Cooper Landing News

Mona Painter/Turnagain Times At the left, Cooper Landing Wildlife Conservation Community Program Co-chair Bobbie Jo Skibo with Bob Garlock, John Hedges, Jeff Selinger, and Larry Lewis form the panel of presenters from the Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste Dept. and the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game at the WCCP April 19 event in the community hall. Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Rex Leath was also on hand to answer questions.

By Mona Painter
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent

The Wildlife Conservation Community Program community event April 19 was attended by 35 or more adults and 15 children from Cooper Landing and Moose Pass. Dan Michels won the drawing for the 95-gallon bear resistant garbage container and donated it to the community club. He took it home to stencil the club name and will have it firmly in place by the time the annual softball tournament begins May 23.
The top three winners of the children’s art contest from Cooper Landing and Moose Pass were awarded passes donated by the Seward SeaLife Center. Children also took part in the Jr. Wildlife Ranger Program sponsored by the Kenai Brown Bear Committee. After the program, the children received badges and made pledges to be stewards of the wildlife resources of the Kenai Peninsula.
At one per household, over 50 bear resistant containers at $50 per 95 gallon can were ordered and will be received in the Landing by the end of May. To get your name on the list, or for more information, email cooperlandingwildlifeprogram@gmail.com.
The soup supper at Cooper Landing Museum was enjoyed by about 30 people on April 19. The evening was so warm and sunny the museum doors were propped open although a wood fire in the old post office kept the soup pots simmering. The business meeting was informal but productive. The museum will open for the summer Sunday, May 11, from noon to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Thanks were given to Jan Mitchell, Mary Fort, Jean “Nana” Sether, Jean McGee, Carla Britton, Arlene Knock, and me for cleaning and reorganizing the buildings. Nana has a knack for this; antiques come to life under her direction.
Kate Thomas who’s Community Crier via email keeps residents in the know sent out a good one on the day of the big snow, April 25. About 100 Canada geese were hunkered down on the Kenai Lake ice near highway Mile 47 as the heavy snowfall continued to about 12 inches. “Flight cancelled due to weather,” Kate wrote.
Terry “Chief” Hook, Jan Mitchell, and Susanna LaRock are meeting and working toward the 28th annual Snug Harbor Snail-a-thon for May 17. Travel in non-motorized fashion from the Catholic Church to the Snail-a-thon, or Waikiki, beach five miles up Snug Harbor Road and enjoy a picnic lunch hot dog roast. Beverages are courtesy of the Cooper Landing Community Club who is the beneficiary of this fund raiser. Until several years ago, money was raised through pledges for distances traversed. Donations to CLCC are appreciated for maintenance of the community properties.
Janice Cooper hosted the Cooper Landing Community Library Book Club April 25, for a showing of the movie The Kite Runner after reading the book by Khaled Hosseini. Not without some difficulty, however. Jean Romig, in the lead heading up Knaack Court through the storm suddenly stalled out in the snow. After some maneuvers, four cars were moved off the hill and parked on Kenai Princess property. Bryan Cooper and his big Ford pickup transported the club members to and from the Cooper home.
The Cooper Landing Trails Committee is committed to building a Walkable/Bikeable Community. “Our vision is to create a community infrastructure that encourages residents and visitors alike, to enjoy our community through walking, hiking, skiing, and biking in a safe and enjoyable environment.” During the softball tournament May 23 and 24, Dr. Laura Bittner Crider, retiring this spring from a career involving bicycle safety and pedestrian safety issues for children, will be at the community hall and center to share her experiences with us. Everyone is invited. For more information contact Deb Carlson at 595-1455 or 345-3619 or by email at carlsons@arctic.net or contact Jen Belisle at 299-3421 or by email at alaska114@hotmail.com.