Nikki, Herb, and Linda participated in the competition for the Target® 2010 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail. View “The Challenge” projects.
The competition is on. Not just for mushers, but for teachers, too. On Monday, the Finalists for Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail began their day with personal interviews. Following their interview, they participated in a “Challenge Project”.
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The Amazing Race!….. Teacher on the Trail Style!
By Nikki Allen 2010 Target Teacher on the Trail Finalist
This year’s Iditarod Teacher on the Trail challenge project was truly an amazing race! We traveled to Wasilla, Alaska and made four stops along the journey. The first was an amazing photo opportunity of Pioneer Peak where we stopped on the drive from Anchorage to Wasilla to capture the beauty of Alaska. Alaska during the winter is absolutely breathtaking! From the snow capped mountains to the frozen lakes and rivers, to the snow covered trees throughout the forest, Alaska really is a winter wonderland.
Our next stop took us to Target, the official sponsor of the Teacher on the TrailTM program. We had 30 minutes to go in and gather any information that we might want to use for our project. Target is an amazing company who really reaches out to the community and puts a high priority on supporting educational programs. Target guest services attendant Mandy Douberly say that the thing that she loves most about working for Target is “the community service that they are involved in. All of the Target employees get involved in volunteering with these programs. Recently many of the employees have worked with the boys and girls club to provide opportunities for students.” She said that just yesterday they had a number of young students in Target for a celebration of the birthday of Dr. Seuss. They read with the students and really encouraged them to get excited about reading. Target also sponsors the Target field trip grants for teachers where teachers can apply for money to take their students outside of the school walls to embark on real life learning experiences. For any credit card or check card issued to a customer, Target also allows that customer to select a school of their choosing and ten cents of every dollar spent goes directly to the particular school. The Iditarod Teacher on the TrailTM program is definitely lucky to have such an amazing company as their sponsor. They really value education within their community.
Stop number two was in down town Wasilla where I was able to check out all of the old buildings that began the town. There was the blacksmith shop, Shorty Gustafson’s Barn, Wasilla’s first school built in 1917, the Capitol site cabin, the Herning-Teeland-Mead house, and Wasilla’s first public sauna bath. I was also able to meet Marty Raney, an adventurous Wasilla resident. Marty is a contractor who has lived in Alaska for 35 years. And talk about adventurous….Marty has climbed Mt. McKinley 10 times and is the only person who has ever taken a guitar to the top of the mountain! Speaking of guitar, I found out that Marty is quite an amazing guitar player who not only plays, but writes songs too. He very generously gave me one of his CD’s entitled “Strummit from the Summit.” Very appropriately named in my opinion! Marty was also the guide who led the PBS filmmaking crew for the breast cancer awareness video “Against All Odds.” Just yesterday he climbed to the top of Marmot Mountain and went skiing off of the top! I feel very lucky to have met Marty because I truly believe his adventurous spirit is the true spirit of Alaska!
The last stop of our amazing race took us to Crevasse Moraine Trailhead where we were able to spend 30 minutes enjoying the winter wonderland that is Alaska. Strolling through the snow covered trees with mountains blanketing the background was a very peaceful moment and really reminded me of the greatness of Alaska and our amazing country. We truly are luck to live in this land that we call America. I am thankful to have had this awe inspiring and truly fun experience known as the challenge project, or in my book….The Amazing Race (Teacher on the TrailTM style!)
Challenge Project
Herb Brambley
Interesting, enlightening, insightful, friendly, and inspiring are all words that I would use to describe our afternoon challenge project adventure. The trip from Anchorage to Wasilla was breathtakingly beautiful. The snow capped peaks, reaching towards the sky. The green conifers cradling the snow with branches that resembled outstretched arms. The ice covered river with a small ribbon unfrozen water that appeared and disappeared as it snaked through the valley toward the waiting ocean. All of these sights are indelibly etched into my mind.
As we approached Wasilla, the task at hand began to force its way into my stream of consciousness. Here I was in Alaska as one of the three finalists for the 2010 Target Teacher on the Trail. As I forced myself to refocus, our chauffer pulled into a Target parking lot. This was our first stop on our Challenge Project. She announced that we had 30 minutes to accomplish our task. Unfortunately for us, our directions were not as specific as we had hoped for. Our job, experience Wasilla. See what you can find out.
Into the store we charged. On my way to the store I decided to talk to as many people as I could in order to answer two questions. What is your opinion about the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, and how long have you leaved in the area? I was pleasantly surprised to find that people were very willing and helpful to answer questions for my interview. Each of the three people I talked to was very supportive of the race. One of the clerks actually said that they were going to make it a day out with the family. Wow, a day at the races!!! Wouldn’t Mario be proud? It was also interesting to find that 2 of the people had left the area and then moved back. One had actually left and lived in a warmer climate for twenty years! I glance at my watch and I see I have 5 minutes left. Just enough time for a picture with the famous Spot, and off I go.
Our next stop was in a parking lot close to the Wasilla Public Library and the Dorothy Page Museum. As I talk to the librarian I discover that she was raised in my hometown of Everett, Pennsylvania. Her sister went to school with my cousin. Imagine that! I went 4207 miles just to meet my neighbor. I also talked to a man that set up ham radio equipment for the Iditarod 30 years ago. I struck it rich in Wasilla! I found a gold mine of information. Meeting these people at the library just made me think, “How many times do we pass people on the street with common interests, common family, or common acquaintances?” If only we would take the time to stop and talk a little. The pace of life is so fast. We should slow down and enjoy the company of each other.
