Photo courtesy of Barb Atkinson
From left to right Linnaea Gossard, Clara LaRock, James Holben, Leihla Harrison, Hunter Harrison and in front Cooper Gossard.
By Susanna LaRock
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent
Cooper Landing Lynx Archers Aim High
Through the National Archery in Schools Program Cooper Landing School Students had the opportunity to compete virtually with around 500 other Alaskan Archers during the last week of March.
James Holben and Linnaea Morgan Gossard finished first in their grade level divisions. Clara LaRock finished third in her grade level division. Cooper Morgan Gossard, Leihla Harrison, and Hunter Harrison all finished in the top fifteen of their respective grade level divisions
Cooper Landing School started an archery program 4 years ago when teacher Tommy Gossard raised funds to buy the equipment and began teaching the students International style target archery in P.E. Class. Students have learned to shoot at 80cm. bulls eye targets placed before an arrow curtain in the school gym.
Since the start of the program many students have enjoyed learning about archery and improving their skills. This year students are very proud of the results of all of their hard work and practice.
Cooper Landing Community Club Meeting Found Members Dissatisfied With ADOT Open House
The Cooper Landing Community Club Meeting on March 29 was well attended by members and others from the community. The meeting followed the ADOT Sterling Highway Projects Open House. Many who attended the ADOT Open House also attended the Community Club meeting and there was much discussion about the Open House at the Community Club Meeting.
Members related that there were several ADOT members at the open house including the project managers of three Sterling Highway projects that would directly affect the residents of Cooper Landing. Residents attended the open house with concerns and questions that they thought would be heard and answered by the professionals in charge of the Sterling Highway Projects.
Each member who spoke about the open house reported feeling like their questions and concerns were not at all addressed by ADOT representatives. Instead, concerned residents reported being directed to maps of the plan and told that the plan would go forward as it was drawn up. There are copies of the ADOT plan for Mile Posts 37-58 of the Sterling Highway at the Cooper Landing Community Library.
Project Managers of the three projects have encouraged residents to contact them with individual concerns. Sean Holland, Project Manager of Mile Post 45- 58 Resurfacing and Rut Repair Project, can be reached at Sean.Holland@alaska.gov. Kelly Peterson, Project Manager of Mile Post 45-60 Bypass Project, can be reached at Kelly_Peterson@alaska.gov. Sean Baski, Project Manager of Mile Post 37-45 Pavement Preservation Project, can be reached at Sean.Baski@alaska.gov.
Other points of interest from the March 29 Community Club Meeting: Heidi McReynolds, President of Cooper Landing Community Club announced that she will be retiring and moving out of state. Vice President Sandra Holsten will be acting President until another President is elected. The new Community Hall Coordinator was introduced. Jessica Larson will be taking over for Katy Feichtinger who is retiring. Jessica can be reached regarding Hall bookings at 907-744-2277.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt April 7 at Cooper Landing Community Hall
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce will be held Saturday April 7 at 11am. As always the hunt will be at the Cooper Landing Community Hall and will include fun and prizes for kids of all ages. The Easter Bunny will be making a guest appearance at this year’s Easter Egg Hunt, so be sure to bring your cameras.
Self Help Housing Question and Answer Meeting April10
The ongoing Self Help Housing project in Cooper Landing has sparked much interest. Many have questions about what the project is and how the process works. Community members are welcome to come to the Cooper Landing Community Hall April10 at 1 p.m. with any and all questions. Mitzi Barker, the Planning and Construction Division Director for the project, and Mi’Shell French, the Home Ownership Coordinator will be speaking about the project and answering questions from community members.
People interested in applying for self help housing may pick up an application at Wildman’s, and anyone with questions regarding consideration for Self Help Housing may contact Carrie Williams 598-1633 or Cheryle James 598-1007.
Contests for Upcoming Earth Day Fair
Cooper Landing’s AmeriCorps RAVEN member Krissy Route and AmeriCorps BIRCH member Kristen Troxclair Fuller are working hard on planning the 2012 Earth Day Fair. In the plans are a couple of contests, which are open to all students from Moose Pass, Hope, and Cooper Landing Schools. The deadline for both contests is April 15, so students can start thinking about their contributions now in order to get the most out of their entry.
One contest planned is a home recycle center contest in which the students are encouraged to set up a recycle center in their homes. Only one entry will be accepted from each household though multi-child households are welcome to submit more than one name in their entry. Each entry must have three bins; if student already has a recycling center in their home, they can improve upon it or add more bins to recycle more materials.
Examples of recyclable materials include: aluminum, office paper, mixed paper, and plastic. Each participant is required to submit at least two pictures, one of the home recycle center, and one of the students delivering recyclables to the nearest recycle center. More pictures are encouraged and all entries will be displayed at the Earth Day Fair April 19 at Cooper Landing School.
The second contest planned is an art contest. All entries should show our natural world and what it means to the participant with an emphasis on respect for the environment and what the student loves about the world around them. All mediums are acceptable, from drawing to painting to photography. Entries larger than 11”x14” can be submitted by taking a digital picture of the work and sending the photo. Works of art will be judged on originality, message, overall impact, and quality. Entries for both contests can be sent to Cooper Landing School Attention Kristin Fuller and Krissy Route 19030 Bean Creek Road Cooper Landing, AK 99572.
Annual Earth Day Fair April 19 at Cooper Landing School
Cooper Landing’s two AmeriCorps members, Krissy Route and Kristen Fuller, have been busy planning this year’s annual Earth Day Fair. It will be held April 19 at Cooper Landing School from 11am to1pm. Hope, Moose pass, and Cooper Landing School students are all participating in planning booths to educate the public during this free fun filled event.
There will be chances to win $50 gift certificates from Full Circle Farm’s delivered organic produce. There will also be $15 off coupons for people who would like to sign up with Full Circle Farms. There will be a green cleaning demonstration with a green cleaner to take home, a seed planting booth, a recyclable crafts booth, and more. This event is fun and educational and a great way to celebrate Earth Day.
