Alijah James Thompson was born Feb. 6 to Dawn Shannon and Levi Thompson in Whitehorse, Y.T. Alijah weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 22 inches. Dawn’s mother, Joan Storms of Whitehorse, attended the birth as well as Haines friend Heather Ripley. Levi’s brother, Kevin Thompson, went to Whitehorse to pick up the family and bring them back to Haines. Gale Thompson is the proud grandma.
Gwendolyn Sisu Armstrong Kosinski was born Feb. 12 at Juneau’s Bartlett Hospital to Sophia Armstrong and Reilly Kosinski. She weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 inches.
Lani Stephanova Lynch was born March 1 to Stojanka and Nels Lynch at Mount Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka. Lani weighed 6 pounds, 11.4 ounces and measured 19 inches. Stoli’s mom, Heather Lende, attended the birth. The family returns home this week, when Lani will meet grandparents Chip Lende, Holly Irwin and Ted Lynch.
Cornell University senior Chandler Kemp made the dean’s list for the fall 2011 semester. Chandler is wrapping up his indoor track season and, following a two-week break, will start his final season of collegiate track. A physics major, he’ll graduate in May and hopes to return to Alaska. He is applying for research positions and would like to work on energy systems for rural communities.
Scott and Mandy Ramsey spent six weeks in New Zealand with their daughter Lily Jo. Former residents Eddie and Lisa Hertzinger came in from Whidbey Island to meet the Ramseys for dinner in Seattle and meet Lily. Scott and Mandy also were in San Francisco for one night, before embarking on the 12-hour flight to New Zealand, and had lunch with former summer resident Oliver Steinfels, his wife, Laura, and their 10-month-old son Elliot. In New Zealand, the family enjoyed camping, hiking and plenty of time on the beach. They also met Shelly Hodnick’s sister, Candy Kay, and her husband Len on the North Island. The couple offered tips for traveling and gave a tour of their bone-carving studio. The Ramseys enjoyed visiting areas featured in “The Lord of the Rings” films and found themselves on one beach that was portrayed as “Narnia” on the big screen. They appreciated the country’s varied wineries and abundant farmers markets.
A few inches of fresh snow was enough to draw skiers out to Chilkoot Lake over the weekend. Josie Allen and her son, Gaelen, were skiing on the road, as well as Leslie Evenden and Marnie Hartman. Marina Loewen had fun playing in the snow with her grandmother, Winnie Parker, of Boston, Mass. who is visiting her daughter Rosalie Loewen, and family. Reuben Loewen reported “some of the best skate ski conditions I’ve had in years” on the lake last week. Siblings Dylan, Sally, and Lucia Chapell took advantage of the low water on the Chilkoot River to explore the snowy rocks with their grandfather, Don Callaghan, who visited from Scottsdale, Ariz.
Peace Corps alumni gathered for lunch to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Peace Corps and share memories of their service. Pam Randles estimates 17 Haines residents are Peace Corps alumni. Although the group gathered this year was small, including Bruce Gilbert, Andrea Nelson, Beverly Wilson and Anne Marie Palmieri, the conversation was lively. “Peace Corps war stories are endless,” says Pam.
Lemmie Spradlin reconnected with her youngest son, Joe Granger, after 27 years apart. Lemmie and her son had lost touch, but she worked with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Haines to pour through their database and obtain Joe’s phone number. Joe had been led to believe his mother died many years ago, so was unprepared and shocked by her telephone call on Feb. 23. The two caught up over the phone and have since talked many times. Joe is an Army veteran who received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during the Panama campaign of 1989.
Staff and board members of the Chilkoot Indian Association traveled to Las Vegas for two days of strategic planning workshops in preparation for the organization’s upcoming strategic planning process. Tribal Administrator David Berry, president Harriet Brouillette, vice-President Georgiana Hotch and secretary-treasurer Della Brouillette attended the training and returned home with tools to guide CIA’s strategic plan. There wasn’t much time for play but they caught the pirate show outside Treasure Island. The ladies arrived a day early to explore Fremont Street’s carnival atmosphere and vintage casinos.