NEWS FROM THE OIL CENTER OF ALASKA"
ED KEITHAHN
rn *1 TT . TN a 1 HISTORY MUSEUM & LIBRARY
Ine Kenai Peninsula “awskai-1-12
SECOND YEAR
May 26, 3 961
10c a Copy
Number 37
BERNICE LAKE SEEN AS POSSIBLE REFINERY SITE
Post Office
Dedication
A Success
Kenai’s new postoffice, an
other milestone in the colorful
history of mail delivery on the
peninsula, was officially dedi
cated May 13.
Postmaster General of the
United States J. Edward Day
presented the flag which re
cently was flown over the Cap
itol in Washington, D.C., in cer
emonies conducted at Kenai
High School. He is the first
member of President Kenne
dy’s cabinet to visit the 49th
State.
The Honorable Mr Day gave
the dedication address compli
menting the citizens of Kenai
on their progress. The new
Post Office is part of the gen
eral improvement program in
the country, which this year
consists of $170 million for post
office buildings, he said.
Sen. Ernest Gruening was al
so present for the dedication
and spoke to the crowd at the
dedication ceremony. He said
he was proud to be a part of the
program in the “fastest grow
ing part of the state.”
Following the dedication, the
group attended a flag raising
and open house at the new post
office. Refreshments were
served by the Kenai Homemak
ers. assisted by the American
Legion Auxiliary.
HEA Hints
Lower Rates
A “possible reduction” in
electric rates for users of Homer
Electric Assn, was hinted at
following the dedication of the
Cooper Lake power project last
week.
According to HEA officials
attending the dedication, the or
ganization hopes to reduce the
rates, but could give no effec
tive date or reduction estimate.
Attending the dedication
ceremonies was Norman Clapp,
federal administrator of the
Rural Electrification Adminis
tration, who gave the dedication
speech, and Sen. Ernest Gruen
ing, who was holding a series
of public meetings on Alaska’s
power problems.
The plant, built and operated
by the Chugach Electric Assn,
of Anchorage, presently fur
nishes power to HEA only.
Members of the Kenai and
Soldotna chambers of com
merce attended the ceremony.
HEA board members in attend
ance were Burton Carver and
Dale Robinson, Soldotna; Char
ley Lewis, Cohoe, Ed Reider,
Margaret Pate and Howard
Myhill, president, all from Ho
mer, and Del Hanson, Anchor
Point.
School Nears Completion
The State Department of Ed
ucation has listed the $48,772
Soldotna School addition as be
ing 96 per cent complete this
week.
Highlighl of the Kenai Post Office dedication was the
presentation of the flag by Postmaster General of the United
States J. Edward Day. Standing next to Day for the flag
raising is Senator Ernest Gruening, right.
Thirty-four Graduate
At Kenai High School
A standing room only crowd <
jammed the gymnasium at
Kenai High School last week to
witness 34 graduates receiving
their diplomas. The “Class of
1961" consists of Robert Bar
rett, Amber Berton, Lynn Cran
dall, Loretta Encelewske, Gary
Foster, James Gibbs. Harry
House, Douglas Jones, Ernest
Jordan, David Kodysz, Martha
Lancashire, Don Lewis. Pat Me
Kenai To Get
Renewal Funds
A federal grant of $11,310
was approved this week by the
Urban Renewal Administration
for payment to the Alaska
Housing Authority in the
growth and development plan
ning of Kenai and Kodiak.
The grant, to be matched by
state and local funds, will fi
nance such work as studies of
the economic base of both com
munities, population, transpor
tation, land use, surveys and an
alysis of community facilities,
preparation of plans showing
the general location, type and
extent of land uses, preparation
of zoning and land subdivision
regulations, capital improve
ment programs and other work.
The studies are scheduled to
be completed in a year and one
half.
folium, Myla McFarland, Vel
ma McFarland, Karin Mainwar
ing, Wesley Meeks, Dianne Mo
ran, Carole Olsen, Barbara
O’Rourke, James Pope, Douglas
Reger, Bill Robinson, Rhoda
Sandstrom, Michael Seaman,
Joe Sutton, Eric Thompson,
Janice Walker, Irene White,
Gary Wilson, Grant Wilson,
Kathy Wilson, and Harriet
Mann.
Martha Lancashire, class val
edictorian, gave the farewell
address urging fellow class
members to “think in terms of
the whole world.” Martha
ended her high school career
with a 3.97 grade average.
Salutatorian Karin Mainwar
ing outlined possible courses
the graduates might follow, in
her speech, “The Decision Is
Yours.”
