Rahsaan Gregg has taken on the important role of cannoneer for the “Bloomer Blast” this year. The tradition started when Jim Shook originally stuffed the cannon with denim fabric, until Sue Waterhouse shared her idea to blast bloomers instead. The “Bloomer Blast” has seen distances of 49 ft. to 289 ft. in previous years. This year’s bloomers went 142 ft. Dalton Landen guessed correctly and walked away with two round-trip tickets to Juneau donated by Alaska Seaplanes.
A delightful blueberry mint cheesecake, made locally by Peter Kohlstedt, or Grandma Pete, was up for bid at the KHNS dessert auction on Monday. The cheesecake went for $360 to Mario Juarez and Mike and Mary Jean Borcik. Juarez is a former Haines resident whot is back in town for a visit from Seattle. He launched his journalism career in Skagway in 1981 and spent several years reporting for KHNS in the Upper Lynn Canal. While in town he is being hosted by Chip and Heather Lende. He says that supporting public radio is more important than ever, encouraging others to do the same.
Brooklyn Dewitt recently graduated from Mount Edgecumbe High School. Dewitt is back in Haines and can be spotted performing with the Chilkat Valley Dancers at their local events. She plans to attend Alaska Bible College in Palmer to pursue a degree in youth ministry. Ultimately, Dewitt is planning for a career in counseling and wants to help people in need.
The Fourth of July “Mad Raft Race” starts from Chilkoot Lake, travels down the river and over the weir. “Team Taco” paddled away with the title “Best in Show” this year, according to a social media post by the Chamber of Commerce. Makayla Meyers was the captain of the raft. Her first mate and skilled raft-builder was Jessica Gutierrez. Meyers crunched the numbers and determined that two air mattresses and some fishing floats should do the trick. Team Taco wrapped the flotation base in plastic wrap and duct tape. Meyers says that the crossing of the weir was their biggest challenge in the race. She compared that portion of the race to the movie Mission Impossible. According to the crew, the vessel sustained damage to one of the air mattresses and will not likely be on the high seas anytime soon.
Ketch Jacobson had the best cake he ever tasted recently. The cake was made by Krystal Lloyd for a whale-watching wedding on the Fjordland. Two out-of-towners visiting on a cruise ship, planned a wedding with the help of Alison Jacobson and Alaska Fjordlands Inc. Krystal Lloyd says that the wedding cake was a white cake with a hint of almond, a homemade buttercream frosting and silk flowers.
The Haines Fourth of July parade Grand Marshal was a community-nominated local couple. Barb and Jerry Blood have spent 35 years in Haines and were proud to represent the community in the parade this year. Barb was happy to report that her grandson, Charlie Blood, was the youngest finisher of the Ripinsky Run this year. Other notable finishers in the mountain race were Braydon Nichols for the best dance moves and best hug (and oldest finisher) was Vince Hansen.
Girls On Ice Alaska is an expedition that was started in 2012 by three glaciologists. Lucia Chapell recently had the opportunity to attend the tuition-free expedition to the Eastern Alaska Range. Chapell says that she started the first day at the University of Alaska Fairbanks prepping her equipment. The team went on to the base camp at Gulkana Glacier to learn the safest ways to travel on the glacier and use an ice axe to get to the top. They spent the night at the top and were snowed on, which was quite the show for visitors from down south. The team learned to probe an area to determine it was safe, as well as digging a snow pit and interpreting the information. The expedition also focused on art, including sketching, watercolor painting, mixed media and embroidery.
The program was previously funded by UAF and is intended to inspire young women to get involved in science and art but. Now is supported by donors. Chapell says she would encourage others to apply to this rare and exciting opportunity.
The Haines swimming pool is back in business and the reopening was celebrated with burgers and dogs grilled up by Mayor Tom Morphet. He had some help on the grill from burger aficionado Norm Smith. The plant room at the pool was full of people of all ages enjoying the newly spruced-up community pool and meeting area. A special thanks goes out to the borough’s maintenance team of Dave Long and Eddie Bryant for their hard work on the project.
Longtime wearable arts supporter and artist Kate Boor has been working on an outfit that features bottle caps and recycled material for the competition. Entries are due by July 31 and the competition ON WHAT DATE will feature live judging, as well as cash prizes and gift certificates for the winners. Boor said there will be one last workshop for anyone interested in getting help with their projects on Sunday, July 20 at Harriet Hall from 4-6 p.m.
The University of Alaska Southeast named a group of Haines students as honors students for the spring of 2025. On the chancellor’s list were Aurora Alten-Huber, Lydia Green, and Summer Lynch, while Aubrey Katzeek made the dean’s list. Students on the former are recognized for having a 4.00 gradepoint average, while the latter have an average between 3.50 and 3.99.
Sen. Jessie Kiehl and Andi Story gave legislative citations to at least four residents this week, including official recognition for daycare provider Kim Larsen, longtime arts council president Tom Heywood, and two posthumous citations for former Haines Borough Mayor Mike Case and pilot Sam Wright.