Hope Happenings

Shyla Malone
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent

With summer solstice next week our days have grown longer, and busier. Not just for us individually, but as a town as well. From exciting events to the traffic on the roads, Hope has become a bustling hamlet.

The recent sunny weather has seemed to add to this increase in activity, luring out all those outdoor enthusiasts, whether you’re biking, hiking, or just lounging in warmth.

Keep in mind that humans are not the only ones out enjoying the summer, there have been several bear sightings around town, not to mention moose, remember to be cautious while you’re outside whether in your yard or around town.

Also increasing with the traffic and weather is the dust, engulfing the road and coating our yards; slowing down would help prevent this and leave all of us with cleaner, fresher air.

With the tantalizing smell of barbeques, bazaars and poetry readings, to the soulful sounds of music drifting on the breeze, a summer in Hope is one of a kind.

Hope’s First Saturdays

Every month, in the summer, on the very first Saturday, Hope holds a writer and artist walk, where you can meet the artists and writers. It is also a chance to get them to sign their work.

Usually located downtown at the Hope Library, this venue is a real treat. Most of the talented people at this event hail from Alaska, but a few may be from outside. I attended the June 2 walk on the first Saturday of the month and found an assortment of artists and writers who stretched from Sweet Moe’s ice cream parlor to the Library lawn.

Nat Cramer from Cooper Landing and Ryan Lee from Moose Pass were there; they are a couple of chainsaw wood carvers who took up shop in the parking lot of Sweet Moe’s. They lined up their carvings so that people along the road had a good view of their craftsmanship.

Continuing a block down the road on the right hand side is Sheritt’s Fine Art Gallery, and on the left the Hope Library. Scott and Fayrene Sheritt run a small gallery filled with Scott’s paintings and Fayrene’s handmade jewelry. You can usually find one or both of them there willing to answer your questions.

Across the street on the lawn of the Library, you’ll find an array of artists and writers gathered to show off their unique talents.

Laurie Gene from Hope was selling her homemade fabric covered boxes and wine bottle bags. Frank Winn had an assortment of his Alaskan photographs on display for sale. You can find his work at happyotter.com.

Dominique Collet from Sterling was showcasing his books and posters/prints of Alaskan plants and mushrooms. Check out alaskanaturalists.com.

Brittany Mattero from Anchorage had a wonderful display of garments for women and babies. While her Husband Geoff Mattero an international photographer, was showing his photographs.

Dwaine Schuldt, formerly of Girdwood and now from Anchorage, was there with “Report of An Expedition, to The Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk Rivers. In The Territory of Alaska.” It’s a reprint of Allen’s 1885 journal, with an introduction by Mr. Schuldt.

Diane Olthuis from Hope had many of her books about the Hope area and Alaska.

The writer of “How Do You Say Goodbye to an Elephant” had a very unique art project for the kids, where you put on a mask with an elephant trunk, attached to the trunk was a paintbrush; the kids then proceeded to paint like an elephant. This was entertaining for everyone around, and a very creative way for the kids to have fun as well.

At Hopes historical Social Hall the Midnight Sun Cloggers held two shows at the beginning and end of the first Saturday. I attended the latter show and the house was packed to standing room only. The cloggers danced to an assortment of music from swing to country, while the audience kept time by clapping to the music and the steps of the cloggers. It was a wonderful show and much gratitude to the cloggers and all of the people who helped put it together.

A big thank you also goes to all of the volunteers, artists and writers for their time effort into this event. I would have to say, the first first Saturday of Hope went very well with a great turnout. If you missed it or would like to see what there about the next one will be on July 7, from 11-4 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Hopes open Mic/Poetry Reading

On June 16, Hope hosted an outside open mic and poetry reading. The weather was perfect for this venue, with the sun shining down upon us, and a slight breeze to cool us off. Many writers and poets took to the mic, as well as audience members, whether it was there own work or something they wanted to share.

Every piece read was interesting and enlightening. Four published Alaskan poets also attended this reading: Tonja Woelber, Sherry Eckrich, Paul Winkel, and Doug Pope. They are featured in a book called the “10 poets.” Every seat that there was taken and people were still coming in off the street.

Kids Love Dandelions and Adults Don’t

On Sunday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hope Museum, meet at the picnic tables for the Hope and Sunrise Historical and Mining society presents “Kids Love Dandelions and Adults don’t.” Learn the story of the dandelion, dandelion recipes, make dandelion, feed dandelions to horses, and pick as many dandelions as you can.

There will be a contest for the most dandelions, the longest root, and the most monster dandelion. You can pack a lunch and eat at the picnic tables. This should be fun for the entire family so come on down and join in.

Hopes Wagon Trail Run

The wagon trail run is right around the bend to be held on the second weekend in July. It’s a great way to have fun with the family and enjoy the outdoors. Raffle tickets are already being sold at various businesses around town and on Discovery Café’s porch during the weekend. You can also find them at Hope’s Social Hall downtown the day of the event.

All of the proceeds go to help out all the non-profit organizations around town. Please come down and share this fabulous event with us.

Museum News

The museum is open daily from noon to 4 p.m.; they have a lot of interesting history about our Hope and Sunrise area, and the history of mining of this area.

Library News

Right now at the library there is a tent/garage sale going on with many different treasures in its midst. This is a fundraiser to help out Hope Library. Stop by and take a look you never know what you’ll find.

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.

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.

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.

Poem of Month

Wild Bill’s Words of Wisdom

It’s only a major undertaking before you begin,
Once you start, all that remains is to finish.

– Wild Bill How