About 75 residents, including Haines Borough School Board members, turned out Tuesday for the unveiling and dedication of the Skate Park art project, recently completed by the high school art club, led by art teacher Giselle Miller. The project added colorful murals and pop art stylings to ramps there, including flourishes by guest artist Jeremy Settem of Haines. Haines High senior Aubrey Cook leads the new art club, which also recently created a papier mache floral wall hanging in the school library.
Juneau filmmaker Corey Mann and associate Tanja Miller have spent two months in Haines, gathering information and footage for a planned film, “Treasure Cove,” about the origin of Tlingit silver carving. Corey’s 2011 short documentary film, “Smokin’ Fish,” captured a humorous look at subsistence activities in Klukwan. He’d like to hear from anyone with information about Tlingit silversmithing. Call him at 907-321-2853.
Seventeen actors and drama production crew members attended the annual meeting of Lynn Canal Community Players Monday at the Chilkat Center. They held elections, and planned and reviewed recent efforts. LCCP’s next event is River Talk, set for Oct. 21. Besides speakers for the upcoming storytelling event, the group is seeking a director for its annual holiday variety show, “Holly Jolly Follies,” as well as a producer for its Summer Youth Theater Conservatory. Call Annette Smith at 766-2708. Smith, Hannah Rose Revenaugh-Bochart, Gina Randles, Corey Mann, John Norton, Mark Sebens, Lori Dudzik, and Kristen Brumfield were elected to the LCCP board.
Longtime butcher Clint Amox has retired for good, reports wife Glenda Amox. Clint, 84, has enjoyed sleeping in and having breakfast with the guys after working 15 years at Crump’s Food Center in Linden, Texas. His plans include traveling and spending more time with his son Preston. A colorful fixture at Food Center and Olerud’s meat counters in Haines from 1985 to 2005, Clint butchered for 66 years.
Bruna Silivera, a costumer and show producer from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, is in Haines for a month-long visit. Silivera, who has her own clothing line, makes elaborate, beaded and jeweled headdresses that can be found online at hula luna. Haines artist Tresham Gregg is hosting Bruna’s visit. The two met in California. Besides checking out the local arts scene, Bruna said she has enjoyed hiking and seeing the aurora borealis.
Alex and Kendra Knight hosted a month-long visit from Alex’s parents Dave and Carol Knight. Dave enjoyed fishing with Alex on board his gillnet boat and Carol enjoyed walks with grandsons Evan, 10, and Roy, 2. Dave and Carol also lent a hand on house projects, including bringing in firewood and replacing door handles. Dave and Carol live in Montana.
John Hunt spent this week in Haines, catching up with friends and closing his handyman and plowing business. He also hosted Monday’s jazz show on KHNS. A former KHNS staffer and member of the popular swing band Lunchmeat and the Pimentos, John works in radio for several stations around Newport, Ore.
Benefit events at last week’s First Friday raised more than $10,000 for the medical treatment of Willow Bryant, 14, who suffers from anorexia. Willow’s grandmother Debi Knight-Kennedy said her family was “thrilled” at the outpouring of support. A show and sale of Debi’s figurative driftwood sculptures, to benefit Willow, continues at the bookstore. There’s also an account at the Haines bank for donations to Willow’s treatment.
The death of singer-songwriter “Hobo Jim” on Oct. 5 saddened fans of Alaska music this week. Jim Varsos penned and sang dozens of songs about the Last Frontier, including his classic, “Iditarod Trail Song.” Named Alaska’s official balladeer in 1994, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in fine arts from the University of Alaska in 2018. A staple of the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, his Haines appearances included one at the Fort Seward Lodge.
Neighbors Teresa Hura and Ellen Larson decided to go hiking in Chilkat Pass Monday and were surprised to find about a foot of snow on the ground. They went trudging in it anyway, as sunny skies and mild temperatures made for a delightful outing, they said.