Duly Noted

John and Kristen Wiggins were married before about 25 people on the waterfront near Letnikof Cove on Feb. 28. Steve Virg-In officiated. About 50 people attended a reception that afternoon at the ANB Hall. Guests included John’s daughter Lyric Wiggins, Kristen’s daughter Olivia Garrison, John’s mother Lois Wiggins, and John’s brother Joel Wiggins and wife Joanna Wiggins, who drove down from Fairbanks to attend.
Thom Ely spent three weeks visiting family before heading to Argentina for a six-week adventure. He first met up with a cousin for fly fishing in the crystal blue water of Patagonia. They caught 30-40 trout a day, which Thom described as his best fly-fishing experience. He met up with Keltie Hollingdale of Whitehorse, Yukon for several weeks of trekking, biking and car camping. Thom says that Argentina is a wonderful place to visit: hot, sunny, safe and easy to travel around, with good food and helpful people.
Girl Scouts Sofia Sosa, Natalie Jobbins and Audrey Bader all earned Super Seller patches for selling over 225 boxes of Girl Scout cookies each. At Friday’s high school basketball game against Metlakatla, the cookie booth featured giant-sized cookie costumes worn by Abby Blaine and coach Greg Brittenham.
Jedediah Blum-Evitts took a break from his job at the library to spend 10 days on Maui. A highlight was climbing trees to pick abundant fresh fruit there, such as coconuts, papayas, mangos, avocados, oranges and grapefruit.
Artist, puppeteer and massage therapist Melina Shields was interviewed for Alaska Public Media’s 300 Villages, which features interviews from small Alaska communities statewide. Melina talks about her neighborhood across Flat Bay, at the end of Mud Bay Road. Her interview was recorded by KHNS radio reporter Emily Files.
Newlyweds Chad and Sylvia Bieberich bought a beat-up motorbike and spent two and a half weeks getting lost in the backcountry of Thailand, cruising through rice fields and small villages where no English was spoken. They then spent a week visiting family and friends in Oregon and California.
Accompanied by Carla Chavez, Gail Gilbert recently traveled to Seattle to visit son Scott Gilbert, his wife Deb Read and their daughter Anna Read-Gilbert. Gail enjoyed the early spring there, where the crocus, daffodils and cherry blossoms are already out.
About 30 people attended a party to celebrate Amelia Nash’s career move. Amelia has left her job at KHNS after eight years to work with husband Adam Richard at the Fireweed Restaurant. They’re the new owners. The retro-themed party featured costumed guests, old vinyl records for food platters, and karaoke performances.
Susie McCartney-Nelson and daughter Patience Nelson spent three weeks visiting family in Palm City, Fla. They stayed with Susie’s parents, Jane and Al Maunus, and enjoyed sunny beach and pool time. They also ventured to Disney World, where a highlight was Patience’s first roller coaster ride.
The Haines Arts Council’s two nights of Oscar-nominated short films drew about 50 people each night. At the end of the evening of animated shorts, Haines High School graduate Kee Heywood’s 20-minute film “Phantom-limbed,” was shown. Kee wrote, directed and produced the film.
Caroline’s Closet is holding a silent raffle of the 14 pairs of high-top shoes in its window display. The shoes were created by Natalie Benassi, Marian Carlson, Becky Nash, Sharon Svenson, Kelly Mitchell, Kaya Ramirez, Karen Bryant, Emma Glada, Jan Dubber, Diane Sly and Sue Folletti, Denise Sherman, Julie Rae, Sandra Weiss and Trudi Miller. The auction proceeds will benefit Southeast Alaska Independent Living.
Haines friends gathered in Phoenix to celebrate a combined March 1 birthday party for John Bune and Payson Schnabel. The three days of celebrating included desert hikes. Parties were held at a house rented by friends of Bune, an Austin, Texas resident and frequent visitor to Haines. In attendance were Payson’s parents Nancy and Roger Schnabel, brother Parker Schnabel, grandmom Darlene Bolick, aunt Debra Schnabel and granddad John Schnabel. Other guests included Fred Shields, Sue Waterhouse, Gregg Richmond, and Teresa and Larry Hura.
Takshanuk Watershed Council’s Pam Randles reports the varied thrushes have arrived about two weeks early. Randles said the first thrush arrived here Feb. 17. She said the bird with the distinctive two-pitch song typically shows up between March 1 and April 30. The smaller, hermit thrush showed up Feb. 19, at least a full month early, Randles said.
To submit an item for inclusion in the Duly Noted column, phone the CVN at 766-2688.