Patty Brown was set to be the lone Haines participant in Skagway’s Buckwheat Ski Classic this year, but she couldn’t find a ride to Log Cabin, B.C. for the event. In past years, race organizers operated a shuttle ferrying participants 27 miles to the race from Skagway. Patty said dancing to Bad Hombres and Badder Mujer featuring Cooper Lynn Hays at the Skagway Brewing Co. helped salvage her weekend. This year’s slimmed-down race didn’t include a banquet, breakfast, or 50K race. It drew 199 participants; about 40 from Juneau and 10 from Skagway. Skagwegians included Brad, Jolanta, Atlin, and Elias Ryan. Tim Bourcy, president of the group that organizes the event, said just getting the ski track in presented a big challenge.
First-time Iditarod champion Brent Sass has a Haines connection. He’s a University of Alaska-Fairbanks college buddy of former Haines public library director Dan Coleman. Dan said he and Brent were in the same circle of cross-country ski friends and made trips together to the Granite Tors and Chena Hot Springs when Brent was still a cheechako in 1998. “He had such a marvel and joy for adventure and the outdoors and it’s carried him to lots of success running his team… He’s just a great all-around guy, beyond humble in every regard.”
Fairbanks journalist Dermot Cole quoted Haines resident Randy Jackson calling U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan “a coward” after he said Sullivan refused to be live-streamed in a Washington, D.C. meeting with leaders of the national truckers’ Freedom Convoy. Sullivan, who gave encouragement to truckers in Anchorage, also refused to support the convoy on national news, Jackson said in Cole’s report.
Former journalists for KHNS and Chilkat Valley News living in Anchorage added color commentary to the Skagway Panthers girls’ basketball team’s games at the state championship in Anchorage this week. Margaret Friedenauer sat in on Wednesday morning’s game and she and Steve Williams were scheduled to work Thursday’s game at 7:45 p.m. John Hagen sent photos to KHNS.
Ferry terminal worker Teri Bastable-Podsiki caught a close glimpse of a killer whale while tying up the Tazlina two weeks ago. “I could see it very clearly. It was very exciting.” Kristen White and Sean Bryant also report recent sightings, in Chilkat Inlet and near Katzehin flats, respectively. NOAA biologist John Moran speculated the orcas may have been transient meat-eaters, preying on seals and sea lions that become active this time of year feeding on forage fish. Transients are distinguishable from salmon-eating resident orcas by a more pointed dorsal fin, stealthier behavior, and smaller pods.
The Haines Pool is soliciting interest in snorkeling and boater safety classes. If you’re interested, leave a message at the pool, 766-2666.
Twenty-six fourth and fifth graders from three Haines teams competed in a basketball tournament in Haines last week, the first competition for many who played. Hoop Time, a Juneau team, brought nine players. Spencer Baumgartner and Kaeden Ganey won “Bump,” a shot-matching competition. Nathan Sweet and Brylee Swaner won free-throw shooting and Spencer Baumgartner and Finley Bradshaw were winners of the skills contest that included speed, dribbling, passing, and shooting. Haines’s coaches were Stuart DeWitt, Brian Elliott, Stoli Lynch, Keri Eggleston, and Jordan Baumgartner.
Erin Johnson is the new physician assistant at the Haines SEARHC Medical Clinic. Johnson is the daughter of Nancy Johnson who worked here for SEARHC for eight years as a behavioral therapist and counselor. Erin enjoys the outdoors and skied in the recent Miles Classic ski event at 25 Mile. Nancy is retired and living in Canyon City, Colo., where she recently bought a camper for outings with girlfriends.
Haines sixth-graders surprised computer science teacher Sam McPhetres with its annual Citizenship Award on Monday. McPhetres was honored for his work recording school activities on video as well as community work and a positive approach to teaching. McPhetres was “knighted” by the class and gifted with his favorite Snickerdoodle cookies. The class makes the award annually. Last year, it honored citizen Krystal Lloyd.
Mark Davis spent college spring break on a mission trip in southern Ohio, demolishing a building for renovation into a community center and working outreach, including collecting goods for the needy. Mark is a freshman at Michigan State University.
About 25 snowmachiners including 18 racers turned out for Saturday’s Chilkat Lake 100 sponsored by the Chilkat Snowburners. Organizer Zack Ferrin said racers enjoyed ideal conditions, including sunshine and hard-packed ice. Top finishers included; Fan division: 1) Kelly Huff, 2) Gable Sage, 3) Levi McLure; 0-550 liquid: 1) Steven McLaughlin, 2) Sean McLaughlin, 3) Olen Brooks; 551-650 liquid: 1) Zack Ferrin, 2) Ron Sloper, and 650-open: 1) Rick Campbell, 2) Lowell Narum. Five racers broke down or crashed. Randy Sloper won the Red Lantern and Olen Brooks, 16, won Fastest Rookie. The two awards were donated by the Haines Uglys. The race included a fun run and a barbecue picnic on the lake.