Six weeks to November 6-8. This is the time to start looking at airline ticket prices if you plan to fly in to Anchorage. (However, often I have found the best fares 2-4 weeks out.)

For those who are going to make presentations we ask you to send a summary of your topic and short bio for publicity purposes.

For those who had hoped to come but cannot make it in person we invite you to participate in other ways to keep your iron in the fire and help the program grow for future events:

• Send a poster.

• Send an animated poster, that is a Powerpoint or similar slide show, shorter or the same as your original proposal that can be shown without your narration or presence. In the simplest form a file of digital pictures with accompanying text document keyed to each picture could be presented for you..

• Send your program to be introduced or presented by someone else.

• Send literature, handouts or other material for free distribution.

• If you have products to be sold, books, DVDs, CDs or other sled dog related items we can also arrange for that, free or for a reasonable fee depending on the volume.

With the object of reaching the largest possible audience without incurring major costs to the audience for entry or for the use of a facility, we have a choice between venues in Anchorage or Wasilla. We will let you know how the it works out. Everything is on schedule for the first time, first-ever “mushing history conference bringing together diverse interests with the common sled dogs/mushing theme, including both history professionals and sled dog/mushing professionals.”

The 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially ended at 4:06 this morning (ADST) when Marquette Michigan rookie musher Timothy Hunt (Bib #64) made his way under the Burled Arch of Front Street in Nome Alaska. Race fans greeted Hunt and celebrated his 1049 mile journey to Nome. The 43 year old musher made the trek from Willow to Nome in 15 days, 14 hours, 6 minutes and 22 seconds.

Hunt was also awarded the coveted Wells Fargo Red Lantern. After the ceremony under the Burled Arch concluded, the 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ended with the traditional gesture of blowing out the Widow’s Lamp, signifying that all mushers and their teams were safely off the Iditarod Trail.

Later today (TBD) the Red Lantern Awards Banquet will be held in Nome at the Mini Convention Center. The public is invited to attend.

IDITAROD XXXVII ROOKIE MUSHER Alan Peck, (Bib # 32) scratched at 10:59 p.m. Alaska Time (March 22, 2009) in Shaktoolik Checkpoint. The 43 year old musher from Eagle River Alaska said he made the decision based on what he felt was in the best interest of his team. He rested his team for a number of hours before he decided to scratch. He had fourteen dogs on his team when he made the decision.

The Nome Recreation Center was full of hundreds of Iditarod race fans as the 2009 Iditarod Finishers were recognized for their achievements during the thirty seventh edition of “The Last Great Race on Earth.” The Finishers Banquet was catered by the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, as dozens of volunteers from Nome and beyond served the many who attended. Below is a listing of the Awards that were awarded earlier this evening;

PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award- The recipient of the 2009 PenAir Spirit of Alaska award is Aaron Burmeister from Nenana Alaska. The award is a beautiful framed mask depicting the spirit of the “team”. Burmeister also received $500 credit for travel or freight.

GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award- Presented to Lance Mackey from Fairbanks Alaska who was the first musher to arrive in Iditarod Alaska. Lance received $2,500 in gold nuggets and a beautiful trophy.

Millennium Alaskan Hotel Anchorage First To the Yukon Award- Presented to Lance Mackey from Fairbanks Alaska; the first Musher to arrive in Anvik Alaska on the banks of the Yukon. While in Anvik, Mackey received a nine course meal. Tonight Mackey received an additional $3,500 in one dollar bills as the “after dinner mint” for his efforts.

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Gold Coast Award- Presented to Lance Mackey from Fairbanks Alaska. Mackey was the first musher to arrive in the Gold Coast community of Unalakleet. He was awarded a beautiful trophy and $2,500 in gold nuggets.

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award- Presented by the Nome Kennel Club. The recipient for the fastest time between Safety and Nome is Ramey Smyth from Willow Alaska. He was able to complete the trek from Safety to Nome in 2 hours and 27 minutes. He received $500 for his efforts.

Horizon Lines Most Improved Musher Award- Was awarded to Dallas Seavey from Seward Alaska. Seavey received $2,000 and an engraved trophy from Horizon Lines. Dallas went from 41st position in 2007 to sixth in 2009.

Rookie of the Year- The Rookie of the Year Award has been sponsored by Jerry and Clara Austin of St. Michael Alaska since 1980. The 2009 Rookie of the Year was Chad Lindner from Brookline Massachusetts. He received $1,500 and a trophy for his efforts.

ExxonMobil 37th Iditarod Award- Exxonmobil presented an Iditarod Gold Coin (valued at $2,500) to Harry Alexi, from Bethel Alaska for being the 37th musher to arrive in Nome

Fred Meyer Sportsmanship Award- This award includes $1,000 in Fred Meyer Gift Cards and was awarded to Aaron Burmeister of Nenana Alaska for helping a musher find his team.

Chevron Most Inspirational Musher Award- Presented to Iditarod musher Trent Herbst from Ketchum Idaho. Trent received the award for the work he has done in the classroom teaching his students all about “The Last Great Race on Earth.” The honor included a trophy and $1,000 worth of Chevron gas.

