tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64762689921457261582024-03-13T02:23:06.589-08:00Willow Dog Mushers AssociationFor those who choose to live a life with sled dogs in a rural setting, Willow is an excellent community. We love the trails, the people and the dogs. See you on the trail!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-80815431368623915882012-05-07T11:02:00.000-08:002012-05-07T12:21:18.369-08:00Break Up Is OverHere is it, May 7, 2012 and I still have snow in my yard! Only small piles left from the record snowfall we had this winter. A friend told me he measured 12 feet. I don't know, but it sure was more than I've experienced here. Of course, I've only been here through five winters. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break up is here. Only a few piles of snow remain. My huskies still like to roll in it.</td></tr>
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What I do know is it was not an easy winter for anyone. With the constant snowfall, many spent their days moving snow, cutting time they wanted to be on the trails with their teams. When we did get out, almost everyone had moose problems. Most got through unscathed, but some moose met a bad ending. I don't know anyone who wants to shoot a moose. The paper work is ridiculous besides the time spent doing the right thing, by gutting the animal and getting the proper authorities to pick it up for distribution to food pantries.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose on the trail at the entrance to Crystal Lake.</td></tr>
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Moose interrupted training runs and races. It was a tough winter for them as well. With the snow so deep, they wanted to use the trail system as much as we did to get to their food. I was really pleased that a Momma and baby in our neighborhood made it through. They were really skinny. Unfortunately, some fool took it upon himself to shoot these moose. I am so disgusted by this I can't see straight. These are the kinds of things that give Alaskans a bad reputation for not caring about wildlife. I have nothing against hunting for subsistence. But, to wantonly kill and drag the bodies off to attract bears is unconscionable. And I understand it is because the shooter was tired of them hanging around. Really?!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose in my neighborhood. They made it through the winter, <br />
but still had an unhappy ending. Breaks my heart.</td></tr>
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Despite the moose, mushers had good trails this year for training and just having fun. Willow is blessed with an incredible trail system. It 's always fun, if a bit unnerving, for me to pass those big Iditarod teams with my small recreational team. It's a good experience for all concerned. I never want to get in the way of professional dog mushers, but I must say, no one has ever given me any grief for being out on the trails with a four dog team. It's always been fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My team on the Willow Swamp Loop trail following Jenny Evans.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Evans and a small team. She also runs much larger teams.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My team doing a head on pass with Iditarod musher Karen Ramstead<br />
and Richard Todd (below). Karen runs pure bred Siberians, and two members of my team<br />
are from her kennel.</td></tr>
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Another of the good things this winter was the display of the Aurora Borealis. Many nights they danced across the skies with all the beauty of a ballet dancer. One night they were so bright, I changed the settings on my camera from a 10 second exposure to a 4 second one. I loved being outside at 2 am trying to get the perfect lights photograph and hearing the huskies in the neighborhood start a musical chain of song. One group further away would start and as they died down, another group would pick it up. This would continue for quite some time as the song bounced along through the night air just like the lights dancing in the sky. These are the moments that make me smile.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light danced over Runner.</td></tr>
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Local races were blessed with all the snow. The Earl Norris Sprint race also had moose problems on the trail, but everyone got through.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari Skogen races with Joey Kornmuller on her tail in the Earl Norris.</td></tr>
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The Don Bowers race went off well, once they got down the tricky hill at the start line. I don't recall anyone having moose problems in that race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Holod takes off in the Don Bowers.</td></tr>
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There was cause for concern with Iditarod soon after, but all those mushers took off fine and their biggest problem was probably how warm it was for their dogs that day.<br />
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So, we are now up to puppy season. Lots of litters being born. Lots of new snow dogs to take their places in the next couple years on dog teams everywhere. Let's remember these little guys when they get old and can no longer run. What will you do with them? Old school thought was to take them out back and shoot them. New school thought is to find them loving homes with people who just enjoy having a sled dog around. Unfortunately, this past winter, WDMA was placed in a position to help a man in Big Lake who had kenneled too many old dogs and found he could no longer care for them. He said some mushers would bring their old dogs to him and say if he didn't take them, they would be shot. We joined forces with Straw For Dogs in vetting these old dogs, getting them straw and dog food and finding homes for about 10 of the 35 or so that were there. We had to back out of the arrangement when the man decided he had to have a bigger say in who got his dogs. He was turning down good homes and we found that unacceptable.<br />
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And this is my opinion now, not WDMA, and I am open for discussion on this topic. We all know there are too many dogs and not enough homes. The rush to dump dogs in shelters is already taking place with break up. The MatSu shelter recently offered an entire team for adoption. The mushers I have the most respect for, do not breed indiscriminately. When puppies arrive, they are wanted and welcomed and have homes ready for them. If they don't, they stay with that musher. I know many kennels that have geriatric areas for the older dogs that are no longer race material. I know many mushers who try very hard to place older dogs in pet homes or on recreational teams. Good on you for that! But, I still can't get past those who have no use for extra dogs and retain the old school methods of culling. I'm sorry, what may have been acceptable in the past is not any longer. If you breed a litter, you are responsible for every puppy in that litter until the day it dies. I know I'll get flack for that. But, it's true and deep down you know it. If not, then the Animal Rights people are correct in some of their thoughts about mushers. I truly believe there must be a better way to have great dogs and not have half of them end up in shelters, running wild or dead in someone's back lot. This is the ugly side of dog mushing and it's up to us to fix it. If you have a solution, I'd love to hear it. You can comment here, or send me your own opinion and I'll post it as a separate blog entry.<br />
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Meanwhile, have a great Spring/Summer/Fall. These glorious months go by much too quickly. But, then it's time to be on the trails again. And that is certainly not a bad thing. Mush On!<br />
~Donna Quante<br />
all photos on this entry:©2012HuskyProductions/DonnaQuanteUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-41225135348974771062011-10-28T14:19:00.000-08:002011-10-28T14:19:53.375-08:00SHOT CLINIC<br />
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WDMA is sponsoring a low cost shot clinic open to all dog and cat owners. We have secured the log cabin next to the Willow Community Center and will be open to all from 10 am to 2 pm on Nov. 12, 2011. </div>
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All shots are $10 per shot, except for feline leukemia which is $12. Dr. Susan Dent, DVM, will administer all shots. Microchipping will also be available at a cost of $50, which includes registration.</div>
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Mushers may bring their dog trucks and stage their dogs right at the trucks. Please bring a handler with you.</div>
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Don't miss this opportunity to vaccinate your dogs and cats. If you will be coming, please email:<a href="mailto:djqhusky@mtaonline.net">djqhusky@mtaonline.net</a> and let us know how many animals and which shots you'll need.</div>
