Bill Kurz died Monday of kidney failure at his Comstock Road home. He was 74. Kurz was active in local politics for decades, including the Republican Party. He was a founding member of the Haines Port Development Council, an active member of the Haines Chamber of Commerce and for years videotaped government meetings for broadcast on the local cable channel. Family members were expected in town later this week.
The car rental company Enterprise has featured Haines in its digital magazine, “Pursuits.” The segment follows conservation photographer Morgan Heim as she travels to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The piece features the familiar faces of Jenty Fowler, Gary Hess, Christy Tengs-Fowler, Leia Minch, Paul Wheeler and Dan Egolf.
If you’ve been following the reality TV “Gold Rush,” you can look forward to a three-part docu-series featuring Parker Schnabel. “Gold Rush: Parker’s Trail” follows Parker, Rick Ness, Karla Ann, and cameramen James Levelle as they hike the Chilkoot Trail and follow the footsteps of stampeders during the Klondike Gold Rush. The new show premieres Friday, March 31 on the Discovery Channel.
Neil Einsbruch is back from a trip to see mother Doris Einsbruch in Boca Raton, Fla. He shot a lot of billiards and visited with Sue Waterhouse, who was also in the area. He traveled to Cherry Hill, N.J., to celebrate daughter Rachel Einsbruch’s 30th birthday with brother Alan Einsbruch and cousin Fred Einspruch. Before heading home, Neil stopped in Portland, Ore. to spend time with Carol Acheson, a friend from high school. They also visited with Fred Shields and Elizabeth Burgio who were passing through the area.
Brandie Stickler is currently enrolled in the University of North Dakota’s distance Mechanical Engineering Program, which allows her to further her education while remaining in Haines with her family, husband Jim Stickler and son James. Recently Brandie was invited to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and given an award for academic excellence. Fewer than 10 percent of the students enrolled at UND receive this award for academic performance.
Hali Brownell is back from visiting mom Vicki Gardner in Maui, Hawaii. Hali enjoyed Snuba diving, a form of diving that uses compressed air cylinders that remain on the surface. The rainy and cloudy days were a disappointment, but the bright spot was that she returned with her sister Neva Brownell. She also had a surprise visit from Norm Hughes, who spotted her while she was sitting in a café.
There are several opportunities this spring to develop your artistic skills. Classes with local artist Tresham Gregg will begin March 11 and will run through late April on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 1:30-3 p.m. at the American Bald Eagle Foundation. ABEF is presenting a series of wildlife art classes working from wildlife specimens. Participants will be guided through basic anatomical sketching and drawing and then move on to more complex composition.
Studio Incamminati, a four-year non-profit school for contemporary realism based in Philadelphia, will have a live event on Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Alaska time on its Facebook page. Instructors Lea Wight, who taught a portrait workshop here in 2015, and Natalie Italiano, who will be teaching portrait painting here this summer, will take questions from around the world. There is space available in a portrait workshop in Haines July 10-14. It will be held at the ANB Hall and hosted by Catotti and Goldberg Art Studio.
Public Library and Haines Senior Center volunteer Bette Massey has returned to her home on Farm Island at the mouth of the Stikine River. Bette has been here since October and hopes to return next fall. She is niece of the late Betty and Arne Israelson who lived here for many years.
Catholic Sister Delia Sizler, a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, spoke at the Christian Women’s Fellowship at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She traveled from Juneau where her current ministry is at the AWARE shelter. Sister Dee has been an assistant dean to college students, involved in ministries to homeless women and children, and a counselor to pastoral ministers. The fellowship next meets 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8 at Port Chilkoot Bible Church. All women are invited.