Sherri Kessner and Josh Piorier were married Dec. 24. “We had originally talked about having a wedding in the summer and inviting all of our family and friends, but that wasn’t in the cards for us,” said Sherri. Family friend Ray Reeves officiated. In attendance were the couple’s three children Zane, Maya and Kano, Josh’s parents Connie and Larry Poirier, Sherri’s sister Shantell Kessner, and Hannah Blillie and her daughter Charlie Katzeek. “It was very small, but so full of love,” said Sherri.
Teolani Lynch, daughter of Holly Irwin and the late Ted Lynch of Haines, and Colton Baker, son of Rod and Lisa Baker of Juneau, were wed in an intimate ceremony Dec. 28 near the Mendenhall Glacier. Colton’s father Rod was the officiate and his brother Dylan Baker was best man. Teolani’s sister Summer Lynch was the maid of honor. Other Haines attendees were Summer’s partner Zach Tarleton and their daughters Lilah and Teal. The couple also welcomed their first child, Sawyer Lanado Baker, at 10:49 p.m. on Jan. 18 in Juneau. Sawyer weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 21 inches. Teolani’s mother Holly and sister Summer were in the room, along with friend Rigel Beckish who was able to sneak up from her shift at the hospital after work to witness the birth. “We can’t wait to get to Haines, but we have to wait for the Baker grandparents to get their fill of him here in Juneau,” Teo said.
Residents Mandy and Scott Ramsey and daughter Lilly Jo, Renee and Daymond Hoffman and children Wesley and Cora, and Alissa and Ira Henry and children Dalton and Makayla met up at Disneyland recently. “We watched the fireworks, kids rode their first rollercoasters, and the best thing is that we were with friends,” said Renee. Renee’s sister Rachelle Herbert was also there for the fun.
Andy Hedden, Jessica Edwards and their daughter Sophia met former resident Debbie (Zmistowski) Fisher and her husband Eric Fisher along with their children Stella and Odin for a few sun-filled weeks on Hawaii’s Big Island. Highlights included snorkeling, seeing tropical fish and coral, watching dolphins from the lanai each morning and encountering a manta ray while kayaking to the Captain Cook monument. The families also enjoyed body surfing in the waves at Kua and Honomalino Bay. “I really liked snorkeling a lot,” said Sophia.
A Chinese food dinner fundraiser for Michael Whittington last weekend was a huge success. Volunteers including Christal Verhamme, Jason and Christie Verhamme, Leslie Whittington, Mariah Morris, Douglas Whittington, and Mariah Chapman prepared 40 pounds of pork and more than 400 egg rolls, raising $2,000. The fundraiser was to help Michael buy a used fifth-wheel trailer and cover other expenses after losing his home in a recent fire. “We are very grateful to the American Legion for allowing us to use the building, and to Olerud’s and IGA for donating food, plus a huge thank you to all of Haines,” said organizer Christal.
Mandy Ramsey’s photo “Inner Glow Dahlia” is on the cover of the winter edition of Alaska Women Speak. Mandy’s poem “Elemental Gratitude” was also selected for the edition.
Alec Jurgeleit and uncle Mike Denker served as captain and first officer, respectively, on their first commercial Horizon Airlines flight together last week from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. Alex flew to Vancouver and Mike flew the return trip. “It’s really special, because Mike really got Alec interested in flying,” said Alec’s mother Anna Jurgeleit. After working for Delta Western for 20 years, Mike decided to go back to his passion of flying and was hired by Horizon Airlines. Alec noticed Mike’s flight pattern and traded his day off so he could fly with his uncle. “They hope to fly more together in the future,” said Anna.
Donnie Michael of Ten Sleep, Wyo. died Dec. 28. He was married to Jan Brown, daughter of Joe and Lena Brown, formerly of Haines. Jan attended school through seventh grade in Haines.