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No registration is necessary. Shots will be given on a first come, first served basis. We will not close down at 2 pm if there are still people waiting.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-8578233896548559482011-10-10T17:03:00.002-08:002011-10-13T09:31:36.598-08:00A Gathering of Champions--Symposium--Part 2<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKWm11dnBoo/TpNqrnWn8EI/AAAAAAAAN7c/wArvfhKPdtY/s1600/IMG_2490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKWm11dnBoo/TpNqrnWn8EI/AAAAAAAAN7c/wArvfhKPdtY/s320/IMG_2490.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Mangelsdorf, author</td></tr>
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The morning of the symposium moved along quite nicely. (See previous blog entry). Our indoor vendors were making sales and friends. The silent auction was gathering bids and the Parade of Dogs was garnering it's own attention. Some of our indoor vendors included:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave Totten, artist<br />
Dave generously donated original artwork to WDMA for a raffle.<br />
Thanks Dave!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Lights 300 Sled Dog Race</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimberly McCourtney, Alaska Garden and Pet Supply</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Laughing Bear, Northern Lights Adventures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Krp_Gn70ksM/TpNq6YuPxUI/AAAAAAAAN7w/dIRSbr5fPeI/s1600/IMG_2511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Krp_Gn70ksM/TpNq6YuPxUI/AAAAAAAAN7w/dIRSbr5fPeI/s320/IMG_2511.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Sihler, The Better Companion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Dillingham, author, Rivers Books, laughing with WDMA<br />
member Keith Blaha.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ybWeow3gDNs/TpNrBfus10I/AAAAAAAAN74/XiQuVcr7pxQ/s1600/IMG_2518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ybWeow3gDNs/TpNrBfus10I/AAAAAAAAN74/XiQuVcr7pxQ/s320/IMG_2518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream-A-Dream Dog Farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSRlxFT1YYQ/TpNrHpvYonI/AAAAAAAAN8A/PErGpzPfVbc/s1600/IMG_2520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSRlxFT1YYQ/TpNrHpvYonI/AAAAAAAAN8A/PErGpzPfVbc/s320/IMG_2520.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race</td></tr>
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At 1 pm the main event began. Janet Sweeney, chairperson for the symposium, presented Bruno Bryner with a lifetime WDMA membership award. Bruno is responsible for trail maintenance and marking on the east side of the Parks Highway near MP 64. He has been a great help to all mushers in the Willow area. Besides the membership, Janet presented him with a supply of marking tape just for use on the trails. Thank you Bruno for all you do!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruno Bryner receives a WDMA lifetime membership certificate<br />
as well as a supply of trail marking tape from Symposium Chairperson,<br />
Janet Sweeney.</td></tr>
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Donna Quante, WDMA President, announced an award for past President, Erin McLarnon, who was not present, but out of state traveling. Erin was a WDMA founder and President for five years. Pat Welch painted a pooper scooper gold that people were encouraged to sign. Michael Stitt made a handsome wood frame for a Penni Cross print that will be given to Erin as a thank you for her service to the club. Vic Stanculescu had a plaque made that said: "With thanks and appreciation to Erin McLarnon, WDMA Founder and President, 2005-2010."<br />
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We had singer, Dave Ianson, Ph.D., lead us in the Alaska State Song. What a great voice. Thanks Dave! And then, John Baker took the stage to speak about his 2011 Iditarod win, setting a new race record and just mushing in general. I heard nothing but positive feedback for John's talk. John stayed all afternoon and participated in other panels and observed a couple others. He was a wonderful keynote speaker.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DeeDee Jonrowe surprised everyone with her introduction of<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2011 Iditarod Champion John Baker </span></td></tr>
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John held the audience with rapt attention to his every word. Thank you John!<br />
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After John, there were several panels and demonstrations. It was wonderful to see and hear so much information freely given and discussed. It appeared everyone had a great time and learned a lot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vern Halter (right) moderated the first panel discussing how to break into the Top 10. (photo:Janet Sweeney)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top 10 Panelists: Ramey Smyth, DeeDee Jonrowe, Dallas Seavey, John Baker.</td></tr>
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While the folks inside discussed how to break into the Top 10, an exciting demonstration was taking place outside. Matthew Byrnes, SSgt of the US Air Force along with his crew were showing us a real working military dog.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite the crowd gathered for this demo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dog is a Belgian Malinois named Dino/K460. His handler<br />
is TSgt. Roberts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Get him!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mess with this dog! (The man on the ground is TSgt. Lealofi)</td></tr>
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When the Air Force was finished, we then heard from the Airport Police. K9 Officer Martin Spinde with Goro and Sgt. Scott Trent with Elvis. They demonstrated how the dogs sniff for drugs.Very impressive dogs with impressive abilities.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sgt. Scott Trent with Elvis</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elvis gets a treat for being a good dog!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K9 Officer Martin Spindle with Goro.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good dog!</td></tr>
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Back inside the second panel was underway discussing training puppies for success. Quite the interesting topic with mushers not in total agreement. There are many ways to train!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ecQhY8xFug/TpNy9Shdc1I/AAAAAAAAN8o/k1vm0mvjh6s/s1600/SAM_0375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ecQhY8xFug/TpNy9Shdc1I/AAAAAAAAN8o/k1vm0mvjh6s/s320/SAM_0375.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda Barcome (right) moderated the second panel talking about training puppies. Panelists were;<br />
(left-right) Ramey Smyth, DeeDee Jonrowe, Martin Buser. (photo:Janet Sweeney)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While they talked puppies inside, others gathered to hear Egil Ellis and Kelley Griffin talk about the proper fit for harnesses. I'm told even John Baker and Dallas Seavey got into the discussion here and showed their harness preferences. I counted at least 50 people surrounding this demonstration!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egil Ellis describes the right fit for a harness on Kari Skogen's <br />
10 year old, retired Siberian, Alaskan's Barents of Anadyr..better<br />
known as Deamon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Baker was listening.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egil answers questions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly talks about the style of harness she prefers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly makes a point.</td></tr>
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Taking the stage were Bernie Willis and Cody Strathe with a lot of technical information about sleds and why you should chose the correct sled for what you want to do with your dogs. It was fascinating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernie Willis and Cody Strathe discuss form and function of various sleds.(photo:Janet Sweeney)</td></tr>
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Outside, the last demo of the day was the High Flying Disc Dog Champion Kate, owned and handled by Chanelle Barron. Great dog!</div>
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The last panel of the day. What a wonderful experience listening to these guys. Almost makes you want to be a musher! (OK--that's a joke!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A Gathering of 2011 Champions"<br />
How lucky were we to have sprint champion Egil Ellis, Quest Champion Dallas Seavey<br />
and Iditarod Champion John Baker on the same stage???!! Moderator Vern Halter did an excellent job getting<br />
these guys to open and up and tell lots of stories.</td></tr>
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We ended the afternoon sessions with a live auction of Dogs on Parade. The silent auctions of wonderful donated items had ended earlier. Some people got some great items at a small cost. The fabulous wooden dogs, made this year by Dale Evans and painted by local artists: Susan Whiton, Christina Rose, Susie Dillon, Kari Skogen, Pat Welch and Darla Forman with Dianne Maythorne, always raise money for WDMA projects and everyone has fun with the bidding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7drg_ipJ9c/TpOJ0x72LGI/AAAAAAAAN-g/tN1FCKe0iiA/s1600/IMG_2514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7drg_ipJ9c/TpOJ0x72LGI/AAAAAAAAN-g/tN1FCKe0iiA/s320/IMG_2514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One table of silent auction items--there were five tables all together!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vic Stanculescu did another fabulous job of auctioning off the dogs. Every dog was a terrific work of art!<br />
