Twins Helen Belle Hubbard and Clara Lynn Hubbard were born to Anna and Jason Hubbard at noon on Oct. 7 in Pittsburg, Pa. Helen Belle weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. and measured 20 inches. Clara Lynn weighed 6 lbs., 8 oz., and measured 20.5 inches. “They are fraternal twins and mercifully look nothing alike,” Anna said. The twins join sister Alice, 5, and brother Leo, 2. They were welcomed by grandparents Jim and Randa Szymanski at the family farm in Kittanning, Pa., where the Hubbards enjoyed the past month awaiting their new arrivals.
Meghan Hart’s mom Joan Nassiff-Elliott made a surprise visit from Houston, Texas to watch Meghan in last weekend’s performances of “Mamma Mia.” Meghan said she hadn’t seen her mom since before COVID-19. Joan helped babysit while Meghan’s husband Ted Hart cooked dinners during the busy week of long rehearsals and shows.
Friends in Haines were sad to see Ryan Cloutier head back to Portland, Ore. this week. Crystal Miller brought Ryan to town to help with “Mamma Mia.” Ryan built the play’s set and created its poster and handbill. He also filled a major role as Sky, fiancé to the character Sophia. On Tuesday, Ryan borrowed a trombone to play with the Haines Community Marching Band tribute to the Haines High School cross-country teams.
Jeanne Kitayama made a trip to Fairbanks last week for the annual retreat of the board of directors of the Alaska Arts Education Consortium. The group advances teaching and learning in and through the arts. While there, Jeanne visited former resident Doris Armijo, who recently retired from a career working for the State of Alaska.
Art teacher Giselle Miller led twelve students through a day of glass-blowing during a high school art club outing on Saturday and Sunday at Windy Point. Students created multi-colored drinking glasses during the seminar led by instructor Tassja Ralph. Bill Chetney donated the use of his glass studio on Mud Bay for the weekend.
Who knew there were libraries on cruise ships? Janine Allen checked out two books from the one aboard the Norwegian Bliss while cruising the Inside Passage with dad Neil Allen Sept. 24-Oct. 1. Highlights include watching a sunrise from a hot tub and dining on dishes like Italian seafood soup. Neil witnessed a “green explosion” while docking in Juneau. It was an electrical transformer blowing during the Sept. 27 landslide there. When fellow passengers learned Janine was a local, several asked if she knew “the girl bit by the bear in the outhouse.” Janine explained that Shannon Stevens was not only a friend, but that she helped to build the Chilkat Lake outhouse, the site of the famous bite. During a separate trip to Sitka, Janine met up with former Haines residents Cambria Goodwin and Shalina Bott.
Haines High School grad and engineer Chandler Kemp spent four days in June meeting with leaders of Norway’s efforts to develop zero-emission shipping. A report Chandler wrote for the Southeast Conference highlights networks of open collaboration between government and renewable fuel start-ups, battery charger manufacturers, shipyards, and others. The nation operates 80 electric ferries. “Norway has been building ships for a thousand years and it will build the ships of the future,” Chandler wrote.
Sophia Armstrong, Reilly Kosinski, and daughters Gwendolyn and Gloria spent a week in rural Hayden, Colo. to attend the wedding of Reilly’s cousin, Jimmy Howe. They stayed with Reilly’s aunt Lyn Howe and enjoyed fossil-hunting and wildlife viewing in the mountains there. Sophia said they saw about 100 deer per day, plus antelope. Highlights included attending an Oktoberfest celebration at a local brewery.
Mance Scott Parker was born to Danina and Ryan Parker at 12:32 a.m. Sept. 2 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. Mance weighed 9 lbs., 10 oz., and measured 22 inches. He joins siblings Raevyn, 5, and Emory, 2. Grandparents Lora and Denny Parker of Conroe, Texas came to Alaska for the birth and helped babysit. Mance was born on Denny’s birthday.
Rev. Michael Ko is the new parish priest for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Haines. He replaces Rev. Perry Kenaston, who served the Archdiocese of Juneau for 22 years, including 12 as priest for Sacred Heart and St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church in Skagway. Father Perry has retired and moved to Anchorage.