Diane McGowan of Phoenix, Ariz. boosted three local causes when she donated back her winnings in the Haines Little League’s 50-50 raffle. McGowan’s $4,260 windfall will be split three ways between the local little league, Haines Softball League, and Jenae’s Playground fund. Diane’s husband Jim umpired several games during last weekend’s softball tournament. Connie Ward of the softball league called the donation “unbelievable.”
More than 80 local women in attire ranging from T-shirts and jeans to a feather bikini turned out for the annual Goddess Party at Takshanuk Watershed Council’s Jones Point Park Friday. Under a moonlit sky, drumming, singing, and celebrating continued past midnight, said Knikki Cinocco. Goddesses representing light, creativity, openness, and masculinity were among those represented in costume. The “party with a purpose” raised more than $300 for Becky’s Place family shelter. Deana Stout launched the inaugural event in 2002. Stoli Lende and Jenn Talley provided crucial organizing this year. With the addition of live music and promotion, organizers hope to raise more money for families that are struggling in future years, Cinocco said.
Caitie Kirby is now officially Caitlin Rothbart. Caitie said she legally changed her last name to her mother’s family name because “it’s more representative of the family I grew up with, personality-wise, which was a long line of strong women.” She started the name-change process in March and it became official July 29.
After their cruise ship docked in Skagway Saturday, Clark Libenson and his family ferried to Haines to visit Clark’s sister Sue Libenson in Haines. Clark, their wife Paulette, and daughters Angelica, Bijou, Miel, and Cielo went canoeing at Chilkoot Lake where they saw a brown bear sow and two cubs. They enjoyed Bill Holton’s barbecued salmon at a Chilkat River beach picnic and met cousins “Bug” and Thomas Hunter at the brewery before returning to their ship. Glacier Bay was next on their itinerary. The visit was Clark’s first.
Retired state ferry engineer Jim Jurgeleit of Haines was quoted in an Aug. 15 New York Times story about the political chances of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in Congress. Jurgeleit, who was in Palmer when he was approached by reporter Jazmine Ulloa, was quoted saying he supported state Rep. Mary Peltola for the seat.
The fourth annual Takshanuk Ridge Run is scheduled for Aug. 27. The 11.-5-mile trail run starts at the 7 Mile Haines Highway trailhead and climbs to the peak known as “3920,” before returning to town on the Skyline Trail. Entry is $40 and proceeds benefit the Haines cross-country team. Garrett Montgomery of Haines holds the course record in 2.5 hours. Go to runsignup.com to register.
Iris Holmes and Mike Grundler were married Friday, Aug. 5 at the Chilkat Inlet Retreat. Mike’s brother Nick Grundler served as officiant. Iris is a 2006 Haines High School graduate and the daughter of Tim Shields and Kathy Holmes of Haines. Relatives of Mike attending the wedding included father and mother Chris and Kerry Grundler of Dexter, Mich., brother Will Grundler, sister Maggie Grundler, and brother Nick’s wife Melissa Scheu. Family and friends of the bride include Iris’ uncle Ken Holmes, Aunt Jackie Holmes, Aunt Wendy Holmes, uncle Art Zapeda, cousin Alyssa Zapeda and her partner Jose Gonzales, cousins Matthew Holmes and Emily Holmes, and Emily’s fiancé, Kraig Roscoe, and childhood gymnastics coach Lenise Henderson. The couple wrote their vows. Guests enjoyed salmon cooked by Rob Goldberg and a variety of desserts by Costa Brava, including a lemon tart wedding cake and vegan lavender blackberry cupcakes. Friends Sarah Bishop, Kerry Cohen, and Donna Catotti created arrangements of flowers grown in local gardens. Mike and Iris met as undergrads at Cornell University. They each recently earned doctoral degrees in evolutionary biology. They live in Ithaca, N.Y.
In its 23rd year, the Haines Borough Public Library’s Summer Reading Program enlisted 128 young readers and 10 adults, reports children’s librarian Holly Davis. Participants logged reading 7,914 books or chapters. The program culminated at a sunshine-dappled picnic on July 27 that included books and prizes for participants. Resident Carol Waldo’s $35,000 donation helped launch the reading program more than two decades ago.
To clarify an item garbled in last week’s column, Becky Nash recently attended the wedding of niece Kaelyn Timmons in Bellevue, Wash. Becky’s four sisters were there, including Kaelyn’s mom Caroline Timmons, Connie Smith, Debby Smith, and Lynnita Bergstrom. Bergstrom, who lives in Sweden, was accompanied by husband Tomas and daughter Brianna.
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