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October Update

Posted by Zuma in Race Coverage Date: October 7, 2009

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Hello Boys and Girls!

We now have 65 mushers who have signed up to run this year’s race!  Isn’t that exciting?  Have you taken a look at the musher listing on the website?  When you do, you’ll be able to notice that we have mushers not only from the United States, but Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, and Jamaica.  Isn’t that amazing?  Get out a world map and locate those places, Boys and Girls.

Did you know that when you click on the name of a musher, you get to read about the musher?  Reading about each musher is a great way to learn about the mushers and their teams.  As you read, you’ll notice that some mushers have their own websites, too.  If your teacher says it is ok, visit the musher websites.  It’s lots of fun to read about mushers!

By the way, I thought you’d like to know that I was just hiking through the Iditarod Headquarters building and my ears perked up because I heard talk that even more mushers are expected to be signing up.  So this is your behind the scenes information, watch that musher listing and see who else signs up.  Mushers have until  November 30, 2009  to sign up.  You can read all about the musher’s rules by clicking here.

Well Boys and Girls, I think I’ll take another hike and see what else I can learn today!  Hike and learn! Hike and learn!  Hike and learn!  Great plan, don’t you think?

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

PS  If you have questions about me or the other K9 Reporters, be sure to click on the link on the left hand side of this page, Meet the K9 Reporters.  You can read about me there, too.  Where do you think I was born?  Click that link and find out!

Comments: 0

Welcome Back

Posted by Zuma in Messages to Teachers, News Date: September 26, 2009

CIMG5181Hello, Boys and Girls!

The months of June, July, and August were a mixture of busy days and lazy days. Summer in Alaska is a beautiful time. All of the daylight hours give everyone plenty of time to be outside. When I wasn’t walking around the neighborhood, I enjoyed chewing on my favorite toys while in the shade beneath the trees in the yard. I breathed in he smells of salmon, steak, shrimp, potatoes, and other goodies being grilled in the evenings. I couldn’t resist sitting next to the table at meal time, hopeful of something delicious being handed to me beneath the table. I also enjoyed taking long afternoon snoozes and dreaming about the fun times I’ve had with my family and friends. I went camping and fishing a couple of times, too. Riding in a boat is lots of fun but I have to tell you my favorite part of camping has always been the time around the campfire watching my humans roast marshmallows. Getting that marshmallow roasted just right is such an art but my humans are pretty good at it. We had a great 4th of July holiday, too. I must admit that the sounds of firecrackers going off are too noisy for me. I covered my ears with my paws until all the noise was gone. Best of all this summer, I enjoyed spending time with all of my humans. We even took time to look at some old family pictures. We talked about the times when we were all a lot younger. All that talk about the past and our time together made this the best summer ever. You just can’t beat spending time with family and friends!  I am grateful for my loving family and will always be with them, even in my dreams.

I bet you did some of the same things I did this summer. I’m sure as many teachers do, your teachers had your write in your journal about your summer. I know that is something you probably have to do every single school year,  but writing about your experiences is a good thing.  One idea is to save your journal entry and look back at it ten or twenty years from now. What fun it will be for you to remember what you did!

No matter where you are now, September is almost over and October will be here soon. Your September and mine may look and feel different. Here in Alaska, ‘Termination Dust’ is on the mountains. Leaves have turned golden. There is a crisp feel to the evenings and mornings. I know this because as I walk through the park near my home, my paws feel the crispness in the grass. My nose breathes in the coolness and I know that winter will soon be all around me. In some places in Alaska, a tiny bit of snow has already fallen. Take a moment and look around your world and jot down some notes about what you notice in nature. What hints is Mother Nature giving you about your season? In 30 days, observe again. Take notes and compare how things have changed.

Most of you are probably back in school and working hard on your assignments. Some of you are in a year round school and have holidays and vacations at different times. I live in Alaska in the northern hemisphere, but some of you live in the southern hemisphere and are moving into spring and looking forward to summer. No matter where you are, though, it is time to start to think about the 2010 Iditarod! This will be the best race ever and you aren’t going to want to miss a bit of it!

