Horizon Winter 2012

WINTER

2012

Winter fun, inside and out A supplement to the Newport Miner and Gem State Newspapers

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Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Michelle Nedved and her dog Gracie take a break from snowshoeing at Priest Lake in the winter of 2011.

Editor’s Note 4 A hobby to pass the time

Knitters gather around the area for craft, kinship

14 A walk through the snow

Friends trudge through the snow at Priest Lake

20 Crazy new sport hits the ice Locals ice sail at Diamond Lake

24 Man’s best friend Four-legged friends race on the snow

About the cover: Courtesy photo|Jill Wilson

This team of Samoyed sled dogs pulls Linda Van Hanneken, a musher from from southern Oregon, during a past U.S. Pacific Coast Sled Dog Championships, held in February at Priest Lake. The event attracts teams from throughout the Northwest.

M

other Nature gave us a hint of winter early this year. The rains have since washed away most any sign of snow, but there’s still a chance for a white Christmas, and there’s plenty of winter left ahead.

In this issue of Horizon we’ve recounted some fun from winters past, hoping to inspire you to get out and enjoy the snow and ice.

Most dogs love snow, and some are trained to excel in front of a sled. The U.S. Pacific Coast Sled Dog Races are put on each year at Priest Lake, drawing mushers from around the region. Reporter Don Gronning spoke with two area couples who have raised teams and learned a bit about the sport.

Managing editor Michelle Nedved owns two dogs who love to play in the fresh powder. Over a recent winter, she, her husband and I braved the below freezing temps to take the dogs out and snowshoe the trails around Priest Lake. Michelle recounts our tromp in the woods and provides a list of Priest Lake area trails ready to welcome cross country skiers and snowshoers.

Knitting is another hobby I took up a few years ago. While I’m no expert, I spoke with several ladies who make beautiful handmade items while getting in some socializing. Several knitting and spinning groups offer time for crafters to work on their projects, get help from experts, or just chat with friends.

Sailing on the ice is a less heard of winter hobby. After publisher Fred Willenbrock noticed a sailor zipping by last winter on Diamond Lake, he tracked down its owner to learn the thrills of the sport.

So snuggle in for a good read, then get ready to get out and enjoy the season.

- J. L. Atyeo

Community Horizon PUBLISHED: December 2012 PUBLISHER: Fred Willenbrock WRITERS & EDITORS: Janelle Atyeo, Don Gronning and Michelle Nedved DESIGN: Michelle Nedved ADVERTISING: Lindsay Guscott, Cindy Boober and Amy Robinson HORIZON is published quarterly as a supplement to The Newport Miner and

Gem State Miner, 421 S. Spokane Ave., Newport, WA 99156. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 421 S. Spokane, Newport.

TELEPHONE: 509-447-2433 E-MAIL: theminer@povn.com.

FAX: 509-447-9222 Reproduction of articles & photographs is prohibited without permission of the publisher. See all issues at The Miner Online: www.pendoreillerivervalley.com Winter 2012|Horizon 3

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Dorothy Bernard, left, shows off the socks she knitted as she works on another pair at a recent Wednesday fiber studio at Create Arts Center in Newport.

Sit and knit Knitting makes a great hobby for cold winter days

BY JANELLE ATYEO

K

nitting is one of those functional forms of folk art that’s taken off in

recent years.

It’s a hobby that can last all your life, as long as your fingers are nimble. When I first learned, my mom teased me that I was turning into an old lady. I told her I’d take my knitting along jogging and I’d be running marathons while knitting scarves when I’m 80. We’ll see if that pans out.

Despite my mom’s beliefs, knitting has 4 Horizon|2012 Winter

caught on with the younger crowd, as evidenced by some knitting book titles: “Not Your Mamma’s Knitting,” “The Happy Hooker,” “Stitch ‘N Bitch.” A good portion of my friends knit or crochet.

The fiber arts are taking off as people aim to be more self sufficient, observed Terrie Lacy, who owns Lacy’s Littler Acre, a yarn shop in Ione. “People are wanting to … be CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Right: Lori Mae of Deer Park models the sweater she knitted for herself. It took her a year to make.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

able to do things for themselves rather than relying on stores and big companies,” she said.

