
(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Robin Oaks stacks pottery in a kiln during an art club meeting on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at the Haines High School. Students are putting the last minute touches on pieces they’ll be selling at an annual holiday bazaar over the weekend.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) MJ Hotch puts the finishing touches on a Lingít phrase that translates to “Merry Christmas” on a set of block printed holiday cards she made to sell at a weekend holiday bazaar on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) A block print designed by Ezra Nash is the Haines high school art club’s new logo, shown here on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Haines, Alaska. Merchandise printed with the logo and several other student pieces will be on sale at an annual holiday bazaar over the weekend.

Tod Overmyer pins a new badge on his son, new firechief Zak Overmyer, Monday, Novermber 17, 2025. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News)

(Jane Pascoe/Chilkat Valley News)
Alison Adams, Nene Wolf and Tom Heywood play music in an elevator in the Gateway Building during First Friday on Nov. 7, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

Joan Snyder celebrated her 97th birthday at Haines Assisted Living on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) John Svenson tells a story during a “Bird is the Word” themed Rivertalk storytelling event on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Audience members enjoy storytelling during the “Bird is the Word” themed Rivertalk event on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) (left) Lorrie Dudzik and Michael Marks watch a storyteller during a special “Bird is the Word” themed Rivertalk on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Tim Ackerman tells the story of an as-of-yet-unidentified bird he photographed in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve during a “Bird is the Word” themed Rivertalk storytelling event on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Audience members enjoy storytelling during the “Bird is the Word” themed Rivertalk event on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

Kelleen Adams tells the story of a crow who often visited after her husband moved him out harm’s way along Lutak Road near Haines, Alaska. Adams joined six other storytellers for a River Talk storytelling event ‘The Bird is the Word’ on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the Chilkat Center. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

The first major snowfall of the year near the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News)

Ryan Hanson tows an eagle-fest visitor back onto the road, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News)

The first major snowfall of the year in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News)

The first major snow of the year falls onto the Chilkat, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News)

Jones Hotch watches Lani Hotch speak as the two are honored for their conservation work in the Chilkat Valley on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Despite the wind and rain, about a dozen people — many in costume — showed up for the annual witches paddle on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Despite the wind and rain, Amanda Painter and about a dozen other people came out for an annual witches paddle on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the Small Boat Harbor in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) About a dozen people showed up for the annual witches paddle on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the Small Boat Harbor in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Juniper Talley, and Amanda Painter fish a wet witches hat out of the water during the annual witches paddle on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in the Small Boat Harbor in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) An annual witches paddle drew about a dozen people to the Small Boat Harbor on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) (left) Zane Bradley and (right) Amanda Painter, were among the dozen people who showed up for the annual witches paddle on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in the Small Boat Harbor in Haines, Alaska.

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Lynette Hart paddles around in the Small Boat Harbor on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Haines, Alaska. Hart and about a dozen other people showed up for the annual witches paddle.