By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent
Dates for Statehood Quilt exhibit approved for Hope
The Statehood 50th Anniversary quilt exhibit will be during the 2009 Wagon Trail 5-k run weekend. The nine panels, which include Hope’s entry, will be on display in the Hope Social Hall July 17-19. These panels express the spirit, the people and nature of Alaska’s 50 years of statehood.
A very beautiful booklet of photos of each panel, and each individual panel, was created and can been seen at the Hope Community Library. The community has a few of these booklets available for sale for $10. Please contact Susan Anderson, Beth Kaser or Fayrene Sherritt if you are interested in purchasing a copy of the booklet. The supply of the booklets is limited and it is unknown if a second printing will be made by the Statehood Quilt committee.
Advisory Planning Commission report
APC Board member and Secretary, Beth Kaser, provided the following report. The Hope/Sunrise APC met on Jan. 21 in the Social Hall. Kenai Borough Mayor Carey and his staff came from Soldotna to meet the community and attend the meeting. There were also representatives from the Kenai Borough Land Planning office. Bids are being accepted for road and utility construction, to begin this spring, for development of Hope’s two new subdivisions. The Kenai Borough plans to dispose of the approximately 27 lots this fall, 2009.
Carrie Hensen advised the APC committee that Palmer Creek Road, at the corner of the Hope Road, will be renamed Resurrection Creek Road per Kenai Borough regulations. Marcus Mueller informed the committee of Kenai Borough regarding funds available for trash and toilet maintenance at “high traffic” areas such as the mouth of Resurrection Creek. Hope, Inc will communicate with Marcus regarding this reimbursement program.
The next APC meeting on Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall, will be held to discuss Local Option Zoning. The community is always welcome to attend and previous meeting minutes and agendas are posted at the Post Office, Tito’s, Alaska Dacha, and the Library.
Hope Mining plans and restoration reviewed
Before the regular Hope Inc. meeting began, a meeting held on Jan. 17 at the Hope Social Hall, representatives from the Forest Service gave an overview of the plans for mining along Resurrection Creek by Hope Mining Company. Also covered was a discussion of the Proposal for Stream and Riparian Restoration on Resurrection Creek Phase II, a project that would extend the Phase I restoration work that was completed by the Forest Service 2005-2006 on a one-mile reach of Resurrection Creek. The second phase is located on the north side (Hope side) of the Resurrection Pass Trailhead bridge. Residents asked many questions related to both activities and expressed their concerns especially regarding the planned mining activities.
Hope, Inc. Vice President Greg Kaser reported on ongoing projects, and gave updates on projects yet to be finished. Kaser also reported that the permits for the downtown public restrooms have been approved for the construction to begin once the ground has thawed in the spring. These public restrooms should be available for use by early June.
A vote to accept the guidelines for use of the Hope Cemetery, and a motion to change the day of the week that the Hope, Inc. meetings are to be held, will be mailed to all current members of Hope, Inc. This mail out and vote should take place before the next meeting to be held in April.
Community Service project by students begins
The Hope School students will be participating in an ongoing community service project beginning this month. They would like to spend one afternoon a week helping those in need. 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. If you could use their services, please call the school at 782-3202 and let them know what you’d like them to do. This project is a lesson about service that will benefit both the students and the community as a whole so please don’t be shy about calling.
Date set for Hope School’s Spring Auction fundraiser
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.
Chamber of Commerce working on new website
After a long delay, work on a new website 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. They plan to have a draft done by mid-February for Chamber members to review, with a new site finalized and online by the end of February.
Full Circle Farm begins deliveries 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 residents, using this service, are very pleased with the quality of fresh vegetables and fruit.
Food Bank and Community Breakfast offered
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 am. Any residents needing to take advantage of the food pantry, outside the regular hours, please contact Burgins at 782-1002.