Russ Bell and Karen Garcia spent two weeks in Hawaii. They first went to Kauai with Karen’s parents Judy and Luis Garcia; Karen’s mom was attending a pediatrics conference there. Highlights included hiking to Waipo’o Falls in Waimea Canyon State Park and also hiking the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu. From there the couple went to the Big Island and stayed in Pahoa. Highlights were snorkeling at Two Steps, in which they saw a shark and many beautiful fish, hiking the Kilauea Iki Crater trail in Hawaii Volcano National Park, exploring Kaumana Cave, watching the sea turtles at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, and kicking back at Ola Brew Co.
Charlie and Toni DeWitt have returned from Lake Havasu, Arizona where they spent six weeks. While there they enjoyed eating breakfasts on their patio in the sunshine, shopping at garage sales, attending gun shows, and golfing with friends. A highlight was when Charlie found a gold-plated antique Pokémon card for his grandson Charlie DeWitt. They also caught up with Skipper and Sabina Sparks, Brad and Jessie Badger, Charlie’s sister Shannon Willard, and also with John and Terry Shaw who passed through on their way to Sierra Nevada. Upon their return, Charlie jumped onboard his son Stuart DeWitt’s boat in Juneau and headed down to Tenakee to deer hunt with fellow hunters, Haynes Tormey, Darren Pattison, and Harry Rietze.
Sarah Jaymot has spent three weeks with family and friends in Oregon and northern California and was certified in dance to professionally teach WERQ classes. “It was really fun and I am excited to become part of a growing nationally recognized dance fitness program,” Jaymot said.
While at the Anchorage airport, Meghan Hart took a video of an Alaska Airlines attendant singing God Bless America to a veteran who was waiting in line to get on the plane. “She got on the loud speaker and started singing, everyone was in awe and many people were in tears, it was so beautiful.” said Meghan. Her video now has more than 30,000 views on Facebook.
Melissa Ganey along with her sister Kaitlin Combs and mother Teri Podsiki hosted her annual “Favorite Things” party. More than 20 ladies attended and each brought three of the same favorite thing to the party. From there, names were drawn and each person got the drawn name’s favorite things. Some favorites were a carbon dioxide pressurized wine bottle opener, a daily-intake-of-water bottle, an essential oil kit, a Yeti mug and other prizes from local businesses around town.
The Haines Sheldon Museum has kicked off its Tlingit language class with Marsha Hotch. Marsha is a Tlingit traditional practitioner and ethnologist and is excited to start the second session of classes like she did last year. “It’s been fun. Not as many people as last year, but it has been a success so far,” Hotch said. To register, call the museum. The class is open to all ages.
Former residents Jason and Liana Shull have settled in Pullman, Washington where their daughter Keva has been performing regularly in the art department at Pullman High School. “Keva is currently starring in her high school’s production of “Emma: A Pop Musical,” and has been participating in her local drama club’s productions such as “Sleepy Hollow”, and “Little Mermaid” for the past three years. Her sophomore year she was selected for Washington all-state choir, and junior year for All Northwest treble choir, and competed in state level solo ensemble for voice,” Shull said. Keva recently placed second in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Inland Empire musical theater category. In addition to theater and state events, she regularly plays her original songs at local venues, and is currently recording an album of original music which will be finished prior to her graduation in June.

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