Photos from Ancestry.com 
In January 1900, when Dr. R. J. Alcorn began serving a sentence for manslaughter, he posed for these mug shots as Convict #739.

Filling in the blanks: The Dr. Alcorn story — part 2

Although Dr. R. J. Alcorn spent only a few years in Alaska, he certainly got around.

Photos from Ancestry.com 
In January 1900, when Dr. R. J. Alcorn began serving a sentence for manslaughter, he posed for these mug shots as Convict #739.
File

Minister’s Message: Taking in the water of the Spirit

Jesus pointed out the well water satisfies thirst for a while, but “whosoever drinks of the water I shall give shall never thirst.”

File
Photo from Ancestry.com 
This circa 1913 Alcorn family portrait shows Dr. R. J. Alcorn, his son Argie, his daughter Wilma, and his wife, Dr. Cora E. Alcorn.

Filling in the Blanks: The Dr. Alcorn story — part 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is Part One of a two-part story about a physician/surgeon who came to Seward in the 1920s with some curious blank spots… Continue reading

Photo from Ancestry.com 
This circa 1913 Alcorn family portrait shows Dr. R. J. Alcorn, his son Argie, his daughter Wilma, and his wife, Dr. Cora E. Alcorn.
File

Minister’s Message: Be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to listen

More than ever, everyone seems to have an opinion on every subject and to be quite animated that their side is the only one that is right.

File
Document from Ancestry.com 
Orville Lewis Albery was a 49-year-old chiropractor in Seward when he supplied the information for this draft card. Although Albery signed the card, the official who filled out the remainder misspelled Albery’s name.

Peninsula History: No fortune like misfortune, part 2

Part Two of a two-part story about a few of the unlucky and the unwise among the long history of medical professionals in Seward.

Document from Ancestry.com 
Orville Lewis Albery was a 49-year-old chiropractor in Seward when he supplied the information for this draft card. Although Albery signed the card, the official who filled out the remainder misspelled Albery’s name.
Nick Varney (courtesy photo)

Unhinged Alaska: The last time I saw him

Dale had always been an excellent judge of character and his reputation went untarnished by his amazing group of friends …

Nick Varney (courtesy photo)
File

Minister’s Message: A living faith produces Integrity

Most people are tempted at one time or another to compromise their integrity.

File
Dr. Charles Leslie Hale (left) in 1905 became the second-ever dentist to take up residence in Seward. (Photo courtesy of Resurrection Bay Historical Society)

Peninsula History: No fortune like misfortune, part 1

Seward’s medical professionals have had their share of bad luck.

Dr. Charles Leslie Hale (left) in 1905 became the second-ever dentist to take up residence in Seward. (Photo courtesy of Resurrection Bay Historical Society)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Continuing Idaho Saga

When we landed at Pullman/Moscow at 6 p.m. it was 100 degrees.

  • Aug 7, 2021
  • By Virginia Walters For the Peninsula Clarion
  • LifeCommunity
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
File

Minister’s Message: From the pits to the pinnacle

Have you ever had one of those “in the pits” days … or weeks … or —?

File
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Once bitten

Just keep moving. For some people, it might be a mantra for living their lives. For me, it’s how I deal with mosquitoes. I think… Continue reading

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Bonnie Marie Playle (file)

July Musings

July is the seventh month, and is called “Dog Days” because it’s the warmest month in the Northern Hemisphere. FACTS: Astrological Signs: Cancer and Leo;… Continue reading

Bonnie Marie Playle (file)
2007 photo by Clark Fair 
Sometimes called “Murder House” in the years after the killing, this dilapidated Quonset hut was the scene of the crime.

A killing close to home

By Clark Fair For the Peninsula Clarion We all hope we live in a safe neighborhood. I know I hoped so. I grew up on… Continue reading

2007 photo by Clark Fair 
Sometimes called “Murder House” in the years after the killing, this dilapidated Quonset hut was the scene of the crime.
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: The generations … my how they flow by

It has been over 20 years since we had a 1-year-old in the house for any extended period of time.

  • Jul 10, 2021
  • By Virginia Walters For the Peninsula Clarion
  • LifeCommunity
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Nick Varney (courtesy)

Flying fish and lead. Oh my!

Homer can become rather rowdy at times.

Nick Varney (courtesy)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Worth every penny

It occurred to me that there are people who save for years to make a trip of a lifetime just to do what was, for me, a nice three-day weekend.

  • Jun 26, 2021
  • By Will Morrow For the Peninsula Clarion
  • LifeCommunity
Will Morrow (courtesy)
When Dr. Paul Isaak began providing medical service to the Soldotna-Kenai area, his Soldotna Clinic was located near the current site of the Soldotna Fire Department. Here he stands with his airplane and his nurse, Elizabeth Meadows. (Photo courtesy of the Isaak family)

A hospital is born, slowly (Part 1)

The effort required 10 years — a decade rife with financial snafus, contract disputes, bitter in-fighting, and one delay after another.

When Dr. Paul Isaak began providing medical service to the Soldotna-Kenai area, his Soldotna Clinic was located near the current site of the Soldotna Fire Department. Here he stands with his airplane and his nurse, Elizabeth Meadows. (Photo courtesy of the Isaak family)
Central Peninsula General Hospital as it appeared in its first year of operation, 1971. (Photo provided by Peninsula General Hospital)

A hospital is born, slowly (Part 6)

By Clark Fair For the Peninsula Clarion Author’s note: This is the final part of a six-part series about the origins of Central Peninsula Hospital,… Continue reading

Central Peninsula General Hospital as it appeared in its first year of operation, 1971. (Photo provided by Peninsula General Hospital)
Cheechako News file photo from KPC’s Kenai Peninsula Historical Photo Repository
Joe Faa, who in 1965 sold 10 acres of his Soldotna homestead as a construction site for a new hospital, poses here in about 1961 with his prize horse Danny. Faa’s horse corral and hay fields are the reason for the name Corral Street in Soldotna.

A hospital is born, slowly (Part 5)

It had been almost five full years since the start of a project to establish a hospital for the central Kenai Peninsula.

Cheechako News file photo from KPC’s Kenai Peninsula Historical Photo Repository
Joe Faa, who in 1965 sold 10 acres of his Soldotna homestead as a construction site for a new hospital, poses here in about 1961 with his prize horse Danny. Faa’s horse corral and hay fields are the reason for the name Corral Street in Soldotna.
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Lost cause?

My particular peeve right now is the politicians and media personalities who are negatively brandishing the fact that you may need another corona shot in a year.

  • Jun 13, 2021
  • Virginia Walters For the Peninsula Clarion
  • LifeCommunity
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)