Shyla Malone
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
Happy Easter! Spring has sprung, and with it comes some annual hazards. The melting snow causes such a mess of our roads, from the thawing and refreezing, to the gigantic puddles. This is the season for black ice and when there is a sheet of water on it from the thawing of the day it can be very dangerous. The huge puddles are also dangerous from the sheet of water that comes off our tires when driven through, which can engulf the traffic around you, to the hydroplaning effect some of them have.
One thing to remember in the spring and at all times is to drive with caution. Not only are there road hazards, but also the moose like to wander here and there and sometimes straight down the middle of the road.
This is also the season when a lot of road construction starts, always plan to leave ahead of time to get to your destination and be careful of flaggers. If you would like to check road and highway conditions there is a free statewide number you can call, its 511, this number allows you to check and see if there are any construction zones, accidents, or avalanches, as well as the weather conditions and which roads are closed or open.
Spring is not just a season for wariness it also is a time for hope, with our warmer longer days and the bright spring sunshine that seems like it’s not hard to find lately, just look out your door.
Hope Chamber of Commerce Meeting
There will be a Hope Chamber meeting Mon. April 9, at 3:30 p.m. at the Hope Library. Annual dues will be due for the 2012 year. The agenda will include the election of officers, kiosk updates and chamber brochure information. If you have any questions or would like to add something to the agenda please contact Todd Bureau at 782-3525.
School News
The Hope School gym will be open from 8-9:30 a.m. to the community for anyone who would like coffee, tea, and a little company. It will be open every school day, until the Discovery Café opens again on Apr. 20. There is also Wednesday. breakfast held at the school from 8-9:30, every Wednesday.
On Wednesday, March 28, the older students went to see the movie the “Hunger Games” based on the book they read in school last year, and the little kids watched “The Lorax”. After the movie, they went to La Mex for dinner. They said that both movies were very excellent and they had a blast.
The students are back after a week long hiatus for spring break and have many exciting things planned for the last nine weeks of school, yes, there’s only nine weeks left until school ends on May 23.
The Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser held on March 30 went superbly. The kids took in more donations then the goal that was set and did a great job jumping for heart. Way to go kids for your hard work and concern for healthy hearts. Also, thank you to the community for being such great contributors for this event. Thank you to Maura O’Connell for setting up this great event and for teaching a great P.E class to our younger grades.
Charlie Stephens is a P.E. mentor who will be visiting our school once a month until it ends in May. He has some new equipment for the weight room and many new ideas for the P.E. program at the Hope School. His first visit went really well, and the students were all eager to see what he had to offer.
Hope School is looking for someone from the community to help with this year’s yearbook. Last year’s were done through shutterfly.com, anyone willing to help please contact the school.
There is Hope Husky ball caps and hoodies available for sale whose proceeds go to the Hope School P.T.S.C.A, if you would like one the hats are $20 and the hoodies are $45, please contact Jason Skaaren at 782-3175.
Some rock climbing instructors from the Alaska Pacific University are supposed to be coming to help teach our kids some rock climbing skills and how best to utilize the rock climbing wall. This will be a great learning experience for them, as well as physical exercise.
The Hope PTSCA Meeting will be on Tues, April 10 at 3:15 p.m. Please join us - it really does take a village to raise a child.
Thank you to volunteers Shirley Wisdorf and Cheryl Stavish for preparing a spectacular St Patrick’s Day Dinner, which earned $350 for the Hope School PTSCA fundraiser.
Ameri-Corp
2012 Ameri-Corps activities in Hope focus on nutrition, exercise, economic and health opportunities: a nutrition/food preservation class, seniors 70 plus exercise, aluminum can recycling, the first Saturday Artists, Authors, Arts and Crafts event and a health fair in the fall.
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. This Sunday, Feb. 19, there will be a church potluck held immediately after church services.
Library News
The library is in the process of giving away all their VCR tapes for free. They want to get rid of them before the end of March to make room for new DVDs. If no one comes to claim them, they will go to the dump.
Permanent Fund Dividend applications are located at the library. If you are in need of one, stop by and one of the superb volunteers can help you out.
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 library’s front door and on the bulletin board of the post office. There is also a wide new selection of DVDs and books for you to peruse through.
There was a library board meeting on Sunday, April 1. Some of the things discussed were the repairs that need to be done at the library, which include the frozen septic tank which cannot be fixed until the thaw, and the sagging roof of the gift shop that will need a new support beam this spring.
Also, on the first Saturdays, an outdoor bazaar and social gathering for artists, writers, and anyone who is interested in these subjects or just loves a great day at an outdoor event. They are held the first Saturdays of each month during the summer. Possible ways to improve these events were talked about, if you have any ideas for improvement of the First Saturdays please contact the Library or Susan Anderson at 782-3121.
The library is interested in setting up a committee, called Friends of the Library. This group would consist of community members that are not on the library board, who would come up with ideas for fundraising, upcoming community library events, and on attracting people to visit our library and town.
Also needed are volunteers for the summer hours if you are interested please contact Susan Anderson at the library 783-3121.
Other News
There is a new snack bar open in Hope; it’s called the Winter Café. It is located at the Stavish residence, off of Ferrin Drive. Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They offer a variety of snacks and beverages.
Poem of the Month
Easter through kid’s eyes
Many hued jewel like eggs scattered across the yard.
Little chocolate bunnies and brightly colored beans.
Pretty frilly dresses and buttoned down shirts.
Hidden prizes everywhere you turn.
It looks as if the Easter bunny has come.
– Shyla Malone
