Peninsula Clarion
Classic From Page A1
Woodhouse said. When asked how many fish she thought she would catch, she aimed high: “100!” Chase Johnson from Kenai, on the other hand, was just on
Theater From Page A1
“In melodramas, you knock down the fourth wall in theater and talk directly to the audience at times,” Burdick explained. “They’re fun, they’re hilarious.” One of the most seasoned names in the cast is that of Yvette Tappana, a Soldotna actress with 35 years of acting experience under her belt. Tappana said melodramas can often make for great comedy while cluing the audience in on the story with brief interludes. “Through those asides, the story develops,” Tappana said. “Those put all the background story together, and the rest of it just
Thursday, August 15, 2019
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the river with his family a couple weeks ago. Johnson participated in the Jr. Classic last year and ran into a bit of a snag while on the water. “Someone got their line caught on my line, and then I got a fish on my line, so then when they cut the line the other person got the fish,” Johnson recalled. Johnson said that this time around he knew what to do to avoid any repeat
entanglements. Dylan Imhoff from Anchorage has some fishing experience under his belt, but catching salmon is a whole new world for him. “I’m kinda nervous because I don’t want the fish to pull me in the water,” Imhoff said. Luckily, the kids were trained in how to properly wear a life jacket in the case of any runaway fish. The kids went out in groups of
four and each of the 27 boats was piloted by a professional fishing guide, who kept them entertained while the fish weren’t biting. It turned out to be a slow day for catching fish, but that didn’t stop the kids from having a good time on the water. Ryan Jorg shared his experience nearly snagging one of the only salmon of the day. “I had a bite and it was about
a foot away from netting range, when ‘bang!’ It took off,” Jorg said. Many of the kids agreed that even though the fish weren’t biting, it was still a trip to remember. Some of the guides played music and games on the boats, and others drove up and down the river hitting the waves. The kids also got to go home with a portion of the day’s catch, a goodie bag and a new rod and reel.
builds throughout the play.” Actor Ian McEwan, who takes on both the roles of hero and villain in the production, said for him the appeal of melodrama is the loose atmosphere and the interaction with the crowd. “We once gave them popcorn before the show and encouraged them to throw it, and I’ve tried catching it out of the air with my mouth,” McEwan said. “I got hit by an entire bag one time.” Tracie Stang, who plays Willie Lovelace — also one of the play’s heroes — said acting in her first melodrama has brought some unexpected surprises, particularly in audience interaction, which often includes a few cast members dishing out light-hearted heckling. “Half the time you’re thinking, ‘I don’t know what I’m saying anymore,’” Stang said. “‘We’ll see
how that goes’ … it really feeds into the actors that way.” Burdick said “Blazing Guns” is a little different from a typical melodrama, which she described as more along the lines of a damsel in distress tied to railroad tracks. Instead of a helpless damsel, Lovelace is the Roaring Gulch sheriff who tries to lay down the law. Stang said the character wants to be taken seriously, but also pines for a life as a woman with a tender heart. “There’s that conflict, which is funny, between wanting to be rough and tumble, but also a gal,” Stang said. “I don’t know if I’m nailing it but that’s the goal.” Roaring Gulch hotel owner Widow Black and the devious Snipe Vermin, played by Tappana and McEwan, respectively, serve
as the play’s villains. The two concoct dastardly plans, which include running off Sheriff Lovelace and the hero Harry Heartstone — Vermin’s long lost twin brother adopted by English parents, who shows up as a Pinkerton detective. “Usually your bad guy has the mustache and he twirls it and has a cape,” Burdick said. “But we have two villains in this one.” Tappana said the Widow Black character is one she has steadily immersed herself in. “It’s fun to be evil,” Tappana said with a smirk. She doesn’t spend a lot of time, however, worrying about her character’s motivation. “I’m always kidding around saying I’m a theater wannabe,” Tappana said. “I just take my role, whatever they give me, and it just
comes to me. I don’t do the whole ‘What made Widow Black evil?’ “I’ve always been very blessed to just go in and find my person as they go on. I develop it with each performance.” Snipe Vermin (McEwan) makes his appearance with his sidekick, Bill Filbert (played by Reed Morrison-Placha). McEwan’s double portrayal of the villain and the heroic Heartstone makes for some interesting moments. “I have some interactions with myself, offstage,” McEwan said. “It takes some getting used to. It really does.” McEwan said he has had to dip into his vast knowledge and experience in acting to portray both roles. “I don’t want to accidentally use the wrong accent for the wrong character,” McEwan said.
around the peninsula Monthly Board Meeting The LeeShore Center will be holding its monthly Board meeting at The LeeShore Center on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:00 pm. For further information call 283-9479.
Kenai Community Library — Fireweed Honey Workshop: Thursday, Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Come learn how to make delicious honey out of the beautiful Fireweed that blooms on the Peninsula! Class size is limited to 12 people, and children must have an adult helper. Must pre-register for this free class at the front desk. For more information, call Ryanna at 283-4378.
Sterling Friday Flea Market The Sterling Community Center invites you to our Summer community event, Sterling Friday Flea Market on Friday, Aug. 16. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The market is for crafters, fruit/vegetable vendors, merchandise vendors, and second-hand booths. Call for registration and information262-7224 or email scc@ acsalaska.net.
Dragonfly Gallery presents Loralyn SissonArt in the Garden A unique collection of colorful mixed-media paintings displayed among the flowers! Saturday, Aug. 17, 2-6 pm. Refreshments will be served. Contact Chelline with questions 907-394-3235.
