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The Tripod Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance December 2014 2015 dues THANKS to all those members who have renewed their memberships and if you haven’t renewed yet please do so now. Pick, Click, Give Program Alaska members, remember when you file for your 2015 Permanent Fund Dividend on line, you can donate all or part of your dividend to the Alliance through the Pick, Click, Give Program. Survey If you haven’t returned the membership survey yet, please do so. The more members who fill it out, the more meaning full the results. Once all the returned surveys are compiled, the results will be published in an upcoming newsletter.
Annual meeting The annual membership meeting was held in Anchorage on December 3-4. ●Election of offices: Shown below are the officers elected by the Board of Directors for 2015: Jonathan Sewall, Vice-President; Jules Mead, Treasurer; Judy Bittner, President; Erin McLarnon, Secretary. The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance promotes public awareness of the Iditarod Trail and its gold rush and Alaska Native heritage by encouraging education programs and historical research, assisting in the protection, improvement, maintenance and marking of the trail, developing partnerships that foster stewardship commitments and support from land owners, local communities, organizations and others.
The trail for all seasons Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance PO Box 2323, Seward AK 99664 IditarodHTA@gmail.com http://www.Iditarod100.org Remember when you file for your 2015 Permanent Fund Dividend on line, you can donate all or part of it to the Alliance through the Pick, Click, Give Program. The Tripod ●Board election results: Seat I Norton Sound: Leo Rasmussen of Nome Seat J At Large # 4: Jonathan Sewall of Seward Seat K At Large # 5: Jules Mead of Wasilla ●Reports: Mark Nordman (shown below talking with President Judy Bittner) gave a report on the clearing of a 20 mile section of the Iditarod Trail between Rohn and Farewell Lake. The 2009 Turquoise Lake forest fire in the region caused significant trial damage.
In the following years, the Iditarod Trail Committee sent out local crews to deal with fallen trees and other obstacles, but rainy summers washed away the soil exposing large roots and rocks. In 2014 there was hardly any snow and traveling by dog sled in the area was dangerous. In October a crew of eight, under the direction of Mark Nordman, Race Marshal, worked for three weeks, to widen the trail and break up stumps and other obstacles, chewing them up and packing down the trail. Funding for the work was provided by the Department of Natural Resources, the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance and in-kind donations from Regal Air, Cruz Construction and Donlin Gold.
(more on the annual meeting will be in the January newsletter) New board members As provided by our Bylaws, two new members have been appointed by the Board of Directors to fill out the terms of: Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) seat: Greg Bill has retired from the ITC and the Mark Nordman has been appointed to replace him on the board. Seat C (At-Large # 1) Tom Jensen resigned for health reasons and Erin McLaren has been appointed to replace him. From the past… “Iditarod Pioneer” December 29, 1917 CHRISTMAS JOY IN FLAT CITY There was a merry time at Flat on Christmas eve, and the children of the community had the time of their young lives. For weeks before Christmas the spirit of the yuletide was abroad, and various volunteer committees saw to it that the children were going to have their usual Christmas tree and the necessary trimmings to gladden their young lives.
The merchants of Flat, Iditarod and Discovery contributed handsomely towards the Christmas-tree fund, and the ladies of the community donated cakes and other “goodies.” The hall was beautifully decorated, and the Christmas-tree artistically trimmed by Mrs. Florence Porter, the colored electric lights making a very pleasing effect. Following the usual custom, the school children, under the capable training of their teacher, Miss. Helen Grant, assisted by Mrs. Frank Monkman furnished the entertainment of the evening. The children acquitted themselves creditably and showed painstaking care on the part of their instructors; Judge Kilgore made the opening address of welcome, Grant Murdock was the official announcer and Mrs. Frank Monkman presided at the piano.
At conclusion of the entertainment Santa Clause appeared and was happily greeted by the children, with an approving smile from the grown folks. The distribution of the presents then began, which were stacked up around the Christmas-tree like a miniature mountain seemingly without end, and all the little ones were happily remembered. Shortly afterward luncheon was announced and while the happy gathering were doing justice to the excellent repast prepared, the hall was being made ready for dancing and from then on joy was in full swing until the “we sma’ hours,” it being after 5 a. m. before the dance broke up. The entire entertainment was free of charge and the merchants who donate so freely, the ladies who baked the cakes, and all those who gave so freely of their time and services are all deserving of the thanks of the community for making an affair of this kind possible.
One thing is particularly commendable and this is that the program began promptly at the time specified, which greatly leased the mothers of the little tots. Best Wishes for the New Year!