Hired two weeks ago to serve as the borough’s new community education director, returning Haines resident Earleen Lloyd plans to create more clubs, offer a vehicle maintenance and repair class, and build a website that has a calendar and schedule of activities.
Lloyd, who moved back to Haines with her children and grandchildren almost a year ago, most recently worked as a children’s librarian in Montana where she organized community classes in the town of Whitehall. She’s also worked as a community advocate in Petersburg, Kenai and Juneau where she identified community needs and worked to realize them. She lived in Haines nine years ago, and said she’s glad to be back.
“It’s all about helping each other make it here,” Lloyd said. “I want to do whatever we can do to help each other enjoy the long winters.”
Lloyd has organized several clubs beginning Oct. 22, including a chess and strategy game club on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In November, card-game clubs including Magic the Gathering, bridge and pinochle will also be offered.
“Chicks with Sticks,” a knitting, crocheting and embroidering group will meet Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
A “Mystery & Mayhem Book Club,” will meet on Sundays at 2 p.m. The first novel will be “The Maltese Falcon.”
Lloyd is also soliciting interest for a variety of classes.
“We are looking for drawing and painting teachers, beginning yoga, quilting, sewing, car care and maintenance, refinishing furniture, dance classes, how to blog, wills/estate planning, etc,” Lloyd said. “If you have any requests for classes or have a skill or hobby you would like to present, or if you would like to rent a room to teach a class give me a call.”
Interested instructors can rent a room from the school and charge whatever fee they determine appropriate for such classes.
Open gym will continue offering the weight room, indoor soccer, basketball and volleyball. She is interested in offering other indoor sports as well. “We also want to know if people are interested in pickle ball,” Lloyd said. “That is a raging sport in Canada and the Lower 48.”
Upcoming events include the Women’s Bazaar on Nov. 17 and the Community Education Bazaar on Dec. 9. Lloyd said she wants to offer entertainment at the bazaar, so interested musicians should contact her.
Lloyd can be reached at 766-6727. Open gym and clubs cost $2 for adults and $1 for high school students.