Cooper Landing Gem- May 2023

Happy May to All!

The Regatta is on May 20th so we are calling all boats to enter and row, row, row those boats to Sportsman’s boat landing. We have sponsors who will sponsor your boat, first come first serve, for those sponsors. Give one of the board members a call if you need a sponsor. Cash prizes to be awarded.

We will be getting the visitors center spruced up for the summer visitors this month. If you have updated your rack cards please bring them down to the visitors center. Our Upper Kenai River Guides are here and you will be seeing them around town. They are being distributed in numerous spots in Anchorage and the Peninsula.Your board will not be meeting until September again. We all are busy with our businesses.

Did you know that this Chamber was founded in 2002. We have been working for you for 21 years and have seen many new businesses, new owners of existing businesses and some that are not with us now. We need members to serve on the board to work for our business community. Please consider serving on the board for 2024. We will be contacting you this fall to ask that question.

Have a great summer!

Thank you, Cheryle James

President

Thank you for supporting the Kenai River Sportfishing Association

We fund or create programs to protect and/or rehabilitate fish habitat; we fund research on the health of Alaska rivers and other fresh waters and fish populations; we fund or staff programs to educate children, the general public and our government/business leaders on fish and water conservation; and we advocate at the government level for sustainable and equitable fisheries management.

The Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) is a professional 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization headquartered in Soldotna, AK. KRSA’s original focus was on the Kenai River. We have recently begun expanding our efforts to protect fish and fishing throughout the state.

Since 1984, KRSA has been a leading advocate for fisheries conservation in Alaska, working diligently to ensure Alaskans’ recreational fishing rights are protected and the fisheries are healthy for generations to come.

15th

Regatta Highlights

The15th Annual Cooper Landing Drift Boat Regatta was a sight to see! There were ten Drift Boat competitors and three Raft River Clean-Up participants. The weather was beautiful! Spectators, volunteers, and participants all enjoyed a wonderful barbecue lunch at Eagle Landing Resort. Dakota Reeves was busy on the grill making hamburgers and hotdogs for all attendees. Side dishes provided by the Chamber included potato salad, baked beans, chips, and soda. The sun was shining, and people were able to eat while enjoying the festivities in the sun!

As the start time approached, the Drift Boat Competitors hopped into their boats and began to line up across the river in front of Eagle Landing. Promptly at 1:00 pm, volunteer, Lisa Dickinson, initiated the race with the shot gun start. Competitors pulled up their anchors and took to the oars. They were off!

Photos and Write-up by: Best Route Productions

On the fence about entering? Reflect back to last year’s event, for inspiration.

Annual

Right from the get-go, friendly rivalry was in the air as the 2018 champion, Dave Maternowksi and his new racing partner Evan Wilson from Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA), raced the 2019 defending champions, Tommy Balk and Sean Coe from Drifters. All while the former third placed winners, Russ Farrington and Mike Adams, were hot on their heels. For the first portion of the race these three boats were neck and neck. As competitors raced along, the first team to hit Princess Rapids did so in 11 minutes and 53 seconds!

Behind them in a red drift boat was Scott Lynn and David Bose from Gwin’s Lodge, David Story and Patrick from AWA, and racing for Wildman’s, Will Meni and Kristen Peters with their friend, Mary Kate. Followed by the Sullivan family racing for The Hutch B&B, AWA’s Dillon and Walker, Travis Gravel and Michael Deegan, from Two Brothers, and Shannon Martin with her dad, John Smart.

As teams started passing river mile 83, by Alaska Rivers Company, the heat was on. Drifter’s, Balk and Coe’s boat had taken the lead, but not by much. AWA’s Maternowski and Wilson...

The Sullivan Family pulls ahead of Kristen Peters and Will Meni’s boat near the race start.

Alaska Wildland Adventures- Dave Maternowski and Evan Wilson push to get ahead of Drifters- Sean Coe and Tommy Balk.

were roughly 50 feet behind, with Farrington and Adams edging steadily closer. At this location Gwin’s Lynn and Bose pulled ahead of AWA’s Story and Patrick. Followed by The Hutch B&B Sullivans, AWA’s Dillion and Walker, Wildman’s Meni and Peters, Two Brother’s Gravel and Deegan, and Martin and Smart.

Following this point, the race placements began to turn. Drifter’s Balk/Coe took a significant lead and arrived at the West bridge into Cooper Landing in 47 minutes and 37 seconds. Followed by AWA’s Maternowski/Wilson, Farrington/Adams, Gwin’s Lynn/Bose, and AWA’s Story/Patrick. Wildman’s Meni/Peters put in some gusto and passed the Sullivans and AWA’s Dillion/ Walker to gain sixth place. However, Dillion/ Walker were rowing hard to regain the position and passed the Sullivan’s in the process.

Nearing the end of the race, Drifter’s Balk/Coe remained in the lead and passed the finish line with a time of one hour and six seconds. Nail biting excitement ensued when AWA’s Maternowski/Wilson and Farrington/ Adams rounded the corner. The two teams were neck and neck and giving it their all to claim second place. Maternowski/Wilson put in the muscle and passed the finished line a mere hair before Farrington/Adams.

Gwin’s Lynn/Bose came in fourth, followed by AWA’s Story/Patrick, Wildman’s Meni/Peters, and AWA’s Dillion/Walker. In eighth place, the Sullivan family took a moment to give a rowing lesson to their oldest. Battling for the highly regarded Red Lantern Award was Two Brother’s Gravel/ Deegan, and Martin/Smart. In the end, the award went to Martin/Smart with a time of one hour, thirty-five minutes, and four seconds. Times for all teams can be found in the chart on the following page.

