Fred Shields and Greg Horner performed the song “Mr. Blue” at Sunday’s Northern Lights Showcase, a tribute to former resident DeWayne Blackwell, who penned the pop hit. As sung by The Fleetwoods, the song reached #1 on Billboard’s Top 100 list in November 1959, and was subsequently recorded by Frankie Avalon, Bob Dylan, and Garth Brooks, among others. Blackwell also wrote the hits “Friends in Low Places” and “I’m Going to Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home,” as well as songs recorded by Roy Orbison. Blackwell is nephew to Dan and Barb Blackwell of Haines. He lived here as a teenager in the 1950s, with parents Glen and “Tince” Blackwell, a brother and two sisters. His family came here from California looking for gold in the Porcupine, Barb Blackwell said this week.
Judy Goenett was recently named Humanitarian of the Year by the Alaska Head Start Foundation. Judy retired in October after 37 years of work with Headstart. She started out in Haines as a teacher’s aide in 1977 and worked her way up to regional manager, a position that she held 25 years. Judy is planning on a month-long train journey, traveling roundtrip across America from Seattle and back again.
The Southeast Alaska State Fair held a banquet for the 125 visiting riders and support crew of the Freeride World Tour. The meal was intended to be an awards banquet, and was put on hold as the competition. The banquet was finally held Friday, even though the competition had to wait until Monday for clear weather conditions. The dinner was prepared by Deana Stout, with help from Renee Hoffman, Kandy Hussey, Angela Carter, Julie Vance and Amanda Dunaway. Fifty pounds of local Tanner crab and 35 pounds of local halibut were donated by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.
David Owen watched the Arkansas Razorbacks in the NCAA Tournament with aunt Doris Ward during his two-week visit from Searcy, Ark. On his fourth visit to Haines, he enjoyed seeing friends and revisiting favorite places; he was happy to see at least one snowfall.
Julie Rae and Skip Elliott spent a three-week ski vacation in Wyoming and Montana. They skied on groomed cross-country trails at scenic spots including Old Faithful inside Yellowstone National Park, MacDonald Pass outside Helena and Lone Mountain Ranch at Big Sky. They also volunteered at “The Rendevous,” a Montana ski race similar to Skagway’s Buckwheat Ski Classic. Julie also fit in a visit with Sue Nelson and Tim June, who are wintering in Bozeman, Mont.
The Haines Health Fair drew about 100 attendees and about a dozen booths, according to coordinator Pam Sloper of the SEARHC clinic. Some of the representatives were: Cindy Jackson from the Senior Center, Kelly Williamson and Kathleen Fitzwilliam from Lynn Canal Counseling, public health nurse Brigid O’Connor, Genny Rietze for Girls on the Run, Melissa Aronson of Haines Friends of Recycling, Jen Allen and Kim Phillips of Parents as Teachers, the new SEARHC administrator Mary Crann, and the new SEARHC dentist Dr. Lucia Nasciamento. Klukwan’s Lani Hotch offered drinks of kombucha tea, and SEARCH’s Lisa Schwartz offered herb and fruit-flavored water, The Juneau medevac service Airlift Northwest also had a crew in attendance; the two nurses and two pilots stayed through Monday to be available for potential emergencies with during the Freeride competition.
Cindy Buxton, Russ White and daughter Sheeshao White spent five weeks touring New Zealand. Some of the highlights were six days backpacking along a beach, seeing baby seals in the wild, and inner tubing along an underground river. A highlight for Sheeshao was riding a horse while it swam in the ocean.
Haines High School grads Melissa Ganey and Kaitlin Combs have started their own custom-printed clothing line, 907 Clothing Co. Kaitlin is producing all of the original drawings, while Melissa is using her computer skills to prepare the artwork for transfer to shirts, pants and sweatshirts. Kaitlin says that their design ideas all come from the natural environment of Southeast Alaska. They plan to market through their website and via local trunk shows, as well as by having their line available in regional retail stores.
Steve and Bridget Neidhart visited Larry and Teresa Hura for a week in Tucson, Ariz. They hiked in Sabino Canyon National Forest and visited the Sonoran Desert Museum. Steve and Larry golfed the Tubac Country Club golf course, featured in the movie “Tin Cup,” while Teresa and Bridget attended an art show. Steve worked here in the 1980s as comptroller for Northern Timber and founder of the Weeping Golf Tournament at Chilkat Lake.
Curtis Caton and Shannon Franey of Juneau were married Monday morning at the Haines court. Magistrate John Hutchins presided. The couple’s child, 6-year-old Walther Jim, served as ring bearer. The pair recently purchased a cabin and property at 31 Mile and plan to move here in the next few years. Caton is a Forest Service geologist and Franey is a phlebotomist. They met when Franey drew Caton’s blood in Sparks, Nev. two years ago.