Division of Parks is soliciting volunteers to work on local trails during National Trails Day, Saturday, June 5. Volunteers can sign up on lists around town or phone parks at 766-2292. Meet-up is 9 a.m. at Portage Cove Wayside.
Phyllis Sage spent five days exploring Iceland. As a child Phyllis was intrigued by geothermal power and always wanted to visit the polar nation. She was struck by the variation in the landscapes that reminded her of Alaska with mountains, fjords and small villages. Towns were well kept and English was spoken fluently. She witnessed the aftermath of the volcano Eyjafjallajokull’s ash plume in the southeast, inlcuding piles of ash up to eight inches. Affected homes had already been cleaned and repainted at government expense a month later.
Alaskans who filed for their 2010 Permanent Fund Dividend online have one last chance to donate to nonprofits through the state’s “Pick. Click. Give” program. According to Laurie Wolf of The Foraker Group, 9,508 people so far have made more than 14,000 promises to organizations across the state. Nine Haines organizations are eligible to receive donations through the program this year.
Holly Davis kicked off the Summer Reading Program Monday with more than 100 Haines youths in attendance. Students dressed in surfer garb played ukulele with instructor Kalani Kanahele to mark this summer’s theme, “Make a Splash,” also highlighted in a skit featuring Keegan Palmieri as the helpful reading fisherman. Children who keep track of the books they read over the summer can come in for prizes and everyone is encouraged to participate in the full schedule of events.
Michelle Drucker is in Haines 10 days to catch up with old friends. Michelle and daughters Taiga and Lucy stayed with Grandpa Ed McCoy and helped him with gardening. Taiga enjoyed spending time with friend Bozhi Sebens and Lucy palled around with Marirose Evenden. They joined friends for a campout at Moose Meadows and Michelle got out biking with Gina St. Clair. Michelle and family live in Madison, Wis. where Michelle is working toward her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Wisconsin.
The congregation of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church gathered at their property on the Haines Highway for the baptism of Annika Fitzgerald Sunday. Maisie Jones arrived in time for the potluck lunch after sending off nephew Ben Jones, who spent the past weeks on house projects and gardening. Deacon Georgia Giacobbe is maintaining the labyrinth mowed into the church’s meadow. The labyrinth walk is open to all those interested in thoughtful reflection.
Jerry Van Marter and Eva Stimson are in Haines to visit their son Luke Van Marter, the Haines Presbyterian Church youth volunteer. Jerry and Eva live in Louisville, Ky., where Jerry writes for the Presbyterian News Service and Eva is editor of Presbyterians Today, a monthly magazine. Jerry and Eva shared their stories and experiences at a library reception hosted by Doris Ward on Monday. They are traveling with Luke’s twin sister Rachel Van Marter and the foursome was planning a trip to Anchorage and Denali.
Lydia Loewen and big sister Marina are getting lots of attention from their aunts this week. Rosalie Loewen’s sister Katherine Socarras is visiting from Miami for a week and sister Clare Parker is here for two and a half weeks from San Francisco. The sisters saw Dall’s porpoises when they were kayaking from the family’s house on Lutak Inlet, and humpback whales on an afternoon walk.
Friends of Tlingit Park celebrated the 7th birthday of the community playground with cupcakes Wednesday. More than 60 kids poured into the playground after school. The group is recruiting new members to help tend the playground and make repairs through the summer. Stay tuned for details.
Chilkat Valley Preschool celebrated the last day of school with a graduation ceremony on the lawn of Tlingit Park Thursday. Nancy Nash led 13 preschoolers in song for their parents, and teachers Melina Shields and Sylvia Heinz sent the five graduates off to kindergarten with hugs and daffodils.
Lauren and Bill Daniels are back in Haines with their daughter Bridget to run Rainbow Glacier Camp this summer. They arrived May 1 and have been working with volunteers to get the camp ready for the first group of elementary students June 14-18. Contact the Haines Presbyterian Church for information on the camp.
Classmates chose Isobel Smith as winner of the Waid Morgan Award for leadership last week. The local award is given annually during eighth-grade promotion. Isobel is the daughter of Norm Smith and Suzanne Vuillet-Smith.