Hope Happenings

By Bianca Durrant
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent

It happens so fast. One day you hear a faint buzzing in your ear. This may also happen at night while you are sleeping. Either way, the buzzing gets louder and louder until you realize, “I'm bloodmeal for a giant insect.”

If You Open, They Will Come

As if the warming winds weren't reason enough to smile, Tito's Discovery Café has reopened after a prolonged closure following Tito's passing in December. Their hours of operation through May are Fridays-Mondays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stay tuned for summer hours.

Starting May 12, historical Seaview Café and Bar will open its doors for another summer of sunshine and sea breeze on the deck. The music on opening weekend starts Thursday May 13 with an Andy Mullen hosted Jam Night. The good times roll on with Melissa Mitchell gracing the stage on Friday night. Milo Matthews takes the helm for Saturday night's music. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

Forest Service to Work on Projects in Hope Area

The Forest Service has a few projects going on in the Hope area this summer. The Porcupine campground will undergo a major revamp to modernize the campsites. These sites have not had any significant work done on them since they were built in the 1960s. In addition to the renovation of existing sites, the Forest Service hopes to add a few more sites to the campground. This project will commence around mid-June and continue through the first half of summer 2011. Until the project starts, reservations will be on a first come first served basis.

The Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project continues to stock local woodsheds. Permits must be obtained before any cutting should begin. Those fantastic pieces of paper are available at the Glacier Ranger District or Seward Ranger District offices.

The public gold panning area south of Resurrection Creek, near the trailhead, will be getting some attention this summer as well. The Forest Service would like to better manage where vehicles can be parked and this means eliminating driving off road to reach camping spots. The ability to camp will remain, but getting to a camp spot will now entail walking. (You can do it!)

Speaking of Resurrection Creek, the Forest Service plans to release a draft Environmental Impact Statement within the month. Part of this EIS concerns what impact the expansion of Hope Mining Company operations in Resurrection Creek will have on the Resurrection Creek Restoration Project. The Forest Service has been working on the Resurrection Creek Restoration Project for years.

This project works to establish healthy fish populations and riparian areas along the creek. It also works to restore meandering side channels that will help fish and plant life thrive. Since Hope Mining Co.'s operations are in the area of this Restoration project, they have had to work very closely with the Forest Service to establish a corridor along Resurrection Creek.

Final approval and bonding for Hope Mining Co. to start their mining expansion in the Resurrection Creek area is about to wrap up.

Hope Happenings was assured that a Forest Service representative would be inspecting mining operations once or twice a week all summer long.

Clean Up on the Streets of Hope

Want to make a difference? Join Hope School students and the Chamber of Commerce on May 17 for a town clean-up day. It ‘s fun to troll around for invasive litter.

School Daze

It's not over yet kids. Graduation at the Hope School is scheduled for May 21. In addition to three kindergarten and 2 eighth grade graduates, Brittani and Ashley Motoyama will be graduating their senior year. Lifelong students of Hope School, the twins plan on attending UAA in the fall. Hope Happenings tips its hat to all of the graduates.

Contact Us

Submit your photos and tidbits to: hopehappenings@live.com. We want to hear from you.

Correction: In the last issue of the Turnagain Times Maggie Holeman was erroneously left off the byline of Hope Happenings. She was a contributing reporter.