On October 17 and 18, four teens from Ninilchik teamed up with Cooperative Extension youth agent, Nancy Veal and 4-H leader, Suzan Cobb to help with the health fairs in Nanwalek and Port Graham. The teens put on a skit for the young people to promote making healthy choices in food, snacks and drinks. Teen leaders were Sarah Cobb, Misty Knox, David Pherson, and Carla Pherson and are all members of the Trail Blazer’s 4-H Club. They told me that one highlight of the trip was having the young people there demonstrate the native games for them. “One of the guys showed me how to do the high kick,” David said, “He even said that I was actually pretty good at it!” The teens also said that they enjoyed making new friends and exchanged email addresses with them. The teen leaders are looking forward to returning to Port Graham to help establish a 4-H club there in the near future.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Scholastic book fair held in the Ninilchik School library which will be starting today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be held daily thorough Friday, Nov. 2. You may call Marni Boone at 567-3709 for more information.

Ninilchik Traditional Council Annex Programs and the American Legion Auxiliary will be hosting the 17th annual Halloween Hoot, October 31, 2007 from 6-9 p.m. at the Kenai Peninsula State Fairgrounds. Participants are encouraged to bring a carved pumpkin for the judging contest. There will be all kinds of entertainment and a costume parade at 7:30 p.m. Coordinators would like to extend a hardy thanks to the community for all their help and support in making a fun and safe Halloween for our young people. If you have any questions call Linda Painter at 567-3370.

I always look forward to seeing all the creativity and handicrafts that our community displays and sells at the annual holiday bazaar held in Ninilchik. Like last year, the Ninilchik School band will be hosting the event and proceeds from table rentals will help raise money for the band. The holiday bazaar and rummage sale will be held on Nov. 3 at the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are interested in being a vendor, tables are being rented for $20 each or two for $30. Call Lisa Nissley at 567-3301 for more information.

“One day, I’d like to write a novel” If you’ve ever said that, there is a unique opportunity to make your wish come true. This November, a group of aspiring writers will be taking part in National Writing Month by joining everyday people all over the world in a hands-on writing adventure. This group will bash out a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. There is no judge, no entry fees, and no pressure–just a walloping deadline and a supportive over-caffeinated community to help you reach your book writing goals. For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org or give Rhea Richmond a call at 398-2437.

There’s a mess of gooseflesh in Kasilof this Halloween, but it has more to do with fortunes than urchins. The Exxon Valdez lawsuit has been drifting through court like a ghost ship. On Oct. 26 that lawsuit was heard by the Supreme Court and their decision to rehear the case was announced today. Looks like the rank tanker will stink up our state for a long while yet.
Kasilof has a heap of web-slingers. Most of these commercial fishers have worn their wallets right down to the ghost as the price of fuel chaffs against the value of fish. Had the court declined Exxon’s appeal, local businesses would have been in tall cotton this Christmas. Actually, next summer; the payout was scheduled for June and would have flooded millions of dollars into our neighborhood. However, Exxon appears to be at the helm and the phantom ship has no intention of anchoring to an encore.
Superstitions should be held at bay. The Exxon Valdez did hit Bligh Reef just two days after a full moon. And yes, the Supreme Court made its decision under a hunter moon. Scholarly research, however, has debunked any connection between moons and accidents or birth rates.
In Kasilof people watch the inlet. The highest tide of the year was on October 27 and measured 23 feet at Seldovia (Kasilof sourdoughs tend to read Seldovia tide tables). A series of high water events happen with the full and new moons and are called “spring tides.” Larger than average spring tides occur during the moon’s perigee and are referred to as “perigean spring tides.” The biggest tides always rise near equinoxes because the sun and moon align best at that season.
Chris Fallon won the Clarion football contest again. The chances of winning once are slim. Winning twice pretty much proves he has beachcombed a glass float and can see the future by gazing into the aqua sphere. Rumors are the Weather Service wants him for atmospheric predictions.
Trunk-or-treaters will meet at the Tustumena School parking lot from 6-8 p.m. on Halloween. Jim and Nancy Russell are heading up the event, which is more efficient than the traditional walking, knocking method of accumulating sweets.
Gabby Browning is recovering from her 4-wheeler crash. Her jaw was broken in three places and is wired shut. She eats with a straw. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Kasilof Historical Association will auction off framed, vintage photos, a massage and more at Tustumena School on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The auction is a fun way to gain a bargain and support the folks who labor to preserve local history.
Mayor John Williams was at Tustumena School on Oct. 22 to attend the Kasilof public hearing for choosing capital improvement projects. Chief of Staff Tim Navarre and Assistant Borough Clerk Johnie Blankenship also came. Assemblyman Paul Fischer chaired the meeting. Last year’s choices were reselected. They are: a columbarium for Spruce Grove Memorial Park and improvements to the McLane Center Museum.

