Janet and Jim Hayes drove to Anchorage with just more than 1,000 pieces of clothing and 59 pairs of shoes for their annual “blessings trip.” They donated the truckload of unsold items from La Loft to the Brother Francis Shelter and a family in Tok that lost their home to a fire. “It’s pretty heartbreaking,” Janet said. “Being homeless in […]

Mark Davis played the trumpet on the stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the Honors Performance Series. Parents Holly and Matt and sister Meg traveled with Mark to watch him perform. They flew out of Whitehorse and spent a total of five days sightseeing. Highlights included watching “Frozen 2” on the big screen and “Aladdin” on Broadway, […]

Ashley Sage received a serendipitous phone call on Valentine’s Day. Her sister Tara Heinrich, who lives in rural New Hampshire, wanted to know if Sage knew Patricia Blank from Haines. “I told her yes, I know Pat,” Sage said. Apparently, Heinrich had received a letter with an insurance payment from Blank directed to Dallas, Texas. Even more coincidentally, Heinrich’s husband […]

Folks born on a leap year observed their quadrennial birthdays last weekend. Co-workers of Libby Kurz at Alaska Mountain Guides treated her to a quinceanera at Raevyn’s Café to celebrate her 15th official birthday. Friends of Janine Allen, 8 in leap years, brought cakes for a party at Haines Brewing Co. Ranee Staska and Fuzzy von Stauffenberg were also born on Feb. 29. […]

Alaria Lilly Havana Lockart was born to Erica Totland and Justin Lockart 9:16 a.m. March 3 at Bartlett Regional Hospital. Alaria weighed 6 lbs., 7 oz. and measured 17.5 inches. Alaria’s siblings include Aiden Ray Bathurst, Tristan Scott Howard, Kendra Eden Howard and Aurora Luna Arabella Lockart. Tom Morphet received the distinguished honor of placing dead last in the 25K event at the annual […]

Clara Granger, known locally as Nattaphon “Ice” Wangyot, married Dakota Maatz on March 9 at Calgary, Alberta’s Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Clara’s sisters Alison Benda and Kate Benda served as maid of honor and flower girl, respectively. “I’m so excited,” said Clara’s mom Natkitta Panyawong, who attended with David Swift. Dakota’s aunt served as marriage minister. About 40 friends and family members attended the service that […]

To cheer people up during the town shutdown, Cambria Goodwin was treating residents to free slices of pizza at her restaurant on Main Street from 1-2 p.m. this week. She said about 30 people stopped by Monday. “It was pretty special. I’ll continue to do it during the opening days. I hope it helps somehow.” George Campbell and John […]

Luke Hedrick has donated $1,000 each to Haines Senior Center, Haines Assisted Living and Hospice of Haines. A Haines High School graduate who works for Google in Manhattan, New York City, Luke said the coronavirus crisis there got him thinking of how he could help here. “Haines is still home, though it’s a long way off. […]

Haines Presbyterian Church pastor Dana Perreard said a friend’s video of praise songs on a street in Brazil inspired his “Amazing Grace Challenge.” The idea spread on a local, ministerial e-mail list and residents of many faiths stood on their porches at noon Easter Sunday and belted out the Gospel classic. Singing from her back porch on […]

By Sylvia Heinz Four-year-old Zane Poirier tapped his first birch last week with his father, Josh Poirier. “We both drilled it,” Zane said. “I did a little bit but I was scared, so then my dad did it. Then a hammer to hammer it in.” According to mom Sherri Poirier, Zane checks the tap every morning as soon as he wakes […]