The Haines Arts Council applauds the Haines Chamber of Commerce for launching its “Think Haines First” program. There are many great reasons why our community could thrive with a little more awareness of the benefits of purchasing things we need right here in Haines. The arts council is one of many non-profits that require membership support from locals to do what they do. A great deal of our quality of life here in Haines and our sense of community well-being is tied to the health of these organizations. The circulation of our local dollars (and our wonderful volunteers) make it all possible. The arts council has grown slowly but substantially. We have produced over 125 events in the last 10 years – an average of a dozen per year. Strong membership allows the council to book top-level performers. Membership and support at the box office increases when there’s an adequate amount of local currency making its rounds. The facilities needed to produce these events, especially the Chilkat Center, need the sales tax dollars that local shopping provides. Buying locally benefits so many more than just the local merchants. We all become the beneficiaries. Please keep the big picture in mind.
And don’t forget our upcoming events. The incredible violin of the Gilles Apap Trio on April 23; Tomas Kubinek, master of the impossible on May 5; one-man band extraordinaire Keller Williams on June 6; and the Claire Lynch Band, featuring bluegrass music’s female vocalist of the year, on June 13.
Tom Heywood and the Haines Arts Council board of directors