Hannah Thomas and Troy Clark were married 5 p.m. Saturday at Chilkat State Park’s beachfront pavilion. Preacher Sage Thomas, Hannah’s father, performed the service. Kyle Canfield was best man and Allison Thomas, Hannah’s cousin from Cottage Grove, Ore., served as maid of honor. Hannah’s mom, Holly Thomas, and Troy’s mother, Jane Clark, were among family members in attendance. They included Hannah’s brothers Tyler Thomas of Haines, Josh Thomas of Kentucky, sisters Rachelle Grossardt and Kayla Miller, both of Juneau and several relatives from Oregon. A potluck reception followed the ceremony, including a three-tiered vanilla cake made by Carol Clifton. Hannah would like to thank all guests and wedding helpers.
Colorful painted rocks are the talk of the town. Jacob Weerashinghe said his family found one near Olerud’s they rehid near the post office. The idea is to paint one side of a flat rock with a scene and the opposite side with the notation “Haines Alaska Rocks.” Then post a photo of your rock at the Haines Alaska Rocks Facebook page and hide it in plain sight. “They’re everywhere around town,” Jacob said. Acrylic paints work best, he said.
The legacy of the late Malcolm “Jay” Miller is alive and well. Mary Katasse-Miller, Jay’s wife, recently donated five boxes of books from Jay’s library – including art texts – to the Haines Public Library, in his memory. Mary also donated books to Hydaburg School because Jay was of Haida descent and to Klawock School because of ties he had to engravers there. Miller was an artist and sheetrocker who lived in Haines for years. His philosophy was “you’re never too old to learn,” Mary said. Mary’s Dawn Eagle Bed and Breakfast in Petersburg carries Jay’s business name.
Jaimie Einsbruch of Cherry Hill, N.J., celebrated her 25th birthday in Haines during a nine-day visit to dad Neil Einsbruch. Jamie and friend Matt McGuire spent time with the Chetney family, hiked to Battery Point and put a roof on a woodshed. For her birthday, Neil set up a scavenger hunt that led to a gluten-free, flourless chocolate cake made by Leigh Horner.
Health Resources and Services Administration scored Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) a 100 percent rating on 19 measured criteria during recent site visits. The agency provides grant funding for our primary care clinics outside of Juneau and Sitka. Site visits included the Haines and Klukwan clinics. Criteria include clinical services, finance, management and governance. Perfect scores are extremely unusual, according to the surveyors. “This report affirms that we are meeting our goal of providing the best care possible to the communities we serve,” said SEARHC board chair Kimberley Strong.
Jenn Bird, husband Ian Alper and daughter Paula Alper are in town for a two-week visit, seeing old friends and working on their house. Paula, 9, caught a pink salmon and a Dolly Varden at Chilkoot. “It was awesome. She came home higher than a kite,” Jenn said. Jenn works as a special education teacher in Davenport, Calif. She and Ian have a 130-acre farm where they raise olives, avocados and dry-farm, organic tomatoes.
Kathy McCardwell and husband Dave Poe made a 10-day visit, seeing old friends including Lori Carter. Kathy worked as a museum intern and volunteer at the Sheldon and Hammer museums about nine years ago, and as an intern at Juneau’s state museum. Kathy works as a contract archivist in Arvada, Colo.
Donna and Wayne Walter are in town for two weeks from Wichita, Kansas. They’re staying with Ron and Jacque Horn and catching up with friends. The Walters operated a fishing charter business here for years and previously lived in Princeton, Kansas.
Thom Ely and Keltie Hollingdale hiked to the top of Birch Mountain, a 4,575-foot peak that rises out of Atlin Lake, B.C. Thom said the summit affords a view over the top the Juneau icefield. It’s the tallest mountain arising out of fresh water in North America. Thom and Keltie were there during the annual Atlin Arts and Music Festival earlier this month.

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