Hope Happenings

By Bianca Durrant
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent

Well now, here we are, past the hump of February and being thrust right into March. That wasn't so bad now, was it? How fast this winter season has moved along. If you've been dragging your heels to get out and experience the wonders of snow and tidal mountains, wait no more. Live for today .

Live Music at The Bear Creek

On Saturday, Jan. 23, Talkeetna singer Esther Golton graced the crowd at Bowman's Bearcreek Lodge with a memorable and heartfelt concert. With selections on clarinet, flute and mountain dulcimer, the mixed Talkeetna /Hope audience delighted in the show. Bowman's will host another musical presentation on Saturday, Feb. 20 featuring the talented guitarist Bob Parsons. Bearcreek Lodge is open Thursday through Sunday for dinner from 4-8 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday morning for breakfast from 8-11:30 a.m.

Advisory Planning Commission

The Hope/Sunrise APC met on Feb. 4. The big news from the meeting is that the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor's office is considering a reappraisal of the Discovery Park and Percy Hope subdivision lots. This comes on the heels of the APC recommending that the appraisal prices for these lots be reevaluated. This reappraisal recommendation postpones the sale of the lots until the Assembly makes a decision to either reappraise or not. Also present at the meeting was Max Best from the KPB Planning Department. He presented The All Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Kenai Watershed District Plan for the APC members to read, review, and give recommendations on. The documents are available on the KPB web site and at the Hope/Sunrise Library for public comment as well. Meeting minutes are available at the Alaska Dacha, Post Office, and Library. The next APC meeting will be held March 4 at the Hope Social Hall at 7 p.m.

Hope Chamber Planning for Summer Projects

Hope Chamber President Todd Bureau will call a meeting on Feb. 27 to discuss spring/summer projects. Top on the agenda will be whether or not to move forward with an informational kiosk for visitors. The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. at the Hope Library.

School News

Students at the Hope school have plenty to look forward to in March. On March 3, they will journey to the Anchorage Museum to view the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit. The interactive exhibit features magnetic levitation displays, among other ideas of what the future of technology could hold for humankind. The very next day, March 4, the students will head to Alyeska for their last ski lesson of the season. These kids are shredding it. Thanks Alyeska!

In other school news, Saturday, March 27 is the day for the annual Silent Auction. This is always a community affair and funds raised go towards a plethora of good things such as healthy snacks, miscellaneous supplies, swimming, skiing, and art lessons as well as other field trips. Any and all donations would be appreciated. If you have something that you would like to donate, please work out the details with April Skaaren at the Hope School.

Breakfast at the Church

Don't forget to that Wednesday is the day to have yummy breakfast at the church. Coffee is served at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The food pantry is also open during the breakfast for residents in need.

Hope Happenings wants your emails

We may be small and rural, but by golly, we are Web 2.0 savvy! Become a fan of Hope, Alaska on Facebook and post your favorite Hope pictures. Or, if you have a story you would like to share with your neighbors, email Hope Happenings at: hopehappenings@live.com.