Master carver Wayne Price and wife Cherri Price of Haines participated in a dedication ceremony in Angoon Oct. 26 for a traditional, red cedar Tlingit canoe Wayne carved there with help from Angoon High School students. The date was the commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the bombardment of the village by the U.S. Navy, an event that destroyed many village buildings and all but one of the dugout canoes used for travel, fishing and gathering food. The canoe is the 15th Wayne has created since 1982, including four in the Yukon Territory and a 40-foot vessel in Hoonah. Commissioned by Kootznoowoo village Native corporation, the canoe will be named and launched next spring.
Former Chilkat Valley News student reporter Avery Williamson is now reporting for The Northern Light, the student newspaper of the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Williamson, who’s studying journalism, penned a front-page story in the paper’s November edition about the Seawolves hockey team notching its first victory in 900 days.
Joan Snyder celebrated her 94th birthday surrounded by friends Saturday afternoon at Haines Assisted Living. The party included snacks and drinks and piano music provided by Nancy Nash. Guests included Dwight Nash, Marcia Scott, Darlene Bolick, Ellen Larson, Leanne Converse, and Chuck Mitman. Chuck and Joan are previous winners of the Alaska First Lady’s award for volunteerism. Sam McPhetres took photos.
Haines High School’s homecoming dance was held Saturday night in the Chilkat Center lobby after command performances of the Drama, Debate and Forensics meet. Students named to the homecoming court included freshman butler and maid Maddox Rogers and M.J. Hotch, sophomore duke and duchess Phoenix Swaner and Ari’el Godinez-Long, junior prince and princess Marvis Price and Raven Hotch and senior king and queen Zac Ritzinger and Alison Benda.
Jordan Baumgartner is organizing the annual Turkey Trot fun run. Runners and walkers should meet at 10 a.m. at the Fort Seward Barracks on Thanksgiving Day. With enough players, a flag football game will be held 11 a.m. on the field on the Parade Grounds.
Jenni Opie is the new clerk at the Haines District Court. Jenni hails from Michigan and earned a women and gender studies degree from Michigan State University. Her resume includes working as an assistant manager at breweries in Michigan and Oregon and serving as an executive assistant at a tax firm. She most recently worked for Carol Waldo’s Flower Mountain Farm in Haines. She has two dogs.
The Haines Salvation Army is seeking volunteer bell-ringers for the holiday season. Four-hour shifts are available but friends can combine efforts to split shifts in half. There’s still time to sign up for the Angel Tree program to provide gifts to needy youths in Haines. Call Lt. Serina Woods at 766-2470.
Felicia Finley is looking for a tall wise man and a tall shepherd to fill out the cast at the Lighting of the Fort’s Nativity tableau. They are non-speaking roles. If you can help out, call Felicia at 303-0332. The tableau scene happens at the Parade Grounds moments after Fort Seward holiday lights come on at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
An exhibit of the work of Haines-raised artist Pattrick Price is under way at the University of Oregon’s EMU Addell McMillan Gallery through Dec. 2. A closing reception will be held 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the gallery, with food and art provided.
If you’re not excited to make a pie for Thanksgiving meal, let the folks at Haines HeadStart help you out. HeadStart’s parent committee will hold a homemade pie sale starting 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 at Howsers. To help out or find out more, call Andrea Ferrin at 907-766-2155.
Haines Senior Center will be closed for lunch on Thanksgiving Day. A holiday meal of turkey and traditional side dishes will be served on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Seniors planning to attend who aren’t regulars are asked to sign up for the special meal by 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Call Cari O’Daniel at 766-2383.
The Haines Ministerial Association is hosting a community Thanksgiving meal open to all residents, noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Haines School cafeteria. The meal of turkey and side dishes is free and guests are asked to bring a dessert if they can. “We’re going to have a good time of fellowship,” said Captain Kevin Woods.