Though rumors had Jack Brown running for the Kasilof seat of the Borough Assembly, he is not a candidate. Jack has been in public service a long time and was a pillar of support in the Sarah Palin campaign. Back in 1993, Representative Mike Navarre asked him to get involved with Aaron Goforth who was protesting negative press the oil and gas industry was then receiving. Jack cued up with high English and his positive spin created Industry Appreciation Day (IAD).
“It was designed to ensure the continuation of our major industries and to make workers feel like they are wanted and that their businesses are a big part of our economy,” Jack said. Soon the Commercial Fishing industry caromed into the action. Kasilof is an appropriate participant. According to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, Kasilof ranks second behind Togiak as having the highest percentage of residents owning Limited Entry Permits. That is for communities with a population over 100. Tourism and Oilfield workers are also common in Kasilof. Capitalizing on a good bank shot, the Tourism Industry has also become involved in IAD. 2007 was the 14th annual IAD celebration, with businesses participating that support Oil and Gas, Commercial Fishing, and Tourism. A couple of women, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Governor Sara Palin, were among the high-ranking politicians in Kenai for the event.
Jack Brown stepped down from the Borough Assembly in 2001 following 14 years of service and two terms as president. He then worked as business manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Community and Economic Development Division. He moved to Cohoe in 2004 after marrying Debbie Holle. Since, he has retired and begun Alaska Berry Growers, a non-profit group focused on cultivating wild Alaskan berries and marketing them to an eager nutraceutical industry.
The orange tipped spruce tree branches, which have been prevalent for a couple weeks, are this season’s pollen crop. Spruce pollen collects on lakes and the Inlet, which can sometimes be seen on calm days. Sadly, spruce pollen means summer is shading towards autumn. Of course there is a sea of nature in the middle of Kasilof. Fans may be interested in Dr. Ed Berg’s Cycles of Nature class. It is taught through Kenai Peninsula College and runs Sept. 11-Oct. 9.
Cordelia Watts (Sept 16, 1900-Feb 1997), a Kasilof pioneer, was omitted from the list of Spruce Grove Memorial Park nonagenarians honored in last weeks Reflections column and Esther Rodgers name was misspelled. Sorry about that. Presentations on the remaining 90-plus-year-old persons will depend on readers providing information about them.
Clam Gulch, Cohoe and Kasilof residents should notify me by Tuesday night of items you want in the following Monday’s Neighbors column. From benefits to birthdays and any news that you choose, give me a call or e-mail. My column is turned in on Thursdays. I’m open to witticisms and criticism, but my favorite is shocking gossip.
School has started! Remember, Dr. (Ph.D) Katy Sheridan and Dr. (DVM) Meezie Hermansen were once first graders at Tustumena Elementary School. Students go places!

This is the time of year we have to say good-bye to our college students. It is bittersweet for the parents who are happy to see their children pursuing high education, yet will be sorely missing their kids while they are gone.

Whitney Leman is returning to Eastern Oregon University for her final year of college and has been on the Dean’s List for two years. She will earn a degree in Media Arts and a minor in Business. Whitney plays basketball for the Mountaineers NAIA Division II team who have gone to Nationals two years in a row after earning first place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Whitney broke the assist record and finished first in the Conference in assists last year. Whitney graduated from Ninilchik in 2003, valedictorian of her class. She was Small Schools Player of the Year three years in a row, the first Alaskan female to achieve that honor. She was featured in “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated and played for UAA one year. She plans to return to Alaska after she graduates in the spring.

Jason Schollenberg will also return to Eastern Oregon University to complete his degree in Business. Jason graduated from Ninilchik in 2002 and spent one year at UAA before transferring to EOU.

Amanda Matson will be joining Whitney and Jason at EOU for her senior year. After three seasons with the lady’s basketball team, she decided to take this year off. Amanda was a standout player for the Lady Wolverines, graduating in 2004, earning Player of the Year her senior year. Amanda is also a Dean’s List student majoring in Business.

