Cooper Landing Gem- February 2025

Monthly Newsletter

February 2025

Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center Board Of Directors President Cheryle James Wildman’s 907-290-1213 Vice-President

Greeting Members, Thank you all for paying your membership dues. Please remember if you want to update your online information for the website, to please send the information to Kristine Route at Best Route Productions.

Are you getting the cabin blues with all this rain and the winter that hasn’t really come. We are still looking for additional board members. Please contact us to join us and chase off those blues.

We have a scholarship for our young students graduating from high school. If you are interested, please contact either me or Rose to obtain an application.

Jason Lesmeister 907- 351-3036 Secretary/Treasurer Rose Hetrick Inn at Tern Lake 907-288-3667 Director Open

I am ready for spring so I hope Mother Nature isn’t going to fool us and give us winter in February and March. The pussy willows and plants are going to be as confused as I am about the weather.

It is Valentines month so if you have that special someone, enjoy the day and rekindle that romance.

Happy Valentines Day!

Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce PO Box 809 Cooper Landing, Alaska 99572 info@cooperlandingchamber.com

Thank you, Cheryle James President

Newsletter Layout & Design by Best Route Productions

Cooper Landing Trails •

Cooper Landing Trails was awarded a grant from Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corporation, Inc. Endowment Fund to purchase needed trail maintenance tools. Thank you CLSCCI Endowment Fund!

•

The new Cooper Landing Trails website remains under development but is open for viewing. Please see: https://cooperlandingtrails.org/. If we ever get enough good snow, we’ll have grooming reports for snow trails on the new website. Check it out.

•

Once the snow is deep enough, we will groom Quartz Creek Road beyond the power line to the Crescent Creek trailhead and the Devil’s Creek snow trails. Recall that CLT won’t be allowed to groom the Russian River Campground again this winter. You may still hike, snowshoe, or ski on your own until the closure next Spring.

•

The new snow trails equipment has arrived! These items were made possible by a grant from the Recreational Trails Program of the Alaska State Department of Natural Resources. Thank you RTP!

•

We held a CLT Zoom meeting on February 3rd. See the https://www.walkcooperlanding. org/ website for the notes. An update of our activity and new website were given. If you’re interested in helping with the 2025 CL Trail Run, see our contact info below.

•

CLT officers, David and Janette, continue to meet monthly with Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) to work on how to advance our CLTRPPP. Our new Pitch Deck and Story Map are taking shape.

•

For other details please see the notes of meetings posted on our website “News” page. https://www.walkcooperlanding.org/news

•

If you’re interested in volunteering with CLT contact us. See information below.

Contact Us: walkcooperlanding@gmail.com walkcooperlanding.org cooperlandingtrails.org PO Box 863 Cooper Landing, AK 99572

February 2025 — 2

Page 3

Cooper Landing Lynx News

February 2025

Thank You To everyone who sponsored our Ski Program this year!

It has been a crazy month! The big rain storm we had on January 12th caused the classrooms to flood. The upper grades classroom took on the brunt of the water. We transitioned to having class in the gym for two weeks while the room dried out and the carpets were cleaned.

In other news, the students have been preparing for the upcoming Battle of the Books. They have been working hard since September with an aim of getting into the district finals. Special thanks to Sandra and Ed Holsten, and Theresa Norris who came in to read with the students after the flood.

We had our first ski day on January 28th. Alyeska surprisingly had a good amount of snow. We have lots of beginning skiers this year, including our kindergartner, Addie.

Everyone had a blast and enjoyed the first day on the mountain. Thank you again to everyone who helped us get there! Stay tuned for a weekly ski update from the Mountain Top News crew who have been putting together video clips for a weekly update.

Molly and Liam, members of the Mountain Top News crew filming in the “studio” for their weekly skiing update.

Above: View of the flooded classroom on Sunday January 12th.

Left: Addie, proudly holding her skis after her ski lesson with the Alyeska Ski School.

Cooper Landing Community Club Well, Mother Winter finally decided to arrive, let’s hope she provides us with more snow so that we can get out to play without ice cleats!

The Community Club had their first meeting for 2025, and we appreciate all those who participated. We would like to thank our presenters: Jonathan Tymick , AK DOT Project Manager Sterling Highway MP 45-60, Aaron Hunting, AK DOT Project Manager, Sterling Highway MP 43-56 Pavement Preservation, Ruth D’Amico, District Ranger, Tim Lorenzini, Deputy District Ranger, and , Jack Thayer and Travis Womble of Chugach National Forest for updating our members on their current activities and future projects.

The CLCC Bylaws Committee finished their review and presented their suggestions for amendments.

They are still seeking community feedback for those changes. Copies of the Bylaws can be found until February 9th on the CLCC website, in Crier emails, as well as hard copies at the CL Library. Comments will be reviewed by the CL Board, then the Bylaws will be sent in for legal review. The final version will be presented and voted on in our next General Community Club meeting in March.

