It was a numerically coincidental year for Eddie Lee Bryant who celebrated 24 years at the Haines Borough on May 24, of 2024.
During the Haines Friends of Recycling electronics recycling event last weekend, 37 volunteers took in 11,540 pounds of e-waste from 111 people on Friday and Saturday. Melissa Aronson said they’ve collected 245,233 pounds of e-waste over the last 18 years. She sent a “giant ‘thank you’” to all of the volunteers as they’re what keeps the organization able to promote recycling and reduce waste in the Chilkat Valley.
Peterson’s Pretzels is raising money for the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation as the group’s first Business Partnership Program partner. Owner Chris Peterson is looking to raise $1,000 for the Foundation by giving out a complimentary pretzel to anyone who orders a minimum of $8.50 worth of food and makes a $10 donation at checkout. Peterson said he’ll match up to $500 in donations toward the goal. As of June 12, they’ve raised $500.
The Haines Visitor Center has launched its 2024 photo contest. The theme is People in Action and they’re looking for photos of people doing outdoor activities in and around Haines. Throughout the summer, staff will pick weekly winners who will get $50 gift cards to a local business. Atnthe end of the summer they’ll pick a first-place winner who will receive a $500 Alaska Airlines gift card, then second- and third-place winners who will get a $200 gift card to a local business of choice and a $100 gift card to a local business of choice respectively. Information and entries can be found at visithaines.com/photo-contest.
Several locals including Yuko Hays, Bryan O’Riley, Helen Alten, and Bev Schupp, participated in a portrait painting workshop at the Haines Sheldon Museum with visiting artist Kerry Dunn. Donna Catotti and Rob Goldberg hosted the workshop from June 3 – 7. This is the seventh portrait workshop in Haines with teachers from Philadelphia-based art school Studio Incamminati. Catotti, who has been hosting the workshops, said there are a wide range of skill levels in the group – each learning the Incamminati method, which is based in classical painting technique. “Everybody had fun and, you know, that’s the bottom line. We’re all going to learn something, but just remember to have fun and don’t judge yourself. Don’t compare yourself to your neighbor. We’ve got all different abilities here.” This year the group had local models, too – they painted Tim Ackerman at the Haines Sheldon Museum, Georgiana Hotch at Catotti’s house, and Stitch Phillips.