Cooper Landing News

By Susanna LaRock
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent

Cooper Landing Library Open House

The Cooper Landing Library is holding an Open House July 24 from 1-3 p.m. All are invited to enjoy punch and cookies and see the changes made over the past few months. There will be a brief ceremony at 2 p.m. to acknowledge Jane Belke for her generous donation to the library and her years of educating the youth of Alaska. The Library has applied for a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation to revitalize the children’s section and replace aging windows and heater. Community support is needed in the form of small donations to help meet the $3,400 match.

Community Working to Bring Affordable Health Care to Cooper Landing

Cooper Landing is a community miles away from any medical facilities. Residents and guests have at least an hour drive if they need medical attention, and Cooper Landing Health Center, Inc. is working hard to make long drives to see the doctor a thing of the past. The mission of Cooper Landing Health Center, Inc is simple, “To provide accessible and quality health care to all individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin or financial ability to pay for needed health care, while providing public education and community support in healthy lifestyle choices.”

The community of Cooper Landing started working on this project in 2008 acquiring funds through fundraising, donations, and matching dollars from Peninsula Community Health Clinic in Soldotna for a health needs and feasibility study. Cooper Landing Health Center Inc. continues to work tirelessly to see that their mission is accomplished. With two successful Halibut feed fundraisers this summer, one in June and one in July. The community support is undeniable.

July 9, 10, and 11 people were lined up to buy halibut and French fries and show support for Cooper Landing Health Center Inc. Many people driving through on their way to fish or on their way back to Anchorage stopped to show their support as well. There is still much work to be done and more funds to raise, but with every successful fundraiser the community of Cooper Landing gets closer to its goal of affordable health care without the drive. For more information or to make a donation, call Carrie Williams, President CLHC Inc., 598-1633.

Garden Tour Shows off the Beauty of Cooper Landing in Summer

Local BIRCH AmeriCorps member, Virginia Morgan got a great idea this summer. With the Community Garden open for its first season, and so many residents working hard on their gardens, she thought it would be nice to give people a chance to show off all their hard work with a garden tour. Virginia has been working on a list of must see gardens to stop at on the tour, and she has 8-10 listed so far, including the new Community Garden at Raven’s View. The tour will begin at 1pm July 28, with ride sharing coordinated by Virginia. Don’t miss out on this exciting day! Call Virginia Morgan at 595-3094 to participate in the tour or get your garden on the list of stops.

Second Run of Sockeye Salmon Anticipated

Cooper Landing, in the summer time, is all about fishing. With the first run of sockeye salmon mostly over and the second run on the way, everyone is waiting with rod and reel ready and hopes that the second run will be a big one. The locals reported that fishing on the Russian River during the first run was hit and miss, so everyone is waiting with anticipation for the second run to make its way up the Kenai River. Soon the happy exclamations of, “Fish On!” will be heard throughout this little fishing town.