Michael Carter and Lori Webster were married Sunday, June 1 at Rainbow Glacier Camp. Former resident Gary Lidholm, now of Denver, officiated the outdoor ceremony, with Rainbow Glacier as the backdrop. Lori’s mother Joyce Webster of Oswego, Kan. was matron of honor, and Michael’s father Mike Carter Sr. of Marquette, Mich. was best man. Grandmothers Leta Webster of Altamont, Kan. and Emma Toman of Marquette walked down the grassy aisle tossing flowers. Lori’s brother Caleb Webster of Oswego escorted the couple’s dog Snoopy, who wore a bowtie, down the aisle, as ukulele player Meghan Elliott sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” Lori’s father Bob Webster and brother Andrew Webster of Oswego also were in the ceremony, as were Michael’s mother Peggy Pester, stepmother Bonnie Carter, and brother Dan Carter, all from Marquette. Also in attendance were Michael’s sister Kathy Wirkula and sister-in-law Tricia Carter of Marquette. The ceremony included a tree-planting, using soil from the bride’s and groom’s hometowns. Guests threw candy sprinkles as the newlyweds walked down the aisle. Attendees also included friends Jonathan and Esther Schinzler of Houston, Amy and daughter Kelsey Myers of San Diego, Kelsey Asplund of Seattle, Ron and Joyce McMunn of Parsons, Kan., and former resident Juanita Lidholm. Nearly 150 guests enjoyed a variety of pies and side dishes. Post-wedding plans include a weekend in Sitka, and a trip to Hawaii in February. Michael works at Greens Creek mine and Lori is the local manager of Alaska Seaplanes.
Luke Hedrick and Sam Fink were married at Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., on Saturday, May 31. Rabbi Eddie Schecter served as officiant of the evening, outdoor ceremony overlooking Long Island Sound. Rolando Perez was best man and Adrienne Casart was maid of honor. Luke’s family members who attended included dad and mom John and Bonnie Hedrick of Haines; grandmother Irene Burkhart of Cleveland; aunts and uncles Richard and Pilar Burkhart of Houston; Joan and Bob Whitely of Las Vegas; Bill and Vicki Hedrick of Columbus, Ind .; Beth Burkhart of Custer, S. D .; Ken Burkhart of San Diego; Lanie Hughes of Soldotna; Elaine Spellmeyer of Roseburg, Ore .; and Kathryn Hedrick of Cloverdale, Ore. Cousins attending included Ximena Paterson and Sebastian Gomez of Houston, Haven and Adam Whitely of Las Vegas, and Tess and Brooke Hughes of Soldotna and Flagstaff, Ariz., respectively. Friends Tom Morphet and wife Jane Pascoe of Haines and Micah Bochart and wife Jerin Arifa of Queens, N.Y. also attended. Sam is the daughter of Dr. Steven and Judy Fink of White Plains, N.Y. Luke and Sam live in Manhattan and work for Google. A celebration for Alaska friends will be held Aug. 16 at the Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds.
The Haines Venturer Scouts had a better Los Angeles layover than expected as they traveled to Australia May 26. Chaperones Greg Podsiki and Kim Larson surprised the group with tickets to Disneyland, where they spent the day. They then arrived safely in Australia. The group thanks the community for making the trip possible. To follow their adventures, go to the group’s blog at http://hainesventurescouts.blogspot.com.
Lisa Nikodym of Wrangell enjoyed a week-long visit with Lindsey Moore. The friends, who are both school counselors at their respective schools, visited Chilkat State Park and went to the Beerfest dinner and festival. They also made a roundtrip visit to Whitehorse in one day, with the goal to get back to Haines in time for 7 p.m. trivia at the Pioneer Bar on May 26. Despite their early morning departure (they arrived at the border 15 minutes before it opened), the duo didn’t get to play trivia. They arrived in Haines just in time to find out that trivia had been canceled due to low attendance.
Ramona and Frank Holmes went on a weeklong cruise with a dozen family members spread throughout the West Coast. The ship left Los Angeles for Vancouver, with stops in San Francisco, Astoria, Ore., and Victoria, B.C. Ramona said highlights of the family reunion included eating a hot fudge sundae in San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square and visiting the Butchart Gardens and Butterfly Gardens in Victoria. The group also enjoyed pool and hot tub time and cruise ship entertainment.
Singer Julie Cozzi, pianist/bass player Tom Locher of Juneau, and drummer Clay Good of Juneau performed in Gustavus Saturday night as part of a fundraiser to help the town raise money to build a community center. The jazz night also included a dessert auction. Tod Sebens was in attendance. The musical trio performed in Haines for the Southeast Alaska Independent Living fundraiser in February.
Kevin and Kris Reeves along with cat Baby Girl moved to Seward Monday. The couple lived in Haines for 26 years. The trio was to make a pit stop in Palmer to visit friends. Kevin’s work included freelance writing and painting, and Kris worked at the Sheldon Museum. She plans on helping with this year’s annual Museums Alaska/Alaska Historical Society conference, which Seward is hosting in October. The couple is excited to spend their 30th wedding anniversary June 16 in their new town, which they chose based on its scenery – the same method they used to pick Haines.
Michael Stark and mother Wanda are back in town for the summer. Wanda has been enjoying watching wildlife from the window of Michael’s Lutak home. The duo traveled from Vero Beach, Fla., where Michael runs his business, Florida Airboat Excursions. Wanda, who enjoys traveling, splits her time between Vero Beach and Salinas, Calif., where she has her home. They’ll leave Haines for Salinas in mid-September.