By Maggie Holeman
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
Photo courtesy of Michael Durrant
March 2 and 3, Hope experienced 33.7-foot tides that deposited large chunks of ice on Main Street.
As the early March snows fell, our lives shifted gears. We stepped aside as Mother Nature took hold of our direction. To accommodate her demands, we cranked up the generators, chopped more wood and shoveled more snow. With the skies drenched in white velvet, a lone plow operator could be heard in the distance. The metal blade scraping across the heavy snow, imparting a path for local residents. Hope Happenings gives a special thanks to the Davidson's crew for their diligent work in plowing our streets. By the way, rumor has it they like cookies.
Hope Chamber Meeting
Zoom zoom…the car passed Hope at Mach 3, slowed to turn at Porcupine Campground, headed back to the Seward Highway only to come to a screeching halt at the side of the road. The summer dust erupted around the driver as he got out of the car, scratched his head and said, “Where's Hope?” Or worse yet, “Where's Homer?”
Seemingly a common problem for visitors, the Chamber is trying to help by erecting a new visitor information kiosk this spring pointing visitors in the right direction. It will hold business pamphlets, events occurring in Hope, advertisements and miscellaneous information including a map of Hope and all the wonderful and quaint things to do in our small community.
In addition, Kent Bowman has requested that the Chamber look into erecting a sign on the Seward Highway that will encourage tourism in Hope. This should also alleviate the Hope/Homer confusion.
A new hand-made bench will be built and donated by Greg Kaser and will set by the Kiosk. Imagine: New gravel, flowers, a bench and an information center. What a beautiful addition to any town.
Thank you Jonny Gantenbein for building the Kiosk and Greg Kaser for
the bench.
Future events to kick off the coming summer will be the library garage sale and an outdoor concert in the front lawn of Sweet Mo's and the Hope Yoga Shala on June 5.
After all that discussion, it was decided to increase the annual dues to $50 a year to help support our ideas. Yikes! Can't get away with nothing!
The next Chamber meeting will be March 20 at 3 p.m. in the library. The public is welcome.
Battery Disposal
The orange bin currently located at the transfer station is for your dead battery disposal. Hope Happenings thanks Shawn Butler for personally arranging this service through a private contractor. “It is something I'm giving to the community and environmentally safe,” she said. Although currently there is no sign on the orange bin, there will be in the near future. What a service, bring your old batteries and dispose of them in a friendly way with no corrosives left behind.
Fire/EMS Meeting
On March 3, a combination fire and EMS training was conducted at the fire station. The large turn-out of personnel continued their training. This session included practice lifting a person supported on a backboard and placed on the rescue toboggan for transport by snowmachine. The EMS practiced lifting a person onto the gurney then loading them in and out of the ambulance. On Sunday, March 21, the fire and EMS personnel will become CPR certified. If anyone is interested in doing a ride-along with the Anchorage Fire Department ambulance or fire trucks for additional training and experience please contact Scott Sherritt or Maggie Holeman to see what it takes to Be All You Can Be!
New Teacher
The Kenai Peninsula School District has approved and funded a second teacher for the Hope School. Yes, we will be getting another teacher starting next school year. The addition of another teacher will mean more hands-on learning, direct instruction, and less computer work.
School Events and Happenings
“Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver.” Unknown author – displayed in the school.
March 27 will be the Silent Auction at the school. The auction could use more donations. Contact April at the school if you have anything to donate.
The Artist-In School this year will be a Kodiak Island Drummer who will be here the week of March 29th through April 2nd. The students will learn how to beat to the music with sixteen different drums. Close the gym door!
A community potluck and drum demonstration will follow after the lessons are complete. Stay tuned for the exact date.
April 22nd is Earth Day in Cooper Landing and the Hope high school kids will be there with an environmental booth that will be interactive for the younger kids. The West Anchorage High School Jazz Band will also be in Cooper Landing. This event will be held in their school and open to the public.
A thanks goes to Mark Leamy for volunteering his time twice a week. He has developed a reading program for the students receiving special services.
Hope, Inc. Still seeking secretary/treasurer
Because Hope, Inc. still does not have a secretary/treasurer all grant monies cannot be disposed of for special projects. Basically, our little government is on “Hold.” Again, is there anyone out there who would like to volunteer? If so, contact Shawn Butler or Greg Kaser.
APC meeting
The next APC meeting will be April 8 at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall. Two different ordinances will be discussed. They are updating of the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Kenai Watershed Plan. For detailed information, please go to the Borough's website: www.borough.kenai.ak.us.
Hope Happenings request for photos and stories
Send your photos and story leads to hopehappenings@live.com. Your story is our story. Write it and send it in. We're listening.
