The website Thrillist has named the Haines Highway Alaska’s best scenic drive. “It’s not the road or even the legendary backdrop that puts Haines Highway at the top, because natural beauty is already something Alaska has in abundance. It’s the wildlife-watching opportunities along Haines that make the difference. Also known as the Valley of the Eagles, it’s home to the largest gathering of bald eagles in the world,” the site says, also mentioning Chilkat River, Chilkoot and Mosquito lakes and the Haines Brewery.
James Alborough is hosting a website where residents are encouraged to share photos and 10-second videos of what they’ve been doing in isolation. It’s at http://www.contentinisolation.com. “Hopefully, people will put up their crazy, zany creations. The idea is to build community,” he said. The site includes a photo of a grape that daughter Skye Posey carved into the shape of a chair. “A few weeks of this and we’ll all be sculpting vegetation.”
Teresa Hura says friends in the Veneto region of Italy are struggling. Lucia Luchetta, who is in her mid-70s, hasn’t left her home for a month and has finished the food in her refrigerator. “She’s not sure if this is real life or a nightmare. What’s heartbreaking is that older people who lived good lives are dying alone.” Teresa and husband Larry spent time recently in Arizona working with Tucson Samaritans, hiking near the U.S. border to leave food and water along “the migrant trail.”
Crocuses are sprouting at homes with southern and western exposure. Patricia Blank said hers sprouted about more than a week ago, but have closed back up with this week’s cold snap. “They haven’t opened up again but they’re still there. I think they’re waiting for warmer weather,” Patricia said. Tom Heywood said the purple flowers came up along his Menaker Road house. “They’re not looking great, but they’re there.”
Sunday’s sermon at the Assembly of God Church in Haines – posted on YouTube – marked the final service for Wayne and Jane Cowart as head minister and co-minister, respectively. The Cowarts have served the church 12 years, having arrived from Murphy, N.C. Wayne will continue as maintenance supervisor at the U.S. border stations in Haines and Skagway. The opening for a new pastor will be posted on a church listing April 1. The Cowarts are staying in Haines, where children Patrick and Destinee reside. Their son Cody lives in Florida.
Tim Ward said the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in the tight quarters of a North Slope oilfield camp helped him decide it was time to retire from his job there. He’s worked on the slope as an equipment operator since the halcyon days of 1974, three years before oil started flowing through the trans-Alaska pipeline. Tim said he was glad to be back in his hometown.
Retired music teacher Nancy Nash said she and husband Dwight are working on a parody video of the classic Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song, “Our House.” Nancy said she’ll be posting it on Facebook. The Nashes’ two cats are Fifi and Gigi, making a good fit for the folk rock song. Nancy is also sending a video of her Zumba workout to friends and family.