Lisa Flory and Randy Sykes were re-married at their home in Haines on October 17. Chris Douglas was their marriage commissioner. Phyllis Sage was Lisa’s matron of honor and provided flowers for the ceremony; Selena Douglas and Chatham Douglas were witnesses. Lisa and Randy were previously married in 1985, separated, and have been back together for the past five years before deciding to tie the knot for the second time. “We are very happy,” said Lisa. The day Lisa made her wedding cake was also the day that her dog Curly was getting a cyst removed by local vet Dr. Michele Oakley. Randy was quoted in an interview and told Lisa, “Well we better call the kids because I just got interviewed on TV about getting married. Randy has three children, Jamie Knutson, and Daniel and Stephen Sykes and Lisa has a son, Jack Flory.
Kristy Schweinefus and daughter Hazel have returned from a three-week trip to New Hampshire where they visited Kristy’s parents Kathryn and Robert Legassie. While there they went apple picking and visited outdoor science centers and museums. Husband, Darren Schweinefus was able to join them for a week and they all had fun at the Fryeburg Fair where Darren took Hazel on her first helicopter ride. They also ventured to Vermont to visit friend Renee Koher, a former Chilkat Guides employee, who is now performing music. Hazel’s favorite part of the trip was visiting Storyland and seeing a live Paw Patrol Show.
The Haines Friends of Recycling held their annual membership and benefit dinner last week at the Haines Senior Center. Newly elected board member Genny Rietze said, “I am looking forward to being involved in an organization that does a lot of good for the community.”
A dual baby shower was held this month for Macky Cassidy and Lindsey Johnson. The two are due a week a part; Macky is having a boy and Lindsey is having a girl. “It was a nice potluck and time for everyone to give their well wishes to the mommas,” said organizer Meredith Pochardt.
Kari Johnson traveled to Ellensburg, Wash. last weekend to visit her sister, Lacy Lampkins, and her three best friends. They went to a Central Washington University football game and got to enjoy the new stadium built last year. “Beautiful weather, it was so much fun. We also watched volleyball and hung out and chatted without kiddos!” Kari said.
The Chilkat Valley Preschool’s fall ‘Sip and Paint’ had its best attendance yet. Kelleen Adams instructed about 35 artists last weekend at the Haines Senior Center. “We raised almost a thousand dollars for the preschool program and look forward to doing another one in the spring,” said preschool treasurer Kat Cheney. Community members can view the completed art pieces on display at the bank.
Amelia Lapeyri and husband Marc Lapeyri have moved back to Haines with their three children Emmalee, Indiana, and Maveric. Amelia will be the new patient access representative at SEARHC Dental clinic. “We are so happy to be back after two and half years away. We are excited about being closer to family, especially with our children’s cousin Charlie Katzeek,” said Amelia.
Kit Brown has returned from Spokane, Wash. where she met up with girlfriends she has not seen since eighth grade. “It was so much fun, much needed relaxation,” Kit said.
Mandy Ramsey will have two of her photographs published in the fall edition of Alaska Women Speak. Her photos included “Dandelion Spirit” in honor of her late friend Kaci Ahmuty and the image of a building in Skagway titled “Charred Memories.”
Sisters Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and Heather Lende returned recently from a visit with their dad Bob Vuillet, their sister Kathleen Vuillet and her son James Augustine. They visited Pine Plains, N.Y. about three hours north of New York City. Suzanne and Heather enjoyed long walks and saw deer, wild turkeys, and coyotes. “I took a few swims in Kathleen’s pool and while others thought I was nuts as the weather was cool and rainy, it was like a bathtub compared to the canal,” said Suzanne. They also drove to Long Island for the 90th birthday celebration of their aunt Jeanne Poole. The next day Suzanne drove to historic Litchfield, Conn. to meet her former college roommate and best friend Robin Swenarton. Suzanne also had a scary flight home from Juneau but luckily had her niece, Sarah Elliott’s, hand to hold on the flight.
The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood held their annual Grand Camp Oct. 17-20 in Ketchikan. Haines ANS Camp 5 sent delegates Carol Lawrence and Anastasia Wiley. Issues varied from transboundary rivers, the Violence Against Women Act, salmon and herring, teaching Native history in public schools, the Indian Child Welfare Act, the five landless communities—which includes Haines and other issues. An addition to the usual agenda was this year’s first Native fashion show, organized by ANS executive committeewoman Janice Jackson (related to Haines elder Cecilia David). Ceremonies included a memorial service, at which names of those departed the past year are read. Evelyn Hotch from Klukwan was remembered fondly and honored for her 22 years of service as ANS Grand Treasurer Emeritus. Friday night’s dinner for delegates and guests celebrated Native foods and dancing; Saturday evening the convention concluded with installation of new officers and the grand ball. Joe Williams of Ketchikan and Paulette Moreno of Sitka and Colorado, (daughter of Harriet Beleal) are the newly elected grand presidents; Carol Duis was chosen to begin her seventh term as ANS grand secretary.

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