Kyle Fossman is the inaugural Alaska Airlines Scholar Athlete. The University of Alaska Anchorage scholarship was initiated by Alaska Airlines as part of its sponsorship of the Alaska Airlines Center, a new 5,600-seat, on-campus arena, scheduled to open in fall 2014. The airline’s donation includes $1 million over 10 years for an endowed scholarship, as well as $5.3 million in sponsorship support, including travel. Kyle ended the season as the top Seawolves scorer with 14.8 points per game. He made it to Juneau to watch friends and family, including his dad Steve Fossman, in Gold Medal tournament games last weekend.
Alaska Mountain Guides won Outside Magazine’s 2013 award for Best Mountain Trip for its Mount Fairweather climb, operated out of Haines. The magazine gives accolades for the climb, which reaches 15,300 feet “while overlooking a massive ice cap and some of the most spectacular fjords on earth.” You can check out the article in the magazine’s April issue.
Feeling the pull of spring cleaning? Hospice of Haines can help. The nonprofit is gearing up for its annual rummage sale April 27-28. Volunteers will accept donations of household goods 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26 at the ANB Hall. Kitchen items, children’s toys, modern electronics in good working order and exercise equipment are accepted. Organizer Mardell Gunn said no more than two boxes of clothing per person and no winter coats or boots will be accepted. To volunteer or donate baked goods, contact Mardell at 767-5487.
Friends and colleagues gathered to honor Krista Lampkins’ 20th year at First National Bank Alaska’s Haines branch. Krista started as a seasonal, part-time teller, and worked up to operations supervisor and assistant cashier. Boss Luke Fanning traveled from Juneau to present Krista with her 20-year pin, which includes three diamonds and three gold nuggets. Krista said the highlight was John Schnabel presenting her with a jar filled with “Knuggets of Inspiration.” The nuggets were beach rocks collected by coworker Mary Cochran, and painted gold by Inez and Autumn Gross, who also inscribed on them inspirational reminders like “relax,” “optimist,” and “vacation.” Krista said she still feels like the new girl at the office. The Haines branch will host a retirement party for Kathy Warner from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 29. Kathy has worked as a teller here since 1999. Stop by for cookies, coffee and punch, and wish her well.
Members of the Haines Dolphins Swim Team are gathering pledges for its annual Swim-a-Thon fundraiser. Each year, Dolphins raise funds by swimming up to 200 lengths in two hours. Organizers Sarah “Tigger” Posey and James Alborough say the event brings in one third of the organization’s annual budget. Donations support coach salaries, pool rental fees and equipment purchases. This year’s big event is 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 13. Spectators are welcome. Mayor Stephanie Scott is expected to present medals at the event. Pledge your support at www.swim-a-thon.com.
Haines High School students won honors at the recent Region V basketball championship. Justin Swinton, Alisha Young and Riley Erekson were named all-conference, as was cheerleader Megan Tuohy. Pep band all-stars included Karissa Land, Brandon Bachman, Patrick Henderson, and Tia Heywood. Seniors named to the all-academic team included Young, Erekson, Heywood, Land, Henderson, Bachman, Jess Giddings, and Russell Clark. Clark, Chevy Fowler, Karlie Spud and Serena Badgley were named “great sports” by their coaches.
About 25 skiers and snowboarders turned out to compete at the first Nickolay Dodov Slopestyle Event at Bear Mountain Valley, California March 9. Natalia and Alex Dodov say they expect the event to grow in future years, with sponsorships and participation of ski industry professionals. The event is aimed at backcountry education and avalanche safety awareness. Nickolay, the couple’s son, died in a heli-skiing accident here March 13, 2012.