Kay Dunning is in Haines through the fair to visit her mother June Haas. Kay is a recent “empty nester” now that her son Michael is graduated from high school. Michael will attend University of Minnesota where his sister Ryanne is entering her senior year. Michael recently earned his Eagle Scout badge and will celebrate with a Court of Honor in August with five other fellow scouts. Michael’s Eagle Scout project was the construction of a 45-foot diameter labyrinth at his church’s property in Savage, Minn. Michael enlisted the help of a labyrinth expert, Lisa Gidlow Moriarty, who donated her design, the medieval style “Circle of Peace” labyrinth. You can see the final product at http://www.labyrinthlocator.com when you search for Savage, Minn.
Terry and Bonnie Sharnbroich are expecting a full house this week as their children, grandchildren and friends arrive for a reunion visit. Son Gary is here with his wife Nikki (Taylor) Sharnbroich and their children Ryan, Derek and Taylor. This is Gary’s first visit home in 11 years and he and Nikki are enjoying catching up with friends from high school. Son Jeff and his wife Tiffanni Sharnbroich fly from Fairbanks with their newborn Brian, born on July 4, and children K.J. and Christian to join the crowd that will include the Sharnbroichs’ daughter Jennifer, her husband Ted McGovern and their children Jimmy, Joshua and Rachel from Anchorage. Ted’s brother Bill and his wife Vicki McGovern, who live in Ohio, will also join the group with their children Ian and Julia. Terry and Bonnie are organizing a family picture and everyone is looking forward to the fair. They plan to try their hand at gold mining and hope to pull in some halibut to feed the gathering.
Suzi Linden is in Haines for a two-week visit that will include lots of catching up with friends and time at her River Road cabin. Suzi is traveling solo on this trip while her son Rowan, who plays alto sax in a marching band, attends band camp. Husband Charles Linden remained in Georgia where he is Senior Art and Digital director at the Atlanta advertising firm The Partnership.
Keith and Cathy Houlberg were in Ketchikan for the July 1 opening of the solo art show of their daughter Cara Murray. Cara is showing 22 pieces at The Point gallery in Ketchikan through July. Entitled “Repurpose,” the show is made up of art pieces built on the foundation of recycled and found objects. Cara traded traditional canvas surfaces for diverse surfaces like vintage windows from historical homes in Ketchikan and antique books she scavenged from the Ketchikan landfill. Cara’s art has been well received and she enjoys the support of a thriving art community. Cara’s painted linoleum carvings are shown at the gallery of Ray Troll, the Soho Coho. “I’m learning from artists here who are making a career of their art; you have to be proactive,” says Cara. To that effect Cara has entered and won design contests for local events including the 2011 logo for Ketchikan’s Blueberry Festival, where her design graces recently released t-shirts. Her slogan, “Art Lives Here,” was chosen to represent a long-term campaign marketing the art scene in Ketchikan. Cara lives in Ketchikan with her husband Rob Murray and children Taylor and Eva.
Diann and Roc Ahrens are enjoying the energy of bustling teenagers while their granddaughters Haley, 14, and Anna Stout, 12, visit Haines for the summer. According to Anna, “Grandma and Grandpa are learning to be parents all over again!” The girls are enjoying sleepovers with old friends and keeping up with their swimming at the Haines pool. Both girls swam with the Haines Dolphins Swim Team in Haines and have continued to compete with a swim team in Palmer. Haley entered her first quilt in the fair exhibits and Anna entered a forget-me-not pillowcase she made for her parents, Jeff and Monica Stout, in honor of their 19th wedding anniversary.
Juneau teacher and former resident Cathy Pashigian performed a lunchtime concert with her longtime friend Nancy Nash at the Haines Senior Center lunch last Monday. Cathy sang “With a Song in My Heart” and “Loveliest of Trees”, among other selections and Nancy accompanied her on piano. Cathy also got together with Vanessa Salmon at Nancy’s house, where the three sang and reminisced about past Haines performances.