20 years ago

The Southern Kenai Peninsula got its first significant snowfall of the season on Oct. 30, 2000, with 10 inches reported at the Homer Airport. The airport remained open, but pilots couldn’t take off or land because of limited visibility. The fresh snow did slow down slightly Halloween trick-or-treaters in the Mountainview Drive area, according to homeowners who track scary visitors. About 400 youngsters participated.

Homer Police didn’t get any calls of accidents, said Homer Police Lt. Randy Rosencrans.

“Snowfall just seems to slow people down,” he said.

— From the issue of Nov. 2, 2000

30 years ago

A surfer who only identified himself as “Ice Man” attracted a crowd when he took advantage of a good set of waves off Bishop’s Beach. He also surfed in the summer.

“But it usually takes a pretty good swell, and that says winter all over it,” Ice Man said.

The lone surfer said he knew of only one more surfer in Homer, but that man said his wife told him he can’t go out until he gets more life insurance. Ice Man said other surfing hot spots are off the Glacier Drive-In on the Homer Spit or at the mouth of Beluga Slough. Surfing has caught the interest of Outside enthusiasts, with one surfing magazine running a feature on surfing Cape Yakataga.

“Alaska has 10,000 miles of beaches,” Ice Man said. “I hope to hit them all.”

— From the issue of Nov, 1, 1990

50 years ago

The City of Homer secured funding for the new sewer project, with construction expected to start soon. Mayor Hazel Heath and City Manager Jack Green met with officials to close on a Farmer’s Home Administration loan of $522,600 and a grant of $424,000. The winning bid was for $1.1 million, with the balance of the project to be paid from other state and federal grants.

— From the issue of Oct. 29, 1970