Cooper Landing Gem- May 2024

Dear Members,

THE REGATTA IS FAST APPROACHING!!!!!

GET READY FOR SOME FUN! We are ordering nice weather and smooth rowing for you that day. Keep your fingers crossed the order is filled. We need you to register, sponsor a boat or raft and enjoy the day with the folks entering the competition and their supporters.

All money received from entry fees, sponsorships and donations will be donated to Kenai River Sports Fishing Association (KSRA). Thanks to Eagle Landing for donating the hot dogs, hamburgers and buns. Thanks to the Chamber board members for condiments, sides and the business who have donated other items for the barbeque.

The day would not be complete without Lisa Sweeney to start us off with the firing shot and Erik Route for being our timer this year. To help with marking the finish line this year, there will be a flag of the stars & stripes with an eagle on it to mark the spot on the river which is the finish line.

Thank you to Arden at Sunrise for again hosting the group for the awarding of the prizes!

It is getting closer and more exciting. Get those rowing arms in shape.

Thank you,

Cheryle James President

Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce PO Box 809

Cooper Landing, Alaska 99572 info@cooperlandingchamber.com

907- 351-3036

SATURDAY, MAY 18TH

SCHEDULE

11:45 am — to 12:30 pm Boats in Water at Eagle Landing Resort

12:00 pm —

Pre-Race Barbecue at Eagle Landing Resort

1:00 pm — Official Drift Boat Regatta Start

1:30 pm — Official Raft River Clean Up Start

4:00 pm — Regatta & Raft Clean Up Complete at Sportsman’s Boat Launch

4:30 pm — Awards and Door Prizes at Sunrise Inn

All proceeds raised from this event are donated to the Kenai River Sportfishing Association.

DRIFT BOAT REGATTA

ENTRY FEE- $50 PER BOAT

Open to 18ft to 20ft Aluminum Drift Boats.

1st Place Prize — $400

2nd Place Prize $200

3rd Place Prize $100

RAFTS

ENTRY FEE- $40 PER RAFT

Open to all 10ft and up inflatable rafts. Help clean up trash along the river banks for spring clean up. All participants are entered into a drawing for door prizes.

Costume Award for the boat with the best dressed participants.

HOW TO ENTER:

For a complete list of rules and registration visit our website at: www.cooperlandingchamber.com/regatta

All entrants must register by May 12th

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

For more information email us at: info@cooperlandingchamber.com

Photo Credit: Best Route Productions

Congratulations Class of 2024

Monday, May 13th

When: Where:

5:00 to 7:00 pm at Cooper Landing School

Contact: Kristine Route •

The young writers at Cooper Landing School have been diligently scribing away to create their written master piece for this year’s Written and Illustrated event. Every year students look forward to crafting their own story and illustrating the contents to create a published work that will live in their home library for years to come. Community members will get a chance to read the student created stories on Monday, May 15th. Desks will be arranged throughout the classroom for you to visit each author and view their hard work.

253 Wilson Ln., Soldotna, AK 99669 | (P) 907-262-4910 | (F) 907-714-2395 | info.kpb.us

April 26, 2024 | Public Mee�ng Schedule Below: The Kenai Peninsula Borough (Borough) with support from Kuna Engineering is working on an update of the Borough’s 2019 Hazard Mi�ga�on Plan (HMP). We are seeking your input in the plan development process. The updated plan will help the Borough apply for future funding to support projects that will reduce hazard risk in the region and support related projects in your community. NOTE: Addi�onal interviews will be scheduled for off-road communi�es.

