Neil Strauss, former New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Ear Magazine writer and author of several New York Times best sellers, brought a group of 50 men to Haines June 14 to celebrate their anniversary with Society International. According to its website, “the society is an exclusive, high-level, international personal growth, networking, and mastermind group.” After camping in Juneau, the group came to Haines aboard the Fjordland, with Glen and Libby Jacobson as their crew. Deborah Marshall, Joanie Wagner and Monica George served as guides. The evening also included “whirlwind tastings” at Haines Brewery, Port Chilkoot Distillery and Dejon Delights, followed by a private dinner at the Pilot Light Restaurant, said Carol Tuynman, a friend of Strauss’. The group walked to the Fort Seward tribal house for kirtan, a call-and-response chanting of ancient mantras, led by Melina Shields. The group left Haines early the next morning.
Joe and Sue Poor attended the Highland Games in Dawson City, Y.T., June 10-11, where they watched grandson Joshua Siau compete in traditional Scottish athletic events. Events included the caber toss, in which competitors dressed in traditional Scottish kilts throw a large pole made from a tree, as well as events in which competitors throw heavy rocks. It’s a fun spectator sport, Joe said. Joshua is living in Haines, learning commercial fishing.
Two local clan groups were selected as the lead dance group for Celebration 2018. Celebration, which takes place every two years in Juneau, is a gathering of Southeast Alaska Native peoples during which Native traditions and customs are celebrated. The Raven Lukaax.ádi, led by clan leader Nathan Jackson, and the Eagle Shangukeidí, led by clan leader David Katzeek, are clans from the Haines and Klukwan area.
About 40 attended Doris Peck’s open house in her Haines Senior Village apartment Sunday. The apartment, decorated with balloons, was blessed by Assembly of God pastor Wayne Cowart. Guests prayed, and Margaret Walsh and Diana Pyle led a song to bless the house. The apartment’s decorations include art and musical instruments collected during Doris’ 15 years in Liberia, where she worked as a missionary. Guests played croquet in the courtyard. Doris is excited about her new apartment, which includes a beautiful front lawn, she said. ^It was a fun day.^”