Former resident Sherry Takala died June 5 at her daughter’s home in Asotin, Wash. Sherry is the former owner of Noah’s Art, a beached barge in Lutak Inlet that featured an art gallery and studio, general store and rooms. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 14 in Clarkston, Wash. 

An account has been set up to raise money for Christian Racich, who was injured in an accident May 24. To make a donation, go to http://www.gofundme.com/9tlwwg.

Jim Shook is amazed by the “overwhelming generosity” that he and wife Julie were shown during their unexpected 10-week stay in Bellevue, Wash. There, Jim received chemotherapy and radiation treatment for lung cancer. Friends J.B. Axsom and Joe Poor drove the couple’s Subaru to Bellevue – a 2,000-mile drive requiring snow tires. They had the car fully serviced before delivering it to Jim. It contained a new set of tires and a suitcase packed by neighbors Mark and Lauren Patterson. At the time of the Shooks’ rushed departure in March, they figured they’d be gone for a week. The couple stayed with friends Gene and Carol Currah of Bellevue. On their four-day drive to Haines, the Shooks saw bear, buffalo and Stone sheep. They then attended a “hugfest” at the American Legion on Friday, said Jim, who is getting his energy back.

Ron Smith and Lyle Huff are in Sitka fishing with former resident Terry Friske of Sitka. The men also plan to join former resident Andy Eggen to fish on his boat. Ron and Jean Smith’s son-in-law Ron Olson and grandson Hunter Olson of Marysville, Wash., joined the fishing group in Sitka. The group plans to arrive in Haines on Friday and stay for a couple weeks. Jean said plans include using their new ATV as well as crabbing and fishing.

Carol Davidson is moving to Salem, Ore. She plans to depart Monday on the ferry. Davidson bought property in Haines in 1994. Daughters Marcie Brown of Forrest Grove, Ore. and Lisa Munson of Salem are in town helping her with the “bittersweet” move, she said. A farewell potluck will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion.

A 24-hour summer solstice quilting party is scheduled for June 21. It starts at 9 a.m. Quilters can sew as long as they want to into the night. Instructor Carol McConahay of Fairbanks will teach a Venetian tiles pattern. The party will be held at her local studio. Organizer Linda Axsom said that she hopes to make this an annual event. Up to 20 quilters can attend; 11 were signed up as of Monday. Attendees should bring their sewing machines and fabrics, but can purchase the patterns and rulers for a discounted price. Upon signing up, quilters will receive a supply sheet. For more information, call Axsom at 766-2276 or 766-2220.

Bob Jensen along with son Robert L. Jensen III and general contractor Tony Malone are being filmed by a DIY (Do It Yourself) Network film crew as they build a three-sided log cabin in the borough’s Porcupine subdivision. The show “Building Alaska” follows people building houses in remote areas of Alaska. Jensen, who is supplying the materials and supervising the project, said that the crew is coming to film for the third time at the end of the month. The network somehow heard about the project, and called Malone to inquire about being filmed for the show. The cabin is being built as a summer home for a Kotzebue man.

More than 30 people attended the Sheldon Museum’s annual Volunteer Appreciation lunch at the Chilkat Center May 31, museum director Helen Alten said. In addition to a salad bar and door prizes, the event included a musical performance of “Consider Yourself” from the film “Oliver!” Museum assistant Nancy Nash chose the song and strummed while the group sang.

Elisa Abend-Goldfarb of Los Angeles is in town for a two-week visit with friend Helen Edwards. The friends spent the weekend at Glacier Point, where Edwards’ brother Sam Edwards works as a guide. They climbed through ice caves and took in the view from the rock ridge. Elisa, who doesn’t normally enjoy the outdoors, didn’t want to leave, despite the mosquitoes she battled. They’ve enjoyed local shopping and a beach birthday party. They plan to visit Chilkoot Lake and go kayaking before Elisa leaves Haines next week.

Haines High 2012 graduate Devin Braaten went on a 10-day tour of Europe with the Jamestown College Concert Choir. The group visited Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; and Leipzig and Berlin, Germany. In Germany, Braaten was able to visit former Haines High classmate, German exchange student Reik Fischer, who lives just north of Berlin. The group of 45 singers performed in a variety of cathedrals, including Saint Matthias Church in Budapest. They also performed in the small town of Stein, Austria, near Mozart’s hometown. Braaten will enter his junior year this fall. He’s spending the summer in Juneau with family.

Graham Kraft and Lindsay Johnson of Haines were among nine adventurers on a spring trip to scale three active volcanoes on the way to Anchorage. They left in mid-April, toting big mountain skis, ice-climbing gear and pack rafts. The group summited 10,016-foot Mount Iliamna and 11,070-foot Mount Spur but were turned back from the top of Redoubt (10,197 feet) by avalanche danger. They packrafted the Beluga River, bushwhacked across Susitna Flats and rafted Cook Inlet from Point MacKenzie to downtown. A log of the trip is at www. thingtolucat.com. Johnson made a planned exit from the trip about midway.

Correction: This summer’s Haines High School “mega-reunion” is for those who graduated in 1979 or earlier. If interested, visit the “Haines Reunion 2014” Facebook page.

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