All Alaska Sweepstakes April 1, 2008 BanquetI took the shuttle to Fairbanks, spent the night and headed to Frontier Air at 5 AM. There I loaded my small bag, got a standby ticket and waited. At dusk, we loaded into the double prop small 11 or so passenger plane. In 2 hours we were in Nome. As I looked across the sea, I saw the town and was ecstatic.
Getting there was an adventure and even more was yet to come.
I was picked up by a friend's friend, Lisa Coyle, and she was gracious enough to get me to her home and show me around the town. She headed back to work and I headed to the Recreational Center.
There I met Richard, a ride to the school and then back to my friend's home. Richard gave a colorful rendition of Nome and I enjoyed every minute in the old blue van with a black wonderful lab, Baleen, in the back seat.
After a brief rest, I put on my boots and the grippers given to me by Lisa, and headed to Front Street. I walked the Nome streets for 4 hours and enjoyed every moment. I briefly met my cousin, Dale, and his girlfriend and son, Byron, and had a great late breakfast downtown.
It was time to rest up once more and ready for the banquet which opens its doors at 5 PM for musher signing of the posters. I walked to the rec center which was only a block from where I was staying.
Then the night began. Dr. Phil Schobert, Race Director, and his wife, Lisa, organized the event. We had Invocation with Pastor Harvey Fiskeaux, a beautiful National Anthem and Alaska Song by Keri Scaggs and silent auction ensued. Belt buckles, Check Point Signs signed by mushers, and various items were auctioned off. The banquet dinner was exquisite....salmon, 1" steaks wrapped in bacon, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad and dessert. Susanne Thomas coordinated the banquet and Chef Tim Stettinger must be commended as not only was it perfect but it was the same menu served to mushers in 1908. Awards ensued, the evening was long as Veterinarians, Race Judges, Radio Stations & Checkpoint people along with the Queen Court were introduced and thanked.
Finally, about 10:00 PM , the musher awards took place. A Scott Allen Humanitarian Trophy for Excellence in Dog Care was given to Sonny Linder. This met with a long loud applause and I believe, if I remember correctly, standing ovation. Then the "Percy Blatchford Spirit of the Race" Award was up. I was pretty shaky, but upon presentation~ I explained the reasons behind the award and then named the recipient, Cari Miller. She was shocked. I had each of the mushers rise and stand as I read the dedication:
"In memory of my grandfather, Percy Blatchford's love of his dogs and loyalty to the sport of dog racing, we as a family, felt it was important to recognize a musher in his name during this great event. We would have loved to have given an award to every musher and their team, however, we are only able to give a single contribution of $1750 to one musher and dogteam. In his memory and with our love, the Blatchford family awards the ' Percy Blatchford Spirit of the Race Award' and $1750 to cover entry fee costs for the 100th Anniversary of the All Alaska Sweepstakes in recognition of the dedication, love and determination and spirit of dog racing to musher Cari Miller."
The 2008 Mushers for the All Alaska Sweepstakes awards were then given. Lance Mackey was absent as he was heading to Seattle with his injured dog. Today's Anchorage News has an article written explaining that his dog will be okay. One musher was still out on the trail. A red lantern dinner would be happening this week as I heard that he did make it back to Nome and would receive the red lantern award.
A video documentary played overhead continually during the banquet. I met Iron Man Johnson's 3 children who traveled to Nome for the event also. We were recognized along with one other gentleman who represented his father. As life would have it, Delta resident Mike McCowan was also present at the banquet as he is a race judge. He was as surprised to see me as I was to see him, although I know he is involved with many state races. Laura Samuelson, Director of the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum gave a race history and introduced us to the crowd.
As Mitch Seavey's name was called, he also got a standing ovation. His lead dog was presented a garland by Howard and Julie Farley. He told a story about how he had to be talked in to race this 2008 AAS, the one who talked him into it was none other than 2nd place finisher, Jeff King.
I met and spoke with Jeff King at the Fairbanks airport prior to departure and flew both ways with him. I asked him how this incredible time happened as the record was shattered. He said, of course it was dogs & the diets but even more was the weather. He has taken a snowmachine to check the race trail prior to the race. With the wind howling and the difficult weather conditions, he was convinced he didn't want to run this race. But as the race start approached, the winds calmed and it was the most incredible weather of calmness and sunshine. He really felt that was the major factor.
Sonny Linder was also on my flight home as was Mike McCowan.
Even though, the racers entered the race, knowing that it was winner take all....small purses developed just like our Blatchford Award...These were:
Queen Janice Doherty purse valued at $11,744 went to 2nd Place Finisher Jeff King
Runner Up Queen Kristina Rasmussen-Hoffert's purse valued at $10,392 went to 3rd place finisher Lance Mackey
3rd Place Queen Contestant Dana Sherman's purse valued at $6,91 went to 4th place finisher Sonny Linder
4th Plae Queen Contestant Tammy Gologergan's purse valued at $6,107 went to 5th place finisher Ed Iten
5th place Queen Contestant Peggy Darling's purse valued at $5,937 went to 6th place finisher Jim Lanier
6th Place Queen Contestant Meredith Ahmasuk's purse valued at $2,641 went to 7th place finisher Cim Smyth
7th Place Queen Contestant Dora Mae Hughes purse valued at $700 went to 8th place finisher Ramy Brooks
8th Place Queen Contestant Katie Schobert's purse valued at $600 went to 9th place finisher Aaron Burmiester
9th Place Queen Contestant Myrna Outwater's purse valued at $500 went to 10th place finisher Fred Napoka
Photographers and videographers were everywhere. I believe you are able to purchase both items from the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race site.
All and all, my impression of Nome? Absolutely a friendly "come together" town where people pulled off this ominous event. Not only was it an expensive endeavor but it would take a large amount of volunteers. I was so glad to have gone and been part of this history. Thank you family!
Thank you who all donated and thank you Jeanie from Heartbeat Alaska, our cousin, for flying me to and from Nome.
Ruby Hollembaek (daughter of Gloria Blatchford)
PS. I had Carol Tanner's daughter come up to me later and introduce herself to me as did Chuck Fagerstrom. It was wonderful to have been able to do this for all of you. As Lisa and I spent the night sharing stories until 1:30 AM after the banquet, we suddenly discovered that she was from Nevada, her dad a surveyor, and we had lived in Carlin, Nevada at the same time. What a coincidence...Or was it?
