Hope Happenings

By Shyla Malone
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent

This past week, we remember those who fell when the towers that crumbled in New York on 9-11, we also remember those who survived. All of those brave souls who put up a fight, while dealing with a heart wrenching sight. It’s been 10 years to the day, and we still say “I can’t believe that happened”. At least we know, those poor souls are not gone, they will live on in the hearts of all Americans. We will always remember, where we were the day the Twin Towers fell.

Planning commission meeting

Monday night the Panning Commission voted against the road name changes for the streets located in downtown Hope. Jim Skogstad, Scott and Fayrene Sherrit, Diane Olthius and Doug Pope were in attendance and offered comments. They also submitted a petition with 43 names on it opposing the name changes.

Election 2011

On October 4, 2011, there will be a regular election; the booths will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. We will be voting on a new Kenai Borough mayor and propositions 1-3.

The mayoral candidates are: Dale Bagley, Gary Superman, Mike Navarre, Fred Struman, Debbie Brown, and Timothy E. “Tim” O’brien.

Proposition 1 is a repeal of the seasonal sales tax exemption of non-prepared food items, meaning if it’s repealed we will again have a taxation on all non-prepared food items between the dates of Sept. 1 until May 31.

Proposition 2 proposes an increase to the borough sales tax from 3.0 to 3.1 percent, with the additional 0.1 percent to be used for economic development.

Proposition 3 would like to apportion the Board of Education and the Assembly.

You can get a full list of the propositions and candidates at the Kenai Borough web page, www.borough.kenai.ak.us/ under the link election information.

Recycle

Please remember to recycle your items at the recycle shed located in Tito’s parking lot. The items which you may recycled there are plastic bags, stretchy plastic, plastic bottles 1 and 2’s with no caps, mixed paper, and aluminum cans which Hope students get 35 cents a pound for. All other recyclables please take to the dump.

Museum News

There was a work party on Saturday, Sept. 10, to clean up the museum and its grounds. Volunteers Tom Matthews, Rosemarie Knecht, Harold Cheong-Sang, Scott Sherritt, Diane Olthuis and Johnny Gantenbein removed the wood that was piled up in the back of the museum. The usable firewood was stacked neatly on the side of the museum, four trailer loads of rotten wood was taken away. While they were cleaning they found a sink and some truck tire chains. If anyone would like these items please contact Scott Sherritt at 782-3436.

Even though the museum is officially closed after Labor Day, one volunteer, Billy Miller, has been keeping the museum open on most afternoons. Although we get less and less visitors to Hope in the fall and winter, Billy enjoys being able to tell them about the history of our small town. He goes to the museum Monday through Saturday and heats up the woodstove and sets out the open sign. If a school class or other group would like to visit the museum, they can set up an appointment by calling Billy Miller at 782-3471.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. there will be an archeological survey and potluck at the Hope Social Hall. We hope to see you there and please dress according to the weather.

School News

There was an open house, potluck and 9-11 Memorial at the school on Tuesday Sept. 13. The students and staff worked very hard on preparing for this event. Many students did plaster-of-paris sculptures, and others worked on essays, all having to do with 9-11. They also made cabbage soup, after having read a book about a moose that had a giant cabbage and decided to make it into soup. The book included a recipe for the soup. Many students brought in fresh vegetables from their gardens at home to add into the soup.

Tom and Joyce Burgin are teaching a C.P.R. class to a few older students this month. CPR saves over 325,000 Americans before they reach a hospital. Thank you for teaching this wonderful class.

This school year, we also acquired a new school principal, Monica Hinders. We would like to welcome her to the Hope school and community, and thank you for joining our school.

Movie night is the third Wednesday of every month at 6 pm. with Mrs. T. Community volleyball is Mondays from 7- 9pm.

There will be a Hope Health Fair, Saturday, Oct. 29. The School will open at 9 a.m. Blood tests will be drawn from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the rest of the health exhibits will be open until 1 p.m. If you have any questions you may contact Lisa at 907-301-2499.

Church News

Just a reminder about the Kenai Christian Church women’s retreat which starts on Sept. 29 and goes until Oct. 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.

Church is every Sunday at 3 p.m. The food bank is on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. and Bible study is at 3 p.m. on Thursdays.

Fish Report

Since it’s thee end of the fishing season, this report will not continue until next year when the fish are back.

Poem of the Month

Autumn

Scanning the horizons as I turn around.

Red, yellow, Brown dotting the evergreens abound.

Even the wind has a different sound.

The evening air now has a bite,

though it is only slight.

Clouds on the horizon now the sight.

The twinkling stars seem bright,

against the black sky of night.

The mountain peaks hidden in shrouds,

of funny shaped clouds.

In the upper valleys winds whistle loud.

As autumn towards winter now crowds.

– Wild Bill How

IN MEMORY

Bob Foust (Born May 28, 1933 Died Sept.3, 2011)

Bob has lived in Alaska for 35 years, seven of which were in Hope. In his youth, he was an athlete, then in the Marine Corps and was a veteran in the Korean War. Bob loved to drive around Hope in his old truck with his dog Tippy. He is survived by family in Washington.

Other News

Paul Zabrinski ‘s ashes will be scattered in Palmer Creek, as he wished to be laid to rest there. Also upon his last wishes, a monument will be made for him.

During the last rain storm Six Mile River raised up to 13 feet. It has since receded and rafting has resumed, but more than a few spots on the river has changed significantly.