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We ended the evening with an amazing concert by Pamyua. This is the group who played for John Baker as he crossed the finish line in Nome when he won this years' Iditarod. An amazing group, with fabulous voices. They had the audience up dancing and howling along. A great way to end the day. We want to thank our anonymous donor and the Willow Area Community Organization and Vern Halter:Dream-A-Dream Dog Farm for their generous donations that made the Pamyua concert possible. THANKS!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pamyua in concert. Simply FABULOUS!!</td></tr>
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You can hear Pamyua sing, "The Howling Song" at our concert, on you tube:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcldP4V1tE&feature=channel_video_title">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcldP4V1tE&feature=channel_video_title</a><br />
This was the prefect song for mushers to sign along--and they did!!We highly recommend you see Pamyua in concert whenever you can. We hope they'll come back to Willow soon.<br />
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A special shout out to Janet Sweeney, Chairperson of the WDMA K9 Athlete Symposium for the second year in a row. Well done Janet, well done! Don't know how you're going to top this one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AyP5xfe0gEU/TpOSSBcJzyI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/kus8SGkfSbY/s1600/janet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AyP5xfe0gEU/TpOSSBcJzyI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/kus8SGkfSbY/s320/janet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet Sweeney (left), symposium chairperson posing with<br />
Iditarod Champion Dick Mackey and Tina Owen<br />
(photo:Cathy Mackey)<br />
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Do you have photographs or stories to tell about your symposium experience. Please email them to: djqhusky@mtaonline.net<br />
We'd love to include them here on the blog. This blog is helping to record the history of WDMA and we appreciate any contributions to that effort.<br />
<br />
Unless otherwise noted, all photos on this blog entry are ©2011Husky Productions/Donna Quante.<br />
<br />
New photos below have arrived from Pat Welch. Thanks Pat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQfTJWimedE/TpRnV6tvltI/AAAAAAAAN_Y/VKGQUtXxXdU/s1600/P9230121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQfTJWimedE/TpRnV6tvltI/AAAAAAAAN_Y/VKGQUtXxXdU/s320/P9230121.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;">Our first event outside.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59MOt3FaXEk/TpRnWwNKiBI/AAAAAAAAN_g/EYY3xFpcnGI/s1600/P9230122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59MOt3FaXEk/TpRnWwNKiBI/AAAAAAAAN_g/EYY3xFpcnGI/s320/P9230122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;">The bait is hidden around the playground equipment and Claudia's dog is ready to start.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JavLu5D-8Kc/TpRnby99rKI/AAAAAAAAN_o/umk8s-MkTY8/s1600/P9230125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JavLu5D-8Kc/TpRnby99rKI/AAAAAAAAN_o/umk8s-MkTY8/s320/P9230125.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;">A Klee Kai is starting it's search.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4B8H221Ht8/TpRnhJVKqpI/AAAAAAAAN_w/lgKT9tVC1T4/s1600/P9230128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4B8H221Ht8/TpRnhJVKqpI/AAAAAAAAN_w/lgKT9tVC1T4/s320/P9230128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;">A Klee Kai searching the playground equipment.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M44O0HemgjQ/TpRohMoMP2I/AAAAAAAAN_4/h_jZY7JyJxA/s1600/P9230130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M44O0HemgjQ/TpRohMoMP2I/AAAAAAAAN_4/h_jZY7JyJxA/s320/P9230130.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The swap meet was a huge success.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-diz-B_bv5i0/TpRolJgPkPI/AAAAAAAAOAg/lkaXMl3Xpfs/s1600/P9230139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-diz-B_bv5i0/TpRolJgPkPI/AAAAAAAAOAg/lkaXMl3Xpfs/s320/P9230139.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trailer full of Momentum dog food was also sold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQrHpQzBhW0/TpRpYgFUX3I/AAAAAAAAOAw/LqQOgB0yQ00/s1600/P9230126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQrHpQzBhW0/TpRpYgFUX3I/AAAAAAAAOAw/LqQOgB0yQ00/s320/P9230126.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scooter dogs making the rounds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ_wSXIkP6I/TpZ4gw0JpUI/AAAAAAAAOA4/cQB0pRtFguM/s1600/P9240150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ_wSXIkP6I/TpZ4gw0JpUI/AAAAAAAAOA4/cQB0pRtFguM/s320/P9240150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruno Bryner accepts lifetime membership award from<br />
symposium chairperson Janet Sweeney.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1RTPxFnS00/TpZ4jMynJII/AAAAAAAAOBA/Mun4JZiiqEw/s1600/P9240151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1RTPxFnS00/TpZ4jMynJII/AAAAAAAAOBA/Mun4JZiiqEw/s320/P9240151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruno says a few words!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCWnV4M57WU/TpZ4kyRSwxI/AAAAAAAAOBI/rIOEPZKKyyw/s1600/P9240153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCWnV4M57WU/TpZ4kyRSwxI/AAAAAAAAOBI/rIOEPZKKyyw/s320/P9240153.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WDMA President Donna Quante with Golden Scooper Award for<br />
past President, Erin McLarnon. Scooper was painted by Pat Welch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oNXp41lzxMQ/TpZ4m0wAkDI/AAAAAAAAOBQ/MAiGGtCTHEw/s1600/P9240155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oNXp41lzxMQ/TpZ4m0wAkDI/AAAAAAAAOBQ/MAiGGtCTHEw/s320/P9240155.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet holds the Penni Cross print in the Michael Stitt made frame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADf5RhkdpTE/TpZ4o1FEOKI/AAAAAAAAOBY/UyWAO9nvi-o/s1600/P9240162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADf5RhkdpTE/TpZ4o1FEOKI/AAAAAAAAOBY/UyWAO9nvi-o/s320/P9240162.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DeeDee intros John.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKNFnto_2NU/TpZ4qmH65WI/AAAAAAAAOBg/GoBCvno_yIo/s1600/P9240165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKNFnto_2NU/TpZ4qmH65WI/AAAAAAAAOBg/GoBCvno_yIo/s320/P9240165.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs On Parade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEmuywbuxxI/TpZ4tMxv1nI/AAAAAAAAOBo/x0GMRm76p-A/s1600/P9240168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEmuywbuxxI/TpZ4tMxv1nI/AAAAAAAAOBo/x0GMRm76p-A/s320/P9240168.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A packed house for John's address.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4n1UJxS6jg/TpZ4un6UcyI/AAAAAAAAOBw/k-GQXaDOxGI/s1600/P9240175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4n1UJxS6jg/TpZ4un6UcyI/AAAAAAAAOBw/k-GQXaDOxGI/s320/P9240175.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Baker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1c5-6FeV8/TpZ4wuCyXBI/AAAAAAAAOB4/CLFUQAVH_hE/s1600/P9240179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1c5-6FeV8/TpZ4wuCyXBI/AAAAAAAAOB4/CLFUQAVH_hE/s320/P9240179.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grrrdwood Pets--another awesome vendor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_vU42Wscew/TpZ4y7PMhCI/AAAAAAAAOCA/GrwJWoNMEeM/s1600/P9240183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_vU42Wscew/TpZ4y7PMhCI/AAAAAAAAOCA/GrwJWoNMEeM/s320/P9240183.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie West ran the registration table all day, while Chris Stitt handled<br />
merchandise. Thanks ladies!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aPUbV1LcWqQ/TpZ41K63hYI/AAAAAAAAOCI/vkkSNYArBSY/s1600/P9240191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aPUbV1LcWqQ/TpZ41K63hYI/AAAAAAAAOCI/vkkSNYArBSY/s320/P9240191.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone loved the working dogs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egil explains his choice of harness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly had her choice too.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallas Seavey and his harness of choice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Baker explains how his lines are different.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John demos his type of harness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deamon was a great model husky!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vic shows off his Nome Kennel Club patch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vern, Martin, Christina and Bob--wonder what was so funny???</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-61483260008657212972011-10-02T15:26:00.001-08:002011-10-02T15:26:22.105-08:00K9 Athlete Symposium---Part 1--Friday dinner, Saturday Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The WDMA K9 Athlete Symposium weekend (Sept 23-24, 2011) proved to be an exceptional event.<br />
