by Sally Simon, Finalist for Target® Iditarod 2011 Teacher on the Trail™

The Thursday night before the Iditarod is full of traditions.  The dictionary says traditions are “long-established actions or patterns of behavior in a community or group of people”.  Well, if the mushers and their fans are considered a community of people, then the Musher’s Drawing Banquet is full of traditions.

One tradition that’s noticed as soon as one enters the room is the music of Hobo Jim.  Hobo Jim is a legend in Alaska and his song “Redington’s Run” is virtually a trademark for the Iditarod.  Hobo Jim has been the opening entertainment for the banquet for many years.  To learn more about Hobo Jim or to listen to some of his songs visit his website: http://www.hobojim.com.

Another tradition is quickly noticed when one finds his seat.  Each table has a centerpiece made by students who have submitted their design to the Education Department months in advance.  Each classroom selected makes the centerpieces and sends them to Alaska in time for the event.  Two of this year’s designs came from Arkansas and Indiana.

During the banquet there are also several auctions to raise money for the Iditarod.  Some items are live auctions and some are silent.  For the silent auction there’s usually art work, crafts and jewelry from Alaska.  This year there were several items donated to  raise money for a special cause, Four Paws for Logan. This is an initiative to buy a dog for an autistic boy from Unalakeet. Dee Dee Jonrowe announced during the banquet that the goal of raising $13, 500 to buy the dog has been reached!  That was so exciting.  The family will still need money to support the everyday needs of the dog, so if you haven’t donated yet, you still can!  To find out more about this worthwhile cause visit the website:  http://www.4pawsforlogan.com.

Another long standing tradition of the banquet is introducing the Honorary Musher for the race. S/he gets to wear bib #1 and start the Ceremonial race at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The Honorary Musher is selected because of his contributions to the sport of dog sledding.  This year’s Honorary Musher is Orin Seybert, the founder of PenAir, a commuter airline that services Southwest Alaska.  PenAir transports hundreds of volunteers and dogs to and from checkpoints along the Iditarod Trail during the race.  Orin Seybert started the company in 1955 and it’s grown into a thriving company of over 450 employees.  PenAir also sponsors the PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award for the first musher into McGrath.  That lucky musher receives a beautiful “spirit mask” and $500 credit towards travel or freight shipment.

Finally, the tradition that everyone in the room looks forward to the most is the drawing of bib numbers followed by an autograph session.  The traditional way a musher selects his bib number (which is also his/her starting position) is by picking it out of a mukluk, or native Alaskan boot made of reindeer or seal skin.  After the musher announces the number s/he goes into an autograph area where a variety of things are offered for signing:  annual race guide, posters, drop bags, and dog booties.  It’s an official rule that all mushers must be at the Drawing Banquet, so it is a great place to get autographs while the mushers are still in a jovial mood.  You can read all the rules of the 2010 Iditarod here: http://www.iditarod.com/race/iditarodrules.html.

This year, I decided to combine the tradition of the Musher’s Drawing Banquet with the tradition of the Traveling Quilt.  The Traveling Quilt is a project started in the summer of 2005 at the Iditarod Educator’s Conference.  The teachers created quilt squares which shared their educational journey and messages to students.  The 2006 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail sewed the quilt together and it traveled to classrooms throughout the United States.  There are now four quilts and a fifth one is in the making.

At the beginning of my experience at the Winter Educator’s Conference this year, I was given a blank quilt “square.”  I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it until I was walking into the banquet.  I realized I didn’t have anything for mushers to sign.  I saw the “square” in my bag and remembered how the students in my class loved seeing my autographed drop bag last year.  The light bulb went off.  I could get the mushers to autograph my square and make it part of the quilt to be shared with students around the country.

