Leon Glen Rogers was born at 7:04 a.m. June 17 to parents Laura and Manuel Rogers. The couple rented a place on North Douglas, where Laura delivered. Leon weighed 8 lb., 6 oz. and measured 21 inches long. Big sister Matilda and big brother Maddox were present for the birth. Also present were midwives Debbie Gillespie and Meredith Wallis. Grandparents are Mike and Inky Frodsham of Scotland and Veronica and Nat Rogers of Colorado. The grandparents plan to visit later this year.
Corrie Suh Nash and Daniel Stickler were married Saturday at the fairgrounds. Daniel’s uncle Jim Stickler officiated. Corrie’s parents are Becky and Don Nash. Daniel’s parents are Susan King and Dave Stickler. Liz Mallott of Juneau was maid of honor. David Berry of Juneau was best man. Bridesmaids included Melissa Ganey, Kasondra Stanford of North Pole, Tiffany DeWitt, and Ronnie Alsup. Groomsmen included birthday boy Tom Katzeek, Tom Ward, Erik Stickler of Anchorage, Josh DeTavernier of Anchorage, and Wayne Stickler of Denver. Ring bearers Christian Nash and James Stickler walked down the aisle carrying the bands on small fishing poles. Flower girls Ashlyn Ganey, Brooklyn DeWitt, and Willa Stuart sprinkled rose petals that they carried in galvanized buckets. Don performed music, as did godfather Bruce Bothman of Rosalia, Wash., who played steel guitar. About 350 guests feasted on grilled king salmon and baked halibut, in addition to potluck sides. The vanilla cake was made by the bride herself on the morning of the wedding. Attendees gathered under the beautifully lit pavilion, decorated with hanging jars filled with wildflowers as well as paper cranes that hung from fishing line in the backdrop. In addition to a deejay from Juneau, guests were entertained by Adrian Nash’s musical performance and surprise footage compiled by a friend from Lithuania. Day-before festivities included a Stickler vs. Nash softball game, which the families hope to make an annual event. The newlyweds, who live in Anchorage, plan to stay in Haines visiting family until July 4. Corrie is an interior designer. Daniel is an ironworker.
Nora Krake returned from Stanwood, Wash., where she enjoyed a week-long visit with David and Regina Benzel’s family. She attended their youngest daughter Kimbra’s graduation from Stanwood High School. Kimbra is the youngest granddaughter of the late Mirinda Stuart. Nora said that it was an honor to be invited as one of Mirinda’s best friends.
The Haines Hot Shots youth shooting league competed in the Alaska State Trap shoot meet June 11-14 in Wasilla. Coaches and volunteers Shane and Janis Horton and daughter Nicole Holm accompanied the team. It included Seth Waldo, Ketch Jacobson, Marty Fowler, Corbin Holm, Caleb Holm, Dylan Swinton, Nathan Haas and Logan Tonsgard. Member Cade Clay also attended, but didn’t compete due to a broken arm. Logan placed third in the trap shooting category. Shane and Nicole competed in the coach’s event. The group practiced throughout the winter and spring at the Haines Sportsman’s Association Range.
Lori and Dave Smith are back in town after spending 52 days as volunteer crew aboard a 65-foot sailing catamaran making its way through French Polynesia. The boat is owned by a couple who were sailing it from Florida to Tonga for use by “Sea Mercy,” a nonprofit that equips boats with medical supplies and staff, and travels to isolated islands for those in need of medical care. The Smiths joined the couple for the last leg of the journey, from Nuku Hiva, a small island in the Marquesas group, to Tonga. They learned of the opportunity through the website floatplan.com, which advertises sailing opportunities. “It’s the cheap man’s way to own a boat,” Dave says. Highlights included diving with tiger sharks and manta rays in Bora Bora, Lori said. See pictures and details on the couple’s blog at www.lordaveus.blogspot.com.
Sandy and Vic Wratten enjoyed a three-day stay in the Netherlands. Amsterdam was crowded, as the Dutch were celebrating a holiday weekend. The couple went on a canal tour. They then rented a car and headed to Almelo, where they visited relative Inecka Roolvink, who gave them a tour of the area. Roolvink is the mother of Otto Roolvink, the husband of Vic’s daughter Leslie of San Diego. The Wrattens made it back to Alaska in time for the Alaska Fjordlines’ whale-watching cruise Monday. The trip was a fundraiser for the Haines Ski Club. Near Eldred Rock, the group saw orca whales and otters. They also saw a pod of humpback whales close to Haines.
Stan and Ellen Pollan of Stoughton, Wis. enjoyed a visit with son Henry Pollan and Candace Haagensen. The group went on an outing aboard the F/V Silverbow with Tom Spencer as well as a trip on 1st Choice Charters with Gary and Dorothy McConnell. They saw sea lions and whales and went sea-glass hunting.
Raymond R. Smith Jr., son of Emma and Ray Smith Sr., and father of Brenda Smith, died June 15 at 3 p.m. in Wasilla due to a stroke and pneumonia. There will be no service. Smith was born in Fort Seward’s hospital building on July 8, 1943.
A half-dozen friends greeted Chip Lende on his return to Haines Monday aboard the ferry Columbia, including with a sign that said, “Finish Line.” Lende had been hospitalized in Seattle for a bike race injury. He expects to be on crutches for eight weeks.