By Willow Hetrick
Turnagain Times Moose Pass Correspondent

Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Department receives new vehicles
The 14 volunteers of the Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Department celebrated the addition of two new rescue vehicles to their response capabilities. The Fire Department recently acquired a new 1,000-gallon engine from Chugiak Fire Department, and a rescue vehicle from Sitka Fire Department. The rescue vehicle is heated and will be used to stabilize victims on the scene. The rescue vehicle was purchased from the Sitka Fire Department for $1, and Samson Tug and Barge shipped the vehicle to Seward at no cost to either Fire Department.
The Fire Department used grant money from the Borough to purchase the new engine, which will be housed at the Mile 36 response location. Congratulations to all the Fire Department volunteers who have been working hard to make the acquirement of these vehicles a reality, the highways will be a safer place because of their efforts.

Trail River Greenhouse open for business
The Trail River Greenhouse is open for business for the season. They have a large selection of flowers and vegetables and are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until all plants are gone. Be sure to stop by before the pickings get slim!

Brownie Troop 206 bridges three girls to Juniors
Brownies Kendyl Morris, Ruby Lindquist, and Ashley Guernsey became Juniors in the May 15 bridging ceremony at the Trail River Campground. This marks Brownie troop leader Rose Hetrick’s twelfth bridging ceremony since she began the Girl Scout program in Moose Pass 18 years ago. These young girls have accomplished a number of incredible projects in their three years of being Brownies. Service projects included, but were not limited to, litter pickup along the Seward Highway, planting flowers in the Moose Pass community garden, sending Girl Scout cookies to troops in Iraq, and Pennies for Peace. All of the projects were funded by the profits from their cookie sales. Rose Hetrick is very proud of these three “beautiful, bright, and enthusiastic future leaders of our community.”

Update on Moose Pass Area Trails
Located in Moose Pass is the Kenai Lake Work Center, the hub of US Forest Service trail and trail ranger crews for the Kenai Peninsula. Because of proximity, the trails nearest to us are conveniently brushed and logged early in the season. Trail crews have already been up Ptarmigan Creek Trail, Victor Creek Trail, and south Johnson Pass Trail. It is important to note that “trails are still in winter condition. The snow is melting but trails will be snowy for another month at least.” For more information on the condition of the trails and additional information on what to expect when hiking, please contact the Forest Service at the numbers below or visit http://fs.usda.gov: (Home / Chugach National Forest / Seward Trail Updates). The Forest Service also warns to be careful with fire. For more information contact: Irene Lindquist 907-288-7748 (Sun-Fri), Stephen Hmurciak 907-288-7713 (Mon-Thurs), Mike Fitzpatrick 907-288-7714 (Mon-Thurs).

Seward Highway Construction
Two temporary bridges in the Lower Trail Lake area have been installed. A temporary bridge was installed at Falls Creek (Mile 24.8), and the road was re-routed and bridge installed at Ptarmigan Creek (Mile 23). There continues to be one-lane traffic on Lower Trail River Bridge (Mile 25.7) due to road construction work. DOT and the contractor, Granite Construction, are urging drivers to look out for flaggers and drive carefully from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily until May 30.

Trail Lake Lodge Hosts First Annual Car Show
The First Annual 2009 Rod Run Saturday May 30. This show will be fun for the whole family! The Rod Run will feature vehicles from the Anchorage Corvette Club. Proceeds will benefit the Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Department’s to outfit the new rescue vehicle. Trail Lake Lodge welcomes community and visitors members to come and enjoy the most beautiful cars in Alaska while enjoying BBQ food, a jump house for the children, and music.

Methodist Church Summer Schedule
Beginning May 24, Moose Pass Methodist Church will resume the summer hours. Service will begin at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Peter Perry invites visitors to come and worship.