It looked like an old fashioned barn raising when I saw the good turnout of neighbors, friends and family who helped Butch and Shirley Schollenberg put up their covered horse arena at their Happy Valley home last Wednesday. Over a dozen volunteers used their muscle power to hoist the gigantic cover over the top of the 8400 square foot arena. Shirley rewarded the workers with some homemade cinnamon rolls and expressed her appreciation for all who came out to help in spite of the cold, rainy weather. I know that there are some excited equestrians who are planning to make good use of the arena that will aid in keeping their horses in shape over the long winter months when riding outdoors is too hazardous.

There will be a Family Friendship Potluck Dinner at Chapman School tomorrow, October 23 from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. Each class will be putting on skits or will be performing a variety of talents to entertain family and friends of Chapman School.

Homer Public Health Center will be holding a flu immunization clinic on Wed. October 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ninilchik Community Clinic. For more information contact Homer Public Heath at 235-8857.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Deputy Clerk Johni Blankenship announced that the Kenai Peninsula Borough is sponsoring a series of community meetings to identify our community’s capital project priorities. The Borough Assembly is in the process of developing its 2008 Capital Project Priorities List for the upcoming legislative session. The Assembly has agreed to include in this list a maximum of two capital project requests from each unincorporated community in the Borough. The Ninilchik Community Meeting will be held on Friday, October 26, at the Ninilchik Senior Citizen’s Center, right after lunch around 1:00 p.m., and it will last approximately one hour. You are encouraged to attend this meeting to let your voice be heard. For questions call 714-2163.

Volleyball coach, Bea Klaich informed me that Ninilchik and Nikolaevsk schools took second and third places respectively at the Cook Inlet Invitational Volleyball Tournament held on October 12, and13. The Sportsmanship Award went to Nikolaevsk, and two Ninilchik girls, Ashley Bartolowitz, and Heidi Schold, as well as two Nikolaevsk girls, Efrosia Yakunin, and Valerie Yakunin won positions on the All Tournament Team.

Coach Klaich also wanted to invite the community to the next volleyball tournament hosted by Nikolaevsk on October 25, 26, and 27. The tournament will feature Ninilchik JV, Unalaska, Nenana, Seldovia, and Nikolaevsk. The games will be played at Nikolaevsk School starting on Thursday, (Oct. 25) at 3:30 p.m.; and will resume on Friday, (Oct. 26) at noon, and will finish with the final games on Saturday (Oct. 27) at 10:00 a.m.

If anyone would like to donate candy for the annual Halloween Hoot held at the fairgrounds, you may drop by your donations at the Ninilchik Senior Citizens Center. If you want to help with the Halloween Hoot or have any questions, you may call Linda Painter at 567-3370.

A harvest moon is the full moon nearest the fall equinox. A hunter moon is the full that follows, generally in October. Kasilof has always been hunter country and this year’s shiner is yours just before Halloween, no strings attached. Not even a “G” string if the clouds cooperate. The moon will reach maximum illumination here on the evening of the 25th. Werewolves will be going ape.

Local bears have a worse track record than wolves. Recently, Blaine Harling of Clam Gulch had a close encounter of the bear kind, at night, right in his house. Thank Heavens for daring Larry Lewis of Cohoe. He is an Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game bear expert and was called to Blaine’s place at 2 a.m. to perform “bouncer” duties. Larry found the bear, already unloosed outdoors. In June a sow brownie and two cubs happened upon Tom Patmore at Blueberry Ave. The sow threw Tom to the ground, biting his hand and breaking his wrist. Tom’s dog, Harvey, ran interference by circling the sow like a mad bee. Angeline Edge of Homer was driving by on the Sterling Highway and witnessed the attack. She stopped and beeped her horn. The bears left and she administered first aid. Hobbling goblins, but bears are scary!

