It was exciting to see last week’s neighbor’s page listing all the awards given to our community youth who entered exhibits in the 4-H building at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair in August. One requirement for 4-H members to enter an exhibit is to keep a record book and document six new things learned in their project area. When they enter an exhibit, judges ask entrants what they learned from working on their project. Along with positive feedback, the judges give suggestions on how they can improve. “Learn by Doing” is one of 4-H’s mottoes, and if you want to find out more about this educational program, give 4-H extension agent, Nancy Veal a call at the Cooperative Extension Office at 262-5824. If a young person between the ages 9 through 18 is interested in joining our area’s club, the Trail Blazers, you can give club leader, Shirley Schollenberg, a call at 567-3467.

Ninilchik Community Librarian, Jackie Bear announced that the community is invited to the library’s annual membership meeting on October 3. There will be a potluck at the library at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. During the fiscal year of 2007, the library added 833 new books, videos, DVDs and audio tapes to their collection, volunteers put in over 1000 hours, and attendance was 7,488. The library has three public computers and which were used 2,135 times during the year. Directors on the library board serve 3-year terms and the current board consists of six members who have the combined total of 36 year of service on the board. If you would like to become a member, dues are $10.00 each or $ 25.00 per family. Jackie said that membership dues entitles you to one vote at the annual meeting, and will help provide library services to our community. If you have any questions, call the library at 567-3333.

The new hours for the Ninilchik Health and Wellness Club located at the Kenai Peninsula State Fairgrounds is Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Mon-Thurs. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Membership is free and if you have any questions call 567-3888.

The community is invited to attend the United Way Benefit Pie Auction that will be held on Saturday Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Ninilchik Senior Citizen’s Center. The master of ceremonies will be Tim Navarre. If you would like to attend the prime rib dinner, please call for reservations at 567-3988 and RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 26. The cost of the dinner is $15 per person. If you would like to donate your favorite pie, you are encouraged to bring it by the center at 3:30 on Sept. 29.

Last week’s Ninilchik Teen Night had 38 young people in attendance. Teens will meet again this week at the fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 28 from 5 to 10 pm. Admission is $3.00 to cover the expenses for the room. If you have any questions, give Lara McGinnis a call at 398-4468.

A very successful Fun Run took place at Tustumena School on September 16. The school parking lot was bustling with parked cars and busy people. The run/walk was a benefit for the Tustumena Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and cleverly held under dazzling skies wedged between days of abominable autumnal weather. The course winded over local roads such as Johnson Lake, Cabin, and Tustumena Lake. Dashing sprinters led the way in marathon style while many participants back-packed to enjoy a more leisurely pace and chat with companions. Times were kept and winners declared, though health-wise, everyone prevailed by a slim margin. Suzanne Fisler and Kiana Johnson shepherded some special needs children. Principal Ken Halverson was accompanied by his charming wife, Jan, and they completed the 3.15 mile (5K) course. Ken even claimed first place for his age group. Several dogs went the distance, most likely to scout competition with plans to enter next year’s event. Linda McLane and Kris Williams provided trail sweeper services to make sure nobody was left in the woods. Judy Odhner, a professional baker from Moose Pass came by invitation of race organizer Carolyn Roush. Odhner donated delicious cookies. The PTO netted a $700 profit.

            Construction between the post office and Sterling Hwy. has been under direction of Enstar Natural Gas. They bored under the road with a directional drill so the post office can get gas. Now Carol and Carol won’t have to stamp their feet to keep warm! Meanwhile, Marathon Oil Company is looking for more gas. They hired Veritas DGC Land of Anchorage to conduct seismic studies in the Falls Creek Gas Field area of Clam Gulch / Ninilchik. “Veritas,” by the way, means “knowledge” in Latin. Veritas is using Prism Helicopters of Wasilla, who have several choppers on the job. The surveying phase should be closing and the drilling phase turning on. Veritas will drill three inch holes 25 feet deep and about 330 feet apart on specific lines. Drills will be slung below helicopters and 2.2 milligram (just less than ½ pound) charges will be detonated at the bottom of each hole. The drilling – detonation phase will take place in mid October. Simultaneously, the 90 foot Peregrine Falcon and four or five support vessels will conduct seismic work offshore. Several of the support vessels are drift gillnetters and one saltwater guide boat will be used. About 60 workers will be employed by these studies with most non-locals housed in the Ninilchik area.

            Pinochle winter league sign up is under way at the J-B Restaurant and Lounge. Play starts in October. Call Judy Davalos (260-3655) for more info. The memorial web site for Jamie Leamon is finally active at www.JamieLynnLeamon.com. Jamie was just 30 when she lost her life to cervical cancer.

