Brittney Bradford and Aaron Bonner were married at Whispering Pines wedding venue in Winchester, Idaho on Sept. 3. Aaron’s father Ken Bonner officiated the ceremony. Haines’ guests included Brittney’s parents Scott and Candi Bradford, her brother Casey Bradford and his wife Dani, grandparents Sonny and Julie Myers, and friend Hudson Sage. Friend Claire Jensen of Coeur d’Alene, who spends summers in Haines, served as Brittney’s maid of honor. Claire honored her and Brittney’s mutual friend, the late Jenae Larson of Haines, by placing Jenae’s photo among the bridesmaid’s chairs. Aaron’s family in attendance included his mom Laura Bonner, stepmom Teresa Bonner, and his two children Sam and Gracie. Five bridesmaids were matched by as many groomsmen, including the newlyweds’ pet retriever puppy Ozzy, who stood in for a groomsman who couldn’t make it. Guests enjoyed a two-tiered cake with matching cupcakes and a dance hosted by a local deejay. Highlights included Aaron’s 92-year-old grandmother Sally Bonner kicking up her heels on the dance floor. Brittney and Aaron honeymooned for two weeks in Aruba.
Trinity Veach and about a dozen Alaska Mountain Guides co-workers attended “Northern Nights,” Kluane National Park’s annual dark sky festival. Held at the Kathleen Lake day-use area Sept. 16-18, the free, family-friendly event included a nighttime “glow parade,” telescopes for star-gazing, workshops in model rocket-making and launching, landscape painting, beading, and night photography. Christa Van Laerhoven, president of the Yukon Astronomical Society spoke and Yukon musicians Kevin Barr and Claire Ness performed. Veach said she saw three moons of Jupiter, a double star, and the aurora borealis.
Lee Hart was featured on the front page of the Sept. 15 Ketchikan Daily News in her role as executive director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance. A story on the annual fall meeting of the Southeast Conference included a discussion of community collaboration, marketing, and sustainability in tourism. Hart serves as executive director of the Haines Economic Development Corporation. Robert Venables of Haines is the executive director of the Southeast Conference.
“This is my farewell to Haines,” said Carol Duis, explaining a garage sale of her belongings, including antiques and violins, at Third Avenue and Major Road Sept. 22-24. Proceeds will benefit Alaska Native Sisterhood scholarships. Duis and their late husband Bob Duis came to Haines in 2006. Carol has moved south for medical care and lives across the street from granddaughter Elizabeth Haigh. She’ll be attending the ANB/ANS Grand Camp in Anchorage from Oct. 6-8. She serves as state secretary for the ANS Grand Camp. Write Carol at 4602A N. 28th Street, Tacoma, WA 98407.
Longtime grocery store butcher Clint Amox of Lone Star, Texas celebrated his 85th birthday in Haines on Sept. 16 with two cakes at Olerud’s. His first return visit in 12 years included five days of seeing old friends, meals at the Bamboo Room and 33 Mile Roadhouse, and trips to Chilkoot River to watch brown bears. Accompanied by grocery store owners Chris and Jason Spencer of Linden, Texas, Clint met up with friends including Timi Katzeek, Christy Tengs Fowler, Terry and Barbara Pardee, Don and Helen Turner, Darlene Walton and Debra Schnabel. Amox tended meat counters at Food Center and Olerud’s for 20 years and joked about returning to work a shift. “It wasn’t that it wasn’t beautiful but it’s not like I couldn’t put a couple more touches on it,” he quipped.
Terry and Barbara Pardee have enjoyed recent visits by daughters Nichol and Liz and their families. Liz, her husband David Krout, and daughters Amelia, 7, and Adeline, 2, came from Bothell, Wash. to spend five days during the state fair. Amelia scaled the fair’s climbing tower on her third attempt. Nichol, their husband Josh Hibbard and daughter Darsy, 2, of Ellensburg, Wash. are ending a three-week visit that included bear-watching, hiking, and beach-combing. It’s their first visit in six years. “It has just been great. Haines has changed a lot in six years,” Barbara said.
Andrea Nelson spent 10 days visiting brother Chris Nelson and wife Alexis Fedorjaczenko in Ashfield, Mass. Highlights included kayaking and swimming the Deerfield River, touring the Clark Art Institute, picking apples, making pie, and sharing an early Thanksgiving dinner. Chris is a sculptor, potter, and installation artist. Andrea helped Chris work on his studio.
The American Bald Eagle Foundation is soliciting artists to show and sell their creations during the American Bald Eagle Festival on Nov. 11. The annual festival is set for Nov. 9-12 in Haines. To register or get more information, email [email protected].
Bob and Aleta Adkins say they’re sorry for their quick departure and would love to hear from Haines friends. They left town for Washington State on Aug. 21 and can be reached at their new address, 17702 Cascadia Blvd. East, #13, Bonnie Lake, Wash. 98391. Bob and Aleta spent 38 of their 48 years in Alaska in Haines. They moved south for proximity to medical care and now live less than a mile from daughters Denise Adkins and Valerie Dennie. “We’ve been missing Haines ever since we left,” Bob said.
Helen Edwards stopped in Haines Aug. 20-26 to visit sister Jessica Edwards, brother-in-law Andy Hedden, and niece Sophia. Two weeks later, Helen was on a trip to Thailand.
The Southeast Alaska State Fair is offering a paint-and-sip event as part of its Winter Days Crafters’ Hall. Kelleen Adams is hosting the art and wine event, which includes art history and a focus on Vincent Van Gogh and The Starry Night. It starts 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 in Harriett Hall. Call 766-2476 for details.