Lara McGinnis, the fair manager for the Kenai Peninsula State Fair reported that this year ticket sales broke all records bringing in 7,366 people. “It was the most awesome fair ever!” Lara exclaimed. She also said that the racing pigs did fabulously raising $1100 to go toward the bathroom renovations. The Marathon pig and Agrium pig tied and are now racing and pleasing the crowds at the Palmer State Fair.

I spoke with Janet Clucas and Cindy Crabb of the Domestic Engineers at their pie booth at the fair and they were pleased that they sold out on pies each day of the fair selling around 150 pies. The proceeds from the annual pie sale helps to support Ninilchik School’s science department, the Ninilchik Community Library, the Easter Basket program for shut-ins, and a scholarship granted each spring to a Ninilchik School graduate who has done community service.

Happy Birthday to David Pherson and Ruth Roberts today; Karen Encelewski Aug. 28; Arlo Boyle, Bruce Oskolkoff and Monte Garroutte on Aug 29; and Deidre McCombs and Molly Ogren on Aug. 30.

Thank you for sending in your news! Remember that the deadline for getting your news in for Monday’s Neighbor’s column is Wednesday evening. If you want a photo included with a baby announcement or a special honor please send in the news directly to news@peninsulaclarion.com.

Congratulations to all you neighbors who entered exhibits, successfully sold livestock at the Junior Market Livestock Auction, and won ribbons at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair!

August 10th marked the opening for caribou hunting season and I heard that some Ninilchik neighbors were quite successful in harvesting both bulls and cows. Our annual family hunt was particularly exciting because my mother, Marlene Blough, former writer for this column and soon to be 70, went on the hunt for the first time and shot her first caribou. Besides my kids, Caleb and Joanna Daniels, and myself, the hunting party included my dad, Ron Blough of Hoonah, AK, Carey Blough of Ninilchik, Judson and Maria (Knox) Blough with their three-month-old son, Tucker, of Anchorage. In all, 6 caribou were harvested and have stocked our freezers with meat for the winter.

Jeriah and Erin Knox had some out of town guests join them on their hunting trip and they returned with 4 caribou–one of them was Erin’s first successful harvest. Erin’s brothers, Shawn MacDonald of Cheyenne, WY and Craig MacDonald of Buckfield, Maine and friend Jon Hilton of Gardiner, Maine were all happy to experience Alaska’s great outdoors together.

Krista Leman, daughter of Dan and Jamie Leman is heading for UAA which begins on August 31st. She graduated from Ninilchik High School in May and was salutatorian of her class. During her years at Ninilchik she was involved in Student Council, Yearbook, volleyball, basketball and cross-country running. She especially loved basketball and earned numerous awards and honors including MVP of the district tourney her senior year, and Player of the Game at the state tourney two of three games. She was also selected for All Tourney and First Team All State. She plans to play ball for the Seawolves this year. She published a book of poetry last year entitled “Teen Angst” which is available through Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Forbes Books and e-booktime.com. She said that she is looking forward to the next exciting phase of her life and plans to major in Journalism/Communications. Eventually, her goal is to become a sports broadcaster.

The 10th Annual NND (Ninilchik Native Descendants) Golf Tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th at Birchridge Golf Course. Coach Dan Leman organized this event to raise funds to support academic and athletic programs for Ninilchik School. Last year, they were able to give two $500 scholarships to Ninilchik School grads and supported Ninilchik School’s athletic program. For more information, please contact Dan Leman at 567-3361.

Happy Birthday to Shirley Chihuly, Freidon Monson, and Ernest Wentworth today; June Garroutte and Danielle Self tomorrow, Aug. 21; Kaitlyn Knuth, Aug. 22, Lars Kruzick, Aug. 23, Isabella Ehlers, Aug. 24; and Cole Sallee, and Jim Boyd on Aug. 25.

Happy Anniversary wishes go to Mr. & Mrs. George Chamberlain tomorrow, Aug. 21; Mr. & Mrs. Mike Chihuly on Aug. 24; Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Self on Aug. 26; and Rob and Darla Peterson on August 26th.