Don’t forget September 27 is the 90th birthday party for Per Osmar at Que’Ana Bar at 5 p.m. and that same evening a Meet the Cadidate forum will be held at Tustumena School for Paul Fischer and Bill Holt.

KENAI NEIGHBORS COLUMN for SEPT. 10, 2007

It’s official: Fall is here in all its splendor. The leaves are turning, the nasturtiums are bright orange and gold, and the kids are adjusting to being back in school. Soon it will be time to put the studs back on your tires, but for now, grab what’s left of summer and enjoy the last day of the Saturday Market on the 15th. Howard Piland has worked hard all season to coordinate this great summer event. Thanks to all of you intrepid vendors, who showed up rain, shine or fog. It was fun rubbing shoulders with all the tourists and locals who came to browse.

Feeling that your parenting skills leave something to be desired and that your household is sometimes out -of- control? Help is on its way. The Nakenu Family Center is offering a “Proud to Parent” active parenting class free of charge to anyone interested in improving relationships with their children. This class will focus on families with children from ages 3-12. Active parenting and traditional values will be part of the curriculum Everyone is welcome and there will be childcare provided. Potluck dinners and door prizes will be offered every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tyotkas Elder Center located at 1000 Mission avenue in Kenai. For more information, call 283-6693.

Saturday, Sept. 15 marks the 14th annual Lions Club Rubber Ducky Race on the Kenai River. This year the Kenai Lions Club partners with the Soldotna Lions Club and the Kenai Peninsula Racing Lions to present this fund-raising event. Here’s how it works: Rubber Ducks are put in the river at about noon at Cunningham Park on Beaver Loop. The first $5 duck to cross the finish line wins $1,000. The first $20 duck wins $6,000. If you buy the ‘whole duck’ for $25, you could win $7,000. There will be additional drawings for ten $100 ducks. Proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Lions’ vision and eyeglass projects as well as other local projects such as park improvements. Call Larry Linebarger at 283-2880,Theresa Morse at 252-4988 or stop by Malston’s for tickets.

If you thought you saw familiar faces at the Thailand booth at the State Fair in Palmer, it was Suree and Vong Nujoy of Kenai. Suree was invited by the Thai Consulate to demonstrate her culinary carving skills at their tourism booth. Suree is an expert at carving fruits and vegetables into beautiful objects, and said that she “had a lot of fun and met lots of people” while doing what she loves to do.

The Kenai Senior Citizens are having its fall garage and bake sale Sept. 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center.

Happy birthday today to Willa Fulton and Judy Hall. 11th: Oliver Klinger and Dick Jurgensen. 12th: Martha Longhitano and Janet Brown. 13th: Glen Schrader and Lorrie Carter. 14th:Dale Richard, Dusty Rhodes and Trish Thomson; and Betty Paynter, Mark Necessary, Vivian Terry, Bryan McDonald on Sept. 15.

safe:morris

Congratulations to ten-year-old Kilina Klaich, for bagging her first big game–a forked horned bull moose last week. She drew a permit for a special youth hunt that took place near Delta Junction and was successful last Saturday. Kilina said that she practiced shooting with her family this summer and took a hunter’s safety course prior to the hunt. Kilina is the daughter of Steve and Beatrice Klaich, and is a 5th grader at Nikolaevsk School.

There will be a Fish and Game advisory meeting today (Sept. 17) at 7 p.m. at Ninilchik School. On the agenda for discussion will be joint boards, schedules for future meetings this fall, and small game hunting on Skilak Loop.

Lara McGinnis announced that last Friday night was the first of many teen nights to come at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Under the direction of Lara, a group of local teens are seeking funding to help secure a permanent home for a teen center as well as items needed for the center. Some specific needs are large TVs game systems, DVD player, and a vacuum (for clean up). The teens each paid $3 to attend the first meeting, and the proceeds were used to off set the cost of utilities for the room. Any extra money will be reinvested into their center. If you have any items you would like to donate please give Lara McGinnis a call at 398-4468. If you would like to post comments of support for a teen center in Ninilchik, go to the following website: www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?tell=2&id=31141

There will be a birth to 5 Child Check with free developmental, vision, and hearing screenings on September 19 a the Ninilchik Community Clinic. Call 567-3978 to schedule an appointment. This clinic is sponsored by Homer Children’s Services, Homer Public Health Center, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Child Find Program.

Jamie Leman said that a neat way to help out the Junior Class at Ninilchik School is to shop at www.currentfun.com where you can purchase cards, gift-wrap, stationary and gifts. 50% of the proceeds from your order will go to the junior class if you first choose the “support your favorite fundraiser” button and choose “Ninilchik High School Junior Class” when you shop, and then answer the questions on the pull down menu when you check out.

