Conan Aaru Ligo Shields was born to Vija Pelekis and Darren Shields on March 20 at 8:28 p.m. The happy and healthy little boy weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and measured 21 inches. Vija’s mom Mary Pelekis and sister Jana Dermody enjoyed a week in Juneau at the end of February walking with Vija and waiting for baby Conan’s arrival.
Michael Ward Jr. and Taylor Bean welcomed baby girl Nova Ann Ward on April 8 at 7:00 a.m. She weighed 8 pounds and was 21inches long. Taylor’s mother, Traci Davidson, was present for the delivery. “Taylor is an amazing woman,” said the proud new father.
“The Curse of Equatia” made its debut at the Family Math Night last week. The Haines School puppet club has been working on a set, script and puppets since after the winter break. Leigh Horner, librarian and organizer, worked on getting grants from foundations locally and across the state to make the show happen. Members of local puppetry group Geppetto’s Junkyard, including Hannah and Merrick Bochart, Debi Knight Kennedy and Melina Shields, taught students about the art and creative process you work through to make a production. The puppets, set, and the young artists who made them will be at the Haines Art Confluence for First Friday on May 4.
More than 250 participants attended Family Math Night at the Haines School. Math games and activities engaged many families and a free baked potato bar was offered for students and families. This was the third family night offered by the school this school year. The previous two had science and healthy living themes. Kim Cunningham, Director of Student Services at the Haines School, said the school advisory council is meeting soon to discuss themes for next year.
Byrne Power has returned from three months in France, Italy, Great Britain, and Switzerland to work on his documentary, “Gravity From Above,” which has been in works for several years. He traveled to different puppet theaters to talk to people about their productions and performances. He also traveled to the country of Georgia for three months and stayed in the capital, Tbilisi, where he was inspired to start a separate documentary about Georgian dance. “It is kind of like Russian dance, far more intense. Male dancers will jump up, land on their knees, then jump from their knees, and continue. Women dance as if they look like they are floating,” said Byrne. He also said he was offered a job to help build and design a new puppet theater. For more information about Byrne’s travels visit gravityfromabove.com.
It was a perfect sunny Saturday for community members young and old to come and observe, touch and pretend to run heavy equipment. Many volunteers and organizers helped with the Heavy Equipment Day at the Fairgrounds. “NC Machinery from Juneau brought the grader simulator and Operators 302 Union brought the excavator simulator,” said organizer Lynette Campbell. Mike Bell and Mike Binkie helped collect donations and organize volunteers. The Uglys cooked BBQ ribs and burgers at the event. Alijah Thompson, 6, and brother Sam, 4, said their favorite part of the truck day was “The bulldozer and the roller and hanging out with our friends.”
You might have seen the many large yellow garbage bags lined up along the sidewalks of town last week. Community Clean-up kicked off Earth Week and many helped to make Haines trash free. Genny Rietze, who also hosted guest speaker Bea Johnson last weekend after her Zero-Waste Home presentation at the Chilkat Center, and her BBBS Little, Abby, were among those that participated in the event.
Susan Tandy has returned to Haines after a couple years in California. It was a family effort to help her move back. Granddaughter Liz Segars drove her car from California to Bellingham. From there, Liz, her father Brad Segars and friend Veronica Staggs drove up the Alcan to Haines. “They had quite the adventure—lost three trailer tires, ran out of gas and more,” said Susan. Liz is now living in Haines and has many jobs lined up for summer.
Kayley Swinton has been named to the 2017-2018 winter term President’s List at Oregon Institute of Technology. Kayley is studying biology and health sciences. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.7 to qualify.
Sarah Elliott has expanded her duties at the Haines Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She will be providing match support to all the current existing matches but, due to budget cuts, no new matches, monthly activities or local office will be available. Sarah has been with BBBS for seven years out of her home office as a match support specialist. Sarah can be reached at 314-0639 or [email protected].