The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation collected nominations for their winter People’s Choice award during Friday’s basketball games against Petersburg. Attendees had the opportunity to nominate a local nonprofit, tribe, or school program for the chance to win a $250 discretionary grant from the CVCF. Nearly 100 people cast nominations for 24 community groups ranging from the Klukwan School language program, to the Haines Animal Rescue Kennel, to Glacier Bears wrestling and basketball programs. Greg Podsiki drew the winning slip at halftime for Becky’s Place.
Former Chilkat Valley News reporter Max Graham was back in the Chilkat Valley for a visit with friends. Graham is currently an independent journalist and correspondent for Northern Journal covering mining and oil. He found time to jump into some pick-up basketball and soccer at the school as well as attend a potluck at the ANB Hall. He reports good food and great company on this visit.
Leigh Horner was in Yakutat for a week judging a lot of books by their cover. Horner has 25 years of experience running the Haines School library, which made her uniquely qualified to cull the books in Yakutat and make room for new books coming in. She says that the four copies of “Cheaper by the Dozen” written in 1957 were an excellent example of what was weeded out of the collection. While she was in town, Horner met up with former Haines resident Aimee Jacobson. Jacobson is the postmaster in Yakutat and, according to Horner, an excellent tour guide. Horner was thrilled to bring back a king salmon to share with Greg Horner, Tim Hockin, Melina Shields, and Darren Shields.
The Northern Lights Showcase featured a wide variety of talent on Sunday evening at the Chilkat Center. Artist Baylee Pearson’s Misfit Prints set up in the lobby. Emcee Dan Mahoney kept the crowd entertained between acts which started with the Haa ku.óo tuwaadax dancers sharing several traditional songs. Ryan Irvin played original music and guitar.JC Davis, who was slated to play a solo show, instead got by with a little help from mom Holly Davis on vocals after he got sick and lost his voice. The duo performed a powerful rendition of Dolly Parton’s Jolene. Ben Aultman-Moore barely made it to the event due to road conditions while returning from minus 35 -degree temperatures in the Yukon. He shared a piece reflecting on his journey down the Lynn Canal with his partner in handcrafted row boats. Chisel Triezenberg showcased his DDF talent by explaining the importance of sporks as cutlery. A community madrigal choir, led by Nancy Nash ‘fa, la, la’d’ their hearts out while Matilda Rogers’ original music and acoustic guitar wowed the crowd before the final act. The show wrapped up with Burl Sheldon, Nancy Berland and Tom Heywood. The trio ended the show with a protest song by Bruce Springsteen.
Susie McCartney has completed a 300-hour course through Borland School of Hypnotherapy. She is now a certified clinical hypnotherapist recognized by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, one of the oldest hypnosis organizations in the United States. Hypnotherapy can be used to increase self confidence, mental and emotional health and in overcoming addiction, grief and loss. McCartney looks forward to helping the community.
Ben Aultman-Moore has added sheep-sitter to his resume. He was tending to his friends’ flock by the coast in Sonoma County for a month. He also had the help of a huge dog named Hector and a sweet cat named Simone. Some of the highlights of the stay included foraging nuts and black trumpet mushrooms, making gallons of apple butter, spending time with old growth redwoods, and seeing the wild coho run on Dutch Charlie Creek in Mendocino County. Aultman-Moore said that there was only one fish.
Take a look up in the Chilkat Valley News’ window on Main Street if you are wondering if you should take the walk up the stairs for firestarter. There is a new, handy sign indicating if firestarter is available. No more risk of walking up and being sad that you wasted 24 footsteps. If you do choose to pop in, drop a Duly Noted if you have one.
Lea Harris is back in town after going on a blues cruise with her sister Starr Simpson, brother-in-law Dr. Zack Simpson, and Chuck Mitman. Harris saids that it was her 21st blues cruise. “I enjoy that the music goes until the bacon starts cooking in the morning,” she said, adding that on one of her favorite blues cruise trips, the ship was asked to leave the port in New Orleans for being too loud. This year’s cruise was tame by comparison, but did include some of her favorite musicians, blues lectures, plenty of snorkeling, and white sand beaches. Harris also shared that none of this would have been possible without local pet-sitting powerhouse Sue Rakes.
Torleif Bentzen, grandson of Tom and Sally McGuire, competed in an 80-mile fun run with his dogs. Bentzen began sled dog racing in 2024 when he competed in the Junior Iditarod and Solstice 50. He ran the T-dog 100 and Yukon Quest Alaska 80-mile fun run in 2025. This year he finished in sixth place with his 12-dog team.