At the June 27th Volunteer Picnic and Musher Sign up, those mushers wanting to race in the next Iditarod began to turn in their registration materials declaring that the rest of their summer and the months leading up to the race, would be filled with training their dog team for the race. As of today, 63 mushers have signed up to run the race. Take a look at the musher listing and see who has signed up. Check back often to keep up with the sign up news because I’ve heard rumors a few more mushers will sign up soon.

zumareads During the next several months, the K9 Journalists and I will be bringing you lots of interesting stories. Check in every month and get updated information. After our last K9 Journalist staff meeting, we’ve decided on some great story ideas. Get ready for great stories from Gypsy, Libby, Sanka W. Dog, and me! We can’t wait to get our paws on the key boards!  (Learn all about the K9 Journalists by clicking here!)

One special highlight at Zuma’s Paw Prints this year is your chance to meet a few authors. Ed White, Helen Frost, and Marianne Schlegelmilch are the first three authors who have agreed to share about their books. When at Zuma’s Paw Prints, click in the menu tab,” Meet Authors! Read Books!” to get started. I hope you decide to read the books by these authors. After you have, leave comments or your questions about the books by the author’s article. This is going to be so ‘mush’ fun! Get reading!

I am also proud to announce the 2nd Annual Zuma’s Community Challenge. Boys and Girls, I know one thing you’ve learned in school is that people are pretty powerful and even kids can do things to help make the world a better place. I am sure you have ideas on things kids can do in their own communities to help out. Talk to your teachers and get involved in this project. You can learn more about this challenge by reading this article.

Boys and Girls, I know that you are going to have a great school year. As you practice your skills and learn new things in school, keep checking Zuma’s Paw Prints and Iditarod’s website for interesting information about Iditarod and Alaska.

Racing season is just around the corner. We can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

You can learn more about me at this link.

I hope you enjoy this slide show.   The pictures will change so keep watching!

Comments: 0

Rookies and Veterans

Posted by Libby in Along the Trail, Zuma and Reporters Answer Questions Date: September 24, 2009

CIMG5370Libby here!  Is that you there?

Did you know that mushers have already signed up to run the 2010 Iditarod?  That is right!  As of today, 63 mushers have signed up.

While I was spending my summer days taking boat rides on the lake with my human and k9 friends, mushers were making their plans for the next racing season.

The mushers started to sign up last June.  You can see who has signed up by looking at the musher listing on the website.

Some of the mushers are veterans.  Some of the mushers are rookies.

A veteran is a musher who has completed at least one Iditarod.

A rookie is a musher who has not finished the race.  The rookie might be racing in Iditarod for the first time or the rookie could have been signed up before but for some reason, didn’t make it to Nome.

Not every rookie musher gets to Nome on the first try.

Getting to Nome and finishing the race is not easy.  Rookies and veterans train all year long and make lots of goals.  Their dogs don’t get to lounge around like me.  I am a reporter.  They are athletes.  I write.  They train.  I can’t wait to read all about them during the next several months.  On the first Saturday in March, the rookies and the veterans will have their 16 member dog team ready to leave the starting line in Anchorage, Alaska.  What an exciting race to Nome it will be!`

I hope you look at the musher listing.  Count the rookies.  Count the veterans.  Check back every month.  Keep watching the list of rookies and veterans to see how many of each will start this year’s race.

Be sure to check back at Zuma’s Paw Prints, too.  Zuma, Gypsy, Sanka, and I will be putting lots of stories on the website to help you learn more about the rookies, the veterans, and lots of other Iditarod information.

Just Spinning D’Tails!

Libby

PS.  In the picture, my fur friend, Wicket and I are shown enjoying a boat ride on a bright and sunny summer day.  I love summer boat rides!  They are almost as much fun as riding in a dogsled!

OH, and if you want to learn more about why some mushers don’t finish Iditarod,  read this article by Gypsy.  I know you’ll enjoy it.

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Meet an Author: Marianne Schlegelmilch

Posted by Zuma in Meet Authors: Read Books! Date: June 16, 2009

Hello Boys and Girls,

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Just the other day I had a chance to talk with author Marianne Schlegelmilch.   If you are looking for a book to read, try one of Marianne’s books.  When you are done reading, leave comments and questions about the books.  I can’t wait to hear what you think about the books.  If  you ask a good question to the author, maybe Marianne will stop by the site and answer it.

Do you want to know more about the books?  Keep reading!

Solo Flite is a story about a lost young puppy who ends up living at the kennel of Joe Redington. There he begins a life of exciting adventure, starting with the day Joe shows him the Iditarod trail for the first time and later taking him to his own incredible finish in Nome. Along the way, he meets a team of other very special dogs including one big surprise meeting that you will want to read for yourself.