The 5th annual Trunk or Treat event at the Tustumena School parking lot is safe and fun. Candy-back cars gather there 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

The Dept. of Forestry will light brush piles at the Cohoe Slash Disposal site on the 25th and 26th. The Dept. of Transportation will have a loader there to heap the pyre. Why bloat the Borough landfill? Haul your brush to Cohoe and pick up monster marshmallows over at the Mercantile on your way by.

Kasilof Regional Historical Association (KRHA) was awarded a $1,553 grant Oct. 13 to buy cabin restoration tools. Funds came from the 2002 book, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, the Road We’ve Traveled. That book was Jettie Petersen’s idea, though she passed away in 1992. The title honors an early Peninsula writer, Lois Allen, and her 1946 book, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. After gathering information the Kenai Peninsula Historical Association (KPHA) spent $29, 210 to publish 3,000 copies of their book. Sales have since covered expenses and accumulated a surplus. Mona Painter of Cooper Landing is on the KPHA Book Committee. She recommended that KPHA offer a grant with their profits. Ann Letzring, of Kasilof has expertise in writing such grants and her historical group was the first to respond. Six Peninsula historical groups received a grant. Meanwhile, KRHA will be holding an Alaskana and gift auction at Tustumena School on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

The Borough Assembly will be sponsoring a public hearing at Tustumena School on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. to develop community capital project priorities. Last year needs at the cemetery and the McLane Center museum were chosen, accepted by the Assembly, approved by the Legislature, and vetoed by the governor.

I received a nice email from Jerri Wood of Renton, Washington who reads the Peninsula Clarion Neighbors column to keep in the loop of what’s happening in our community. Jerri is Kevin Zimmerman’s sister and asked me to include her nephew’s Kyle Zimmerman’s birthday in this column, but Kyle’s birthday was on September 20, so I assured her that I would include a belated greeting and make a note to get it in on time next year. She thanked me for the article featuring her brother back in April 2007. She wrote,

” I was so impressed with the awesome amount of love and support that the village [Ninilchik] has for my brother and his family. When I was there when Diana passed away I was awe struck by the depth of the assistance, care and concern then and how it has never ended. And I know from listening to my mom, that this wasn’t just for Kevin, but every member of the community is treated the same. If there is a need, it’s filled. The village is one very large family that cares for it’s own. If folks are aware, no one goes without- someone is always there with a hand up. You live in a great place.” I have to agree with Jerri. This is a wonderful place to live!

There will be a Fish and Game advisory meeting held today at 7 p.m. at the Ninilchik School. On the agenda will be a report on joint boards meeting and a vote on the lower inlet proposals.

The Cook Inlet Fishermen’s Fund, a non profit advocate for all commercial fisheries in area H invites all commercial fishing families and friends to join them at Paradisos Restaurant in Kenai on October 13, at 6:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Kat Baum and tickets for $25 will be sold at the door. Prime rib and fish will be served.

Adult Basic Education instructor, Terri Cowart, will be available free of charge to assist adults wanting to earn their GED or improve their English and math skills this Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the Ninilchik Traditional Council from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and at the Ninilchik Library from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

The 4-H Awards Program for the Kenai Peninsula clubs will be held this Saturday, Oct. 20 at Kenai Peninsula State Fairgrounds at 3:00 pm. The Trail Blazers 4-H club is hosting the event and area 4-H clubs are encouraged to bring finger foods to share.

Happy birthday to Louie Cline tomorrow, Terry Smith, Erin Knox, and Michael Sutton on Oct. 17; Chris Boin on Oct. 18; Elmer Schaeltzle and Emily Oskolkoff on Oct. 19; Shelle Leman, Michele Painter, and Levi Richard on Oct. 20; and Lynda Kvasnikoff and Bill Fisher on Oct. 21.

