When we first moved to Haines, we were asked, “How long do you think you’ll stay?” I jokingly responded, “Well, that depends on how you all act.” Recalls, reality TV, intense elections, Facebook pages that connect us, shock and entertain us, bears that break in, fundraisers that change lives, a pandemic, a devastating natural disaster event and one kid’s wedding later it’s easy to know we made the right choice. I doubt we ever will take for granted the natural beauty that surrounds us, but more importantly I hope that we never take for granted the people who make Haines special. Thank you to all our hardworking and talented community members. Because of you, we not only had a beautiful wedding celebration for our daughter but guests left with memories of a lifetime. We especially thank: Corrie Stickler for hosting the bridal shower and for letting the bride borrow her grandmother’s mirror; to Becky Nash for making difficult fabric into beautiful table runners; to Melissa Ganey for not only capturing and editing all the special moments but also for gifting the bride vinyl lettering for her special welcome mirror; to Lily Ford for her amazing wedding dress alterations; to Patrick Cowart for smoking his first pig so well that take-out requests were made and leftovers keep everyone happy for days; to Chilkat Inlet Retreat; to the Wray family for giving the kids an Alaskan wedding gift no one will forget; and to George Campbell for all the riverboat fun.
Eddie and Cesre McQuaid