Phyllis Sage and Joanne Waterman were married on the Port Chilkoot Dock Tuesday afternoon. Magistrate John Hutchins officiated. John Hagen and Margaret Friedenauer were witnesses. Also in attendance were Ashley Sage, Bonnie Hedrick, Debra Schnabel, and Debra’s dog Windsor, who wore a tie. Under a sunny sky, the couple exchanged rings made out of Porcupine gold. Margaret and Ashley brought flowers, and Debra brought champagne. A federal court ruling Sunday that struck down Alaska’s ban on same-sex marriage paved the way for the wedding. By 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the couple had requested the services of magistrate Hutchins. Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said the state intends to appeal the court decision. “We said, ‘We need to get married now,’” Phyllis said this week. “It’s our right as U.S. citizens to be able to marry our best friend.” Phyllis and Joanne have been together 13 years. “We’re excited we could get married in Haines, Alaska, in our town. It’s awesome and historic for us,” Phyllis said. Theirs is evidently the first same-sex marriage on record here.
Head Start regional manager Judy Goenett has retired from her position as regional manager for RurAL CAP, overseeing Head Start programs in nine rural Alaska communities. Her 37 years of service started with serving as a teacher’s aide in the local program. About 25 people attended her potluck retirement party Oct. 3 at the Head Start building, said teacher director Karen Bryant. Parent Krystal Lloyd made and decorated the cake. Judy said that in retirement she hopes to spend more time with family and to go on a cross-country trip by train with husband Jake Goenett.
Local firefighters Jenn Walsh and Chuck Mitman recently brushed up on skills at the 2014 Alaska State Fire Conference in Kenai. Jenn spent five days in courses, including a truck operations class. During lessons on search and rescue, forcible entry, and vertical ventilation, she was required to find and rescue a dummy in a smoke-filled room, force her way through doors, and cut through roofs. She also attended a class on thermal-imaging cameras and a class on managing the health and safety of firefighters. Chuck completed a two-day course on management skills for department officers. Jenn also attended the Hale Borealis Forum in Anchorage, organized by the Department of Homeland Security. She completed classes in pre-hospital trauma life support, tactical emergency casualty care and post-disaster emergency medicine. Jenn and Chuck shared what they learned at Monday’s firefighter meeting.
The Haines Woman’s Club Bazaar will be Saturday, Nov. 22, at the elementary gym.  Please call Georgia Sampson at 766-2652 or 314-3101 to reserve a table.
Jae McDermaid and boyfriend Jim Lampkins were sitting on the top deck of the ferry, holding hands, when Jim popped the question. The ferry was just passing Sawmill Creek falls, en route to Skagway. Jim gave Jae his great-grandmother’s ring. “It was so amazing,” Jae said. The proposal marked their two-year anniversary as a couple. They’ve set May 29, 2015, as the wedding date. They plan to marry aboard the Fjordland, next to the falls.
Over a dozen deejays attended the KHNS Haines deejay potluck Oct. 8 at the Fireweed restaurant, program director Amelia Nash said. Deejays in attendance included Spencer Douthit, Janine Allen, Carol Mitchell, Bulut Ciftci, Beth Fenhaus, Chloe Goodson and Russ White.
Former Haines Animal Rescue Kennel (HARK) executive director Steve Vick said that he nearly fell over when he learned the name of his dog-mushing team’s lead sled dog. The dog, coincidentally named Hark, is one of 14 sled dogs working for Noble Paws, the nonprofit organization Vick founded. “To have my main leader come with the name Hark seemed like a very positive sign,” he said. Vick also serves as president of the organization, which aims to teach dog mushing to people with disabilities. Noble Paws is located in Fairbanks. Vick lives in a cabin with his three pet dogs. The team resides on the land surrounding the cabin. Go to noblepawsalaska.org to donate or learn more.
A group of locals hung out Oct. 9, but most were unable to see or speak much of the evening. Jedediah Blum-Evitts hosted a mask-making session, during which attendees plastered each other’s faces with newspaper strips soaked in wet flour. Jacob Brown-Beach, Ryan Harms, Jon Bonner, Chloe Goodson, Erik Stevens, Eileen McIver, Paul Nicastro, and sisters Lizi and Tracy Wirak were among those in attendance. The group plans to get together throughout the month to complete their masks.
