Tristan Eggener was impressed by the beauty of Haines, and enjoyed hiking, seeing wildlife, drinking local beer, and playing music on the Klondike stage during the state fair. He especially enjoyed performing with the Haines Marching Band, a last-minute decision he made upon seeing an ad seeking musicians. He borrowed the school’s 30-year-old Besson tuba, which he made workable with a bit of duct tape and some soldering help from Keith Barsch. He borrowed Xtra Tuf boots from Jeff Butcher for the band’s parade performance of “Bear Necessities.” Tristan teaches music theory, jazz band, and tuba at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla. Another drop-in member of the band was Darrell Shade, a music teacher from Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Judy and Luis Garcia toured Southeast Alaska during their 11-day visit with daughter Karen Garcia. Judy’s highlights included volunteering at the ride ticket booth at the state fair, whale watching in Sitka, visiting Anan Creek outside of Wrangell to observe feeding brown and black bears, and touring the LeConte Glacier outside of Petersburg. Luis enjoyed Haines Brewing Company’s Black Ice specialty beer, hanging out with Eileen and Kerry McIver, and listening to music at the fair’s Klondike stage.
Emily Gargiulo, husband Michael, and son Arthur, 1, of Asheville, N.C. were in town visiting Emily’s mother, Carol Tuynman. The family took the Fjordland to Haines and saw seals, whales and eagles. They also went to Kroschel Wildlife Center and visited Skagway and Whitehorse, where they camped at Robert Service Campground. Ann and Mike Dombkowski, Ann’s son Nicholas, wife Laurel, and children Marsalis, 3, and Mayana, 1, also were in town from Durango, Colo. during the state fair weekend. Paul Nelson, Brigid O’Connor and Deborah Marshall joined the group for a salmon and halibut dinner accompanied with garden vegetables at the Nelson homestead.
Dan Carter and Randy L’Huillier of Marquette, Mich. did a lot of fishing while in town visiting Dan’s brother Michael Carter. They caught halibut, salmon, crab, and shrimp. This was Randy’s first trip to Alaska. Dan brought Michael and wife Lori a box of “Yooper pasties,” bread pockets filled with meat and veggies, from the Upper Peninsula, where Michael grew up.
Elena Horner is back in town to visit family and friends. For her recent 21st birthday, mom Leigh Horner on Monday made Elena a berry tiramisu cake she shared with family members and friends.
Lu Seapy and Dale Brandenberger were in town for the state fair, catching up with Haines friends. Lu performed at the fair’s Klondike stage with her band The Honey Badgers. Dale and Lu also served as judges of the fair’s Grand Parade, donning dinosaur and panda costumes loaned by Amanda Stossel.
Port Chilkoot Distillery’s 50 Fathoms Gin won a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition recently. The locally-produced spirit also was featured in the August edition of Travel and Leisure Magazine.
Museum director Helen Alten reports 141 people attended Apple Day activities at the Sheldon Museum Friday. Picking apples from Charlie Anway’s yellow translucent apple tree is typically a September event for school classes but apples matured earlier this year, Alten said. “They were falling off the tree.” Museum aide Jackie St. Clair served apple juice and apple sauce she made from the tree, and aide Sara Chetney served her apple pie and apple crisp. Alten said youngsters picking apples and bobbing for them didn’t want to leave. “That tree entertained the kids for hours,” she said. More than 15 five-gallon buckets of apples have come off the tree, but the tree is still laden with them. Rosalie Loewen is making apple jam and jelly from the tree’s fruit to be sold in the museum store, but Alten said she is open to suggestions for other apple uses.
Friends are invited to stop by Haines Home Building Supply 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to toast Bruce and Gail Gilbert’s 50th wedding anniversary. Bruce and Gail were Alaska schoolteachers who met aboard a plane to Kodiak for a basketball tournament. They were married six months later. Bruce and Gail both worked as teachers in Haines schools.
Damien Salerno, Giulia Bartolotta and Damien’s son Azure Salerno, of Boise, Idaho, are visiting Damien’s mom Susan Yamada for a few weeks. Damien is an avid mountain biker and is looking forward to getting out on local trails, Susan said.
More than 30 golfers participated in last week’s 5th Annual International Open at the Valley of the Eagle Golf Links. Ladies winners included 1) Tomi Scovill and Jenny Lyn Smith, 2) Shannon Willard and Judy Ewald and 3) Val Pike and Cindy Fleischman of Whitehorse, Y.T. Men’s winners were 1) David Canipe and Dan Harrington, 2) Ralph and Tyler Swinton, 3) Joe Parnell and Mike Denker. A 3-club Stroke Play Event tournament will be held this weekend.
Jim Stickler and Paul Rogers have been elected deacons at New Hope Fellowship Church.