AWA’s Maternowski/Wilson pulls ahead of Farrington/Adams at the last minute.

Sullivan family making time to train the next generation of Regatta racers.

Martin/Smart team drifting in to claim the Red Lantern Award.

Photo by: Best Route Productions

Photo by: Best Route Productions

SATURDAY, MAY 20TH

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 13th

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

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

Photo Credit: Best Route Productions

Sunrise Happenings

Sunrise Inn is happy to be hosting our second annual Sunrise Music Festival over Memorial Weekend, May 26th, 27th and 28th. We have 20 bands committed. There is a list in the bar of all the bands and we have a Facebook page under the name Sunrise Festival. Check it out! We are still looking for craft, resale clothing, or any other vendors. We have 4 food trucks already signed up. Please help get the word out and join us for this exciting event.

We are still looking for a couple line cooks, servers and a bartender. Please call me if you are interested. Part time is available.

We will also be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 14th from 10 am until 1pm. There will be champagne and chocolate involved as well as roast beef and lots of wonderful side dishes. Reservations are requested. Here’s to a busy, sunny, wonderful summer to everyone.

Mother’s Day Bruch

Sunday, May 14th 10 am to 1 pm Call

Cooper Landing Advisory Planning Commission (CLAPC)

Changes in Communication

The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) is trying to coordinate all advisory planning commission (APC) communications across the Peninsula and so have decided to centralize it. There is now a new way to contact the Cooper Landing Advisory Planning Commission. If you’d like to email the commission go to the following link: https://www.kpb.us/planning-dept/ planning-commissions/cooper-landing-apc. In the box on the right-hand side of the page titled, “Commissioner Information” scroll to the bottom and select the link, “Contact the Cooper Landing APC.” It will take you to a window where you may write your email to CLAPC. Please do not use the old CLAPC email address any longer. Please do not use personal email addresses for CLAPC commissioners.

KPB has also decided to centralize regular USPS mail to all APCs. You may send regular mail to CLAPC via:

Kenai Peninsula Borough

Attn: Planning Department- CLAPC

144 N. Binkley St.

Soldotna, AK 99669

The CLAPC post office box here in Cooper Landing was closed after March 31st, 2023.

CLAPC Minutes and Support Documents

Note the link to all 2023 meetings on the CLAPC web link above. If you select that link it will take you to a page with the current and past meetings for the year including all support documents. Please note as well, you may read many of the historical documents from past meetings on the above web page.

CLAPC May 3, 2023 Meeting

At the May 3rd meeting we expect to discuss the Gun Club road and hear from the USFS about what’s happening in the Forest in our area this season. You may read the tentative agenda for that meeting once it is posted at: https://www.kpb.us/planning-dept/planningcommissions/cooper-landing-apc.

CLAPC June 7, 2023 Meeting

The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Draft Unit 395 Plan will be presented at the June 7th meeting. Please plan to attend.

Cooper Landing Library News

Zoom Book Club Dates - 9am Video Call (email cooperlandinglibrary@gmail.com to be added to the Zoom list)

In person Book Club: (time and place TBD)

• June 20 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

• July 18 Turn Again by Kris Farmen

• August (TBD) The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

Library Hours

Monday 1 – 3

Tuesday 3 – 5

*(Beginning May 23: 1 - 3 & 5 - 7)

Wednesday 1 – 3

Thursday 1 – 3

Friday 1 – 3

Saturday 11 – 2

• May 16 The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict Click

Calendar of Events

Tired of trying to keep track of Community activities, events and happenings? In addition to our printed monthly calendar check out our digital calendar to help keep track of what’s coming on and when. Any member submitted event activities will be placed on the digital calendar viewable through our website.

Photo by: Best Route Productions

Cooper Landing Community Club

For many, May marks our busiest social calendar month of the year. It is a pretty crazy time as we try to get in our last bit of fun before we head into the summer season. CL Emergency Services is hosting a Blood Drive and Open House in the beginning of May, the Chamber is hosting the Drift Boat Regatta (May 20) and yours truly, the Community Club has our Member Meeting (May 18) a Community Hall Clean Up (May 21st), Concessions Training, (May 22) and the Softball Tournament, (May 25-June 3). Speaking of the Softball Tournament, we need volunteers and our local organizations to sign up to help with concessions and donations for the Silent Auction. If you are available or have something to donate, please reach out to officers@cooperlandingcommunityclub.com to let us know!

Our annual Hall Clean Up and Firewise Day will involve cleaning up the interior Community Hall, prepping the fields for softball and clearing more of the dead spruce around the property. Dan Michels has generously offered to bring his tractor down to help lighten the load of work, but we still need a couple of log splitters, chainsaw operators and brush haulers. Last year we had about 40 volunteers show up and it was incredibly successful. Please if you can, stop by Sunday, May 21st from 1 to 5 pm for an hour or two and get a great work out! We will take all the help we can!

The newly formed Social Committee, headed by Rick Odgers,has winded down for the summer season, but will be back this fall with more movie, game nights and other fun activities for everyone to enjoy.

Lastly, we would like to thank our Vice President Melissa Brennan, the Cooper Landing Chamber and the many community members who helped in getting the Easter Egg hunt back in April! We had a great group of volunteers and egg hunters turn out to make this event successfully happen again. Thank you to everyone for your participation!

Hats off to everyone for the busy month of May ahead of us and Lets Play Ball!!!!!

-Cooper Landing Community Club

Happy

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.

Photo by: Best Route Productions

2023 Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce & CVB

Please support our local businesses!

May 2023

May 13th

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