Cooper Landing Gem-December 2023 by Cooper Landing Chamber

Monthly Newsletter

December 2023

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The holiday season is upon us. It’s time to reflect on our year that flew by and look to the future. We had a successful issue of the Upper Kenai Visitors Guide this spring with about 20,000 issues being distributed. A great Regatta had wonderful participation and was a lot of fun. A new board member, Jason Lesmeister, joined the team. We are now working on the 2024 issue of the Upper Kenai River Guide. Your ideas and suggestions of what you want from your Chamber are appreciated. As we promote not only our own individual businesses, but those of our members, we strive to improve our community’s exposure to the world and share for a moment in other’s lives what the “gem of the Kenai Peninsula” has to offer. As we watch the bypass being built, we look for ideas to make Cooper Landing a destination for visitors not only in the summer but also in the winter. May you and your families be blessed this holiday season. May your future be bountiful, full of happiness and joy.

Treasurer Shirley Wilmoth Our Place 907-598-1270 Secretary Rose Hetrick Inn at Tern Lake 907-288-3667 Director Jason Lesmeister 907- 351-3036

Thank you, Cheryle James President Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce PO Box 809 Cooper Landing, Alaska 99572 info@cooperlandingchamber.com Newsletter Layout & Design by Best Route Productions

Cooper Landing Library News Your library card provides you access to your account through our online catalog, to manage reserves, renewals, checkout history, and more. Your library card also provides you access to the Alaska Digital Library. If you would like help navigating any of these features, please email us at cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in the library soon! -Virginia Morgan Winter Book Club

Silent Book Club

January 16 - Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver February 20 - American Dirt by Jeannie Cummins March 19 - Homecoming by Kate Morton Email cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com for Zoom info.

Join us for Chess Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 at the Cooper Landing Community Library All ages and levels are welcome! Benefits of learning chess: Improves cognitive skills, including concentration, pattern recognition, decision-making, algebraic and geometric thinking, problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and critical thinking. Improves self-confidence and self-worth. Increases attention span. Come on in and play! Upcoming Dates: December 5, 12, 19, 26, 2023

January 20 - Gather at the library, visit for 30 minutes, and then read your books in comfortable silence. More info to come.

Community Movie Night Watch the Crier, the Library Facebook page, and/or the Library website for current info. Coming up: • December 8 - A Christmas Story • January 19 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

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

December 2023 — 2

Cooper Landing Historic Society & Museum

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY DECEMBER 9, 10 TO 4 PM TREASURES SALES, DOOR PRIZES, REFRESHMENTS, PHOTOS BY THE TREE, WOOD FIRE EVERYONE IS INVITED! Pictures from 2022’s Christmas Open House at the Museum Call Mona 907. 202-6049 for more information

2023 KMTA PHOTO contest SUBMISSIONS DUE DEC 4TH

www.tinyurl.com/KMTAphoto

LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT

December 2023 — 3

Cooper Landing Advisory Planning Commission (CLAPC) The next Cooper Landing Advisory Planning Commission (CLAPC) meeting is scheduled for December 6th. You will see the draft agenda posted and support documents in the Cooper Landing Crier online and physically around town on bulletin boards. Please note the two main topics for discussion at this meeting will be: 1. Classifying all of Unit 395 lands for Resource Management 2. Traylor Bros. using KPB lands to set up a housing site/man camp near the end of the pioneer road off Bean Creek. If you are unable to attend a meeting either via Zoom or in person then you may send us a written message one of two ways: 1. For email visit: https://www.kpb.us/planning-dept/planning-commissions/cooper-landingapc/email-cooper-landing-apc 2. USPS mailing: Send your correspondence to Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Department, Attn: CLAPC, 144 N Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669.

Cooper Landing Community School Activities The following community activities are happening at Cooper Landing School: Walk or Workout - Mondays-Thursdays, 7:15-8:15am Walk laps, or use the step climber, rowing machine, universal weight system, and free weights. Adults only, please. Tot Time! - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (school days only). Bring the little ones out to play with friends, run in the gym, and work off some energy. Volleyball - Thursdays, 6pm. Adults only. Please have clean, non-marking shoes to play in. For questions, please email cooperlandingcommunityschool@gmail.com.

