Go veggie for Lent
Feb. 14 marked the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. The call to abstain from eating animals is as current as the teaching of evangelical leader Franklin Graham, yet as traditional as the Bible (Genesis 1:29). Methodist founder John Wesley, Salvation Army pioneers William and Catherine Booth, and Seventh-day Adventist Church founder Ellen G. White all followed this higher call.
A meat-free diet is not just about Christian devotion. Dozens of medical studies have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer and other killer diseases. A United Nations report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented farm animals routinely caged, crowded, mutilated and beaten.
Today’s supermarkets are well in tune with the call to abstain from eating animals. They offer a rich array of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses, and ice creams, as well as the more traditional vegetables, fruits, and grains. Entering “vegetarian” or “vegan” in your favorite search engine provides lots of meat replacement products, recipes, and transition tips.
Heath Tivers
Thanks for ski team support
The Homer Mariner Ski Team held their annual Ski Gala on Feb. 3. It was an amazing event that brought generous community members together with athletes for a wonderful night of fun and fundraising. The Ski Team would like to thank Dave Aplin auctioneer; Oceana Wills, musician; Chef Paul Warner from the Alaska Supper Club; and Mel Strydom, Grog Shop, for volunteering their talents for the evening. The auction table was full of generously donated items from over thirty six Homer businesses and community members.
Thank you for supporting these hard working dedicated athletes.
Amy Stonorov, for the The Homer Mariner Ski Team
HHA appreciates K-Bay Marines
The Homer Hockey Association would like to give a huge thank you to the K-Bay Marines who sponsored the annual Christmas Eve Skate at the Kevin Bell Arena. This free community event was enjoyed by hundreds who also donated food to the Homer Community Food Pantry. Also, thanks to the volunteers who helped Santa create a magical event enjoyed by our community during the holiday season.
Jan Rumble, for the Homer Hockey Association and Kevin Bell Arena
Winter Carnival was a blast
The Homer Chamber of Commerce &Visitor Center would like to thank the Chamber Board, Chamber Volunteers, Parade Entrants and the Community for coming out and celebrating a Hibernation Vacation Winter Carnival Parade this past Saturday. Muslow and Muslow CPA graciously sponsored the parade this year which featured Ben and Kate Mitchell of NOMAR as the Grand Marshals.
Thank you to Bay Realty and Homer Alaska Real Estate who hosted the judges station and Darrel Oliver for being the Master of Ceremony. Other parade sponsors were the Homer Bed &Breakfast Association, Seldovia Village Tribe and Lands End Resort.
The parade featured 36 entries with well over 200 people participating and thousands cheering from the sidelines. We love hosting the parade and are counting the days until the July 4th Parade.
Thank you, Homer.
Debbie Speakman, Executive Director
Homer Chamber of Commerce
Respect our Armed Forces
So President Trump would like to have a parade to honor the United States military forces. What is wrong with that?
And, is it true that an individual in the lower 48 made the statement calling the military “tin soldiers?” What a disgraceful thing to say and very damaging. What that individual needs is a trip to China, Iran and Russia; and then say the same thing about their military and see what happens to that individual. I wonder if that individual has or has had any family members in the military, and what they would think of that remark.
My natural father was in World War I. I had a brother in World War II (I have his medals still), and another brother in Germany right after WWII.
I’m having a tough time getting over such a disrespectful thing to say about the United States Armed Forces.
Jim Hadley
Anchor Point
KHLT thanks foundation for support
Kachemak Heritage Land Trust would like to thank the Homer Foundation for the grant support we received in 2017 supporting our Stewarding the Land project. The funds were expended on items necessary to help fulfill stewardship responsibilities on over 3,000-acres of KHLT protected lands. Examples of items purchased include; lumber for Calvin and Coyle Nature Trail repairs, a GIS Spot Satellite Tracker, a subscription to GeoJot (a service that enhances staff’s ability to collect data in the field), first aid/CPR training class completed by three KHLT staff, and more. A portion of the Homer Foundation funds were also used to match dollar-for-dollar part of a US Fish and Wildlife Services Coastal Program grant.
