Hope Happenings

By Bianca Durrant
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent

It wouldn’t be the same place without the ups and downs in the snow. Within the space of a week we might find ourselves wearing ice cleats or bunny boots, running shoes or skis. Plans are made, come the rain or wind, plans rearrange. Maybe the drive to town will be easy breezy or perhaps it will be white knuckled and gripped. Whatever the case may be, it’s interesting and we are grateful.

Resurrecting a Historical Ski Area

Local ski enthusiast Dave Scanlan has a passion for enjoying the snow. He also has a passion for keeping his hometown dynamic. With the help of Mountain Rider’s Alliance, Scanlan hopes to resurrect the historical Manitoba Ski Area and in the process, infuse some economic activity in the tri-community areas of Hope, Moose Pass, and Cooper Landing. Mountain Rider’s Alliance is an organization dedicated to “creating sustainable mountain playgrounds,” as indicated on their website: www.mountainridersalliance.com.

“As a member of Hope’s Advisory Planning Commission, I was of the thought that the recent Hope land sale would take place and Hope would still be at square one as far as being a place that families could viably live and make a living,” said Scanlan.

With summer offering just four months of what is the bulk of yearly economic activity for Hope, many residents find themselves in situations where it is necessary to commute long distances or move away for the winter in order to work. Manitoba’s relative proximity to not only Hope, Cooper Landing, and Moose Pass, but also Seward, Soldotna, Girdwood, and Anchorage led Scanlan to see the potential that a minimal impact surface tow could have on the spirits and wallets of the residents in the surrounding areas.

To be sure, it will not be a cure-all for the economic stability of the area, but certainly, some jobs could be created.

“There are the jobs directly related to the recreational aspect of the ski area, such as grooming trails and first aid support,” said Scanlan. “Other jobs could be created through partnerships with private sector businesses to provide services such as food, backcountry guiding, and ski school.”

He added that there could be indirect jobs and economic benefits as a result of more visitors to the general vicinity of our communities.

“Maybe there will be more instances of people wanting to have dinner and stay in a B&B for the night rather than drive all the way back to Anchorage. This could also be true for visitors coming to ski from places like Homer or Willow,” he added.

Scanlan stressed that they are still doing a lift analysis and should the project come to fruition, there are absolutely no plans to make this a big ski area development with condos and timeshares. Instead, the vision is to have a t-bar or a rope tow for the lift and a Nordic ski area as well.

Outreach for this project has begun with the first informational meeting having taken place in Girdwood on Feb. 28. Scanlan said the support for the project seemed to be strong at that first meeting. The next informational meeting on the Manitoba Ski Area will take place in Cooper Landing on March 24 at the Community Club. Scanlan is still ironing out the details on a Hope and Moose Pass meeting but anticipates those to take place in March or April. Hope Happenings will announce those dates when they are confirmed.

Recycling In Hope

There are now vast recycling services available at the Hope School. The following may now be recycled by dropping off in the Hope School entryway: number “1” or “2” plastic, preferably rinsed with no caps; tin cans, ditto on the rinse; aluminum cans, uncrushed is fine; and mixed paper such as gift wrap, magazines, and cereal boxes. This does not include waxed paper.

In addition, old or non-functioning flashlights, smoke detectors, and batteries may also be dropped off for disposal when both ends are taped to prevent a fire hazard.

Lastly, printer cartridges are also being accepted. Residents should continue to recycle their glass, newspapers, and cardboard at the transit site. Contact Angie Motoyama at Hope School if there are any questions.

Irish Dinner and Fundraiser

The Hope Christian Church is sponsoring a St. Patrick’s fundraiser dinner to benefit the students. Since the school is closed the week of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, the dinner will be held on March 23 at 6 p.m. The menu will be corned beef and cabbage, mint creamed carrots, dill green beans, oven roasted red potatoes, and soda bread muffins.

In addition, there will be lime sherbet punch, coffee, and tea. Wear your best green and have dinner with your neighbors.

Hope/Sunrise Historical Society

By Diane Olthius

Mark March 5 on your calendar and come to a Hope and Sunrise Historical Society potluck at noon in the home of Society President Diane Olthuis. Diane promises to find a chair for anyone who shows up with a dish.  Stay after lunch to contribute your ideas to the discussion on how to make a great historical society even better. If you’d like to sit on the board, there are seats open! 

If you’d like to lend a hand at the Hope Museum this summer, speak up! If you’ve always envied the Museum’s lush garden, this is the time to offer to be the gardener. Help is needed for a one-day Sunrise Walking Tour and a one-day Historic Hope Gardens presentation. 

Both activities should be a lot of fun!  Possibly you’d like to help with building restoration or display signs. Bring your ideas to the meeting.

Contact Hope Happenings

The best way to leave tips, announcements, grievances, and praise with Hope Happenings is through email. Contact us at: hopehappenings@live.com.