Barb Blood missed the annual Hospice of Haines sale in May. She and her husband are relocating to Sitka after decades in Haines. She took this opportunity to give a bit more to Hospice by donating all the proceeds from her yard sale to them last weekend. Blood said that nonprofit has been so helpful to her family members in the past, and she appreciates the service they provide.
The Steinfeld family is in town. Ed Steinfeld and Zhuqing Li are visiting from Providence, RI, with their son, Daniel Steinfeld. Daniel is visiting from Washington, D.C. They rolled into town to visit Will Steinfeld, dedicated CVN writer and hiker of big mountains. The family had countless adventures while in Haines. They went bear spotting at Chilkoot, and found the family of brown bears feeding. They paddled the lake to enjoy the best view in town, and even managed to dine on some freshly picked Mount Riley blueberries. The blueberry stains and memories should last a lifetime.
The Haines public library was at it again, teaching the kids how to make fresh salsa and guacamole at an outdoor workshop. Holly Davis accomplished the most important task: she found three quality avocados, not always an easy endeavor. One of the guacamole makers on hand was Ruth Mason. Mason said she’s seen her mom, Hannah Mason, make guacamole before, but using a recipe was a new spin on it. The group whipped up a fresh salsa. Davis said that they used locally grown produce whenever possible. The enthusiastic snack makers walked away with newfound knowledge and some guacamole and salsa.
Art enthusiasts flocked to the third annual Art Exhibition hosted by Four Winds Resource Center. Organizer and artist Julie Korsmeyer said that the donation-based event drew in more than 75 people before 7 p.m. A silent auction was available for some items. Beau Bradley walked out with a Mardell Gunn original mosaic mirror that may or may not show up for everyone to enjoy at The Book Store. The appetizer table was an amazing display with vegan lettuce wraps, pizza, brownies and cookies. Neighbors Tom Binder and Kelsey Lovig each contributed a wine and a prosecco to share with the crowd.
Most of the members of the Double Take band – Joe Aultman-Moore was missing – were present to supply music for the art show. The impromptu set included the John Prine song “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You into Heaven Anymore.” Some of the local artists displaying their works were Kelsey Lovig, Yuko Hays, Mardell Gunn, Andrea Nelson, Donna Catotti, Julie Korsmeyer, Rebecca Brewer, Amelia Nash, Chrissie White, Gerri Marquart, Russ White, Cindy Buxton, Julie Folta, Deb Stanford, Dave Pahl, George Figdor, Tom Binder, Jimmy Combs, Gabrielle St. Clair and Baylee Pearson. Korsmeyer says that the event generated $1,214 in donations.
Cami Fullerton is home after completing an introduction to heavy and light duty diesel mechanic class in Fairbanks. The class was hosted by the operating engineers union local 302, instructors and Alaska Operators engineer employees. Fullerton learned about hydraulic systems, transmission filters, lubricants and servicing heavy equipment, and can confirm that it is a dirty job. She is on the prowl for a new career and hopes the program is a step in the right direction. She is applying for an apprenticeship through Local 302.
Southeast Alaska Independent Living hosted its annual picnic on the Park Stage at the fairgrounds. Sierra Kaden Jimenez says that they made 50 pounds of burgers for the crowd as well as offering hotdogs, potato salad and watermelon. The SAIL picnic was perfectly arranged in close proximity to the farmers’ market and community garden. This allowed maximum musical entertainment from the group Keep The Pool Open. They supplied the perfect soundtrack for a sunny afternoon.
Haines Friends of Recycling (HFR) held its annual scrap metal drive for members. Melissa Aronson says the operation involved 12 volunteers on Friday and 13 on Saturday, four hours each day, mostly for the breakdown and separation of donated washers and dryers. She says that nine volunteers contributed a couple days of work prior to the event. The volunteers separated and saved the parts from the washers and dryers, and sold them to be used as compost bins and burn barrels, at the Scrap Box. The remaining metal was carefully arranged in a 40-foot van and sent to Seattle. HFR sends six vans a year for recycling in Seattle.