Thank you Homer Foundation, we appreciate your continued support of our conservation efforts, protecting irreplaceable lands for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Marie McCarty
Executive Director
Peninsula Fair needs support
Dear Valued Community,
Kenai Peninsula Fair has been a community hub for individuals and organizations of the lower Kenai Peninsula for over 65 years. The fair has supported countless nonprofits, sports teams, and youth groups with both cash, in kind donations, and a location to hold events every year. The annual fair itself showcases 4H, hundreds of exhibitors, rodeo, local entertainers, food, crafts and arts.
The Fair Association and its facilities in Ninilchik has, over the decades, received generous contributions, grants and donations from the government, state, sponsors, businesses and foundations, all of which has allowed us to improve the grounds and continue to offer our support in many ways to the myriad groups that utilize the facility. Many of these groups are deeply connected to our mission and form a dynamic symbiotic relationship with the fair association.
In light of the tightening economic dynamics in the state, the funding, that was once readily available to the fair as well as to many of our local nonprofits, is no longer forthcoming. We are now required to be ever more resourceful, energetic and proficient. We are committed to maintaining our vitality and our perpetual viability as a place of support, interaction and mutual relationship with the people and groups that have been such a primary part of the fair for decades.
Our annual fundraiser is scheduled for March 3. While this event has been a critical gathering of fair association members and supporters and a source of a percentage of our income, it is now a critical component of our economic stability.
We would like to invite you to help us continue in our long standing, community oriented mission by supporting our elegant event. In keeping with the fair theme for this year, “Get Your Fair Face On,” we are holding a semi-formal masquerade night. Entertainment will be provided by the woodwind ensemble “Windsong” followed by an engaging live auction. There will be appetizers and desserts, as well as spirited drinks for purchase. Unique and high quality items will be available in our silent, live, and basket auctions. Masks for this event are optional, but we will be giving out a prize for the best mask.
The event will run from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. We welcome any combination of contributions, donations and participation. We deeply appreciate the continued support of our community for the Kenai Peninsula Fair association.
Thank you for your continued support,
Jim Stearns, Kenai Peninsula Fair Board President
Tiffany Sherman, Kenai Peninsula Fair Manager
Cline family appreciates Homer support
I want to take this opportunity to thank the community and people of Homer for their support for our family after my brother Mike’s tragic death while vacationing on Maui.
The outpouring of help and comfort for my sister in law Dotty and nephew Kelly and niece Erin was truly wonderful and helped us all get through a very difficult time. I know Dotty will be in good hands when everything calms down.
Mike loved living in Homer and it was very easy for me to see why. I will always remember the conversations I had with his friends while I was in town.
Thank you.
Tom Cline
Lacey Washington
Preludes musicians appreciate support
The Paul Banks staff, students, and Preludes steering committee wish to thank the businesses and individuals who donated desserts and food items for our highly successful Spaghetti Feed/Dessert Auction fundraiser on Feb. 7. The proceeds support the Paul Banks Preludes Violin Program. AJ’s, Cups, Homer Truffles, Two Sisters, Fritz Creek, Darcy’s Decadent Designs, Coop’s Coffee, Deb Turkington, and Eric Pullman donated fabulous desserts for our live auction. Loopy Lupine, McNeal Canyon Meats, Safeway, and Save-U-More donated the ingredients for our Spaghetti Feed. Many parents and community members donated homemade desserts for our silent auction. Homer Youth Orchestra and Burnt Down House provided live music along with the Paul Banks Preludes.
The Preludes program, under the auspices of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra and with the cooperation of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, provides every first and second grade student at Paul Banks three half hour periods a week of group violin instruction. This program is funded solely by donations from businesses, organizations and countless individuals. The student’s enthusiasm, increased focus, and teamwork are a testament to the program’s success.
We are blessed to live in a community that supports the arts and our mission to create better learners and citizens through instrumental music instruction and ensemble performance.
Lyn Maslow and Ginnie Oliver
for the Preludes Steering Committee, and Paul Banks first and second grade staff and students
