Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: It can’t be break-up ‘cause there was no winter

I meditate a lot. Sometimes up to several seconds at once. Last Monday was one of my deeper days and I decided to mull over… Continue reading

 

Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt sits atop a recent moose kill. (Photo from In Those Days: Alaska Pioneers of the Lower Kenai Peninsula, Vol. II)

Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 6

Poopdeck Platt was nearly 80 when he decided to retire from commercial fishing.

 

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Minister’s Message: Run and not grow weary

If we place our trust in God, He will provide the strength we need to keep going.

 

These monster cookie-inspired granola bars are soft, chewy and tasty enough to disguise all the healthy nuts, oats and seeds. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Fueling the fearless

My son’s adventurous nature unfortunately does not extend to his diet.

These monster cookie-inspired granola bars are soft, chewy and tasty enough to disguise all the healthy nuts, oats and seeds. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna launches second annual ‘I Voted’ sticker design contest

The stickers will be distributed at city polling places.

Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A bagpiper helps kick off the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings out the green

The annual event featured decorated cars and trucks, youth marchers and decked-out celebrants.

A bagpiper helps kick off the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
After Red Cleaver, in 1959, helped Poopdeck Platt add 30 inches to the stern of his fishing vessel, the Bernice M, Platt took his boat out onto the waters of Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy of Ken Moore)

Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 5

Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt had already experienced two bad years in a row, when misfortune struck again in 1967.

After Red Cleaver, in 1959, helped Poopdeck Platt add 30 inches to the stern of his fishing vessel, the Bernice M, Platt took his boat out onto the waters of Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy of Ken Moore)
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Minster’s Message: Will all things really work for your good?

Most of us have experienced having a door of opportunity or a door of happiness closed.

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This decadent, creamy tiramisu is composed of layers of coffee-soaked homemade lady fingers and mascarpone cheese with a cocoa powder topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A fancy dessert for an extra-special birthday

This dessert is not what I usually make for his birthday, but I wanted to make him something a little fancier for 35

This decadent, creamy tiramisu is composed of layers of coffee-soaked homemade lady fingers and mascarpone cheese with a cocoa powder topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Larry Opperman, host of “Growing a Greener Kenai” radio show on local public radio station KDLL 91.9 FM, shows off a carrot. (Photo provided)

Local gardener shares love of growing on radio show

“Growing a Greener Kenai” runs the first and third Saturday of each month, starting April 5.

Larry Opperman, host of “Growing a Greener Kenai” radio show on local public radio station KDLL 91.9 FM, shows off a carrot. (Photo provided)
Artwork by Daisy Jeffords and Morgan Chamberlain is displayed as part of “Secret Garden” during an opening reception at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Bringing life into something forgotten’

Kenai Art Center’s rear gallery show steps in ‘Secret Garden’

Artwork by Daisy Jeffords and Morgan Chamberlain is displayed as part of “Secret Garden” during an opening reception at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees admire “Neon Poppies” by Chelline Larsen during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Finding fusion

Kenai Art Center juried show challenges artists to incorporate different elements into works.

Attendees admire “Neon Poppies” by Chelline Larsen during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: With spring approaching, a reminder to shed earthly weights

The Bible tells us to lay aside the weights that may restrict us from doing what the Lord Jesus will have us do.

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As his wife Bernice looks on, 43-year-old Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt poses atop a road sign welcoming him to Alaska. This 1947 photograph from the Huebsch Family Collection memorializes Platt’s first trip to Alaska, which became his home for the next 53 years.

Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 4

In 1947, their correspondence led to wedding bells, and the magazine subscription led them to make a new home in the Territory of Alaska.

As his wife Bernice looks on, 43-year-old Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt poses atop a road sign welcoming him to Alaska. This 1947 photograph from the Huebsch Family Collection memorializes Platt’s first trip to Alaska, which became his home for the next 53 years.
This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Hearty chili to lighten the heart

This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili.

This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign points to the Kenai Art Center. Photo taken on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Art Center opens juried show Friday

“Infusion” will be juried by Stephanie Cox, Marco Mendoza and Jason Notter.

A sign points to the Kenai Art Center. Photo taken on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Students and families create puppets during a family art night hosted by Artist in Residence Shala Dobson at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids bring puppets to life

Kaleidoscope students make puppets during artist-in-residence program.

Students and families create puppets during a family art night hosted by Artist in Residence Shala Dobson at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School students perform in the halls during an art show and music fundraiser at Soldotna Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School students perform in the halls during an art show and music fundraiser at Soldotna Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Eggs and taxes

The days are a little longer, the temperatures a few degrees warmer.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
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Minister’s Message: Throttles and old carpet

Dysfunctional means that the abnormal has become normal.

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