Later, in the book Coho Waterboy, the Flat-Footed, Web-footed Alaska Sled Dog, Solo takes the young Coho under his guidance and inspires Coho to overcome his disadvantages and gain the confidence he needs to earn his own special moment in Nome. Not only does Coho become the darling of the tourists at Iditarod Headquarters, but he also learns to hone his instincts and become a team player as he does what he was told he could never do, and runs in the Iditarod race.

Both Solo Flite and Coho Waterboy will show you that heart and spirit go a long way in making life’s adventures the best they can be.

Marianne wants her readers to know that she will be working this winter of 2009/2010 on a third book featuring Solo, Coho and a new dog named Aero –tentatively titled, Aero–Adventures of an Iditarod Air Force Alaska Sled Dog.

Each of these children’s books written by Marianne are fictional stories about The Last Great Race. She hopes her readers will find them not only entertaining, but warm examples of the Alaskan spirit set amidst the adventure of the one thousand mile race to Nome known as  Iditarod.

For orders, contact evan@publicationconsultants. com or www.publicationconsultants.com .

What are you waiting for, Boys and Girls?  Get reading!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Comments: 1

Meet an Autor: Ed White

Posted by Zuma in Meet Authors: Read Books! Date: June 14, 2009

Hello Boys and Girls,

Have you read Foxy’s Tale? It is an awesome read about an Iditarod Champion sled dog. 

Just the other day I was having a chat with Ed White.  I told him I’d remind all of you about this book.

I’m going to challenge you boys and girls to read this book and that chat about it here with us!  Leave comments about the book.  Ask questions.  Who knows, maybe Ed will drop by and answer them for you!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

PS

The following is what Ed sent us about the book Foxy’s Tale by Ed White and  Donna Freedman

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Ed White is the co-author of Foxy’s Tale – The True Story of a Champion Alaskan Sled Dog. The book, told from Foxy’s point of view, describes the real-life adventures of a former runt of the litter who wouldn’t give up, and the family who loved her. This true heart-warming story demonstrates how hard work and determination will help you live your dreams and achieve your goals, despite your size.

The plot sounds like a Disney Movie. The smallest puppy in an Alaskan sled-dog litter gets sold to a family as a pet. After the dog is seriously injured, the family veterinarian recommends euthanasia; she believes the dog may never walk again. But Foxy recovers and not only learns to walk again, but she also learns to run, and to pull a sled. With her best friend Kelly, Foxy goes on to successfully race and later compete in the Junior World Championship Sled Dog Race in Anchorage.

To learn more about Foxy’s Tale, visit www.foxystale.com

Ed White loves to answer questions about the book or sled dog racing.

Comments: 0

Meet an Author: Helen Frost

Posted by Zuma in Meet Authors: Read Books!, Reading and Writing Date: May 30, 2009

Diamond Willow is the story of a twelve year old girl, Willow, who wants her parents to understand that she is growing up.  She loves to mush dogs.  Willow convinces her parents to let her drive the dog team to her grandparent’s house— all by herself.  The adventures that follow and the lessons learned are important lessons for readers 0 – 100.

Helen Frost is the author of this and several other books.  Learn about Helen Frost at her website.  Click here!

After reading this book, share your thoughts about this book (or her other books) by leaving a comment.  If you are lucky, Helen will read your comment and chat back.  OR better yet,  Sled Dog Roxy will answer your comment.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Comments: 0

A Letter from Roxy: An Invitation from Zuma: Get Reading

Posted by Zuma in Meet our Fur-Friends Date: May 30, 2009

Hello Boys and Girls,

Meet my friend, Roxy!

Then, I’ve got a great idea for you so be sure to read my letter that follows Roxy’s letter.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Dear Zuma,

Is that really you?

My friend Willow found your picture on the internet and showed it to me. “Roxy,” she said, “Look at this website called Zuma’s Paw Prints! Wasn’t Zuma your favorite litter-mate?” Wow! I always wondered what happened to you after my family took me home that day. I’ll never forget that day. I’ll never forget you! You don’t know that I am called Roxy now. That was what Willow named me. As you’ve probably guessed, Willow is the girl who begged her dad to take me home with them.  We have become best friends, like you and I were when we were puppies. Remember we guessed that the lady in the red jacket was about to have a baby?  Well, we were right, she did. They named the baby Zanna.  At first, we didn’t get along so well, but now we do. That’s part of a long story, and someone actually wrote a book about it! About me, Zuma! And about Willow. The book is Diamond Willow. The author is Helen Frost. You can find it in the children’s or Young Adult section of most libraries and bookstores.  I noticed that Helen Frost is your Facebook friend, so you may know her better than I do.  I only know about her from her website: http://www.helenfrost.net/index.php She has written other books too. Willow has read them all, but Diamond Willow is the only one she read out loud to me.

