Leah Wagner and Nick Schlosstein were wed on a beautiful sunny July 21 at Letnikof Cove. Over 120 out-of-town guests came to Haines to join in a weekend-long affair. The couple were married underneath a Chuppah (wedding arch) and incorporated many Jewish elements into the ceremony. Briana Wagner, Leah’s sister, was the officiant. The groom’s wedding party included Hannah Schlosstein, Alex Gibson, Collin Wigfield-Gorka, David Leggitt and Paul Vu. The bride’s wedding party included Simone Wagner, Daniel Churgin, Christine Wilson, Cate Hall and Liz Ellis. High Lonesome Sound, an Anchorage bluegrass band, learned the song “Wild Soul” by Langhorne Slim & The Law to bring the couple down the aisle and Hava Nagila, a traditional Jewish song where everyone danced the Horah. The bride and groom and parents were put up on chairs and guests danced around them in a circle. The event worked to be a zero-waste event, including kegged beer and wine and compostable dishes. Chefs Charlotte Langley of Toronto and Andrew Seymour of Whitehorse cooked over fire on site. They served produce from Nick and Leah’s farm, local sockeye and a roasted pig from Palmer. The couple grew the majority of the flowers on their farm, adding wildflowers and shipping in peonies from Homer. “Thank you to Haines for your support and patience with the grand affair. We couldn’t be more grateful,” Leah said.
Kelly Jeanette Hansen, daughter of Jansy and Vince Hansen, and David Darrell Joseph Reed, son of Susan Johnson and Art Reed of Juneau and Anchorage were wed July 21 in Juneau on a bluebird day at the Shrine of St Therese surrounded by family and friends from all over the world. The officiant was Father Mike Galbraith, pastor at Saint Paul’s in Juneau. Maid and matron of honor were sisters of the bride Christine Hansen and Ann Klausner and bridesmaid was Mary Berry. The best man was good friend Bryan Zepp and groomsmen were Inua Blevins and Brandon Hauser. The reception followed with a live band, signature cocktails, Haines beer and fireworks. “Guests were able to sit on the grass and porch and bask in the sun all evening. There was an amazing sunset. The band and guests were having such a great time. The band played for another hour than originally planned. Fun was had by all,” Kelly said. The wedding week was also spectacular. There was a group glacier hike, a meet and greet at an old fisherman’s bar and many got to go fishing and whale watching. The couple leave soon for a honeymoon in Hungary and Croatia.
As part of the Haines High School 1980s decade reunion there was golf with near-perfect weather for the event. The first-place team included trio Jenny Lyn Smith, Ralph Swinton and Niall Hackett. Second, John Findlay, Tami Hudalla, Wendell Harren and Jesse McGraw. Third, Eric Wicks, Kurt Heinrich, Brian Clay and Tyler Swinton. Closest to the pin winners included Rick Dunning, John Findley, and Tami Hudalla. Longest putt was awarded to Jenny Lyn Smith and Ralph Swinton. “We had almost 20 players and it was a great sunny day,” said owner Kathy Pardee Jones.
Fair Director Jessica Edwards got some interesting news regarding the fair’s famous Ferris wheel earlier this year. Tom Garbrick of Garbrick Amusement, Inc said, “I can tell you that I’ve only ever seen one other wheel of ours with the seats you have. We only built a handful with that design because they took too long to build so you have a real collector on your hands. It is indeed a Garbrick Wheel. And it’s a very old one to boot. I’d have to say late 1940s.” The fair crew has ordered replacement parts and put in a lot of work this year to make it run smoothly. The ride was tested last weekend by assistant fair director Maddy Witek and young volunteer Charlie DeWitt, 6, and everything worked well.
Bill and Cheryl McRoberts have spent many afternoons this summer taking sports action photos with the Haines t-ball team. Bill turned the photos into sports cards for parents to purchase, with profit to be donated to the Community Youth Development Program.
The Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Dancers performed in Skagway last week for the Junior Park Day celebration. Adze Hart and Zane Poirier, age 2, led the dancers with their entrance canoe dance.
Tracey Harmon and kids Mila, 5, and Silas, 2, traveled to Eureka, California to visit Tracey’s brother Chris Harmon, who teaches chemistry at Humboldt State University, and his wife Caroline and 2-year-old son Ethan. Tracey’s folks, Patty and Elza Harmon who live in Naples, Florida also met the families in California to join in on the fun. Highlights included hiking with the kids in the Redwoods National Forest, playing bocce ball, paddleboarding at the beach, and a trip to the Japanese market followed by an awesome meal by Caroline, who is half Japanese. “I enjoyed a parent night out with my brother and his wife and my kids’ favorite part of the trip was Target and Taco Bell,” Tracey said.