The commencement address
was given by Dr. Charles Ray,
Dean of the University of Alas
ka Department of Education.
He pointed out how the Ameri
can system of education is
unique and, by illustration,
showed the effect of education
on the standard of living of the
various states.
Music for the event was pro
vided by the Kenai High School
Band, a clarinet trio, consisting
of Donna Ruth Eagle, Pat Caton
and Leona Graff, and a piano
solo by Lynn Crandall.
Speculation is runing heavy in the North Kcnai area concern
ing the location for Standard Oil’s new 20,000-barrel-per-day
refinery.
Confirmation of the reports that have been filtering through
out the area for the past two years came late last week when
H. G. Vesper, president of Standard Western Operations, made the
announcement in Anchorage. -
juanaowners in tne aernice
Lake region report that Stand
ard has been buying options to
several hundred acres for the
last several weeks.
The refinery will produce
products for slate-wide use.
These will include automobile
gasoline, jet fuel oils and other
heavy fuels. It may possibly be
used to produce aviation fuel,
the announcement stated.
Vesper said the date for be
ginning construction has not
been set, but will be announced
when final details are com
pleted.
Kenai Will Be Stop
For Economy Race
Kenai is included as one slop
along the route of the First
Economy Road Test in Alaska,
sponsored by Arctic Automobile
Association of Anchorage.
The 1,600-mile economy run,
slated to be held from July 3 to
July 6, will take approximately
100 entries into all prominent
cities in the state.
Entrance fee for the test is
$15 to cover co^t per vehicle
for inspection. It is open to any
one of legal driving age in the
state with a valid driver’s li
cense and proof of liability in
surance.
Morris Ford, director of the
Alaska State department of
tourism, has sanctioned the test
Bowling Winners
The Bowlerettes, Tuesday
night bowling league, had their
annual banquet Saturday night
at Parkers. Trophies and prize
money were presented by A1
Morasse. Master of Ceremonies.
Arctic Oil Tool Team won
first place, with each member
receiving a beautiful trophy,
plus the Sponsors Trophy,
which was presented to Chas.
T. Whitney Sr. of Bakersfield,
Calif., who made a speech of
acceptance.
Cheechako News Team was
second with two Trophies for
each member — one for high
score game, one for high series.
Gilman’s bakery team received
a trophy each as a consolation
prize.
New officers were elected for
the coming season. Shirley Ford
was elected president; June
Malctte, vice-president; Mau
rine Jones, secretary-treasurer;
and Pauline Bumgardner, ser
geant-at-arms.
The outgoing secretary, Niek
ie Von Bargen, and Pauline
Bumgardner, Mary France La
Donna Hansen and Shirley Ford
did an excellent job of decorat
ing tables.
New Doctor
Another doctor will begin
practice at the Central Kenai
Peninsula Medical Clinic in
Soldotna, it has been an
nounced.
Elmer Gaede. M.D., wilLmove
into the new clinic in Jun^rfr*
has been connected wittfJ^tHtf*
Alaska Department of
for the past five years. * ”
as another facet of the tourism
program currently being under
taken by the state.
Named as coordinator for the
First Road Test is Ervin D.
Hochstatter. Contestants or
sponsors can contact Hochstat
ter at Parkway Union Service
in Anchorage.
Local sponsors that have al
ready agreed to support the
program are Howard’s “Y”
Service and B & C Auto Parts,
in Soldotna. and George’s Cof
fee Shop. A & S Auto Supply
and Kenai Service in Kenai.
All Lots Sold
At State Sale
The first state land sale and
lease auction held for lots in
the city limits of Kenai proved
a success on May 13, with all
lots bringing more than the ap
praised value.
Nearly 100 area residents and
interested buyers crowded into
the Kenai Fire Hall for the
sale conducted by representa
tives of the Alaska Division of
Lands.
Lowest price for the nearly
acre lots for sale was S780. The
lot that this bid was taken on
was appraised at S600.
Highest bid for a sale lot was
81,900 on a one-acre lot with an
appraised value and minimum
acceptable bid of 81,325.
The rental lots brought from
$40 to $430 annual rental.
All lots were located in the
Beaver Creek subdivision and
included business and residen
tial sites.
MEETING
NOTICE
"The Alaska Entrymens
Rights Assn, is sponsor
ing a meeting open to the
public to discuss the
power problems of the
homesteaders on the Ke
nai Peninsula, June 1st—
7 .30 p.m. at
?oim
»*> (€F B )'<
rrj»Community Hall