Titus Solomon Thorgesen was born to Christopher and Amy Thorgesen at Bartlett Memorial Hospital in Juneau on March 30. Titus weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. and measured 21 inches. He joins siblings Abigail 17, Mathias 14, Levi 13, Joseph 11, Faith 10, Tierza 9, Holly 7, Scarlett 5, and Verity, 3. Titus’ uncle Lee and aunt Darcy Robinson and uncle Kent and aunt Beth Larson have also moved their families to Haines. Grandparents Robert and Donna Thorgesen and Verl and Debra Curtis will be visiting from Colorado.
Brothers Dylan and Keegan Palmieri have been accepted to the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong. The academy is part of the 2017 Oregon Bach Choir Festival held in Eugene, Ore. Dylan was selected for the Bass II section and Keegan in the Bass I section. The renowned, 10-day festival is held in July.
The Sheldon Museum has announced artists who will be profiled during its 2017 Six-Week Spotlight Exhibit in the Elisabeth Hakkinen Gallery. They include Chris Nowicki, Aug. 4 – Sept. 22; Robin Grace and Dana Van Burgh, Oct. 20 – Dec. 2; and Tia Heywood, Dec. 15 – Jan. 27, 2018.
Marty Fowler’s photographs are on display at the First National Bank. The high-definition images are printed on lightweight aluminum on top of a white primer and finished with a glossy, protective coating. They’ll be at the bank through April 10. Marty has an impressive portfolio for a 17-year-old. He was invited to attend the Freeride Finals in Switzerland last year. He also works as a photography guide in the summer.
Lyle and Lauran Huff had a full house over spring break. Ryan and Jenn Huff with their children Caymen 9, Camden 5 and Kinley 3, and Kelly and Rene Huff with their sons Rowan, 6, and Lynden, 3, were all here visiting. The two families live on the same block in Juneau. They enjoyed snowmachining, sledding, driving the tractor and having hot dogs and s’mores around a beach campfire with their grandparents.
The University of Alaska press publication Tidal Echoes has selected writing from JoAnne Ross Cunningham and artwork from Mandy Ramsey and Katie Craney for its 2017 magazine. In its 15th year, the literary and art journal accepts submissions from anyone in Southeast Alaska and typically receives about 350 submissions each year. It will be available later this spring.
Willa Stuart lasted into the third round of Alaska Spelling Bee in Anchorage last week, going out on the word “trattoria,” which is an Italian-style eating establishment. Willa successfully spelled “oolong” and “bellicose.” State bee champion Joshua Saylor of Eagle River won by spelling “comarca,” defined as a local administrative division or region in Spain. Willa flew to Anchorage with father Mike Stuart. Willa said she learned a lot from the experience and will be more prepared if she goes again.
Kim Larson celebrated her 50th birthday with friends Nancy Schnabel, Pam Sloper and Tiana Taylor in Phoenix, Ariz. last week. They attended the Cactus League 2017 Spring Training and saw the Mariners fall to the Angels in a no-hitter. Attending games at five fields, they missed seeing Dylan Baker, now a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Dylan is the son of former resident Rod Baker and attended elementary school here. Sitting outside in the sun at nice restaurants was a highlight for everyone.
Mat and Karli Kelly invited the Stanford family to the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Jim and Deb Stanford, along with daughter Jamie and Jeff Bentley and their children Taelyn, Cyrus, Jema and Ledger made the trip. The reservation 125 miles northeast of Flagstaff is rich in cultural history. The family enjoyed spending time with Mat’s grandmother Janice Day, who taught the family how to open “round rocks,” the geode-like rocks that contain the fine sand that is used in traditional Hopi sand paintings. The rocks vary in size and require gentle pounding to release the colored sand found inside. They found the archaeological ruins around the reservation interesting and hope to bring Janice, Mat and Karli here during the Southeast Alaska State Fair.
Rod and Rhonda Hinson have returned from a month exploring China and Japan. In Beijing, a guide helped explain local food offerings and took them to the Great Wall, palaces and temples. In Japan, they stayed in several bed and breakfasts, which helped them become familiar with the customs of the area. Understanding signs and train schedules was “a little complicated,” but everyone was gracious and helpful, Rhonda said. Highlights included seeing residents in traditional kimonos and snow monkeys bathing in hot springs.
Lee DeFazio, 95, died April 2 in Sumner, Wash., her hometown. Mother of Teresa Hura, Lee was a regular visitor to Haines and loved the town and Alaska, Teresa said this week. Lee’s parents were Swiss immigrants and dairy farmers who helped settle Sumner.
Haines High School grads Forest Podsiki and Tristan Sebens made a trip together to see a few old classmates. They went to Las Vegas with Kelly Edmond to catch a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s “KÀ.” They said the show’s acrobatics and sword play were phenomenal. They returned with Kelly, who lives in Lancaster, Calif., and visited the design firm where he is working on a NASA research plane. Their travels took them to Santa Monica to see former classmate Gus Browning. They toured Riot Games, Inc. where Gus is a character developer for video games. Before heading home, Forest and Tristan headed to Yosemite National Park, where they camped and joined more friends for a hike up Half Dome. Hikers included Edmond, Chandler Kemp, Ellen Ward, Kaitlyn Mosher, Kee Heywood and Belle Nuchjarin.