Homer Alaska - Letters

Amazing energy and interest emanated from the 60 people who gathered together last week to learn about the possibility of woolly mammoths living on the Kenai Peninsula. And Dick Reger, Soldotna geologist, explained how that possibility is compatible with the geology of the southwestern area of the peninsula during the Ice Age. His excellent presentation answered many questions about how and where and when mammoths could have lived here.

Thanks also to Steve Baird and Jessica Ryan of Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, who suggested and organized the informal brown bag luncheon talk. And special thanks to Mike, Phil, Kevin, Marla, Bill and others who shared their findings; and to Shelia, at Alaska Wild Berry Products, who showed the molar there to Dick Reger.

Nine documented mammoth parts have been found between Clam Gulch and the Homer Spit and in Deep Creek. Mammoth element No. 10 was revealed when I stopped at the post office. The woman walking alongside me told me she had found a molar on Bishop's Beach three years ago and the next day, she showed it to me and Toby Wheeler. With each such contribution, knowledge of the Kenai Peninsula tens of thousands of years ago increases.

The Anchorage Museum, which is presently hosting the special exhibition, "Mammoths and Mastodons," generously donated bookmarks, rack cards, magnets and several free passes to the exhibit.

Janet Klein