A Skagway resident plans to share her five years of sobriety with the community. She’ll celebrate the milestone with a live band, dancing, and a fundraiser to help others at the start of their sobriety journey.
Jessie Blinman arrived in Skagway in 2018.
“I was a part of the seasonal circuit when I first came here, and I dove right into that partying aspect of it,” Blinman said. “And, yeah, it made it hard for me to really function in a lot of ways, because I became so obsessed with fulfilling that part of my life. …But I definitely had a deep struggle, and I think I fell in the deepest part of the hole when I lived here.”
Blinman left Skagway and returned sober, not an easy thing to do in a town that works hard and plays even harder. She’s an artist and intern goldsmith who now revels in her life with a supportive partner and two-month-old baby.
“I thought it would be challenging for me to come back to Skagway in the space where I was really struggling. But honestly, the community here has been so uplifting and supportive. It’s been a really special place to come back to.”
Blinman credits multiple recovery meetings each week and the people she meets there. She also finds solace in nature. Her partner, Felipe Mendez, agrees.
Mendez is also in recovery. You’ll see his nature prints for sale on the wall of Glacial Coffeehouse.
“I think nature is a big part of things, especially around here,” Mendez said. “And kind of occupying your time sometimes with other, I’ll say more better things. Like I occupy myself with photography. …It’s just been quite nice to have the opportunity to gain my my power back.”
The couple is hosting a fundraiser this Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Fellowship Hall. It will feature music, chili and a silent auction. The proceeds will go to addiction services at Skagway’s Dahl Memorial Clinic and Gastineau Human Services in Juneau.
The band for the night is Josey and Randy Brendle. They’re musicians and homesteaders who live in Pennsylvania. They have a connection to Skagway’s Jewell Garden, and met Blinman when she worked for garden owner Charlotte Jewell. Blinman says Josey was instrumental (pardon the pun) to her recovery.
“She was very sweet, and she was actually crying. And she said to me, ‘Jessie, I really love you. But I see that this is a really huge struggle for you. And I just want you to know that I’m here for you, and I’m here to support you if you need the support.’”
Blinman said it wasn’t until later that she recognized she had a problem and accepted the support. Each year since then, the Brendles have thrown Blinman a party to celebrate her path to healing.
It will be a full-circle gathering on Saturday to have the two families come together. Josey explains her philosophy before she starts a song she’ll sing on Saturday.
“Well, the answer is always more love, right? All the way around,” Josey said.
