Board member John Velsko and his father-in-law, Leo Brott, caught these silvers while trolling off Dangerous Cape in Kachemak Bay. Photo courtesy of John Velsko.

Staffer Linda Robinson shows off her catch of sockeye from the Kenai River. Photo courtesy of Linda Robinson.

Committee volunteer John Kennish lifts a 52-pound king from Cook Inlet. Photot courtesy of John Kennish.

Board member Nancy Bird and husband, Karl Becker, at the first of many celebrations this summer for their 25th anniversary. They were married on the Million Dollar Bridge near Cordova in 1982, and try to return there every year. This time they had chocolate cake and champagne at Childs Glacier. Photo by T. Kline.

Lisa Ka’aihue, staffer, roasts marshmallows with sons Nate and Sam and their cousin River Tomrdle on the Kenai Peninsula. Photo courtesy Lisa Ka’aihue.

Staffer Stan Jones has been taking pictures of squirreltail grass, his photographic obsession, for years. He has yet to get a really good one, but he keeps trying. This was taken in the parking lot of a Spenard restaurant.

Council volunteer Dave Goldstein and a group of Whittier residents practice a scenario for their Emergency Trauma Technician certification. Photo courtesy Dave Goldstein.

John Devens used to train horses and riders, and judge horse shows. Here, he rides his son’s horses with granddaughter Cierra Reynolds, left, and daughter Janis Reynolds, right. Photo courtesy John Devens.

Critters spotted this summer include a grizzly, baby black-billed magpie, gull, cow moose, and a black bear. Photos courtesy Matt Sommer, Dorothy M. Moore, Stan Jones, Linda Robinson, and Tom Kuckertz.

Mary Schonberger stands behind her winning Siberian husky Timber at one of many dog shows she attends each year. Timber’s registered name is TouchMeNot’s Bull o’ the Woods. He was awarded official champion status this year by the American Kennel Club. Photo courtesy Mary Schonberger.

The Jones family takes a break during a hike on a Cook Inlet beach at Anchorage’s Kincaid Park. From left to right are Sydnie, Gypzy the dalmatian, council staffer Stan, and Susan. Photo courtesy Stan Jones.

Tamara Byrnes rests atop Midnight Dome, above Dawson City, Yukon, with husband, Steve Pyle, and Roscoe. Tamara is retiring this year and will be leaving Valdez, and the council’s office there, for Florida. Photo courtesy Tamara Byrnes.

Council staffer Susan Sommer explores old mining trails near her cabin in Tahneta Pass. Photo by Matt Sommer.

Bob and Jo Ann Benda, committee volunteers, have fun in the sun in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo courtesy Bob Benda.

The BP/Alyeska 30-Year Community Celebration in Valdez was fun for the whole family. Here, council staffer Jacquelyn Olson, in the “blue suit,” shows her community spirit by trying to take down her husband, Patrick, during the sumo wrestling contest. Photo courtesy Jacquelyn Olson.