Cordova’s 2018 Fungus Festival bathed in sunshine
Beautiful weather, energetic mycologists and mouthwatering mushroom dishes created the perfect palette for the Cordova Fungus Festival this past weekend.People of all ages ventured out the road and into the Chugach National Forest for guided mushroom foraging and learned species from mycologists, people who study fungi.The first day of the festival kicked off on Aug. 31 with artist workshops,...
Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore crew are Buoy Tender Round-up champions
Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore, based in Cordova, claimed the Buoy Tender Round-Up championship in Juneau on Aug. 23.They placed first in the Line Toss, Survival Suit Race, Tug of War and Show Board, the last being an award to the cutter with the best overall appearance and cleanliness.The Sycamore also took second in the Chain...
FNRA pre-event raises funds, sells guns, and connects community
The Powder House was packed Tuesday night, Aug. 28, as Cordova’s gun enthusiasts gathered for the 10th annual Smoke ‘n Guns fundraising event, hosted by the Cordova chapter of Friends of the National Rifle Association of America.Smoke ‘n Guns, the pre-event for the Friends of the NRA main banquet, featured a Wall of Guns where raffle ticket winners chose...
Students reunite with friends on first day of school
Students armed with new backpacks filled with school supplies, chatted with friends in the Mt. Eccles Elementary School lobby and cafeteria before the start of the first day of classes in Cordova on Aug. 22. Principle Gayle Groff meandered through the crowd of parents and children, to welcome them all, and the weather cooperated, with the rain subsiding as...
Copper River Highway washout forces early business closures
Erosion along the Copper River Highway is never unexpected, but now the raging Copper River seems intent on cutting a new channel, as evidenced by a washout at mile 45 that cuts off access to the Million Dollar Bridge.Jack Stevenson, owner of The Riverside Inn & Childs Glacier Tours, shared the news on Aug. 19, and word spread quickly.Going...
65 bands play to 8,000+ Salmonfest fans
“What an honor,” said folk rock singer Brandi Carlile, from the stage of the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds at Ninilchik, as the crowd roared a welcome. “I never expected so many people to be here.”But there they were on that warm sunny Aug. 3 evening, settling down on tarps, lawn chairs, even curled up in a tree, in the midst...
Eyak language and culture are growing globally
What is a language? Is it alive? Can it die?These are the questions that 29-year-old French linguist Guillaume Leduey asked himself as he became more familiar with endangered languages, such as Eyak.“I don’t think it can die,” he said. “A dead language doesn’t mean anything to me. As long as there is some material or as long as it...
Cordova Trap & Gun Club hosts Women on Target
Women gathered over the weekend to participate in the Cordova Trap & Gun Club’s Women on Target event at Cordova’s Public Shooting Range.Volunteers and instructors lined the shooting benches, helping teach participants about gun safety mechanisms, proper shooting stances, how to properly load a gun, and more. CT&GC hosted two groups of 10 women each, on July 28 and...
Festival celebrates salmon through music and art
Musical headliner Big Fat Buddha, the Alaska Salmon Runs, Small Fry Activities and a myriad of other attractions brought in the crowds for the 2018 Copper River Salmon Jam in Cordova July 13-14.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen kids doing hula hooping on the side of a mountain when it was pouring rain and fighting with Duct tape swords,”...
Nationwide competitors race in Alaska Salmon Runs
Irene Webber’s grandchildren ran in her footsteps during this year’s Alaska Salmon Runs in Cordova.In 1986, Webber ran the first King Salmon Marathon in Cordova, completing the 26.2 miles alone. Thirty-two years later, the Alaska Salmon Runs features the King Salmon Marathon, Sockeye Half-Marathon, Coho 10K, Humpy 5K, and the Smolt one-mile fun run/walk.“It just grew from there,” said...
