Hope Happenings

By Shyla Malone
Turnagain Times 
Hope Correspondent

Even though the rain seems to be trying to dampen our summer, we will still enjoy our last dog days. There is the slight chill in the air each morning and evening to let us know, falls on the way. With school starting soon and Labor Day just around the corner, our season is coming to an end. It’s time for firewood cutting, berry gathering, hot coco or toddies, cozy fires and all our other preparations to get us through another Hope winter. There are still some events left up the sleeves of the town of Hope for everyone to enjoy.

Six-mile Fest

On Aug. 13, there will be the 4th annual Six-mile fest, there will be lots of fun and outstanding events to enjoy. At 12pm on Saturday there will be a head to head river race down a class 4 canyon, also there will be a whitewater rodeo, each of these events will have easy spectator access. Saturday night there will be a riverside bonfire with the music of Big Fat Buddha, and a raffle for some great prizes, micro brewed and food will be available. All events, beer, music and raffle are free but generous donations are encouraged and greatly appreciated. Donations will help to pay the band and setup costs. It should be lots of fun and I hope to see you there, if you need more information please go to www.alaskawhitewater.com.

Soggy Bottom 100

On Aug. 6 at 9 a.m., the Soggy Bottom 100 bike race will take off from the Sea View café and bar in downtown hope. The solo field will only have positions 40 riders and with six spots for teams. Registration for this race is basically over, but you can enter late for $150 on the day of the race from 7-8 a.m., no registration will be accepted after this time. Please keep in mind this is a backcountry race and only those experienced in this type of race should register.

Ameri-corps

A group of Hope-ites are back at it again, walking that is, from the library to the end of the road and back. If you would like to walk, they set off from the library at 10 a.m., come of the walkers walk daily and others when it is most convenient for them, everyone is invited to join.

Thank you to Dwayne Mcbride for donating an entire afternoon to Ameri-corps, by pressure washing all of the gravel and grass from the cracks in the school’s basketball court. Also Crystal Cork and Lisa Simono, who are in the process of repairing all the cracks in the asphalt, and Clayton Davidson, who will be scraping the peeling paint from and repainting all of the backboards. This project is being funded thanks to RurAL CAP, Ameri-corps Alaska sponsor.

A big thanks to Renna Martin, for saving aluminum cans all summer from her downtown restaurant, for the students recycling project.

Students at the Hope School receive 30 cents per pound for any aluminum cans that you have and the recycling bins are located in Discovery café parking lot. Please be sure to separate all of your items to be recycled and to make sure they are in the appropriate bins.

Museum News

Just a little reminder that on Aug. 6 at 1p.m., George Garrow will be down in the bunk house talking about the first airplane journey to outside of Alaska, from New York to Nome, so please come down and check it out.

Also the Hope & sunrise Historical Society (H&SHS) are looking for volunteers, if you would like to volunteer please contact Ann Miller at 782-3471.

The museum is open daily from 12-4 p.m.; they have a lot of interesting history about our Hope and Sunrise area.

Church News

There is a Kenai Christian Church women’s retreat which starts on September 29 and goes until October 1, it will be held at Solid Rock Bible Camp, if you would like to go or have any questions please contact Joyce Burgin at 830-5307.

The food bank will changing their hours and day of operation to Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m., and church is on Sundays at 3 p.m.

Library News

On Saturday, Aug. 6, there will be the last first Saturday, there will be many fine artists and writers attending, who will be signing copies of their work, drop by and check it out.

The library is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.

School News

I have a small correction to make to last week’s school report, registration is on Aug. 15 and 16 from 9-3 p.m.. If you need to register the very helpful Ms. Sara Fortin will help you out. School starts on August 23; hope all of you youngsters are ready as that is in a few weeks.

Fish Report

The fish still seem to be running strong. Last weekend I caught a nice humpy, while I caught a glimpse of a small mama blackie and little cub. I’ve also seen a lot of fishing line left on the banks, this can be really hazardous to our fish and other wildlife. Please if any line or lures on the bank pack it back, and if you happen to see any please pick it up thank you.

Other News

On Saturday, Aug. 13 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. there will be a community square dance at the social hall. Then starting at 5pm is a barbeque potluck, for square dancers, bring a dish to share, a charcoal grill will be available for your meat. From 7-9:30 p.m. there is a square dance with rounds, Mike Preskitt will be the caller that day. It’s $10 for each evening dance and donations are accepted for the afternoon dance, split the pot is also available at the evening dance. If you have any questions please contact Dovie Hoagn at 782-9733. Volunteers are welcome for set-up, clean-up, and refreshments.

Some concerned citizens asked me to write “ please take your branches to the appropriate areas and if you have anything large or semi-large, please do not throw it inside of the dumpster, as these take up a lot of room, thank you “. Also to keep hope clean please do not litter!

Poem of the Month

By Shyla Malone

Cozy fires nice and dry, all the while it’s raining outside.

Soon there will be sun so we can have some more fun.

A crisp chill bites the air and nips at our skin, reminders that winter is almost here.

Leaves are falling drifting down, making a mosaic carpet on the ground.

School is starting another year, don’t worry kiddos nothing to fear.

What lovely fall days, as we go about our ways.