Signing one’s autograph represents a certain level of accomplishment.  It’s a souvenir of meeting someone who has hopes and dreams–someone who has followed his dream and been recognized by others.  So, my autographed “quilt square” will now be part of the Traveling Quilt tradition:  Tradition meets tradition.  But, it represents much more.  It represents having goals, working toward those goals, and being proud when those goals are realized.  To learn more about how you can become involved with the Traveling Quilt visit this website:  http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/traveling-iditarod-quilt-one-two-three.

View Pictures of the Musher Banquet

Lesson Plan Ideas:

*Create an autograph book for yesteryear (social studies & language arts).  Here is a sample lesson plan to get your ideas flowing:  http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/14683.htm.

*How much is an autograph worth?  (math):  Here is a sample lesson plan to help you get started:  http://www.pass-ed.com/Sports/EconomicsofAutographs.html.

*Handwriting analysis (science).  Here is a great lesson to give you lots of information:  http://www.handwritingscience.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9&Itemid=12.

*What are traditions in your family? Community?  State?  Interview or research to find out and share.

This picture was taken at the Jr. Iditarod.  You can get a glimpse of some of the items that can be found in a musher’s sled.  (Click the picture for a larger view.)

Musher are required to carry certain items.

After looking at the picture, brainstorm with a partner or with your class to create a list of all the items you think a musher should have and list a reason the musher should have the item.

Visit this link to read about the required gear.  (Rule 16)  Compare your list to the list of required gear that you find in the musher’s handbook.

The information says it best, that I can recall.  I (John A. Thorsen) was assigned to Galena AFB, Alaska the first year the Iditarod started.

I used the base HAM Radio and phones to keep up with the mushers.  The atmospheric condition was such that I could barely hear the HAM Radio operator in Ruby, Alaska even with amplifier on (to much solar interfernces).

I would work my shift at the base (mess hall / chow hall) then go to the main hanger and try to reach out and talk to other folks along the trail.  Most often getting nothing but sun spot noise.

If I heard anything, I would relay it to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, who would in turn relay it to Iditarod Headquarters in Iditarod, Alaska for which the race is named.

The race was run under good to poor weather; warm clear days, what little there was and long cold nights.  I have followed the race every year since and I will be 69 years old this coming May.  There was only one trail the first year, the Northern Route.  I don’t remember when they staretd the Southern Route, but I’ve kept up with both of them ever since.                                             Sincerely                                                               John A. Thorsen

Fort Worth, Texas

According to the news reports at this moment, (March 23, 2:22 AM AK time!) the volcano has blown 4 times, starting Sunday evening and and continuing on Monday.

As a precautionary measure, the Iditarod Headquarters in Anchorage, at the Millennium, was closed and the Nome Headquarters became the Official Race Headquarters.   Iditarod staff at the Millennium have begun to cover computers and electronic equipment with plastic so they are prepared if ash clouds reach this area.  Iditarod Volunteers not staying at the Millennium were sent home.

You can learn more about this volcano at the following website:  http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

2009 WELLS FARGO FINISHERS BANQUET Awards:

PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award- The recipient of the 2009 PenAir Spirit of Alaska award is Aaron Burmeister from Nenana Alaska.  The award is a beautiful framed mask depicting the spirit of the “team”.  Burmeister also received $500 credit for travel or freight.

GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award- Presented to Lance Mackey from Fairbanks Alaska who was the first musher to arrive in Iditarod Alaska.  Lance received $2,500 in gold nuggets and a beautiful trophy.

Millennium Alaskan Hotel Anchorage First To the Yukon Award- Presented to Lance Mackey from Fairbanks Alaska; the first Musher to arrive in Anvik Alaska on the banks of the Yukon.  While in Anvik, Mackey received a nine course meal.  Tonight Mackey received an additional $3,500 in one dollar bills as the “after dinner mint” for his efforts.

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Gold Coast Award- Presented to Lance Mackey from Fairbanks Alaska.  Mackey was the first musher to arrive in the Gold Coast community of Unalakleet. He was awarded a beautiful trophy and $2,500 in gold nuggets.