Happy 91st birthday to Ray Blake on August 8. Ray may hold the honor of being the eldest feller in the tri-communities of Kasilof, Cohoe and Clam Gulch. He has been in Cohoe 60 years.

Moose hunting season opens today and is already ten days old for bow hunting north of Kasilof River. A question has arisen: if a hunter saw a huge set of antlers with many tines, would that be a tiny rack or a multined-headed monster? Remember, a safety course is required to use bows. No instruction is necessary to use the more-potent rifles, so a good rule of thumb is: keep your chamber empty until you are looking at your game and never point a gun at anyone, including your own foot. When your chamber barrels amber, make sure your shot can’t go where people may be. Beer and bullets are like frogs and toilets, they shouldn’t be together.

Howard Davis Jr. of Clam Gulch, who survived a brown bear mauling several years ago, was hospitalized after a lung biopsy caused air to leak. Overnight his left side bloated and his voice became distorted. This is a fairly common problem with lung biopsies. The leak was fixed with surgery through a tube and he improved to go home in a short time. Meanwhile, the biopsy proved cancerous. Doctors are optimistic at this point, but they do not yet know the type of cancer, nor the extent. That information will be available soon. Our concerns are with Howard.

Cohoites and Clam Gulchians may have noticed the traffic counting hose on the Sterling Highway at mile 110.2 (by the fire station) and a second, two hose affair at mile 113.2. These were part of the seasonal counts conducted annually and required by the federal government, which pays towards maintenance of the Sterling Highway. The purpose of two hoses is to discern vehicle types, it can tell the difference between multi-axle trucks and cars and also record the speed vehicles are traveling at. Such information is valuable in designing and upgrading highways.

Kasilof hay crops are kind of skimpy this year due to the cold spring and cool, rainy summer. For the lucky folks who harvested during our short shot of sunshine, the quality of their hay is excellent. Last year was a disaster because rain refused to allow drying time.

Rain and silver salmon fishing on the Kasilof River go together like Siamese twins. You should be able to get a line on dinner with a short soak. Crooked Creek opened to fishing August 1 and both Crooked Creek and Kasilof River are restricted to single hook, unbaited, artificial lures beginning September 1. The restriction is to protect steelhead trout. Bait will continue to be allowed on Tustumena Lake, where statewide methods and means apply. The division between the “lake” and the “river” has traditionally been the boat landing at Slack Water.

Kasilof Library went back on winter hours in mid August. Book your visits for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 2:30-6:00.

Repairs are needed for the old Dragnet dock, which is located on the south side of Kasilof River. It was damaged by ice last winter and must be fixed before ice gets a chance at it again. Plans to do just that are in the works. The dock and 30 acres near by are owned by the Cherrier family, and the property is for sale. Jay Cherrier is a primary owner, doing business as Port of Kenai, Llc. Jim Johnson (830-4820) is his manager. Ocean Beauty Seafoods inquired about leasing it for the 2007 salmon season but backed off when the damage was discovered. This is the second time in about ten years that ice has damaged this dock.
D & L Construction has their big hydro-ax going along the Sterling Highway south of North Cohoe Road. This is part of on-going maintenance provided by the State of Alaska to create a Safety Clear Zone of defensible space for motorists. Hopefully, moose will be more visible and less likely to occupy the roadstead. Radiators may clear alligators, but they take a back seat to a hard-core herbivore.
Speaking of the State, they hope to get bids out by the end of August for the second half of their two-year phased Kalifornsky Beach Road repair. As Kasilovians will recall, they sneaked the first phase in ahead of last year’s bridge-stopping winter. The sections scheduled for work this fall have more severe damage and will require digging deeper in more than one way. Here’s hoping global warming will remember Kasilof as the sun loses altitude.
The Ninilchik State Fair runs August 17-19. 2007’s event is the 54th running, which means this organized entertainment preceded statehood. Last year they paid out over $4,000 in prizes. Catherine Wolk, Robert Williams, Sara Williams, Reyna Tubbs, and Ann-Lillian Schell were among Kasilof participants who brought home cash. The fair includes rodeo events, a 4-H junior market livestock auction, produce, crafts, and over 26 divisions of items that are judged. Fair Manager Lara McGinnis is proud of Kasilof’s Jennel Moerlein, who owns Echo Lake Feed. McGinnis says, “Jennel has gone full circle, from a 4-H member to being a business member and community supporter of the fair.” The Moerlein family is also sponsoring Kid Country, a goat viewing area at this year’s fair. No kidding, but Senator Tom Waggoner and Representative Kurt Olson will be at the fair. So will BeauSoleil, a Cajun music group. Most of all, the fair is fun and is a big social event for the entire Kenai Peninsula.
A spaghetti feed and Chinese auction benefit was held Saturday, August 11 at the J-Bar B Club for Debbie Lampton, who had emergency gall bladder surgery about three weeks ago. Deborah Wegner cooked for the event with the help of her husband, Mark. Debbie Lampton, a graduate of Kenai High School, has lived on the Peninsula 33 years, the last 13 of which have been on Tustumena Lake Road.