I rush out of the library and over to the Dorothy Page Museum. I found it to be an absolutely interesting place. There were many old photographs and stories of early Wasilla, pictures of Wasilla before the railroad. The railroad changed the history of the entire state of Alaska by shifting the center of population from the Southern panhandle to the South central region. As I get back to the car I see everyone is set to leave. I jump in, close the door, and off to the next mystery stop we go.
We drive away from town and end up on a road that is completely snow covered. “Where is our driver taking us?” I think to myself. We end up at the Crevasse Moraine Trail area. If you love the out-of-doors, hiking, and nature you need to go here. It has a wonderful trail system for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, sledding, or just plain communing with nature. We hiked back in as far as we could go with our allotted time and stopped to enjoy a few moments of quiet. Now, this is my kind of stop. Away from it all!!! We weren’t able to interview anyone here, but what a perfect way to end a hectic day. Don’t we all need to have that favorite place where we can go to rejuvenate, reenergize, and prepare ourselves for the next round. This was one of the reasons the Wilderness Act was created, to preserve a place were man can go to maintain his sanity when need be. No wonder people in Alaska seem so happy. There’s plenty of open space to get away from it all. Maybe we need to think about open space more when we decide to allow another housing development. Maybe limit the number of houses in an area or put more space between them, sustainable housing. I have to put my plug in for nature.
What a fantastic day! This was a day that is going to be hard to top, but I’m sure the Iditarod Education Department will surely try. They have a way of delivering when you least expect it. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
The Tale of Two Cities Meets the Raven
By Linda Kal Sander, Finalist 2010 Target® Teacher on the Trail
It was the best of times. It was the best of times. Okay, I am taking a little artistic license with the opening lines of the Dickens’ classic, A Tale of Two Cities when describing the town of Wasilla, Alaska. Yes, this past year Wasilla received much notoriety and fame as the hometown of a major political figure, but to those that live in the Alaska’s 5th largest city it is the home of the Iditarod.
Wasilla is a town of contrasts. This was my observation on today’s challenge. On the drive from Anchorage to Wasilla one can’t help but be awestruck at the majestic power of the snow covered mountains caressing the azure sky. One of the most impressive of the peaks is Pioneer Peak, rising 6400 feet above the Knik River in the Chugach Mountains outside Palmer. The contrast comes quickly as you enter the town of Wasilla. Right off the highway are the shopping centers one would find anywhere in the continental United States. The Cottonwood Creek Center is home to the local Target, our sponsor store. At first I couldn’t believe that we were dropped off at the Target as part of our challenge, but I was greatly relieved. Turns out that I was greatly in need of a new digital camera, as mine met its demise earlier in the morning. We were left to discover this shopping center in only half an hour.
One might expect that this Target store would be the same as any other Target in the lower 48. In that regard it didn’t disappoint. Like all Targets, it supports its local schools and often hosts events for children. One event in particular really made my ears perk up. This particular store celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday with their employees dressing up as his characters and reading the many wonderful Seuss stories we have all come to know and love. (What is your favorite?) The one thing that struck me as most unusual upon entering the store was the entire section of bikinis. Mind you the temperature outside is a balmy 17¡, yet here were the teeny-weeny yellow polka dot bikini dreams of a warmer clime.
New quickly gave way to the old. The next stop on our challenge was in the historic district of Wasilla. This is the location of the old Wasilla Town Site and the Dorothy Page Museum. Dorothy Page is the mother of the Iditarod, former mayor (famous town for mayors!), and former president of the Knik Historical Society. Like many towns in the US, the railroad played an important part in this town’s start. When the railroad was built in 1917, many residents of Knik moved to Wasilla. It was here that gold from Nome came off the Historic Iditarod Trail and was then transported via train to Anchorage and eventually off to Seward. Sledding became obsolete with the arrival of the train, car, plane, and snow machine. Dorothy Page felt this important part of Alaskan history would soon be lost and wanted to preserve it. She founded the Iditarod Dog Sled Race along with Joe Redington and the Dorothy Page Museum and Historic Town Site. Across the street from the museum, stands the Herning-Teeland-Mead building, one of the first buildings constructed in Wasilla (1918). It still stands today, and is a popular meeting spot for both locals and tourists.
A short drive out of the Wasilla heading towards Palmer is the beautiful nature trail of the Crevasse Moraine Trailhead. Alone on the trail, one is left to listen to the sounds of nature. Thick, powdery snow covers the leafless trees and evergreens. Although the winter cold might make you think that life in the forest is in the throes of deep hibernation, a simple pause on your walk yields a symphony of sound. At first I thought I was hearing croaking frogs, then the sound of a distinct caw. I let my eyes drift through the trees, and spotted an ebony raven. As I headed back to the parking lot to meet up with our host Sara Lamont, I was met by an Akita mix and a Golden Retriever. They were in a playful mood and insisted that I say hello! A quick scratch of the ears and they were off to find their person. I met Ray. He officially introduced me to Lunta and Tucker. He is fascinated by the stately ravens and often walks his dogs on this trail to observe them.
“Ravens have the largest range of voices of any bird. Right now they are pairing up because their babies have to be in feather by May,” he informed.
Wasilla may be a town of contrasts, but it left a lasting impression. A modern city, surrounded by the mighty splendor of magical mountains and forest, yet still deeply rooted in its rich history.
It was the best of times. It was the best of times.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
from “The Raven”
by Edgar Allen Poe