Etoufee and oyster bars, street-corner bands and the open market were all highlights of a four-day visit to New Orleans last month by Jeanne Beck, Kaleb Beck, Jayda Beck, Kayden Beck and Kaylee Ray. Besides taking in the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, the group toured St. Louis Cathedral, the nation’s oldest cathedral in continuous use, and the city’s legendary, ornate cemeteries. The trip included side trips to Destin, Fla. to sit on the beach and to Pearlington, Miss., site of NASA’s Infinity Science Center and repository of Apollo space program capsules and historic space suits. In New Orleans, they attended the home opener of the NBA Pelicans, an overtime thriller. Jeanne said everyone should visit New Orleans at least once.
Former KHNS news director Corinne Smith this week was producing live election night coverage at KPFA in Berkeley, Calif., where she got her start in reporting. Corinne is back home in Oakland, applying for reporter jobs and plotting her next career move. She stays in touch with Haines friends and hopes to visit again sometime.
Bob Vuillet was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx on Oct. 24, beside his late wife Sarah Vuillet. Daughters Heather Lende, Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and Kathleen Vuillet attended, along with granddaughter Sarah Elliott. “Papa Bob” spent his final years in Haines. While in New York, Heather and Sarah took in a Yankees game and a Brandi Carlile concert while Suzanne had an extended visit with Kathleen in White Plains.
Lee Heinmiller enjoyed his 70th birthday with friends at the Old Field Kitchen Monday. Lee shares a Nov. 7 birthday with his late mother, Betty Heinmiller, and his maternal great-grandfather, Barnard White. Judy Erekson, Dan Egolf, Guy Monroe, Sammy Jackson and Michael George were among about 15 family members and friends who gathered to celebrate Lee’s seventh decade.
Alison Jacobson made it to Santa Barbara, Calif. for the birth of grandson Nicolas “Nico” David Naughton, born to Anna and Chris Naughton at 1 a.m. Nov. 6 at Cottage Hospital there. Nico weighed 6 lb., 15 oz. at birth and measured 19 inches. Anna said labor was “wild” and she was glad to have Alison and Chris there “every step of the way.”
Josh Sanko, Ali Gustavson and Ashley Bivin of the American Bald Eagle Foundation were at the brewery Tuesday, selling hats, mugs, hoodies and other gear to benefit the local non-profit. The trio also organized this year’s bald eagle festival, which continues through Saturday.
Greg Podsiki wrapped up his six-week road trip through the western states and Canada just before Halloween. He and sister Mona Gagner of Anderson, S.C. logged 7,000 miles towing a 28-foot camper trailer on back roads to Jasper, Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone, Zion, Redwoods and Sequoia national parks. The trip was Mona’s first to the Western landmarks, including her first view of the Pacific Ocean. Greg was revisiting spots he hadn’t seen in nearly 50 years and said he was surprised by volumes of highway traffic, park visitors and forest fire devastation. He and Mona left ashes of deceased loved ones at inspiring sites. Social stops included visiting niece Alice Reed in Sisters, Ore. Greg said he’ll be taking the trailer to the desert Southwest in March.
Gina St. Clair and Dan Humphrey returned from a 10-day trip to Wyoming where they visited Gina’s daughter Gabrielle, a senior at the University of Wyoming in Laramie studying biology and fish and wildlife management. They also drove to Pinedale to see Gina’s mom Putzie Harrington, 90. Other highlights included watching the university football team beat Utah State during homecoming and spending time with Ray and Becky Chapin in Laramie. Temperatures on the Plains dropped from 60 F. to 30 F. during their visit.
The Chilkoot Indian Association offers a full roster of craft activities this fall, including classes led by Nancy Keen and Gwen Sauser at the Haines ANB/ANS Hall. Nancy will offer “Beginning Beading, Mocassin Topper” 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17-18. She also will lead “Regalia Crafting and Sewing,” on Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Existing projects are welcome. Call Nancy at 907-314-2880. Gwen will lead “Beginning Beading for Youth,” on Friday, Nov. 18. Call the CIA at 766-2323 and ask for Cindy or Aurora for more information.