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We started friday night with a community potluck dinner that about 70 people attended. Dale Evans cooked up some scrumptious tri-tips that people raved about all evening and the next day! Everyone else contributed so much food that we had more than enough for all. It was a delightful evening, even if it got a little cool. Thanks to all who attended and made it such fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dale Evans--cook extraordinaire!--finally eating the tri-tips<br />
he cooked for everyone. That's wife, Jenny to the left.</td></tr>
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Saturday morning started a full day of festivities for all kinds of dog lovers. A beautiful autumn day on Willow Lake made the outdoor fun particularly inviting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Lake, Sept 24, 2011<br />
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Outdoor vendors showing off their wares!<br />
From dog sleds to hand made yard items, you could find some excellent, well made items here.<br />
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The hands on mini seminars in the morning proved quite popular. Two that were outdoors enjoying the day were: The Anchorage Skijor Club racing teams around the Community Center with bikes and three wheeled carts. Looked like a lot of fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claudia Sihler of The Better Companion showed us "Nose Work"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">with Lucy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gear Swap was the place for deals! I bought those new<br />
Northern Outfitters boots for $25!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHxat-6Qg0M/TodX9nw6WvI/AAAAAAAAN68/D15n9atH0Jg/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHxat-6Qg0M/TodX9nw6WvI/AAAAAAAAN68/D15n9atH0Jg/s320/IMG_2507.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen Lundberg selling and swapping.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Inside the Community Center, people were learning about different kinds of interesting topics.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAN7nAu8-Mk/TodifQRAs1I/AAAAAAAAN7I/mjhONL5P0fc/s1600/IMG_2496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAN7nAu8-Mk/TodifQRAs1I/AAAAAAAAN7I/mjhONL5P0fc/s320/IMG_2496.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vic Stanculescu gave lessons in how to read a GPS. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arqc6n81dIY/TodicSgbntI/AAAAAAAAN7E/wM2QAcUfh-I/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arqc6n81dIY/TodicSgbntI/AAAAAAAAN7E/wM2QAcUfh-I/s320/IMG_2485.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan Whiton, DVM, talked about K9 massage and acupressure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPQQYyX_fWA/Tojuno0fPBI/AAAAAAAAN7Q/YUXF_RUa8Q8/s1600/IMG_2498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPQQYyX_fWA/Tojuno0fPBI/AAAAAAAAN7Q/YUXF_RUa8Q8/s320/IMG_2498.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska State Parks Ranger, John Wilber <br />explained extreme weather clothing. All of the seminars<br />were well attended and well received. WDMA really<br />appreciates all the "teachers" who lead these talks!<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-34156296425240436692011-09-19T14:37:00.001-08:002011-09-19T14:40:25.244-08:00It's Autumn!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What Willow Dog Mushers are doing these days while waiting for the symposium this saturday! Looking forward to snow and a great season of mushing the trails around Willow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Kari Skogen for the photograph she took while riding with JP driving! What a beautiful day!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7UaSXX6uSE/TnfCvpmIZOI/AAAAAAAAN0I/zRnzmLlWRh0/s1600/P1010015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7UaSXX6uSE/TnfCvpmIZOI/AAAAAAAAN0I/zRnzmLlWRh0/s640/P1010015.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Willow, AK, USA61.7697336 -149.991063361.548306100000005 -150.5597073 61.9911611 -149.4224193tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-2411115328016261622011-08-26T10:05:00.000-08:002011-08-26T10:05:10.627-08:00Press release for K9 Athlete Symposium<br />
<div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">for immediate release:</div><div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>A Gathering of Champions-WDMA K9 Athlete Symposium</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Register now and save money for the Willow Dog Mushers Association K9 Athlete Symposium to be held on Sept 24 at the Willow Community Center, MP 69.7 of the Parks Hwy. You donʼt need to own a sled dog to enjoy this event! (Go to:<span style="color: #1e00af;">http://www.willowdogmushers.org</span>)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The day begins with registration in the Community Center starting at 9 am. Check out the awesome vendors, silent auction items, and the “Parade of Dogs” there as well. The kitchen will be open all day for anyone needing a cup of coffee or some food.Then, cruise the parking area for the GEAR SWAP. Here youʼll find mushing related items and general merchandise to barter or buy. Some valuable items at a decent price are always here.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Back inside the community center, choose from many hands on seminars that will benefit anyone who plays in the outdoors of Alaska. Learn how to use a GPS with Vic Stanculescu; Extreme Weather Outdoor Survival with John Wilber; Canine Massage and Acupressure with Susan Whiton DVM; and Basic Wilderness Medicine with Paul Forman and Dianne Maythorne. Behind the community center are demonstrations from experts for all kinds of dog lovers: Nose Work with Claudia Sihler; and Dirt Dogs with the Anchorage Skijor Club. From these, you may find activities you want to try with your dog. Or try learning about: Emergency Shelters, Fires and Knots with volunteers from the North American Outdoors Institute AK. These seminars will repeat three times so you can visit at least three of them.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">At 1 pm the Official Symposium kick off takes place in the main hall. Welcoming remarks and presentations will be made. Taking the stage will be keynote speaker, 2011 Iditarod Champion, John Baker. We are very pleased that John, who is the first Alaskan Native to win the Iditarod, will join us. We feel his speech will be quite inspirational. There will also be time for a Q&A, so get your questions ready!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Following John, will be a series of panel discussions that include: What Does It Take to Break Into the Top Ten with panelists: John Baker, Dallas Seavey, Ramey Smith and DeeDee Jonrowe; Challenging Your Personal Status Quo with panelists to be announced; Best Sled For Your Purpose - Design and Function with Bernie Willis and Cody Strathe.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">If panel discussions arenʼt for you, outdoor activities will continue with: Military K9 Unit Demo with the Elmendorf Air Force K9 Unit; Harness Fit and Function with John Baker, Martin Buser, Dallas Seavey, Egil Ellis and Kelly Griffin; and High Flying Disc Dog Demo with Will and Chanelle Barron, the 2010 Alaska Skyhoundz Champion. We have champions everywhere today!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Closing the day program will be a panel we call: Gathering of 2011 Champions with John Baker, Egil Ellis and Dallas Seavey. We feel so fortunate to have the 2011 Iditarod,<span style="font: 10.0px Helvetica;">for immediate release:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Yukon Quest, and Fur Rondy and ONAC champions together on our stage. What a great way to end this portion of the day!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">But, itʼs really not the end. At this time, we will have a live auction of our Sled Dogs On Parade. These life size wooden dogs, made by Dale Evans and painted by local artists will steal your heart. This was a huge fundraiser for us last year and well as a raucous time. The bidding became fast and furious with lots of laughter and fun. The dogs will be on display all day, so consider which one will look good in your home! Weʼll also finish up any silent auction items at this time and give closing remarks.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Weʼll have a bit of time for dinner concessions and a social hour before clearing the hall for our evening presentation, PAMYUA. This is a new event for us and it is made possible, in part, by generous contributions from an anonymous donor, Willow Area Community Organization (WACO) and Vern Halter: Dream-A-Dream Dog Farm. We thank them all!</div><div style="font: 13.