Please keep me informed of your fundraisers, school events, achievements and special occasions.
By sharing your good news, you may put a smile on someone’s face and make their day!

Paul Fisher of Kasilof holds the record for being elected to the Borough Assembly the most times. Paul’s reelection on October 2 marks his 8th successful bid to that body. He has never lost. Grace Merkes of Sterling and Betty Glick of Kenai each have seven wins while John Davis of KSRM Radio has six. Fischer was first elected in 1975 and re-elected in 1978 and 1980. He then resigned to run for the Alaska Senate and served in that body from 1982-92. Suzanne Little won the senate seat in a 1993 challenge. In 1998 Paul was again elected to the Assembly and voters sent him back in 2001, 2004 and 2007. During the most recent race (2007), however, voters also approved “term limits” and the Borough Assembly, on Oct. 9, declined to “seat” two term incumbents such as Fischer. Rueful rumors are rampant that shadowy, disenfranchised voters will sue the Borough. At which point old judiciaries in black robes akin to what is common at Hogwarts School of Magic will choose Kasilof’s representative. This gets scary!

Hal, the Halloween Owl (aka Principal Ken Halverson) is watching Clocktober with saucer eyes. The First Quarter at Tustumena School is over on the 19th and parent-teacher conferences follow on the 24th and 25th. Teachers are working the daylights out of students. And Daylight Saving Time ends the first Sunday after Halloween.

The 5th annual Trunk or Treat festival will be held in the Tustumena parking lot Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Cars and drivers are invited to dress for the occasion and prizes will be awarded for vile style. Old beach trucks should wear a muffler and better have a letter inside from a bona-fide insurance provider. Bring activities to keep warm by burning calories instead of gasoline. Jim Russell of Clam Gulch is in charge. While he isn’t known for black robes, fortune-tellers can predict the future solely by peering into his mopless top.

Speaking of predictions, Chris Fallon of Kasilof won week 4 of the Clarion football contest by rightly picking 77%. I hope he merely divined these results and wasn’t actually jinxing players. I dunno, the Cowboy’s quarterback threw five picks and had a dumb ol’ fumble. Scary!

Do you live with the rural burls and have no DSL internet access? Do you find “dial-up” more frustrating than frozen car doors and dead batteries? Is StarBand too pricey a dish for your taste? Than wireless internet cards may be for you. Both ACS and Cellular One telephone services offer this technology, which is limited to areas within three or four miles of a cell tower. In general, DSL is the fastest and least expensive of these technologies; StarBand is almost as quick, but is the costliest; cell cards are slower than StarBand, but some are comparably priced to DSL; and “dial-up” is like being hung out to dry in the fog.

Julie Welch, director of the Ninilchik Senior Citizen’s Center reported that the United Way Benefit pie auction and dinner brought in over $2300. She would like to thank everyone who attended the dinner and for those who donated pies and items for the auction which made the fundraiser a success.

Julie also wanted to let the community know about a program that assists seniors in learning basic computer skills while enriching the lives of young people who can teach those skills to seniors. Even though the program is ideal for grandparents and grandchildren, it is not limited to those who are related. For more information go to www.experienceseniorpower.com. If you know of a young person or senior citizen interested in benefiting from this program, please contact Julie at the Ninilchik Senior Center at 567-3988.

Adult Basic Education instructor, Terri Cowart, will be available to assist adults wanting to earn their GED or improve their English and math skills on Oct. 17 at the Ninilchik Traditional Council from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and at the Ninilchik Library from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Don’t forget that the Kenai Peninsula State Fair’s annual meeting and potluck will be held at the fairgrounds this Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1:00 p.m. Fairgrounds manager, Lara McGinnis encourages you to bring a dish to share as well as suggestions for a great fair in 2008.

