Haines graduate Jolene Lemieux married Ryan Bargelski in Wasilla last weekend at the home of Ryan’s parents, Ruthanne and Kelly Cross’s. The couple have a daughter, Sydney Bargelski. Haines relatives included Jolene’s sisters, Crystal and Kimberley Lemieux and family Stella Howard and Angelina Howard. Jolene’s grandparents Jake and Judy Goenett also attended. Friends Alisha Young and Amanda Phillips traveled from Seattle to celebrate the newly wedded couple.
Much preparation was needed to feed the 2,000 plus attendees at the annual Haines Fisherman’s barbeque. Fair employees Jessica Edwards and Amanda Painter, along with volunteers Larry Jurgeleit, Nelle Jurgeleit-Greene, and Joanne Waterman chopped 500 pounds of red potatoes for the barbeque on Saturday. Other fun numbers were the 18 gallons of mayo, five gallons of pickles, 480 heads of romaine lettuce, 25 sheets of brownies, and 20 bags of charcoal needed for the event.
Leigh Horner is back from Vancouver B.C. and Portland Oregon. After a lovely weekend visit with former residents Reuben and Rosalie Loewen and their three girls, Marina, Lydia, and Silvia in Vancouver. Leigh and daughter Elena Horner drove to Cannon Beach, Oregon and then to Portland where she visited with many cousins and spent time with her close friend Nancy Cheek. She briefly marched with Stephanie Scott’s daughter Reed Scott-Schwalbach in the Pride Parade representing National Education Association. Of the 42,000 people there, she found her nephew Nathan Boys and his husband Miguel Lomeli.
Parker Blair has graduated from Alaska Vocational Technology Center, Alaska’s Institute of Technology and was hired as an IT technician at the SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka. His mother, Denise Sherman, of Haines and family, Laura and Tim Kelly came from California to watch him graduate. Denise’s husband John Marquardt watched from home via FaceTime. “The accelerated program at AVTC is pretty intense but we are so elated for him,” said Denise.
Former resident Josh Bentz and his two girls Taiya and Kinley Bentz hopped onboard the F/V Kealailani last Monday and hitched a ride to Haines from Juneau with friends Stuart and Lexie DeWitt and their three children, Charlie, Loralai, and Lucas. The bumpy ride included lots of sea life action from porpoises and sea lions. While here, the Bentzes caught up with friends Ashley Sage and sons Gable and Hudson and also with summer resident Fred Bloom. Josh also took the girls on a Steve Kroschel’s wildlife tour, 6-wheeler rides, and a memorable evening out with friends.
Haines Economic Development Corporation is partnering with Jola Ryan and the library’s summer program for nationwide Lemonade Day. “We’re doing a group stand in front of the library later in this month and we’ll have homemade lemonade. The kids do have some investors, one of which is HEDC board member Greg Schlacter and the kids will have to pay him back and he’s asked his investment be donated to HARK. “Angel investors” will be recognized with free lemonade and can cut to the front of the line on Lemonade Day,” said organizer Margaret Friedenauer. The kids have also identified how they will “spend, save and give” their profits; examples include “spending” some profits on a treat like ice cream or a toy; “saving” for money to spend at the fair, college or a trip to Paris; and giving a portion of the group’s profits to HARK.
The second annual local Fisherman’s barbeque was held Friday at the Letnikof Cove Pavilion. The fair sponsors this annual dinner for local fisherman that won’t be able to attend the large event on Saturday because they are already headed to the fishing grounds. Harry Rietze cooked up his signature brisket and the Fishpickers played while little ones danced and many chatted of the season fishing season to come.
The reboot of the Haines, Alaska Rocks group has started up again. “Janie Clark and Celeste Grimes started painting and hiding them again towards the end of May and you may see lots of newly painted rocks around town,” said Melissa Ganey. Melissa’s sister, Teslin Podsiki and her nieces Ashlyn and Brinley Ganey have also joined in on the fun placing rocks around lots of local businesses, play grounds, and ball fields. For more information follow Haines, Alaska Rocks on Facebook.

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