Welcome to the world Luck Michael Reeves. Luck was born 9:04 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 to Grace Lambert and Joseph Reeves at Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital. Luck weighed 5 lbs., 8 ounces and measured 19.25 inches. “We are so in love with our sweet, lucky boy baby. Baby and I are both healthy and recovering great,” Grace said.
Canadian journalist Robin Steudel visited town during the holidays and featured new, local dining and drinking options in an article appearing in the entertainment magazine, What’s Up Yukon. Old Field Kitchen, Three Northmen, Josie’s Bread and Bagels, Chilkat Valley Desserts, Costa Brava Bakery and Port Chilkoot Distillery are highlighted in a feature titled, “Haines, Alaska: Food Scene Still Vibrant Even During A Pandemic.”
Auditions for Lynn Canal Community Players’ production of Agatha Christie’s “A Murder Is Announced” will be held at the Chilkat Center from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. and again on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 5:30-7 p.m. For copies of the scripts and more information, contact Annette Smith at 766-2708.
Jeremiah James of Yakutat led 14 Alaska Natives through a four-day class in sewing with marine mammal skins at the Haines ANB Hall last weekend. Nancy Keane, Jewel Stevens, Tim Ackerman, and Sonny Williams were among those who took part. Jewel made a sea otter hat and scarf. Creations by other participants included hats with flaps and mittens with gauntlets. Federal law limits harvest and use of marine mammals as clothing materials to Alaska Natives. The class was sponsored by Chilkoot Indian Association and Sealaska Heritage Foundation. Sealaska started offering the classes in the region in 2018 as part of a Sustainable Arts Program, noting that sea otters are abundant in Southeast and harvest limits are not being reached.
Jane Pascoe enjoyed her own Olympic moment on Feb. 10 when she solved the Wordle puzzle with one guess. Jane’s repeated use of the “pause” button on her TV’s remote control to watch the Winter Olympics influenced her guess of the same word. The chances of solving the puzzle on the first guess – without the benefit of clues – is one in 2,500, the number of five-letter words programmed into the game’s software.
Haines artist Katie Ione Craney spoke on Zoom this week about her process for using scrap materials and her current work exploring sensory-based communication. The programs were presented through Jenni House, an artist residency in Whitehorse, Y.T. Each month Jenni House provides space for artists to focus on a project or body of work.
Vanessa Salmon’s research paper on the practice and impacts of mandated maternal transport in Alaska has been published in the Journal of Rural Mental Health. Vanessa’s study researched the experiences of moms in rural communities forced to travel to give birth as well as the perspective of healthcare providers. Her study found such travel has emotional costs to family members and may be linked to negative outcomes, including post-partum depression and reduced bonding between parent and newborn. Vanessa researched the issue as part of her work toward a master’s degree in social work.
Ever wonder what those backcountry skiers are doing up on Mount Ripinsky? Haines skier Jason Eason recently produced a narrated video of him and friends Erik Stevens and Jeff Moskowitz skiing a slope on the town side of Mount Ripinsky. Heavier-than-average snow loads this winter made the route skiable. You can watch it on YouTube by typing “Workline Novelty Ski Haines Alaska.”
Natalie Benassi pieced together individual contributions decorated by students to create eye-catching mosaic artworks of Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich at Haines School. Computer teacher Sam McPhetres enlarged an image of the Peratrovich coin, pieces of which were given to students. “Some of the kids had no idea what they were coloring. The idea is coming together for a common cause,” Benassi said. “When we let our ideas come together and our imaginations take hold, we create art.” The mosaic can be seen in the hallway to the school’s elementary wing. A companion piece, created by student Uriel Bravo, is in the high school gym.
If two weeks of Winter Olympics weren’t enough, stop by Saturday, Feb. 26 to see or compete in a homespun version at Southeast Alaska State Fair’s annual Winter Games. The Opening Ceremonies and lighting of the Olympic Cauldron start at 11 a.m., followed by contests such as skillet toss, tea-making race and survival gear relay. Novelty medals will be awarded. It’s all part of Winterfest 2022, three days of events starting with an avalanche beacon race 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 at the brewery and ending Sunday, Feb. 27 with the Miles Classic family fun ski at 25 Mile. The ski starts at noon and features a picnic lunch and door prizes. All events are free. Chili cook-off entries are due between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday at Harriett Hall. Call the fair at 766-2476 for more information.