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award- Presented by the Nome Kennel Club. The recipient for the fastest time between Safety and Nome is Ramey Smyth from Willow Alaska.  He was able to complete the trek from Safety to Nome in 2 hours and 27 minutes. He received $500 for his efforts.

2008 Horizon Iditarod Most Improved Musher Award- Was awarded to Dallas Seavey from Seward Alaska.  Dallas went from 41^st position in 2007 to sixth in 2009.

Rookie of the Year- The Rookie of the Year Award has been sponsored by Jerry and Clara Austin of St. Michael Alaska since 1980.  The 2009 Rookie of the Year was Chad Lindner from Brookline Massachusetts. He received $1,500 and a trophy for his efforts.

ExxonMobil 37^th Iditarod Award- Exxonmobil presented an Iditarod Gold Coin (valued at $2,500) to Harry Alexi, from Bethel Alaska for being the 37^th musher to arrive in Nome

Fred Meyer Sportsmanship Award- This award includes $1,000 in Fred Meyer Gift Cards and was awarded to Aaron Burmeister of Nenana Alaska for helping a musher find his team.

Chevron Most Inspirational Musher Award- Presented to Iditarod musher Trent Herbst from Ketchum Idaho.  Trent received the award for the work he has done in the classroom teaching his students all about “The Last Great Race on Earth.” The honor included a trophy and $1,000 worth of Chevron gas.

Golden Clipboard Award- The 2008 Golden Clipboard is awarded to the checkpoint along the Iditarod Trail that exemplifies community teamwork The 2009 recipient is the village of Nikolai Alaska.

Golden Stethoscope Award- Awarded to the veterinarian deemed most helpful on the trail by the members of the Iditarod Official Finishers Club was awarded to Dr. Denny Albert from Denali Alaska.

Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award- is based on specific criteria to determine who has best demonstrated outstanding dog care through out the Race while remaining competitive.  Alaska Airlines presented the award to Iditarod 2009 Champion Lance Mackey.  Mackey received a lead crystal cup on an illuminated wooden base and two free round trip tickets to anywhere on the Alaska Airlines system.

The City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Winner- Originally presented by the late Lolly Medley, Wasilla harness maker and one of two women to run the second Iditarod in 1974.  The award honors an outstanding lead dog, chosen by the mushers. This year’s recipient was Kuling a 9 year old member of Jessie Royer’s team from Fairbanks Alaska. Kuling has completed seven Iditarods and led her team to an 8th place finish in 2009. She was Jessie’s lead dog for all seven of her Iditarods.

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award- Presented to the musher chosen by staff and officials as the person who most closely mimics “Herbie” in his/her attitude on the trail. This year’s recipient was Sonny Lindner from Fairbanks Alaska.  He received a free freight allotment on Northern Air Cargo, $1,049 cash and a trophy.

Wells Fargo Winner’s Purse Award- Was awarded to the 2009 Iditarod Champion, Lance Mackey.  This year’s award was $69,000.

Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Official Truck Award- Was awarded to the 2009 Iditarod Champion, Lance Mackey.  Mackey received a 2008 Dodge Ram Laramie “HEMI” 4/x/4 quad cab pick up.

During the Banquet each musher had the opportunity to try starting a brand new 4 wheel Bombardier compliments of Northern Air Cargo.  The winning key belonged to Robert Nelson from Kotzebue Alaska.

Click here to view:  The Purse  (money awarded)

Click here to read the journal created by Target® 2009 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™, Cathy Walters.  To hear Cathy’s songs, click here!

Click here to read the journal created by the Mentor on the Trail, SSG Russell Throckmorton. Cathy and Russell are traveling the Iditarod Trail and enjoying their time with students and teachers.  Don’t miss these stories from the Iditarod Trail!

Click here to experiment with the FREE GPS TRACKER.  Follow several mushers along the Iditarod Trail.  Discover important information about the trail and the journey of the mushers.

