By Kerri Raia
On Sunday, July 7, Christina (Tina) Holm held a small class teaching community members how to make tamales. This is Holm’s first season in Skagway, but she has been making her own tamales for about 30 years. Her aunt is from Mexico and would make her tamales, which inspired Holm to learn how to make them herself.
Holm moved to a new neighborhood in California about eight years ago, and in an effort to meet her neighbors, she offered a tamale making class there on NextDoor. She has a love for teaching and thought this might be a good way to meet people and enjoy good food together. She is still close with many of her former students today.
An avid quilter and crocheter, Holm frequently ordered yarn and other materials from Alaska which eventually led to a job opportunity here. She now works at Boreal Artworks and speaks highly of her employers and co-workers.
“The artists I have met here in Skagway overwhelm and inspire me with their talent,” she said.
Holm has found her tamale classes to be a gateway to learn more about Skagway and its residents. She says it has given her an opportunity to meet wonderful people and develop new friendships. She is happy to be here, and she is enjoying what Skagway has to offer.
This reporter is thrilled have met her as well, and now has a fridge full of freshly made tamales!
If there is enough interest, Holm will host one last tamale class before leaving for the season in September. If you are interested in joining her, you may inquire at [email protected].
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