Cooper Landing News

By Susanna LaRock
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent

Cooper Landing Residents got a Treat at Seniors’ General Meeting

President Ronald Sloan chaired the Aug. 10 Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp. Inc. (CLSCCI) general meeting in Helen Gwin Commons at Eagles View. The agenda included reporting on K-F Construction’s excavation for the bus garage and workshop on the south side of Ravens View for Jon James Construction Co. to start the building process, the two apartment vacancies, and the Sept. 4 fund raising pancake breakfast. Lorraine Temple, with sled dogs Cabo, Bonnie, a pup, and her sled and musher’s gear gave a program and slide show similar to those she does on a regular basis for Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. Besides running dogs on glaciers, Homer trails, and on Steven Seagal’s movie “On Deadly Ground,” Lorraine operates a local tour business. Mayme Ohnemus was the honored volunteer and she became much taller and bigger as Lorraine dressed her in gear for a sub-zero outing. The little husky puppy was passed from lap to lap much to the delight of the lap owners.

Bearly Threaded Quilting Helps Make Wishes Come True

Jeanne Acton, owner of Bearly Threaded Quilting, made a very special quilt this summer; one that will help an organization called Wish Upon the North Star grant wishes to Alaskan children with life threatening illnesses. Aug. 4 to Aug. 7 marked the first Alaska State Troopers Adventure Relay race, a 526-mile race from Fairbanks to Seward to benefit a local charitable organization. The Troopers, their communities, and families, took part in collecting pledges and running, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, or kayaking, while carrying the flag for Wish Upon the North Star and passing it between participants from Fairbanks to Seward.

Jeanne’s husband Ken Acton, local Wildlife Trooper, was a participant. Ken did some of the rafting and participated in the hike over Powerline Pass, from Anchorage to Indian. Jeanne knew she didn’t want to participate in the race, but she wanted to do something to help raise money. Jeanne used her special talent and made an Alaskan themed quilt; she sold raffle tickets and held a drawing at the final day of the race in Seward. Jeanne and Ken also worked at an Aid station, feeding runners at the hatchery in Moose Pass. Jeanne’s quilt was a great addition to this very successful fundraiser; 100 percent of the $25,000 raised went to Wish Upon the North Star, $2280 of that came from the proceeds of Jeanne’s quilt raffle.

Jeanne says, “There are more children in Alaska with life threatening illnesses than people think.” Thanks to Jeanne, Ken and all of the wonderful people who participated in the Alaska State Troopers Adventure Relay, Wish Upon the North Star will be able to make a difference in the lives of many of these children.

First Day of School Comes With a Kick

With summer winding down and fall in the air, kids in Cooper Landing are looking forward to the first day of school. This summer Cooper Landing School received new playground equipment, a tire swing and a slide should make the first day of school more fun. Even more exciting than new playground equipment is the start of soccer season. This year Cooper Landing School has some new soccer coaches who are enthusiastic about working with the kids and teaching them some soccer skills. Aaron Duchene and Shelbe Holben have volunteered to coach the Cooper Landing Lynx soccer team this fall, with Heather Harrison working at scheduling games. Practice starts the first day of school, Aug. 24, and will be held on the soccer field or in the gym every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. If you have questions about soccer season or would like to volunteer to help out, call Heather Harrison 598-1210.

I Ping Therefore I Pong

The Third Annual Paddle Battle, a fun event and fundraiser for Cooper Landing Community School, will be held at Cooper Landing School Sept. 4. This table tennis tournament consists of best two out of three, 11 point games, with double elimination. There will be separate brackets for kids and teens, seniors, and adults. Paddles will be available for those who don’t have one. Kids and teens will play from 3-4 p.m., seniors will be next from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and adults will play last from 6-10 p.m. Entry fees are $20 for adults and seniors, and $10 for kids and teens. Half of the entry fees will go to the winner of each bracket and all participants who register by Aug. 25 will receive an “I Ping Therefore I Pong” t-shirt. Remaining portions of the entry fees will go towards paying expenses for the event and a donation to Cooper Landing Community School.

The overall tournament is sponsored by Alaska Rivers Company. Wildman’s sponsors the adult bracket, The Hutch B&B sponsors the senior bracket, and the teens and youth bracket is sponsored by Alaska Marketing Consultants.

To register please call 595-6051 or email info@akmarketingconsultants.com by Aug. 25. Walk-ins are welcome to this tournament, but will not be guaranteed a T-shirt.

Cooper Landing Community School has a lot to Offer this Fall

This fall Cooper Landing Community School has a very busy schedule; all are welcome to participate in classes and activities. Tot Time will begin Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. Tot Time is an opportunity for parents and tots to get out and run around during the fall and winter months, it will be held in the gym or on the playground depending on the weather. Heidi’s Booty Camp will be starting again in the Cooper Landing School Gym Sept. 8 and will continue every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4:30 p.m. This is a great way to stay in shape through the fall and winter months and it’s only $2 per class. The Friday Night Book Club will meet at the Library Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. to discuss Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The Tuesday Morning Book Club will meet at the Library Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. to discuss Sarah’s Key by Tatiana DeRosnay. For more info about Cooper Landing Community School check out their web sight http://clcommunityschool.webs.com/.

Second Run of Sockeye Salmon Coming to an End

With the second run of sockeye salmon coming to an end on the Kenai River, Fish and Game has issued an emergency closure of all sport fishing for sockeye salmon on the Russian River and at the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers. Regulations for all other species of salmon, trout, and dolly varden remain the same. Coho salmon are in the lower Kenai River right now, and are expected to be in the upper Kenai by the end of this month. Rainbow fishing on the Russian has been excellent. Water levels in the upper Kenai River have been high, and anglers fishing the side channels are having more luck than those fishing the main section. Sockeye salmon fishing may be over, but fishing season is still in full swing.