Duly Noted

About 150 people attended a community reception for newlyweds Luke Hedrick and Sam Fink of Manhattan, N.Y. Saturday at Harriett Hall. The couple was married in Long Island, N.Y. in May. Luke’s parents are John and Bonnie Hedrick. Sam’s parents are Steve and Judy Fink of Purchase, N.Y. Out-of-town guests also included Bob and Joanne Nussbaum of Fort Lee, N.J., groomsman Ryan Boyko and son Oisin of New Haven, Conn., Barry Connelly and Tara Helene of Seattle, Jenifer Bird of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Sandy and Ian Lindblom of Portland. Also in attendance were Alejandra Guzman and Drew Hotson of Menlo Park, Calif., who were in Alaska on their honeymoon. The event was catered by the Halsingland Hotel. Dan Henry emceed. Bands Fishpickers and No Shame entertained. Bonnie said guests visited museums during the deluge. A small group of guests summited Mount Riley on one of the wet, no-view misty days.
Members of the North Tide Canoe Kwaan canoed from Haines to Skagway Aug. 13. They made the five-hour journey in their hand-carved, red cedar dugout canoe. Pullers included Wayne Price, Cheri Price, Bosh Hotch, Stan Hotch, Tammy Hotch, Alex Hotch, Steven Hotch, Logan Hotch, Tayla Hotch, Ivan Hotch, Malia Jorgeson-Geise, Zack James and James Hart. They then marched to the Skagway Museum, where a historic Tlingit canoe from the early 1900s is housed. Pullers carved and painted their own paddles. The Skagway News featured the group on the front page Aug. 15, reporting that the trip “connected the two communities by Tlingit canoe for the first time in more than 100 years.” The group returned to Haines via escort boats, as they were unable to canoe back due to weather. Jim Studley’s friend Thomas Forstenpointner of Austria was among those traveling on an escort boat.
The family of new Haines High English teacher Ryan Harms made a trip to Haines for a family get-together and to “get a feel for the place,” said father Jerry Harms of Pullman, Wash. Jerry, wife Rosalie, and daughter Kassandra Mirosh of Healy enjoyed a week stay with Ryan, who moved here earlier this summer. Highlights included a flight above the Juneau ice fields, climbing Mount Riley, seeing orcas, visiting the Hammer Museum and Sheldon Museum, and shopping at the Haines Farmers’ Market.
Steve Beck and wife Marlane of Golden, Colo. said they don’t know how long their Haines visit will be. The couple was considering extending their stay in town and canceling plans to travel elsewhere in Alaska. While traveling to Haines, they stopped in Sitka and visited ranger and former resident Nick True. They met Nick in 2008 when he worked at Chilkoot Lake Wayside. They also visited former resident Tommy Jimmie of Juneau. They enjoyed time with Cheri and Wayne Price and Marlena Saupe, who taught them about plants during a walk. They planned to see Tim and April Ackerman. The couple has visited Haines a couple times since their first visit in 2005.
Yoko Yama of Shizuoka, Japan and daughter Kozue of Tokyo enjoyed a five-day visit with Ramona and Frank Holmes. Yoko and Ramona taught together in Japan over 30 years ago. The mother and daughter duo visited Denali National Park before coming to Haines. In Haines, they enjoyed shopping, visiting Kroschel Wildlife Center, and meeting the couple’s friends. The group ate fresh vegetables and salmon daily. Ramona planned to drive to the Anchorage airport with the duo.
Donna and Wayne Walter have been entertaining visitors all month. Guests included niece Connie and Chuck Ziegla of Alta Vista, Kan. Allen and Marybell Tuten of Rustin, La., drove the Walters’ truck cross country to Haines. The Tutens have brought mission groups up from Louisiana to work at Rainbow Glacier Camp and the Presbyterian Church. Nancy Morden, a doctor in New Hampshire, and family were also in town. Donna’s twin brother Don and Nancy Rogers of Rescue, Calif. arrived Monday. Visitors have enjoyed activities including pulling crab pots and visiting Kroschel Wildlife Center and museums.
Former resident Ruth Davis was in town for a few days visiting sister Georgiana Hotch. Ruth is moving from Anchorage to Juneau. The sisters are planning a koo.eex, or Tlingit potlatch, for Oct. 25 in Haines. The sisters’ deceased family members are sister and former resident Barbara Lewis, Georgiana’s son Dominic Wobick and daughter Lisa Marie Long.
John Svenson earned first place for his “Along the Khumbu Highway” painting at the Alaska Watercolor Society’s 40th annual Juried Exhibition. The sole juror was nationally known watercolor artist Mark Mehaffey. The pieces are on display at the Blue Hollomon Gallery in Anchorage Sept. 5-29. Check out John’s piece at www.akws.org/exhibition.htm.
The Sheldon Museum’s first Totem Trot fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Cost is $15. The fee is refunded for runners or walkers who raise more than $100 in sponsorships. To sign up, go to www.totemtrot.com or call 766-2366. The 5K event tours 19 totem poles at 12 sites. All participants receive a Friendship Pole bandanna, museum director Helen Alten said. Prizes will be awarded for speed and for highest sponsorships. Participant packets are available in the front lobby of the museum.