Coleman Stanford and Amber Long were married July 25 at Coleman’s parents’ house at 27 Mile. Friend Ryan Hamilton officiated. Coleman’s parents are Jim and Deb Stanford. Amber’s parents are Becky and Brayton Long.
Jonathan Dadourian of Los Angeles was in town visiting aunt Laurie Dadourian. They hiked off-trail on Mount Riley, camped and hiked on rock glaciers in the Yukon Territory, and went salmon fishing with Burl Sheldon and Nancy Berland. Wildlife sightings included a moose and goats. Jonathan is taking back as much smoked salmon as can fit in his backpack. He wants to return to Haines and go skiing.
The Valley of the Eagles Golf Links head professional Niall Hackett played in the 6th Annual Skookum Asphalt Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament in Whitehorse, Y.T., held July 25. The tournament is a fundraiser for the Yukon Hospital Foundation. Niall’s team placed third among more than 20 teams. He also donated Valley of the Eagles gear to the event’s silent auction. The event could be a model for tournaments here, he said. Forty participants turned out for Valley of the Eagles Golf Links’ Rally for the Cure Susan G. Komen golf tournament for breast cancer awareness fundraiser July 25. Golfer Jenny Lyn Smith won first prize, earning a pair of Adidas golf shoes.
Susan Yamada recently traveled to Sunnyside, a neighborhood near Pelican, for the marriage of Bradelle Padon and Nick Hatch. Deb Spencer, a teacher who once worked here as innkeeper at Summer Inn, officiated the ceremony. Deb now works as a school counselor in Juneau.
Teresa and Larry Hura hosted a party recently for former resident Steve Neidhart and old friends, including some members of the Northern Timber softball team from the 1980s. On hand were former players Steve, Larry Hura, Bart Henderson, Stan Boor, and Kip Kermoian. Patty Kermoian, Larry and Ellen Larson, Tim Ward, Sue Waterhouse and Nancy Schnabel also attended. Northern Timber was the precursor to Southeast Roadbuilders. Steve was in town with wife Bridget, who was making her second trip here. Steve and Bridget visited Chilkat Lake with Mario Juarez.
Herpetologist Tim Shields is curious about possible garter snake sightings in Haines. Discovery of a dead hatchling in Haines about 10 years ago and some anecdotal accounts suggest the snakes may range into the area. A species of garter snake exists in British Columbia. Send accounts to [email protected].
Former resident J.R. Wilcox and daughters Sophia and Jana were in town for a four-day visit. It’s been 21 years since his last visit. The family stayed with Barbara and Terry Pardee. J.R. was classmates with the couple’s daughter, Elizabeth (Pardee) Krout. The family attended the Southeast Alaska State Fair and particularly enjoyed the Geppetto’s Junkyard puppet show, which featured J.R.’s childhood best friend, puppeteer Melina Shields. He also met up with favorite teacher Richard Buck. J.R. wants to return for a visit with his wife and oldest daughter, who were in Russia during the visit. The family lives in Anchorage. J.R. is vice president of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. He recently was named to the Alaska Journal of Commerce’s “Top 40 Under Forty” list, recognizing up-and-coming business leaders.
Former resident Chris Hibbard visited with wife Sally and children Shelly, Andrew, Wade, and Harrington. The family drove their motor home from Houston. Chris, a computer engineer, wanted to show his family where he grew up. Trip highlights included fishing with Steve Virg-in, climbing Mount Ripinsky with C.J. Jones, attending the Southeast Alaska State Fair, and visiting Kroschel’s Wildlife Center. Chris also signed his books, a trilogy for children, during a book-signing at The Babbling Book. Chris realized many of his books’ details came from memories of Fort Seward.
Christian youth group “Youth Alive” returned from its annual summer mission adventure outreach trip. The group included leaders Albert and Lori Giddings, and youths Allison Stuart, Bozhi Sebens, Dylan Hayes, Haley Sweet-Cushing, Aireona Davis, Destinee Cowart, Lindy Hill, and Karissa Land. The group departed Haines by bus July 10 for Vancouver, B.C. They learned about human trafficking and homelessness, spent time in inner-city Vancouver, and visited a mosque. They also served meals to those in need. The group ended the trip with a visit to an amusement park in Vancouver and a day tour of Seattle.