By Mona Painter
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent
Community Center Clean-up a Huge Success
Deb Carlson sent out a request for at least one person from every organization or group that used the community hall on a regular basis to join in the April 24 clean up and wooding party and fifty people turned out.
Susanna LaRock said they made short order of the intense cleaning inside the hall, out on the grounds and softball field, and cutting and stacking wood.
Community Club President Gary Galbraith brought a couple of log splitters, Keith Freeman moved logs with his equipment, and others used chain saws. The wood is used in the woodstove to help heat the hall for winter meetings and events. An outdoor potluck was enjoyed after the cleaning.
Historical Society Meeting Program Featured Families and Fish
Kenai Peninsula Historical Association President Brent Johnson was the featured speaker at the Cooper Landing Historical Society meeting April 17 at the community hall. Brent is also President of the Cook Inlet Aquaculture board so part of his program was peninsula fish hatchery history and other associated information. He also described the inter-connectedness of peninsula communities by following people and families from one place to another such as Beverly Sabroskie Christensen who was postmaster in Kenai, Cooper Landing, and Clam Gulch.
Earth Day Fair Was a Mecca For Kids
Earth Day Fair games, projects, and activities were enjoyed by lots of kids and adults at Cooper Landing School on April 22. In addition to all the hands-on things, information was available about composting, the role of bugs, and about not being a litterbug, and much more. The Alaska Community Action on Toxics, ACAT, had a table, too. I saw Julie Seramur at a table with a mini gardening project for all comers.
Borough Mayor Carey Potluck Lunch Guest
Earlier in April, Mayor David Carey was the featured guest at a potluck lunch at the community hall sponsored by the Community Club. This was an opportunity for casual discussions of local and borough interests.
Mayor Carey gave kudos to the large group of residents who went to the April 6 borough assembly meeting on behalf of the Walkable Community Project adopted by ordinance into the borough comprehensive plan.
Many Activities Planned for Last Month of School
News of May events from Tommy Gossards's “From the Teacher's Desk,” includes eighth grade graduation and Author's Tea May 14, releasing the salmon Fry at Bear Creek, learning lifesaving techniques at the Seward Pool, joining the other small schools for Environmental Awareness Day at Trail Lake Campground, participating in a bike rodeo, taking on Hope School in a game of softball on May 21, and more.
Somewhere during that time the kids are going to build the raised beds for the community garden, too.
Community School Events Planned Through the Summer
Cooper Landing Community School events include the May 15 Annual Snug Harbor Road Snail-a-thon walk/run/bike five miles to the picnic beach. Bring your potluck dishes to the Catholic Church if you want to participate and someone will transport the food to the picnic site while you enjoy the stroll. This is a Community Club fund raiser to help with hall utilities and upkeep. Donations can be brought to the picnic or mailed to the CLCC at P.O. Box 508. For more information about spring and summer events and classes, contact Virginia at 595-30954 or tommyginny@arctic.net. Books clubs are meeting, a quilting retreat weekend is planned in June, and adults and children are invited to the May 17 Bike Rodeo. Tom Jahns from the UAF Cooperative Extension Service will teach a Composting in Alaska class on June 3 at Senior Haven. Contact Susanna at 598-1133 to join that class.
Thanks to Cooper Landing Emergency Services Volunteers
The week of May 16-May 22 is National EMS week so thanks to our local volunteers for the ambulance and the fire department: Phil Weber, Dan Michels, Keith Blair, Ed Holsten, Lindsay Long, Sandra Key Holsten, Rudy Green, Cheryle James, Ryan McGee, Michelle Stewart, Jessica Stewart, Robert Gibson, Andrew Brown, Jerry Neis, Yvette Galbraith, Ruth D'Amico, Mary McDonald, Grace Reger, and Annette Barrett. From the Cooper Landing Gem article: “Our volunteers have to dedicate 160 hours for initial training and then continued education of 24 hours every year to maintain their state license.” Very impressive.
Woodcarvings on Display in the Library
Library Director Katie Thomas is a busy lady. She's working on a Rasmuson Foundation Tier 1 grant as well as her regular library duties. Summer library hours begin May 10. Woodcarving works by Wendel Korman are on display in the library until late May. Local artists and crafts persons are encouraged to drop by with samples to show or call Katie at 599-1643 to set us display time.
Annual Softball Tournament Begins May 28
Dan Michels is chairing the annual softball tournament May 28 through June 6 and CLES is again handing the food concessions. They need volunteers to work the grill and kitchen area. Sign up at Wildman's. Many items have been promised for the silent auction and these will be displayed inside the community hall during the tournament. Additional donations are gladly accepted.
