Cooper Landing residents enjoy a picnic at the end of the May 17 Snug Harbor Road Snail-a-thon community club fundraiser.
By Mona Painter
Turnagain Times Cooper Landing Correspondent
According to local residents, the top stories of 2008 run the gamut of a bear mauling, births of three babies, fun and fundraisers to the publication of Will Troyer’s memoirs.
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Cooper Landing residents enjoy a picnic at the end of the May 17 Snug Harbor Road Snail-a-thon community club fundraiser. |
Brown Bear mauls woman
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge housekeeper, Abi Sisk, was walking alone near the lodge on the night of July 23, admiring wildflowers, when she was suddenly attacked by a brown bear. The bear inflicted serious head wounds before being chased away by a lodge guest. Ms. Sisk was taken to Anchorage for treatment and was recovering enough to be able to make the trip to her home in Utah a week later. General Manager Dan Michels had nothing but praise for the 21-year old woman and the way she reacted to the experience as help was being administered after the attack. Walking trails were closed and guests and lodge workers were escorted to their vehicles during night hours but the bear did not return and Fish and Game officials were unable to locate the animal.
Of the 40 bears confirmed killed on the Kenai Peninsula in 2008, nine were killed around Cooper Landing, at Russian River, and at the local dumpster site in self defense, by vehicles, or by authorities.
New birth and final good-bye to long-time residents
Conner Brandon Judy was born Feb. 21 to Brandon and Shannon Judy. Little Lillian Elle Blair joined parents Keith and Kristin and brother Lane Blair on July 3. Hayden Cox made his appearance on Sept. 9 to Dan and Heidi Cox’s delight.
Many friends at their respective memorial services remembered former residents Ludwig “Babe” Osowiecki and Mike Seward. Babe was past president of the Cooper Landing Community Club, a deacon of the Kenai Lake Baptist Church, and spent summers operating a campground here. Mike worked as a river guide for Alaska Rivers Co. when he lived in Cooper Landing.
New Senior housing nearly completed
Construction of Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp. Inc.’s second housing unit, Ravens View, built on the hill overlooking Eagles View and Kenai Lake was almost complete by year’s end.
Loss of resident lineman results in longer power outages
The loss of resident Chugach Electric Association linemen in Cooper Landing, Sterling, or Soldotna means that in the case of a power outage linemen would be sent from Anchorage with a minimum of a three-hour trip time. Representatives from CEA explained their company policies and procedures to a large group of residents during the Sept. meeting of the Cooper Landing Community Club and not long after an 11-hour power outage.
Fishing curriculum a breakthrough for educational courses
Thanks to teacher Tommy Gossard, Cooper Landing School is the only school in Alaska to have a fishing education as part of the school curriculum. Tommy wrote the prize winning grant for the special physical education program which has been on-going since Sept. Funds are provided for training by educators, boating, fly tying, and even fish rearing. Their salmon eggs are expected to hatch in the spring and will later be returned to the river. After a boat safety course, Tommy, Principal Jim Dawson, and Dominic Bauer, a volunteer parent, took the school kids on a boat trip to practice their fishing techniques on the Kenai River. They were featured in the Oct.-Nov. issue of American Sportfishing.
Part of the fishing program funding for rods and reels, tackle boxes, waders, and other supplies came from the Fifth Annual Kenai River Drift Boat Regatta held June 3. Sixteen boats entered the regatta, which was won by Kyle Kolodziejski. After the river race, a chili cook-off won by Chef Christian of Alaska Wildland Adventures, and a handyman auction raised $2400 for the school.
The Snug Harbor Road Snail-a-thon in May raised over $2,000 for community club expenses with the help of Terry Hook and his volunteers. This community fundraiser began in May 1980.
Softball champion crowned
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge’s softball team won this year’s ten-day softball tournament after beating the Bean Creekers in a second playoff game on June 1. Cooper Landing Emergency Services raised money from the food concessions during the games.
Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce raised money from a raffle for a trip to Thailand valued at $4,000. Another trip to Thailand was raffled to support the Cooper Landing Health Center, Inc.
Local authors publishes new books
Will Troyer’s third book, “Bear Wrangler,” was received for sale by the Cooper Landing Museum in Oct. Will was refuge manager on Kodiak Island and later manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Besides his pioneering work in collecting brown bear data, Will was responsible for putting in the Swan Lake canoe system. His book is full of adventures and lots of laughs.
Mayme Ohnemus published her second book of Sexy Senior Dumpster Cleaner biographies and recipes in Oct.
Christmas program ends year on a positive note
The year ended with 100 guests at Cooper Landing School for the Christmas program and potluck dinner and on Christmas day the turkey dinner at Eagles View senior housing hosted and cooked by Keith and Kristin Blair at the request of their son Lane.
Happy New Year!