Former residents Aurita Maldonado and John Binger were married Oct. 4 near the Mill Creek trail in Moab, Utah. The couple and their guests camped, and on the morning of the wedding, floated down the Colorado River. The bride and officiator Knikki Cinocco of Skagway then started a mud fight. After showering and changing, the group hiked to the ceremony spot, just in time for sunset. Those in attendance included John’s parents Debra Petrie and Henry Binger of Austin, as well as Aurita’s company commander from Afghanistan, assistant team leader, and fellow soldiers, who flew over from Afghanistan. Ring-bearer Kip Silva of New York City made Aurita’s pink chiffon wedding dress. Also in attendance were John Briner of Skagway, Bart Henderson, and Cynde Adams. The reception took place at Eklecticafe, where John works as a cook. The chocolate zucchini wedding cake with coconut whipped icing was made by the bride herself. Aurita teaches a children’s dance performance team and runs after-school dance programs. Friends can send cards or gifts to P.O.Box 564, Moab, Utah, 84532.
Adam Humphrey of Whitehorse, Y.T. and Donna Madden of Ontario were tending a deep-fried turkey outside the Haines Senior Center Sunday, as about two dozen friends gathered inside to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. Humphrey, a City of Whitehorse employee, said a group of friends who’ve been coming to Haines for the weekend for years decided to formalize their gathering with a potluck dinner at the center he described as ideal for their gathering. They enjoyed playing the center’s piano and its Wii games, he said.
Harriet Brouillette, Georgiana Hotch and Les Katzeek were elected in the Chilkoot Indian Association election Sept. 11. Each will fill a three-year term. They join other members John Katzeek, Evangeline Willard-Hoy, Gale Thompson and Gene Strong.
The aspens near Million Dollar Falls were a “brilliant gold” for a drive Joan Snyder and Art and Donna Woodard recently made to Haines Junction, Y.T. Joan said they also enjoyed touring the new Da Ku Cultural Center in the village.
Helen Edwards’ family and friends gathered Friday at the Pioneer Bar for a party celebrating her new driver’s license. Sister Jessica Edwards organized the party for Helen, who was awarded her license earlier in the week. Friends joined brother-in-law Andy Hedden, niece Sophia, and brother Sam Edwards. Jessica’s mom Marilyn Harrold, who accompanied Helen on practice drives, also came. Gifts included toy cars, an air freshener and an ice-scraper.
A Haines School security camera captured an intruder in the school parking lot last week. The brown bear was caught on tape approaching one of the school’s dumpsters at night. The footage also shows a vehicle scaring the bear away. At least two bears have been seen on school property three times in the past week. Despite a chain over the dumpster, the bears managed to squeeze some trash out. They also have tipped the dumpster over. The school is now keeping more food trash inside. Go to the Haines Glacier Bears Facebook page to watch footage.
About 20 people turned out for the Haines Hockey Season Opener party at the Pioneer Bar Oct. 8, said Daymond Hoffman. The group gathered to support the community ice-skating rink and to celebrate the start of the local skating and hockey season. They also watched National Hockey League games on the bar’s TVs. Haines hockey shirts, pucks and memberships were sold during the event. Proceeds go toward lights for the rink. Call Daymond at 314-0907 to donate.
Former resident Micah True was profiled in the University of Alberta’s magazine, Work of Arts, the school’s Faculty of Arts’ magazine for alumni. The article, titled “Creating a Community of Learners,” is written by Carmen Rojas. A series of photographs of Micah posing in a university classroom is included. Photographs were taken by Ryan Parker. Micah is a member of the university’s Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies. He’s an assistant professor of French literature and folklore. Micah also was awarded the 2014 Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Teaching Award and a 2014 Provost’s Award for Early Achievement of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Check out the profile at http://www.woablog.com/2014/10/creating-a-community-of-learners/.

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