Former Kenai resident and businessman Hal Thornton first arrived in Kenai on the evening that Ethen Cunningham was murdered. He described his experience with this event in the Kenai chapter of this memoir.

States of Mind: The death of Ethen Cunningham — Part 1

It may have seemed like an open-and-shut case

Former Kenai resident and businessman Hal Thornton first arrived in Kenai on the evening that Ethen Cunningham was murdered. He described his experience with this event in the Kenai chapter of this memoir.
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gyoza wrappers are filled with shrimp and onion paste. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Wrapping up summer

These dumplings are relatively easy to make and are very forgiving, perfect for inexperienced folders

Gyoza wrappers are filled with shrimp and onion paste. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
The Triumvirate Theatre’s cast of “The Sound of Music” rehearse at Soldotna High School on Friday, Aug. 2.

Triumvirate Theatre comes alive with ‘The Sound of Music’

The stage adaptation of the 1960s Julie Andrews film opens Friday

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
The Triumvirate Theatre’s cast of “The Sound of Music” rehearse at Soldotna High School on Friday, Aug. 2.
Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Fair 2024: Back to the Last Frontier

Some of the highlights this year will include horse rides, hamster balls, pig races, rodeo and competitions

Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pigs race at the Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
On its last legs. When the Peninsula Clarion’s Ashlyn O’Hara captured this image of Good Time Charlies in 2022, the old bar and strip club was about to be demolished to make room for a highway-safety project.

A violent season — Part 7

No bar stands today north of the Sterling Highway and across from the Birch Ridge Golf Course.

On its last legs. When the Peninsula Clarion’s Ashlyn O’Hara captured this image of Good Time Charlies in 2022, the old bar and strip club was about to be demolished to make room for a highway-safety project.
A turtle is made out of kid-friendly snacks for Vacation Bible School. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)

Minister’s Message: We all need to feel loved and liked

Over the last few days, my church has hosted our yearly Vacation Bible School.

A turtle is made out of kid-friendly snacks for Vacation Bible School. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)
These blueberry and honey, carrot and nectarine, and spinach and green grape gummies are made with minimal sugar and no artificial dyes or preservatives. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweet gummies to keep kiddos going

Every year the kids and our activities change, but the one thing that will never change is the kids’ near constant requests for snacks.

These blueberry and honey, carrot and nectarine, and spinach and green grape gummies are made with minimal sugar and no artificial dyes or preservatives. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Winners of the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest stand with their prizes at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Performers host 4th annual cosplay contest

Dragon slayers, Disney animations and Chinese novels make waves at Progress Days celebration

Winners of the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest stand with their prizes at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Harvey Dale Hardaway, seen here in his military uniform, was one of four men involved in a shoot-out at the Hilltop Bar and Café in December 1967. (Public photo from ancestry.com)

A violent season — Part 6

A disagreement over the payment for some food led to a shoot-out at the Hilltop Bar and Café

Harvey Dale Hardaway, seen here in his military uniform, was one of four men involved in a shoot-out at the Hilltop Bar and Café in December 1967. (Public photo from ancestry.com)
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Minister’s Message: Trusting in the will of God

Many people avoid having a relationship with God because of the trust issue

File
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: The rise and demise of the rodent

Husbands can make very rare and somewhat dim-bulb mistakes

Nick Varney
Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool and Hugh Jackman plays Wolverine in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” (Promotional photo courtesy Marvel Studios)

On the Screen: ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ brings crass jokes, heart to MCU

It’s a bizarre love letter to an era of superhero cinema that probably was better left forgotten

Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool and Hugh Jackman plays Wolverine in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” (Promotional photo courtesy Marvel Studios)
Calzones stuffed with arugula pesto and cheese make for a fun summer meal. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Pedaling forward

These calzones are great after a day of trotting alongside a brave little boy

Calzones stuffed with arugula pesto and cheese make for a fun summer meal. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Good old summertime

The lupines are crazy this year, as were the dandelions.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
This advertisement for the Hilltop Bar and Café, the successor to the Circus Bar, appeared in 1962. The names under “Beer and Booze” refer to co-owners Swede Foss and Steve Henry King. (Advertisement contributed by Jim Taylor)

A violent season — Part 5

Bush did not deny killing Jack Griffiths in October 1961, but he claimed to have had no choice in order to protect himself.

This advertisement for the Hilltop Bar and Café, the successor to the Circus Bar, appeared in 1962. The names under “Beer and Booze” refer to co-owners Swede Foss and Steve Henry King. (Advertisement contributed by Jim Taylor)
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Minister’s Message: The gift of lament

We don’t always know what to do in those difficult parts of life.

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Sierra Ferrell performs on the River Stage at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Salmonfest returns Aug. 2-4 for ‘musically infused family reunion’

The three-day event will feature art, festivities and an array of performers

Sierra Ferrell performs on the River Stage at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chickpea lentil and spinach curry is served with rice and yogurt. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Finding comfort in memories

I believe that houses hold memories, and I hope the memory of our time there comforts it during its final, painful days.

Chickpea lentil and spinach curry is served with rice and yogurt. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Gold Peak play the opening set of 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)
Gold Peak play the opening set of the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Music fest returns to RustyRavin

The annual nonprofit music festival is a fundraiser for Nuk’it’un, a transitional home for men

Gold Peak play the opening set of 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)
Gold Peak play the opening set of the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)