There is a free preschool swim from 11:00 a.m. until noon on Fridays at the Ninilchik School Pool sponsored by the Ninilchik Traditional Council. The swim is for children from birth to 5 years old and must be accompanied by a parent. Call 567-3313 if you have any questions.

Happy Anniversary to Tim and Michelle Norman-Bock tomorrow (Sept. 18), and to Mr.. & Mrs. Teaque Vanek on Sept. 22. Birthdays this week are Kathy Bundy, Andy Boyle, Terry Hepner, and Doris Kelly tomorrow, Sept. 18; Norbert Miller, Rawley Langvardt and Cheryl Sutton on Sept. 19; and Edna Steik on Sept. 20.

I appreciate everyone who is sending in news. Keep it coming!

You are invited to Per Osmar’s 90^th birthday party at the Que’Ana Bar on Sept. 27^th at 5:00 p.m. The celebration includes pot luck dining to begin at 6:00 p.m. 59 years ago (1948) Per made Clam Gulch his home. Together with his wife, Frances, he built businesses, raised children and spawned entrepreneurs. Many people came to the Peninsula to work for Per or his sons Bruce and Dean. Bruce started Clam Gulch Electronics, The Video Place (one of our first video rental chains), the Go-cart track next to Spenard Building Supply, as well as a car dealership and other businesses. Like his father, Bruce commercial fished. He owned a setnet site on Cohoe Beach and a drift boat. He was married to Brock See’s sister, Linda, until she tragically died of an aneurism. Dean fishes one of the largest and most productive setnet sites on Humpy Point. He is known for his savvy, which has included adventures in uneven seas and the collection of floating forests. He handcrafted several fiberglass skiffs and trained other enterprising fellows in that art. Dean is famous for winning the Iditarod and for organizing the Tustumena 200 Sleddog Race. Dean and Neva’s son, Tim, won the Yukon Quest sleddog race.

            Per and Fran had four other children who have had various accomplishments. One of them, however, was mentally handicapped. In fact, no one should think life was easy for Per and Fran. They suffered through ragged tragedies including fires that left them ashen faced, financial hay-makers, health crises heavy on the cry and even the deaths of children. For ninety years Per has remained a prince of a person, full of sympathy and crowned with kindness.

            Nonagenarian admirers will want to take an intermission. The same evening at 7:00 p.m. there is a Meet the Candidate forum for Borough Assembly incumbent Paul Fischer and his challenger, Bill Holt. They are vying for the Kasilof seat. The meeting, sponsored by Kasilof Regional Historical Association will take place at Tustumena School. Education is to voters what competition is to businesses; a better deal for the public.

            Speaking of teaching and longevity, Professor Alan Boraas of Kasilof has been on the job about 34 years. He teaches anthropology at Kenai Peninsula College (KPC). Alan has been there longer than any other teacher, and, in fact, is among the most durability teachers for the entire University of Alaska. In addition to instruction, Alan has documented extensive information regarding local native peoples. He continues to study in his field and readers can expect to hear more about him and his discoveries. Math instructor Eric Skjold has transferred from Ninilchik High School to Soldotna High School. Many years ago Eric took over Frank Miller’s mantle in Ninilchik. Miller started teaching there in the 1960s, thus Ninilchik has had only two math teachers in about 47 years and students have certainly benefited from this consistency. Miller now teaches aviation at KPC. Eric and Joy’s children attend school at Ninilchik, except Kjersten, who is in college at Cornerstone University in Michigan. Skjold’s live near Sandwick Ave.

            Lots of building projects in Kasilof area are on-going, which is constructive. On the other hand, “growth” by man is only a tightening of the greenbelt for Mother Nature. Worldwide she’s tighter in the tummy than Twiggy.

Aren’t you just loving these beautiful days of gathering and harvesting? As our busy summer comes to a close, there will be no excuse for us to hole up in our dens and hibernate. Opportunities abound to keep us active and healthy even when the days become colder and shorter. I spoke with Charlene Florence about the stretch and tone class that is offered free of charge to anyone interested at the Ninilchik Health and Wellness Club on Mon-Wed-Fri from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. She said that classes will start at the beginner level and will gradually increase intensity as the members gain strength. She will also be teaching moves to avoid or moves to practice to help those who are dealing with back pain. “Skinny is not a requirement” is a quote posted on the Stretch and Tone class invitation on the Post Office bulletin board.