Willow and I are not on Facebook. We’re not in the Iditarod either. But we love to explore the trails around our house together, and we both love to go fast. That sometimes causes a few problems, as you’ll find out when you read the book. (After you read it, write back and tell me how you like it.)

Maybe we’ll see each other out on a trail someday. That would be so great! I could introduce you to Willow. You would love each other.
Your friend and sister,

Roxy

Hello Roxy,

It is great to hear from you! I just finished the book. It was AWESOME! It made me laugh and it made me cry, too! The book made me think about what it takes to have courage and how important it is to stand up for what you believe is the right thing to do.  I enjoyed the book so much, I’m going to read it again.

I’ve got a challenge for the boys and girls who read Zuma’s Paw Prints.

Boys and Girls, put this book on your list to read. Then, leave comments about the book. I’d enjoy talking to you about your favorite part of the book and your idea on what message the author, Helen Frost, has for readers.  Leave you comments and if we are lucky, Roxy or maybe even the author, Helen Frost, might stop by to respond to your thoughts.

Have a great summer, Boys and Girls…

Read, read, read lots of books!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Comments: 0

Meet My Friend Happy

Posted by Zuma in Meet our Fur-Friends Date: April 25, 2009

Hello Boys and Girls,

This year’s race was very exciting.

A favorite part of the race for me was meeting new friends. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Happy! Happy is a great fur-friend who ran all the way from Anchorage to Nome. I can’t wait for you to read about my new friend!

Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma

happydance_0.jpg Hi, I’m Happy!… I’m always Happy!… That’s why they call me Happy!

I’m finally pawing through all my email and I found your message!…

I’d be honored to be in Paw Prints!

I also don’t know what kind of story your readers would like! There are lots of links to stories about me.

The original Happy Story is at this site.  I hope you like it!

http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/2009/03/iditarod-2009-happy-story.html

My website — with all the latest — is at:

http://www.HappyTheSledDog.com

I hope the boys and girls who read your site stop by and visit me at my site soon!

Thanks for your message! Be happy!

Love, Happy

Comments: 2

Dear Zuma from North Carolina 2nd Graders!

Posted by Zuma in Race Coverage, Zuma and Reporters Answer Questions Date: April 24, 2009

Dear Zuma,

We are 2nd graders from Charlotte, North Carolina.  We have been reading Akiak:  A Tale from the Iditarod. This story has taught us a lot about the Iditarod dog race.  In the story, Akiak, the dog, displays his courage by finishing the race with an injured paw.  We enjoyed the story and had a few questions for you.

Do you know of any dogs that have gotten injured during the race?  Were they able to finish?

How many days does it typically take to finish the race?

Zuma, what temperature is it typically during the race week?

Zuma, can you please share a little more information with us about the Husky breed?  Why do Huskies look like wolves? Also, why do some Huskies have blue eyes? Thank you for your time.

Your Montclaire Elementary Friends

Hello Boys and Girls,

Thanks for your questions!

When a musher’s team arrives at a checkpoint the team of veterinarians examines each of the dogs.  If there are any dogs that need to be dropped from the race, the veterinarians care for those dogs.  Those dogs are later flown back to Anchorage.    Sometimes a rest in a checkpoint is all a dog needs to be feeling great again.  Do you ever come in from recess all tired out but find out when the next recess rolls around you are ready to out and play again?  Or have you ever had an upset tummy and then after a nap, you feel better?  Well, it is sort of like that for some of the dogs.  Once a dog has been dropped from the race and left with the veterinarians at the checkpoint, though, that dog doesn’t get to get back in the Iditarod— at least that particular year.

The winner finishes the race in 9 – 10 days.  Mushers roll into Nome one after another until they are all there!  Usually most of the mushers finish by 14 days.

