On a recent trip to Oklahoma, George and Lynette Campbell were guests of Tulsa philanthropist Roger Hardesty. George toured with Hardesty in his Blackhawk helicopter to witness invasive feral hog damage to local crops. Hardesty was excited to receive seafood from local Haines fishermen. George and Lynette also toured the million-dollar stream bank enhancement and revegetation sites along the Arkansas River near Stone Bluff, work performed as mitigation for a new casino complex. George noted that many of the stream bank restoration practices were similar to work his local company performed as part of the mitigation for the Haines Highway project.
Professor Wayne Price came home to Haines for spring break last week. He was welcomed by wife Cheri Price with a turkey dinner with all the fixings alongside son Steven Price and friends Aly Zeiger and Bitan Gray. Wayne is teaching Northwest Coast Native Art at University of Alaska Southeast. Students are making bentwood boxes and traditional carving tools while learning to carve handles and forge steel. Although he has taught the skills before in different settings, this is the first time UAS has offered the course.
Local herbalist Lemmie Spradlin returned to Haines March 8 after being medevaced to Juneau on Jan. 8 with a two-part break to her right ankle. Dr. Daniel Harrah told her that her bones are so strong that they seem to be 20 years younger than she is, Lemmie said. Lemmie says she was well-cared for while recovering at Wildflower Court in Juneau. She enjoyed sharing meals with Haines local Kim Grimes, and says that he was really wonderful and good-hearted. Her spirits were lifted thanks to Marilyn Harrold who sent a card full of signatures from students in the Tai Chi class she regularly attends. “I have never been so homesick in my life. I missed the people.” She is very happy to be home.
Melvin Starr Jr. of Juneau traveled to Haines to visit his grandmother Josie Johnson of Klukwan. They have enjoyed their time together, playing cards and visiting with Josie’s friends.
Takshanuk Watershed Council director Meredith Pochardt has returned to Haines after a trip to Oregon to defend her thesis titled “Harnessing Environmental DNA to Monitor the Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Eulachon in Northern Southeast Alaska.” She has succeeded and achieved a Masters of Science in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University. Mom Pattie Campbell traveled from New York state in support of her daughter, and they managed to sneak in a day on the coast. Data used in the thesis was collected in partnership with Chilkoot Indian Association and Takshanuk Watershed Council beginning in 2010. A community presentation is being planned for April, time and date to be determined.
Kim H. Grimes passed away on Feb. 3 in Juneau. He was born Oct. 2, 1955 in Fresno, Calif. to Donald and Geraldine Grimes of Clovis, Calif. He is survived by both parents, his children Kyle Grimes (Celeste) of Haines, Erin Funderburk of Kennewick, Wash., Lindsay Norsa of San Diego, Calif., six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, brother Kirk Grimes (Susan), one nephew and the mother of his three children Julie Banfield Moe of Juneau. A memorial will be held in JuneauRemembrances may be made in his honor to The Salvation Army or Wildflower Court.