News and Information
As they waited for news that diphtheria anti-toxin had been located, Nome’s emergency Board of Health was creating a plan to get the much needed serum from the railroad terminus in Nenana to the desperate people of Nome. While aviation enthusiasts were evaluating the available “airships” and looking for a pilot, the “better to be …
With no roads, no trains and a frozen Bering Sea, shipping options were limited back in 1925 when Nome desperately needed diphtheria anti-toxin. Ground transport by experienced mail carriers and their trusted dog teams would be the tried and true method but Aviation enthusiasts were quick to suggest airmail would be a much faster way …
After the Alameda, the final supply ship of the season, pulled anchor and headed to warmer waters, Welch saw more sore throats than usual. Tonsillitis was his initial diagnosis. Late in December, one of the children with tonsillitis died. The native parents didn’t allow Welch to do an examination. In January, Dr. Welch learned that …
Stu Nelson, a soft spoken man, but a giant in the world of sled dogs and adventure, passed away unexpectedly in late September near his home in northern Idaho. Dr. Stu Nelson has served Iditarod – both sled dogs and mushers for 38 years. Iditarod is all about the dogs and so was Nelson! He’s …
Dr. Curtis Welch had arrived in Alaska in 1907. He was very familiar with the winters and rather enjoyed the isolation of the ice bound, blizzard swept town of Nome. Nearly half of Nome’s population shipped out for the winter on the last vessels departing before the Bering Sea froze. Being icebound November through June, …
When the calendar pages reveal the arrival of January 2025, there’s an anniversary that begs to be celebrated. January of 2025 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run, sometimes referred to as The Great Race of Mercy. Twenty drivers and about 150 sled dogs carried the diphtheria antitoxin from Nenana to Nome in …
Maggie Hamilton, 2025 Teacher on the Trail, met up with Kate Newmyer, 2024 Teacher on the Trail, at Space Center Houston. Topping their list of things to do that day was passing the Teacher on the Trail sleeping bag. With mock shuttle Independence and shuttle carrier aircraft, NASA 905 in the back ground, Kate launched …
Officially the first paragraphs of the 53rd chapter of Iditarod were penned on Saturday, June 29th at Iditarod Headquarters during the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic and Musher Signup event. It was a sunny, blue-bird day in Wasilla – perfect for honoring the volunteers who make the race possible and welcoming the next field of racers. Jr. …
Sled dogs thrive in frigid conditions! These working dogs are well equipped for their purpose – running and pulling. Think of it from the language of the automotive world. Make, Model, Interior Features, Exterior Features and Accessories. Make is the Sled Dog. Model is the Alaskan Husky or the Siberian Husky as they are the …
While you slept, Fourth Avenue and Cordova Street in downtown Anchorage were transformed from blacktop roadway to snow covered trail. Friday night is when the trail through downtown Anchorage literally materializes before your eyes. The City of Anchorage has been stockpiling snow for the whole winter to build trail for the Fur Rondy and Iditarod. …
