Norman Hughes and Meghan Condon are back in town. Their time out included eight days spent paddling and motoring through Everglades National Park in Florida. Norm said the bird-watching was great but they got skunked trying to catch fish. Their trip through the maze of mangroves in mid-January was visited by clouds of biting bugs, requiring them to hang a sticky pest strip in the tent. After driving cross-country in December, they stayed on North Captiva Island, offshore of Fort Myers and just 12 miles away from Nelle Jurgeleit-Greene’s place at Pine Island.

Haines Senior Center manager Cari O’Daniel reminds residents that the center provides rides for seniors and Medicaid patients for medical appointments on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and shuttle service to the airport or ferry terminal on weekends. Call the center on Thursday to reserve weekend rides. The ride service extends north to the ferry terminal, south to Letnikof, and west to the airport.

Erica Loomis-Carrington passed the Alaska real estate exam on April 6 and is an agent working in Haines for Juneau-based broker Platinum Realty. Erica is a 1996 Haines High School graduate. She and her husband Paul Carrington have four children.

Tongass Federal Credit Union Branch Manager Tammy Jobbins said more than 100 residents turned out for the company’s open house and grand opening last week. Thursday’s open house featured stromboli and Swedish meatballs provided by Josie Allen and cupcakes by Rebecca Kameika. A silent auction raised $6,535 for the Jenae’s Playground project. Gracia O’Connell, vice-president of operations for the company in Ketchikan, cut the ribbon at Friday’s grand opening ceremony, which included free gelato and a Chilkat Dancers performance. Credit union officials Colin Patton, Lucette O’Hagan-Lovell, and Nicole Booth also came to Haines.

The 47th Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau drew a smattering of Haines residents, including Terry Jacobson, Judy Hall Jacobson, Mike Borcik, and Anna Jurgeleit. Resident Tom Letson performed on the Centennial Hall stage. Acts included a tribute to musicians who have died in recent years, including Liz Saya and Nicole Edwards. Proof of vaccination was required to attend festival shows.

Thirty-seven Haines Dolphins swam a combined 125,000 yards during Saturday’s Swimboree at the Haines Pool, a fundraiser for the swim club that raised about $7,000, reports coach Sydney Wray. Several Dolphins swam more than 150 lengths and some of the youngest swimmers logged more than 50 widths of the pool. Club members will be collecting pledges this week. Pledges and donations will be accepted through April.

Rosalie Loewen said the easing of border restrictions will make it easier for her family to visit Haines this year. The Loewens live in Vancouver, B.C. where husband Reuben works as a mechanic at Harbour Air, one of the world’s largest all-seaplane airlines. Rosalie runs economic development projects for the province’s health services. Daughters Marina, Lydia and Sylvia are busy, she said.

In cold, brisk winds, about 30 residents turned out at the harbor at 3 p.m. Sunday for the annual Blessing of the Fleet service sponsored by the Haines Ministerial Association. Matt and Holly Davis sang “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and “His Eye Is On the Sparrow.” Participants placed palms in a basket in remembrance of residents lost in area waters as the Presbyterian church bell rang 35 times for the names of drowning victims recent and historic. Matt Jones and Capt. Kevin Woods represented the Port Chilkoot Bible Church and Haines Salvation Army, respectively. Pastor Dana Perreard noted this week the Presbyterian Church is offering an informal “folk service” with live music at 5:30 p.m. Sundays at the church, not including Easter.

Patricia Metcalf died on March 24 at her FAA Road home. She was 93. Daughter Lynn Pratt was at her side. Patricia lived in Haines since 1995. A full obituary will be printed in next week’s CVN.

After two years of only virtual gatherings, the Haines congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses has resumed in-person services. The congregation meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and at 10 a.m. Sundays. Due to the renovation of their place of worship, they will be meeting at Harriett Hall in the fairgrounds for the next few months. All are welcome.

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