It is hard to talk about the typical weather because weather conditions are different from one part of the trail to the next part of the trail.  The conditions can be different one year from the next or from one checkpoint compared to three checkpoints up the trail.   It is best for you to visit our weather center at the website during the race and click on the temperatures at the different checkpoints.  You can also use the GPS Tracker to see the temperature each musher faces during the race.  We also have some really awesome weather activities and lessons at the website.  You can see those ideas at this section of the website by click here. Then click on the Iditarod Ready!  Storm Read! materials.

I could write a whole book about the Husky breed.  I’ll tell you one thing— they are a northern breed which means they have a suitable natural winter coat to keep them warm.  You can go to this part of the website and learn more about the dogs.  To read, click here. Click on What is a Sled Dog?  Our Chief Veterinarian wrote that article and it will help you learn a lot of important information.  Your teacher can read it and help you learn more.

As far as eye color, I’m not so sure so many have blue eyes.  You might be thinking of Siberian Huskies.  A good place for you to look is at the Race Images by photographer Jeff Schultz.  Go to www.iditarod.com and click ‘View All Images’.  You can also check out our Zuma Blog scrapbook.  On the left side of this page, click on the Scrapbook of Pictures.  Look at the pictures of the dogs on the website pages, too.  I think you see that most huskies don’t have blue eyes.  Have fun looking at the pictures.

Thanks for your questions.

Have a great week in school!  I hope you keep reading Zuma’s Paw Prints all summer long!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Comments: 0

Dear Zuma from Second Graders in Louisiana

Posted by Zuma in News, Zuma and Reporters Answer Questions Date: April 22, 2009
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Hello Boys and Girls!

Thanks for writing to me!  I hope you are having a great day in your school in Louisiana!  I looked on the map at where you live and see it is a long way from where I live!  I know that your climate is not the same as the climate in Alaska.  Have you compared the two places?

Thanks for following the race.  I hope to hear from you again next year!

I hope you take time to learn more about me and to learn about the other K9 Journalists.  You can find places to click to learn more on the left side of this page.  Click right where it says, Meet and Learn About the K9 Reporters.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Dear Zuma,

We are writing to you from Franklinton, Louisiana. We are in Miss Haynes’ 2nd grade class. There are 24 of us students in her room. We are reading the story “Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod” in our reading book at school. We found your website and decided to write and ask you some questions as journalists ourselves. Here we go:

1. Have you ever had frostbite? -Jayonne

I have not.  My fur coat keeps me warm.  I sometimes wear booties on my feet to keep the little bits of snow and ice from hurting my paws.  I stay safe and warm.

2. Who are your best friends? -Mackenzie

My best friends are Gypsy, Libby, and Sanka

3. How old are you, Zuma? -CJ

I am 5

4. When is your birthday? -Raquel

August 29

5. Have you ever had to be brave before? -Caitlyn

It takes bravery to set goals and work towards them, no matter what your goals may be, so considering that, I’m brave every day!  How about you?

6. What is your favorite chew toy? -Miguel

I like all of my chew toys but I guess I especially like my squeaky duck.  Oh, and then there is my squeaky fish….

7. Have you ever raced in the Iditarod? -Terion

I am not a racer.  I am a reporter.

8. When was your first Iditarod and did you win? -Emily

I do not race.  I will not race in the future.  I report and I type.  I love to read, too.

9. How can you type, Zuma? -Brady

Yes.  Have you seen my pictures on the website?  You can see me typing on my keyboard.

10. How cold is it where you live during Christmas? -Shantrell

OH I suppose 10 – 20 degrees or so….

11. Have you ever been trained to type? -Rajana

It took a lot of practice to learn to type.  I went to K9 Journalism school but learning to type just took practice but it works a lot better than holding a pencil between my paws!

12. How old were you whenever you started to type? -Colby

I started to type when I was a small pup, just like most humans start to write when they are in preschool or even before that!

13. Have you ever eaten with a spoon before? -Callie

OH, I’ve licked a spoon before, but my paws aren’t very good at holding spoons.

14. What is your favorite place? -Anfernee

My favorite place is where I am…   I think it is good advice to be happy no matter where you are at the moment.  So where I am at each moment is my favorite place.

15. Will you ever come to Louisiana, maybe Franklinton, where we live? -Mason

If I do come to Louisiana, I’ll let your teacher know!

16. What do you do for Easter? -Jazton

I take an extra doggie snooze.

17. Were you ever in dog school? -Elisabeth

I went to a puppy training class once and passed the class with straight A’s!

18. Are you braver when you are by yourself or when you are with somebody? -Declan

Being with a friend is always comforting, but knowing how to stand alone and be brave is important for all of us to be able to do!

