Life

Functional wood-turned items, photographed in 2022, by Homer artist Ted Heuer are available year-round at Ptarmigan Arts. Photo by Beth Heuer

Craftsman finds ‘almost no limits’ to woodworking

Homer man shares his passion for turning wood into functional and beautiful works of art

Functional wood-turned items, photographed in 2022, by Homer artist Ted Heuer are available year-round at Ptarmigan Arts. Photo by Beth Heuer
April O'Neil, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael gather around a cell phone in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." (Photo courtesy Paramount)

On the Screen: ‘Turtles’ reboot a fun and fresh take on familiar story

The Turtles don’t exactly have a sterling reputation on the silver screen

April O'Neil, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael gather around a cell phone in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." (Photo courtesy Paramount)
Cheechako News photo Mable Smith came into her own as a reporter for the Cheechako News (central Kenai Peninsula) in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Don’t stop the presses

The Mable Smith Story — Part 1

Cheechako News photo Mable Smith came into her own as a reporter for the Cheechako News (central Kenai Peninsula) in the 1960s and early 1970s.
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Minister’s Message: Let Jesus help you overcome obstacles

I’m thankful the Lord helps us overcome obstacles and he keeps some obstacles out of the way

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A painting by Susan Watkins hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, as part of “Up Close and Far Away — My View,” the center’s August exhibit. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska through the eyes of an artist

Kenai Art Center’s August show features the perspective of artist Susan Watkins

A painting by Susan Watkins hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, as part of “Up Close and Far Away — My View,” the center’s August exhibit. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “Swallowed by the Great Land” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday in Kenai.

Off the Shelf: Kantner offers a slice of the Arctic way of life

Seth Kantner’s “Swallowed by the Great Land” shows a reverence for his community

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “Swallowed by the Great Land” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday in Kenai.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Silas Jones performs on the Inlet Stage at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Aug. 12, 2022, in Ninilchik.

Kenai Peninsula Fair to bring music, food, games to Ninilchik

The event will take place Friday, Aug. 11 to Sunday, Aug. 13

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Silas Jones performs on the Inlet Stage at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Aug. 12, 2022, in Ninilchik.
Fresh ripe peaches are wrapped in a buttery crust in this peach galette recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Perfect peach galette for a special summer tradition

For one week every summer, my in-laws host all their children and their spouses and all seven grandchildren

Fresh ripe peaches are wrapped in a buttery crust in this peach galette recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Charles “Windy” Wagner, in his later years, and an unknown woman smile for the camera in Wagner’s Kenai River cabin. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 3)

The conclusion of a three-part story about the life of the man most people knew as “Windy”

Charles “Windy” Wagner, in his later years, and an unknown woman smile for the camera in Wagner’s Kenai River cabin. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)

On the Screen: ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ together spark excitement at the cinema

The double feature, despite or perhaps because of how silly it is, totally worked

Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)
A grazing board, also known as a charcuterie board, is prepared Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Grazing board rules

Charcuterie boards are all the rage in the wedding scene right now

A grazing board, also known as a charcuterie board, is prepared Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Charles “Windy” Wagner was an adept gardener who liked sharing his produce and telling stories about its quality. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 2)

By most accounts, Charles “Windy” Wagner was an energetic, boisterous storyteller who entertained his listeners

Charles “Windy” Wagner was an adept gardener who liked sharing his produce and telling stories about its quality. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
Tatum Anderson rehearses “The Aristocats Kids” during a Triumvirate Theatre drama camp on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Main Office in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Putting on ‘real theater’ in only 3 weeks

Triumvirate Theatre Youth Camp to stage “Aristocats”

Tatum Anderson rehearses “The Aristocats Kids” during a Triumvirate Theatre drama camp on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Main Office in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)

On the Screen: Nolan disappoints in 2002’s ‘Insomnia’

In preparation of Nolan’s latest cinematic feat, “Oppenheimer,” some friends and I have been rewatching past films

Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)
Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local, national talent ready for Salmonfest

Represented among the talent are local acts like Blackwater Railroad Company, Medium Build and the Hope Social Club

Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Rhubarb is preserved in jars. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Capturing the taste of home

Canning preserves local rhubarb’s vibrant flavors

Rhubarb is preserved in jars. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch delivers promised energy

Ahead of the start of the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin, co-owner and organizer Ravin Swan said that the energy would… Continue reading

Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Barnacle Bob’s Bottle with Cups,” by Shannon Olds, is seen as part of Clay on Display at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Art Center celebrates 50 years of Kenai Potters Guild

Since 1973, in a studio space adjacent to the Kenai Art Center, members of the Kenai Potters Guild have gathered to throw clay, to fire… Continue reading

“Barnacle Bob’s Bottle with Cups,” by Shannon Olds, is seen as part of Clay on Display at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Windy Wagner enjoyed entertaining company at his home along the Kenai River. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 1)

Most folks seemed to enjoy Charles A. Wagner. They appreciated his hospitality and generosity, his stories and good humor, and his thorough knowledge of the… Continue reading

Windy Wagner enjoyed entertaining company at his home along the Kenai River. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
A copy of Charlie Stephens' "Passion Over Pain" rests in grass on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: ‘Passion’ begets fulfillment in personal story by local author

When I talked to retired teacher and local author Charlie Stephens about his book, “Passion Over Pain,” in early May, he said he wanted it… Continue reading

A copy of Charlie Stephens' "Passion Over Pain" rests in grass on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)