By Mona Painter
Turnagain Times Cooper Landing Correspondent
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Photo Courtesy of Marisa Cologgi and Heather Nelson/ Kenai River Drifter’s Lodge Fishermen line north and south sides of Kenai River near the Russian River confluence on the evening of June 28. |
Fishing is on at the Russian and Kenai
Fishing, fishing, fishing! If you aren’t planning a fishing trip, or eating fresh fish, then you’re talking to those who just caught their limit of reds on the Russian or Kenai Rivers near the confluence or tried to land a king on the lower river.
As local residents of Cooper Landing drive by the fishery, they catch a quick look at the lines of people on both sides of the river and standing out in the water. Some locals still brave the crowds to cast a line in Russian River while keeping an eye out for bears. A large brown bear, a smaller juvenile brown, and a black bear sow with two cubs have been seen in the area. So far, so good except for the occasional stringers of salmon grabbed by hairy paws.
The new idea for taking the salmon away from the river to clean isn’t the complete answer to reducing human-bear confrontations, but what is?
The Sexy Senior Dumpster Cleaners are finding ripe fish remains at the Dumpsite here in Cooper Landing, which has also been a bear lunch counter and the reason for locking the gates overnights.
Halibut dinners being served at fundraiser for health center
Fish and fishing related accidents are another reason to work toward the Cooper Landing community clinic. Fishermen getting hooked or hooking themselves, and someone breaking a leg at Russian River Falls could have benefitted from a local clinic. John and Carrie Williams are cooking halibut dinners July 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to benefit the Cooper Landing Health Center at the big tent sale between Wildmans and Espresso To Go near Mile 47.7 on the Sterling Highway.
Cooper Landing Historical Society and Museum celebrates 50 years of statehood
Cooper Landing Historical Society and Museum is celebrating 50 years of statehood with a birthday party at the museum on July 11 during the first of their two-day garage sale fundraiser. Hot dogs, punch, cake and ice cream will be given to the first 200 shoppers beginning at 11 a.m. The garage sale will go from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days or until everything is sold. The museum will be open, too, with a special display of memorabilia and pictures of Cooper Landing as it was in 1959. Thanks to new museum volunteers Tammy Robinson and Rose Faust for joining the team.
Flower sale
Jeanne Acton’s Bearly Threaded Quilting in the cute little log cabin with quilts hanging over the railing, across the side street from the Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce visitor’s cabin, is having a “short bolts and flowers” sale July 11 and 12 . The shop is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and carries Alaskana themed fabrics, patterns, and some notions, too.
Summer Book Club meets
The Summer Book Club meets July 15 at 7 p.m. at the Cooper Landing Community Library. Book lovers are invited to bring an appetizer to share and their favorite drink. The regulars will be discussing “The Reader,” by Bernhard Schlink.
Katie Green sent a Community Crier that Helen Rhode Park needed mowing and the next thing we knew, it was trimmed and tidied. I suspect I know who did the good deed, the same gentleman who quietly undertakes community service summer and winter and who was a good friend of Cec and Helen Rhode.