About a dozen people showed up to shake their bodies in what organizers hope will become a regular weekly afternoon “Dance Break” on Friday afternoon. Organizer Stephanie Smith originally hoped for 80 people to show up on the corner of Main Street and Second Ave, but was happy with the turnout in the end, which was boosted by people like Matt Leingang, a visiting heliskier, who sprinted out of the adjacent Fogcutter Bar to join in the fun. “We had a great time — it was a little chilly,” said Smith. The group had some trouble getting the Bluetooth speaker connected to a cell phone to broadcast KHNS, which announced the dance break. Smith said she was “very scared and very nervous” that nobody would show up as she waited with her husband Steve Smith on Main Street. She said she hoped others were dancing inside at their workplaces as well, and that the event would continue to grow in popularity.
The Haines Hot Shots recently returned from a trip to the Western Regional Junior Clay Target Championships in Las Vegas, where eight youths from Haines competed. Coach Nicole Holm said the competition was tough, with 497 participants and a strong wind that made the trajectories of the clay pigeons unpredictable. “The wind was smashing them into the ground before the kids could even shoot them,” said Holm. The sprawling facility had eight different shooting fields, and youth competed in International Skeet, American Skeet, American Trap and Sporting Clays. For the Haines contingent, the International Skeet competition was an entirely new format, and overall, Holm said the team didn’t quite perform up to their ability. “It was a good trip, the kids learned a lot. They didn’t do badly, but just new terrain, new weather,” said Holm. “We are very used to mountains, trees, backdrops. Down there, there’s nothing. Our kids shoot really well when they’re standing in the rain.” she said. Trygve Hermann, a Juneau resident traveling with the Hot Shots, managed to snag a silver medal. Dawson Holm scored a solid 86/100 in the trap competition. The team is preparing for state championships in June in Birchwood.
Former Haines resident Patricia Anne Devoe Gilchrist passed away March 22 at her home in Corvallis, Mont. Gilchrist was born in Maine but lived in several communities in Alaska in the 1960s and 1970s, including Anchorage, Kodiak. Gilchrist resided in Haines from 1969 until 1975. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family a www.dalyleachchapel.com
The Port Chilkoot Distillery opens Friday after a winter closure and owner Heather Shade said visitors can expect some new products. The first is a Mai Tai cocktail that is ready to serve from the can. She said the Mai Tai is the company’s own take on the cocktail that falls somewhere between the original recipe and the more modern fruity versions. Starting this year, the company will sell canned cocktails in the tasting room in addition to the cocktails mixed at the bar. The distillery will also introduce its own agave spirit, similar to tequila, in May. The product is fermented from blue agave syrup and then distilled in Haines. Shade said the recipe took years to perfect. “We really wanted it to be a smooth sipping tequila that you could enjoy on its own and not have to mix it,” she said. The distillery will start offering tours led by Jenn Reid, and the tasting room will be managed by Lucy Nieboer. New state regulations allow for a 9 p.m. closing time, and limited on-site entertainment. The distillery will be open Thursday to Saturday from 2-9 p.m. through April, and Monday through Saturday beginning in May. “I’m excited for the new energy of the year,” Shade said.
Mayor Tom Morphet said residents who can’t afford trash bags can pick up prepaid bags at his office at the borough administration building.. Recently, trash dumping was found along Lutak Road, prompting concern from officials about illegal dumping. Prepaid trash bags from Community Waste Solutions cost $3 for six-gallon bags, $6.50 for 13-gallon bags and $12.50 for 30-gallon bags. “Prices are high and paying the bills can seem like robbery. I know how that can feel,” Morphet wrote on his blog. He said he paid for the bags with a portion of the $1,000 from the mayor’s discretionary fund. He also used some of the fund to pay for snacks for the April 5 First Friday at the borough administration building. “I want to have discussions of ideas outside of assembly chambers,” said Morphet. “We’ll see if anybody shows up.”
Ramie Carlson is the new owner of Main Street art shop Ampersand after she bought it from previous owners Amelia Nash and Andrea Nelson. The shop sells different art from jewelry to ceramics and woodwork made mostly by local artists. “Running a boutique business is something I’ve been interested in for a long time,” said Carlson, “I really believe in the business model that Amelia and Andrea have built.” Carlson previously worked as a teacher at Haines School. She said she has dabbled in art for years beginning in high school under the tutelage of Juneau art teachers Tom and Marianne Manning, but for now will focus on selling other artists’ work. For now, Carlson doesn’t have any major changes planned for how the business will look, but she said she’s looking at boosting its online profile. The store will be open for First Friday from 5-7 p.m. where you can meet Carlson. Through the month of April, the store will be open 11 a.m.5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Alaska Mountain Guides is requesting the state expand its permit to conduct ATV tours in the area around Flower Mountain, about 30 miles north of Haines. The guide service currently has a permit to run five ATV trips per day, and is requesting the state’s Department of Natural Resources extend that to nine daily trips. It’s also asking to extend the season end date by one month, and add an additional tour road. AMG owner Sean Gaffney didn’t respond to phone calls or an email left on Wednesday, the day the amendment appeared in the state’s online public notice system. The public has until April 17 to submit comments about the amendment to [email protected].