Hazel Englund celebrated her 95th birthday in Anchorage with her daughter Jo Kauffman on Sept. 16. Hazel and daughter, Emily Zimbrich, drove to Anchorage together, enjoying nice weather and bright fall colors along the way. The party was attended by Hazel’s granddaughter, Mikki Chandler, and her great-granddaughter, Shelby Chandler, as well as Hazel’s niece, Marie Matthews.
Haines was well represented with eight players in the annual fall bridge sectional in Juneau last weekend. Every Haines player won points for placing in one or more of six events. Frank Holmes, Gregg Bigsby, Roger Schnabel, John Schnabel, Rob Miller, Stan Jones, Bob Lix and Sally Lix participated. First, second and third place winners, with the most over-all master points, were Bob and Sally with a tie for first and second, and Stan Jones for third. Stan, John, Bob and Sally won the double session team game.
A play based on the youth fiction series "Warrior Cats" by Erin Hunter was staged at the Haines Library on Halloween. The play, written and directed by fourth-grader Keva Shull, was entitled "Warrior Cats: Into the Wild" and told the story of a house cat, played by Carver Culbeck, who left the comfort of his home to join a band of wild forest cats. Students met independently for six-weeks to rehearse, and organized the entire production, from costume and set design to play publicity. The cast included Keva as Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, with student actors Finly Shull, Nathan and Rachel Haas, Bridgett Daniels, Dylan Chapell, Carver Culbeck and Kadin Doddridge. Keva is already working on book two of her series, and hopes to stage another play soon.
Harry Rietze knew friend Genny Szymanski was a good swimmer, but he figured that he could still beat her in the pool with a little help. Genny agreed to race him, and allowed him to use fins to up his chances. The original challenge was the 100-meter backstroke, but after a trial swim, Harry lowered the distance to 50 meters, or two pool lengths. Word of mouth and a Facebook page toting the event drew a crowd of spectators including former Haines Dolphins swim coach Steve Vick, Heather Lende, Sarah Elliott, Nelle JurgeleitGreene and Tina Schaefer. Norm Hughes captured the event on video, which can be viewed on his Facebook page. Genny, a 2010 Northwestern University graduate who swam in the Olympic trials, beat Harry by eight feet. Although there was only a case of beer on the line, Genny is considering other challenges for local fundraising opportunities.
The Well and Fit Community Council staged a successful 5K "Trick or Treat Trot" Friday. More than a dozen youth participants from the Girls on the Run program and about two dozen community members participated. Well and Fit distributed glow-stick necklaces, and reflective vests and prizes were given for best costume. The crowd favorite was the farmer and peapod duo of Andy Hedden and his daughter Sophia Hedden. Top runners included men Quinn AsquithHeinz, 19:30 and Liam Cassidy, 19:48 and women Zayla AsquithHeinz and Lily Boron, both 26:49. The Well and Fit council is planning monthly activities to encourage fitness and healthy behavior. Their next event is the Turkey Trot walk and run on Thanksgiving morning.

Joanie
Wagner was in Anchorage to welcome the arrival of her eighth grandchild. Satchel St. Elias Sevigny was born Oct. 25 to Katie and Craig Sevigny. He weighed 9 lbs., 7 ozs. and measured 22 inches. He joins brothers Cooper and Rowan. Joanie also enjoyed time with her daughter, Alexis Alamillo, who is busy painting sets for shows at the Performing Arts Center as well as displaying her art in local galleries. While waiting for Satchell to make his appearance Joanie and Katie took in a performance of Fiddler on the Roof while Alexis was backstage working.

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