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 12.0px Helvetica;">Pamyua is the band who played for John Baker as he drove his team down Front Street in Nome to win the 2011 Iditarod. From Wikipedia:” </span>Pamyua's music is self-described as "tribal <span style="color: #1e00af;">funk</span>" and "<span style="color: #1e00af;">world music</span>". Most of their songs are based on traditional Yupik, <span style="color: #1e00af;">Inuit </span>and <span style="color: #1e00af;">Greenlandic </span>chants, but the group is well-known for reinterpreting them in modern styles, such as the song "Cayauqa Nauwa", which has been performed <span style="color: #1e00af;">a cappella </span>(<i>mengluni</i>, 1998) and with <span style="color: #1e00af;">Pacific Islander </span>influences (<i>Caught in the Act</i>, 2003), as well as traditionally (<i>Drums of the North</i>, 2005).”</div><div style="font: 13.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Pamyua is separate from the symposium, with separate charges. Seating is limited, so ordering tickets early is recommended. Adults can buy one ticket and get one free child (under 12) ticket if reserved at the same time.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Prices for the symposium and Pamyua can be found at:http//:<span style="color: #1e00af;">www.willowdogmushers.org/Symposium.html </span>Prices go up by $10 for all events after Sept. 19, 2011. On the website you will find the full agenda, registration forms and vendor forms. If you have any questions about the symposium, email the symposium chairperson, Janet Sweeney:<span style="color: #1e00af;">runhusky@gmail.com</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Vendors should contact Jenny Evans: <span style="color: #1e00af;">jenjendale@aol.com </span>###</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rP95JUnhIPY/TlfdYhQaf0I/AAAAAAAANzw/pAd6W1gUkkI/s1600/IMG_0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rP95JUnhIPY/TlfdYhQaf0I/AAAAAAAANzw/pAd6W1gUkkI/s320/IMG_0389.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Iditarod Champion, John Baker on the trail at the Anchorage start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4ArI_T-7HQ/Tlfda7ECHzI/AAAAAAAANz0/J-3Z_V9qouY/s1600/IMG_3033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4ArI_T-7HQ/Tlfda7ECHzI/AAAAAAAANz0/J-3Z_V9qouY/s320/IMG_3033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs On Parade 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvABTwGthJo/TlfddUA5CQI/AAAAAAAANz4/qigHz_9IvPU/s1600/IMG_3034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvABTwGthJo/TlfddUA5CQI/AAAAAAAANz4/qigHz_9IvPU/s320/IMG_3034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs On Parade 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsdAf6T80Ik/Tlfdfg6RfQI/AAAAAAAANz8/d2gzNLJoXv8/s1600/IMG_3041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsdAf6T80Ik/Tlfdfg6RfQI/AAAAAAAANz8/d2gzNLJoXv8/s320/IMG_3041.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan Whiton and Vern Halter are two big supporters of WDMA. Susan painted this dog last year and then placed the winning bid to take him home. The dog was representative of their own dog Ruger. This year, Vern and Dream A Dream Dog Farm are major contributors of the Pamyua concert on symposium saturday night. Thanks Vern!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGbGx-wuo3Y/Tlfd8feiiyI/AAAAAAAAN0A/DqZgtQpcyQQ/s1600/IMG_3573--egil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGbGx-wuo3Y/Tlfd8feiiyI/AAAAAAAAN0A/DqZgtQpcyQQ/s320/IMG_3573--egil.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egil Ellis at the start of MCDMA sprint race in 2010.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypn2cg0Pcy0/TlfeZH7Fd1I/AAAAAAAAN0E/irWflxsD3rc/s1600/IMG_5635--seavey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypn2cg0Pcy0/TlfeZH7Fd1I/AAAAAAAAN0E/irWflxsD3rc/s320/IMG_5635--seavey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallas Seavey in the Iditarod Start in Anchorage, 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 13.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Photo credits should read: ©2011 Husky Productions/Donna Quante</div><div style="font: 13.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-44616701048693382252011-08-09T21:29:00.000-08:002011-08-09T21:29:55.376-08:002011 K9 Athlete Symposium<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text">The Willow Dog Mushers Association is pleased to announce their K9 Athlete Symposium is set to take place on September 24, 2011 in Willow, Alaska at the Community Center located at mp 70 of the Park Highway!</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Save $$ money $$ if you pre-register by</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>September 19, 2011!</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text">Our keynote speaker this year is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>John Baker, 2011 Iditarod Champion</b></span>. We also have many other great speakers, demos, and panels planned for this year as you can see in the preliminary agenda below.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i><b>N</b><b>EW</b></i><b> this year! SPECIAL EVENING CONCERT</b></span>: Internationally acclaimed </span><span class="text"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Pamyua</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">(pronounced Bum yo-ah)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> has entertained millions with their fusion of traditional Inuit music and Yup’ik dance performances and were in Nome to greet our keynote speaker, 2011 Iditarod Champ, John Baker. See more here: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tribalfunk.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/pamyuas-race-to-iditarod-finish/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">http://tribalfunk.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/pamyuas-race-to-iditarod-finish/</span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text">If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Janet Sweeney (email: <a href="mailto:runhusky@hotmail.com">runhusky@hotmail.com</a>, phone: 907-495-6268).</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text">Hope to see you all in Willow on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>September 24!</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b> </b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Use this link for Agenda, Registration, or Vendor Information:</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><a href="http://www.willowdogmushers.org/Symposium.html">Symposium forms</a></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-38277583840679825502011-06-26T17:45:00.000-08:002011-06-26T17:45:48.326-08:00June 22, 2011 meeting minutes<div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>WILLOW DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION DRAFT</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 144.0px; text-indent: 36.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b> Meeting Minutes--subject to approval at July meeting </b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Willow Community Center</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Date:</b>June 22, 2011</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Called to Order:</b>7:13 p.m.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Quorum Established</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Attendees Present:</b> Donna Quante, Sue Morgan, Jamie West, Kathie Smith, Jenny Evans, Pat Welch, Kari Skogen, Sue Allen, Janet Sweeney, JP Norris, Fran Agne, Helen Hegener, Ken Nelson</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>Agenda reviewed and accepted. May 25 minutes approved as written.</i></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i></i></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Guest Presentation</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b>Pat Madigan had an emergency and could not make the meeting. She will be at the July meeting. </span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Officer Reports:</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Member-at-Large – </b>Bob:not present. Kari:working on symposium. Jenny:no report.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Secretary</b> – Suggested a social event in September – an overnight stay at a public use cabin on Byer’s Lake. Will check into cabin availability.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Treasurer</b> – Money amount the same as last month. Jamie has been working on the books and has finished 2010. </span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <b>Vice President</b> – WACO report:40 acre park clean up June 25</span><span style="font: 6.7px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> at 10a.m. CIP projects 1) new fire building 2) implement summer trails plan 3) highway bypass study. Vern Halter <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>secured $54,000 from Borough for WACO. </span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>President</b> – no specific report – comments scattered throughout the meeting. Presented letter supporting trail easements that was sent to Eric Moore.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Committee and Special Group Reports:</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Trails</b> – No report.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Symposium</b> – Working on registration form – will request $3,500 from WACO for evening <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>program by Pamyua at July 11 meeting. Symposium closing panel “Gathering of <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Champions”.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Emergency Preparedness</b> – Working on upgrading data pool of kennels.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Races: </b><i>Willow Jr.</i><b> – </b>No report. <i>Willow/Tug 300</i> - Sue Allen read letter which stated they will find another way to put on their 300 mile race. Letter on file. WDMA will consider putting on the Willow/Tug 300 next season. Bob Sexton has expressed an interest in coordinating the race. </span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Forestry</b> – A new report to come out – old one had mistakes.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br />
