Holidays

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Barbara Bechtold and John Tomaro deliver a Thanksgiving meal package to a Mendenhall Valley home on Saturday. The couple, both of whom have lived in Juneau since the 1970s, have made the deliveries and taken part in other volunteer efforts for many years. The estimated 300 to 400 packages being delivered this year are a collaborative effort by St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, The Glory Hall and other local entities.

Fowl weather friends deliver feasts

Thanksgiving food baskets and communal gathering provide traditional meal for thousands

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Barbara Bechtold and John Tomaro deliver a Thanksgiving meal package to a Mendenhall Valley home on Saturday. The couple, both of whom have lived in Juneau since the 1970s, have made the deliveries and taken part in other volunteer efforts for many years. The estimated 300 to 400 packages being delivered this year are a collaborative effort by St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, The Glory Hall and other local entities.
Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

All the trimmings: Douglas kids ready for holiday

Streamers, flags and reflectors, all in.

Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an array of fireworks. Juneau Police Department this week reminded Juneau residents to adhere to the city’s fireworks ordinance this holiday weekend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

JPD encourages safe and respectful fireworks use for New Year’s

The weather may not be ideal for pyrotechnics as is.

This photo shows an array of fireworks. Juneau Police Department this week reminded Juneau residents to adhere to the city’s fireworks ordinance this holiday weekend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Moisture-laden air coming from the northwest is expected to dump more than a foot of snow on parts of Southeast Alaska, including Juneau, with the heaviest snowfall predicted to hit during the evening of New Year’s Eve. (Screenshot/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Get ready to ring in the new year with wet, heavy snow

Snow is expected to be heaviest as partygoers would be getting started.

Moisture-laden air coming from the northwest is expected to dump more than a foot of snow on parts of Southeast Alaska, including Juneau, with the heaviest snowfall predicted to hit during the evening of New Year’s Eve. (Screenshot/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
This photo illustration shows some of the things city, state and federal officials told the Empire what they want for Christmas. Less COVID-19 cases and an end to the pandemic were popular requests. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

And checking it twice: Officials share their holiday wish lists

Two front teeth didn’t crack the list.

This photo illustration shows some of the things city, state and federal officials told the Empire what they want for Christmas. Less COVID-19 cases and an end to the pandemic were popular requests. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jake Paolucci, Company Gunnery Sgt. of Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, fist-bumps a child while dressed as Santa Claus in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Brendan Mullin)

Santa rides a C-130: Marines bring toys to Northwest Arctic Borough

More than 2,500 kids received toys from the Toys for Tots program.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jake Paolucci, Company Gunnery Sgt. of Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, fist-bumps a child while dressed as Santa Claus in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Brendan Mullin)
The sun rises over Juneau on Dec. 16, 2021. The solstice on Dec. 21 will mark the shortest day of the year as the northern hemisphere is at its furthest away from the sun. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Dark night of the sol: Solstice means we’ll soon be gaining daylight

Solstice means we’ll soon be gaining daylight

The sun rises over Juneau on Dec. 16, 2021. The solstice on Dec. 21 will mark the shortest day of the year as the northern hemisphere is at its furthest away from the sun. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Trooper Chris Umbs and Victoria Larson talk to Ethan and Wilbur during the annual Shop with a Cop Event at Fred Meyer on Dec. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Shopping aisle be home for Christmas

Shop with a Cop returns as in-person event.

Alaska State Trooper Chris Umbs and Victoria Larson talk to Ethan and Wilbur during the annual Shop with a Cop Event at Fred Meyer on Dec. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau's Imagination Station owner Alicia Smith highlights one of their best-selling items at the store this holiday, a robotic hedgehog. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Holiday helpers share top picks

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Juneau's Imagination Station owner Alicia Smith highlights one of their best-selling items at the store this holiday, a robotic hedgehog. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents enjoy Gallery Walk at Devil’s Club Brewing Company, which hosted artist Jacqui Tingey. (Courtesy photo / Mircea Brown)

Juneau shows up big for Gallery Walk

Hundreds turned out despite heavy snow that morning.