19. Have you ever been trained for the Iditarod? -Leyton

I am not a racer.  I am a typer.  I am a reporter.  I haven’t done any sled dog training!

20. Where do you live? -Richard

I live in Wasilla.

21. Were you ever in a blizzard? -Camryn

I try to be in as many blizzards as I can.  I love the cold, the wind, and all of the falling snow!  I can’t wait for the next blizzard.  Of course, boys and girls, I am all dressed for winter weather and I know how to stay safe!

22. Have you ever had a dream you wanted to follow? -Trent

My dream is always to be the best reporter that I can be so I keep working hard!

23. What is your favorite fruit? Do you eat fruit? -Zaquarius

I try to stick to the food my vet recommends for me….  Once in a while I’ve had a bite of a banana. I have a K9 fur friend by the name of Holly.  Her human gives her bananas all of the time.

24. Have you ever been to a human school where children go to school? -Zahila

I sometimes get to visit students in school.  That is a lot of fun.

25. Do you travel all over the country talking and visiting with children in schools? -Miss Liz

I generally stay in Alaska.  If I am in your area, I’ll be sure to contact your teacher!  What fun it would be to visit!

Thank you for taking our questions. We hope to hear back from you soon! Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Miss Liz’s class

Comments: 0

Southampton Elementary School’s Community Challenge!

Posted by Zuma in Community Challenge Project, Community Service, News Date: April 13, 2009

Hello Boys and Girls!

I am very proud of the schools that participated in the 2009 Community Challenge Project!

Here is a summary of Southhampton’s project.

If you did a project at your school, don’t forget to tell us about it!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Dear Zuma,

I am writing to let you know how much the students of Southampton Elementary School enjoyed learning about the 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. As the media specialist at Southampton Elementary School, I wanted students to experience the race on many different levels. We watched official race footage and read on-line newspapers. We created a large wall map and followed the race till the last team reached Nome. We read fiction and non-fiction books about the Iditarod and learned a great deal about sled dogs. Each student created their own sled dog profiles, which we proudly displayed in the hallway outside the media center.

I also wanted to tell you about our 2009 Iditarod Community Challenge Project. Our student council held a Treats and Towels Campaign for the Town of Southampton Animal Shelter. Students and teachers donated dog biscuits, dog treats ( cat food and cat treats, too) and plenty of towels and blankets for shelter dogs. I hope it is not too late to share our story with you. Happy Sledding!

Lisa Bowen, School Media Specialist,

Southampton Elementary School

Tagged: Comments: 0

Writing to Mushers

Posted by Gypsy in Reading and Writing Date: April 8, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls,

Now that the race is over- what’s next??? Many of you are busy writing the musher you followed in the race. I know you are really excited about that and many of you are hoping for a return letter and maybe even some goodies. Since the request for musher addresses has increased during the past week, I thought this would be a good time to go over some rules for writing.

First, if you ask for musher addresses, you will be emailed a form to fill out. This is fairly new. It will ask your name, school name (if your affiliated with a school), and email address. Please request the addresses by going to: djohnson@iditarod.com
You will not receive the addresses until you return the form.  You can read more and see the form by clicking here.

There is not an address for every musher. Not all mushers are able to receive mail and/or are able to respond to mail. Please respect this.

Here are a few tips when writing your letters.

  • Make sure your letters are friendly and supportive.
  • Don’t ask too many questions. First read the mushers bio on the Iditarod website and if the musher has a website, go there to see if you can find the answers to your questions. If you can’t, pick only one or two questions to ask.
  • If you hope for a response you MUST send a self addressed stamped envelope with your letter. If your musher lives in another country (ie Canada, Norway etc), you must have the correct postage for that country.
  • Don’t ask for booties, autographs, pictures or anything else. All these things cost the musher money to buy and send. It is unreasonable to expect the musher to send out these items. Some of them do, but don’t expect it.

Please remember that mushers receive hundreds of letters every year. It takes time for them to go through them and answer. Please be patient and realize the response may come during the summer.

I hope that helps everyone. Have fun writing to your favorite musher.

