In this month’s “National Fisherman Magazine” you may recognize Haines locals Rafe McGuire and Sally Boisvert fishing on their gillnetter, the F/V Crown. John Hagen snapped the picture near Mab Island, and it was selected for the back cover of the February 2018 edition. “After this fishing year, I reached out to ‘National Fisherman’ with some of my photos from the Southeast fishery and they were very interested,” John said.
The Chilkat Snowburners had their annual snowmachine poker run last weekend. The run started at the River Adventures BBQ pit area and riders followed a five-mile loop with a series of different stops where they were handed their cards. Top winners in the $5 hand were Kelly Jessup, Priscilla Hotch and Jordan Verhamme. In the $10 hand, Eric Ferrin, Rick Campbell and Brody Ferrin. In the $20 hand, Woody Pahl, Eric Ferrin and Jason Verhamme. Organizer Zach Ferrin credited many of the volunteers who made the day possible, including Andrea Ferrin, Jeff Wackerman, Kevin Stoddard and Zac Jacobs. Zach also said this tradition has been around for nearly 40 years.
If you attended the Jan. 26 high school boys’ basketball game versus Craig, you might have seen Army green instead of Glacier Bear green during the players’ warm-up. High school senior basketball player Hudson Sage came up with the “Support Your Troops and Honor Your Veterans” theme that night. “The girls team wears pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. The boys wanted to show their support for an organization as well. So we decided to show support to our military,” Hudson said. Hudson and Haines Athletic Director Tiana Taylor also designed the t-shirts the boys warmed up in. The dance team even wore camouflage during their halftime routine. Gate proceeds went to the American Legion scholarship fund, which was another of Hudson’s ideas. “We wanted the proceeds to stay local,” he said. The gate raised over $800. Army veteran Ralph Strong and brothers Jim and Jack Strong served as color guard for the national anthem at the beginning of the game. “On behalf of the American Legion we thank all of you,” Ralph said.
Scott and Mandy Ramsey are home after traveling and soaking in some Vitamin D and “Sea.” While on the Big Island of Hawaii, they visited the volcano where their daughter Lily became a Junior Ranger. The family also enjoyed swimming and snorkeling with friends Cynthia Allen and Russ Lyman, Gayle Murray, Jessica Edwards, Andy Hedden and their daughter Sophia. For Christmas the Ramseys headed to Kauai and decorated a pineapple as their tree. Lily was happy Santa found them. Surfing, hiking, farmers markets and snorkeling filled their days, as well as a two-day music festival and an intensive yoga class for Mandy. They shared beach time with friends, including Renee and Daymond Hoffman and their children Cora and Wesley. JoAnn Ross-Cunningham and Steve Cunningham were also on the island and joined in on the fun. Before heading home, they stopped in Monterey Bay, Calif. for a conference Scott co-organized as part of his Ph.D. with his mentor and author of “Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do” Wallace J. Nichols. Mandy taught morning yoga sessions to participants at Wave Street Studios. The family also enjoyed a private tour at Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Jenn Walsh and Jen Marschke braved below-zero temperatures to run their first marathon last Saturday. The two trained for four months. They started on Mosquito Lake Road and made it to town where friends had North Douglas chocolate cake waiting for them at the finish line.
Brad and Jolanta Ryan and their sons Atlin and Elias returned from their sunny Hawaiian vacation last month. Upon arriving in Hawaii they received the missile attack warning on their phones. Jolanta said they were relieved when they found out it was an error. When they returned to Alaska and were staying at their hotel in Juneau awaiting the ferry, they received another text warning that a tsunami might be on its way. Jolanta said their vacation was very refreshing even with the unexpected disturbances.
Outfitter Sporting Goods owner Mike Ward donated over a $1,000 worth of hockey gear to the Haines Hockey League. The league was able to have a swap meet the day before their annual hockey tournament. The Aspen Hotel donated the space for the swap.
Tom Morphet and Jane Pascoe spent 10 days in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida. They toured Chicago with former resident Steve Williams, then traveled to Milwaukee to visit Tom’s alma mater, Marquette University, and meet up with old classmates Chris Foran and Carol Deptolla, reporters for the Milwaukee Journal. They lunched at Real Chili, where Tom’s former co-worker Mickey Jicha was serving up beans as she was when Tom last saw her 36 years ago. They also visited Alex Swift and Alex Haddock. In Florida, Tom saw cousin Dr. Janet Robison in Orlando and cousin Diane Hagan and family in Sarasota. In Sarasota, Tom and Jane joined the 92nd birthday party of Jane’s aunt Colleen Ruffini, identical twin to Jane’s mom, Patricia Pascoe of Bowral, Australia. Cousins Rich and Delia Ruffini hosted.