Cassie Miller has released her second book “The Giant Kiss.” “It’s about an aunt that goes to visit her two nephews and explains to them about magical creatures like unicorns and giants and how in reality it gets lost in translation, in the end she explains what she means,” said Cassie. “I was inspired by my friend Kathy Miller who always talked about whales and it really inspired this book,” she added. The book is available on Amazon and Cassie will be signing copies on First Friday at the book store. It will be available on Etsy soon as well.
Haines High School students Dylan Chapell and Lydia Andriesen recently completed 12 hours of online classes and CPR/Safety Training for a USA coach swimming certification to become junior coaches for the Haines Dolphins Swim Team. The two volunteers help coaches Jackie St. Clair, Sarah Elliott and Jim Green with this year’s large team. “Both have been really great. Dylan helped me with Little Dolphins and Lydia led a dry land workout for the Orcas group and did a great job,” said coach Sarah. “They will be working with all of our different swim groups and helping with upcoming events at our pool,” said coach Jackie.
Tiffany DeWitt traveled to Anchorage last week on a whirl wind trip to see comedian Kevin Hart perform his touring stand-up comedy show. She also visited with her aunt Cydney Turhune during her quick trip.
The Tykes and Trikes ages 0-3 children’s program at the school will soon be seeing new toys. Kat Cheney organized a Giving Tuesday fundraiser through Facebook and raised over $320 for the program. “I am working with the Imagination Station in Juneau that will provide toys for large motor movement during the Tykes time,” said Kat. The program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the elementary gym.
Dawson Evenden, Jordan and Austin Badger, Alisha Young, Libby Jacobson and Riley Erekson had ‘Friendsgiving’ in Seattle over the holiday weekend. Riley hosted everyone and had a great time catching up on what they have been up to at her Seattle home.
Marsha Hotch made a cameo in TFYS Youth’s new video “Zidbit.” The video highlights Tlingit Culture and the Sealaska Heritage Center in Juneau and features artist Chris Talley.
The Haines DDF Team was successful at the Mt. Edgecumbe Tournament last weekend. Stella Ordonez and Hannah Boron took fourth place with their duet. Max White and Tana Dixon took fifth place. Hannah placed with her informative speech on The Legend of Zelda and Eli Williamson placed with a dramatic interpretation. Other noted teammates were Nathan Haas and Dylan Chapell. “It was great to see such a supportive team and they are all very close,” said head coach Hannah Bochart.
The middle school CYD basketball players got to meet former professional basketball player and current Sealaska Director of Community and Youth Programming, Damen Bell-Houlter, at the Icebreaker basketball tournament in Juneau last weekend. Damon is originally from Hydaburg and played for the Boston Celtics and overseas before returning to Alaska.
The Haines Friends of Recycling has new three new board members. Genny Rietze has been promoting a zero-waste lifestyle and started a composting company this fall. She was also a big part of the Earth Day planning committee last year. Genny’s composting company recently collected over 2,000 pounds of compost. Daniel Klanott from Klukwan with Chilkat Indian Village also joined, and Dena Selby will be on the board in the summer, splitting the position with Jake Bell, a commercial fisherman. “Dena is an active volunteer and has lots of energy,” said board member Melissa Aronson.
The Senior Center had a movie night last weekend to raise money for their meal and ride programs. “We had door prizes, unlimited popcorn, and hot drinks too,” said organizer Caroline Hankins. The feature film was “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.”

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