Duly Noted

Stanford University graduate student Chandler Kemp is back in California, after a summer fellowship in Borneo, the largest island in Asia. Chandler was writing a report evaluating a community energy development model using sustainable practices. Chandler is pursuing a master’s degree in energy resource engineering. He visited a dozen jungle communities and learned about challenges facing the island’s indigenous people. Chandler said adjusting to the Third World conditions took him out of his comfort zone.
Lindsay Johnson and Graham Kraft celebrated their December 2013 wedding with about 70 friends and family members at a reception Saturday at the Fairweather Ski Works shop at Viking Cove. Before the party, the couple renewed their wedding vows with family at Paradise Cove. Lindsay’s family included parents Dave and Jenny Johnson of Ketchikan, sisters Jenna Johnson-Hanks of Berkeley, Calif., and Elizabeth Kuhn-Wilken and Rachel Pilch of Tacoma, Wash. The sisters were excited to sleep in the couple’s tree house, Lindsay said. Graham’s family included parents John and Barb Kraft of Coldstream, B.C., sister Lindsay Kraft of Kingston, Ontario, and partner Casey McGowan of New Orleans. Friends from Alaska, North Carolina and Vancouver, B.C. also attended. Guests dined on game and fish dishes. The evening included an open mic segment featuring a parent ukulele band and friends on strings. Lindsay played “Sunshine of Your Love” on trumpet and sang for Graham. Graham sang “A Bicycle Built for Two.” Nolan Wald told jokes and dancing went on into the morning, under the disco lights of a driftwood chandelier. Graham and Ian Seward are business partners in the ski company.         
Haines entrepreneurs Heather Shade and Ian Seward attended the Path to Prosperity business “boot camp” in Juneau last weekend. Heather, of Port Chilkoot Distillery, and Ian, of Fairweather Ski Works, LLC, were among 12 semi-finalists in the Path to Prosperity contest sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and Sealaska regional Native corporation. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, participants attended workshops on running a successful and responsible business. The semi-finalists advanced to Round 2, which included the boot camp. Two business plans will be selected as finalists and each will receive an award of up to $40,000 in seed funding for consulting and technical services. Four local businesses were among 12 semi-finalists in the program last year.
Friends have been saying farewells to Jeff Alvine, who is heading south to pursue a career as a trucker. Alvine arrived here about two years ago from Fayetteville, Ark., where he was working in a health food store. His energy livened up the local music scene, including at performances by HAL’s Pals and by hosting open mic night at the Pioneer. Jeff is the son of Jan Dubber.
Valley of the Eagles Golf Links greens keeper Tyler Barrack left Haines this week to get hitched. He’s scheduled to marry Katharine Bosworth of Austin on Oct. 18 in Virginia, his home state. Tyler has worked at Valley of the Eagles the past six golf seasons. He’s a graduate of the Golf Academy of America in Orlando, Fla. He’s unsure as to where the couple will move post-wedding, but hopes it will be “somewhere coastal.” He said he’ll return to Haines for visits.
About 220 people attended the Chilkat Valley Preschool’s fundraising dinner and auction at Harriett Hall Saturday, said office manager Renee Hoffman. An estimated $10,000 was raised. Sarah Jaymot made desserts. Bill Stacey was auctioneer. David Sosa made the winning bid of $460 for a carved, silver bracelet with raven designs made by Don Hotch Jr. The preschool also sold raffle tickets for a wine cellar raffle. The drawing will take place Nov. 26.
About 75 women in costumes and finery gathered for the women’s Goddess Party, held at Alissa and Ira Henry’s house Sept. 12. The gala raised $338 for Becky’s Place, a safe house shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence. Kate Boor was the main organizer of the party. Deana Stout founded the annual event about 15 years ago, said Alissa.
Karen Garcia visited Kerry McIver in Healy last weekend. The friends went to Healy’s 49th State Brewery and the Silver Gulch Brewery in Fox. They also visited Denali National Park.
JoAnn Ross Cunningham and Steven Cunningham spent much of the summer floating around Southeast Alaska on their pleasure boat, “The Great Escape,” docked in Wrangell. Destinations included the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory, about 35 miles from Wrangell, where black and brown bears gather to feast on thousands of pink salmon. They also attended Wrangell’s Bearfest and rode bikes on logging trails on Zarembo Island. Encounters included meeting Frank Roppel, former general manager of Alaska Pulp Corporation, and wife Patricia, an author of Alaska history books, and meeting an Australia family living on their sailboat for 13 years.