Lauren Rutland is the new Haines Dolphins swim coach. She and husband Ryan Rutland moved to Haines from outside Saginaw, Texas, with their three dogs, two cats and two children, Carson, 5, and Archer, 4. Ryan was recently hired as a Haines Borough Police Department officer. Before moving to Haines, Lauren was doing graphic design work in Texas, and taught swim teams in Hawaii and Colorado. She had been sending out emails to other towns in Alaska inquiring about jobs when someone forwarded her email to the Haines Dolphins, who contacted her. “It worked out well,” she said.
Robert Musseman III traveled to Haines from Austin, Texas, last week to visit his parents Bob and Mary Musseman. Robert connected with old friends, went rafting with Andy Hedden and enjoyed what he called “the Haines life.” He capped off his trip with a hike up Mount Ripinsky, where he proposed to longtime girlfriend Taylor Martin.
Knikki Cinocco and John Briner recently returned to the upper Lynn Canal after completing a three-month trip around Southeast aboard the couple’s 30-foot sailboat. They visited Laurie Mastrella in Port Alexander, and laid anchor in Kake, Hoonah, Petersburg and Tenakee Springs. Knikki’s daughter Klover Cinocco traveled with them for most of the adventure, and Klover’s big sister Brook also hopped on for 10 days. John retired from driving trains for the White Pass Railroad last November, freeing the couple to spend more time in Haines at their Mud Bay Road property. They still have a home in Skagway, though, and consider themselves “bi-fjordal.”
Melina Shields and Tim Hockin enjoyed 10 days in Kauai, Hawaii, for their one-year-late honeymoon. Hurricanes Kilo and Ignacio brought heavy rains, which closed the Na Pali trail to foot traffic. Luckily, the two met up with Ashley Welch and took a Zodiac along the coast, and swam to the beach at trail’s end. Tim also got some surfing in, including one night under a full moon with former Haines Brewing Co. assistant Abbey Holmes. The couple hardly ate out, opting instead to cook local fish, vegetables and fruits from the farmers market. Unfortunately, feral chickens surrounded their rental house and kept them awake with their clucking and crowing.
Photographer Bill McRoberts has asked Haines High sophomore Marty Fowler to help him lead the photography workshops at this year’s Alaska Bald Eagle Festival in November. Fowler, 15, has had his photos published on Alaska Magazine’s website and in Coastal Living magazine. “(Fowler) has a natural eye for capturing images and such an amazing knowledge of photography,” McRoberts said.
Tyler Swinton finished in the top four at last week’s 86th Annual Southern Oregon Golf Championship at the Rogue Valley Country Club. Swinton’s division consisted of 100 people. He will head to California next week for the beginning of college tournaments. Swinton plays for the Oregon Institute of Technology, whose golf team is currently ranked No. 1 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Joe Parnell and Niall Hackett eked out a victory at last weekend’s Patriot Golf Day tournament at the Valley of the Eagles Golf Links. The team won by one stroke when Parnell landed an 18-foot putt for a birdie on the last hole, coming in at three under par for the course. Since Hackett is the course pro, he and Parnell bowed out of first place, bumping Jesse McGraw and Brad Badger to the top. Jenny Lyn Smith and Stan Jones finished in second place, and Shannon Willard and Stuart DeWitt came in third. Valley of the Eagles donated the tournament’s entire earnings – $650 – to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service.
Phyllis and Earl Wheeler of Owatonna, Minn., stopped into Haines during their Alaska trip to visit son Paul Wheeler, co-owner of Haines Brewing Co. Paul’s parents, as well as his sister Pat Nyland and brother-in-law Ritchie Nyland of Rochester, Minn., were in town for five nights. They were hoping their visit would coincide with the brewery’s grand opening at its new location, but they had to settle for the preview version, said Paul’s wife Jeanne Kitayama. Paul’s mother had a broken foot and had to borrow a wheelchair and walker from the American Legion. The group also visited Fairbanks, Denali and Anchorage during their trip.
Former Haines resident Aurita Maldonado visited Haines for two weeks and stayed with friend Deb Marshall. Aurita and husband John Binger fished with Gabe Long, boated with Danina Daniel and Ryan Parker, and dined with Donna Catotti and Rob Goldberg. Aurita attended the “Sexy Dress” party at Tina Schaefer’s, and visited her old float cabin out Lutak Road. She said she will come back to Haines next summer to introduce blues, salsa and bachata dancing to residents.