Haines graduate Royal Henderson has graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law. He plans to return home for eight weeks to study for the multi-state bar exam on July 30. Afterward he’ll move to Washington D.C. “He graduated with honors with a double degree in political science and history from Gonzaga and went on to Gonzaga’s accelerated law program and finished in two years,” said Royal’s mother Lenise Henderson-Fontenot.
Chevy Fowler has returned from University of Alaska Fairbanks graduation ceremony along with his girlfriend Catherine Sample and parents, Bob and Christy Fowler and brother Marty. Chevy graduated with a degree in civil engineering and now works for Southeast Road Builders as their assistant project engineer. Chevy reconnected with many friends he hasn’t seen in more than a year to help him celebrate, including Haines graduate Kai Sato-Franks who is finishing his masters and his girlfriend Linda Folger. “We had a big family barbeque that also celebrated my good friend Will Paneak from Anaktuvuk Pass. He graduated in accounting and was the first to graduate from college in his family.” Chevy said.
Ron and Jacque Horn have been in Skagway for two months filling in as pastors for the First Presbyterian Church while Pastor Ryan Mandeville and his wife Lisa were away having a baby in Seattle. The couple, who served previously with Haines Presbyterian Church, also spent a week in Haines and caught up with friends Wayne and Donna Walter. They are now back in Lander, Wyoming where they moved to be closer to family.
The Southeast Alaska State Fair’s annual Spring Fling brought sunny weather and family fun. “We had amazing weather, lots of carnival games for kids including a bounce house that was a hit,” said fair director Kari Johnson. Sweet Sunny North also played live music and photographer Melissa Ganey documented of the event. Kari credits the hard work of the great volunteers that helped make the event possible.
JJ Hinderberger has received the head principal job at Mendenhall River Community School in Juneau. JJ has previously been the elementary school principal in Dutch Harbor for the past two years and is excited to be closer to family. Her sister Eliza Dohrn and brother-in-law Justin Dohrn live in Juneau along with their children James and Molly. “I am so happy she will be closer to all of us,” said proud mom Heather Lende.
Nicole Lorentz and her daughter Isla traveled to Marion, Illinois for her college roommate Amanda Shepard’s wedding to Aaron Cary. Nicole and Amanda attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa together. On the way back, Nicole stopped to see her friend Alisha Young in Seattle.
Rebekah McCoy and her music studio hosted their spring recital last week and there were more than 35 performances to enjoy by students ranging from 5 to 17 years old. “We featured pieces with a variety of styles ranging from the The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. We even had a brother/sister duet on the classic “Chopsticks,” McCoy said.
Gary Jacobson returned from a Western U.S. tour that started in his home state of Kansas where he attended a funeral. Gary also traveled to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. “Highlights were the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Teton, Yellowstone National parks, a 60-mile Jeep trail throughout the Valley of the Gods, the LaSalle Mountains and the Oregon coast,” Jacobson said. The four-week trip put about 10,000 miles on his truck and camper. Jacobson is back in town briefly enough to do some laundry and then head on a three-week trip through Alaska.
A good turnout was held at the Moosterious Emporium for the viewing of Rock Paper Fish, a documentary about Constantine Metals exploration activities at the Palmer Project. Audience members participated in question-and-answer session after the film with Lynn Canal Conservation’s Eric Holle and Jessica Platcha.
The Haines community has donated more than 200 pairs of shoes to the non-profit Soles4Souls which helps create jobs and provide relief with the distribution of clothing around the world. The organization repurposes product to supply with disaster relief and other programs. “People are encouraged to bring their gently used shoes to either the Haines School lobby or Haines Presbyterian Church by May 24,” said volunteer Shannon McPhetres. For more information visit soles4souls.org.