Photo courtsey of Dorrinda Carner
Carnival revelers try their hand at the Cake Walk.
By Shyla Malone
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
With Halloween behind us, we now have the upcoming holidays to look forward to. In the winter months with not much happening, these holidays are a big event in our community. With school activities and our Christmas pot luck we certainly know how to bring in the holidays Hope style. It seems that winter has finally made it, starting with snow Saturday night and continuing off and on since then, hope everyone got all his or her last minute preparations done. Be careful diving around as well, the rain we had before it snowed formed a nice layer of ice under the Snow and it is very slick. Let us enjoy our winter and all the beauty that surrounds us everyday in our alluring little town.
Halloween Carnival
The Hope Halloween carnival was great, the snow put a damper on the amount of people who showed though. Even so the kids all had a blast, as well as the adults who were in attendance. The Halloween costume contest was a hit, the following people were the winners. Baby and toddler went to Brodie Schell, student aged was Lily Sherritt, Pam Shepherd won the women’s, the men’s went to Cody Cooper, groups was Gordon and Shirley Wisdorf, and the most unique or homemade outfit winner was Dagney Cunningham, congratulations to you all. A big thank you to everyone who donated their time and donations so that we could hold this event for the kids, great job everyone.
Hope Inc. Meeting
At the Hope Inc. meeting on Saturday, Oct. 29, a Kenai Borough staff member answered questions about the Revenue Sharing Program, which greatly helps Hopes Non-profit organizations. The Social Hall foundation was discussed because fall 2011 passed without any contractor biding for the job to replace the foundation. At least one contractor shied away from bidding because the Alaska Department of Labor said that it required Davis-Bacon wages. Vice President Doug Pope said that he would spend the winter trying to convince the department that the project was exempt from that requirement. The new goal was to replace the foundation in fall 2012. The current board: Doug Pope, Jim Skogstad, and Lana Scanlan were re-elected for another one-year term.
Hope Health Fair
The health fair, held on Saturday, October 29, was a huge success, with exhibit booths and more than 30 volunteers from all over South Central Alaska. The Hope Library donated a continental breakfast to the volunteers who were on the road early to set up in the school gym. Residents trickled in at first, but by 10:30 a.m., the place was crowded. New York Life offered photo i.d. and fingerprinting for kids, blood pressures, hearing, vision and dental exams were free, Lois Daubney, the public health nurse from Seward offered flu shots and blood tests were available for folks who remembered to fast. We would recommend Alaska Health Fairs to any community. Hope, Inc brought the health fair to you. Thanks Hope Inc. from all of us who benefited from the education, exhibits, exams, and great time.
School News
On Nov. 16, there will be a fundraising-for-the-students chili dinner at the school, everyone is welcome to come. On November first, a small award and pizza party was held for the parents and students at Hope school. Landon Stroh was awarded a certificate of achievement for P.E. rock climbing, Ryder Skaaren was awarded for outstanding work in math, Cody Fortin was awarded for outstanding work in reading, Alexandria Schell was awarded for outstanding penmanship/written language, River Skaaren was awarded for outstanding work in spelling, Benjamin Peck was awarded for outstanding work in history/the history detective: these students all received award certificates. A special plaque was awarded to Ben Peck, Tyler Motoyama, and Westley Kmiecik, for the winning the Kenai Borough Mind Maze challenge. Clayton Davidson and Shane Cork were also awarded for their participation on the Seward High football team.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, the Hope Students will be traveling to Whittier School to see the current World Teen Magic Champ perform this should be very fun for all who are involved.
Church News
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.
Library News
There will be a book club Starting in January if you are interested please contact the Library. The library is open everyday from Noon to 3 p.m., depending on volunteer schedules. A list of Volunteers and their schedules is posted on the libraries front door and on the bulletin board of the Post Office.
Poem Of The Month
The snow covered ground
looked as though it was scattered
with a thousand gems.
Haiku by Shyla Malone
Other News
Due in part to the low turn out last year, there will be no library sponsored Christmas bizarre this year at the Hope School. Instead, the library will begin sponsoring a family game night for community entertainment in January.
The Christmas potluck/party will be held on December 17 hope to see you there.