Local Organizations and Annual User contracts were sent out in January. For all users, we updated the cleaning requirements so please be sure to follow the new list posted on the kitchen door. All users of the Hall are now required to have a service/cleaning deposit with their rental.

Contact Us: officers@cooperlandingcommunityclub.com www. cooperlandingcommunityclub.com Cooper Landing Community Club

Photo by: Sylvie Montalbo

Photos from our recent Fireside Chats.

This means that our Annual Users will see an added service/cleaning deposit on their yearly contract. But please note, for this group, these deposits can roll over to the next year if not used.

(February should be a relatively quiet month at the Hall. The CLCC Board of Directors will have their monthly meeting

Tuesday, February 10th at 6 pm.

There will not be a Friday Night Fireside Chat this month due to the lack of presenters , signing up, but another attempt will come in March!) Cooper Landing Emergency Services will be hosting their annual fun/fundraiser Snowshoe Softball, Saturday February 22. Be sure to watch the Crier and social media for further information about this event.

Stay warm!

Your Cooper Landing Community Club Board -Yvette, Lorraine, Marja, Kathy, and Rhonda

Photo by: Yvette Galbraith

February 2025 — 5

February 2025 — 6

Website Content Update Thank you to all of our members who renewed their membership for the 2025 year! If you need to update your information, logo, or photos for your Chamber Website Listing now is the time to do so. Please email us your updated items by March 1st.

February 2025 — 7

Cooper Landing Library News How you can help our library: Our library is excited to report the recent receipt of two grants: 1. Book Hook grant - $1,000 ($500 from an investor in Alaskan Brewing Co. and $500 from the Cooper Landing Brewery) 2. CLSSCI Endowment Fund grant - $2,200 to replace old computers that are no longer supported by Microsoft.

Thank you for supporting your local volunteer library!

•Volunteer! Email Virginia at cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com if you would like to contribute time. We are always looking for volunteers to work a regular shift, substitute, and/or provide expertise and service in specialized areas, such as accounting or information technology.

•Donate! Checks can be mailed to Cooper Landing Community Library, PO Box 517, Cooper Landing, AK 99572. You can also donate directly at the library or online through our website, cooperlandinglibrary.com, by clicking the donate button at the bottom of the page.

Our library provides invaluable services to the community. In addition to book and movie checkouts, we provide an online catalog, access to the Alaska Digital Library, internet, and up-to-date computers, printers, and fax for public use.

We look forward to seeing you in the library soon!

Virginia Morgan Volunteer Director

Puzzle Exchange!

Take a puzzle or leave a puzzle!

This is a great and easy way to share puzzles with our neighbors and friends!

Donating Guidelines 1. Please put DONATED BY and your name inside the top cover of the puzzle boxes you are exchanging.

2. Please provide puzzles in Ziploc bags inside their box to avoid losing pieces.

3. Please leave good quality puzzles, 300 - 1500 pieces only.

4. No extra small piece puzzles.

5. It is okay to leave puzzles missing 1-2 pieces (but no more than that!), Be sure to indicate on the image of the box or picture provided where the missing pieces are located.

Returning Puzzles 1. When you finish your puzzle, sign your name inside the box so we can see which puzzles are the most popular and return it to the library for another!

COVID tests Each household can receive four free COVID tests at this link: https://covidtests.gov

Library Hours Monday 1-3 pm Tuesday 3-5 pm Wednesday 1-3 pm Thursday 1-3 pm Friday 1-3 pm Saturday 11 am-2 pm

Contact Us: 907-595-1241 cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com www.cooperlandinglibrary.com Cooper Landing Community Library

Book Club

The following book club meetings will be via zoom. Please email cooperlandinglibrary@ gmail.com for the link.

• February 18 – The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore • March 18 – James by Percival Everett • April 15 – Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora • May 13 – Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Chess Its time to play CHESS! Come and work those brain cells out starting on Tuesday, November 5 at the Cooper Landing Community Library starting at 3:15 pm until 4:30. All ages and levels welcome. You are never too young or old to learn how to play!

Questions, please call Gary Galbraith (907) 302-1131. If you have your own set, please bring it!

February 2025 — 9

Cooper Landing Gem News Do you have business or organization updates you would like to share with the community?

All Chamber Members are invited to submit updates and information to the monthly newsletter. Contact us for more information.

Contact Us

Happy Birthday 2/5 2/9 2/11 2/11 2/12 2/12 2/12 2/14 2/17 2/17 2/18 2/24 2/28

Kim Neis Pat Dye Roxanne Defoe Greg Raveaux Richard Dreifuerst Shane Farley Olive James Cecilia Pearson Tommy Gossard Martha Story Ken Leaders Stacy Corbin Alec Lamberson Photo by: Best Route Productions

February 2025 — 10

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2025

Citizen Advisory Board Recruitment on the Kenai Peninsula (Soldotna, AK) –– Alaskans have an exciting opportunity to advise Alaska State Parks managers for the next three years. DNR’s Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation is currently recruiting for Board members to serve on one of three Citizen Advisory Boards (CAB) on the Kenai Peninsula: • • •

Seward CAB Kenai River Special Management Area CAB Kachemak Bay CAB

“Citizen Advisory Boards play an important role in assisting Alaska State Parks with management direction and provide the public with an opportunity to influence outdoor recreation policy in their regions,” said Ricky Gease, Director of the Division.

