Moose Passings

Willow Hetrick
Turnagain Times
Moose Pass Correspondent

4th Annual Cooper Landing Ski Race

On March 13, the 4th Annual Cooper Landing Ski Race was held at Summit Lake. This year there was an additional skijor race for those wishing to involve their dogs. It was a beautiful, sunny day on the lake, although slightly cold. Volunteers had drinks, food and a fire going for participants and fans. Everyone who was there owes a monster thanks to Lisa for organizing the event year after year, and working to get sponsorship from businesses to provide every race participant with a prize; that's right, everyone gets a prize! Thanks Lisa! And thanks to the numerous businesses around the towns who donated fantastic prizes! This year's ski race winners all hailed from Moose Pass. First place was our very own speed-skier Marion Glaser, at close second (because he stopped to get a refreshment half-way) was Will Brennan, and coming in third place was Jesse Labenski. The skijor race, although not as smooth for the race participants because some of the dogs were not having-it, was also a success.

Bird Treatment and Learning Center Alaska Bird Series

On Sundays, the Alaska Bird Treatment and Learning Center and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center host an educational presentation and question and answer session featuring rescued birds and their handlers. On Sunday, April 4, is Gus, a Great Horned Owl, and handler Gina Holloman, and April 11 is Avery, a Steller's Jay, and handler Karen Coady. The presentations are free to the public and are at 2:00 p.m.

Girl Scout Cook Sale a Success

The Moose Pass Girl Scouts were at Wildman's in Cooper Landing on Saturday March 13 for the majority of the day and were able to sell over 100 boxes of cookies. If you missed the sale, you can contact Rose Hetrick to get in touch with a Girl Scout. Remember, these young ladies are taking all of the proceeds from their cookie sales to make a sign for the new-and-improved Dave's Creek viewing area at Tern Lake. Such a good cause and such good cookies.

Kenai Hydro Suspends Activity on Local Project

In the latest issue of Petroleum News, reporter Wesley Loy describes the recent decisions by Kenai Hydro to “suspend major activities to consider how best to proceed with its schedule and scope of work given their recent financial constraints”. Kenai Hydro has been interested in developing small hydroelectric projects involving Grant Lake and Falls Creek that would generate approximately 4.5 megawatts to the Homer Electric grid system in an attempt to diversify their energy supply. The Grant Lake project alone would involve raising the lake level by building a 10x120 foot concrete dam at the lake's only outlet: Grant Creek. Additional water would also be diverted from Falls Creek to a power house. Homer Electric is now the sole owner of the Kenai Hydro venture after additional owners Wind Energy Alaska LLC, Cook Inlet Region Inc., and enXco Inc., announced they were no longer partnering in the operation. Depending on additional grant money, Kenai Hydro may continue baseline studies (environmental, economic and energy potential studies) on the project.

Local Spring Lake Fishing Update

The trail to Johnson Lake is still in great condition and once to the lake, the fishing is great. Even without any bait, you will get a fish with every drop of the line. There is a lot of overflow on the lake that must be drilled through first, so bring a long auger. The ice on Carter Lake is too thick to drill through (even with a two-foot extension on the auger), but there is still plenty of snow to make it up the trail and ride around on once up there.

Moose Pass Methodist Church Named Church of the Week

Moose Pass United Methodist Church (UMC) was named Church of the Week by the General Board of Discipleship. Moose Pass UMC is a family church community of about 15 worshipers. All of the music is played by self-taught musicians on the churches old piano and pump organ, accompanied occasionally by additional instruments such as the flute. The church donates to the local food pantry, holds holiday worship events, and summer Vacation Bible School experiences among other things.

Moose Pass Methodist Church Renovations and News

To date, nearly $9,000 has been received for the renovation construction project of the Moose Pass UMC. New roofing, flooring, wiring, and energy efficient windows and doors are being installed this June with the help from a Volunteer in Mission team from North Carolina. Volunteers are still being recruited for the renovations slated to begin June 23. Moose Pass pastor Peter Perry will be moving to Anchorage after the last Sunday in June, as he has been appointed to be the senior pastor at Saint John UMC. Peter Perry does not expect any gaps in service for the new pastor is scheduled to arrive in July.

Moose Pass APC Meeting

The next Moose Pass Advisory Planning Commission is April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Moose Pass Community Hall.