Doris Ward missed “Oklahoma!” in Haines because she was in Oklahoma with relatives, but she did catch a dress rehearsal of the play. On her way to Oklahoma she visited Carol Davidson in Salem, Ore., and Jean Scarrott in nearby Hillsboro. In Tulsa she and sister-in-law Janie Owen had lunch with Detta Butler, and saw Russ and Teresa Simpson, who are serving All Nations Indian Baptist Church in Grove, Okla. She left 85 degrees in Oklahoma and was home in time for the first snowfall of the season.
Crystal and Al Badgley visited their son Hunter during parents’ weekend at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., where Hunter is a sophomore. They stayed with the parents of Hunter’s freshman-year roommate and brought halibut to cook up a meal from home for the two families. They also took in a student production of the musical “Honk,” and participated in mini classes offered to visiting parents. Al sat in on a world philosophy class and Crystal took a theology class that tackled confrontation from a Christian perspective. Al just returned from a trip to Texas to visit his mother Evelyn Badgley, age 95. He stayed with his cousin Beverly Badgley.
Three Haines students are in Anchorage this week to perform with the All-State Honor Music Festival choir. Lindsey Jobbins, Karissa Land and Jess Giddings are traveling with music director Kristina Mulready. Jess Giddings learned this week that she also was selected to perform at the All Northwest Music Festival in Portland. The competitive audition selects the best applicants from Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Oregon. Mulready reported that 5,300 students auditioned for the festival.
Jacklynn Ruggirello spent two weeks on Hawaii’s Big Island with friend Gayle Murray. Gayle is living near Hilo, where she is teaching preschool and tending to a two-acre garden at a home she is housesitting. Jacky and Gayle spent time in Kona and were planning to celebrate Halloween in style when they were evacuated from their hotel due to a tsunami warning. When they heard the sirens, the ladies drove up to 1,000 feet and spent the night camped out at a school playground. A four-foot swell landed on shore with little fanfare. Jacky and Gayle also went snorkeling and hiking, and attended Zumba classes together.
Albert Sacks is the new owner of the Summer Inn. Albert first saw Haines during the summer of 2011, when he spent a day off a cruise ship with his daughter. He was drawn to the small town, and moved up to Haines to stay at the end of August. Albert was formerly an insurance agent in northern Virginia. “The house is my home,” said Albert, who plans to stay in Haines year-round.
The Friends of the Haines Borough Public Library are gathering volunteers to decorate the library for the holidays Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. “We’re trying something a little different this year,” said Friends member Fran Tuenge. Instead of a Friday night “Lighting of the Library,” there will be an open house on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. There is no charge for admission. Refreshments, music and children’s crafts will be featured, as well as a silent auction of miniature trees.