On Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m., three-time Iditarod racer Karen Land—accompanied by Noggin, the Alaskan Husky—will be visiting the library to talk about her dog sledding experience. Land is also planning to bring her sled and gear with her, so that everyone can get up close and see what it like is to be a musher. There is no registration for this event and adults and kids are encouraged to attend.
Land was first introduced to dog sledding while going to graduate school in Maine and soon realized it was something she wanted to do herself. Land has participated in many endurance dog sled races in Montana, Maine, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada and Alaska, but the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the most iconic.
Before planes and snowmobiles, dog sleds were commonly used to transport goods in Alaska. In 1925, a relay of dog sled teams famously delivered medicine from Anchorage to Nome during a diphtheria outbreak. Nevertheless, by the middle of the twentieth century the dog sled culture and the Alaskan Husky dog breed were fading. The Iditarod was started in 1973, to continue the great history of dog sledding in Alaska and the race proved to be a great catalyst to preserve the sport.
At 1,049 miles long, the Iditarod takes mushers and their dogs between 8-15 days to complete. It covers difficult terrain over tundra, across rivers and mountain passes and through forests. Weather is also a major concern. More people have reached the summit of Mount Everest than have made it to the Iditarod finish line behind a team of dogs.
“Everything in mushing is totally about the dogs,” said Land. “Patience, adaptability, compassion, courage, honesty, initiative, loyalty, optimism, perseverance, trust, and respect—these traits allow a musher and her team to keep moving forward.” Land has great respect for her dogs and appreciates that each dog is unique and has his or her own personality.
We are so excited to have Karen Land and Noggin coming to the library and hope to see a big crowd in Library Hall to welcome her to Skaneateles.
Upcoming Events:
Celebrate Nature Scavenger Hunt
Monday, April 15 to Monday, April 22
In honor of Earth Day, we challenge families to go outside and explore nature! Drop in to the library to pick up your Nature Scavenger Hunt card. If you find seven or more items, exchange your card for a pack of seeds at the front desk.
Gustav Stickley and the Syracuse Arts and Crafts Legacy
Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Join Robert Searing, Curator of History at the Onondaga Historical Association to learn about Gustav Stickley, local architect Ward Wellington Ward, stained glass craftsman Henry Keck and the artists at Syracuse China. This event was made possible by a grant secured by Senator DeFrancisco. No registration.