The results are in from the Palmer State Fair on the 4-H entries made by youth on the Kenai Peninsula. For the youth in our community, special congratulations to Carla Pherson for receiving a blue and purple award and grand champion in the sewing division for her blouse and to Tera Schnabl for receiving a blue and purple award and Grand champion for her steer. Tera also successfully defended her title as grand champion senior beef showman.
Other youth from our area that received awards were Mattie Cobb, Navicular educational display, blue award; Sarah Cobb, Hoof Care ed. display, blue award; Caleb Daniels, Silver Salmon Research Camp ed. display, blue award; Joanna Daniels, agate bracelet, agate pendent, blue award, Rabbit Care ed. display, blue/purple award, blueberry syrup and skirt, red awards; Naomi Hess, Gardening ed. display, blue award, skirt-red award; Hannah Kelson, horse picture, white award; Esther Knox, Gardening ed. display and poem, blue awards; Kody Knox, Bug Eating Plants ed. display, blue/ purple awards; and Misty Knox, Dall Sheep painting blue award, and 2 poems- red and white awards.

Area home schoolers are invited to attend Home School Chapel on October 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at Calvary Baptist Church located across the Sterling Highway from the Ninilchik General Store. Home School students will hear a challenge from God’s Word by Pastor Kit Pherson and students will participate in singing, recitations, and educational games and activities.

Fresh hot pizza-to-go will be available at Ninilchik School this Friday, Oct. 12. This fundraiser will benefit Ninilchik School’s sound system. Please call in early to place your order at 398-9095.

Ha-lloween lurks in the twilight of October and casts a shadow across the whole month. Kasilof can be a foggy river in the fall; ghastly, really. Neighbors will keep on eye open and a nervous laugh ready for anything spooky.

Summer excitement delighted Louise Hann of South Cohoe Loop (SCL). She went to Kansas to visit her son, Stuart, who retired August 1 with 28 years in the air force. Mr. Hann spent several years in Alaska stationed at Eilson and Elmendorf Air Force bases. “He has fruit salad up here like you wouldn’t believe,” Louise said, speaking of her son’s decorations. Stuart, who is a master sergeant, plans to become a registered nurse and hopes to return to Alaska. Meanwhile, Patti and Mike Murray, also of SCL, announced the birth of granddaughter Amara Bryn Murray. Patti is Louise’s daughter.

            Patti, Louise, Linda Wright and Jody Toombs staffed the Tustumena polling center for the recent election. Once sequestered in my booth, I attempted to remove the ballot from its privacy envelope. Unfortunately, someone had cast a Staple Hex on the envelope and the sucker was stuck. Returning to the women for help, it turned out that they were adjusting envelopes with staples to achieve precise tab margins for voter ease in using the machine which snatches ballots away, unseen by human eyes. I returned to my booth and darkened a few boxes. For the benefit of the local phone folks, I must say that Mrs. Toombs was none to happy to hear that other Cohoe Loopers had received DSL ahead of her house. I suggest running wires over to narrow, Carol Road immediately and shudder to think of what could happen if the little lady starts messing with her wand. Please keep an eye on Dave Hopkins, Cohoe’s long-time expert phone company employee. If you see a frog driving his truck, you’ll know they were too slow.

Paul Fischer and Bill Holt ran great races for the Borough Assembly. Congratulations to Paul for winning and to Bill for attracting a large number of votes on his first try.

            Adult basketball has bounced into action at Tustumena School on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6-8 p.m. Teams are divided up according to ability before each game. The results are usually close scores and great games. Women are welcome, and so are novices. If you’re out of shape a “fast break” may mean you need a “spell.” The bench often has backsiders eager to take your place. Corey Kruse (262-9082) of Clam Gulch is in charge of the gig.

            Trent Dodsen of Territorial Way has gone to work for Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC). Trent worked for Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) for six years and was the senior biologist there. CIAA gave him a round of applause at their September board meeting and several members voiced appreciation of his accomplishments. Three years ago Trent initiated a program bringing college biology students to CIAA to work as interns. The students gain field experience and fill a niche for enthusiastic workers. Trent will be a public relations person at CIRCAC.

Donation cans are open at both Jersey Subs and Laughing Wolf Express for 15-year-old Gabby Browning, who was seriously hurt in a 4 wheeler accident. Gabby is Joe Browning’s daughter. Joe owns Kasilof Riverview. Send get well cards to:  Providence Children’s Hospital, 3200 Providence Dr. Anchorage, AK 99508 Attn: Gabby Browning Room 317