By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent
Community businesses to host “Open House” May 31
The community of Hope is hosting an open house on Sunday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited and we hope you will come. There will be free yoga lessons at Shelley Cassidy’s new Hope Yoga Shala, wine and cheese tasting at the Sherritt Fine Arts Gallery & Gifts, plus cookies and a warm welcome at the Hope Library. Sweet Mo’s candy shop will be open and Sourdough Dru will have free treats for kids. You can pan for gold at Gold Digga Dallas’ sluice box located near the Hope Museum or take a leisurely and informative walk through the historic district with Gold Rush Peck.
The Hope Historical Museum will be open noon to 4 p.m., and you can go back in time as you wander through some of the original buildings that have been moved to, and restored on the Museum grounds. The first school opened in 1904 and the building is now located at the Museum. Local merchants are setting up shop in the Hope Social Hall. Dave and Lana are bringing their tye dyed shirts and Diane Olthuis will be signing copies of her new book “It Happened in Alaska”. Chugach Outdoor Center staff will thrill you with adventures shooting the rapids on Six Mile and a host of other residents will showcase products, adventure trips and places to stay here in Hope. The Sea View Café and Bar is providing live music on their deck. Rain or shine, it’s going to be a good time. See you in Hope May 31.
June 6 “Libby” will be performed in Hope
The Hope/Sunrise Historical Society is hosting the performance of the play, Libby, on Saturday, June 6. The location has been moved to the Hope School, the largest venue in Hope. The time is still 7 to 9, followed by a dessert social. Libby is a brilliant one-woman play based on the 1879-80 Pribilof Island letters of Libby Beaman.
This is a brilliant play created and performed by Elizabeth Ware. The actress ‘becomes’ Libby Beaman; an 1879 woman constrained by a corset, floor-length skirt with bonnet. She sits with her trunk and photographs and weaves stories about her winter on Alaska remote Pribilof Islands.
Libby Beaman (1856-1932) lived on the Pribilof Islands over the winter of 1970-80. She was the first white woman on the islands. Learning that there was no teacher for the Aleut children, she taught school. Libby was a fervent diarist, a skilled sketch artist, and avid beachcomber. Years later, her granddaughter published the diary entries, letters and sketches as Libby. This is the historical society’s first play. It is their hope for an audience of 72, enough to cover the cost of the performance. A $6 dollar each donation is suggested. Please bring a dessert to share after the play.
Hope Museum now an authorized Passport stamp location
The Hope/Sunrise Museum opens for their summer season on Saturday, May 23. Summer hours will be noon to 4 p.m. As Alaska celebrates 50 years of Statehood, the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council has created “Passport to the Kenai Peninsula”. The program provides “passports” for locals and visitors to encourage them to visit all the communities on the Peninsula. For more information or to get your passport stamped, please stop by the Hope Museum—Hope’s authorized stamping location.
More information on the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) celebrations can be found on the AK50 ON the Kenai web site on the KPB home page at www.borough.kenai.ak.us or at www.kpbcelebrates50.org.
Hope School students to visit Maui
This year the Hope School spring field trip will be to Maui, Hawaii with ten students and four adults heading off from Hope on May 24 and returning May 29. While in Maui, the students will stay at the Boys & Girls Club. The club is close to the beach and many other fun activities. With donated air miles, companion tickets and the fundraisers, the students are looking forward to the trip. The students are taking their cameras with them and will make a picture story of their trip to share with the Hope residents.
Marcus Mueller, Land Management Officer for KPB reports
The new Hope subdivision roads project has begun.
“Clearing efforts have been initiated and the road work is expected to continue through June. Unfortunately, as the roadway materials will be mined and processed at the Hope Material Site,” said Marcus Mueller. “the public slash disposal area is expected to be closed through June due to safety considerations with large equipment operation and truck hauling”.
For questions or concerns please contact Marcus Mueller at 714-2204 or email Marcus at mmuellerQborough.kenai.ak.us. “Your cooperation through this construction phase is greatly appreciated”.
Seaview opens for summer season
The Seaview Cafe is now open for the 2009 season, Sunday-Wednesday noon to 9 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday noon-11 p.m. Their first Jamn Night will be Thursday May 21 beginning at 7 p.m. Wellstrung will be playing Saturday May 23, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Milo Matthews will play Saturday May 30, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.. Free music will be on the deck featuring Diane Hall for the Hope “Open House” on Sunday May 31 noon to 4 p.m. Call 782-3300 to book reservations for the RV Park or cabins.
Summer hours begin at Tito’s Discovery Café
Beginning May 22 the café will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. As always, the Café will feature their good homemade soup, burgers, wraps, pies and much more. Yummy dinner specials will be offered often. Drop by for a meal and have a visit with locals and visitors.
Bowman’s Bear Creek begins Dinner House and Lodge
Beginning Memorial Day week the Dinner House will be open Tuesday through Sundays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bowman’s Bear Creek Lodge. New chef Carol Rivard has arrived, fresh off a season in Antarctica. On her way to Hope, Carol vacationed in New Zealand. Sue Alonzo, from Georgia, has also joined the forces at Bowman’s. Sue will do prep work and will be scoping ice cream at Sweet Mo’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop.
Community Food Bank open Wednesdays
The Hope Christian Church Food Bank is open Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Any residents needing to take advantage of the food pantry, outside the regular hours, please contact Burgins at 782-1002.