The contact person for the 1999 Sled Dog Races is Don Mooney at the Northern Gateway Chamber of Commerce. 603-788-2530 PO Box 527 Lancaster, NH 03584-0567
1998 Paper booklet Typsetting/Graphic Design by North Country Publishing.
1998 Paper Booklet Camera work, layout and printing by Public Service of New Hampshire.
Whether this is your first introduction to sled dogs, or you have visited a sled dog kennel or attended a sled dog sporting event, you may be interested in some of the facts about sled dogs that mushers (dog team trainers and racers) don't seem to have the time to explain because of their preoccupation with their dogs. This is especially true at sled dog races where the driver's entire attention is on his dogs... prior to, during and following the race. They come first, last and always.
Although many sled dogs nake good pets, they are not exactly like other domesticated breeds. They come from a long tradition of running in harnesses. Being a part of a team fulfills their "pack" instinct, and to the sled dog's way of thinking, this is the most important, most exhilirating part of his life.
Other sled dogs are the sled dog's "best friends", and he enjoys nothing better than to run with his friends. He and his teammates naturally accept of the dog which has proven its capability at the front of the team. Unlike old tales that would have you believe that the lead dogs fight for their position... they don't. They earn it in training runs by exhibiting their enthusiasm and intelligence.
The "ultimate" leader of the dog team is the human being on the runners of the sled... the one who cares for the dogs, protects them, houses them, feeds them, and best of all, takes them out as a team for training and racing runs. A team of dogs is much stronger than any single person can control physically, but by being fair, consistent and considerate, the driver earns the respect of his dogs which willingly respond to his every command.
In order to earn a dog team's trust, the driver must truly love and appreciate his dogs and share in their joy as "partners" on a running sled dog team. Otherwise, the responsibility of maintaining and training a team of dogs can be pure drudgery. Even for the most concientious dog driver and kennel owner there are no guarantees of glory and awards awaiting him at the end of the trail.
The Community of Lancaster is very excited to be the present and future home of this fast growing sporting event.
All the excitement and anticipation has not come without a price, however. Fortunately, we have had the overwhelming support and hard work of The Lancaster Snowdrifters, Northern Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Town of Lancaster, Lancaster Motor Inn, Downeast Sled Dog Club from Maine and all of the generous area landowners.
Well, now its "off to the races" and don't forget your dancing shoes for the "Musher's Ball" Saturday night, featuring a special treat "Gopher Broke", a bluegrass band that's guaranteed to get your toes tappping.
Mr. Ernie Thurston/Owner Quality Motors, Inc. Route 5 North, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Phone: 802-748-2209 Fax: 802-748-5725 Mr. Marty Fitzpatrick/Owner Fitzpatrick's Buick-GMC 222 Dorset St. South Burlington, VT 05403 Phone: 802-864-5754 Fax: 802-658-0601 Mr. Gilbert DeLaBruere/Owner DeLaBruere Auto Sales, Inc. Derby Road Newport, VT 05855 Phone: 802-334-5028 Fax: 802-334-6357 Mr. Abel Toll/Owner Springfield Olds/Pontiac/GMC Route 106 North Springfield, VT 05150 Phone: 802-886-2281 Fax: 802-886-2213 Mr. Doug Smith/Owner Mr. Lee Cosgriff Sales Manager Smith Auto Sales, Inc. Route 120 Lebanon, NH 03766 Phone: 603-448-3500 Fax: 603-448-1628 Mr. Dean Walts/Owner Dalton Mountain Motors, Inc. RFD# 2 Box 194 Route 3 North Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: 603-788-4991 Fax: 603-788-4283 Mr. Rick Ellis/Owner Rick Ellis Pontiac/Buick/GMC 258 East Main Street Malone, New York 12953 Phone: 518-483-1880 Fax: 518-483-3269 Mr. Frank Knight/Owner Sales Manager, Darryl Knight GMC, Inc. 362 Route 3 Plattsburgh, NY 12901 Phone: 518-563-2000 Fax: 518-563-0201 Mr. Larry Handy/Owner Mr. David Handy/Son Handy Pontiac/Buick/GMC, Inc. 191 Lake Street PO Box 407 St. Albans, VT 05753 Mr. Gardner Stone/Owner G. Stone Motors, Inc. PO Box 527 Middlebury, VT 05763 Phone: 802-388-6718 Fax: 802-388-2569 Mr Paul Lyons/Owner Lyons Cadillac/Pontiac/GMC, Inc. RR # 4 Airport Road Montpelier, VT 05602 Phone: 802-229-9117 Fax: 802-229-4215 Mrs. Shirly Barnhardt/Owner Smith Buick/GMC, Inc. 263 South Main Street Rutland, VT 05701 Phone: 802-775-5551 Fax: 802-773-1710
With the mountain range spreading at a driver's feet it is no wonder that Lancaster has been renowned as a tourist community. The sceneic wonder and the old New England charm has stayed the same with in Lancaster since the town was established in 1764. It is not surprising that mushers, snowmobliers, hiker's and others come to Lancaster to marvel at "God's Country" throughout the year.