A Ac�on Requested: The planning team would like your input in iden�fying the natural hazards in your area that may affect roads, bridges, buildings, neighborhoods or even gathering areas. Your input is cri�cal to developing effec�ve mi�ga�on strategies and planning future development projects that may reduce losses and damage from:

• Flooding and Erosion

• Wildfires

• Earthquakes

• Severe Weather

May 1st 12:00 PM Snacks Provided

May 8th

7:00 PM

May 8th

6:00 PM

May 9th

6:30 PM

May 15th

6:00 PM

May 18th

7:00 PM

May 21st

6:00 PM

June 6th

6:00 PM

June 8th

1:00 PM

June 24th

7:30 PM

C City of Seldovia

• Tsunamis/Seiches

• Volcanoes

• Avalanches/Landslides

• Human-Caused Hazards

Seldovia Sea Oter Community Center 365 Winifred Ave., Seldovia AK

H Hope/Sunrise

Advisory Planning Commitee Mee�ng Hope Library 2nd St., Hope AK

Cooper Landing

Advisory Planning Commitee Mee�ng Community Hall 18511 Bean Creek Rd., Cooper Landing

N Nikiski

North Peninsula Recrea�on Center 55176 Poolside Ave., Nikiski

A Anchor Point

Anchor Point Senior Center

72750 Milo Fritz Ave., Anchor Point

Funny River

Funny River Community Center

35850 Pioneer Access, Funny River

C City of Seward

Planning & Zoning Mee�ng

Seward City Hall, Council Chambers

M Moose Pass

Advisory Planning Commitee Mee�ng

Moose Pass Sportsmen Club

MP 29.2 Seward Hwy

Central Peninsula

Kenai River Fes�val

Soldotna Creek Park

251 States Ave., Soldotna

Central Peninsula

Borough Planning Commission Mee�ng

Assembly Chambers

144 N. Binkley St., Soldotna

In-person and Virtual Op�on htps://urldefense.com/v3/__htps:/us02web.zoom. us/j/86253463298?pwd=UXBtbWlhYUJwUFZncnJGO WFkeGN5UT09__;!!E1nKBQ!7we1b9Dpf8bi_89Bzklc ueHIsnHqN2EnDveGu2tZpCbbLPTu7ndLB6zps532Z_ Yd4FzHeDVLA3aBies$

Mee�ng ID: 862 5346 3298

Passcode: 540994

In-person and Virtual Op�on htps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82500505889?pwd=aHJ xd2FFRmRMS1gweG5tWXhsRTJ5QT09#success Mee�ng ID: 825 0050 5889

Passcode: 439294

In-person and Virtual Op�on htps://zoom.us/j/2045581076

Mee�ng ID: : 204 558 1076

I In-person

In-person and Virtual Op�on htps://us06web.zoom.us/j/9077142460

Mee�ng ID: 907 714 2460

I In-person

In-person

Mee�ng can also be viewed live on YouTube at htps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzsXcDwdykI HKGqvYS_UNQ

I In-person and Virtual Op�on htps://us06web.zoom.us/j/9360805262 or call 877-853-5247

Mee�ng ID: 936 080 5262

In-person

Look for the Interagency preven�on trailer informa�on board

I In-person and Virtual Op�on

Zoom Mee�ng Link

Mee�ng ID: 907 714 2200

Passcode: 439294

Background: The Borough experiences severe natural hazards; therefore, it is cri�cal to proac�vely maintain a comprehensive hazard mi�ga�on strategy. Mi�ga�on measures enhance life safety, reduce injuries, protect cri�cal infrastructure, and support our ability as communi�es to be stronger against the impacts of these hazards. Previously

Community /Loca�on

Mee�ng Format

Cooper Landing Advisory Planning Commission (CLAPC)

The next Cooper Landing Advisory Planning Commission (CLAPC) meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We do not yet have agenda items regarding borough business. The draft agenda will be posted in the Cooper Landing Crier online and physically around town on bulletin boards if we do obtain agenda items from the borough. You can also see the tentative agenda and materials from previous meetings on the CLAPC website:

https://www.kpb.us/planning-dept/planning-commissions/cooper-landing-apc.

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/cooperlanding-apc/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 Club

It’s been quite a month for the Community Club. With our amazing former president Melissa on her way to a new life in Fairbanks, the Community Club Board is working to fill her shoes and make a smooth transition for the community and all its diverse needs and concerns. We’re excited to support and evolve the issues at hand in a productive, logical way. Plus, the days are longer and so, it’s easy to feel a little more ‘up’!

