Brianna Phillips and Matt Baarson were married July 11 at Letnikof Cove. Matt’s uncle and godfather Bob Franz officiated. Parents of the bride are Kim and Don Phillips of Haines. Matt’s parents are Craig Baarson and Peg Lusian; stepparents are Jennifer Baarson and Gary Lusian, all of the Minneapolis area. Former resident Frankie Jones of Redmond, Wash. was the wedding planner. Other members of the Jones family who helped prepare included Linda Palmer, Jessie Badger, Margarette Jones, and Mark Jones. During the reception at Harriett Hall, guests feasted on a steak and salmon dinner, in addition to potluck sides, and a chocolate and carrot cake. Deejay Victor Leamer of Juneau entertained. Daniel Dinsmore of Mankato, Minn. took photographs. The newlyweds stayed at the Cliffhanger bed and breakfast for a few days after the wedding. “There really isn’t a more beautiful place on planet Earth,” Brianna said. The couple, who lives in Minneapolis, is also thinking about going on a trip this winter to “somewhere warm.” Brianna is a teacher, and Matt is an accountant. Brianna thanks those who helped make the couple’s wedding week the “most amazing and memorable week of (their) lives.”
Former resident Iris Kemp and Doug Curley were married Friday at the state fairgrounds’ Payson’s Pavilion. The couple met there during the 2011 Hillstomp concert. Iris’ auntie Valda Thomas-Matson of Seattle officiated. Genny Rietze was maid of honor. Doug’s brother Mitch Curley of Calgary, Alberta was best man. The ceremony included a reading by Iris’ brother Chandler Kemp. Advice/good wishes were given by Doug’s parents Jane and Terry Curley of Invermere, B.C., Iris’ parents Chris and Deb Kemp of Haines, and Valda and her husband Scott. The newlyweds live in Calgary, Alberta. Iris is an early childhood teacher and Doug is starting a master’s program in biology this fall at the University of Calgary.
The Valley of the Eagles Golf Links has been busy lately. Tyler Swinton set a new course record July 13. Tyler shot a 29 on the nine-hole course. The previous record of 30 was held by golf professional Andrew Rex. Tyler is going into his senior year at the Oregon Institute of Technology. “Big kudos” to Tyler, said head professional Niall Hackett. On June 18, Greg Rasmussen shot a hole in one on Hole 2, joining the course’s “hole in one club.” Other members of the club are Nik Hura (Hole 8), and Rick Leader, Greg Brask and Song Nash (all Hole 2). Stop by the course Saturday at 9 a.m. or earlier for the four-person team Rally for the Cure Susan G. Komen golf tournament for breast cancer awareness fundraiser. Cost is $42 a person, and clubs and carts are available to rent. Participants will receive goody bags.
The Haines Borough Police Department is updating its call list for receiving meat from game killed or injured on the highway or taken illegally by hunters. Nonprofit organizations and churches located in the Haines Borough qualify. The chief of police also must approve requests. If interested, send a letter to the department with your request, including how your organization or church intends to use the meat. The letter must include a list of people willing to harvest the meat along with contact phone numbers. Your organization or church will assume responsibility for harvesting the meat and properly disposing of the carcass.
Miguel Ordonez and wife Wanpen of Vienna, Va. spent five days in Haines. Miguel is the brother of Joe Ordonez and father of incoming kindergarten teacher Sue Ackerman. They attended grandson Timothy “JJ” Ackerman’s first birthday. They also celebrated cousin Orion Grimes’ fifth birthday in the rain and wind across Pyramid Island. Great-aunties Tanis Seiltan of Bellingham, Wash. and Ione Ackerman of Juneau also were in attendance as were cousins Stella and Sapphire Ordonez, Roland Farrell of Mount Vernon, Wash., and auntie Carrie Walker of Juneau.
Spencer Douthit’s local farm, Columbine Farm, is one of 12 semi-finalists in Sealaska’s Path to Prosperity business competition for Southeast Alaska entrepreneurs. The Path to Prosperity website states that the farm will expand and include an orchard that will “provide the Lynn Canal with fresh, local apples and sweet cherries. The farm’s production in Haines takes advantage of unique local resources, thereby increasing regional food production and security. Using high tunnel tree fruit production methods, the orchard will produce both common cherry and apple varieties as well as lesser known heirloom varieties.” Three winning entrepreneurs will receive up to $40,000 for their business.

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