story that hits close to home

Hafner portrays the toll forced isolation can take on the human psyche within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

"The Boys" by Katie Hafner. (Photo via Amazon)
These rhubarb dream bars are equally sour and sweet and are delicious served cold or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweet treats propel afternoon skiing

A sweet treat makes ski practice days that much more special for him

These rhubarb dream bars are equally sour and sweet and are delicious served cold or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D. (Image via Alaska Department of Education and Early Development/education.alaska.gov)

Opinion: Where I stand: A strategic investment approach to education

I believe that we can improve student learning with strategic funding that supports teachers and high-quality instruction

  • Jan 22, 2024
  • By Deena M. Bishop
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D. (Image via Alaska Department of Education and Early Development/education.alaska.gov)
Some of the Keelers assembled with family matriarch Samantha (second from left) in this 1952 photograph taken in Oregon. Others, L-R: George, Lawrence with wife Lorna, daughter April and son Larry, and Floyd, also known as “Uncle Shorty.” Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.

Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 1

This is the story of the Keelers who came to the Kenai

Some of the Keelers assembled with family matriarch Samantha (second from left) in this 1952 photograph taken in Oregon. Others, L-R: George, Lawrence with wife Lorna, daughter April and son Larry, and Floyd, also known as “Uncle Shorty.” Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.
File

Minister’s Message: Getting involved with your church

We need to intervene with the hope of Christ to turn around the downhill slide

File
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
John Walsh, Rose Flanagan and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna.

KDLL hosts Irish music at Kenai Peninsula College

The annual Irish music performance has been staged on the peninsula by a trio of performers almost every year since 2018

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
John Walsh, Rose Flanagan and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna.
Jaquel Spivey is Damian, Angourie Rice is Cady and Auli’i Cravalho is Janis in “Mean Girls.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

On the screen: ‘Mean Girls’ is a special, musical, spectacle

The adaptation of the 2017 Broadway musical is a surprising early-year hit

Jaquel Spivey is Damian, Angourie Rice is Cady and Auli’i Cravalho is Janis in “Mean Girls.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)