The Haines Senior Center lunch got a cupcake surprise recently. Glenda Gilbert brought 50 cupcakes from the Chilkat Bakery to celebrate Mary Manuell’s birthday. Manuell went on a ride out to Chilkoot Lake after lunch and cupcakes.

A moose Alaska Seaplanes staff are calling Donald wandered onto the tarmac recently in Haines, Alaska. (Courtesy/Cami Renee)

Cami Renee was working at the airport when Donald, the moose, strolled out of the brush early Saturday morning and onto the tarmac. He worked his way right up to the front door for a photo opportunity, before making his way back to the marsh. According to Cami, the moose is about a year old and is most often spotted with his mom. Donald’s mom has not earned a name yet.

The bartering system is alive and well. Jim Stanford had the perfect chains for the Bobcat that Chuck Karl used to help clear a brand new spot for the Victory Garden at Mosquito Lake. The exchange benefited the community garden just in time for Stanford and Diz Kistler to give a comprehensive instruction and safety class to volunteers at the garden on using the new equipment that will cut 30-inch wide garden beds to expand the area for even more fresh, community-grown plants and vegetables. 

The Chilkoot Indian Association hosted an event at its new location at the CIA dock. The Discover Deishu grand opening was a packed house on Friday night. The first 50 people walked away with gift bags for showing up early. Vija Pelekis received high praise for the locally focused food; the fresh oysters were a high point for many. There was a beach fire and local artwork as well as the unveiling of a totem originally carved by Alaskan Indian Arts. Those in the crowd also enjoyed a performance by the Chilkat Dancers. 

Plant sale season is in full swing. Blythe Carter’s garden on Friday afternoon was a great place to find fresh herbs and flowers. The Four Winds Resource Center had a nice selection of tomatoes, sunflowers, and brassicas to choose from. There is even a farm stand set up, roadside, by some kids at 25 Mile, and you can pick up some seed potatoes. But the hidden gem might have been Ryan Eckert’s “Rabbit Tea.”  You could purchase this concentrated milk jug or wine bottle of magic juice and get your garden looking right, with proper use. He also had grain sacks, compliments of Haines Brewery, filled with soil builder made of forest organics, rabbit manure, seaweed and biochar. After doing “hours of poo research,” Eckert can assure you that rabbit poop is the best poop there is. If you feel like you know of a better poo for your garden, do tell. 

If you happen to stroll by Olerud’s Market to admire their tulips, you might notice that most of them have been intentionally cut. Charlotte Olerud was out sweeping and preparing for the day when she noticed the act of vandalism. Olerud would like to encourage the people of Haines to speak up if they see suspicious activity like this. 

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