High school sweethearts Mellie Lindsey and Clint Flora shared their vows in front of friends at a commitment ceremony on Saturday, April 23. Growing up together in Ohio, Clint was Mellie’s “very first date” and the two were put back in touch through a mutual friend. Mellie was walked down the aisle by her girlfriends Deborah Davis and Cheryl Mullins, with drumming led by Deanna Strong. Faith Tuohy was Mellie’s “right hand lady” and Krishna Smith was best man. Marvin Willard led the ceremony. The couple hosted a reception at the Fort Seward Lodge and Geri Tuohy surprised the couple with a homemade lemon pound cake filled with apricot glaze and buttercream frosting. The couple had a blustery honeymoon camping adventure on the Chilkat Islands that was extended an additional day when winds delayed their pick-up boat. The couple continued their honeymoon in Wyoming to visit Clint’s family. They’ll reside in Lewisburg, Ohio. Mellie is already planning a visit this summer for the Southeast Alaska State Fair.
The Juneau Student Symphony performed a selection for families at the Haines Elementary gym Saturday. Conductor Rick Trostel led the group, which included students and adults from Haines. Local musicians included Nancy Nash, oboe; Kelly Lowe, clarinet; Martin Goldberg and Neil Little, trumpet; Quinn AsquithHeinz and Zane Durr, trombone, and Samantha Lowe, violin. Jayden West was one of Juneau’s young violin players and performed an improvised 12-bar solo.
Nancy Nash’s piano and voice students performed in recitals Sunday and Monday. Madeline Andriesen showed off her clear, rich voice with popular pieces, including Ray of Light by Madonna. Among Sunday’s piano performers, Naomi Green shared a lively rendition of Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer. Many students arranged their own music, including Zachary Cone and Manny Hansen. Nancy’s older students performed Monday, including piano students Keegan Sundberg and Lindsey Jobbins, and voice student Abbie Diggins, who performed an Italian piece by Giovanni Paisiello.
Hospice of Haines rummage sale manager Mardell Gunn has found a great use for leftover T-shirts donated to the sale. She stitches them into reusable bags that work great for groceries and even sorting items in your deep freeze. She plans to bring some to the upcoming Sustainability Fair May 14. Hospice sale raised over $10,000, tapping 550 hours of help from dozens of volunteers. More help this year made the sale more organized and easier to shop.
Joan Snyder is home from a week in Tagish, Yukon, where she visited Alice Cyr and Alice’s husband Paul. Alice and Joan played their traditional, friendly Scrabble tournament. This year’s tournament ended in a tie, with each friend winning 12 games.
Representatives of American Legion Post 12 traveled to Kodiak for the state convention April 21-23. Sergeant at Arms Rick Rikers and Adjutant Jim Moran joined Commander Bob Lix. Legion Auxiliary members Nellie Dale and Kathryn Coleman also represented Haines. National Commander Jimmy Foster attended the convention. Foster is the first National Commander to hail from Alaska. Haines was chosen for the 2013 state convention location.
American Legion members hosted a dinner and orientation for students selected to represent Haines at Boys State and Girls State this summer. Devin Braaten will attend Boys State June 4-10. Anna Jacobson and Marnie Rasmussen will attend Girls State June 12-18.
Kelly Hansen traveled for 24 hours to arrive home in Haines by Easter. Kelly spent five months volunteering in Dehra Dun, India at the Shishya School. She taught English and Life Skills classes to junior high students. Kelly also contributed to the Life Skills curriculum by enhancing the lessons with biblical stories. Kelly made connections with volunteers from around the world, and hopes to have the opportunity for additional international service work. She left for Juneau this week to start her summer job and will continue to work toward her master’s degree in education and counseling this fall.
The elementary gym was transformed into a lively bowling alley for the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters bowl-a-thon Friday. The fundraiser brought in $13,600 for the program from local pledges, business sponsors and an extensive silent auction.

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