By Karen Garcia
Bob Lowden, a mechanic who operated a garage in Haines for more than 20 years, died Monday at a hospice facility in Wasilla. He was 64 and had cancer. A full obituary will be published in an upcoming edition of the CVN.
Local photographer John Hagen is one of four recipients of this year’s Connie Boochever Fellowship, which recognizes and supports Alaska emerging artists of exceptional talent. The fellowships were funded by the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. Filmmaker Ellen Frankenstein of Sitka, multi-media artist Enzina Marrari of Anchorage and painter Austin Parkhill of Homer also received fellowships. The four artists were selected from a pool of 52 applicants and will each receive $2,500.
Heather Lende hosted the annual Hospice of Haines Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at her Mud Bay Road home Sunday. Board members Lende, Nancy Schnabel, Tim McDonough, Maribeth Walter, Emily McMahan, Rochelle Rostad and Mark Battaion made dinner for about 40 volunteers. Dinner included king salmon and shrimp caught by Gregg Bigsby and decadent desserts made by volunteer coordinator Shannon McPhetres.
Takshanuk Watershed Council’s education director Pam Randles recently received the Emma Walton Award for Distinguished Service from the Alaska Science Teachers Association. Haines School fourth-grade teacher Patty Brown nominated Randles, who taught science in Alaska for 15 years before becoming the education director for Takshanuk, where she leads a class on eagle counts, helps with the school’s gardening and composting project, and gives presentations to science classes. Randles said she was excited and honored to receive the award, especially because some of her heroes, like University of Alaska Fairbanks research professor Kenji Yoshikawa, were previous recipients. Randles missed the Alaska Science Teachers Association conference and awards ceremony due to medical issues, but a formal presentation of the award will be made at the Dec. 8 Haines Borough School Board meeting.
Lorrie Dudzik is the winner of the Haines Borough Public Library’s “Rock Your Mocs” photo contest. Dudzik posted a photo of herself wearing moccasins made by Lani Hotch with elk, moose, seal and sea otter. “Rock Your Mocs” is a worldwide event where people post photos on social media of their moccasins and the stories behind them. It is part of November’s Native American Heritage Month.
Joan Snyder recently returned from a week-long trip to Maui, Hawaii, where she celebrated her 87th birthday. She met up with Gordon Hansen of Alameda, Calif. and his friend Bill Starmer. Joan and Gordon served in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan 50 years ago. Joan said the trip didn’t include exciting adventures, but that she enjoyed soaking up the sun and eating the island’s fresh fruit.
Southeast Senior Services’ Nov. 13 Chili Extravaganza Fundraiser brought in $3,000 for the nonprofit’s Ride and Meal Program, manager Cindy Jackson said. About 50 people attended and tucked into 10 varieties of chili, including deer and caribou chili made by Rich Tolles and moose chili courtesy of Tiffany DeWitt. The evening included an auction of 15 desserts, a “heads and tails” game led by Tom Jenkins and posed owl photos with American Bald Eagle Foundation trainer Leia Minch.
Sarah Jaymot spent three weeks in Pahoa, Hawaii, swimming, snorkeling and hiking. She met up with daughter Kiana Donat, who was already there visiting dad Elijah Donat. Elijah and partner Jacklynn Ruggirello recently purchased a vacation rental property in Hawaii. Sarah said highlights included hanging out with former Chilkat Valley Preschool teacher Gayle Murray and meeting up with former Haines resident Rebecca Hylton, whose cruise ship stopped nearby for the day. Sarah also ran into Jackie St. Clair at a downtown Hilo shop. Sarah said among the many food highlights, the Thai green papaya salad and summer rolls with fresh vegetables were her favorite.
First Bank is matching donations to Southeast Alaska Independent Living dollar for dollar through Jan. 15, said local SAIL development director Sierra Jimenez. All money raised in Haines will stay in Haines, she said. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 183, Haines, AK 99827.
Bill Kurz, representing the Haines Port Development Council and Haines and Yukon Railway LLC, attended the 2015 Yukon Geoscience Forum Trade Show in Whitehorse, Y.T., last weekend. Kurz met privately with Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski, Yukon Senator Daniel Lang, member of the Canadian Parliament Larry Bagnell and deputy minister of the Yukon’s Department of Energy, Mines and Resources Steve Mills. Kurz also saw Mike Catsi of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, who Kurz introduced to Lynn Hutton, secretary/treasurer of the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce.
Former Haines High School principal Gary Matthews and wife Linda visited for a week during the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival. Gary is one of six members of the American Bald Eagle Foundation’s board of trustees. They stayed with Lyle and Lauren Huff and enjoyed seeing old friends, visiting the Haines Brewing Co., and attending the Veterans Day dinner at the American Legion. Gary and Linda live in Anchorage near daughter Melissa and grandsons Ben and Nathan.