It is time to sign up for the Native Youth Olympics at Ninilchik Health and Wellness Club. Practices will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 -4:45 p.m. Native as well as non-native youth are welcome to join. Age divisions are Juniors, 1st -6th grades and Varsity, 7th - 12th grades. For more information, call Charlene Florence at 567-3370.

There will be a free community diabetes education class offered at Ninilchik Senior Citizens Center on Wednesday, September 12 at 12:45 p.m. The class will take about 2 hrs and will be taught by a certified dietitian from South Peninsula General Hospital. Participants will gain a general overview of diabetes nutrition, testing, advances in research, and other information helpful to families and friends of those diagnosed with diabetes.

Area home schoolers will be meeting at Calvary Baptist Church for the President’s Challenge Fitness Test on Friday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. The Presidents Challenge is a program to encourage students to make staying active part of their everyday lives. For more information go to http://www.presidentschallenge.org or call 567-3200.

Ninilchik Traditional Council’s Early Learning Program will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11:45 a.m. at the NTC subsistence building. Children must be 3 to 5 years old and potty trained. Registration will begin today and classes will start on October 2. This program gives pre-school children the opportunity to socialize and participate in group activities using music and movement incorporated with Alaskan Culture. The program is open to the Ninilchik community with first priority for enrollment to Alaskan Native American Indians and children with disabilities. If you have any questions call Christina Demidoff at 567-3313.

Anchor Point’s VFW Commander, Rocky Frank asked me to invite the whole community to attend a Patriot’s Day ceremony held tomorrow, September 11, to remember those who fell on that tragic September 11 in 2001. The ceremony will take place at the VFW Post 10221 on Milo Fritz Avenue in Anchor Point. Included in the ceremony will be a ship bell will tolling as names will be read of Alaskans who have lost their lives while serving their country.

I was wrong last week about orange-tipped spruce limbs. They aren’t tinted pollen producers. According to ecologist Ed Berg, spruce pollen comes from male spruce cones. He says orange needles on the end of evergreen branches are often caused by a fungus that infests spruce limbs and Labrador Tea. The fungus is nicknamed “rust” and is not related to the golden dust floating in various bodies of water. That is spruce pollen of a similar color, which is broadcast in the springtime, but wafts about on lakes and ponds till fall.

            The Kasilof Regional Historical Association (KRHA) will be showing a movie called “The Run” at Tustumena School on Sept. 13 at 7:00. The movie was made by Mike Letzring, who lived on Pollard Loop and graduated from Kenai Central High School in 1975. He also graduated from the Brooks Institute in California and eventually returned to Alaska where he went to work for KAKM Television. The Run documents Cook Inlet salmon in historical and political settings. Mike has won two Emmy awards in the field of documentaries, as well as winning the 2005 Alaska Broadcaster’s Association award. Al Hershberger will be operating the CD and TV which were recently purchased for $5 at auction. Mike’s father, Dave, was the happy bidder.

            Speaking of KRHA, they are sponsoring a Meet the Candidate forum for Bill Holt and Paul Fischer, who are running for the Kasilof seat on the Borough Assembly. It will be September 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Tustumena School. I’ll moderate the event. KRHA is not endorsing a candidate, but simply offering a chance for voters to question candidates as well as giving Bill and Paul an opportunity to voice issues they think are important. The location of the meeting may change if the school is not available. watch next weeks column for an update.  

            Kasilof River Road across from Spetz Ave is being rebuilt by the Borough. The old road was put in about 1969 and went to Andy and Ruby Taylor’s house. Later, the Irv Evenson family bought property that the unplatted road crossed. So they got permission to move the road to a section line easement, provided they built an equal or better road. After clearing the easement, however, they ran out of motivation.

Then fell the flood of 2002. It washed out part of the old road and river bank. The Borough looked at the damage and decided it was not a good thing to have a road and river share shoulders. Since hazard mitigation applied, Gary Davis, head of the Borough Roads Department, wrote a grant asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for money to move the road. If approved, FEMA typically awards 115% of the funding deemed necessary. Gary got $180,000 and feels like the project is coming along fine. Rise in fuel prices have pushed most construction costs up significantly since the time the grant was written.

With global warming you best put up a lightning rod. Bob and Liz Corriea had none when a cloud bolt struck their property on Tustumena Lake Road recently. Their computer got juiced and now has amnesia.

Here’s hoping you’re celebrating Labor Day the Neighbors way; a peaceful feast with lots of friends and a few strangers. Heath and Diane Duncan did. They held their annual family and friend pig roast on Sunday. Diane not only looks like a goddess, but her Kasilof garden farm can put on a feast that attracts people like mosquitoes to goose bumps.

