Erik Stevens and Kayla Shutes were married on July 21 at the Chilkat Inlet Retreat. The couple had dated for three years and were engaged for seven months. Stevens’ and Shutes’ parents and siblings traveled to Haines for the wedding. Jeffrey Moskowitz was the best man. Stevens said Travis Kukull “cooked up the best wedding food any of us ever had” and called the day “the culmination of 12 years living in Haines.” The newlyweds will be honeymooning in Kauai, where they plan to hike the Napali Coast. Stevens said they plan to “live in Haines forever.”
Skyler Smith, a 2019 Haines High School graduate, carried the front banner for the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, in the annual Golden Days parade in Fairbanks on July 23. This was the first Golden Days parade in three years due to COVID-caused cancellations in 2020 and 2021. Fiancé Millard Arnold volunteered alongside Smith in the parade. “I mostly spent my time handing out the new UAF stickers to children and families as we walked the parade course,” Smith said. “The kids were so excited. It was a great experience.” Smith will graduate this fall with an Associate of Arts degree. She plans to go into the publishing industry and later get a degree in secondary education.
The Pioneer Bar was packed on July 22, as Haines residents gathered around to watch The Lack Family perform. Christy Fowler, owner of the bar, said the restaurant is packed every time The Lack Family is performing. “They are very near and dear to the hearts of many of us here in Haines,” said Christy. Scott, the lead guitarist, Paula, pianist and flutist, Deborah, bass player, Sarah, drums and Cajon player, and Chloe Lack, acoustic guitarist and mandolin player, tour Alaska every summer and often spend extra time in Haines. The family will be performing at the Southeast Alaska State Fair on Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31.
Sarana Miller and rabbi Syd Mintz, two Haines summer residents, held a yoga retreat at the Chilkat Inlet Retreat July 14-18. Mintz hosts yoga and Jewish spirituality retreats in Haines every summer. Miller has been leading retreats in Haines for over 12 years. She plans to hold another one Aug. 12-15.
Mayor Douglas Olerud was the special guest on the morning show of Juneau’s local radio station, KINY, on July 25. During the show, Olerud invited people across the state to attend the Southeast Alaska State Fair. He proposed options to get to Haines, including the LeConte state ferry and Alaska Seaplanes.