The Annual Cooper Landing Softball Tournament will run from May 29 to June 8th! Martha Story and Yvette Galbraith have agreed to take the lead for CLCC on organizing this highly anticipated Spring tradition! Dan Michels will be handling team sign ups and scheduling, and Ann Hanson will be working to make sure that score keepers and announcers are available. It promises to be another fun-filled beginning to our short but wonderful summers. If you want to help out or have items to donate, please contact Martha or Yvette! Julie Almanrode is helping take donations too. Call any of them or send an email to officers@cooperlandingcommunityclub.com!

Clean Up Days for the hall and ball field will be May 25th from 1-5pm and May 26th from 2-5pm. There is a huge amount of dead trees and branches that we will have to deal with this year, thus, the 2 day clean-up event. Please bring your own gloves, rakes, safety glasses, earplugs, cleaning supplies and a smile! AND plan on coming for both days if you can!

A daunting new development was that the Borough informed our local Advisory Planning Commission (CLAPC) that it was no longer appropriate for CLACP to be the public forum for the By-pass and DOT updates, so CLAPC asked us to take over that role. Fortunately, Janette Cadieux, who has been very involved with the CLACP and has extensive knowledge and history of the project, is willing to take on the role of liaison between the project contractors, agencies and CLCC. If you have comments, questions, or concerns about the MP 45-60 Bypass DOT project, please direct them to her at jc.cooperlandingcommunityclub@gmail.com. Since we do not meet in the summer months when these updates are meaningful, we will work with Janette to find the best times to schedule public meetings with appropriate project staff. We’ll make sure to post in the Crier and on the Cooper Landing Facebook page! Just FYI, Johathan Tymick, the project manager for the bypass will be at the May 16th meeting. There will also be a presentation from Forest Service Ranger Timothy Lorenzini regarding creating a RAC (Regional Advisory Council) that would advise the FS on potential projects that could benefit our community!

Community Club Host position and camper space are available. This is a heck of a deal for someone who wants to spend some time in Cooper Landing for free!!! Volunteer duties include general yard work, checking rentals in and out, opening and closing gate and taking trash to the dump. In turn they get free camp site, water, electricity, wi-fi and sewer. Opportunity is available for the summer or longer. Contact officers@cooperlandingcommunityclub. com for a full description of site and volunteer duties. If you know of someone who would “fit the bill” please encourage them to apply soon!

A Safety Committee has been established by member vote at the suggestion of Rhonda Lynn and she will chair that committee. It will address the many safety issues including chronic speeding by residents and tourists. The group is in the process of developing a charter and guidelines. Once established, the group will expand its role to address other safety issues. If you are willing to help, please contact Rhonda at inspiredfelt@gmail.com

And speaking of safety…recently, a small meeting was held to discuss producing a Small Community Emergency Response Plan The SCERP is a new and exciting approach to emergency management for small communities. It is a customized flipbook with essential, community-specific information for responding to the first 72 hours of a disaster. Rachael Sullivan has stepped up to start creating this booklet in concert with a few others. There will be opportunities to get involved with this soon!

The 2024-25 Community Directories are “almost” ready for distribution. Just a reminder that they are $15 each. We will be announcing when and where to pick yours up. We did not print many extra copies this year because of the costs, so be aware that we will likely not be able to “find” extras if you didn’t get your order in.

What CLCC has been up lately includes working with Chugach Electric to resolve the fire hazards that have been created by the trees that were dropped and left along the power line. Along with CLES (Cooper Landing Emergency Services), we met with their representatives and toured the community. Chugach has agreed to eliminate a few of the more serious impediments to firefighting but maintains their policy of drop and leave on private property. CLCC is brainstorming to find other ways we might coordinate some assistance to residents in dealing with the massive amounts of dead trees that have been left. If you have ideas on how we can come together to help one another deal with this, please let one of the CLCC board know. The current situation is not only a fire threat but also creates an unsightly experience for our many tourists. This will be discussed at the meeting on the 16th, so bring your ideas!

