Brandy Brown and Aaron Peters were married Sunday at Moose Meadows on Seduction Point Trail. The groom’s aunt, Patricia Peters, officiated. Maids of honor were Samantha Clay and Teresa Katzeek. Best men were Nathan Jones and Sean Sherman. Brandy’s son Jerry Howard was ring bearer. Flower girls were Brandy’s daughter Melody and niece McKinley Jones. Wedding party members wore camouflage-patterned clothing or accessories, including the groom and the bride, whose dress had white camo sleeves. Parents of the bride are Ruth Brown and Gordon Satterwhite. Gordon gave Brandy away. Parents of the groom are Paul and Jeni Peters and Robert and Dena Fullbright of Boonville, Calif. Also in attendance were Brandy’s sister Channan Huff of Big Lake, and brother Alan Clayton of Juneau. Scott Lippy helped shuttle guests via boat from Chilkat State Park. The reception, also held at Moose Meadows, included a potluck, surf and turf dinner and cream of broccoli soup donated by Mike Ward. Carol Clifton and Krystal Hinkle made the three-tiered white cake, decorated with four-leaf clovers and rainbow roses. Tammy Hotch photographed the ceremony. Brandy is a waitress and Aaron is a stay-at-home dad. The newlyweds plan to take their family to Disneyland this winter.
Gabe Thomas is the new assistant harbormaster. He began the position June 1. Gabe, who was born and raised in Haines, said the harbor job is fitting, as he spent much of his youth on the docks. He spent the past 10 years working as a construction supervisor. He moved back to Haines recently with wife Tracey and daughter Mila.
Boatbuilder John Schumacher recently hauled fishing boats back into the water at the Small Boat Harbor. The boats had been moved onto boat stands for the winter using fisherman Yngve Olsson’s loader.
Six interns are at work at the American Bald Eagle Foundation this summer. Natalie Helms attends the University of Missouri, studying toward a degree in science and agricultural journalism. She’s public relations coordinator for the school’s raptor rehabilitation project. Lauren Rambo is studying zoology conservation at Auburn University in Alabama. She volunteers at the Auburn Southeastern Raptor Center. Rachel Womack is majoring in resource management at Auburn University, and works at the Auburn Southeastern Raptor Center. Katelyn Martin, a past volunteer at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in wildlife conservation and management. Christopher Dudley is majoring in biology and Chinese at the University of Kentucky. Felix Thillet attends the University of Alaska Southeast, and plans to major in Interdisciplinary Studies. Each intern will spend two weeks at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
Jess Giddings returned from Romania and Moldova, as part of a cultural immersion and service trip with the Christian organization Word Made Flesh. The group focuses on empowering people in poverty, especially children, she said. Jess went with a group from her school, George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. The group was immersed in the cultures and histories of the countries where families live in dilapidated houses, and a child’s meal might consist of bread and ketchup. Some children live alone, and many are preyed upon by sex traffickers, she said. “It was a very intense look at culture and how people are living other places in the world,” she said. She hopes to return to Romania for similar work as part of a study abroad program. Jess is a junior majoring in international studies.
Val Weems of Beaumont, Texas, is visiting friend Trevor McClain. Val began his two-week visit on summer solstice weekend. It’s his first time in Alaska. Brian and Sandy Donahue of North Andover, Mass., spent a week in Haines visiting daughter Shannon Donahue. The couple “discovered a sense of peace, place, and caring during (the) visit,” Brian said. He enjoyed seeing the library and the schools. The couple was particularly impressed with the Klukwan School and its mission to honor Native culture.
The public is invited to a farewell party for local Salvation Army officers Dave and Mary Kyle, 2 p.m. Saturday at the ANB Hall. Bring a dish to share or just come and say goodbye, said friend Cheri Kutch. The Kyles have led the Salvation Army in Haines for three years. They’ve been reassigned to Portland. New Haines officers are expected to arrive within the next two weeks.
Nine golfers, including visitors from Kenai and Skagway, completed the fifth annual Ironman Golf Classic June 13 at Valley of the Eagles Golf Links. Players played 72 holes during the all-day event. “It’s like playing a tournament in one day,” said course pro Niall Hackett.
Co-manager Janessa Anderson said Saturday’s free open house at Rainbow Glacier Camp will feature the camp’s new, 450-foot zip line, hatchet throwing, archery, crafts, and food. The fun starts at 10 a.m. Call 766-2127.
Friends and family paid last respects to Walter Harry Williams, 59, at a funeral in the ANB Hall on June 6. He died May 5, 2015 in Seattle. Williams grew up in Haines and lived in Juneau. Wayne Price gave the eulogy and Rev. Valentino Burattin officiated. Williams, who was in the National Guard and reserves from 1979-1995, was remembered as a soldier, truck driver, artist, and for his passion for fishing and subsistence food gathering.  He leaves a son, Kevin Howard of Juneau. Family in Haines include brothers Sonny, Charlie, and Mark Williams.