Barb Kraft is in town for a 20-day visit, spending time with her newborn grandchild Milo Kraft. Barb is a retired teacher from Vernon, B.C., and mom of ski factory owner Graham Kraft. Highlights of her trip include walking at Chilkoot Lake and a ski-and-snowmachine outing with children at Powder Mountain. Barb grew up outside Vancouver, B.C.
Five residents passed the lifeguard certification tests early this week after a three-day training that included proof of swimming aptitude, in-pool life-saving scenarios, and a written test. Kamakana Kanahele, Ryan Staska, Corinne Smith, Lucia Chapell and Nate Miller received their certifications. The training and certification were administered by Jae McDermaid, Sydney Wray, and Cliff Miller. Corinne wrote a story about the training for KHNS.
Haines High School seniors on the cheer and basketball squads will be honored at this weekend’s Senior Recognition Nights. Cheer squad members Taylor Ganey, Aubrey Cook, and Natalie Jobbins will be honored on Friday. Hoops players Caleb Holmes, Zander Willard, and Sadie Anderson will receive recognition on Saturday.
A Feb. 18 story on Juneau radio station KINY featured Randy Jackson of Haines as an organizer of Alaskans for a Freedom Convoy. Jackson told the station he’s a truck driver who helped coordinate efforts for Alaska. Alaskan truckers were to meet up in Washington state before joining a Washington, D.C.-bound convoy there, Jackson told the station. Jackson, who was interviewed while in Texas, said he would be driving his pickup and fifth-wheel trailer to join the convoy. The convoy protesting COVID health protocols was scheduled to start Feb. 23 in Barstow, Calif.
Twenty or more snowmachine riders turned out Saturday for Mosquito Lake races sponsored by the Chilkat Snowburners. In a five-lap race around the lake, the top finishers in the fan-cooled division were: 1) Gable Sage, 2) Dylan Swinton, and 3) James Sage. Leading the liquid-cooled division were: 1) Steven McLaughlin, 2) Sean McLaughlin, and 3) Rick Campbell. Gable Sage and Levi McClure won the “egg race,” a slalom event around traffic cones with a second rider facing backward on each sled balancing an egg on a spoon. Snowburners board member and organizer Steve McLaughlin said sunshine and a good turnout made for a fun event. The group’s next outing is the Chilkat Lake 100 on Saturday, March 12.
Nate Baker was back to work this week delivering senior lunches around town, though feeling gimpy with a bruised arm. Nate was fueling up the senior citizen’s van last Friday when he took a spill on the ice at the Tesoro gas station. Nate said he had to contort himself not to fall against the gas pump hose attached to the van’s fuel hatch.
Don Henagan of Baton Rouge, La. was recently recognized as a member of the RE/Max “100 Percent Club,” which recognizes associates on sales achievements in a single calendar year. Henagan is a frequent Haines visitor who organizes the annual Mardi Gras celebration here. He’ll be back in town July 30 through Oct. 2.
Those chunks of snow outside might look like ice to you but they’re dinosaur eggs to students at Chilkat Valley Preschool, where lessons have been about creatures from the Jurassic Period and activities include making dinosaur eggs from flour and water. Assistant teacher Hannah R. Clark said students also have been enjoying visits from Takshanuk Watershed Council’s Tracy Wirak Cassidy, who has been teaching them about the rain, snow, and the water cycle.
All types of chili are welcome at the annual Winter Games chili cook-off Saturday at the fairgrounds. Entries should arrive in a crock pot, where they’ll be served to the crowd and judged, said organizer Amanda Randles. “We’ll have cheese, chopped onions, and sour cream for toppings,” she said. First place and People’s Choice ribbons will be awarded. Previous entries have included moose meat chili, duck chili, and fennel chili. Entrants should bring drop-off pots to Harriett Hall by 11 a.m. Saturday.