Sterling Senior Center Street Fair The Sterling Senior Center presents it’s annual Street Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17, from noon-9
p.m. Music, food trucks, and vendors. Admission is free but accepting donations. All proceeds benefit the center. Further info, call 262-6808.
Calling Weed Warriors
Invasive Weed Pull – Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Kenai Municipal Park, 301 S. Forest Drive, Kenai. Join members of the Kenai Peninsula Cooperative Wood Management Area in working to mitigate invasive weeds. We’ll supply bags, refreshments, and hot dogs. Call Kenai Parks & Recreation at 907-2838262 or the Kenai Watershed Forum at 907-260-5449 for additional information.
North Peninsula Rec Service Area events —An American Red Cross Lifeguard Class will be offered Aug. 26-30 at the Nikiski Pool, 5-10 p.m. Participants must be at least 16 years of age and able to pass a swim test. This class can be free. Ask for Details. For more information or to register contact Nigel at 776-8800. — NPRSA’s NEW After School Program will start Sept. 3. This is a three-day-a-week program for K-5th grade boys and girls. Cooking, arts and crafts, gym games and loads of fun will be offered. For more information, contact Jackie at 776-6416. — The Nikiski Pool will be CLOSED Sept. 2-23 for annual maintenance. The pool will re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
North Pen Rec help wanted The North Peninsula Recreation Service Area is recruiting for lifeguards, dispatch, maintenance and recreation assistant positions. Apply online at the Kenai Peninsula Borough website at kpb.us under the Humans Resources tab. Check out our website for: www. NorthPenRec.com or Facebook page.
Healthy Relationships What is a Healthy and Respectful Relationship? Mutually agreeing on a fair distribution of work Making family decisions together Communicating openly and truthfully For help or information, call The LeeShore Center at 283-9479. The LeeShore Center is proud to be a United Way agency
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Caregiver Support Meeting Kenai Senior Center will host Caregiver Support Meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. We will be discussing anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss issues in caregiving. Please join us to share your experiences as a caregiver, or to support someone who is a caregiver. Call Sharon or Judy at 907-262-1280, for more information.
Environmental Monitoring Committee meeting The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council’s Environmental Monitoring Committee (EMC) meeting will be hosted in Homer on Tuesday, Aug. 20 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Aspen Suites Hotel, 91 Sterling Highway, Homer. The public is welcome to attend. For directions or more information call 907-283-7222 or 800-652-7222.
Old Timers Luncheon
Old Timers Luncheon will take place Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Kenai Senior Center. Suggested donation $7. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Turkey dinner at 12 p.m.
Soldotna Senior Center Fundraiser It’s time again for the Soldotna Senior Center’s Fall Roundup fundraiser! Please join us for an evening of fun-filled music and dancing with the Spur Highway Spankers. Saturday, Sept. 7, doors open at 5:15 p.m. A Prime Rib dinner with all the fixin’s is on the menu. Silent auctions and outcry auctions will wrap up this fundraising shindig! Door prizes, fiddling, dancing, vittles, who could ask for more? Tickets are $28 for cowboys and cowgirls, $14 for little ‘uns under 12. All proceeds will support senior
services and programs at the Soldotna Senior Center.
Paid recreation instructors wanted Soldotna Parks & Recreation is seeking paid instructors to teach one day workshops or weekly classes as part of our community education and recreation program. Do you have a skill, talent, hobby, or interest you would like to share with the community? Then this is a perfect opportunity for you. Help us promote life-long learning through a diverse offering of educational, cultural, and recreational activities for all ages. Call today to discuss possibilities 907-714-1211
Harvest Moon Local Food Festival Kenai Local Food Connection is accepting vendor applications for its Harvest Moon Local Food Festival, to be held 10 a.m.-6 pm, Saturday, Sept. 14 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna. It’s the Kenai Peninsula’s biggest local food celebration of the year with live music, strolling performers, free kids’ activities, food demonstrations and the popular Fermentation Station. The festival is open to vendors of food (grown, harvested or made in Alaska); medicinal/wellness/personal care products made from locally grown or wild-harvested ingredients; food trucks featuring local ingredients; and educational booths relevant to the purpose of the festival. The rate is $30 per 10’ x 10’ tent space. The vendor application is on-line at https://www.kenailocalfood.org/projects. For more information, call Heidi at (907) 283-8732 x 5.
Sterling Community Center — FallFest 2019: Mark your calendar for our Fall Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, Oct. 26,
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to the public. There will be vendors, local crafts, food and drink, craft workshops, and much more! To reserve a space or for more information, please call 907-262-7224 or stop in Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and noon, 38377 Swanson River Road, Sterling. — After School Program 2019/2020: The Sterling Community Center After School Program is now open for enrollment. The program will begin Aug. 20, and will be Monday-Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. daily. Cost is $80/month for full-time enrolled or $5/day for drop-in attendance. Multiple sibling discount is available. Program includes: homework help if needed, recreational activities, academic enrichment, arts and crafts, free gym time, daily snack, and much more. For questions or to request more information, please call 907-262-7224 or stop in MondayFriday between 9 a.m. and noon, 38377 Swanson River Rd. Sterling.
Recycling materials update Due to a change in our recycle market, Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste facilities will no longer accept D grade plastic film, including plastic shopping bags. Also, we are only accepting #1 PETE beverage bottles with twist tops for recycling. For more information, call the Solid Waste Department at 907-262-9667.
Welcome high school exchange students International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is seeking local host families for high school boys and girls from France, Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, and the former Soviet Republics for the 19/20 school year. If you are interested in opening your home and sharing your family life with a young person from abroad, please contact us at 800-733-2773, go online at www.ASSEhosts.com or email asseusawest@asse.com.
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