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Mona Painter/Turnagain Times Rep. Paul Seaton presents an original 49-star flag to the Cooper Landing Historical Society May 2 at the meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Historical Association. |
By Mona Painter
Turnagain Times Cooper Landing Correspondent
KPHA meets and discusses book project
Kenai Peninsula Historical Association President Brent Johnson chaired the May 2 meeting of the umbrella organization representing many peninsula historical societies and museums during the day-long event hosted by the Cooper Landing Historical Society. After welcoming special guests Representative Paul Seaton and his wife Tina, Representative Seaton presented CLHS with a framed historic 49-star Alaska state flag to be displayed at either the local museum or library. About 55 people were present to conduct KPHA business and enjoy Will Troyer’s program focused on his recent book Bear Wrangler. The KPHA book project, under Brent’s direction, was discussed. The book, tentatively titled The Way We Were: Snapshots of the KENAI at the time of Alaska statehood, written by local writers representing their communities and groups is expected to be ready for the printer in a month or so. Funding is still being sought to meet the $30,000 quote. KPHA members voted to add $7000 from the sales of The Road We’ve Traveled. CLHS hosts Bill and Mary Fort, Mike Gephardt, Jan Mitchell, Carla Britton, Mona Painter, and all who prepared lunch were thanked by KPHA. KPHA, established in 1973, holds meetings twice a year on the first Saturday in May and October.
Ravens View senior housing opens
Ravens View, the second unit of senior housing on Campus Drive two miles up Snug Harbor Road, opened for occupancy May 1 with all the apartments rented. A grand opening ceremony will be held this summer. Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp. Inc.’s general meeting is May 12, in Helen Gwin Commons at Eagles View, beginning with a potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Earth Day Fair a huge success
RAVEN AmeriCorps member Shelby Lubich and Cooper Landing Community School Coordinator and BIRCH AmeriCorps member Virginia Morgan are thanking the 115 people who attended the Earth Day Fair at Cooper Landing School and all who helped make it a huge success. They gave away information on recycling and energy conservation, 48 “green” cleaning buckets, 20 carbon monoxide detectors, and 45 pedometers. Shelby’s next project is the community clean-up in progress now. Bags are available at the school. Ice cream cones will be served at the school for all cleaning volunteers May 15 at 3 p.m.
Snail-a-thon is May 16
The 30th annual Snug Harbor Road Snail-a-thon fundraiser for the Cooper Landing Community Club is another Shelby and Virginia (and their respective affiliations) collaboration scheduled for Saturday, May 16. I love the enthusiasm and energy of these two young women! Donations may be mailed to CLCC here at P.O. Box 508. The walk, bike ride, or horse back ride begins at 10 a.m. from the Catholic church on Snug Harbor Road and ends five miles later at the Snail-a-thon beach (aka Waikiki beach) where the potluck community picnic takes place on the shore of Kenai Lake. Call Virginia at 595-3094 or Shelby at 599-0154 for more information.
Museum opens with a big fish
Cooper Landing Museum opens for the summer season on May 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments and prizes during the day. Thanks to Erik and Jodi Painter for the most recent gift of a king salmon mount using the real fish skin. This 65- pound king was caught near Big Eddy on the Kenai River by Eric Strand on May 11, 1982. Eric had to pull his boat across ice on the shore to launch it in the river.
Shelbe Holben graduates
Shelbe Holben will be celebrated at Cooper Landing School at 2 p.m. May 18 at the graduation ceremonies. Shelbe is graduating from the 8th grade as her dad, Rick Holben, did in the mid-1980’s. Is this the only second-generation CLS graduation? Elly Bauer and Linnaea Gossard are the kindergarten graduates. The community is invited.
Kenai River Regatta
This year’s Kenai River Regatta is scheduled for May 27 with the awards ceremony at the community center. The chili cook-off was such a success last year that it is on again. Bring your best pot of chili to enter for a cash prize and bragging rights. Call Alec Lamberson at 595-2126 for more information.
Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce selling raffle tickets
Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau is selling See’s candy at local businesses as well as raffle tickets from chamber board members or at Wildman’s. Tickets are $4 or three for $10. Prizes to be drawn for on June 20 include Guided Fly-in Fishing and Bear Viewing for two, $750 Kenai River Drifters Lodge Certificate, a Saddle-Paddle Day Trip for one, and a $100 dinner at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. Some of the proceeds go toward the Cooper Landing Health Care Clinic. The Chamber is looking for more volunteers this summer at the visitor’s center. Jean McGee and Ruth Pallen have volunteered. Call Cheryle James or Carrie Williams is you are interested.