Art Jess, 83, died at his home Saturday morning. A celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the ANB Hall. Wife Leanne Converse said Jess had been declining in health. The Haines couple had recently returned to town after a winter vacation in Arizona. A full obituary will appear in next week’s CVN.
Former resident Klover Cinocco, 6, is the 2014 Miss Buckwheat. Cinocco, who now lives in Skagway, was crowned Saturday at the annual Buckwheat Ski Classic Banquet. A young girl has been crowned each year, since the first Buckwheat race in 1986. “Being queen of the Buckwheat all year…I’m happy. I like it,” Cinocco said. She wore a bejeweled tiara and sash. She also gets to ride in Skagway’s Fourth of July parade.
Jessica Edwards, Sierra Jimenez, Sara Chapell and Sally Andersen completed the Oakland Running Festival Marathon last weekend in Oakland, Calif. Times were: Jimenez, 4:04:13; Edwards, 4:22:29; Chapell, 4:22:29; Andersen, 4:46:40. It was Andersen’s first marathon. Jimenez placed 9th in her age division. Each woman set a personal record. The route included along the perimeter of Lake Merritt, which glistened in the sunlight, Chapell said. Jimenez’s parents, Bonnie and Hayden Kaden, of Gustavus, making their way north from Mexico, joined the women in Oakland. Andersen’s sister Rachel Freeman of Portland met the group near the finish line. The group then headed to San Francisco, where they stayed at a Japanese hotel and recovered in baths, saunas and dipping pools.
Barbara, Terry, and Natalie Pardee spent spring break in San Dimas, Calif., where they stayed with former residents, daughter Nichol and Josh Hibbard. Daughter and former resident Elizabeth Krout of Seattle also joined the group. The family enjoyed sunny weather in the 70s, prompting Barbara to shop for sandals. Barbara said the gang enjoyed a touching visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, where they walked through the Boeing 707 airplane used as Air Force One during Reagan’s administration. They also visited the newly expanded Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino and had picnics in the park.
Local musher Jim Stanford and his team of dogs competed in the Yukon’s annual Silver Sled race, placing third in the 20-mile division. Wife Deb also was there, along with Arthur Woodard and wife Dawn, who helped at the race start. The event also includes a 100-mile race. Jim said the Silver Sled is his favorite of all the mushing events he’s done. “It’s gorgeous and it’s a fun race.” He said a growing number of teams are looking to compete in informal races, which are also less expensive and require less exertion for the dogs.
Maco and Jeannie Ordonez of Guatemala City are enjoying a visit with cousin Joe Ordonez and Edie Granger. The Alaska first-timers are “blown away” by the snow-covered cars visible only by their rooftops. Highlights include dog sledding with Jim Stanford, walking out to the river across Mosquito Lake, visiting Skagway, flightseeing with Paul Swanstrom, and eating at 33 Mile Roadhouse and Mosey’s.
Senior citizens celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day at the Haines Senior Center with a festive lunch that included corned beef, cabbage, roasted veggies and shamrock-shaped sugar cookies. Burl Sheldon and the Flatlanders played Irish tunes. Those 60 years or over who use the center’s services are also encouraged to attend game time Wednesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the center. Games available include Scrabble, dominoes, chess, checkers, bridge, and cribbage.

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