Juneau residents enjoy Gallery Walk at Devil’s Club Brewing Company, which hosted artist Jacqui Tingey. (Courtesy photo / Mircea Brown)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry carried the Together Tree, bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion, up from Wrangell where it was harvested after a brief delay due to some mechanical issues. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

A tree-mendous journey: Governor’s mansion tree arrives in Juneau

No weather or floating lines could stay these Coast Guardsmen about their task.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry carried the Together Tree, bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion, up from Wrangell where it was harvested after a brief delay due to some mechanical issues. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)
Choir group Floyd Dryden Eagles leads a crowd in the singing of Christmas carols at the Douglas Community United Methodist Church on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Juneau 4th of July Parade Committee hosts the tree lighting each year in recognition of the two holidays - Christmas and the 4th of July - miners were given during Juneau's mining days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Christmas season begins in Douglas with songs and lights

A not-so-silent night.

Choir group Floyd Dryden Eagles leads a crowd in the singing of Christmas carols at the Douglas Community United Methodist Church on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Juneau 4th of July Parade Committee hosts the tree lighting each year in recognition of the two holidays - Christmas and the 4th of July - miners were given during Juneau's mining days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Derek St Clair aims at a target during the Juneau Gun Club’s annual Turkey Shoot on Nov. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Shooters shoot: Juneau Gun Club brings back Turkey Shoot

Juneau residents came out firing for the annual event.

Derek St Clair aims at a target during the Juneau Gun Club’s annual Turkey Shoot on Nov. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers from the Thunder Mountain High School Interact Club prepare Thanksgiving food baskets for the Juneau Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Nov. 18.

Juneau reaches out helping hand for Thanksgiving

Volunteers and donations bring out their best.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers from the Thunder Mountain High School Interact Club prepare Thanksgiving food baskets for the Juneau Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Nov. 18.
Members of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau and other volunteers collect donations from Juneau residents from their Martin Luther King Jr. Day donation drive on Jan. 18, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Black Awareness Association of Juneau)

Black Awareness Association honors MLK Day with food drive

Helping one’s neighbors was part of King’s message

Members of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau and other volunteers collect donations from Juneau residents from their Martin Luther King Jr. Day donation drive on Jan. 18, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Black Awareness Association of Juneau)
Sherri McDonald and Reid Tippets dry off after their annual dip in the water at Auke Recreation Picnic Area on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2021. Tippets said he’d done the dip for 11 years in a row. The Polar Bear Dip, held for 30 years at Auke Rec, was canceled this year over pandemic concerns, but some individual households opted to make the dip with their families, with masks, distancing, and care very much in evidence, while other pods had fires or walked dogs next to the cold ocean. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: A (distanced) dip

… Continue reading

Sherri McDonald and Reid Tippets dry off after their annual dip in the water at Auke Recreation Picnic Area on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2021. Tippets said he’d done the dip for 11 years in a row. The Polar Bear Dip, held for 30 years at Auke Rec, was canceled this year over pandemic concerns, but some individual households opted to make the dip with their families, with masks, distancing, and care very much in evidence, while other pods had fires or walked dogs next to the cold ocean. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Mendenhall Valley the evening of Dec. 31, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police talk fireworks and New Year’s Eve safety

Don’t celebrate the end of 2020 too hard.

Fireworks light up the sky above the Mendenhall Valley the evening of Dec. 31, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Photos: It looks a lot like Christmas in Juneau

Sights from this holiday season.

Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The house crowned The Best of Juneau in the Elks Lodge's Lights Up Juneau 2020 contest was awarded cash and prizes, including a premium tram pass for the upcoming season. The house is located at 937 W. 11th St., near the Northern Light United Church downtown. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Lights Up Juneau 2020 delivers holiday cheer

Elks look to the past to end 2020 on a brighter note.

The house crowned The Best of Juneau in the Elks Lodge's Lights Up Juneau 2020 contest was awarded cash and prizes, including a premium tram pass for the upcoming season. The house is located at 937 W. 11th St., near the Northern Light United Church downtown. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Bill Conrow, Juneau resident and long-time, free-lance stage director and light designer stands in front of a holiday light display near Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Holiday lights bring cheer to winter solstice and city museum

By Dana Zigmund Juneau Empire Juneau residents gathered in front of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum to enjoy holiday lights and mark the winter solstice Monday… Continue reading

Bill Conrow, Juneau resident and long-time, free-lance stage director and light designer stands in front of a holiday light display near Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)