Click here to visit Zuma’s Paw Prints.  Read the stories from Zuma and the K-9 Journalists.  Send your comments and questions to the journalists.

Click here to learn more about Iditarod Insider and GPS Tracking.  It is not to late to subscribe.

Click here for resources to help your students: (Iditarod Ready!  Storm Ready! curriculum materials, project connections and lesson ideas, musher tracking forms, and information necessary to read if you are writing to mushers this year.)

Click here to read articles from our Target® 2010 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™.   Check out their lesson ideas and projects, read about their experiences, and join us as we await the decision announcing our next Teacher on the Trail™!

Read articles about the race and listen to audio reports.  Click here!

Join our Discussion Forum.  Click here!

Are you looking for a lesson idea?  Use the search box on the right side of this page (scroll down!) or the lesson and topic tags to help you locate ideas.

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By Herb Brambley

2010 Target Teacher on the Trail Finalist

Imagine you are a professional athlete getting ready for your playing season, or even a high school athlete.  What is the first thing you have to do before stepping onto the playing field?  That’s right!  Get a physical by a qualified physician and have the paper work signed on the bottom providing proof that you have been examined.  The elite athletes of the Iditarod, the dogs, have to go through the same process. Every dog competing in the Iditarod must be examined by a qualified veterinarian.  Even more than that, every dog must receive an EKG in order to make sure its heart is healthy enough to safely run the race to Nome.

Mushers are evaluating the health of their dogs on a daily basis by asking themselves questions like, are the dogs maintaining their weight? Do they need to have booties on to protect their feet? Do the dogs appear enthusiastic about running or are the listless?  These and other questions are just part of the continuous evaluation by a musher of his or her team.

In order to begin to gain an understanding of this process, students can learn the acronym H.A.W.L.  Hawl, which means turn left if you’re mushing dogs, is also the acronym for Heart and Hydration, Attitude and Appetite, Weight, and Lungs.  The heart and lungs are the two main organs of a mammal that are part of the respiration process.  Weight is also related to respiration in that if a mammal is metabolizing more calories than it is taking in, it will lose weight.  If it is taking in more calories than it is metabolizing, it will gain weight. In order for metabolism to take place properly, oxygen must be present in the blood.  How does the oxygen get into the blood?  It gets there via the lungs. Therefore, the heart, lungs, and weight are all related to each other. Students can gain an understanding of this by doing a few simple lab experiments that require them to check their own pulse at rest, exercise for a short time, and check their pulse again. The following internet site shows this through the use of a lab. http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/scottforesman/Sci_5_PBA_D.pdf

The heart is the organ that pumps blood through a mammal’s body. The heart consists of several chambers with valves between them. When the veterinarian is listening to the heart, he is listening for any abnormalities in rhythm or any sounds that may indicate a heart valve that is leaking. The following internet site has videos, animations, and lessons that may demonstrate this to students.

http://www.smm.org/heart/lessons/top.html

You may be wondering what attitude has to do with health.  Dogs are not like people in that they can’t use words to communicate how they are feeling.  Dogs communicate through their actions.  If a dog isn’t feeling well, it will often demonstrate this by restlessness, panting, or drooling.  It may stop eating or drinking or, it may refuse to pull.  Mushers are continually watching for changes in a dog’s habits that could indicate a problem.

In talking with Dr. Stuart Nelson, chief veterinarian for the Iditarod, I learned that diet and nutrition also play important roles in a dog’s overall health.  As mentioned above, diet and cardiovascular function are related to weight.  Proper weight in dogs, just as in humans, is achieved through proper diet and exercise.  A dog’s diet should be low in carbohydrates, and most of its caloric intake should come from fat.  Keep in mind that a dog’s diet is different than a healthy diet for humans.  To view a healthy diet for humans, use the food guide pyramid at the following site.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html

There is an old saying in the horse world, “no hoof, no horse.”  That means if a horses hooves aren’t taken care of properly, the horse won’t be able to be ridden or used for work.  The same holds true for a dog.  A dog’s paws must be taken care of properly or the dog may end up limping and won’t be able to pull effectively.  Mushers maintain good paw health in a few ways. They use booties to protect the paws if trail conditions require, and they put a liniment on them to keep them flexible. Dog bootie activities and uses may be found at the following site.

