Marian Carlson, Connie Ward, and Nancy Nash are back from the National Senior Games, known as the ‘Senior Olympics’ that took place June 14-25 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Though none medaled this year, “It was really fun,” said Carlson. “They put on a tremendous show.” An all-time high of 13,712 athletes participated this year, including 103-year-old Julia ‘Hurricane’ Hawkins who is the oldest woman ever to compete on an American track. The Haines contingent said they were inspired by Hawkins, who ran the 50- and 100-meter dash and holds the records in both categories. “I hope I’m still walking at 103,” said Carlson. The Haines athletes are considering competing in the Alaska Senior Games in Fairbanks next month, where they have previously won gold medals in swimming and shotput events.
Haines High School graduate John Plucker is back in Haines for a month with his two children, Eva, 5, and Ben, 3. The family is on vacation from their home in Norway, where John plays French Horn in Norwegian Army Band. Wife Elina Plucker will join them in time to attend the Southeast Alaska State Fair. Eva will start Chilkat Valley preschool’s summer program on July 8, while Ben is enjoying the beaches and playground. Both children are getting the opportunity to practice English. John’s sister Holly Davis hopes to convince John to play with the marching band in the fair parade.
Tyler Swinton and Linzee Wortman celebrated their wedding for a second time. The couple had gotten married on June 22, at Emerald Valley Golf Course in Creswell, Ore. On July 6, the newlyweds had a second reception in Haines. The event was held at Letnikof Cove Pavilion, where it was so hot the guests jumped off the dock into Letnikof Cove.
Henry Leasia’s father Steve Leasia and his partner Katie McClintock visited Haines from Portland, Ore., last week. Leasia and McClintock stayed five days in Haines, during which they hiked Mount Riley, swam in Chilkat State Park, and attended the July 4th festivities. The family also went to open mic night at the Pioneer Bar, where Henry played keyboard. Henry said they particularly enjoyed a hike to Battery Point, where they saw eagles fighting over a fish.
Leo Wald and CVN reporter Sarah Chatta returned from a trip rafting the Kongakut River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this week. They saw gobs of wildlife paddling from the foothills of the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean, including grizzly bears, caribou, polar bears, musk oxen and tundra swans. Also on the trip was Wald’s four-month old puppy Zulu. The trip was guided by Wald’s father, resident Michael Wald, who will continue to work in Fairbanks through the summer.
Local cannery Haines Packing Company has been featured in a book, Tin Can Country: Southeast Alaska’s Historic Canneries, edited by author Anjuli Grantham. Grantham will speak at the Haines Sheldon Museum about her book at 6:30 p.m. Saturday July 20. Tin Can Country will include photos and information about canneries throughout Southeast Alaska, including nine historical Haines-area companies, including Haines Packing Co. Grantham has previously assisted the Haines Sheldon Museum and the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in Klukwan with exhibitions.
A lost duck that was found wandering Main Street in January has become a father. The duck, a Rouen mallard, was adopted in February by an owner who wishes to remain anonymous. Now, the Rouen, nicknamed “Main Street Mallard,” has found a mate and a week ago became the proud father of a duckling. The anonymous owners are doing their best to protect the duckling from eagles and crows. Other children may be on the way, too; at least 10 duck eggs are still waiting to hatch.