Hope Happenings

By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent


Chugach Electric met with the District Forest Ranger from Seward during the week of Feb. 19. They discussed with the new District Ranger, the need for a meeting between Chugach Electric, the Forest Service and the community of Hope. Chugach spokesperson Phil Steyer said they are now waiting for the Forest Service to get back to them to schedule the meeting. It is expected that the meeting will possibly happen by the end of March. In the meantime, Chugach is making preparations for this meeting. Notice of the meeting will be posted once it has been scheduled. Steyer also stated that out of 2,000 miles of powerline that Chugach services, this winter they have spent a lot of unexpected time and money on just 17.5 miles of it in an effort to keep the power on in Hope. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by the Hope and Sunrise residents.

Whittier Eagles Basketball Coach Jeremy Lancaster with team members (not in order): Wayne Shen, Nick Swain, Stephen Finger, Brittani Motoyama, Justin Lipscomb, Jacob Ginn, Brian Nelson, Tawnie Nelson, Andrew Ladd and J.J. Cannon.

photo courtesy Diane Olthuis

Principal Ken Halverson reported in a letter to the PTA for the meeting held Feb. 21 that the “The PTA sponsored Dessert Auction went quite well last Friday evening thanks to the work of many individuals, not the least of which were the school’s staff.” He commended Angie Motoyama for her work, as well as Lennie Yoter and Gina Motoyama for their contributions. And he offered a special thanks auctioneer, Bianca Durrant, who was influential in getting folks to “dig deep in their pockets that evening.”
This year’s PTA fundraiser netted $2952.94 and another $263.16 via the Valentine’s flower fundraiser earlier that week.
“This was my first experience in attending such an event at Hope,” Halverson said, “but I would hasten to report that my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves that evening. It always impresses me as to how strongly the community supports the school when we come forward asking for money”
Jeanne Berger gave a report on the ongoing Wellness/Food Program at the meeting. She indicated that it is going better than expected. In the event of a power outage, they will always have a backup microwave-able meal since the stoves don’t work if power goes out. The community is invited to lunches on Wednesdays. Notices will be posted with menus. Folks must call the school by Monday though to reserve. Menus will be prepared weeks in advance. Small donations are appreciated. All meals are high fiber, low fat, low salt/sugar and yummy!
On the school’s Science class, Jeanne reported on the “Caring for the Kenai” project the students are doing. There is potential to win lots of money (individually) and each school that participates will receive $500 for science budget. Only high school students can enter. Two projects in the works are speed bumps on Hope Road and global warming. The next PTA meeting has been set for March 15 at 3:00 pm at the Hope School. All PTA members are encouraged to attend.
The Hope and Sunrise Historical Society School-house Committee met on Feb. 24. Hope’s 1904 schoolhouse has been restored on the museum grounds. The committee intends to furnish it with artifacts and display interpretive signs. Two small rolls of 1904 wallpaper were discovered in the attic during building restoration. Janet McCabe has photo copied the wallpaper pattern onto larger paper. Beth Kaser brought the 1900 boy’s shoes and a school slate that she had purchased in an antique store. Diane Olthuis brought catalog pages of the museum’s artifacts that are suitable to furnish the schoolhouse. As the schoolhouse was the teacher’s living quarters, it will need dishes and shaving supplies in addition to books and pens. Ann Miller and Lynn Copoulos brought their enthusiasm. The hot topic of the hour was whether or not to sew a new 1904 style suit. Anyone having 1904 items to offer the historical society should contact Diane Olthuis at 782-3115.
Diane Olthuis reports that many in Hope have been cheering for the Whittier Eagles high school basketball team. This past week, the Eagles played their last games of the season. On Feb. 20, they battled the Eagle River Christian school team. Then on Feb. 22, they defeated the Matanuska Susitna Christian school team. The final contest of the season was the annual game between the Eagles and the Whittier Community School staff on Feb. 23, which the Eagles won by a large margin.
Coach Jeremy Lancaster is impressed with how the Whittier Eagles have developed into a strong team. None of the Eagles will be graduating this year, as the entire team is made up of ninth and tenth graders. Lancaster predicts that next year, when the players are older and taller, they will bring home several wins.
In Jan. 2007 Shelly Cass-idy graduated from a four-month long teacher-training program at the Denver Institute of Yoga. The 200-hour certification process included meditation and breathing techniques, anatomy, and teaching methodology philosophy and asana instruction. Her teachers stem from the various traditions of Iyengar, Ashtanga and Hatha. It was an enriching experience that has allowed Shelly to come back to Hope to teach yoga.
“I am thrilled to be back in Hope to teach the spirit of yoga to the community,” said Shelley. “It is a gift to be able to share what you love to the people around you. I feel lucky that the community is so enthusiastic about practicing yoga and that they give me continual support and encouragement.”
Shelly will be teaching Hatha Yoga classes on Wednesdays from 6-7:15 pm and Sundays 10-11:15 am in the foyer of the Hope School. She is available for private sessions. All classes are taught on a donation basis. She will also be volunteering at the Hope School teaching the kids during their P.E. time on Wednesdays. Hope will be hosting return guest teacher, Dennis Eagan, for a mini-workshop on April 11 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The cost is $20 and ten percent will be donated to the Hope School. Please call 301-1181 for information.
Kent Bowman, Bowman’s Bear Creek Lodge reported that everyone had a great time at their Valentine’s Dinner event. Special thanks to Alex Kime, owner of Alaska Horseman in Cooper Landing, for providing the horse drawn sleigh rides. The ride under a full moon, and on top of several inches of fresh snow, made for a very romantic ride and everyone had a good time. Thank you to Kent and Melanie Bowman as they continue to provide free lunch either on Thursday or Friday each week to the students and staff of the Hope School. Their café is open 2 p.m. -9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and their cabin rentals are open all week. Their dinner special is Prime Rib on Saturday nights.
Wednesday morning breakfast at the Hope Christian Church provides a free breakfast to anyone in our community who would like to attend. Doors of the church will open every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, with breakfast served from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Both cafes are closed for all meals on Wednesdays.
The Food Bank pantry provides basic food provisions to those members of our community that may have a need. The food bank is open after breakfast to 11 a.m. To take advantage of the food pantry outside the regular hours listed above please contact either Tom Burgin (350-1318) or Joyce Burgin (830-5307).