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The Tripod Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance February 2016 Alaska members, don’t forget, when you file for your 2016 Permanent Fund Dividend on line, you can donate anywhere from $25 to the full PFD amount to the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance through the Pick, Click, Give Program. If you have already filed, you can go to the PFD homepage and select the “Add or change Your Pick, Click Give Donation” button and follow the prompts. The Double Your Dividend Sweepstakes is open to persons who make a non-anonymous contribution through the online Pick. Click .Give. section of the Permanent Fund Dividend site through the 2016 Permanent Fund Dividend application process or who submit a valid written entry form directly to the Alaska Community Foundation who sponsors the Sweepstakes. Annual meeting More about the annual meeting held in Anchorage on December 2 and 3.
The Alliance Board has monthly tele-conferences, but the annual meeting allows face to face conversations and exchange of ideas and provides the opportunity for the members to get to know each other better. Below Board members Mike Tierney of McGrath, Leo Rasmussen of Nome, Dan Seavey of Seward and Richard Burnham of Kaltag talk about Alliance business. 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 Alaska members who apply for their 2016 Permanent Fund dividend online can donate part or all of it to the Alliance through the 2016 Pick. Click. Give Program. Tripod, February 2016 Kevin Keeler (below), BLM Iditarod National Historic Trail Administrator, spoke at the annual meeting detailing the ongoing efforts to mark the trail and manage the safety cabins on the trail. He also spoke about the fire protection efforts to save Iditarod and Flat last summer, the annual ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race program and the continual efforts to protect the Trail and education the public about it.
He also pointed out that between 2010 and 2015 the Bureau of Land Management channeled $548,000 to the Alliance to be used for education, outreach and trail improvements. Our President, Judy Bittner (below), presided over the two day meeting and kept everyone on track, which was not always that easy. At the end of the meeting the Board members thanked her for all of her work for the Alliance over the years.
Every Kid in a Park The Every Kid in a Park initiative is a federal government program that allows fourth graders nationwide to obtain a pass for free entry for themselves and their families to more to than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016 by going to www.everykidinapark.gov Connecting our nation’s youth to the great outdoors is important at a time when 80% of American families live in cities and most children spend more time on computers and smartphones than exploring nature. The initiative is slated to continue with each year’s fourth graders to inspire successive generations to become responsible stewards of our nation’s natural and cultural heritage. From the Past… “Iditarod Pioneer” February 27, 1915 FLAT CITY NOTES Considerable amusement was occasioned at the start of the dog race at Flat City on Washington’s birthday. H.
Onyette had borrowed Sture Stenberg’s speedy shepherd leader, “Cub,” for the race, and thereby hangs a tale. “His Master’s Voice” was never more truly exemplified than right there and then. To the delight of the assembled multitude as the starter gave the word to go, Onyette vibrated his racing sled and shouted, “Mush on, Cub! Mush on Cub!” But did “Cub” proceed to do a marathon? He did not, at least not just yet. He calmly looked around and saw Master Sture standing idly by in the crowd, wagged his tail and stood at attention, as all good leaders should do. “Mush on, Cub!” excitedly cried Onyette, with variations, as he realized fame and fortune were speeding fast with the fleeting moments. But the annihilators of space, remembering the early lessons of puppyhood days, stood pat with their leader.
Onyette coaxed, pleaded and threatened, but Cub calmly assumed an “I should worry” attitude, blinked his eyes at Sture and lazily wagged his tail, to the enjoyment of the spectators. At this juncture Sture made a move, and presto! Cub toed the mark, and at the command of his master’s voice he shot forth with the speed of a shell fired from a 42 centimeter howitzer. But Cub was strictly on the job, and not so easily buncoed; his canine intelligence told him that the master hand was not at the helm; he took one peep over his shoulder between jumps and confirmed his suspicions. “I knew it,” said Cub to himself as he spied Onyette at the wheel, and “to the rear” he communicated to his loyal mates as he promptly right-aboutfaced and beat it back to the starting post, with Onyette a close second, to the delight of the cheering populace.
Finally, after a little coaxing and Cub had a heart-to heart talk with Sture the little leader reluctantly hit the road. Onyette as the third entry in the race was just getting way as the fourth entry lined up. Had it not been for the little delay in starting, Onyette would have won first money, as it was, he came in second.