            The Kasilof/Cohoe Cemetery Association is holding their annual meeting Sept. 6 at the McLane Center at 7 p.m. They have been trying to acquire an adjacent four acre parcel from the State Dept. of Natural Resources, who also owns the airstrip. Years ago, when K-Beach Road was realigned, it took a swath of cemetery property and of airport property, leaving the four acre parcel isolated from the airport. Transferring the property from one public entity to another seems simple enough to us rural types, but DNR has trees to kill and so ink has to go to paper. For more information you can call the cemetery secretary, Jan See (263-9243), and while you’re at it, ask how the Duncan party was. Jan and Brock never miss it.

            Have you noticed the lime green circles around filled pot holes on Kalifornsky Beach Road? Those are to identify which pot holes were filled with an experimental “cold” patch material. If they hold up the state could save a whole pot of money. Road work on K-Beach has been rescheduled for 2008. New pavement should then be snuggled in place and maybe it will never develop the ominous hardtop omissions known to send shock absorbers into orbit.

            The Department of Fish and Game has some interesting proposals before an October 5-8 joint meeting of the Boards of Fish and Game. They are asking the joint Boards to merge the Cooper Landing F&G Advisory Committee with the Kenai Soldotna AC and do the same between the Ninilchik AC and the Homer AC. Cohoe and Kasilof have long been part of the Kenai-Soldotna AC. Clam Gulch folks can go either way but most people there participate at Ninilchik. The apparent purpose of the mergers would be to save the F&G money, because they currently must attend several AC meetings each year. Fewer ACs would mean fewer meetings. Some AC members may question whether the Joint Boards have the necessary authority to make such sweeping changes. The ACs were formed in autonomy from the Boards and AC members may be reluctant to lose their identity. A promising compromise would allow for joint AC meetings during F&G attended meetings, but continue the AC committees in their current status.

Ionia, the mental health / farm facility in Cohoe had a good barley crop this year. Michael Becker, who oversees their farming project, said barley is a proven crop for Alaska. Mr. Becker is a strong proponent of organic gardening and the crops they produce are consumed by the 50 members of their community.

We’re glad if your labors prospered this summer. If you’ve become a millionaire, remember to share.

Recently, I received an email asking me to state 4 places I would rather be than where I was right now. I could think of no other place I’d rather be than here! These sunny end-of-the-summer days are always my favorite as I enjoy watching the silvers jumping in the inlet in front of my house against the backdrop of Iliamna and Redoubt Volcanoes sporting their brand new jackets of snow. This is also the time of year I enjoy berry picking with my sister, Bea Klaich, in the hills behind Nikolaevsk. While we pick, our gab sessions more than likely keep all wildlife at bay, yet our guns are handy in case we see a legal moose.

Congratulations to those who have successfully bagged moose this season! John Dahman told me that he, as well as Bob Okonek, were successful harvesting moose last week. I also heard that Esther Pherson spied a moose out the kitchen window while doing dishes and wasn’t sure if it was legal. However, her dad and brother (Kit and David Pherson) went in after it and found out that it was, indeed, legal. The result is now in their freezer.

The Ninilchik Community Library and Ninilchik Quilters by the Sea announced that the winner of the annual quilt raffle was Mika Morton of Soldotna. The raffle raised $2,221 and the organizers expressed their thanks for all that participated.

College bound students are leaving one by one. Homer High School grad, Aurora Lambert of North Fork Road went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie to pursue a degree in animal science with a goal to become a large animal veterinarian. Diane Pherson, home school grad, left for Northland Baptist Bible College, in Dunbar, WI and will be studying women’s ministries. Joshua Cozzini and Abi Daniels, both home school grads, joined upper classmen Kristie Knox, an international studies major and Anna Sutton, a history major, at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. Joshua is majoring in speech, and Abi is majoring in public relations journalism.

Before Aurora Lambert and Abi Daniels left for college, they expressed their gratefulness for the generous bids and add-ons they received from their livestock sold at the 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair. Abi’s grand champion steer named “Tuition” was bought by Best Transit Mix of Soldotna with the bid of $3.75 per pound and Aurora’s blue ribbon hog named “Piggy Bank” was bought by Aurora Taxes of Anchor Point with the bid of $3.75 per pound. Since this was their last year in 4-H, the girls received Carhart jackets with their names and “4-H alumni” embroidered on them as a gift from the Trail Blazer’s 4-H club. 4-H club leader, Shirley Schollenberg, said that both girls would be sorely missed.

Happy birthday to Maureen McCombs and Elsie Ogren today; Opal Chisholm on Sept. 4; Erica Miller on Sept. 5; Frank Southard, Becki Wagner and Dale Kuntz on Sept. 7; and Anthony Amato on Sept. 8.