Willow Hetrick
Turnagain Times
Moose Pass Correspondent
Willow Hetrick/Turnagain Times
Alex and Belle pulling excited riders on a sleigh ride in Moose Pass.
Moose Pass School Christmas Play
The kids did a wonderful job and entertained the always jam-packed gym.
Girls Scouts Christmas Getaway
The Brownie and Junior Troops went to Anchorage to watch “The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe” at the Alaska Center for Performing Arts, produced by the Alaska Theater of Youth. Eight young ladies from Moose Pass spent the entire day in Anchorage, shopping for Christmas ornaments, watching the play, and having hot chocolate in downtown Anchorage. Each of the girls received a complimentary poinsettia from Belle's Nursery. Some were scared of and some watched with mouths wide open as the cast reenacted the battles of Aslan and the White Witch.
Moose Pass Cookie Party
The annual Moose Pass Cookie Party was held at Rose Hetrick's house this month. Thanks to everyone who came out and brought fantastic cookies! Also, a special thanks to Alex Kime of Alaska Horseman Trail Adventures for bringing his beauty Belle and his sleigh over to Moose Pass to take all the ladies on a horse-drawn-sleigh ride! Belle and Alex worked so hard to make it a special day.
Moose Pass Community Christmas Potlatch Dinner
The annual Moose Pass Community Christmas Potlatch Dinner was December 19 at the Community Hall. The Christmas dinner and Santa's appearance is sponsored by the Moose Pass Sportsman's Club, which is our community club. The children had a chance to sit on Santa's knee and each received a gift. Many thanks to the members of the Sportsman's Club for sponsoring and organizing the event!
Seward Nordic Ski Club Avalanche Rescue Course
On Dec. 12 and 13 the Seward Nordic Ski Club sponsored an avalanche rescue course for Moose Pass, Cooper Landing, and Seward residents. Students learned how to use avalanche beacons, determine the conditions of the snowpack, and about general safety while playing in the backcountry. Forest Service ranger, Alex McClain taught the classroom and field day session, and Jason Aigeldinger was there to help on the field day. They were also assisted by many experienced members of the Nordic Ski Club. Keep in contact with the ski club to be notified of upcoming avalanche awareness courses that are essential for those who spend a lot of time in the backcountry.
School Starts Again
Moose Pass School begins again on January 4, 2009.
Avalanche Awareness in the Moose Pass/Seward Area
Forest Service Rangers Alex McClain and Jason Aigeldinger are out in the backcountry every week digging new avalanche pits and forecasting snow conditions. Conditions and avalanche data are presented on the Seward Nordic Ski Club Website, under “Conditions”. This page is updated approximately weekly with trail conditions, including latest grooming. Avalanche data is presented in separate entries. Since the ski conditions change almost daily in the Seward area, it is advised that residents become a member of SNSC and join the trail updates email forum, where members share trail conditions via email on a daily basis.
Progressive Full Moon Ski Party
The Progressive Full Moon Ski Party is for members of the Seward Nordic Ski Club, and is on Saturday, Jan. 2.
Moose Passings Photo Website
The Moose Passings photo website was created to share pictures within the community. It allows users to upload, download, save, and order prints online. I am always happy to have community photos submitted; this is a great tool to have your photos in the Turnagain Times! Also on the website are links to community websites such as the Turnagain Times and the Moose Pass Chamber of Commerce, as well as links to the previous issues of Moose Passings. To view the pictures, you must be an approved member. To become a member, please email me at willowhetrick@gmail.com and I will gladly add you to the member list! The site can be found at: http://moosepassings.shutterfly.com/. Thanks for sharing!
Recreational Fish Stocking Plan
Comments are due on the proposed “Statewide Recreational Fish Stocking Plan” by Jan. 8. The Division of Sport Fish, with assistance from private non-profit hatchery operators, plans to release more than 7 million fish into the waters of Alaska every year for the next five years, to benefit recreational anglers. The stocking plan outlines how many of each species planned to be stocked at each location. The plan is posted at: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Statewide/hatchery/index.cfm/FA/stocking.plan under “Fishing Information – Stocking and Hatcheries – Lake and Smolt Stocking – Lake Stocking Plan.” Carter, Jerome, Upper Summit and Vagt Lakes are included in the new proposed plan. For more information or to submit comments, contact Diane Loopstra at (907) 267-2529, or email diane.loopstra@alaska.gov.
Public Meeting Notice
Moose Pass Residents are invited to an Informational Meeting Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Moose Pass Community Hall regarding the proposed Grant Lake/Falls Creek Hydro Project. This meeting will be conducted by Kenai Hydro, LLC in response to requests for a meeting in Moose Pass to provide information on the Grant Lake/Falls Creek Hydroelectric Project (FERC P-13211/13212). Similar to the meeting held in Seward on November 12, 2009, Kenai Hydro, LLC (KHL) will present a summary of the information contained in the project Pre-Application Document and identified resource study issues. KHL will invite public comment on objectives of the identified studies and take suggestions for additional study topics.
