Terrie Hanke

Eye on the Trail: When Does Iditarod Start?

When does Iditarod start? That’s a question I hear often. My answer is always, “The last Saturday of February.”  If you’re an avid race fan, you’d quickly correct me saying, “Hey everyone knows Iditarod begins on the first Saturday of March!”  Hear my out on this. On the last Saturday of February, exactly one week prior to …

Eye on the Trail: 21st Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™

Brian Hickox from Massachusetts has begun his duties as the 21stIditarod Teacher on the Trail™. Brian has been at summer teachers camp and has been a key presenter, sharing lessons and activities he uses with students in his classroom.  Brian is an 8th grade English Language Arts teacher.  Brian is an energetic, compassionate, humorous, passionate and engaging …

Eye on the Trail: Teachers Busy at Summer Camp

Summer days are supposed to be leisurely but the teacher’s at Iditarod Summer Teacher’s Camp, have been intensely busy.  So much to experience and learn and only ten days to do it!  Katie Mangelsdorf, author of Champion of Huskies, shared stories of Iditarod’s visionary and founder, Joe Redington, Jr.  Before writing the book, Mangelsdorf spent …

Eye on the Trail: Anticipation of Iditarod

There’s plenty of anticipation in Alaska’s Iditarod this final week of June.  Teachers at Iditarod Teacher’s Summer Camp are anticipating soaking up a ton of knowledge on using Iditarod as a theme for education.  Brian Hickox is anticipating the excitement and his responsibilities as the 2019 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™.  Mushers, both rookies and …

Eye on the Trail: Telephoto Story – Recognize These Mushers?

The Restart was one of the few sunny days of Iditarod XLVI.  These two fellows seem to be soaking up the sun and good vibes of the day. Who are they?  They have a great deal in common when it comes to Iditarod. They both call the western coast of Alaska home.  This is a great …

Eye on the Trail: Snow of Iditarod XLVI Eclipses Wilbur

Winter storm Wilber has finally passed on through the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.  It snowed steady for almost two days, blanketing optimistic patio furniture and ground that was bare a few days earlier with nearly a foot of snow. Winds were strong but didn’t quite create Norton Sound whiteout conditions.  Wilbur added to the 4 …

Eye on the Trail: Iditarod XLVI Awards

The celebration of success for Iditarod finishers was held at the Nome Recreation Center in snowy windy Nome on March 18, 2018.  Why would the weather be any different for the banquet than what it was on the trail during the race?  Mushers with the families, friends, kennel workers as well as race sponsors and …

Eye on the Trail: Sharing Photos – Front of the Pack

As the saying goes, you can’t be in two places at once.  Just after Joar, Nic and Mitch arrived in Nome, I was able to share photos from either Jeff Schultz or Julian Schroder.  More of the top ten finished during the time I was in transit from Unalakleet to Nome.  I’d like to pick …

Eye on the Trail: Red Lantern to Kaltenborn

As the final musher to cross the finish line of the race, Magnus Kaltenborn wins the Red Lantern Award. It’s also his responsibility to extinguish the Widow’s Lamp. The two “lanterns” have different traditions and significance. Incidentally, the Champion, Joar Leifseth Ulsom and the Red Lantern musher of Iditarod XLVI are both Norwegian born.   Out …

Eye on the Trail: Radano In Nome

Talkeetna’s Anja Radano came into Nome this morning tight behind Jason Stewart. Anja has been a delight on the trail with her big smile and positive attitude. To the Iditarod Insiders she said, “It was really fun, lots of challenges. I’m really proud of these guys for an amazing job. I’m really proud of myself …