The people of this old New England Community have worked together in the old fashioned way of sharing to insure that everyone will enjoy a successful race weekend. From Main Street to abutting communities the people and businesses of the North Country have worked hard on the trail systems, fund raising and all the other aspects of a large event in hopes of providing our guests with a comfortable and enjoyable old fashioned New England weekend!
So welcome from all of us here in Lancaster!
Yours truly,
Sled Dog Race Committee
A sled ready and waiting for the season to begin.
The dogs are ready and waiting too. Where's the snow??? Woof!
Well, let's go... Where are the humans?
At Last! On the run.
Mush, you huskies!
Memories of winters past.
Come to the 1998 sled dog races in Lancaster, New Hampshire!
On Behalf of the Down East Sled Dog Club, Inc. I would like to welcome everyone to beautiful Lancaster, NH. This weekend you will be seeing some of the finest sled dog teams in New England and Canada in action. These dog teams are highly trained competetive athletes on par with Olympic calibar human athletes. They are truly a beautiful and exciting sight to see!
As members of Down East Sled Dog Club, Inc., we are very happy to be given the opportunity to be racing in the Town of Lancaster and surrounding area, and hope that this can become an annual event and a major attraction for the North Country. So come on, get your warm clothes on, pick your favorite team to root for and get out and enjoy the beautiful North Country winter and watch these beautiful dogs do what they love to do.
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I greet you to this occasion. A happening that was a part of this area many years ago, and one that we anticipate will again become and annual event.
As a regional Chamber of Commerce our goal is to bring attention to the beautiful area that we call home, through events such as this that will bring new people into this area and introduce them to the things that we, at times, take for granted.
I wish to thank the North Country GMC Truck Dealers Association for their tremendous support both financially and advice wise. Without that support, this event might not have happened. Another area of strong support came from the folks at Farm Family Insurance, located in Lancaster, Stan and Sally who were kind enough to allow us to use their land to hold this event on.
The Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club deserves and has our most sincere thanks for their help in planning and trail preparation and advise in what was possible and what was not. Tye help that was extended to us from the Town of Lancaster, Town Manager, Police Chief, the Lancaster Emergency Medical Services and Road Department was all a part of making this work. Thank you all very much. It is this fine example of working together that is what will make this area succeed.
Again, welcome all and have fun!
Donald F. Mooney, Director.
Skijoring, a sport that combines cross-country skiing and dog mushing, is something you don't want to miss during the 1st Annual Sled Dog Races in Lancaster, New Hampshire.
An exciting competition, contestants ski with 1 to 3 dogs at speeds averaging 15 miles per hour. This Scandinavian Nordic style mushing is relatively new to the US and is gaining in popularity among cross-country skiers and pet owners alike.
Racing on Main Street in Lancaster in 1937.
Winter Carnival, 1936.
Race on the road, Lancaster Winter Carnival, 1937.
Lancaster Winter Carnival, 1936.
Mrs. Taylor, Lancaster Winter Carnival, 1937.
Lancaster Winter Carnival, 1936. Left to right: Millie Turner, Mrs. Roland Bowles, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Milton Seeley.
The race.
A closeup of the same... the winning team.
The winning team. Notice that they aren't huskies!
The winning team again.
And again, closer.
