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Hardcore Huskies Newsletter 08 Race Edition.pdf [ Archive ] |
| Heather Officially Entered In 2008 Race | Jul-02-2007 | |
Heather Siirtola joined defending champion Lance Mackey and 54 other mushers at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters on Saturday June 30th to sign up for Iditarod XXXVI! Mackey will defend the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race title he won in such dramatic fashion in March.
Along with mail-in entries, the number of mushers signed up to leave downtown Anchorage for the ceremonial start on March 1, 2008, stands at 71. The sign ups were part of the 2007 Volunteer Picnic Celebration.
In addition to Heather and Mackey, the 2008 race will include such former champions as Martin Buser, Mitch Seavey, Jeff King and Rick Swenson. Notable mushers such as Dee Jonrowe and Joe Garnie, a perennial top finisher who hasn't raced since the 2004 Iditarod, also signed up.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin dropped by the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla as tour buses disgorged mobs to see the museum, take a sled-dog ride (behind a wheeled sled), and meet mushers.
Another musher who has overcome much to race signed up Saturday. Legally blind musher Rachael Scdoris of Bend, Ore., will run the 2008 Iditarod after taking last year off. She'll again pair with longtime Iditarod veteran Tim Osmar, who helped guide Scdoris to the finish while driving another team.
The deadline for entries is Nov. 30.
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| Minnie Has Puppies/Training Started for 08 | Jun-12-2007 | |
Iditarod veteran Fast Eddy may be deaf but now he is a daddy too. The litter of 6 puppies from Fast Eddy and Minnie were born in early May. The pups are progressing nicely, driving mom and Heather crazy. Heather says are gaining weight and becoming more rambunctious by the day.
The black and white liter of three boys and three girls also has a Hollywood connection. The girls are named Monroe, Hepburn and Farmer and the boys are Bogart, Marlin and Brando.
Heather also says she has begun her training for the 2008 race. Early training means trips to the lake for swimming with new life vests that were recently purchased for the dogs.
“The dogs are also allowed to “free run,” says Heather. “This is where I take 4-7 dogs for a two to three mile walk and allow them to run along and enjoy themselves a bit and just be dogs.”
Heather also says she has recently purchased a 4-wheeler which she uses as a sled for the dogs to pull during the summer months.
Finally Heather says she is filling out the paperwork to enter the 2008 race. The Iditarod begins accepting applications on June 30th. The entry fee for the 2008 race has increased dramatically from $1800 to $3000!
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| Hundreds Meet Heather at Mall | Apr-23-2007 | |
Heather spent three hours meeting hundreds of fans, signing autographs and taking pictures with well wishers on Saturday, April 21st at the Kirkwood Mall in Bismarck, ND. This was the final stop on her return to Bismarck to thank everyone for their support during Iditarod 35.
Heather says she is already gearing up to run Iditarod 36 which starts Saturday, March 1, 2008.
While that may seem like a long ways off, Heather says it will be here before you know it. During the summer Heathers says she begins training the dogs. In addition to having them pull a sled on wheels, Heather says she has the dogs swim in a local lake.
Heather returns to Talkeetna, Alaska on Wednesday, April 25th.
"I invite everyone to return to this site during the coming months for more updates," says Heather.
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| Heather Thanks North Dakotans for Support | Apr-19-2007 | |
Heather and Kitty spent the last week talking with students, teachers, and others at schools in Bismarck, Mandan and Wing, ND about her Iditarod adventure and showing them pictures taken along the trail. Heathers return to Bismarck began with appearances on KXMB and KFYR television.
The school tour began with Heather's apeparance at Christ the King School in Mandan, ND,on Monday, April 16th. This is the school where her brother Jacob attends. The Bismarck Tribune did a great article CLICKING HERE
Later that day Heather traveled to Wing, North Dakota, the site where ladies made "booties" for her Hardcore Huskies team. She also made a presentation to a standing room only crowd at the local school. She was presented with a quilt that had an outline of the State of Alaska and showing the Iditarod Trail. Heather says that it will be treasured forever.
Tuesday Heather made appearances at Centennial, Saxvik and Miller Elementary schools. Heather actually attended Miller school when she was young.
Tuesday ended with two appearances to a full house at Bismarck State College at 3 and 7 PM. People in attendance asked many great questions and express their amazement at Heathers accomplishment.
Wednesday Heather went to Pioneer, Dorothy Moses, and Prairie Rose Schools. Thursday began with an appearance at Fort Lincoln elementary school and ended with Heather's return to her alma mater Bismarck High School where nearly 500 students welcomed the return of their home-town hero.
Heather will wrap up her Bismarck tour with an autograph session at Kirkwood Mall on Saturday, April 21st from 11 AM to 2 PM at the malls south end.
On Sunday, April 22nd, Heather returns to Talkeetna, Alaska and begins training for Iditarod 36!
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| Off to North Dakota! | Apr-11-2007 | |
Greetings!
Kitty and I are on the way to Bismarck, North Dakota to see family and friends and to thank the folks there for their wonderful support. I will be stopping by most of the elementry schools and to my alma mater, Bismarck High, to show students some pictures and talk about my adventure. This will happen the week of April 16th. If you followed my blog you know there were lots of students following my progress in Bismarck.
I also have appearances scheduled at the Sidney J. Lee Auditorium at Bismarck State College on April 17th at 3 PM and 7 PM. I'll also be signing autograph pictures at the south end of the Kirkwood Mall on April 21st from 11 AM to 2 PM. Please stop by and say "Hello!"
If you can't make it to any of those events I will be appearing on the KXMB Noon show on Friday, April 13th. I will also be doing interviews with the Bismarck Tribune and KFYR TV.
I am really looking forward to return home to my roots and having the opportunity to thank everyone for their fantastic support. See you soon!
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