Mushing with the sled dogs

Personal Journal

 Being a journalist was really fun last week.

On March 3, I wanted to photograph the sled dog teams I was writing a story about. I was invited to take pictures of the husky sled dogs that are temporary residents at the home of Jennifer and James Gasperini.
It was a lovely late-winter day and I met Andrea Verdegan and Tim Robinson who care for and train the dogs.
I thought I would take some pictures and be on my way, but the two trainers had other plans. They cleared the back of Tim’s ATV so I could sit there with my back resting on Tim’s back on a training run.
On my first attempt to climb on I fell back, but Tim caught me. But I soon got the hang of it.
Tim explained that the reason to use ATVs instead of sleds is that they can simulate the 1,500-pound load the dogs will have to pull by putting the ATVs in low gear.
Even with the sound of the engines, it was so quiet while we were on the training run.
I don’t have many times of the day when I’m quiet with no distractions. I noticed the trees, bushes and shapes in the snow, which is slowly melting.
The dogs, which will go on a Greenland expedition with their owner, Mille Porsild, are not trained for racing. Their job is to pull the sleds, going about 3 mph, over long distances.
Although he and Andrea carry water for them, the dogs prefer to eat snow and get off the trail and into the snow when the trainers stop.
I asked Tim what he thinks about on training runs. He said he thinks about a lot of things.
I thought about what it would be like to ride for hours on end behind the dogs while on a very cold tundra in Greenland. Feelings of loneliness crept over me.
When we stopped so I could take more pictures, the dogs were lying down in the snow and seemed so content and happy.

That’s why people in the arctic are so attached to their dogs, I thought. They don’t just pull your sled. They are friends who keep you glued to the earth.
The dogs all have distinct personalities, both said. They form alliances and also fight with each other because they are pack animals.
When they are pulling sleds, they are hunting, Tim said.
Andrea wonders what it will be like in Greenland when there is nothing but white snow for the dogs to concentrate on.
Tim will go to Greenland with the dogs and head back to the states for several jobs he’s lined up. He’ll be looking after horses.
After my wonderful ride, I was sad to leave Andrea and Tim.
But I’ll remember for a long time the contentment I felt from the dogs. Part of me will be with them in Greenland.

Judy Spooner is a staff writer for the Woodbury Bulletin and South Washington County Bulletin.

Posted by: Judy Spooner on 3/10/2010 at 11:34 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: dogs, greenland, huskies, woodbury

'Mame' hits the stage with laughs

Arts and Entertainment

The Woodbury Community Theatre's production of "Mame" made its debut Saturday, March 6 on the Loft Stage at East Ridge High School.

The show tells the story of Mame Dennis, a single woman living in high society New York City when her brother dies and leaves her his son Patrick.
Mame, who has never had this type of responsibility before, immediately falls in love with Patrick and the two help each other face the adventures and obstacles of life — including the Great Depression and love.

Marcie Berglund, who has appeared in various Woodbury Community Theatre production, played the title character in Mame. Berglund is also the director of the annual Woodbury Middle School plays.

I went to see Mame on Saturday night, in order to take video and pictures, but also to watch the newest creation from the Woodbury Community Theatre. Prior to watching the show, I had watched two rehearsals, so I had a rough idea of what the show was like going in - light hearted, colorful and funny.

I was pleasantly surprised at how funny the show actually was since I had never even heard of the show previously. Even though the musical numbers weren't anything over the top or amazing, I found myself smiling throughout the entire show. There are definitely a lot of laughs in Mame. 

Berglund did an amazing job of bring this energetic woman who has a zest for life to the stage.

I also watched the Woodbury Community Theatre's production of "Narnia: The Musical," last year, and I have to say that I enjoyed "Mame" more because of its humor and light hearted feel.

For anyone who wants a fun night out, I recomend "Mame" which will continue this weekend on March 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.

Posted by: Amber Kispert on 3/9/2010 at 3:12 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Tags: arts and entertainment woodbury

Sweeper time

City of Woodbury

Motorcyclists and bicyclists, take note: Woodbury's streets soon could be cleared of several months' worth of sand, pebbles and other debris that make two-wheeled travel treacherous.

City crews expect to begin street sweeping April 12.

Posted by: Scott Wente on 3/9/2010 at 2:17 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: woodbury local government

Checking the local snow total

City of Woodbury

If you're curious how much snow falls in Woodbury, you may want to check with the city's Public Works Department.

The city monitors snow totals at two locations -- one on the north end of Woodbury, the other at the south end -- and averages them for a total accumulation, said David Jessup, public works director.

Why is this an issue in March, as the snow is melting? A recent report to the City Council by Woodbury Administrator Clint Gridley noted the following: "The city has received approximately 23 inches of snow since Jan. 17."

Jessup dug up more snow information: In fall 2009, Woodbury saw 25.5 inches of snow. For winter 2010, the amount was 23.5 inches.

That brings the 2009-10 season total to 48.75 inches.

Posted by: Scott Wente on 3/9/2010 at 2:10 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Gaede wastes no time embarking on the next phase

Sports

Woodbury senior Max Gaede did not have much time to mourn the Royals loss to Apple Valley in the Section 3AA boys hockey final last Thursday as the captain was off to Sioux City to begin the next chapter in his career within a few scant hours of his high school team's loss.

Gaede was driven through the night to Sioux City, Iowa to join his new team, the Muskateers, as they prepared for a weekend set in the United States Hockey League schedule.

After wearing blue and white for the past three-plus seasons, the Royals forward suddenly found himself preparing for the world of junior hockey — all while getting used to a predominantly yellow uniform trimmed in green, purple and black.

Gaede was with his new team in time for a Friday night home game in which he took to the ice against Des Moines and also traveled with the squad for a Saturday matchup in Lincoln, Neb.

The soon-to-be graduate got off five shots on net in his final weekend appearance for the Muskateers on Sunday in an overtime loss to Fargo before returning to Woodbury to re-assume his role as a WHS student.

"We look forward to helping Max in his process of academic, personal and hockey success," Gaede's new coach, Sioux City's Luke Strand, said. "He is at a great advantage coming from coach (Wes) Bolin and Woodbury High School."

Posted by: Tom Carothers on 3/9/2010 at 12:45 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink