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Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, PO Box 2323, Seward AK 99664 http://www.Iditarod100.org IditarodHTA@gmail.com The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance promotes 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 and developing partnerships that foster stewardship, commitments and support. Use “Pick. Click. Give.” to donate to the Alliance The Iditarod National Historic Trail Alliance is included in the Permanent Fund Dividend “Pick. Click. Give.“ charitable contributions program. When you file for your PFD on line, you will be given the opportunity to donate money from your PFD to the Alliance.
From the Past… “Iditarod Pioneer” March 30, 1912 GREAT GAMES BASKETBALL Over 400 people crowded the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, Flat City, last Saturday night to welcome the opening games of basketball in the series between Flat City and Iditarod. Nearly one quarter of the number was from Iditarod. A finer appearing body of men and women never assembled anywhere, and the manner in which the crowd was accommodated was most creditable to the managers of the affair, as will as to the people of the assemblage, who accepted the slight unavoidable inconveniences without a murmur and remained in the best of humor throughout. The first event was the game between the ladies’ teams, and it also proved the most interesting in many ways. The Iditarod ladies were the faster and their team work was superior, and the result was a score of 24 to 12 in their favor.
Owing to the crowded and overheated condition of the hall, time was twice called during the first 15minute half, in order that the doors might be opened and the hall (as well as the players) be given an opportunity to cool off. At the finish of the game, Miss. Taylor of the Iditarod team had three baskets to her credit, Miss Smith five, Mrs. Atcheson four while Miss. Grant and Mrs. Larson has goose eggs pictured opposite their names; but devotees of the game explain that this does not adequately express the merits of the play. The position of the players, it is explained, has a great deal to do with it, and asserted that Miss. Grant and Mrs. Atcheson as guards were almost perfect; also that Mrs. Larson’s play was fine. The playing of Miss. Smith and Miss. Taylor could not be improved upon. Of the Flat team, Mrs. Amaloing got two baskets on fouls, Miss. Kotsch earned one, Mrs.
Laing one and Mrs. Campbell one. Individually, the Flat ladies played magnificently, but the Iditarod ladies had been carefully drilled by expert men players and their team work gained them the victory. In the men’s game the Iditarod team had everything its own way from start to finish. The result was 62 to 8. The Iditarods’ play was almost without fault. Some of the expert players of the home team declare, however, that the Flats have some material of great promise, and that by practice the team as a whole could be developed into a really strong aggregation. Charley Linn, especially, is spoken of as a player of great promise.
Spring board meeting The Alliance board of directors will hold a spring meeting in Seward on May 4. 1 The Tripod February 2019 First airmail flight The legend on the photograph at the left, showing a dog team in front of an airplane, is hard to read because it is in white letters on snow, but it says: “ALASKA MAIL SERVICE, YESTERDAY AND TODAY.” The date is February 21, 1924 and the De Havilland, on loan from the U. S. Post Office, is ready to depart on the first airmail flight from Fairbanks to McGrath. The pilot is Ben Eielson (standing to the left of the cockpit). The mail is in a covered compartment in front of the cockpit. The mail contract specified ten trips from Nenana to McGrath, but Eielson flew from Fairbanks, because it had better facilities. He completed eight of the ten trips.
The flight did not put an end to mail delivery by dog team, as the legend implies, but as the saying goes, it was the beginning of the end. Statewide Trails Conference Alaska Trails Statewide Trails Conference will be held at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) April 18-20. Alaska Trails’ annual conference provides trail users and the wider public a statewide opportunity for training and networking with trail professionals. Government agencies, trail builders and non-profits will be able to share what they have learned and engage in conversations with others to share best practices and new ideas. There are many ways to enjoy Alaska's trails and the conference brings them together all under one roof.
Trails and outdoor recreation are a public health asset and an economic engine for the state and the Trails Conference seeks to raise the profile of trails and their importance to Alaska. There will be an Active Transportation track again this year on Friday, April 19th. For agenda, registration and other details, go to: http://www.alaska-trails.org/trailsconference.html and for more information, contact Steve Cleary at steve.cleary@alaska-trails.org or 907-334-8049. Trivia trail questions: 1. What is the longest ice-skating trail in the United States and where is it located? 2. What is the longest continuously paved bike trail in the United States and where is it located? Answers next month. 2