Teslin Grace Podsiki and Josh Whitby were married on Saturday, June 20 at the top of Shawnee Mountain in Delaware, Pennsylvania. Eleven people attended the outdoor ceremony, including the bride’s mother Teri Bastable-Podsiki, and aunt Lyn Witt Orris, and the groom’s mother, Dana Whitby. The groom’s cousin Matt Williams with wife Katie also attended. The bride wore a cream short dress with a lace back. Although guests were limited, Bastable-Podsiki, Whitby and sister Melissa Bastable Ganey organized a bridal shower by Zoom. “We played a few games and people from far away were able to be a part of it,” Teslin Podsiki said. A large wedding celebration in Haines is planned for 2021.
Odin Jacobson, a Haines High 2020 graduate, has reported to basic training for the U.S. Army. Before he left, the local American Legion Haines Chapter gave him a $500 scholarship to show their support. Mother Aimee Jacobson said that he is currently in Fort Benning, Georgia. “He is in receiving,” she said. “When you first get to basic training, you get your hair cut, and your clothes and boots.” Although this process normally takes up to five days, it has lasted three weeks due to Covid-19 complications. Although he is unable to phone regularly, Aimee said that he’s been sending letters. “I haven’t gotten letters from him since he was little,” she said “It’s a big deal letting go of your kids. It’s a milestone.”
In partnership between the public library and the Haines School, children throughout the Chilkat Valley have enjoyed lunches made from local foods. Tracy Wirak Cassidy, Public Library education coordinator, said the summer food service program is funded through a USDA grant and works with local vendors. The first event bought local bread, locally smoked salmon, and local greens and turnips to feed 200 kids. “We are going to do more,” Wirak Cassidy said. Two events were held in June, and the next scheduled local lunches are held on July 8 and 22. The program is available for anyone 18 and younger, and participants can sign up at hbsd.net.
Past resident Christopher Scanlon, who now lives in Denali, spent eight days backpacking in the Brooks Range over summer solstice. “It went from 70 degrees full sun to 28 degrees and four inches of snow in 24 hours,” Scanlon said. “We got socked in on an alpine ridge in the snow for two days.” Although a packrafting trip was originally planned, fly-ins are currently not allowed in Anaktuvuk due to coronavirus restrictions. Highlights of the trip included viewing Lapland longspur nests and fledglings, and a family of red foxes.
John Carlson turned 70 this month. “I’m old now,” he said. This year, he celebrated by going home after work to wife Marian Carlson, instead of his usual after-dinner routine of going back to work making custom cabinets and furniture. John Carlson said this is the first year out of 70 that he can remember not celebrating with a party and remembered that even when serving overseas in the military, he had the day off. “That’s basically a party,” he said.
Kayley Swinton officially graduated with honors this week from Oregon Institute of Technology. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology-health science, which she said is the necessary undergraduate degree to get a doctorate in physical therapy. In August, Swinton will start school at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon, which is one of the top 100 schools for physical therapy, she said.
Six riders turned out June 12 for the first Community Bike Ride. Thom Ely, Nick Schlosstein, Tom Morphet, Fuzzy Von Stauffenberg, Spencer Douthit and Bartek Pieciul pedaled a round-trip from Fort Seward to the Tanani Bay pullout. The casual rides start 5 p.m. Fridays at Tlingit Park. The course is determined by who shows up. Riders of all bikes, ages and abilities are welcome. For more information, contact Morphet at 907-303-2688.