Events/Fundraising</b> –Christina is making T-shirts for 4</span><span style="font: 6.7px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> of July parade – Meet at TP at 11 am – parade at noon. Bring a dog to walk.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Unfinished Business/Reports/Updates</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Club historian and spay/neuter clinic – Tina not present.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gas Pipeline – comments from WDMA posted on ASAP web page.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>New Business </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Announcements</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b></span><b> </b></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">None.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> None.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Adjourned 7:58 pm</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><b>Next Meeting July 27</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-44724571047857650182011-05-27T09:20:00.001-08:002011-05-27T09:21:06.742-08:00Mushers Visit Elementary School Health FairWillow Elementary School nurse, Suzanne Chapelle, invited WDMA members to participate in the their school health fair on April 29, 2011. The purpose was to correlate health of dogs to health of children, i.e., dogs need vaccinations, exercise and love, just as children do, to remain healthy.<br />
WDMA members Sue Morgan, Jenny Evans were up to the task of explanations for the older grades. Miranda and Ruth An Stitt brought puppies---always a hit--for the younger grades. Seems everyone had a great time and shared a lot of information in a fun way.<br />
Thanks to our WDMA members for providing this community service.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFUIVJeKlyA/Td_bxjxwrSI/AAAAAAAANr8/boDJfTPBBqI/s1600/IMG_1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFUIVJeKlyA/Td_bxjxwrSI/AAAAAAAANr8/boDJfTPBBqI/s320/IMG_1882.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue Morgan, with Dawson, talking about staying healthy.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDoPd383gYI/Td_bzTwL7kI/AAAAAAAANsA/QCvQjcp8UBU/s1600/IMG_1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDoPd383gYI/Td_bzTwL7kI/AAAAAAAANsA/QCvQjcp8UBU/s320/IMG_1898.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Evans and Wessex share some love with the kids.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMVS4P5sC68/Td_b0WsbAQI/AAAAAAAANsE/DhkMgS_N8pw/s1600/IMG_1908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMVS4P5sC68/Td_b0WsbAQI/AAAAAAAANsE/DhkMgS_N8pw/s1600/IMG_1908.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda and Ruth An Stitt with Polaris and Spunk <br />
brought a lot of excitement to the classroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-34790954612547471052011-04-03T13:29:00.001-08:002011-04-03T13:32:34.825-08:00Trail conditionsWith daytime temperatures in the 40's and nights in the 20's, some of the Willow Trails are deteriorating quickly. I see open water when I drive over the Parks Hwy bridge at Willow Creek.<br />
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</span></div>So, today I went over to the West Gateway Trailhead. There were quite a few snowmachine trucks and trailers, so I figured the lakes are still good. I took Spirit and we walked a mile or so out towards Vera Lake. While the trail is a little icy, it is still usable. In fact, a team passed us as we walked.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdrSwynz-gc/TZjmAaHyBBI/AAAAAAAANrU/diJ-kqkFPcI/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdrSwynz-gc/TZjmAaHyBBI/AAAAAAAANrU/diJ-kqkFPcI/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steve Charles of the Willow Trails Committee taking his dogs for a run today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was cloudy when I started walking, so it felt cool with a light breeze. Once the sun came out though, it was down right hot, even though it was only 40 degrees. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get out while the getting is still good!</div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-82703510158673148462011-03-30T16:14:00.001-08:002011-03-30T22:27:15.797-08:00Minutes from 3/23/11 meeting<div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Minutes from the WDMA meeting of March 23, 2011. Please have a look and submit any corrections now or at the April 27 meeting. Thanks.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Wk-XoNEiA/TZPFaI5LG9I/AAAAAAAANqw/e_yX_bBAjYc/s1600/41593_171558111477_2414278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Wk-XoNEiA/TZPFaI5LG9I/AAAAAAAANqw/e_yX_bBAjYc/s200/41593_171558111477_2414278_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></b><br />
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<b><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>WILLOW DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION DRAFT</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 144.0px; text-indent: 36.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b> Meeting Minutes </b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Willow Community Center</b></span></div></b><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Date: </b>March 23, 2011</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Called to Order:</b> 7:09 p.m.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Quorum Established</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Attendees Present:</b> Donna Quante, Sue Morgan, Jamie West, Tina Cook, Kathie Smith, Jenny Evans, Dale Evans, Christina Rose, Robert Sexton, Peter Duncan, Bruce Paulsen, Chris Stitt, Tami McKellar, Gary McKellar, Susie Dillon, Pat Welch, Vic and Tina, Kari Skogen, Lynda Barcome, JP Norris, Bud Smyth, Dianne Maythorne, Corinne Zurflueh-Smyth</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Agenda reviewed and accepted with following changes: Chief is changed to Manager and <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>Mat-Su Animal Control is changed to Mat-Su Animal Care</i></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>February 23</i></b></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 6.7px/normal Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><sup>th</sup></i></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i> minutes approved </i></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i></i></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Guest Presentation</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Richard Stockdale, manager of Mat-Su Animal Care discussed his prior work experience </span>including a huge dog rescue. </div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Best way to contact him is email:<a href="mailto:Richard.stockdale@matsugtov.us"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Richard.stockdale@matsugtov.us</span></a> or phone 761-7505. </div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">He is currently working on disaster preparedness for animals.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Officer Reports:</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Member-at-Large – </b>Bob is working on web and Jenny attended the Trails meeting. There is a Trail Rondy and Wet crossing workshop coming up – both in April.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Secretary</b> – No report.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Treasurer</b> – $8,198 in AK USA checking account, $571.00 in savings, $36 in Pay Pal. <br />
