Shareholder Cheryl Collins Weds

CIRI shareholder Cheryl (Collins) Bailey and her husband Norman A. Bailey, Jr. eloped on Sept. 26 so that Norman’s grandparents visiting from Arizona could be the witnesses.  Cheryl and Norman have known each other since they were 18 years old and were best friends nearly 20 years ago. Cheryl and Norman began seeing each other again after attending an opera last March.

CIRI Descendant Named Miss Alaska Teen 2004

CIRI shareholder Lydia McMullen announces that her daughter, Sabrina Malchoff, won the title of Miss Alaska Teen 2004 last August.  Sabrina, who is a 17-year-old junior at Soldotna High School but originally from Port Graham Village, competed for the title of Miss America Teen 2004 in Orlando, Fla. on Nov. 27. She presented her talent of Native dancing and singing with drumming in her Native Suqustun language and gave a speech.

Sarah Ann Goodman Promoted to Staff Sergeant

CIRI shareholders Samuel and Donita Peter announce the promotion of their daughter, Senior Airman Sarah Ann (Peter) Goodman, to the status of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 18. Staff Sergeant Goodman and her family were heading to her new station in Aviano, Italy in early November. While in Italy, Staff Sargeant Goodman’s duties will include attending USAF Officer’s training while continuing her duties as a LAN/Network Operator.

Baby Athena

Athena Lee Ojal Smith was born April 24 to Emilia Elaine Thiele and Nicholas Smith of Seward. Emilia is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Theresa A.Thiele of Seward and Paul E. Gausmann of Dubai. Paternal grandmother Barbie Dahl resides in Seattle. Athena is also the great-granddaughter of June Thiele and CIRI shareholder Carl Thiele of Alexander Creek. 

Naomi DeMott

CIRI descendant Naomi DeMott, a senior from Burchell High School, displays her new book, “Danny the Dragon.” Naomi and her classmates wrote books to develop their reading and writing skills and encourage reading to infants and children.  Naomi’s book is about a school-age dragon whose tail is too long and other dragons pick on him. The book was unveiled Nov. 4 at the Wasilla Public Library. Naomi is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Patricia D. John and granddaughter of Alfreda Tolman.

Melanie Beach Announces Twin Girls

CIRI shareholder Melanie Beach married Joseph Kurtzhall on July 26, 2003, in Spokane, Wash.  On Aug. 14, 2004, Melanie and her husband welcomed twin girls.  Taylor Rose Kurtzhall was born at 7:08 a.m., weighing 5 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces and Emma Louise Kurtzhall was born at 7:20 a.m., weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces. Melanie also has two sons, 15-year-old James and eight-year-old Jesse. Their maternal grandparents are CIRI shareholder Eleanor Deroque and Alton Beach, Jr.  Their paternal grandparents are Marsha and Chuck Wilson and Herbert “Bud” Kurtzhall and Bernadette Cimonetti.  Their family also includes aunt Jennifer Kurtzhall and uncle Alton Beach, III.

Baby Aleshanee Katherine Nikita

CIRI shareholder Daniel Nikita and his wife Deborah welcomed their 8 pound, 8 ounce daughter Aleshanee Katherine Nikita on May 26 in Albuquerque, NM.  Aleshanee is a Coos Indian name meaning, “she who plays a lot.”  She is the granddaughter of the late Katherine (Nickita) Theodore of Eklutna. Her maternal grandparents are Richard and Frances Gabie of Walnut Creek, Calif. Aleshanee is shown resting in a traditional Athabascan cradleboard made by Margie Sparks of Tok.  The beautiful baby belt was made by Hannah Bundschuh of Venetie. Both items were purchased with the assistance of the staff of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. These wonderful heirlooms will always be a part of Aleshanee’s proud Athabascan heritage.

Shareholder Jacqueline Prince’s Family Update

CIRI shareholder Jacqueline Prince, of Skiatook, Okla., announces that her 20-year-old daughter Lucianna Prince Jarzynka is serving in Korea in the Army National Guard as a heavy equipment mechanic. Her son Aaron is a senior in high school in Skiatook. Her 17-year-old daughter Crystle is a high school senior in Grand Island, Neb., where she is also serving with the Army National Guard.

Baby Kaeleb

CIRI shareholder Tina Negus announces that her son, Dennis McCutcheon, and his fiancé, Nicole Webster, are the proud parents of Kaeleb Rae Webster-McCutcheon. Kaeleb was born on July 29 and weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces at birth.