You may remember that we hosted the Governors Kenai Peninsula Representative Jill Schaefer and the State Troopers at our January meeting. As a result of that meeting the Troopers are looking for office space in our community to have more of a presence and quicker response time. Hopefully, they will be successful, and we will have the trooper coverage that the community expressed strong support for. If you have any ideas, please contact the board.

NEXT MEETING: MAY 16th , 6PM, zoom and in person. Please send any agenda items you may have to officers@cooperlandingcommunityclub.com by May 5th.

HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!

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 Volunteer Director

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

Book Club

May 7- How to Know a Person by David Brooks

Email cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com for Zoom info.

The following book club meetings will be in-person:

June 18 - The Women by Kristan Hannah July 16 - How to Know a Person by David Brooks (repeat) August 19 - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Us: 907-595-1241

Thank You to our Donors for 2023

Our Gratitude Flows Strong!

We at Cooper Landing Emergency Services would like to thank all those who donated to our organization in 2023. Whether it was anonymously, or to one of our fundraisers (mail-in campaign, CLES Spring Open House, fill the wader, annual golf tournament, PICK CLICK GIVE or towards specific equipment or training), or you held a fundraiser on our behalf (CLSCCI Soup Supper and Drifters Lodge Rafting), your contribution made a difference! Thank you!

Upper Kenai Boat Launchers ($20-$150)

Alaska Outdoor Woodstoves

Art Alien

Daniel Blake

Lauren Blanchett

Brenda Bergsrud

Keith & Sally Brownsberger

Mark Cruver

James Cucullu

Marcie Curry

John & Jane Erkmann

Mike & Linda Gephardt

Mike Gould

Tyler & Alicia Gottfredson

Ken & Katie Green

Gwin’s Lodge

Bayne Harpe

Mary Hilcoske & Neil Fried

Frances Iverson

Kenai AK Yard

Donald Kell

Kyle Kelley

Doug Knock

Sharon Koecher

Joyce Koppert

Kroger

Deborah Labbs

Stephen Larson

Gerald Lawrence

Clint & Sheryl Lentfer

Jordan Martin

Michael Nolan

Joel Norris

Jerry Norris

Theresa Norris

Vernon Orange

Terry Orr

Mona Painter

Stephanie Painter

Warren Palmer

Charlee Powell

Thomas Reale

Allison Reeves

Grace Reger

Sally Rothwell

Bruce Service

Boyd Skille

Edward & Shirley Steger

Kathleen Stevenson

Amanda Stonecipher

David Story

Daniel Suver

Jyl Swegle

Adam & Danette Synder

Lorriane Temple & Mike Amos

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

John Thomas

James Toussiant

Patricia Turner

John Vanderhoff & Kathy Reckon

David Wahto

Thomas Wanat Jr.

Andrea Wilson

Princess Rapids Contributors ($151-$400)

David & Nancy Alzheimer

Barbara Atkinson

Anonymous (4)

Sean Barnett

Devin Barnhurst

Bill Feldmeier

William Breeden

David Brimberry

James Brooks

Randal & Valerie Buckendorf

Alfred T. Clayton

ConocoPhillips Alaska

Cooper Landing Community Club

Cooper Landing Library

Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corporation, Inc.

Craig Taylor Equipment

Chris Degernes

DMRC, LLC

William Doughtery

Gracie Evans

Dusty Freeborn

Kai Fugere

Judy Gilliland

Thomas Gossard & Virginina Morgan

John & Laurel Graham

Melissa Graham

Marilyn & Ron Gravenhorst

Hanson Living Trust

Mike & Jen Harpe

Richard Heusser

Sean Holland

Dr. Trevor & Goria Ireland

Ed Kahles

Kathleen Kamp

Jillian Konopa

Kathleen James

Kenai River Float-n-Fish

David LeClair

Stephen Lipscomb

Theodore Lexmond & Janette Cadieux

Tom & Teri Mader

Stan Masneri- Alaska Communications Systems

Sarah W McCabe

Mclaughlin Family

Bradley Melocik

Phillip Miller

Gary & Janet Mitchell

John & Patricia Mitchell

Joshua Morales

Jody Muse

S.A. Pate

Ann Purcell

Jon & Charlotte Osowiecki

Paul & Laura Radzinski

Rainbow Builders, Inc,

Phillip Reynolds

Julie Rogers

Bruce Service

Catherine Sheffield

Mark Smedley

Sunrise Holdings

The Buckaroo

Phil & Janet Weber

Schooners Bend Boosters ($401-$900)

