Week of events slated around Valentine's Day
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TweetValentine’s Day is starting about a week early this year, with offerings including sweets, tea and a free child-sitting session, starting Feb. 7.
Residents can get a jump on treats at the annual dessert auction and performance fund-raiser hosted by the Haines High School Drama, Debate and Forensics team, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in the high school open area.
The event typically includes some ornately decorated and elaborate confections. “I don’t think you can get anything like this around here,” said Cindy Buxton, a parent organizer. Although top desserts can fetch hundreds of dollars, not all items are that expensive, she said.
Two sets of “dinner-for-two” homemade meals also will be auctioned, as well as pieces of artwork. Proceeds help pay for the team’s annual trip to Anchorage for the state championship meet.
Three heart-themed events are set for Saturday.
A Valentine’s Breakfast will be held 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Haines School cafeteria. It’s a fund-raiser for the fourth grade’s annual trip to the Yukon Territory and will feature student decorations and pancakes, sausage, orange juice and good coffee, said teacher Patty Brown. “We’ll even have something for people who are gluten-free,” Brown said.
The Haines Presbyterian Church invites all women to its annual Valentine’s Tea, a free event starting 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the church. “We sit down and drink tea and eat cookies and listen to (live) music. It’s just a nice time to get together and have a tea party,” said Crystal Badgley, commissioned lay pastor for the church.
The event is a decades-long tradition, with tea, sandwiches, cookies, coffee and punch served. “It’s a really nice event for mothers and daughters. All ages of women and girls are welcome to come,” Badgley said.
A “Valentine’s Bazaar” also will be held Saturday, starting at noon. Organizer Mark Cozzi said offerings from 22 vendors appropriate for the love-struck will include jewelry and cupcakes. Wife Julie Cozzi will sing love songs at 2 p.m.
Vendor and jewelry-maker Cassie Miller said in addition to her line of necklaces and earrings, she’ll be offering metalwork bracelets with heart designs.
On Valentine’s Day, the public library will offer “Date Night for Parents,” a 90-minute children’s party aimed at giving parents some time alone. Starting at 5 p.m. and open to children ages 3 to 10, the party will feature a menu of heart-shaped mini pizzas and cookies, a puppet show, and an opportunity to make Valentine cards for grown-ups.
The treat is the brainchild of children’s librarian Holly Davis. “I thought, ‘What would I like for Valentine’s Day?’ What would be wonderful would be a place to go with just my husband.”
That’s not a selfish sentiment, Davis said. “It’s a gift to children when their parents are happy. The best thing you can do for your child is to love your spouse.”
