You take the good with the bad in Alaska summers — the salmon are returning, the sun is at least periodically shining and daylight is nearly endless. But there are a few million obstacles to being outside enjoying those things.

Seemingly overnight, our blissfully mosquito-free spring took a turn for the annoying.

As the Swan Lake Fire east of Sterling continues to grow, the Alaska Division of Forestry is stepping up management efforts. Not to the level of fighting the fire yet, but getting ready in case suppression efforts become necessary.

“Most of that new growth was on the northeast and northwest, away from the Sterling Highway,” said Sarah Saarloos, public information officer with the Alaska Division of Forestry. “And it’s still sitting at about 5.5, 6 miles as the crow flies away from the Sterling community. There is at this time no threat to the sterling community.”

The Native inhabitants of the Kenai Peninsula before Western contact were masters at adapting to this land. Dr. Alan Boraas, anthropology professor at Kenai Peninsula College, presented “Yaghanen, The Time Before,” a discussion about the lives of the Dena’ina people who have lived and thrived here for a thousand years, to the Kasilof Regional Historical Association.

Kenai River Brewing shares its plans for reopening Kenai Joe's in a special, live segment of the show. And speaking of reopening, Barnaby Brewing in Juneau tells Bill about recovering from a fire that shut them down for about a year.

This week on the Kenai Conversation, host Jay Barrett welcomes folks from the Lee Shore Center in Kenai to talk about the operation of the crisis center and an important fundraiser coming up on Saturday. Present were Board Chair Mike Dimmick, Executive Director Cherrie Smith, board member Marti Slater, and Prevention Coordinator Rene Lipps.

KDLL turned the mics on ourselves to kick off our 2019 Spring Membership Drive. Thanks to former board member Marion Nelson, station manager emeritas Allen Auxier and current board member Bill Larned for a look back to KDLL's beginnings and development, and a preview of this year's Spring Membership Drive.

KDLL's Jenny Neyman speaks with Lisa Maloney, author of "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska," about becoming a guide book author and writing her new book. This show aired at 10 a.m. May 22. On May 23, Maloney gave an Adventure Talks presentation at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, showing pictures and talking about trails in the region, as well as hiking safety, gear and more.

Join this month's Kenai Garden Talk to celebrate Alaska Agriculture Day, get a jump on local foods with a look at some spring harvestables and hear about an initiative to offer more agriculture opportunities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

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