Colton Combs and James Stickler, both 11, both took goats up Mount Ripinsky during the youth goat hunt season last weekend. They were accompanied by dads Bryan Combs and Jim Stickler. Colton’s goat measured 9.25 inches and James’s goat measured 9.12 inches. The boys spent the night on the mountain where they heard bears nearby. The next morning on the pack down, Stuart DeWitt and Michael Ganey met them at just past tree line where they helped pack the rest of the meat and hide down. “We are really fortunate to have harvested a moose and goat this year and look forward to the wild game we get to eat all winter,” said Colton’s mom, Kaitlyn Combs.
Amber Long and her sister Alicia Vance flew to Marseille, France where they rented a car and drove to Sarlat-la-Caneda where they spent 10 days and toured the Dordogne Valley visiting castles, French gardens and medical towns. “Highlights were eating three-course dinners on ancient city streets, eating croissants every morning, and seeing astounding works of architecture,” said Long.
Amy and Paul Swanstrom continued their fall tradition of escorting the first pumpkin they see back to Haines on their private plane. “We are able to fly to Juneau and when we see a pumpkin this time of year we buy it and put it on our steps,” said Paul. Paul also took a picture of the pumpkin sitting co-pilot with an aviation headset and put it on social media, a kick-off to fall.
Lisa and Kevin Shove have returned from Garland, Texas along with their two sons Dutch and George. The family visited Kevin’s parents, Mary and George Shove, and also caught up with Kevin’s family including: sister Susan Washerlesky and her husband Jeff and their two kids MacKenzy and Riley; and Kevin’s brother Steve Shove and wife Dana and their two kids Haley and Brady. They also enjoyed the company of Kevin’s brother-in-law Donovan Kuhlman and his daughter Mia. Highlights included driving to the coast and visiting Port Aransas and visiting Texas A & M and catching up with niece Riley, who is studying to be a pediatrician. “My kids really enjoyed the Dallas World Aquarium and also attending the state fair of Texas,” said Lisa.
The Haines Middle School ran their last cross-country meet of the season in Juneau last weekend. Ari’el Godinez Long took the top spot with a time of 13:16, followed by Pacific Ricke who took fourth with a time of 13:57; and Ashlyn Ganey seventh, 14:10, and Lucia Chapell thirteenth, 14:44. Other girls who participated from Haines were Camelia Bell, Vivian Shallcross, Sarah Jones, Lilly Robinson, Willa Stuart, and Isla Nettelton. From the boys’ team, Dalton Henry took second with a time of 12:24 and Hayden Jimenez took twelfth with a time of 13:30. Other Haines boys included, Alex Weersinghe, Garrison Del Prete, and Kruze Nettleton. The teams ran against other three other Juneau middle schools as well as a team from Skagway. The team is coached by middle school teacher, Jordan Baumgartner.
Carolyn Wilkins, Joy Adams, and Linda Geise traveled to Anchorage on Saturday, to catchup with Glen Adams, who had been medevacked there last month. The ladies joined Glen at Providence Hospital. The ladies returned on Tuesday, via the highway. Glen and his wife Joy are scheduled to fly home on Thursday. “I want to praise the National Guard from Anchorage who came down for pickup. USCG was busy on search and rescue, so they called up the Army National Guard. They responded, flying the two evacuees, to Juneau,” said Linda.

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