Duly Noted

Joe Ordonez’s, “Where Eagles Gather: The Story of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve,” is featured with other recently published Alaska books in the June issue of Alaska Airlines magazine. Magazine intern and Haines High School alumna Anna Jacobson was assigned to write this issue’s book review section, “Writings on the Last Frontier.” Anna ordered many books, and she, along with editor Ben Raker, chose the best to include. The review hails the book’s “stunning images and insightful commentary.” A cover of the book is also pictured. “It’s a great feeling,” Joe said.
Bettylou Wilde hasn’t been doing much cooking in her oven lately. She’s using the kitchen oven to incubate an egg found by repairmen in a broken streetlight in front of her Battle Road home. She keeps a lamp turned on day and night inside her electric oven to keep the space warm. Each morning and evening, she flips the egg. The mother bird flew off when the nest, cradled inside the light fixture, was disturbed. The repairmen were reluctant to take the fixture apart, Bettylou said. She then volunteered to take the egg, which is “not as big as your fingernail.” She said she won’t be surprised if it doesn’t hatch.
Chef Travis Kukull and wife Rachel of Seattle, as well as Rachel’s mother Marie Glanz of Pennsylvania, are heading home after three weeks in Haines, where they visited Marie’s aunt Joan Snyder. Travis cooked for the Beer Fest banquet. Rachel and Marie helped forage for local ingredients, including fiddleheads and mushrooms. During their time in Haines, the group visited Kroschel Wildlife Center. Joan and Marie also visited Sitka.
About 100 people attended the annual Chilkat Valley Community Foundation’s donor appreciation event Sunday in Klukwan, said board member Cynthia Allen. Guests dined at the Hospitality House, where Crystal Badgley, co-chair of the foundation board, spoke. Guests also toured the new Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center. The visit included a performance by the Jilkaat Kwaan Dancers, led by Jack Strong. Foundation board co-chair Anna Jurgeleit organized the event.
Jacque Horn is back from a reunion with former college roommates, all who turned 65 this year. The roommates attended the former Pasadena Nazarene, now Point Loma Nazarene University in Southern California. Susan Munter, Char Hartenstein and Monica Major met up with Jacque in Seattle, where the group spent a week. Jacque said the highlight was going to iFly Seattle Indoor Skydiving, where each woman flew around in the wind tunnel with an instructor. The women each got a free turn “twirling” in the wind tunnel after the employee asked if it was anyone’s birthday.
Six interns have arrived at the American Bald Eagle Foundation. Abigail Flanders is currently a junior at South Dakota State University majoring in biology with a focus in education. She has worked for SeaWorld Orlando, Minnesota Zoo, Great Plains Zoo and New College Marine Lab. Amanda Cox recently graduated from Drew University in New Jersey with a major in biology. A vet tech, she also has volunteered at the Raptor Trust and at Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary. Ashley Santiago recently graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison. A zoology major, Ashley has been a rehabilitation volunteer since 2015 for Four Lakes Wildlife Center as well as natural history museum intern for the university’s zoological museum. Kelly McNutt is a sophomore in wildlife biology at Ohio State University. She has worked as aviary intern and temporary aviary zookeeper for the Toledo Zoo. Maude Dinan recently graduated from Auburn University in Alabama with a degree in organismal biology. As a live animal collection volunteer for the Auburn Natural History Museum, she works with reptiles and amphibians in a husbandry and educational setting. Taelor Brandon is a junior in biology at University of Alaska Southeast.
Stephanie Scott is featured in a four-page spread in the Early Spring 2016 edition of Country Gardens magazine. The story, titled “From Alaska with Love,” is about Scott and her business, Outlier Farms. The spread features photos of Scott and her bouquets, taken by Scott’s son Joshua Scott.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski recently had a statement about the late John and Erma Schnabel read in the Congressional Record. Murkowski wrote about the two long-time Haines residents, and her relationship with them. “John and Erma were friends of mine. I respected John’s business acumen and his political leadership, but I really respected the relationship he had with Erma,” Murkowski said. “Alaska is clearly better for their contributions, and I know I will certainly be thinking of them when I visit Haines.”
Nicole Studley, Doris Peck and Linda Huber were among residents who spoke about benefits they’ve received from the Haines office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living during an open house Saturday that coincided with a retreat by the SAIL board of directors. A reception with clients was held in the group’s model kitchen, which features cabinets, counters and appliances suited for people who are in wheelchairs or can’t reach high. SAIL board members include Kate Burkhart, Douglas; Elizabeth Spence, Juneau; Suzanne Williams, Ketchikan; Mary Gregg, Ketchikan; Jeff Irwin, Gustavus; Robert Purvis, Sitka; Cheryl Putnam, Juneau; Jason Burke, Juneau. SAIL executive director Joan O’Keefe and co-assistant director Tristan Knuths-Lombardo also attended.
Former resident Courtney Butker is back this summer, working at Skagway Rec Center’s summer camp. Courtney reports that she and husband Robert have settled in Denver, where she teaches second grade at a public school and he works in sales for Crooked Stave Artisans brewery. Courtney and Robert hope to visit Haines during the state fair.