Gypsy

Comments: 8

Community Challenge-update

Posted by Gypsy in Community Challenge Project, Community Service, News, Zuma and Reporters Answer Questions Date: April 5, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls,

Do you remember by first community Challenge post?  It was about Mrs. Andrews class in Pelham NH.  This 3rd grade class was making money for the Animal Rescue Network of New England (ARNNE)  by baking and selling yummy dog biscuits.  Well they had another sale the end of March.  This time they raised $185 for a total of $315 to be donated to ARNNE.  Isn’t that amazing.  GREAT JOB Mrs. Andrews class!!!!!

To see more about this project you can go to:

http://www.pelhamweb.org/pes/mrsandrews/bow_wow_biscuits.htm

The students in Mrs. Andrews asked if the could interview me.  I had never been interviewed before.  I’m always the one that does the interviewing!  You can see the interview at:

http://www.pelhamweb.org/pes/mrsandrews/new_page_5.htm

If you have a community project that you would like us to feature on the blog, just email us the information.  We’d love to feature your class.

Keep up the good work,

Gypsy

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Nigel Stories from Nebraska

Posted by Zuma in News, Student Authors: Writing Samples from our Readers Date: April 1, 2009

Hello Boys and Girls!

I know you will enjoy these stories and poems from our readers in Nebraska.  They wrote about Nigel and the adventures Nigel had while being ‘lost’ from his musher and team mates.

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Nigel’s Story

By April

Nigel tried to remember how he got lost.  It was windy and snowing and really hard to see.  When the sled crashed, his harness broke and the he kept running.  He stopped and waited for his team but they didn’t come. He ran back but no one was there.  He looked for tracks, but the snow had filled them in.  He started walking and met a wolf.  The wolf was old and very wise.  He knew where there were humans and maybe Nigel’s human was with them.  As they walked, the wolf told him stories of other storms and how to survive.  When they reached the humans, Nigel ran to find Nancy, but she wasn’t there.  The humans were very nice and gave him food and a warm place to sleep.  The next day, he heard a strange noise coming from the sky.  When it came down, Nancy jumped out.  Nigel was so happy to see her.  He couldn’t wait to tell her all the stories the wolf told him.

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Nigel’s Haiku

By Nathaniel

Lost, scared, weak, tired

Hungry, thirsty, drowsy, cold

Frightened, brave, happy

***

Near the beginning you were amazing

Iditarod dog

Great speed

Extraordinary

Lost during race

By Cameron

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Nervous

Intelligent

Goofy

Excited

Loving

 

By Abbey

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Reflections of Nigel’s Story

 Nigel was lost from his team. Nigel had to survive the Alaskan Wilderness. He was probably thinking ” , I’m lost, no team, no food, how will I survive?” He was probably worried about Nancy and his teammates. I wonder what kind of animals he met up with?  I hope they were kind to him. I think he dreamed about their team.

He might have been dreaming about what they were doing without him. After Nancy found Nigel I think they both had heart warmed hearts. I’m glad Nigel survived until he was found!

By Cheyenne

4th Grade

Central Elementary

Sidney Nebraska

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Nigel’s Alaskan Adventure

By Thomas

            I think Nigel would have hidden in a cave, or wondered around.  Nigel ran and ran till he met up with a squirrel.  Nigel asked the squirrel if he had seen a dog team pass by.  The squirrel said, “I have not seen a dog team pass by.”  “Thank you very much,” replied Nigel. 

            He ran and ran until nightfall fell upon him.  Nigel found a nearby cave and went to doze.  By morning, Nigel heard the sound of a plane engine above him.  The plane saw him and then turned around. The pilot picked up Nigel’s owner and came back to pick up Nigel.  They lived happily ever after.

******

Go Nigel!

By Isaiah

Go Nigel

On the ball always

Nigel

I think you’re awesome

Great and intelligent

Everybody loves Nigel

Loving dog

**********

Nigel’s Iditarod

by Sami W.

 

            Nigel was trying to go to sleep, but he could not.  The sounds were very scary for him.  When he finally fell asleep it was morning.  Nigel was hunting for breakfast because he was very hungry.  That afternoon he walked for miles and miles until he reached a river by a cave.  Nigel was very happy to see a river with water and a cave to sleep in. That night, he fell asleep in a second.  In the morning, he was walking and someone found him! When they got to the checkpoint where his owner, Nancy was, Nigel was really happy!

***

When Nigel got lost in the “Alaskan Wilderness” he wandered around for a long time. Then Nigel met a young deer. Nigel asked him many questions such as, “where is the nearest town?”, or “where can I get food?”. The deer had only one explanation, which was that there was a house a couple miles away. The deer’s name was Cleo. Cleo said that the woman at the house was very friendly, and that he camped out in her back yard for three whole months! Nigel knew this was his only choice.

