Duly Noted: Basketball, biking, tardiness, marriage, chess

The Head Coach  of UAF basketball, Frank Ostanik, was in town conducting a basketball clinic at Haines high school. He brought his star player Mike Miller to wow the kids, and share some new skills. The event hosted 2nd graders to 12th grade and totaled 51 students. Ostanik held a separate 10 hour clinic for specialized training. Spencer Baumgartner, Parker Baumgartner, Leon Rogers and George Shove completed three additional days of basketball skills at the basketball camp in Skagway. Jordon Baumgartner, Youth Sports Director, organized the event and says that he expects to do it again next year. 

Jonah Wray, son of Jon and Sydney Wray, showed up late for work at Lutak lumber on Friday. He was scheduled for 9am and showed up at 10am. His trusty one-wheel performed flawlessly on the commute. His alarm clock usually works flawlessly as well. His haircut isn’t as aerodynamic as normal, but that is his father’s fault. The Wray Family would like to formally apologize to Lutak Lumber and the citizens of Haines. 

Julien Alder and Lisa Ann Pinkerton were married on Friday June 27th at Viking Cove. The newlyweds have been together for 18 years, the last five of those in an RV. They say that they fell in love with Haines three years ago and hope to soon make it their home full time. The 80 guests were from Haines, Oregon, California, New York and as far away as France and Portugal. The Men of Mus played the music, the couple joined in on guitar and bass. Pinkerton says that their plans for a destination wedding in Hawaii switched to Haines because they wanted the wedding budget to have an impact in the community. All the vendors were Alaskan, the food was local and items were rehomed after purchase. The happy couple will remain in Haines through September this year. 

Gershon Cohen had a room full of skilled chess players at the first chess meet-up at the library. The library is hosting a “learn to play chess” for kids 8-15 on Mondays at 10 am. Cohen started his introduction explaining what “opening theory” is and showed the kids various advantages to improve their game. The kids all had a basic knowledge of the game and seemed to move on to the difference between attacking and playing a defensive game seamlessly. Zephyr Cox, Hugh Rietze, North Bishop, Milo Beck, and Hunter Wishstar discussed each others’ games and the best options for various pieces. Hunter says that his favorite chess piece is the rook. Milo would tell you that the queen is the superior chess piece. 

Pat and Mary Egan of Whitehorse, YT recently completed the KCIBR. They have not missed one since it began in 1993. The Egan’s and Sockeye Cycle founder, Tom Ely organized the first one as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Haines highway. The first ride had 170 participants. Pat Egan says that the second year was 450+. The following year had 750 riders and it was later capped at 1200. This year around 900 participated. The bike race was originally part of a four-day event that began with Canada Day, a boat regatta on day two, the bike race on day three and The 4th of July celebration on the last day. Over time the planners of the race decided that the traffic on the highway an issue over the holiday, which is how the third week in June became the KCIBR date. 

Jeanine Ward and Dustin Rumfelt were married on June 28 on the Park stage at the Fairgrounds in Haines. Gomi’s Garden supplied the plants for the ceremony. Ward’s best friend, Casandra Nash was the officiant. Jeanine Ward’s nephews Tanner and Torres Schramm were the ring bearers. The flower girls were Harper Rumfelt, Delilah Nash and Theodora Schramm. 

The reception followed at Harriet hall. Caroline Hankins provided the music. The guests enjoyed a pig roast and plenty of salmon and crab. The newlyweds plan to honeymoon in Thailand for two weeks at New Years.