December 2023 — 4

Page 5

Cooper Landing Lynx News

December 2023

Thank you to everyone who purchased a Holiday Swag this year! We appreciate your support for our school! The Youth Group had a fun time putting together the boughs with the help of Mark Norris, Sean Norris, Adrienne Fleek, Rachel Sullivan, Heather Harrison, Ms. Dillon, and Ms. Krissy. Special shout out to Mark for picking up the boughs for us from Soldotna! We worked Wednesday evening to put the boughs together and adorned with bows, so that when the other students arrived in the morning they could jump right in to the fun part--decorating the swags with pinecones and ornaments. In total we had enough material to make 113 swags this year! We still have some available, give us a call if you’d like to purchase one.

An Unlikely Christmas Tale Join us for the movie premiere of our Christmas Program “An Unlikely Christmas Tale”, a storybook adventure about what happens when holidays collide. Follow the journey of a Queen, many elves, and Santa as they sort out their differences. Written by Sydney, Athena, Molly, Josie, and Ms. Krissy. The students have been working hard to bring their creativity to life. Many hours have been spent writing, filming, and editing the movie production. Students have also been practicing their singing skills for some Christmas carols for the evening. You’ll also hear a festive piano performance by Cooper that he has been diligently practicing.

Thursday, December 14th 6:00 pm Enjoy Cookies and Coffee after the performance. If you can bring cookies or a dessert to share.

Chamber Members Open this Winter As we head into winter, be sure to support our local businesses that remain open all year. Below are businesses and organizations that notified us that they will be in operation this winter. You can find their contact information below.

Alaska Outdoor Woodstoves 35555 S. Face Place, PO Box 614 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)598-1633 williams@arctic.net www.alaskaoutdoorwoodstoves.com

Best Route Productions PO Box 872 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (303)570-2081 info@bestrouteproductions.com www.bestrouteproductions.com

Cooper Landing Community Club 18511 Bean Creek Rd., PO Box 508 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-2169 cooperlandingcommunityclub@gmail.com www.cooperlandingcommunityhall.com

Cooper Landing Community Library 18511 Bean Creek Rd., PO Box 517 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-1241 cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com www.cooperlandinglibrary.com

Cooper Landing Community School www.clcommunityschool.webs.com

cooperlandingcommunityschool@gmail.com.

December 2023 — 6

Cooper Landing Emergency Services 38748 Snug Harbor Rd Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907) 595-1800 operations.cles@arctic.net cooperlandinges.org

Cooper Landing Brewing Company 21879 Sterling Hwy., PO Box 638 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-2522 nelzb@cooperlandingbrewing.com www.cooperlandingbrewing.com

Cooper Landing Senior Citizen Corp. Inc. 19958 Campus Dr., PO Box 552 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-3000 clscci@arctic.net www.cooperlandingseniors.com

Eagle Landing Resort 8514 Sterling Hwy., PO Box 748 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-1213 eaglelandingresort@gmail.com www.eaglelandingresort.net

Grizzly Ridge 18280 Sterling Hwy., PO Box 609 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-1260 stay@grizzlyridgeak.com www.grizzlyridgeak.com

Gwin’s Lodge 14865 Sterling Hwy. Mile 52, PO Box 769 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-1266 reservation@gwinslodge.com www.gwinslodge.com

December 2023 — 7

Chamber Members Open this Winter Inn at Tern Lake 41843 Seward Hwy., PO Box 7 Moose Pass, AK 99631 (907)288-3667 rose@ternlakeinn.com www.innatternlake.com

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area PO Box 1934 Girdwood, AK 99587 713-376-7070 rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org www.kmtacorridor.org

Kenai River Sportfishing Association 35093 Kenai Spur Hwy. Soldotna, AK 99669 (907)262-8588 info@krsa.com www.krsa.com

Jasons Guide Service PO Box 822 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)351-3036 lesmeisterjason@gmail.com www.jasonsguideservice.com

Resurrection Trail House PO Box 647 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)202-6388 resurrectiontrailhouse@gmail.com www.resurrectiontrailhouse.com

December 2023 — 8

Seramur Home Services, LLC 41651 Seward Hwy., PO Box 648 Moose Pass, AK 99631 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)599-0019 seramurhomeservices@gmail.com

Sharon Saunders- Your Real Estate Needs 16786 Sterling Highway Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (928) 706-8901 sharon@sellsalaska.com SharonSellsAlaska.com

Sunrise Inn 21849 Sterling Hwy., PO Box 529 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-1222 info@sunriseinnak.com www.sunriseinnak.com

