Lexie DeWitt has returned from Washington where she spent a month visiting family along with her three children, Charlie, Loralai and Lucas. The four first stopped in Seattle and stayed with Alisha Young and her boyfriend Sam Horne. While in Seattle, they visited the Seattle Aquarium and Pike’s Place Market and also visited with Lexie’s brother Kyle and wife Melissa and their daughter Kate. From there the ventured to Eastern Washington and stayed with Lexie’s parents, Steve and Carrie Conley. The kids loved to swim in the pool and enjoyed visiting the park trails around the area. Lexie’s oldest son Charlie enjoyed the game Pokemon Go and enjoyed learning about it from Lexie’s cousin Dauson Larrabee. On the way home, the family nearly missed the Fjorldand due to a late flight but they were let off before the other passengers and were able to catch the boat home where Stuart DeWitt was waiting for them in Juneau.
Josh Whidbey proposed to Teslin Podsiki on Mud Bay Beach before Podsiki family pictures last weekend. The couple, who live in Pennsylvania, have been dating for four and half years and plan to move back to Haines when Josh is done with his service in the National Guard. The couple plan to get married within the next couple years in Haines.
Lnzee and Tyler Swinton celebrated their Oregon wedding with a reception in Haines earlier this month. Lnzee’s family came up for the celebration which was held at Letnikof Cove Pavilion. Lnzee’s parents Laine and Angie Wortman and brothers Bryce and Tre Wortman enjoyed Haines and the lovely weather during that time. At the end of the reception Tyler’s brothers Justin and Dylan Swinton and close friends Hudson Sage, Chev Fowler, Daniel Stickler, and Kai Dixon jumped off the dock to end the fun celebration.
The Community Youth Development program had its end of the year celebration at the Haines School Track earlier this week. T-ball coaches included Brad Ryan, and Jordan Baumgartne. Andrew Del Prete, Micheal George, Siel George, Brennan and Greg Palmieri, and Jordan Baumgartner coached soccer. Ben Bard headed the activities for the summer said it was a great turnout. “Thanks to the parents for all the hard work volunteering and thanks for keeping kids active during the summers,” said Ben.
Rene Hoffman’s sister Shelly Hebert is in town to help with her fair food booth. Shelly lives in Florida and is an elementary art teacher. Rene’s best friend Melanie Coleman from Juneau is also in town to help with her booth. Melanie and Rene were high school friends in Florida and have been friends since 16. “My parents love reading the Chilkat Valley News and they will be excited to see I’m in it,” said Melanie.
Kyle Clayton returned from the Nushagak River in Bristol Bay last Monday where he spent two weeks commercial fishing on the F/V Wildfish. Ora Pryor and Steve Barnhart, two friends Clayton served in the Army with, visited Clayton over the weekend. “I haven’t seen Barnhart in 10 years,” Clayton said of his friend who traveled from Kansas to Juneau last week. Pryor lives in Juneau and the two took the ferry to Haines late last week. Barnhart caught his first king salmon with Pryor earlier in the week in Juneau. “You guys live in a paradise,” Barnhart said. While in Haines, the trio went salmon fishing and on Friday floated the Tsirku River with Erik Stevens and Nolan Woodard.
Former Haines residents Lorin Hayden and wife Katie Hayden-Lewis and son Keanu Hayden-Lewis visited from Bend, Oregon for an 8-day upper Alsek river trip. Haines friends Russ Lyman, Cynthia Allen, Bill Finley, Nancy McGrew and Jackson McGrew accompanied them on the float. They also spent time visiting with friends while in town. Lorin and Katie went to a “secret spot” to pick blueberries with Lyman and Allen and they’ve also spent time boating on a zodiac they keep in Haines.