Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Get Ready

It looks as though some early deep freeze history may be about to repeat itself

Nick Varney
Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)

On the Screen: Murder most haunting

Hercule Poirot takes on supernatural in latest Agatha Christie adaptation

Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)
Jack Meyers, Jackson Hooper, Kincaid Jenness, Kry Spurgeon, Leora McCaughey and Oshie Broussard rehearse “Lockers” at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

High school drama

Teenage archetypes hit the stage in Triumvirate production “Lockers”

Jack Meyers, Jackson Hooper, Kincaid Jenness, Kry Spurgeon, Leora McCaughey and Oshie Broussard rehearse “Lockers” at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Gnocchi brings it home

Enjoying an afternoon in the kitchen

This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vendors and vegetables

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival celebrates local food scene at Soldotna Creek Park

Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Destination not journey

Reviewing the last column, I wondered when we started to avoid driving

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine
Rusty Lancashire backs up the family tractor so her husband Larry can connect it to the disc for their fields.

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 3

Rusty and the three Lancashire daughters arrived in Kenai on June 19

1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine
Rusty Lancashire backs up the family tractor so her husband Larry can connect it to the disc for their fields.
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Minister’s Message: God’s sustaining anchor

We can lean into God and His promises that he will support and guide us

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Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork donated for the Harvest Auction hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Aug. 29.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork donated for the Harvest Auction hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Aug. 29.
Shana Loshbaugh (Courtesy photo)

History comes home

Historical conference to bring statewide community to central Kenai Peninsula

Shana Loshbaugh (Courtesy photo)
This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Serving up walnuts, dates and a little courage

My new job will not be an easy one.

This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival returns Saturday

The event will feature live music, cooking demonstrations, educational talks, food trucks, guided edible walks, a pie-baking contest and the Fermentation Station

Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: The 1st qualification for ministry

Our first qualification as pastors or to serve in any capacity in ministry is to love Jesus Christ

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[   2a—] Larry and Rusty Lancashire (at left) pose in front of a B-24 bomber in the early 1940s with another unidentified couple. Larry was a B-24 co-pilot during World War II. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 2

Larry Lancashire’s status as a military veteran would aid him in his homesteading efforts on the Kenai Peninsula

[   2a—] Larry and Rusty Lancashire (at left) pose in front of a B-24 bomber in the early 1940s with another unidentified couple. Larry was a B-24 co-pilot during World War II. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)
Members of Kenai Camera and Coffee meet at a local coffee shop. (photo courtesy Colette Gilmour)

Local photographers find confidence through collaboration

The group is putting on show at Kenai River Brewing

Members of Kenai Camera and Coffee meet at a local coffee shop. (photo courtesy Colette Gilmour)
Ben Mattox performs as part of BenJammin & The Jammin Band during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Jammin one last time

BenJammin and the Jammin Band play final show Saturday

Ben Mattox performs as part of BenJammin & The Jammin Band during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portrays Prince Henry in “Red, White and Royal Blue.” (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

On the Screen: A romance for idealists

‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ a surprisingly biting romcom

Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portrays Prince Henry in “Red, White and Royal Blue.” (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
The new portable dance floor is seen in use at the Kenai Performers theater in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Jodene McAuliffe)

Dance floor debut

Kenai Performers launch regular dance programming with weeklong social workshop

The new portable dance floor is seen in use at the Kenai Performers theater in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Jodene McAuliffe)
Vanilla pound cake, fruits and pretzels are prepped for a fondue celebration. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating grandpa with fond memories and fondue

Sweet and dense vanilla pound cake is perfect for this dish

Vanilla pound cake, fruits and pretzels are prepped for a fondue celebration. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
[1a—] After doing business in the Kenai Commercial Company store, Rusty Lancashire climbs into family station wagon, with its sagging back bumper, to head for home. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 1

Mrs. Lancashire certainly didn’t fit Lee’s notion of what a homesteading woman should look like.

[1a—] After doing business in the Kenai Commercial Company store, Rusty Lancashire climbs into family station wagon, with its sagging back bumper, to head for home. (1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine)