Hope Happenings

Fayrene Sherritt/Turnagain Times During the Sept. 6 Multiple Sclerosis Society fundraiser, an estimated $130,000 was raised. On Oct. 7 additional matching funds are expected. It is likely the event will raise around $150,000 total. (Above) Racers are headed off to Seward from the starting line in Hope.

By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent

MS “From Hope to a Cure 2008” biking event

Residents from around the State met early on Sept. 6 at the Hope School for a fundraiser bicycle ride from Hope to Seward and returning to Hope from Seward the next day. The main sponsor of the race was NANA/Colt Engineering. The 180 plus cyclists rode out the Hope Highway to the junction of the Seward Highway and then traveled on the right side of the highway into downtown Seward ending on Third Avenue at the Hotel Edgewater. The race finished back in Hope at the Hope School on Sunday.
The reason for the ride was to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS). The early figures show at $130,000 was raised. Oct. 7 additional funds and “matching” funds are to be turned in. It is very likely the event will raise around $150,000 for MS is the last fundraiser for MS here in Alaska this year. Plus it was their best fundraiser. Besides individual riders, there were several teams including riders from FedEx, HDR, BP, Conoco Phillips and NANA/Colt Engineering. The Anchorage Police Department Employees Association sponsored the rest stop at mile 8 on the Hope Highway. Anchorage Police Department also loan their recruiter vehicle to provide any needed support for the racers along the race route. Sgt. Mike Cowturier volunteered his time as the driver.
This is the first year the race has begun in Hope and Ben McCulloch, race coordinator was very pleased with results of the ride. The bike riders of the “Biker Goldwings” rode their motorcycles along the race route to provide additional support. Mary Wells handled all the 150 volunteers who assisted on putting the race together. MS is looking forward to racing from Hope to Seward next fall.

Community Phone list is updated

The 2008-2009 Hope phone list is being up dated to reflect the changes or additions that have occurred this past year. If your information is incorrect or you need to be added to the list, please contact Fayrene Sherritt or Linda Graham as soon as possible. The new phone list should be available in early October. Once the list is complete, it will be available at the Hope Post Office.

Hope Library gets new paint on trim

Recently Lloyd Hires and Rob Tolson finished repainting all the trim on the Hope Library, the Library Gift Shop and the used book building. Between hornets attacking the painters, painting 334 window panes, the job about did in the painters. Thank you both for the nice job that was done to the buildings.

Hope’s non profits receive monies raised

The events held mid July for the Wagon Trail weekend raised $1,488 for each of Hope’s non-profits. A lot of volunteer hours went into making this happen and a huge thank you to each one who gave of their time, talents and donations to make this happen. Planning has already begun for the 2009 weekend.

Hope Healing Arts now in Girdwood

Gina Motoyama, owner of Hope Healing Arts therapeutic massage, is now available for appointments in Girdwood on Fridays and Saturdays. She has teamed up with former Hope resident Betsy Bush to offer massage therapy upstairs in Malia’s Girdwood Styling Salon. Gina has over ten years experience as a licensed massage therapist and is looking forward to sharing her joy for bodywork with the residents of Girdwood. Betsy is a licensed massage therapist and a licensed esthetician offering additional services such as waxing and lash & brow tinting. Massage
therapist Jess Hanson is also available for appointments. Please contact Gina at 229-4697 or Betsy at 301-8884 for additional information or to schedule an appointment.

Calling all volunteers

The staff at the Hope School is looking for volunteers interested in working with the students on a variety of projects. Are you an avid reader interested in leading a team in the Battle of the Books? Perhaps you care for the environment and would like to guide the students in the Caring for the Kenai environmental contest. Do you love to spend time in the kitchen? The students would love your assistance in preparing healthy snacks to enjoy every day. Or maybe you are an artist or crafter eager to share your creativity with young people. If this sounds good to you, please contact the school for more information at 782-3202.
There will be an open house at the Hope School on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. All parents and community members are invited to stop by and talk with the new administrator, Jim Dawson, and tour the school to see what great things are happening this year! Snacks and refreshments will be prepared by the students. The next scheduled PTA meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 3:15 p.m.

New Hope Post Office’s update on construction

With fall leaves falling, work continues on Hope’s new Post Office. Doug Nielson of Nielson Construction, Inc. continues to make steady progress. The metal roof will be put on soon along with the outer siding. The windows are now in place and the interior work, on the different rooms inside, is ready for the sheetrock to be hung. One new feature in the Post Office will be a bank of larger boxes just for small packages. A key will be put into a resident’s mailbox which will then open the larger box so smaller packages can be available when the Post Office is closed. Larger packages will still be handled through the window during regular hours.

Johnny Sorenson retires

Recently Sorenson retired from DOT after 29 and half years working as a project engineer in road construction all over the State of Alaska. One notable local job (bridges being his specialty) was the Canyon Creek Bridge near Hope on the Seward Highway. John was instrumental in the creation and development of the Canyon Creek Bridge Overlook near the Hope intersection.
His most prized retirement gifts include an autographed photo of Governor Sarah Palin and the Alaska State Flag from the Department of Transportation headquarters in Anchorage. Per his wife Dru, John had no idea how busy life would be after retirement.
Alaska Dacha moves to winter days/hours

Beginning Oct. 1, Alaska Dacha will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Monday closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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. The weekly winter community breakfasts will begin Wednesday, Oct. 8.