Alaska Marine Highway System employees threw a retirement party for Jim Wilson, who worked for the ferry 20 years. The surprise breakfast held at the terminal Saturday – Wilson’s last day – included fancy eggs, biscuits and pies. Wilson started as a ferry system clerk in 1993, before becoming a terminal agent whose duties included longshoring and operating the ramp. He said it was a great job that allowed him to meet people from all over the world. Retirement plans include visiting family in Michigan. He’ll pick up his truck camper there and make a loop across the country, visiting friends.
Norm Hughes attended the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle Nov. 20-22, a commercial fishing trade show put on annually by the publications National Fisherman and WorkBoat. He browsed new products and ordered new mattresses for his boat, Chilkat. The new ones will be “four inches of bliss” compared to what he’d been sleeping on. He also saw local fishermen Dennis Gudmundson, Don Thurn and Gary Graham. The group attended a Taj Mahal Trio performance at Seattle’s Jazz Alley. Norm also attended the Ocean Beauty Seafood, Inc. reception at Seattle’s Safeco Field, enjoying crab and shrimp cocktails.
At least a dozen Haines residents sold their goods at the Juneau Public Market last weekend. Vendors included Greg and Leigh Horner, John and Sharon Svenson, Julie and Mark Cozzi, Sarah Cohen, Julie Vance, Jim Green, Genny Szymanski, Brittany Price and John Norton. Leigh Horner said a highlight was running into former Haines residents who she hadn’t seen in years.
Residents and former residents reunited in Hawaii last week for an early Thanksgiving and birthday celebration for TeoLani Lynch. Lynch attends massage school in Maui. Haines classmate Elena Horner, attending college in Hilo, flew to Maui, where she visited Syerra Braaten, TeoLani and family, including Holly Irwin, Summer Lynch, Zach Tarleton, baby Lila, Keanu Lynch, Stevie Bugni, and Jasmine Talsma. Braaten, who attends cosmetology school in Maui, gave Horner a manicure. Besides sharing a turkey, the group went camping in Kipahulu National Park. After hiking in a bamboo forest and swimming and jumping from waterfalls at the Seven Sacred Pools, they drove into town and had lunch with Jackie St. Clair and Mario Benassi, who are working at a farm in Hana.
Another group of residents met up on Hawaii’s Big Island several weeks ago. Tim McDonough said he and wife Ann Myren got together with Mike Falvey, Liz Marantz-Falvey, Kip Kermoian, Patty Kermoian, Russ Lyman and Cynthia Allen while in Kona.
Margaret and John Hagen returned from a two-week trip to Milwaukee, where they visited Margaret’s sister Andrea Hoeschen, husband Brad and sons Isaac and Max. John took the boys to play paintball. Margaret delivered the family a bottle of Icy Straits Vodka, and brought back Milwaukee bitters for local distiller Heather Shade. Margaret also returned with a special blend of coffee for KHNS coworkers. It was from WMSE, a Milwaukee public radio station. The couple returned Saturday night on the Taku, and despite taking lots of Dramamine for the rough ride, Margaret said she woke up feeling like someone punched her in the stomach.
It was a big trip to the puppy orphanage for Frosty, an all-white, 10-week-old mutt who travelled from Kotzebue to Haines and arrived here on Thanksgiving. He was greeted by Haines Animal Rescue Kennel workers, fostered by Marnie Hartman, and adopted Monday by Ashley Hunt. HARK has adopted out animals from other towns, but Frosty set the distance record for new arrivals.
The red kettle is out on Main Street until Christmas. Salvation Army Lt. David Kyle said he’s already one-eighth of the way toward the $6,000 he’s hoping to raise in donations to help pay for emergency social services here. Kyle said the church raised that amount last year, but about $2,500 came from a single, online donation. The money goes for emergency food, shelter or services, not for chronic assistance. Also, “Angel Tree” tags are out at Miles Furniture, Olerud’s and Howsers. The tags indicate the age of a needy child and a suggested gift. Purchased gifts can be dropped off at the Salvation Army, 430 Union Street.
Haines middle school students are holding their annual food drive Dec. 9-18, said Marty Fowler. Commercially canned and boxed foods donated by students will go to the local food bank. Prizes will go to individual students making the biggest donations.
Den mother Jayme Dozier said local Cub Scout Pack 70 is looking for projects helping out in the community. If you or someone you know could use a hand, contact Dozier at 767-5411 or 314-0540. Dozier also is heading up a Women’s Talking Circle, 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays, upstairs in Main Street’s Gateway Building. For more information, contact Dozier at the above numbers.