The Mountain Mamas Gone Mad was the only Haines team to compete in the Klondike Road Relay last Saturday. The race had the largest turnout to date. Team members Jess Crowe, Jolanta Ryan, Julie Scheurer, Jessica Edwards, Stoli Lynch, Sarah Elliott, Tina Schaefer, Sierra Jimenez, Alissa Henry, Sara Chapell, and driver Kim Sundberg donned animal print and ran through the night. The team placed fifth out of 28 women’s teams. The relay starts in Skagway and is broken into 10 legs, varying in distance from five to 15 miles and ending in Whitehorse. Haines resident Meredith Pochardt ran with the Juneau-based Alaska Rod’s team, which placed ninth among 52 coed teams. Following the race, an awards ceremony and dance were held at the High Country Inn.
The Xunaa Shuka Hit clan house commemoration was held in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park on Aug. 26. The tribal house marks the return of the Huna Tlingit to their homeland 250 years after they were forced from their settlement. Since then, the park and the Hoonah Indian Association have collaborated to designate a way to both honor the past and continue traditions to future Tlingit generations. The opening included a tree ceremony, naming and dedication, purification ceremony, and songs led by Hoonah students. Traditional Tlingit ceremonies led by clan leaders and representatives were the only part of the commemoration not open to the general public. Carver Wayne Price was among those in the “Weavers Across the Waters” Chilkat/Ravenstail robe during the opening dance.
Although the Haines Farmers Market has ended its season, vendors will still have an opportunity to sell their bounty. An Upper Valley Harvest Market will be held on Sunday, September 18 from 1-3 p.m. at Mosquito Lake School Community Center (1.8 Mile Mosquito Lake Road). The nonprofit event sponsor, Friends of MLSCC, will be selling homemade chili and cornbread. Previous markets have offered face-painting, homemade bread and jams, hand-crafted knit hats and soaps, jewelry, locally-grown produce, and photography prints and gift cards. Second-hand clothing and treasures have been big sellers, and anyone is invited to rent a space for $5. Vendors are also invited to sell their wares in the parking lot if hauling heavy items indoors presents challenges. Call 767-5765 to reserve a space.
Tiffany DeWitt has been hired to replace Karen Bryant as the new teacher/director of Haines Head Start. Bryant had been with the program for 18 years. DeWitt, who has her teaching certificate, says that this year will bring about lots of changes. She says there are 18 students enrolled for the upcoming year. Patricia Faverty was just hired as teacher’s aide at the preschool. She replaces Yuko Hays, who also retired last spring.
Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteers from up the Haines Highway. There are a few children who have been waiting too long to be matched with a mentor who either lives out the highway or is willing to go the extra mile to connect. BBBS is always looking for male volunteers. Volunteer individually or as a couple. Call 766-2151 or email [email protected].
Last week, Alaska River Outfitters owners Kate and Stan Boor sold their business of 23 years to Andy Hedden and Jessica Edwards of Haines. The business works with private rafting companies to outfit unguided trips on the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers. Customers rent gear, and the company buys and organizes the food they’ll need, as well as providing them transportation to the site. After floating the river, they fly back. Although the business has done well, “it was time to retire,” Stan said.
The Jeff Burruss Benefit Memorial Fund has been established by Jeff’s family to help people in need. The local guide and carpenter died in a recent plane crash. Donations are accepted at any branch of Wells Fargo bank. For more information, email his mother, Tomme Bleisteiner at [email protected].
Lynn Canal Community Players is organizing the 2016-2017 season of River Talk, a winter storytelling series held in the Chilkat Center lobby. For the Halloween-themed opening talk on Thursday, Oct. 20, community members will share spooky stories of the “unexplained.” River Talk will take a break in November and December for the holidays, but will return for January, February, March, and April on the third Thursday of each month. Other themes for the upcoming season include “Fish Tales,” “The Trip from Hell/On the Road,” “Celebrations,” and “Musical Notes.” Themes are loose and up for interpretation. Contact Carol Tuynman at 314-0282 for more information.
On Monday night, Lutak Lumber held a barbeque in celebration of its 30th anniversary as well as owner Chip Lende’s 60th birthday. Though the actual anniversary date was earlier this year, the party was a way to thank customers from over the years. Becky Nash baked a cake for the event, and Sarah and Brian Elliott made most of the food.
Natalie Helms adopted an 8-year-old domestic short-haired, pure white, almost 18-pound cat on Saturday from Haines Animal Rescue Kennel. The shelter named him Loki, a name Natalie decided to keep.
A surprise cruise ship docked in Haines on Tuesday. The Crown Princess, which held over 3,000 people and 1,200 crew members, was headed to Skagway but was forced to turn around in the early hours of Tuesday morning due to high winds. The ship is quite a bit bigger than the ones Haines normally hosts, and the streets of town were unexpectedly bustling with camera-wielding tourists in bright-colored clothes.