Trail Lake Lodge 33654 Depot Road, PO Box 5 Moose Pass, AK 99631 (907)288-3101 info@TrailLakeCorp.com www.TrailLakeLodge.com

Wildman TR Inc. 19194 Sterling Hwy.,PO Box 724 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 (907)595-1456 / 1(866)595-1456 wildman@wildmans.org www.wildmans.org

December 2023 — 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 12/2 Joel Norris 12/3 Gladys Nichols 12/3 Hunter Harrison 12/9 Libby Smith 12/12 Jack Harris 12/14 Rebecca Green 12/17 Zinn Booze 12/18 Cindy Smith 12/18 Fay Corbey 12/18 Ken Green 12/20 Teagan Borchers 12/20 Jon James 12/27 Julie Seramur

Happy Anniversary 12/3 Dave and May Quinn 12/22 Tom and Barb Atkinson 12/31 Virginia Morgan and Tommy Gossard

Photo by: Best Route Productions

December 2023 — 10

12.6.23 @ the sitzmark Girdwood, AK 7pm-10pm

December 2023 — 11

K A P E R R O B G R R E A T MS N I W DECEMBER 18-22 | $25/CHILD | OPEN TO ALL KMTA COMMUNITIES

MON 18

WINTER OLYMPICS Ages 8 to 12 | 10am - 4pm Pick up/drop off @ Seward Library

ADVENTURE TO MOOSE PASS Ages 8 to 12 | 10am - 4pm Pick up/drop off @ Seward Library

WED 20

WINTER OLYMPICS Ages 6 to 10 | 10am - 4pm Pick up/drop off @ Moose Pass School

SOLSTICE ADVENTURE Ages 6 to 10 | 10am - 4pm Pick up/drop off @ Moose Pass School

FRI 22 DETAILS:

TUES 19

THUR 21

WINTER OLYMPICS Ages 6 to 8 | 10am - 4pm Pick up/drop off @ Girdwood Library

WWW.KMTACORRIDOR.ORG

SCAN TO SIGN UP

December 2023 — 12

2023 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 Horsemen Lodge

(907) 595-1806

Inn at Tern Lake (Moose Pass)

(907) 288-3667

Alaska Outdoor Woodstoves

(907) 598-1633

Jason’s Guide Service

(907) 351-3036

Alaska River Adventures

(907) 595-2000

Kahtnu Spirit Lodging

(907) 299-2855

Alaska Rivers Company

(907) 595-1226

Kenai Cache Outfitters

(907) 595-1401

Alaska Troutfitters

(907) 595-1212

Kenai Kayak Company

(907) 441-6753

Alaska Waste

(907) 312-6267

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area

(206) 920-9051

Alaska Wildland Adventures

(800) 334-8730

Kenai Peninsula Econ. Dev. Dist.

(907) 283-3335

Angle 45 Adventures (Hope)

(907) 782-3175

Kenai Peninsula Mayor

(800) 478-4441

Bearfoot Publications

(907)320-1145

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

(907) 595-1425

Best Route Productions

(303) 570-2081

Kenai River Drifters Lodge

(907) 595-5555

Bike Cooper Landing, LLC

(907) 231-6793

Kenai River Float-n-Fish

(907) 519-0048

Boatman’s

(907) 202-1004

Kenai River Sportfishing Association

(907)262-8588

Camp Fire Alaska

(907) 279-3551

Kenai River Trout Anglers

(907) 599-0085

Cooper Landing Brewery

(907) 276-5044

Kenai Watershed Forum

(907) 265-5412

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) 598-1042

Sharon Saunders, GRI, Realtor

(928) 706-8901

Cooper Landing Rifle & Sportsman’s Club

(907) 599-0004

Sourdough Dru’s Gifts & Gold (Hope)

(907)782-3282

Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp.

(907) 595-3000

Sunrise Inn & Café

(907) 595-1222

Conoco Phillips

(907)276-1215

Talon Air Service, Inc. (Soldotna)

(907) 262-8899

Eagle Landing Resort

(907) 595-1213

Trail Lake Lodge (Moose Pass)

(907)288-3101

First National Bank Alaska (Soldotna)

(907) 260-6000

Upper Kenai Cabins

(907) 595-3055

Fish & Sons Kenai Charters

(907) 598-1065

Wildman TR Inc.