Nigel went to the house and went on her front step. The girl named Jill opened the door, and happily welcomed him in. Nigel had very good meals and water. In the daytime he ran and played for hours. At night he dreamed about being with Nancy. But, Nigel did enjoy feeling like he was the only dog in the world. At last Nancy finds Nigel because Jill found her phone number. Nigel was sad to leave Jill, but excited to reunite with Nancy and his other dogs.

Today Nigel goes and visits Jill every four months.

By Maddi

4th Grade

Central Elementary

Sidney, NE

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Nigel’s Adventure

     After Nigel was lost, I think he found a cave to sleep. He arranged rocks with his nose. It was a circle. (for a bed) He left the cave to get some food. He found a weak spot on a frozen lake.1,2,3,Nigel thought. He pounded on the weak spot. He quickly jumped off. “CRACK” The ice made a hole. He watched until a fish was floating on the water. His mouth reached in and grabbed the fish. He dragged it back to his cave. He scarfed down the fish.

     The next day, he found another weak spot on the river. He did the same exact thing. All the rest of the days, it was blizzarding. When a hare sprawled into the cave, he had no other choice but to kill the hare. He did. After the people found Nigel they took care of him.

     When the owner found Nigel, he was happier than ever! After Nigel was reunited with Nancy, he probably felt like blurting out the whole story to her!

 

By Moselle

4th Grade

Central Elementary

Sidney, Ne

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I think that Nigel found other friends in the wilderness while he was wandering around. A beaver built a home for him in the night. A bear taught him some hunting skills and tips. A moose taught him how to get noticed so his owned would find him eventually. One night Nigel used what the moose had taught him, howl and run around. Howling so he could be heard and running around so he could be noticed easier from movement. While doing that for about an hour he began to lose hope and miss Nancy, his owner. Nigel was very strong and persistent so he kept howling and running. Suddenly an airplane flew overhead. Nigel got his hope back but the airplane flew right past him. Nigel felt sad. He laid down and tried to take a nap. He was used to hay so it was harder to sleep. He never did sleep but he suddenly heard trotting and something gently gliding through the snow. It was Nancy! “Nigel!,” Nancy shouted. Nigel ran as fast as he could at Nancy. They both were extremely. Nancy took him back to the last checkpoint to safety.

By Alex

4th Grade

Central Elementary

Sidney, NE

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I did an acrostic poem on N.I.G.E.L.Here it goes.

Now safe and sound

Is not lost

God loves him

Euphoric

Loves Nancy

By Jack.

As you can see Nigel got lost.  Nigel was trying to go to bed but, he couldn’t.  The sounds were very scary for him.  When he finally fell asleep it was morning.
Nigel was hunting for breakfast, because he was very hungry.  That afternoon he walked for miles and miles until he reached a river by a cave.  Nigel was really glad to see a river with water and a cave to sleep in.

That night he fell asleep in 1 sec.  In the morning he was walking and someone found him! When they got to the checkpoint where his owner was Nigel was really happy!

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Nigel Stories

Posted by Gypsy in News, Student Authors: Writing Samples from our Readers Date: April 1, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls

It has been really exciting reading the emails and the blog comments.  It looks like there are a few classes out there where the students are writing stories as if they were Nigel- the dog that was lost on the trail.  They have been sending the stories to us and we thought it would be nice to publish them for all to see.  Check back to this post often, because I will be adding stories as we get them.

Enjoy reading them- we certainly have.

Lost on the Trail

by Teagan   1st grade  Comanche Elementary, Comanche, OK                                                                                                                                                                                           I got scared when my girl crashed. I got loose and then I was in the forest. I asked the animals if they could keep an eye out and look for my girl. First I asked a polar bear, and then I asked an arctic fox. Then I saw a ptarmigan, and I asked her, “Have you seen my girl?” I burrowed under the snow to keep warm and sleep. I ate a bird and a hare because I could not find any more food. And then a plane came with my girl in it. I was surprised because I thought she was going to come with a broken sled, but she came with a plane. I was really glad to see her. I ran up to her and I licked her to show her how glad I was to see her. Then the plane with my girl and me went off to the sled and the rest of my team in Rainy Pass.
By Nigel

More stories coming soon.

Happy trails,

Gypsy

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