Emily Ann Edwards was born Monday, Sept. 10 to Lee and Ben Edwards in Olympia, Wash. Emily weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 19 inches. Ben is the son of Ann and Randy Edwards, of Olympia. Lee is the daughter of former local schoolteachers David and Carol Knight, who live in Somers, Mont. The Knights were in Olympia for Emily’s birth.
Tyler Swinton recognized a familiar face while golfing in Sutherlin, Ore. Monday. Tyler was paired up with former Haines Elementary School Principal Frank Wicks. Although Wicks didn’t recognize Tyler, who has grown significantly since his elementary school days, Tyler knew his former principal immediately. The two hit it off, ended up playing two rounds of golf and had lunch together. Frank and his wife Linda Kay recently moved to Oregon from Cordova. Tyler is attending Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay this year and plans to play on the golf team. Tyler and his father, Ralph Swinton, drove to Oregon together and stayed with Ralph’s mom Janie Swinton in Roseburg. Tyler starts school Sept. 24.
Haines High School Activities Director Tiana Taylor is looking for recent graduates who ran cross-country or track to please return their uniforms to the school. Tiana ordered 50 new uniforms a few years ago and is down to less than half of the original set. Drop your uniform by the school office.
Irene Ward brought her two visiting granddaughters to lunch at the Senior Center last week. Haines High School grads Nicole Hibbard and Elizabeth Krout were in Haines for a six-day visit that included time to catch up with friends and family. Although the sisters visit Haines often, it had been seven years since they had returned together. They stayed with parents Barbara and Terry Pardee and set aside lots of time to catch up with their grandmother, who returned to her home in June following rehabilitation from a fall. They also visited sister Natalie Pardee, took a trip to Million Dollar Falls where they enjoyed fall colors, and filled their coolers with salmon from their dad. Nicole is a corporate analyst in San Dimas, Calif. Elizabeth is a critical care nurse in Seattle.
John Hagen was awarded the Malcolm and Connie Goodman Fellowship for emerging Native American artists through the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe. The announcement was made during the Santa Fe Indian Market in August. The $2,500 grant will allow Hagen to purchase a new computer and materials to develop his digital art. Hagen submitted an artist statement and examples of his work to apply for the competitive fellowship. Awards are given to emerging Native American artists who show potential for growth. Hagen combines digital photography with pastels and other hand done techniques. “I enjoy blending mediums to go above and beyond photography,” said Hagen. Upgrading his computer will allow Hagen to expand his online gallery and market his work. “I’m trying to transition my art from published photographs to gallery-oriented stuff,” he said. In addition to his art and commercial fishing in the summer, Hagen recently started work as the community education director. He is building a schedule of winter classes, including carving and financial literacy classes, and hopes to include technology and basic computer literacy for adults as well.
Rachel and Travis Kukull are in Haines visiting Rachel’s grand-aunt Joan Snyder and catching up with friends. Travis is the former chef at the Halsingland Hotel. The couple met in Haines in 2005 and married three years later in McMinnville, Ore. They live in Seattle, where Rachel is a nurse at the University of Washington hospital and Travis is preparing to open his own restaurant. While in Haines they fished and foraged for mushrooms and berries. They also ran on the Haines Slackmasters team in the Klondike Road Relay during the weekend. They expect to return next summer.
Staff Sgt. Thomas McRae, who was severely injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan Jan. 16, returned to Juneau to visit his family. McRae is the great-grandson of Howard (Chief) McRae and the cousin of Sue Folletti, Jan Hill and Lee Roberts. McRae lost both of his legs, his left arm and his right eye in the blast. He returned to Juneau to visit his parents and meet with government officials. McRae was featured in the Juneau Empire Sept. 4.
Kelly Edmond, Haines High School class of 2008, has accepted a master’s fellowship to study and conduct research in mechanical engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Techology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
Historical actor John Venables of Haines was spotted working behind a “Seward for President” banner at Saturday’s Community Service Festival at Nugget Mall in Juneau. “Republican Nomination for President” is the final chapter of a William H. Seward trilogy created by Venables, honoring the U.S. Secretary of State who secured purchase of Alaska from Russia. Two previous performances, “Purchase of Alaska: My Greatest Legacy” and “The Day the Sun Stood Still,” the story of Seward’s 1869 trip to Klukwan, were earlier installments. Venables was at the head of a limousine motorcade in Juneau Aug. 24 during his portrayal of Judge James Wickersham during the city’s Wickersham Day. Previous performances include a speech at the Library of Congress in October 2009. He also has portrayed Alaskan U.S. Sen. Bob Bartlett.
Play props ranging from fake, retractable knives to a small rocking chair and articles of women’s clothing are needed for Lynn Canal Community Players’ upcoming production of “Oklahoma!” If you can help, please contact Kate Harrop at 766-3134. Also, there are still some roles open and volunteer stage hands are needed, Harrop said.