Raevyn Marie Parker was born to Danina Daniel and Ryan “Ryno” Parker at 3:02 p.m. July 28. She weighed 6 lbs. 11oz. and measured 19 3/4 inches long. Grandparents are Brian and Cecilia Daniel and Lora and Denny Parker. Raevyn was born one month early at Providence Hospital in Anchorage following an emergency trip from Haines, where Danina’s water broke. “It was 3 a.m. and the weather was bad so we had to get flown out of here,” Danina said. The Coast Guard transported them to Juneau. From there, they were transported via life flight to Anchorage. Danina gives a “big thanks” to the Coast Guard and to LifeMed Alaska and Guardian Flight for their wonderful care. “We are all healthy and happy,” she said.
About 85 people attended Doris Ward’s 90th birthday party Saturday afternoon at Haines Assisted Living. Attendees included church friends, members of Doris’ Tuesday coffee group, and friends from the Haines Borough Public Library. Also in attendance were Doris’ former Haines School co-workers, including Charlotte and Dave Olerud, Ron Smith, Alan Heinrich, Terry Friske, Carol Flegel, and Frank Holmes. Friends brought a variety of foods, including cakes. Doris said she was surprised to see so many friends. “That’s just Haines,” she said. Friend Shannon McPhetres sends a thank you to HAL staff.
Gei-Sun Dancers song leader Paulina Phillips, 85, died Sunday morning at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage from a variety of ailments. There will be full obituary next week.
Former Haines School teacher Sarah Hadad-Dembs is teaching fifth grade at Petersburg’s Steadman Elementary School. Sarah spent last year in Colorado for daughter Zoe Revas’ senior year of high school. Sarah worked as technology director for Aguilar School District in Aguilar, Colo. Husband Cole Dembs works at Greens Creek Mine.
Chilkat Valley News obituary writer Heather Lende spoke on WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio as part of the Colin McEnroe Show Aug. 24. The segment, “An Ode to Obituaries and Obituarists” by Jonathan McNicol, was all about obituary writing. Guests included Heather, a retired New York Times obituarist, producer and director of the documentary “Obit,” and a Northwestern University student working toward her master’s in journalism. Heather spoke during the final 11 minutes of the show. Go to http://wnpr.org/post/ode- obituaries-and-obituarists to listen.
Craig and Sheri Loomis, Jerry Clifton, Ray Willard, Nancy Willard Coleman, and Ronelle Beardslee met up at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer Sept. 2. The group attended the fair’s Doobie Brothers concert.
Takshanuk Watershed Council executive director Meredith Pochardt began a seven month leave of absence Sept. 1. She plans to finish up graduate school coursework through Oregon State University. Derek Poinsette is filling in as interim director through April 1, when Meredith plans to return.
Leslie Evenden and Matt Whitman are back from Oregon, where they stayed with former residents Mira and Randy Ericksen in Corbett. They also saw Mario Benassi Jr. and Katie Hayden Lewis at a music festival in Tidewater.