Kaeden Michael Ganey was born Monday, Nov. 8 to parents Melissa and Michael Ganey. Kaeden weighed 8 lbs., 7 ozs., and measured 21 inches long. Melissa’s mom, Teri Podsiki, was on hand for the birth. Big sisters Taylor and Ashlyn spent the afternoon with Corrie Nash, and returned to meet their baby brother soon after his arrival. The family is back in Haines and getting to know their newest addition. Michael’s parents, Debby and Odis Ganey, arrived from Anchorage on Friday for a week-long visit.
 
Jerrie Clarke would like everyone to know that the Haines town portraits have arrived at the Sheldon Museum. If you ordered a copy, you can pick it up at the museum during regular hours. There are a few extra copies, which may be purchased for $35.
 
Nori Nash headed to Bangkok this week to begin her one-year post with the U.S. Foreign Service. Nori will be working in the U.S. Embassy’s political branch. During her training in Washington, D.C., Nori caught up with Juge Gregg and his family. She went trick-or-treating with Juge, his wife Katherine and their daughter Cooper, and was charmed watching Juge put Cooper to bed by reciting Robert Service poetry. Nori is looking forward to a Christmas visit from Reed Schwalbach-Scott. Parents Dwight and Nancy Nash plan to visit in March.
 
The library is undergoing its annual holiday transformation thanks to the hard work of Frankie Jones and her many volunteers. This year’s theme, “Home for the Holidays,” integrates a country theme and includes many handmade quilts. A fundraiser for the Friends of the Library, the Lighting of the Library is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26. The evening will include desserts, children’s crafts, entertainment and a silent auction of holiday trees decorated by businesses and community members. Jolanta Ryan enlisted the help of her Science Fun group to string a tree with a model rocket kit. If you would like to help with the decorating effort, stop by the library anytime. Many projects can be completed from home.
 
Teresa Land earned a certificate of Master of Arranging and Orchestration from the Berklee College of Music. Teresa worked for two and a half years towards the degree, which was completed through online classes. The coursework included extensive instruction in original composition and arranging. She completed an original musical entitled “The Last Trumpet” and intends to publish the work. Teresa teaches music at the school and gives private lessons. She has ideas for Alaskan-themed musicals and would like to work on a children’s musical. Teresa is also collaborating with her daughter, Gwen Sauser, on a children’s book and CD. Gwen will illustrate Teresa’s story, which she has developed through her work with children at school.
 
Nina Zehe had a ball touring Ireland by coach with five girlfriends. The 14-day tour covered the coast of Ireland along many small, winding roads and through small towns. They enjoyed mild September weather, the lush landscapes and the company of good friends. Included on the trip were Nina’s best friend Judy MacDougall and Nina’s niece, Katy Sheeler. The trip was inspired by Nina’s mother who passed away at age 96 and left a request and funds for the three to travel to Ireland together.
 
Teri Podsiki is home from three and a half weeks in Europe that included stops in Sweden, Denmark, Scotland and Ireland. In Sweden, Teri stayed with former exchange student Mathias Haase, Mathias’ partner Theresa and their son Lowe. Mathias was the Podsikis’ first of five exchange students, and lived with the family in 2001. He is planning a visit to Haines with his family in June. Teri traveled independently via planes, ferries, trains and a rented car in Ireland to explore the countryside. In Scotland Teri found a taste of home when she received word from husband Greg that the Fishpickers were playing in an Edinburgh pub. She asked around during the day to find Malone’s Pub and made her way there for the 10 p.m. gig. Gregg Bigsby was surprised to see Teri in the crowd, and Teri caught up with Beth MacCready during the second set. In Ireland Teri traveled the ring of Kerry and took time to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck. She tried out “couch surfing” and had a great experience getting to know the people who opened their homes to her. “The trip was everything I envisioned and more,” she said.
 
You can follow Mike Case and his dog Fox on their fall travels through the blog “Travels with Fox” at www.kitchgaaw.com. Modeled after John Steinbeck’s travel journal, “Travels with Charlie,” Mike is keeping his readers entertained with stories and observations about life outside of Haines.
 
C.J. Jones visited former Haines residents Cindi Aukerman and Francis Bromagen at their Union City, Ind. home in October. Cindy and CJ worked together at the Sheldon Museum and Francis worked with C.J. as a volunteer at the fire department, so the three had much to catch up on since the 14 years that the Bromagens left Haines. They took C.J. to Indiana’s highest point, the 1,267 foot “Hoosier Hill.” C.J. has now reached the highest point in 28 states. Cindi, a reporter for the Winchester News-Gazette, wrote an article for the paper about the “climb.”

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