Gaming has $40 for WDMA and $744 for Willow/Tug. Willow/Tug 300 income $16,954 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>with expense of $16,210. Iditarod sales down about $1,000 from last year.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Vice President</b> – Vacant</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>President</b> – WDMA got a thank you from Willow Jr 100 race for our support. WDMA received a nice print from WACO as a thank for your supporting the Carnival dinner. Discussion of what to do with the print.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Committee and Special Group Reports:</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Trails</b> – Summer trails plan for review by April 1.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Symposium</b> – Will have it same time in September – thinking about keynote speaker.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Emergency Preparedness</b> -- Once snow is gone look around your kennel to see what you can do to keep it clean. Have a buddy kennel for emergency. </span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Willow Jr. - </b>Willow Jr. 100 Race will be second weekend in Feb. </span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Willow/Tug 300</b> - Have not met since race – will have race next year 1</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 6.7px/normal Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>st</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> weekend in Feb.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Forestry</b> – Regarding dog mushing signs on Zero Lake Road – bring up after budget so know how much we can spend.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Fundraising</b> – Sold $250 worth of merchandise at Fur Rondy.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Unfinished Business/Reports/Updates</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1) IRS status - no report.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2) Jerry Purser Memorial Run set for March 27</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 6.7px/normal Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>New Business</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1) Election Results:</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>President – Donna Quante</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>VP – Janet Sweeney</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span> Secretary – Sue Morgan</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Treasurer – Jamie West</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Member-at- Large – Box Sexton, Jenny Evans, Kari Skogen</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2) Donna would like members to join a committee. Suggested we have a club historian.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">3) Board will conduct a by-law review.</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Announcements</b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">WACO general elections April 4</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 6.7px/normal Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Marathon race July 9</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 6.7px/normal Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> from Shirley Town to Independence Mine – will WDMA run an aid station?</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">April 1st – All Creatures Vet Vaccination Clinic</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Adjourned 8:56 pm</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Next Meeting April 27 </span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-79485913029103330092011-03-30T09:57:00.000-08:002011-03-30T09:57:17.604-08:00Alaska Trails Course Offered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTMS3JjtmFE/TZNuxUuQy6I/AAAAAAAANqk/UVwqcCP9ECI/s1600/Mail+Attachment.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTMS3JjtmFE/TZNuxUuQy6I/AAAAAAAANqk/UVwqcCP9ECI/s1600/Mail+Attachment.jpeg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
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<big><i><b>Sustainable Trail Design for Wetland Terrain</b></i></big><br />
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Alaska Trails will be offering a 3-hour course on Sustainable Trail Design for Wetland Terrain at the Willow Community Center in Willow, Alaska on the evening on Friday, April 22, at 6-9 PM. The program will be presented by Kevin Meyer, the Regional Trails Specialist for the National Park Service, who is a nationally recognized expert on ATV/OHV trail design in permafrost and wetlands environments. The program will discuss fundamental concepts of sustainability, and will present practical management and technical options -- such as trail hardening -- that ensure trails meet the needs of users and provide protection for the environment. The program will provide an introduction to the wide range of trails management information, assistance programs and training now available to the public. Cost: <b>FREE</b> – sponsored by the Mat-Su Health Foundation.<b><br />
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Please RSVP to Erin McLarnon at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:erin.mclarnon@alaska-trails.org" moz-do-not-send="true">erin.mclarnon@alaska-trails.org</a> or 907-334-8049.</b></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-70472913274464924332011-03-30T09:50:00.002-08:002011-03-30T10:26:04.159-08:00WDMA Activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">WDMA likes to be involved with community activities. In the past year we sponsored the opening dinner of the 50th Willow Winter Carnival, as well as held competitions for lead dog and a women's sprint race. We contributed to the Earl Norris and Willow Jr 100 race. We held our first mid-distance race with the Willow-Tug 300, which was a huge success. </div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks open the Willow Winter Carnival.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A team in the Earl Norris race with Denali shining on it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead dog competition.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vI3uWvUj68U/TZNkwcMsJoI/AAAAAAAANqY/eWwjv301l9E/s1600/IMG_4809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vI3uWvUj68U/TZNkwcMsJoI/AAAAAAAANqY/eWwjv301l9E/s320/IMG_4809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamiee Knizer's team heads out on the Willow Tug 300.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6A0Y68CXFHc/TZNmxzQ1rxI/AAAAAAAANqg/FoG5wEVsEWM/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6A0Y68CXFHc/TZNmxzQ1rxI/AAAAAAAANqg/FoG5wEVsEWM/s320/IMG_0430.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members Jenny Evans, Jamie West and Susie Dixon handle<br />
the Iditarod table.<br />
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We supported the Iditarod restart with a vendor table.<br />
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WDMA supported our community library and elementary school with donations of books about mushing. We also contributed to the Willow Elementary School fund for the 5th and 6th graders class trip to Denali. We marched in the Fourth of July parade and held a pet costume contest that afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WDMA members pause on Willow Station Rd. during<br />
the 4th of July parade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive was one of the dogs in the pet costume contest.</td></tr>
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Our symposiums in September have been a lot of fun with awesome demonstrations, interesting keynote speakers and too many activities to list. In 2010, the Mushing History Conference was held in conjunction with the symposium.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7_6-1-MkWs/TZNltl6QUFI/AAAAAAAANqc/x1j89JB0Hc0/s1600/IMG_1710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7_6-1-MkWs/TZNltl6QUFI/AAAAAAAANqc/x1j89JB0Hc0/s320/IMG_1710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey was the first symposium<br />
Keynote speaker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Shields, the first woman to finish the Iditarod spoke at<br />
2010 Symposium.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fi06Rp-YlTc/TZNkh78IAUI/AAAAAAAANp4/Po1Kp4cL53M/s1600/IMG_1703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fi06Rp-YlTc/TZNkh78IAUI/AAAAAAAANp4/Po1Kp4cL53M/s320/IMG_1703.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie Norris was made the first lifetime member of WDMA</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Whenever possible, WDMA supports other Willow Organizations like the Willow Race Series and the Willow Health Organization.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuHn5MpGcv8/TZNknWWlX1I/AAAAAAAANqE/yLNFnjlTSiU/s1600/IMG_2979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuHn5MpGcv8/TZNknWWlX1I/AAAAAAAANqE/yLNFnjlTSiU/s320/IMG_2979.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WDMA members DeeDee Jonrowe and Bonnie Church<br />
participate in the Willow Race Series.</td></tr>
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All in all, we just like being part of the Willow Community. We invite you to join us in our activities and all the wonderful programs this community has to offer.<br />
(Post and photos by Donna Quante<br />
If you have a post and/or photos you would like to see on this blog, please email them to:djqhusky@mtaonline.net<br />
We want to share this awesome place we call home.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476268992145726158.post-58080515881731288492011-03-28T18:56:00.001-08:002011-03-29T07:16:42.570-08:00Jerry Purser Memorial RunJerry and Carolyn Purser have been active members of the mushing community in Alaska for many years. When Jerry passed in 2007, Carolyn asked that in lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the Willow Dog Mushers Association. A fund was created in Jerry's name. The question became, what to do with the money. With Carolyn's donation of a piece of land, it was decided to build a small mushers' safety cabin on the Yentna River. Dean Davidson, Steve Charles and Vic Stanculescu were the primary builders hauling materials to the site by boat in summer and snowmachine in winter. It took several seasons to complete.<br />