August has always been a month of anticipation for me. It is the final month of summer and I always want it to last forever. The Kenai Peninsula State Fair August 17th, 18th and 19th seems to be the climax of the month, but this year the fair is bittersweet for me. This is the last article I will write until next summer because 2 days after the fair I will leave for South Carolina where I will be attending Bob Jones University this fall. The fair also brings other chapters of my life to a close as well. My steer, Tuition, will be the last animal I sell at the 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction on Saturday during the fair and this will be the last fair I attend as a 4-Her. The conclusion of the fair means the turning of a page and the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I will miss Ninilchik, my neighbors, and especially my family this winter, but I will be back. Although I don’t want August to end, I am looking forward to this next step in my journey, a feeling I am sure others are experiencing as well.

The Exhibit hall at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair has had a makeover and is awaiting your exhibits. Exhibit check in day is August 16 from noon -7p.m. at the Kenai Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Non Perishable items will also be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 pm on August 14th at the Cooperative Extension office in Soldotna. Animals entered in open class must be pre registered by Tuesday August 14th at 1 pm. To register your animal or for more information call the fair office at 567-3670.

If you can’t exhibit something in the fair you can still come and see what your neighbors have entered. Besides exhibits there are lots of things going on. The Kenai Peninsula Racing Pigs are always a big hit and this year a new exhibit has been added called Kid Kountry, where you can watch goats play. As far as competitions go, there is arm Wrestling, Round Hauling, the Back Woods Girl Competition and the River to River Run. Saturday morning will bring the parade, which starts at 10 am. If you would like to be part of the parade, meet at the Inlet View parking lot at 9 am. Also on Saturday is the Junior Market Livestock Auction where you can bid on your winter’s supply of meat and support local youth and agriculture. The wild really comes out of this years fair theme “Barn to Be Wild” at the rodeos Saturday and Sunday, as well as Beauty and the Beast, a bull riding and barrel racing event Friday evening. There is definitely something going on for everyone this weekend at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair.

