Girls middle school volleyball coach Cassie Miller and assistant coach Brittany Miller traveled with nine players to Juneau for a tournament at Floyd Dryden Middle School last weekend. The Haines team was made up of girls in grades 6-8, and was the only team outside of Juneau to compete. The team came home undefeated with a 4-0 record. Players were Gabi Miller, Bozhi Sebens, Alison Stuart, Olivia Wing, Jordan Stigen, Tailer Olsson, Sarah Long, Natalie Humphrey-Kauffman and Sheeshao White. The girls will be providing babysitting services at next weekend’s play performances to raise money for next year’s season. Babysitting will be available in the Chilkat Center lobby for all three performances April 19-21.
Fisherman and globetrotter Norman Hughes is back from a winter of traveling. He spent the Christmas season with his sister Mary Lynn Hughes Rueckl and her family in Austria. Even without a word of German, Norm managed to make friends in the village. He also traveled by train for Bikram yoga classes around Austria. On New Year’s he saw his sister perform cello in the village orchestra. Norm traveled through Seattle, where he skied at Mount Baker with former resident Paul MacKenzie, and also caught a day of skiing with Julie Vance and sons Kadin and Koa Doddridge. Norm spent seven weeks in Maui, where he visited his mother Colleen Hughes and had a visit from resident Kelly Mitchell. He arrived home during the April Fool’s Day snowstorm in time to plan his annual Aloha party last Sunday. Norm flew in fresh flower leis and bird of paradise arrangements from Maui to enhance the tropical décor. Meredith Pochardt solicited new members to Takshanuk Watershed Council at the party, and a portion of bar proceeds went to the nonprofit.
Nelle Jurgeleit-Greene is home after six months of travel. She spent three months in Florida with family before embarking on a three-month stay in the Marche region of Italy, east of Tuscany. Nelle taught English in four schools to students ranging in age from 7-14 and lived with two Italian families. Nelle chose the program “Geovisions.org” through the recommendation of Teresa Hura, who also taught in Italy. Nelle taught up to four classes a day, and used songs and games to connect with students. Nelle shared meals with her Italian families, whose fresh, local dishes were “better than any restaurant.” She learned to make arugula pesto, and appreciated the wine, olives and homemade olive oil. On a clear day she could see nearby medieval hilltop towns surrounded by farmland and stretching out to the Adriatic Sea. Nelle toured Venice, Verona, Bologna, Milan and Florence, but found she missed her Italian families, and returned to visit for the remainder of her stay.
The Haines Emblem Club recently installed new officers. Officers for 2013-14 are: President, Kathy Warner; Jr. Past President, Jamie Knudsen; Vice President, Jessie Grant; Treasurer,l; Jan Hill, Recording Secretary, Anastasia Wiley; Financial Secretary, Janice Studley; Corresponding Secretary, Jamie Knudsen; Trustee, Libby Kurz; 1st Guard, Libby Kurz; Historian/Press, Michelle Stigen; Marshall, Joyce Town; Chaplain, Jamie Knudsen.
Brothers Jayden and Journey Rettinger brought a homeschool health project to last weekend’s health fair that had people talking. The boys researched the amount of sugar contained in various drinks, and illustrated the content by measuring out the corresponding amount of white sugar. “We were trying to make healthier living choices, and show how much sugar is hiding in plain sight,” explained Jayden. They borrowed a gram scale from the school to measure out sugar for chocolate milk, peach spritzer, chai tea, soda, apple juice and vitamin water. The boys were surprised that the vitamin water contained more sugar than the chocolate milk. “It was shocking how much sugar was in the bag,” said Jayden.
Track and field coach Lexie DeWitt is pioneering a new fundraiser in Haines. Based on a fundraiser for her high school’s football team, the “Glacier Bear Gold Card” has deals and discounts from 14 Haines businesses, including grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants and hardware stores. The cards cost $20 and are available through the track team, or at the high school office. Lexie hopes the fundraiser will be an annual event and will give people the opportunity to try something new around town. Funds raised will go toward new gear, uniforms and travel expenses. For more information, email [email protected].
The American Legion Auxiliary has revived Taco Tuesday. The women are preparing the taco buffet 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at the American Legion Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Auxiliary’s student scholarship fund. Organizer Kandi Hussey said people seem happy to have the traditional fundraiser dinner back in town, and that volunteers plan to keep it going through the year.