Haines Volunteer Fire Department organized a tribute outside the public safety building for the 343 firefighters who died during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. “It’s a tribute really to all those who made the sacrifice and to show how great it is to be an American,” said fire chief Al Giddings. The department is made up of about 40 volunteers who stood watch throughout the day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tour buses drove by and slowed down so tourists could get a look and take photographs of the tribute. “It was really a collective idea to show how Haines, Alaska tributes its first responders on that day and every day after, hence: ‘Lest we not forget,’” Al said.

Middle School Cross Country Coach Jordan Baumgartner led a team of Haines Middle School Students to the Youth Klondike Road Relay last weekend in Skagway and the Yukon. Team members included Alex Weersinghe, Hayden Jimenez, Dalton Henry, Leo Wald, Kruze Nettleton, Isla Nettleton, Ashlyn Ganey, Lilly Robinson, Pacific Ricke, Lucia Chapell and Ari’el Godinez Long. “The team ran a 54-mile course and took fourth place,” said Jordan. Chaperones included parents, Melissa Ganey and Nishan Weersinghe. “The kids did great. We are looking forward to the high school cross country race this weekend and also the Takshanuk Trail Invitational,” Jordan said.

In addition, the Haines Mountain Mamas took sixth place overall for women’s teams at the Klondike Relay from Skagway to Whitehorse. Sara Chapell, Alissa Henry, Leslie Ross, Gen Bell, Amy Jacobson, Sierra Jimenez, Lara Law, Jessica Edwards, Josie Allen, and Renee Hoffman made up the team that has been running together and representing Haines mothers for the past several years. Courtney Culbeck was also the team manager and drove the bus. “It was the perfect weather, the summit leg, everyone was in tank tops and shorts and the northern lights were beautiful,” said Renee.

Preschool gymnastics started off on the right food earlier this week with teacher Holly Davis. “Our goals are to increase strength, balance, flexibility, and skills,” said coach Holly. Lexie DeWitt also provided warm-up songs for the students to come and dance as a warm-up before instruction. Holly said “We also believe what Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Douglas’s coach Liang Chow said: “The main reason to do gymnastics is because it’s fun!”

Haines graduate Anna Jacobson, daughter of Glen and Alison Jacobson, is the new Public Relations Manager at Visit Santa Barbara. “Anna will now be promoting all the best of the area’s food, wine, brews, hotel, shops and outdoor activities,” said Alison via Facebook. “Yes, a new job and a new 30’ Catalina sailboat that I’ll be living on in the Santa Barbara Harbor and just a five-minute ride to work,” said Anna.

Assistant guide for Arctic Wild and Haines graduate Patrick Henderson was featured in a New York Times article by author Christopher Soloman for his guiding work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He is credited for his excellent chef skills, whipping up Spam Musubi, and touring with the author in a raft while they look for musk ox in the fields. “He had a really exciting summer with all his trips. He is really living his best life,” said his mother Lenise Fontenot. Patrick’s brother Royal Henderson has just finished an accelerated Gonzaga Law school program and has moved to Washington D.C. where he hopes to get involved in politics. Royal moved with his girlfriend April Flaggman. “Royal hasn’t taken time off in long time. I am happy he is in D.C. and relaxing a bit before he finds a job. I am so proud of all my boys,” added Lenise.

“In last week’s Duly Noted, Leo Wald went on a camping trip with friends on Mt. Ripinsky, not Rio Ross-Hirsch.

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