(907) 595-1456

(907)288-3667

LUXURIOUS

ACCOMODATIONS

December 2023 — 13

December 2023 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 1

Saturday 2

Chamber Meeting 3:30 pm 3

CLSCCI Board Mtg. 5:30 pm Helen Gwin Commons 10

9 Museum Open House CL Museum 10 am

15 Christmas Program CL School 6 pm

Chess Night Community Library 3:30 pm 17

CLAPC Meeting 6 pm

Chess Night Community Library 3:30 pm 12

16 Movie Night Community Hall 7 pm

Chess Night Community Library 3:30 pm 24 Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Chess Night Community Library 3:30 pm

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: 11am - 2 pm 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

Nov. 2023 Kliss-key

SENIOR LINKS logo BY JULAINE FLEETWOOD

Endowment Board: Al Nierenberg, Linda Raveaux, Shirley Wilmoth, Phil Weber, David Lenig, Paul Radzinski, and Ann Hanson.

CLSCCI

Edited by Mona

Cooper Landing Senior Ci.zen Corp. Inc. CLSCCI PO Box 552 Cooper Landing, AK 99572 clscci@arc?c.net 907-595-3000 907-202-6049 QUARTERLY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING is Monday Dec. 4, 2023 6:00 pm Where: Helen Gwin Commons, Eagles View, Snug Harbor Senior Haven 19958 Campus Drive, Cooper Landing, AK When:

6 pm Business mee.ng (monthly Board/General Membership combined) Potluck dinner follows the meeIng. DOOR PRIZES! GAMES!

THANK YOU TO CONOCOPHILLIPS, ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, ALASKANS FOR LITTER PREVENTION AND RECYCLING (ALPAR), KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH FOR SENIOR GRANT FUNDING, COOPER LANDING COMMUNITY CLUB, RASMUSON FOUNDATION, ERIK PAINTER FUND: ALASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, STATE OF ALASKA, ALASKA WASTE, and CLSCCI ENDOWMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS ALLEN WEAVER VOTED KENAI PENINSULA’S BEST EMPLOYEE AT THE OCTOBER CHARR MEETINGS IN MAT-SU VALLEY! He works at Sunrise Inn.

SEXY SENIOR DUMPSTER CLEANERS THANKS TO DRIVER Michael DeAngelis, BrigiCe DeAngelis, relief driver Skye High, Gary Galbraith, Nick Vanderhoﬀ, Mayme Ohnemus, Mona Painter, Judith Kalles, Shirley Wilmoth, Janet Konopa, Greg and Linda Raveaux, and to Lori DeFrance in Hope. CLSCCI Board: Al Clayton, President Arden Rankins, Vice-President Jamie Gonzales, Treasurer Mona Painter, Secretary Skye High, Janet Konopa, Allen Weaver—------all are volunteers !

2 THANK YOU TO CRYSTAL NELSON WORKING IN THE OFFICE IN NOVEMBER while Mona was out on vaca\on! She is a fast learner in a diverse oﬃce situa\on.

THANK YOU TO THE KENAI PENINSULA FOOD BANK FOR THE DONATION OF TURKEYS FOR SENIOR HAVEN RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DINNER AT SUNRISE INN HOSTED BY ARDEN RANKINS.

Pictures from Kate Stevenson’s Holiday Open House in Eagles View Helen Gwin Commons on Nov. 4, 2023. People enjoying the wide variety of Treasures Sales and Crystal Nelson at the refreshments table. Various drinks, door prizes, and a bake sale were also available. Money raised goes to help set up a donated green house.

Derrick Burlison cleaned out all of the guXers in Senior Haven ﬁnding not only moss, but grass and ﬂowers growing in them!

Kate Stevenson and Judith Kalles volunteered at the Sept. 23 Soup Supper to beneﬁt Cooper Landing Emergency Services. Rachel Sullivan and Jonathan spent hours at Senior Haven in October checking and replacing as needed residents smoke detectors and also checking ﬁre exInguishers.

…and yet MORE thanks to all who helped

with the fall highway cleanup and to ALPAR for their conYnued support of the Cooper Landing Seniors and the Sexy Senior Dumpster Cleaners in their eﬀorts to keep our community looking good!

Above picture: President Al Clayton, VP Arden Rankins, and member Janet Konopa a^er the August 7 general membership quarterly meeang with the August CLSCCI board meeang combined at Helen Gwin Commons. President Clayton iniaated a round of autobiographical informaaon from those in aXendance.