Susan and Fred Johnston’s two-day garage sale on Small Tracts Road last weekend raised more than $1,000 for Becky’s Place shelter. Johnston said Karen Wallace and Jim and Julie Shook donated items to help boost the proceeds.
Lynn Canal Toastmasters celebrates its second anniversary this week. The public speaking group has more than a dozen members who meet twice monthly at the public library to hone their skills. Drop-in guests and new members are encouraged to check out a meeting. Officers include Ron Jackson, president; Debra Schnabel, vice-president of education; Lynette Campbell, vice-president of membership and public relations and Susie Waterhouse and Carolann Wooten, co-treasurers.
Sara and Lucia Chapell spent a week in Fairbanks, where Lucia and Pacific Ricke took part in a five-day swim clinic led by 2008 Olympic medalist Kim Vandenberg and competed at the Midnight Sun Invitational swim meet. Sara and Lucia caught up with residents Sally Andersen and Michael Wald who run their wilderness guiding business, Arctic Wild, from Fairbanks in the summer. Sons Leo and Nolan Wald have been swimming in local ponds, exploring mountain bike trails and tubing and water skiing on the Tanana River.
Gillnetter Chris Olsen returned from Blaine, Wash., with a new, 40-foot fishing boat, the Ambition. He’ll be using the fiberglass-hull former pocket seiner for gillnetting and crabbing. Chris made the Inside Passage voyage with dad Dean Olsen and friend Joliena Wilson. Trip highlights included watching the NBA finals in Canadian towns of Port McNeill and French Creek, where citizens cheering for the Raptors celebrated their nation’s first championship.
At mid-season, 160 young readers are registered in the Haines Public Library’s summer reading program, “Universe of Stories.” The free program offers programs and prizes that incentivize reading. Youths can still register for the program that ends July 24, said coordinator Holly Davis.
All are invited to a farewell potluck for Chris and Cyndi Carlson 4 p.m. Saturday at the Valley of the Eagles Golf Links. Chris has served the past year as transitional pastor at Haines Presbyterian Church. Incoming permanent pastor Dana Perreard of Iowa starts on the job July 1. Chris called up 14 friends from Kingwood, Texas to staff this week’s annual Vacation Bible School. Sixty-five students are participating.
Leslie Ross reports that standout Canadian swimmer Stephanie Dixon was a recent guest at her inn on Second Avenue. Born without a right leg or hip, Dixon has won 15 medals in the Paralympic Games and is considered one of the world’s greatest swimmers with a disability. Dixon, 35, is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame. She started swimming at age 2.
Paul Wheeler and Jeanne Kitayama celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Haines Brewing Co. Friday with friends, customers and special guests from out of town. Rick Leader, who purchased the first keg of the couple’s beer while managing Dalton City’s Klondike Saloon, came from Sand Point, Idaho. First brewery employee Todd Anderson, wife Denise Chambers and their two daughters visited from New York state. Alex “The Shovel” Juren’s photo of a monkey gazing into a growler in front of the Taj Majal won the People’s Choice Award during a judging of 170 photos of HBC growlers taken at locations around the world.
The final game of the Haines little league season starts 6 p.m. Thursday at Fair Field. “It’s been a good season. We’ve had unbelievable weather and some good competition,” said board member Susan Weerasinghe. About 30 youths have played in the league, led by coaches Jesse McGraw, Liz Segars, Lynzee Swinton, Will Prisciandaro, Mike Stuart, and Steve and Ann Fossman. Anyone interested in organizing a league for older players next year should contact Weerasinghe.
If you can bake a pie, consider donating one to the Haines Woman’s Club annual pie sale at the Fourth of July celebration in Tlingit Park. The club typically sells about 60 pies during park festivities. Bring your pie to the park before 11 a.m. on Independence Day or contact club president Judy Ewald, 766-2455, for a pie pick-up. Proceeds will benefit the Eldred Rock lighthouse restoration effort.