Melissa Aronson and Carol Tuynman spent a month traveling together on the Big Island of Hawaii. They moved around to five areas, including the home of Terry and Judy Jacobson south of Kona. In Hilo they visited the La’akea permaculture community. In Kona they stayed with Liz Marantz and Mike Falvey at the Banyan Tree Sanctuary, a retreat center in the mountains. While there, Melissa was asked to teach a permaculture class. Two days later, the class had 16 students enrolled, including eight Haines residents. Liz Marantz, Dave Ricke, Kirsten Amann, Pacific Amann, Ramona Holmes, Carol Tuynman, and Judy and Terry Jacobson joined the class. The ladies also saw Cynthia Allen, who is in Kona with husband Russ Lyman while Russ works on a physical therapy internship. They finished their trip on the north side of the island. In Havi they visited a permaculture farm that grows tropical fruits including avocados, papayas and mangoes. Melissa said they visited many farmers’ markets along the way and ate as many papayas as they could. They also sampled local ice creams and “did some serious research in quality control!”
Haines Elementary School representatives traveled to Nashville, Tenn., for the national Title I conference last month. Superintendent Michael Byer and principal Cheryl Stickler represented Haines with Title I teacher Barbara Pardee, first-grade teacher Akela Silkman, and middle school science and math teacher Ella Bredthauer. The group made a presentation at the conference entitled “Finding Our True North,” which focused on the steps the Haines School has taken to increase student achievement and narrow the achievement gap among learners.
Tod Sebens needs one more male cast member for the upcoming production of “Dinner with Friends.” The show is scheduled for the weekend of April 5.
Melissa Ganey was in Juneau for the 2013 Wearable Art Extravaganza last weekend. She went to support friend and former resident Corrie Suh Nash, who modeled her own creation for two sold-out shows. Corrie’s peacock dress was made from feathers and recycled aluminum cans. She rigged the tail to open in coordination with the music, which drew cheers from the crowd. Sierra Jimenez also went down for the show, where friend Jorden Nigro modeled the second-place place outfit entitled “Arranging Jorden,” by Teresa Busch, made from fresh flowers, including roses and bird of paradise. Former resident Keri Edwards Eggleston also modeled in the show as part of the “Steampunk Gals.” “It kind of blew my mind,” said Sierra after the show. “The talent was amazing. It really inspired me. I want to make something for the Haines show.” The Southeast Alaska State Fair is planning its second annual Wearable Art Review in Haines as part of the 2013 fair lineup. Contact the fair for information.
The Haines Drama, Debate and Forensics (DDF) team raised $2,500 at its annual dessert auction Feb. 7. Cindy Buxton made three auctioned dinners that included organic soup, greens, fresh bread and sweets. Senior Tia Heywood’s mezzotint print of a moth garnered the top bid of the night for artwork at $260. Becky Gonce’s cupcake-shaped chocolate cake with raspberry mousse drew the largest bids among sweets. “The level of support is wonderful,” said DDF coach Gershon Cohen. “Families realize how important this is to our kids.” Students compete at state this weekend.
The fourth-grade class is raising money to support its Golden Circle campout in May. Teacher Patty Brown estimates they will need $2,750 to cover ferry transportation, fuel, food and admission to Whitehorse attractions. They staged an early Valentine’s Day breakfast over the weekend that brought in over $900. Parents Susan and Gates Haddock were the first cooks on the scene. Fourth grader Emma Gillham earned kudos for showing up first in the morning and staying through cleanup. The class is planning a Thai take-out dinner for the first week of March.
Tim Shields is nearing completion on an elaborate mural project that follows the age of the dinosaurs through 165 million years of history. Located at the home of friends near Paso Robles, Calif., the mural is laid out on two exterior walls that span 38 feet and 18 feet long. Tim immersed himself in the history of dinosaurs in preparation for the project, and spent two months laying out the mural in a half-scale sketch at his house. He spent five weeks painting on site this winter, and plans to return later this month to finish the project. He is documenting the process on his blog, www.tortoisetimebook.com, and plans to showcase a photographic display of the mural at the Sheldon Museum this summer, where he is planning a show as part of the Six-Week Spotlight Series.
Donna Catotti’s “Waiting for the Wave,” a portrait of a boy playing in the Florida surf, was featured in the March edition of The Artist’s Magazine. Catotti, who is shifting her focus from landscapes to portraits, was one of 10 artists 60 and over whose work was featured. She plans to show 12 new portraits during a planned, Six-Week Spotlight exhibit at the Sheldon Museum starting June 7.
Jamie Barlow is in town with sons Luke, 6, and Elias, 3, visiting mom Linnus Danner. Jamie’s husband, Jimmy Buckley, serves in Army intelligence and the family recently was living in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he was posted.
About 50 friends and family members celebrated John Schnabel’s 93rd birthday Monday at the American Legion Hall. Former state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, served as emcee at the sit-down dinner hosted by John’s son Roger Schnabel. The evening included testimonials about the impact John has had on people’s lives. Christy Tengs Fowler’s contribution was adding stanzas to a 50-stanza poem she wrote as a tribute on John’s 80th birthday.
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