Leanne & Steve Berke

Dennis & Roxanne Berry

Phil Brna

Cool River Properties

The Carr Foundation

Cooper Landing Brewing Company

Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce

John Corbey

Greater Horizons

Mary Guffey

Dale Hall – Alaska Communications

Julie Hasquet – Chugach Electric

HCL Sales & Service, LLC

Thomas Kleeman

Charles Lean

David & Amelia Lenig

James Lyons

Julian Mason & Margie MacNeille

Dan Michels & Kristen Helgren

William & Georgia Polley

Michael Prozeralik

May & David Quinn

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Mike Sweeney

Sunrise Inn & Cafe

Sportsman’s Believers ($901-$1500)

Alaska Community Foundation

AK Recreational Management

CAR Services

Dennis & Starr Fair

Grizzly Ridge

Ed & Sandra Holsten

Amber Saugier

R. Scott Taylor

George Anderson & Shirley Wilmoth

Jims Landing Patrons ($1501 plus)

Alaska Wildland Adventures

CLSCCI for Soup Supper Fundraiser

David Eckroth

Kenai Peninsula Borough/ EPHESA

Kenai River Drifters Lodge for Rafting Fundraiser

Mary Louise Molenda

Al & Jean Nierenberg

Pick, Click & Give

QAP/COLASKA Inc.

If we missed recognizing you, we apologize! Please let us know so we can be sure to make amends!

2024 Digital Upper Kenai Vistors Guide

Now Available

Print versions will be able sometime early March when the copies arrive from the printer. In the mean time, you can enjoy the digital copy on any computer, tablet, or phone.

Click Here to View

Photo by: Best Route Productions

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

5/3 Joe DeMattia Jr.

5/3 Larry Painter

5/4 Jamie Gonzales

5/6 Nick Vanderhoff

5/11 John Thomas

5/11 Virginia Morgan

5/13 May Quinn

5/14 Theo Lexmond

5/14 Axel LaRock

5/14 Susanna LaRock

5/14 Linda Raveaux

5/14 Chris Rhodes

5/15 Dan Michels

5/16 Janet Weber

5/19 Hazel Sullivan

5/19 Mary Dreifuerst

5/22 Janice Cooper

5/29 John Corbey

5/31 Jonathan Osowiecki

Happy Birthday

5/4 Terry and Tammy Robinson

Happy Anniversary

Photo by: Best Route Productions

2024 Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce & CVB

Please support our local businesses!

5 Dogs Fishing (907) 598-3525 Fish & Sons Kenai Charters (907) 598-1065

Alaskan Angling Adventures LLC (907) 595-3336 Grizzly Ridge (907) 595-1260

Alaska Horsemen Lodge (907) 595-1806 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 Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (206) 920-9051

Angle 45 Adventures (Hope) (907) 782-3175 Kenai Peninsula Econ. Dev. Dist. (907) 283-3335

Bearfoot Publications (907)320-1145 Kenai Peninsula Mayor (800) 478-4441

Best Route Productions (303) 570-2081 Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge (907) 595-1425

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 Sunrise Inn & Café (907) 595-1222

Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp. (907) 595-3000 Talon Air Service, Inc. (Soldotna) (907) 262-8899

Conoco Phillips (907)276-1215 Trail Lake Lodge (Moose Pass) (907)288-3101

Eagle Landing Resort (907) 595-1213 Upper Kenai Cabins (907) 595-3055

First National Bank Alaska (Soldotna) (907) 260-6000 Wildman TR Inc. (907) 595-1456

May 2024