Golden Clipboard Award- The 2008 Golden Clipboard is awarded to the checkpoint along the Iditarod Trail that exemplifies community teamwork The 2009 recipient is the village of Nikolai Alaska.

Golden Stethoscope Award- Awarded to the veterinarian deemed most helpful on the trail by the members of the Iditarod Official Finishers Club was awarded to Dr. Denny Albert from Denali Alaska.

Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award- is based on specific criteria to determine who has best demonstrated outstanding dog care through out the Race while remaining competitive. Alaska Airlines presented the award to Iditarod 2009 Champion Lance Mackey. Mackey received a lead crystal cup on an illuminated wooden base and two free round trip tickets to anywhere on the Alaska Airlines system.

The City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Winner- Originally presented by the late Lolly Medley, Wasilla harness maker and one of two women to run the second Iditarod in 1974. The award honors an outstanding lead dog, chosen by the mushers. This year’s recipient was Kuling a 9 year old member of Jessie Royer’s team from Fairbanks Alaska. Kuling has completed seven Iditarods and led her team to an 8th place finish in 2009. She was Jessie’s lead dog for all seven of her Iditarods.

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award- Presented to the musher chosen by staff and officials as the person who most closely mimics “Herbie” in his/her attitude on the trail. This year’s recipient was Sonny Lindner from Fairbanks Alaska. He received a free freight allotment on Northern Air Cargo, $1,049 cash and a trophy.

Wells Fargo Winner’s Purse Award- Was awarded to the 2009 Iditarod Champion, Lance Mackey. This year’s award was $69,000.

Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Official Truck Award- Was awarded to the 2009 Iditarod Champion, Lance Mackey. Mackey received a 2008 Dodge Ram Laramie “HEMI” 4/x/4 quad cab pick up.

During the Banquet each musher had the opportunity to try starting a brand new 4 wheel Bombardier compliments of Northern Air Cargo. The winning key belonged to Robert Nelson from Kotzebue Alaska.

IDITAROD XXXVII MUSHER David Sawatzky, (Bib # 66) scratched at 5:00 p.m. AKDT (March 21, 2009) between Safety and Nome. The 56 year-old musher from Healy, Alaska, had eleven dogs in his team when he made the decision. Sawatzky had been resting and leading his team (walking in front of them) for a number of miles before deciding to scratch.

IDITAROD XXXVII MUSHER Aaron Peck, (Bib # 02) scratched at 9:00 a.m. Alaska Time (March 21, 2009) in Elim Checkpoint. The 29 year old musher from Grande Prairie, AB. Canada arrived in Elim yesterday afternoon at 4:22 pm. He decided this morning, after resting his team over night that he would scratch in the best interest of his team. He had six dogs on his team when he made the decision.

IDITAROD XXXVII Musher Melissa Owens (bib #30) made the decision to scratch in Elim at 4:03 pm today (Alaska Time). The Nome Alaska musher had 10 dogs on her team when she made the decision. She left Elim heading toward White Mountain at 11:10:00 am. She made the decision to turn around and return to Elim. She scratched based on the team’s best interest.

Veteran Iditarod Musher John Baker, (Bib # 44) arrived in Nome, Alaska at 8:18:51 pm (Alaska Time) completing his 13th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Kotzebue, Alaska musher has now been in the top ten for his tenth year. His 3rd place finish netted him $55,000. Baker arrived in Nome with 9 dogs.

2009 Yukon Quest Champion Sebastian Schnuelle, (Bib # 34) arrived in Nome, Alaska at 7:05:04 pm (Alaska Time) with a crowd of Iditarod 2009 race fans cheering him on. The White Horse YT, Canada musher arrived in Nome with 13 dogs on his team. He held off a number of other mushers who tried to pass him along the Gold Coast and in the end Schnuelle was victorious in his quest to improve his place in the 2009 Iditarod. He told the crowd that he would definitely be back one more time to compete in the 2010 Iditarod.

In 2008, Lance Mackey proved the impossible was possible again. Today, (March 18, 2009) Lance Mackey made an indelible mark on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and on his legacy as an Iditarod Champion. The Fairbanks Alaska musher arrived in Nome Alaska at 11:38:46 am under a blue sky with thousands of race fans cheering him on. Mackey (Bib #47) made his way under the burled arch with 15 very happy, healthy members of his team.

Mackey now joins the legendary Susan Butcher and Montana musher Doug Swingley as having accomplished three consecutive Iditarod Championships. He created an impressive gap between himself and the rest of the pack that has not been seen since 2001. This win was, in a word, “impressive.” Mackey set the pace in the 2009 Iditarod after taking his 24 hours in Takotna. From that point forward Mackey’s teams runs were blistering. He passed all of his competitors and grew his lead each step of the way.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin called to congratulate Mackey on his three-peat. Iditarod Principal Partner Anchorage Chrysler Dodge owner Rod Udd was on hand to present Mackey with his third Dodge Ram Quad Cab Pick-up truck in a row. Principal Partner Wells Fargo’s Representative Loren Prosser presented Mackey a check for $69,000. In addition, Principal Partner ExxonMobil’s Representative Bill Brackin, and Principal Partner GCI’s Representative, Gary Samuelson presented Lance with the garland of roses for his two lead dogs Maple and Larry.