Hope Happenings:
New school Principal Jim Dawson plans to be in Hope every Tuesday
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| Fayrene Sherritt /Turnagain Times
Work is underway on the foundation and crawl space for the new Hope Post Office. Doug Nielson, the building contractor, says the new post office is right on schedule. The building will be located at the corner of Palmer Creek and Logman Road. |
By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
Hope Inc. purchased lot for new restrooms
For a number of years Hope Inc. presidents, Jim Skogstad and Shawn Butler, have worked on the project to purchase for the Hope community, the small lot across from the Hope Social Hall. It has taken hours of their time to make this happen and now the lot belongs to the residents of Hope through Hope Inc.
The sale of the lot was finalized earlier in August. The approximately $4,500 includes all the costs involved to purchase the land. The property was recently surveyed to locate the correct location. It is the open area almost directly across from the Hope Social Hall. The area that many have thought to be the road right-of-way for the old Hope Highway is really the lot that now belongs to Hope. There is a survey marker near the power pole and small red/orange markers for the other three corners marking the exact location of the property on Main Street.
The vaults for the toilets that have been sitting near the lot most of the summer and will be installed in the ground before the end of August in preparation for the restrooms to be built next spring. There will be two restrooms with handicap access. To maintain the historic look of the community, there will be an enclosure built around these restrooms to help make that possible. The completion of the restrooms is expected to be completed by early June 2009.
New Bear Proof Canisters
President Shawn Butler has been working with Cooper Landing Wildlife Conservation Community Program to obtain bear-proof garbage cans for Hope’s residents. The retail cost is $200 each but through this program, the cans are available for $50. This discounted rate is due to a subsidized program for communities on the Kenai with high bear activity. So far 22 cans have been bought by Hope residents. There are a few more available for purchase and anyone interested, please contact Shawn 782-2233 soon before they are no longer available.
Along with residential bear proof cans, Hope Inc. has purchased several others that are located at the Hope Library next to Grounds for Hope and at Sea View Café. These canisters have a special latch on the top to open the canisters. The one located by the Hope Library was attached by a bear. The bear managed to tear apart a small panel loose. Thanks to Greg Kaser, Hope Inc. Vice President, new screws now secure the panel on the canister.
Citations will be given to residents that do not take care with garbage left out or in vehicles for bears to get into and the bear has to be shot. Residents are encouraged to get one of these bear-proof canisters. “Please help keep our community safe and bears wild.”
Jim Dawson new Hope School principal
August 20 was first day of school for eleven Hope students. Principal Jim Dawson plans to be at the Hope School each Tuesday this school year. Volunteer Jeanne Berger will be teaching the high school students their science program this year. Anyone who would like to volunteer this school year, please contact Gina Motoyama at the Hope School 782-3202. One of the first activities will be Sheri Bluestein’s program on her experiences at Antarctica last winter. The time and date will be posted in the community. Both students and residents are invited to this program. Also posted will be the date and time for the first PTA meeting planned for sometime in early September.
Hope/Sunrise Museum closes Labor Day Weekend
The Hope/Sunrise Museum will close following Labor Day Weekend. Winter tours are available upon request; please contact Ann Miller at 782-3471. There will be a HSHS Board Meeting Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Hope Museum. Plans for the Kenai Peninsula Historical Society meeting to be held in Hope Saturday Oct. 4 at the Hope Social Hall will be finalized. The program will be “Alaska’s Mining History-finding some hidden nuggets in the stream.” Attorney Joe Perkins will examine the romance and reality of Alaska mining history. His detailed timeline will be interjected with many humorous stories. Mr. Perkins knows his subject well. He has practiced natural resource law in Alaska for 29 years.
Public Health Nurse to visit Hope
The Seward Public Health Nurse, Lois Daubney, will be holding a walk-in clinic at the Hope School Friday Sept. 5 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to visit the clinic. Those with special needs should call 224-5567 to make arrangements with the nurse.
New Hope Post Office under construction
Doug Nielson of Nielson Construction, Inc. beginning July 24, cleared the trees off the lot, has completed the foundation and crawl space for the new Hope Post Office. There will be a two-way drive-through access to the new building from Palmer Creek and Logman. The building will have large windows for light, a front porch and will be energy efficient and economical to heat with two Toyo stoves. The second stove will be used as a backup should the main stove fail to function.
Alaska Dacha opens second rental cabin
Rochelle Morris, owner of Alaska Dacha, has recently completed a second rental cabin that is located behind the store and next to the cabin that was built last summer. The store will begin winter hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the first week of September and by mid-September will be closed two days a week until next spring. She hasn’t yet decided which two days the store will be closed. With fuel prices on the rise, and for a fee, Rochelle will again offer to purchase extra grocery items along with her purchases for the store for Hope residents. Please contact the store if you are interested in this service.
Hope Food Bank is open on Wednesdays
The Hope Christian Church Food Bank is open Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Any folks needing to take advantage of the food pantry, outside the regular hours, please contact Burgins at 782-1002.