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Photo courtesy of Erica Miller Hope locals huddle around the bonfire held Jan. 3 to honor Alaska’s Statehood. The weather that night was -15 degrees, the fire was hot for the 20 plus souls who braved the cold to celebrate Alaska’s Statehood. |
By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent
Cold weather hits Hope hard
Beginning right after Christmas the temperature dropped below zero and stayed around -15 to -25 for almost two full weeks without any breaks. The weather finally broke Jan. 10 warming back above zero with a promise of warmer weather yet to come. The cold weather made it hard for Hope folks to attend and enjoy the bonfire and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. On Jan. 3, with the continued cold, there were only about 20 hardy souls that withstood the cold for the second large bonfire and fireworks display to celebrate Alaska’s Statehood with other Alaskan communities. Those who did attend the celebration of Alaska’s 50-years of Statehood shared stories and other memories while they tried to stay warm around the fire.
Chugach Electric update
Inspecting the work on Jan. 9, Phil Steyer, Director Government Relations and Corporate Communications for Chugach Electrical Association reports that the work near Silver Tip and the Hope Highway Junction, which runs 1 mile along the Hope Highway, is almost completed. When the work is completed, there will be several short power outages to switch over to new line. It involves de-energizing the old line and then energizing the new line. When these power outages happen, 5 to 10 minutes outages will be required for the change over. Chugach expects the work to be finished before the end of January.
A second part of the work being done by Chugach is the section of the Hope Highway from mile 10 into Hope. The FEMA Grant mentioned in past stories funds this section. Of the work funded by this grant (1,605 trees have been removed with the cost of $158 per tree). The tree removal project will continue when Chugach gets back to removing these trees. The remaining funds of $57,000 will be used to remove trees along the line into Hope as well as in and around the greater area of Hope. The tree removal project and the project near Silver Tip provided residents of Hope with firewood from both projects. More firewood will be made available when this second project resumes.
Hope School report
The Hope School students are back at school and ready to have a great semester. The teaching position is open and posted on the Kenai School District’s web site at www.kpbsk.k12.ak.us. Mark Leamy is currently substitute teacher and is having a great time with the students.
Anyone interested in applying for the teaching job is encouraged to do so online as soon as possible. Hope School administrator, Mr. Jim Dawson, will be reviewing the applications and conducting the interviews. If you have any questions regarding the position or what is happening at the school, please feel free to contact Mr. Dawson at (907) 714-8897.
The students are eagerly awaiting the start of ski and snowboard lessons at Alyeska. Hope students will join the Girdwood students for lessons beginning Thursday, Jan. 29. They will have plenty of time to become great skiers and snowboarders after their six weekly lessons. Many thanks to the Hope School PTA and the Alyeska Resort Mountain Learning Center for making these lessons possible.
Date set for Hope School’s Spring Auction
Please be sure to mark your calendars to attend the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Spring Auction on Saturday, March 7. Please contact Angie Motoyama at 782-3202 if you would like to donate items for the auctions. There are always great things to bid on so you don’t want to miss this event. With four different types of auctions this year’s event promises to be another night of fun for all.
Full Circle Farm delivers to Hope
The Hope School is now a pickup location for Full Circle Farm deliveries. Please visit their website at www.fullcirclefarm.com to sign up for this great service. Boxes will be delivered on Wednesdays and are available for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you have any questions please contact Gina Motoyama at 229-4697.
Hope, Inc. meeting
Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. Hope, Inc. will hold a regular meeting at the Hope Social Hall. Reports on ongoing projects and updates on projects yet to be finished along with other important items will be covered at the meeting. Hope Inc. members are asked to attend this important meeting.
Luau in Hope
Cold weather got you down? Need a “Hawaiian” break? Join Bowman’s Bear Creek Lodge annual “Luau in Alaska” Saturday, Jan. 17 for a night of Hawaiian food and music. Reservations recommended, please give Kent and Melanie a call at 782-3141. Wear your best Hawaiian duds and be spirited away to the islands for an evening of fun.
Food Bank and Community Breakfast
The doors open at 8 a.m. each Wednesday morning and breakfast is served until 10 a.m. All are welcome to come. Following the free breakfast, the Hope Christian Church Food Bank is open Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Any residents needing to take advantage of the food pantry, outside the regular hours, please contact Burgins at 782-1002.