Rhonda and Rod Hinson are back from volunteering at the start of the Yukon Quest, the 1,000-mile international sled dog race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Y.T. It started in the Yukon capital on Feb. 4. The Hinsons have been going more than 10 years and find the Whitehorse race start exciting. (The race start alternates between the two cities each year.) The family’s business, Alaska Rod’s, sponsored Ed Hopkins from Tagish Lake Kennels this year. The Quest relies on a team of volunteers. To get involved, contact Natalie Haltrich at 867-668-4711.
Students attending universities have been recognized for academic achievements during the 2016 fall semester. From the University of Alaska-Southeast chancellor’s list: Amy George and Jasmine Taylor-Bryant; from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks dean’s list: Scott S. Hansen, Quinn Asquith-Heinz, Rebekah A. Green, from University of Alaska-Anchorage: Amey Messerschmidt; and from Central Oregon Community College: Jessica Giddings.
The Haines Chamber of Commerce has announced 2017 board officers. John Hagen is president. Kyle Gray is vice-president. Michael Ganey is secretary and Gregg Richmond is treasurer. Officers hold their positions for one year.
Bingo at the ANB/ANS Hall on Fridays in February will get an added boost from the Chamber of Commerce, which has added $25 to the prize pot for two random games. On Feb. 24, a potato bar will be served. Bingo starts at 7 p.m.
It’s not too late to sign up for the Haines Chamber of Commerce Quickbooks 2016 training for beginners and intermediate users. QuickBooks certified instructor Shonda Belknap will lead two sessions Friday, Feb. 24 and two on Saturday, Feb. 25. Call 766-2202 to register. The cost is $175, and $125 for chamber members.
About 25 people gathered Saturday at the public library to talk about the future of the Chilkat Valley News. Visiting journalist and author Kay Larson and Carol Tuynman mediated the discussion and owner Tom Morphet explained the history of the paper. The newspaper is currently for sale and Morphet is hoping to keep ownership in Haines. Attendees were asked for ideas on how the Chilkat Valley News can continue to represent the community and meet local needs.
If the photo on the cover of the Alaska Power and Telephone phone book looks familiar, it might be because it’s also on the cover of the 2016 Haines Visitor’s Guide. Tom Ganner snapped the shot of the cub eating a chunk of salmon with two paws at Chilkoot Lake with sow Speedy in 2015.
Tony Tengs is caring for Helen Tengs while Christy and Marty Fowler are in Hawaii visiting Chevy Fowler. Chevy is attending the University of Hawaii through the exchange program offered at UAF this year. Tony has been in Cordova most of the year working for the Alaska Marine Highway on the Fairweather, which currently is sailing out of the Prince William Sound port.
John Hunt has returned after sailing through the Sea of Cortez with friend Keith Cochrane from Albuquerque, N. M. and John Poole from Silverton, Colo. aboard a 30-foot sloop, a single-masted sailboat. It’s been 20 years since John crewed on a sailboat and it was a wonderful trip with lots of music, he said. The sunrises and sunsets were spectacular sailing from San Carlos to Baja, Mexico. In San Carlos, he met up with Pat Philpott and Norm Smith. Pat once owned a sailboat in San Carlos. On the return, he visited with Amanda Randles’ father, author Slim Randles, in Albuquerque, before heading to Oregon to see John Boswell and Diana Boro in Corvallis. He was in Portland for the first birthday of grandson Leo Landau with daughter Abby and her husband Lauren Landau, twin brother Chip Hunt and sister Sharon Knudtson.
Cooking for the Chilkat Valley Preschool fundraiser on Saturday wasn’t a first for Julie Rae. Julie remembers cooking hot dogs for the preschool during the Winter Festival at the 25 Mile oval in 1981. She helped Deana Stout cook a gourmet meal Saturday at Harriett Hall to support the school’s building project.
Dr. Lucia Nascimento, program manager and dental provider at the SEARHC Haines dental clinic, has received an Achievement Medal Award from Indian Health Services. She was recognized for her leadership and dedication to bringing improvements to the SEARHC Haines dental program. The clinic is also staffed by Dr. Raymond Reeves and the midlevel dental provider Summer Lynch.
Last week’s Chilkat Valley News misidentified a man in a photograph at the Haines Sheldon Museum. The man was Dustin Craney of Haines. The CVN apologizes for the error.