Haines High School art students participated in a virtual Art Fest in early April. They each participated in individual 15 -hour art workshops in varying disciplines, culminating in an art show online. Junior Aubrey Cook won Best in Show for her formline skateboard painting. Lydia Andriesen, Uriel Bravo, Seth McClurg and Yzella Miramontes were all honored as Best in Workshop. In other art news, Lydia Andriesen placed third in the All-State Art Competition through the Alaska Schools Activities Association for one of her ceramic pieces. Yzella Miramontes won third in mixed media for a paper cut-out creation.
Haines High School senior Wesley Verhamme qualified for the state wrestling tournament by winning the heavyweight class at the Region V tournament in Ketchikan on Friday, April 23. The Haines team also won the Region V sportsmanship award. The state tournament starts May 21. Verhamme also won the heavyweight class at the Bill Weiss Memorial Tournament held on April 24. Freshmen Jackson Long and Douglas Adams competed in the 180 weight class. Long finished second. Adams took fourth.
The Southeast Alaska State Fair hosted Spring Fling, its first event of the season, on Apr. 24. Executive director Kari Johnson said the weather and turnout were great. “The kids all had a fun time playing and everyone enjoyed the music and barbecue. We got lots of new members signed up too!” Extended Play featuring Tom Heywood, Burl Sheldon, Nancy Berland and Eric Holle provided music. Upcoming events include “Grease,” a drive-in movie, on May 7. The Fishermen’s Barbecue will be June 18. The Southeast Alaska State Fair is July 29-August 1.
Takshanuk Watershed Council held a bear safety demonstration at its Sawmill Creek Road office. Carl Koch and Abby McAllister of Alaska Department of Fish and Game demonstrated hot and cold electric fence systems. Participants also practiced with bear spray. A panel of bear experts fielded questions and Shannon Donahue of The Great Bear Foundation educated the public about bear safety. There will be another electric fence demonstration on Friday, April 30 at Starvin’ Marvin Garden near the high school track, from 5 to 6 p.m. The event was organized by Derek Poinsette and Tracy Wirak-Cassidy and it was filmed for those that missed it. Visit the non-profit’s website or Facebook page to see the video.
The American Legion Auxiliary will hold a Cinco de Mayo dinner on Wednesday May 5, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Legion Hall on Second Avenue.
Jane Pascoe and Tom Morphet returned Sunday from 10 days of glorious sunshine in the Oahu beach town of Kailua. They kayaked to Moku Nui island, saw tropical trees from around the world at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens in nearby Kaneohe, and snorkeled at Lanikai Beach and Hanauma Bay. They were hosted by Steve Downes, who grew up in Kailua and is an editor at the Honolulu newspaper. The trip included catching up with Jane’s Hawaiian friends Julie and Cathy Asato.