Locals interested in applying for one of the Citizen Advisory Board seats may apply online (https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/advisboardapp.pdf) or by contacting the Kenai/Prince William Sound Regional Headquarters: 907-262-5581.

Media Contact: Hans Rinke, 907-262-5581, hans.rinke@alaska.gov ### STAY CONNECTED: DNR Newsroom: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/dnr_newsroom.htm DNR on Social Media: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/social_media.htm DNR Public Information Center: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/

February 2025 — 11

2025 Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce & CVB Please support our local businesses!

5 Dogs Fishing

(907) 598-3525

Grizzly Ridge

(907) 595-1260

Alaskan Angling Adventures LLC

(907) 595-3336

Gwin’s Lodge

(907) 595-1266

Alaska Outdoor Woodstoves

(907) 598-1633

Inn at Tern Lake (Moose Pass)

(907) 288-3667

Alaska River Adventures

(907) 595-2000

Jason’s Guide Service

(907) 351-3036

Alaska Rivers Company

(907) 595-1226

Kahtnu Spirit Lodging

(907) 299-2855

Alaska Troutfitters

(907) 595-1212

Kenai Cache Outfitters

(907) 595-1401

Alaska Waste

(907) 312-6267

Kenai Kayak Company

(907) 441-6753

Alaska Wildland Adventures

(800) 334-8730

Kenai Lake Baptist Church

(907) 598-1112

Angle 45 Adventures (Hope)

(907) 782-3175

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area

(206) 920-9051

Bearfoot Publications

(907)320-1145

Kenai Peninsula Econ. Dev. Dist.

(907) 283-3335

Best Route Productions

(303) 570-2081

Kenai Peninsula Mayor

(800) 478-4441

Bike Cooper Landing, LLC

(907) 231-6793

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

(907) 595-1425

Boatman’s

(907) 202-1004

Kenai River Float-n-Fish

(907) 519-0048

Camp Fire Alaska

(907) 279-3551

Kenai River Sportfishing Association

(907)262-8588

Cooper Landing Brewery

(907) 276-5044

Kenai River Trout Anglers

(907) 599-0085

Cooper Landing Community Club

(907) 595-2169

Mystic Waters Fly Fishing

(509) 715-9697

Cooper Landing Community Library

(907) 595-1241

Our Place Rentals

(907) 595-1829

Cooper Landing Community School

(907) 595-1244

Resurrection Trail House

(907)202-6388

Cooper Landing Emergency Services

(907) 595-1800

Round Mountain Retreat

(907) 598-1333

Cooper Landing Fish Camp

(907) 595-3474

Salmon Run Lodge

(907) 595-2197

Cooper Landing Fishing Guide

(907) 599-0126

Seramur Home Services

(907) 599-0019

Cooper Landing Historical Society

(907) 202-6049

Sharon Saunders, GRI, Realtor

(928) 706-8901

Cooper Landing Rifle & Sportsman’s Club

(907) 599-0004

Talon Air Service, Inc. (Soldotna)

(907) 262-8899

Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp.

(907) 595-3000

Trail Lake Lodge (Moose Pass)

(907)288-3101

Conoco Phillips

(907)276-1215

Upper Kenai Cabins

(907) 595-3055

Eagle Landing Resort

(907) 595-1213

Wildman TR Inc.

(907) 595-1456

First National Bank Alaska (Soldotna)

(907) 260-6000

(907)288-3667

LUXURIOUS

ACCOMODATIONS

February 2025 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

2

3

4

5

6

Chess 3:15 pm CL Library 9

10

11

17

12

18

Book Club CL Library via Zoom

Presidents’ Day 23

24

13

Chili Cook Off 6pm KL Baptist Church

Cooper Landing Library Hours Monday 1-3 pm Tuesday 3-5 pm Wednesday 1-3 pm Thursday 1-3 pm Friday 1-3 pm Saturday 11 am-2 pm

14

15

Volleyball 6:00 pm CL School 19

20

Happy Valentines!

21

26

27

22 Snowshoe Softball 12:00 pm CLCC Hall

Volleyball 6:00 pm CL School

Chess 3:15 pm CL Library 25 Chess 3:15 pm CL Library

8

Volleyball 6:00 pm CL School

Chess 3:15 pm CL Library 16

7

28 Volleyball 6:00 pm CL School

Need the calendar on the go? Check out our digital version at: cooperlandingchamber.com/calendar.

Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Graphics & Design by Best Route Productions