Former Haines resident Ted Kelly stopped into town for a visit and brought along his brother Jesse Chamberlain. Kelly, a former Sockeye Cycle mechanic, now lives in Middleburgh, New York. His brother lives in Salem, Mass. and had never been to Haines. Kelly said he saw most of his favorite Chilkat Valley people, places and dogs, and also met new favorite people and dogs. Since moving to New York, Kelly has hung up his wrenches and has been enjoying a life in farming. 

Yet another tell-tale sign of spring: Chuck Mitman was spotted riding his Harley and sidecar on a sunny Friday afternoon with his dog Myla, both wearing leather jackets. Mitman has been training Myla to ride shotgun for about a year. She was adopted from the Yukon Humane Society and was born to ride, he said. 

Harper Rumfelt completed her first year of the Headstart program. She is looking forward to a summer of tee-ball.  While she has not yet made it through the program, Rumfelt walked at graduation in her red gown with all of the Headstart students. Lisa Shove said this is common as it gives preschoolers the chance to practice graduating well in advance of it actually happening.  This year they counted in Lingít,  and sang Puff The Magic Dragon. Rowan Lambert especially enjoyed performing the song at graduation and said the donuts and cake were both amazing. He said he’ll be focusing on growing his rat-tail haircut as long as possible this summer. All of the students left with swag bags from RurAL CAP that included crafting and journaling supplies. Before graduation, the Headstart students had a few action-packed visits from the community, including one from some baby goats. The goat handler was Jill Evans. She brought six of her 11 kids to see the kids. Evans said the baby goats remain nameless, as they will be going to new homes soon. One lucky little goat will stay with Evans; the students named her Blackberry because she is black and very sweet. 

The American Bald Eagle Foundation has a new director. Aaron Cleveland became the director in January. Cleveland is not new to the ABEF. He previously served as a consultant. He has a degree in middle school education from University of Louisville. His background includes zoo and theme park operation and designing and installing exhibits. Cleveland  admitted he’s an alligator guy, and has operated an alligator safari. He also operated a spider exhibit that housed over 3,000 spiders of 200 different species. Cleveland became a raptor enthusiast along the way, when a vulture won him over. The vulture was named Mozart, because he was, as Cleveland told a crowd at the foundation on Friday,  a “decomposer.” Cleveland has been a zoo director. He and his wife,  Dr. Meg Gammage-Tucker, are both active in conservation. She is president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. While the king and queen of England were in the area for a state visit recently she had the opportunity to introduce Buddy, the bald eagle, to the royals. Buddy the bald eagle has a deformed beak, which is why he has been in captivity. 

The Haines community support was on full display at the Haines High School Awards Assembly Tuesday. The Haines graduates and alumni received over $90,000 in scholarships. 

American Legion: ($1,000) JC Davis, Emily McPhetres, Isabelle Alamillo, Ashlyn Ganey, Bailey Stuart, Phoenix Swaner, Camelia Bell

HARK: Emily McPhetres ($500)

Lynne Canal Conservation: Camelia Bell ($1,000)

Delta Western: JC Davis ($10,000 over four years)

American Legion Auxiliary: ($1,000) Isabelle Alamillo, Audrey Bader, JC Davis, Madelyn Hart, Sarah Jones, Emily McPhetres

Haines Education Association: Isabelle Alamillo ($750), Maddox Rogers ($750), Ashlyn Ganey ($500), Marin Hart ($500), Emma Dohrn ($500)

National Education Association – Alaska: Ashlyn Ganey ($1,800)

Tongass Credit Union: JC Davis ($1,500)

Uglys: Emily McPhetres ($1,000), Phoenix Swaner ($1,000), Ashlyn Ganey ($1,000), Audrey Bader ($5,000), Bailey Stuart ($1,000), Ruby Martin ($1,000)

Alaska Native Sisterhood: ($1,000) MJ Hotch, Bailey Stuart, Taylor Ganey

Haines Volunteer Fire Department: Audrey Bader ($500), Madelyn Hart ($500), Isabelle Alamillo ($1,000), Sarah Jones ($1,000), JC Davis ($1,000), Luke Davis ($750), Camelia Bell ($750), Ashlyn Ganey ($750), Jacob Weerasinghe ($750)

Haines Women’s Club: ($2,000) Emily McPhetres, Maddox Rogers, Bailey Stuart

Haines Sportsman: ($1,000) JC Davis, Alex Weerasinghe, Selby Long, Taylor Ganey

New Hope Church: Emily McPhetres ($2,875)

KHNS: Maddox Rogers ($500)

Constantine: ($500 per year for four years) Isabelle Alamillo, JC Davis

Holland America/ Princess Cruises: ($3,000) Emma Dohrn, JC Davis

Mario Benassi Jr. Scholarship: MJ Hotch ($500)

Margret Frans Brady Scholarship for the Arts: Maddox Rogers ($1,000)

Juneau Lions Club: JC Davis ($1,000)

UA Scholars: ($15,000 over four years) Emily McPhetres, JC Davis, Maddox Rogers

Outercoast College Scholarship: Ruby Martin ($44,000)

William Sieg: ($1,500) Audrey Bader, Ruby Martin, Madelyn Hart, Maddox Rogers, Isabelle Alamillo, Emily McPhetres, MJ Hotch, Nolan Wald, JC Davis

University of Southern California Scholarship: Isabelle Alamillo ($90,000)

The Haines High School yearbook features a page dedicated to The Originals. These are students who completed K-12 here in Haines. They include Isabelle Alamillo, Audrey Bader, Colton Combs, JC Davis, Ava Graham, Ruby Martin, James Stickler, Melissa Verhamme and Nolan Wald. The name you will not see on the list is graduating senior and co-valedictorian Maddox Rogers. Rogers resigned from kindergarten following an incident with a board game. The next day he called the class and teacher into a group and explained that he would homeschool for a period of time. He returned in fifth grade and graduated with his class this week. 

The American Bald Eagle Foundation hosted the unveiling of a new eagle stamp last week. The U.S. Postal Service honored the national bird with the new stamp that displays the bird’s different life stages on the 2026  Hatchling to Adult stamp. The United States did not officially have a national bird until 2024. We have a national mammal, the bison. We have a national flower, the rose. Lets not forget the national tree, the oak tree. Genevieve Bell, Haines postmaster, opened the ceremony, followed by presentation of colors by Terry Pardee and Jones Hotch Jr.  The national anthem was sung by postal clerk Melanie Olynyk. Charlotte Olerud received the first bald eagle stamp presented by postmaster Bell, and a thank you for ABEF founder, Dave Olerud. Following the ceremony Lillianna Benassi introduced Taku, ambassador bird, to attendees. Taku enjoyed a half-mouse snack with the attendees.