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| Under Coach Jeremey Lancaster, the Whittier basketball team team is having their best season ever. The Eagles won seven of their first 10 games. Yet, what the team is most proud of is the Warrior Rumble Sportsmanship award. Two Hope players are on the team: Clayton Davidson (next to coach, back row) and Stephen Finger (front row with basketball). |
By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent
Hope School has a new teacher
The new teacher at the Hope School, Patti Truesdell, began work on Feb. 18. Patti has lived and worked on the Kenai Peninsula for years. We welcome Patti to Hope and wish her much success as she embarks on this new adventure. The community will have an opportunity to meet Patti during our annual Spring Auction on Saturday, March 7.
Hope’s Advisory Planning Commission report
The Hope/Sunrise APC met on Feb. 5, in the Hope Social Hall. Representatives from the KPB Land Planning Office attended the meeting to assist with the Local Option Zoning process. After much discussion, the Hope/Sunrise APC voted unanimously to select R-M or Mixed Residential Zoning. This zoning allows for both residences and approved small businesses. The APC also approved variances for the subdivisions including C3, Commercial Use. The KPB will not sell five lots, near Bear Creek Trail, until final land transfer from the Forest Service. The zoning and variances will need to be approved by the KPB Assembly.
The KPB Land Planning Office proposed possible methods of land disposal for our APC consideration. All methods of disposal will be discussed at the next Hope/Sunrise APC meeting on March 19, Thursday, in the Hope Social Hall at 7:00 p.m.
The Hope/Sunrise APC meetings are open to the community. Minutes of the previous meetings, as well as correspondence, are available at the Kenai Borough web site. Meeting minutes are posted at the Post Office, Tito’s, Alaska Dacha, and the Library.
Memorial Potluck
Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Hope Social Hall there will be a potluck/wake beginning at 6 p.m. It will be a time for Hope residents to remember Paul Zabriskie, who passed away Feb. 8 in Seward (see “In Memory” below). Everyone is asked to write a short story to bring with them and/or bring photos of Paul. They will be compiled and sent to Paul’s family who all live in Florida. After the potluck there will be a bonfire held on Main Street where stories and tales can be shared.
Students join in for community service
The Hope School students are participating in an ongoing community service project. They are eager to give back to their supportive community by doing tasks such as hauling water, stacking wood, shoveling snow, or any other chore that needs to be done. There is still more opportunity to be a part of their community service project as they spend one afternoon a week helping those in need. If you could use their services, please call the school at 782-3202. Please don’t be shy about calling as this project is a lesson about service that will benefit both the students and the community as a whole.
Students learn skiing and snowboarding
The Hope School students, joined by four local homeschoolers, are halfway through their six ski and snowboard lessons at Alyeska Resort. They are all having a great time and improving their skills. Thanks to Garth McPhie of the Alyeska Mountain Learning Center for his enthusiastic help and support of this fun program for the students.
Hope School’s Spring Auction Saturday, March 7
The Spring Auction begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7 in the gym at the Hope School. The Silent Auction will kick off the evening’s events. There will be items for all ages to bid on so check for your favorite item or items. Keep a close eye on who is bidding for the same item as the last bid written down will be the winning one.
This year there is a $75 Allure Day Spa gift certificate, 100 gallons of propane, tickets to H2Oasis Indoor Water Park, a half day trip fishing with Angle 45, a night’s stay at Hope’s Hideaway plus more great things to bid on. Along with the Traditional Auction there will be a Balloon Auction. Each balloon will be sold for one dollar. If you don’t bring dollar bills with you, there will be some available at the event. However, not all balloons will have a prize but many will. You won’t know what is inside until the balloon is popped.
Free punch and dessert will be served by the students. 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. This year’s event promises to be another night of fun for all and an opportunity to meet and visit with the school’s new teacher.
The next Hope School PTA meeting will be held March 10 at 3 p.m. at the Hope School. All members are encouraged and welcome to attend the meeting. Plans for the spring field trip will be discussed.
Book club’s next book
At the Hope Community Library, Thursday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m., the Hope Community Library book club will be discussing “Unbowed” a memoir of Wangari Maathai the first African woman, and the first environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This book and other new books are available at the Hope Community Library to be checked out to read. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Work on Chamber of Commerce webpage underway
After a long delay, work on a new webpage for the Hope Chamber of Commerce has begun. If you haven’t done so already, please contact Gina at 229-4697 with any new information you would like to have included about your business. Gina will be working with Bianca Durrant on the website design and content. Please contact them with your additions or corrections.
Food Bank and Community Breakfast
The community breakfast 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.