The new telephone number for the Cohoe/Kasilof Firewise Slashsite is 830-4954. Thank you to Cellular One for donating a cellphone for our community cause.
Kasilovians should take a moment to remember the passing of two wonderful citizens, Jane Rusk and John McGarry. Frank and Jane Rusk were close friends with Jeanne and George Jackinsky. According to Jeanne, “They were great people and really fun to be around.” Jane was a second lieutenant army nurse and served overseas in World War II. Everyone who knew Frank mentions his genius for craftsmanship. Rusks built a fine log home overlooking Falls Creek. Frank made a fireplace in the wall between two rooms. It had a system for heating water and, also, a turret of sorts, allowing either room to access the fireplace. The house has passed through several owners including Robert and June Murray, who were the proprietors of Corea Bar (now Que’ Ana Bar). Gus Wiley is the current owner of the old Rusk place. Rusk’s also had a setnet site in Clam Gulch. Jim Brindley bought it from them and sold it to Dick and Molly Musgrove. About three years ago Musgroves sold the sight to Wayne and Heidi Wong. Rusks are fondly remembered among the seasoned folks at Kasilof Community Church (KCC).
John “Grandpa” and Louise McGarry followed some of their children to the Peninsula, building in Kasilof in 1984. John, a World War II vet, was a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber. John is remembered for baking delicious cookies, attending school or sporting events to watch his grandchildren, and for having really nice kids; Jack, Jerry, Mary Jo, and Patricia. McGarry’s are also remembered at KCC, providing a smile to the lucky folks with them in their thoughts.
The new addition to the front of Tustumena Lodge is the Snack Shack. It has been up and running for about a month and is open 24-7 through the summer. Tustumena Lodge is home of the famous 22,000 hats collection, which, according to the Guinness world records, is the most numerous of its kind. Rumors have the hats up for sale soon, so if you haven’t seen them, you better bring your blinkers by.
The new fire station and Tustumena Elementary School are recent benefactors to Enstar’s ever-expanding gas lines. The world is at least a quart low on oil, but gas is on the rise. Clam Gulch, Cohoe and Kasilof are among the areas providing gas to lines of customers basking in the warmth of the azure flame.
I talked to Bob Ball of Piscatorial Pursuits guide service. King salmon are a primary focus for him. He says the first run, which consists of Crooked Creek kings, was late. The second run, which spawns in the main-stem Kasilof River, “Was real good.” Bob noted how much the “terminal fishery” had hurt his business in 2005 and 2006. He appreciated the Fish and Game management this year. They didn’t use the terminal area until the sockeye count was about to exceed its goal.

You may have heard melodic sounds coming from the Community Hall at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds lately. Area musicians from all over the peninsula are coming together to practice with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra conducted by Mark Robinson for the Summer Music Festival. Musicians from Ninilchik and Anchor Point areas are Nancy Chambers, Virginia Cuffe, Aurora Firth, Melanie Firth, Sarah Firth, JulieAnn Smith, and Betsy Vanek. The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra will be performing this Friday, August 10 at the Kenai Central High School at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, August 11, at 7:30 at Homer High School. For reservations call 235-7579.

There will be a car seat check on Wednesday, August 8th at Anchor Point Fire Department from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and at Ninilchik Community Clinic from 2:00 -4:00 p.m. Additionally, on Friday, August 10th the car seat check will be held in Homer at the Homer Volunteer Fire Department from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you have any questions please contact South Peninsula General Hospital Education Department at 235-0258.

Andrew Shaulis age 15, son of Dave and Cynthia Shaulis of Woodstown, Pennsylvania, has spent his summer in Ninilchik commercial fishing for Loren Leman at the family set net site north of Ninilchik Village. His brother, Jordan Shaulis is stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, and is taking him Caribou hunting before he has to head back to Pennsylvania in a couple weeks. Andrew said that it has been awesome to able to come to Alaska this summer and has enjoyed the challenge of learning to commercial fish. I have a feeling that we might see him around town again next summer.

Last week, Joanna Daniels, age 12 had her 5th annual girlfriend party at her home on Happy Valley beach. This year, her theme was Mexican Fiesta and she served tacos with all the fixings. Girlfriends who attended were Kilina Klaich of Knob Hill, Esther Knox and Mattie Cobb of Ninilchik, and Morgan Jones of Happy Valley. The friends usually like to splash and swim in the inlet in front of Joanna’s house, but this year due to the cool rainy weather, they opted to play games inside. “I’m so thankful for my friends,” Joanna said.

Mark your calendars for the Diabetes Education Class held on August 29 at the Ninilchik Senior Citizens Center starting at 12:45 (or after lunch). The class is free of charge and the instructor is a certified dietitian from South Peninsula General Hospital. The class will take about 2 hrs and is a general overview of diabetes nutrition, testing, advances in research, and other information helpful to families and friends of those diagnosed with diabetes. Julie Welch, the director of the Ninilchik Senior Center said that everyone welcome to attend, including those not yet diagnosed with diabetes but may have it in their family’s medical history. She said that advance knowledge and minor lifestyle changes make a huge difference for diabetics.