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/teacher/teachervol1complete.pdf

The following site shows a video clip of an actual Iditarod vet check.  It shows blood being drawn for the dogs blood work, and it shows a dog getting an EKG. I suggest that you view the clip before showing it to your students since this may be too graphic for some younger students.

http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/search/label/Iditarod

There are rules that govern the Iditarod race.  Many of these rules have been made to protect the dogs who are the real athletes in this race.  Each musher must be a member of Mush with P.R.I.D.E.  This organization provides standards for dog care and equipment, and is concerned with the public’s perception of dog sled racing. The acronym stands for Providing Responsible Information on a Dogs Environment.  You can get more information at the following web site.

http://www.mushwithpride.org/

And finally, the sites listed below include this year’s Pre-Race Exam Form, the Iditarod Rules, which include specifics that protect these elite dog athletes, pictures of the vet check from last year, and an article that discusses the no doping policy of the Iditarod Trail Committee.

Iditarod Pre race exam form

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2009/2009VetCheckForm.pdf

Iditarod Rules

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2009/2009RulesFinal.pdf

Pictures of the vet check

http://backstage-iditarod.blogspot.com/2008/02/vet-check-iditarod-2008-part-1.html

Clean Race Article

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-02-29-iditarod-doping_N.htm#

Items a musher must have in the sled.

http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/sledcargoFK.htm

Answering the Critics

http://www.mushhusky.com/subject-guides/23-The%20Iditarod%20Fact,%20Not%20Fiction.pdf

By: Nikki Allen 2010 Teacher on the Trail^TMFinalist

The Iditarod is in his blood. For Ray Redington, Jr., the Last Great Race is something that he has been raised in the midst of. Being the grandson of Iditarod founder Joe Redington, Sr., Ray comes from a line of Iditarod mushers. Not only did his grandfather found the race, his father Raymie was an Iditarod musher and now Ray and his brother Ryan are following in their footsteps. Born and raised in Knik, Ray began racing at the age of seven or eight where he ran one-dog races. He says that having family support throughout the year and during race time is extremely important. Of course, Ray’s father Raymie is always there to lend a hand or give advice along with his mother, brother Ryan, and wonderful wife Julia who energetically support his racing. Ray also has two children, three-year-old Ellen and three-month-old Isaac. When asked if Ellen and Isaac would follow in the family footsteps, Ray says that he would love to see his children race, but it would also be fine with him if they wanted to do something else. And does Ray feel any pressure to always have a Redington in the race? He says no, but he “feels that when he is in the race it is nice to have a good dog team and a good showing.”

In preparation for the Iditarod Ray typically runs at least two races. Usually a 200 and 300 mile race. This year he finished second in the Knik 200 and fourth in the Klondike 300. After all of the excitement of the ceremonial start and restart of this year’s Iditarod, Ray says that he will really enjoy just getting out there on the trail with his team. According to Ray, his favorite thing about racing is “being able to get the dog team into a rhythm with each other. It is definitely a team sport. You have to have them working together.” Getting to Nikolai in one piece (with a healthy team and no broken sleds) will be one of the most challenging aspects of the trail this year. Ray also mentioned that the heavy snowfall could pose a problem with moose this year. Moose will travel a hard packed trail if there is heavy snow and can be on the trail as the mushers come through.

Ray is starting 10^th in this year’s Iditarod. He and his team are primed and ready to go. With the support of his family, friends, and fans Ray will continue to carry on the Redington family tradition of Iditarod mushers.  We wish him safety and the best of luck on his journey to Nome.

Here is the starting order for the 2009 Iditarod!  Click here!

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