Timothy Mikael “JJ” Ackerman was born 1:24 a.m. July 8 at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage to parents Timothy James Ackerman and Supanika Ordonez Ackerman. He weighed 5 lb., 6 oz. and measured 19 inches long. Due in August, he came as a surprise. Grandparents are Timothy Charles Ackerman and April Ackerman. Second cousins are Stella and Sapphire Ordonez.
Kiana Donat is heading to Hershey, Pa. to compete in the standing long jump event at the Hershey’s North American Final Meet at the end of the month. The 12-year-old placed first at the local Hershey’s meet on the last day of school. Her jump of over six feet also earned her first place statewide, qualifying her for the North American final. She’s one of five students from Alaska who qualified. The all-expenses-paid trip also includes tours of attractions such as Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World. Grandparents Linda and Ron Jaymot of Salem, Ore. will travel with Kiana, who is entering seventh grade. Mom Sarah Jaymot is scrambling to get Kiana necessities such as track shoes.
Kate Harrop reports that son and former resident Johnathan Michael Harrop and Katie Jacqueline McLeod are scheduled to marry 5 p.m. July 26 at River’s Edge Resort in Fairbanks. No presents, Kate said. Instead, air miles or cash donations can be made to the couple’s honeymoon registry at www.honeyfund.com/wedding/jandk714.
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell appointed Robert Venables to a public seat on the Municipal Advisory Gas Project Review Board. The board will serve to help determine potential effects of an Alaska natural gas pipeline project on communities statewide. Venables is the energy coordinator for Southeast Conference. He’s a former Haines Borough manager. He also served as the economic development director for the City of Haines, and was on the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Former public health nurse Vera Smith moved into an assisted living facility. Vera is looking forward to a 100th birthday on November 24. Friends can write to her at: Lady of Peace; 751 Hillsdale Drive, Apt. 215; Charlottesville, VA 22901-3301.
Former residents Diana Boro and John Isaac Boswell married Saturday at Howard Prairie Lake Resort and Campground in southern Oregon. Diana’s aunt Jackie Smith of Redmond, Wash. officiated. The couple lives in Seattle. They met at KHNS, where they both worked as reporters in 2008. John Hunt, who introduced the couple, played his trombone and led a parade of guests to the reception campsite after the ceremony. The bride and groom made their own chocolate and carrot cakes. The newlyweds were to leave for their honeymoon in Hawaii this week. Diana recently finished her master’s degree in social work. John Isaac works for Alaska Airlines.
Sally Lix and Kathy Pardee-Jones enjoyed a visit with former Haines teacher Trudy Hebert in Mesa, Ariz. Trudy and her late husband Hans lived in Haines from the late 1940s through the 1960s with their children.
Lindsey Moore returned from a month of travel throughout Europe with parents Richard and Ruth Moore of Seattle. They saw London, Copenhagen, Sweden, Estonia, and Ireland. At Westminster Abbey, Lindsey met a Canadian man who visits Haines each fall to fly fish and stay at the Hotel Halsingland. She also saw a Shakespeare production at the Globe Theatre and met relatives Kersten Skyggeson and Hanna Skyggeson of Sweden. Other highlights were visiting Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher and Guinness Brewing Company, and watching the opening game of the World Cup in a Brazilian bar in Stockholm.
Chilkat Valley Preschool raised about $3,000 at its taco feed fundraiser July 5 at The Klondike, Chilkat Valley Preschool’s Renee Hoffman said. The preschool’s board and staff are working to raise money for a new facility. Future fundraisers include a Sept. 13 dinner and auction at Harriett Hall, a hot tub raffle, and a wine cellar raffle. For raffle tickets, call 766-3213. The preschool’s goal is to raise $50,000 locally.
Physical therapist Margaret Piggott reconnected with friend and former patient Robin Stephens in Haines on July 11. It was their first meeting in more than 40 years. When Stephens was a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Piggott taught her how to walk and talk. Stephens, who now travels in a wheelchair and specially made handicapped van, drove from Colorado and caught the ferry in Bellingham. Now an attorney in Windsor, Colo., Stephens brought a group of visitors to town, including two in wheelchairs. The group included Stephens’ mother Nancy VonBorstel of San Diego, Penny Mock of Brightwood, Ore., Nancy Arvold and Corbett Joan O’Toole from Richmond, Calif. Corbett is writing an article on wheelchair travel to Haines and Juneau. Her website is at www. wheelchairtraveling.com.
Girlfriends threw Leslie Ross a “Dolly Parton Party” last weekend at Letnikof Cove to celebrate Ross’ new job as tourism director. The party included Dolly-inspired outfits, music and cupcakes.