On March 27, 2011, eight members of the WDMA snowmachined out to the cabin for a memorial run. It was a gorgeous day on the Yentna River with Mt Susitna shining on the horizon. We had a fun and memorable time visiting the cabin and then heading further up river to Luce's for a late lunch. We told stories of each other's mushing adventures and laughed a lot. For some of us, it was out first time this far out from Willow. We each made plans on when and how to return by dog team. Below are some of the photos from our fun day. (Post and photos by Donna Quante---click any photo to enlarge it.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eight of us met at the West Gateway Trailhead. Four <br />
snowmachines, two riders, two on dog sleds pulled by<br />
the snowmachines.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari and her niece, Åsne prepared to be towed. They would<br />
find the ride to be rough through all the moguls and<br />
hard packed trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76MBI6oE8H4/TZE_RxLJq1I/AAAAAAAANno/I2Ms0beMNtE/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76MBI6oE8H4/TZE_RxLJq1I/AAAAAAAANno/I2Ms0beMNtE/s320/IMG_0836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the way, we stopped to help two fellows who lost<br />
their load.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJf8VfyZQlc/TZE_VvTwnyI/AAAAAAAANn0/AbW28__2y_g/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJf8VfyZQlc/TZE_VvTwnyI/AAAAAAAANn0/AbW28__2y_g/s320/IMG_0849.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What was a local landmark, a huge Cottonwood tree, is<br />
gone. But a sign still marks the spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTwUe_35rv8/TZE_nitH4vI/AAAAAAAANn4/5bNT_MOX27s/s1600/IMG_0852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTwUe_35rv8/TZE_nitH4vI/AAAAAAAANn4/5bNT_MOX27s/s320/IMG_0852.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You just can't get lost on the river. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCpvPc_ZhhE/TZE_oYspE4I/AAAAAAAANn8/O108MtxVeuk/s1600/IMG_0855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCpvPc_ZhhE/TZE_oYspE4I/AAAAAAAANn8/O108MtxVeuk/s320/IMG_0855.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang doing their best scary tree imitation. Either that<br />
or someone is remaking the "Thriller" video.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TegYhs9Wcfw/TZE_pFntd4I/AAAAAAAANoA/HtIyM4nEgpY/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TegYhs9Wcfw/TZE_pFntd4I/AAAAAAAANoA/HtIyM4nEgpY/s320/IMG_0856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog teams on the Yentna.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zOgwLRltcA/TZE_pkqK7bI/AAAAAAAANoE/0XMx4ZUZaEs/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zOgwLRltcA/TZE_pkqK7bI/AAAAAAAANoE/0XMx4ZUZaEs/s320/IMG_0863.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the teams is Ray Redington.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8kb4ob9oMo/TZE_qdbluxI/AAAAAAAANoI/6zFV6aOiQ7k/s1600/IMG_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8kb4ob9oMo/TZE_qdbluxI/AAAAAAAANoI/6zFV6aOiQ7k/s320/IMG_0864.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign points the way to the Purser property. Mushers should<br />
not take this entrance. It is not team friendly. There is another<br />
entrance a little further along.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ru_oHRw_8Bk/TZE_q-VsmXI/AAAAAAAANoM/Di_FPLdNOTQ/s1600/IMG_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ru_oHRw_8Bk/TZE_q-VsmXI/AAAAAAAANoM/Di_FPLdNOTQ/s320/IMG_0866.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The safety cabin for mushers. Everything was built 8x8. The<br />
only cuts were made with a chain saw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkigO5OzKK0/TZE_rz6JL1I/AAAAAAAANoQ/m3b2itOS4YM/s1600/IMG_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkigO5OzKK0/TZE_rz6JL1I/AAAAAAAANoQ/m3b2itOS4YM/s320/IMG_0870.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many mushers can fit in a small cabin?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sTIYdZmOnd0/TZE_sbAFohI/AAAAAAAANoU/v_CAFOHpaoM/s1600/IMG_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sTIYdZmOnd0/TZE_sbAFohI/AAAAAAAANoU/v_CAFOHpaoM/s320/IMG_0872.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is even a bunk bed inside. We were talking<br />
about what else we need to add.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubDCBFrZALw/TZE_tKcqy3I/AAAAAAAANoY/rFZurw0Qj44/s1600/IMG_0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubDCBFrZALw/TZE_tKcqy3I/AAAAAAAANoY/rFZurw0Qj44/s320/IMG_0873.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cabin is well insulated with 6 inch thick walls. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CbmhSbhJBmA/TZFALW2muBI/AAAAAAAANog/2V4t5M_-l3A/s1600/IMG_0888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CbmhSbhJBmA/TZFALW2muBI/AAAAAAAANog/2V4t5M_-l3A/s320/IMG_0888.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacking and talking. L-R: Scott Brown, Steve Charles,<br />
Dean Davidson, Janet Sweeney</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RXjbxKxUAnI/TZFAMTV34wI/AAAAAAAANok/YN1vux95B6U/s1600/IMG_0889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RXjbxKxUAnI/TZFAMTV34wI/AAAAAAAANok/YN1vux95B6U/s320/IMG_0889.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean, Janet, Sue Morgan, Kari Skogen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pp1B-uxiAk/TZFAM568z2I/AAAAAAAANoo/wd5bqrGEwqE/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pp1B-uxiAk/TZFAM568z2I/AAAAAAAANoo/wd5bqrGEwqE/s320/IMG_0890.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It just seemed right to store Kari's sled on the deck while<br />
we went for lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdELyyWvqsc/TZFANYDPQtI/AAAAAAAANos/5fScOJVoEbA/s1600/IMG_0893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdELyyWvqsc/TZFANYDPQtI/AAAAAAAANos/5fScOJVoEbA/s320/IMG_0893.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luce's looking towards the river. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wz79hDcqC58/TZFAONZ4_CI/AAAAAAAANow/ugI5wqqAP7c/s1600/IMG_0899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wz79hDcqC58/TZFAONZ4_CI/AAAAAAAANow/ugI5wqqAP7c/s320/IMG_0899.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unique bird feeder!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r302R4_QXpQ/TZFAOz-mxXI/AAAAAAAANo0/-CBpkvxw4sA/s1600/IMG_0903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r302R4_QXpQ/TZFAOz-mxXI/AAAAAAAANo0/-CBpkvxw4sA/s320/IMG_0903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of stories and laughter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1wEmZT170A/TZFAPmuJ9CI/AAAAAAAANo4/RNwkVhcdgLc/s1600/IMG_0904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1wEmZT170A/TZFAPmuJ9CI/AAAAAAAANo4/RNwkVhcdgLc/s320/IMG_0904.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luce's is an amazing place to eat in the middle of nowhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWTeuxwauT0/TZFAQZAQZmI/AAAAAAAANo8/8DEdLiajPNs/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWTeuxwauT0/TZFAQZAQZmI/AAAAAAAANo8/8DEdLiajPNs/s320/IMG_0907.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved the table and chairs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzj0twI0sXo/TZFASPNwCPI/AAAAAAAANpE/73TGfeAe9Z0/s1600/IMG_0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzj0twI0sXo/TZFASPNwCPI/AAAAAAAANpE/73TGfeAe9Z0/s320/IMG_0909.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was even a pool table!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crFuLiE8SCs/TZFATVLbt1I/AAAAAAAANpM/4RUaoqEIrv4/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crFuLiE8SCs/TZFATVLbt1I/AAAAAAAANpM/4RUaoqEIrv4/s320/IMG_0911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Susitna, the sleeping lady.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMjiKaitqU8/TZFAUw5EEdI/AAAAAAAANpU/Q4vVn013aW0/s1600/IMG_0915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMjiKaitqU8/TZFAUw5EEdI/AAAAAAAANpU/Q4vVn013aW0/s320/IMG_0915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this guy wanted a hamburger too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMvFdO2lPXc/TZFAVZX2fLI/AAAAAAAANpY/SSuH9uv-fgU/s1600/IMG_0916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMvFdO2lPXc/TZFAVZX2fLI/AAAAAAAANpY/SSuH9uv-fgU/s320/IMG_0916.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luce's from the river. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZQegtUqAAw/TZFAWubReII/AAAAAAAANpg/cwmef_1yw_c/s1600/IMG_0919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZQegtUqAAw/TZFAWubReII/AAAAAAAANpg/cwmef_1yw_c/s320/IMG_0919.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari waits for the outhouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsmTLYPD398/TZFAXDG9-AI/AAAAAAAANpk/A2R5cCBslHM/s1600/IMG_0920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsmTLYPD398/TZFAXDG9-AI/AAAAAAAANpk/A2R5cCBslHM/s320/IMG_0920.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fancy outhouse too. Heat lamps!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af9WaUnK1sk/TZFAXu20ZDI/AAAAAAAANpo/xrKkXo_cz44/s1600/IMG_0921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af9WaUnK1sk/TZFAXu20ZDI/AAAAAAAANpo/xrKkXo_cz44/s320/IMG_0921.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang posing with the lady.<br />
Steve, Dean, Janet, Scott, Kari, Åsne, Sue</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1