Lately, people have been drawn to the natural fibers for “They always tell us we’re socks and felted items. Many having too much fun.” spinners have their own Linda Christianson animals, so it Mountain Chicks really becomes a do-it-yourself endeavor, from the grass roots to the knitting needles.

“Wool is a good fiber for clothing because it’s warm and it’s just good for you,” Acre said, and she’s noticed as the weather gets colder, her yarn shop gets busier.

I learned to knit over one Thanksgiving while visiting my brother and his family, who lived in Maryland at the time. My sister-in-law is super talented at most anything she does, and sewing and knitting are chief among her hobbies. She makes gorgeous scarves, toasty warm mittens and hats, and even faux chainmail when my nephew was going through his knights and dragons phase. All of her work has perfect stitches and straight rows.

I may have learned from the best, but my projects have never been quite as flawless as hers, and I haven’t yet picked up the knitting bug with the same fervor. But it’s a skill I’m glad I know.

I started out with a simple dishrag. That way, if I messed it up too badly the dirty dishes wouldn’t mind and no matter how ugly it turned out, it would still be functional.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

W

Get your knit on

ant to meet up with other knitters, crocheters and spinners? Socialize and share your projects. Or pick up a brand new hobby. Nearly every community in the area has a fiber arts group that meets regularly, and they’re filled with experts who have been doing it for years, eager to help out or teach the newbies. Find a time to drop in.

NEWPORT Fiber Arts Studio: Wednesdays 9 a.m. to noon - Create Arts Center

Bring your spinning wheel and fiber or come with your yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks and enjoy the company of fellow fiber lovers. A $2 donation to Create is requested, and lunch is available for $5.

Create is located at 900 W. Fourth St. Call 509-4479277.

CUSICK Loosely Knit: Thursdays 1-3 p.m. - Calispel Valley Library

Come and visit, crochet, knit, spin wool or work on another needle art project at the library, 107 First Ave. Call 509-445-1215.

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Over the last year, a group averaging five to 10 people have been meeting to knit and crochet at

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IONE Sit and Stitch: Tuesdays 2-4 p.m. - Lacy’s Little Acre

The yarn shop has periodic Saturday classes and Tuesday knit-alongs. In the knit-alongs, everyone works on the same pattern – usually something a little more difficult than you’d try at home – and you have the support of the group as you work through it.

A knit-along is set for Thursdays, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, the project is felted mittens. You’ll need to know how to knit, purl, increase, decrease and use DPNs. The session is free with the purchase of yarn and pattern; sign up early or call 509-442-4040. The shop is located at 410 W. Main St. in the McNally building.

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A winter hobby

My knitting repertoire hasn’t developed much beyond scarves, flat knitted mittens and a rug that’s been in the works for about three years now.

Last Christmas, I made for my sister, upon request, a pair of fingerless gloves to keep her typing hands warm in her chilly office.

Knitting is a winter hobby for me.

Making hats and scarves just doesn’t seem that appealing when it’s 90 degrees and “We just come for sunny.

I also have the camaraderie.” trouble making myself Dorothy Bernard sit down Newport long enough to finish a couple rows. I do seem to make some progress during Gonzaga basketball season. I’m no basketball fan, but I like to join in when my friends gather to watch a game. Knitting helps pass the time when I’d otherwise be wondering if David Stockton really is old enough to be in college or trying to pick some melody out of the squeaks those size 13s make against the hardwoods.

Really, I’ve become a yarn collector. I’ve got bags of the stuff – all sorts of funky variegated colors, boucle, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

6 Horizon|2012 Winter

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Judy Graham, right, chats and laughs with Mira Wyrwal of Priest River while spinning and knitting at Create Arts Center. Graham raises Shetland sheep and angora and higora goats along Highway 2 southwest of Newport. Their fleece she uses to spin her own yarn.

wish I had a little more patience and a little more time to hone my knitting skills.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

wools and cottons. There are almost too many choices. Years ago I bought two particular bundles of ombre wool in shades of red. It looks so great just twisted together into what is called hank. I just know I’d ruin it if I tried to make it into some winter accessory.

A few skeins from my collection I can envision making something great like an infinity scarf. But then I end up seeing one on sale at the store and it’s so much easier than making it. I

The meet up

For those wanting to learn or to share their deep love for knitting, crocheting and all things fiber, there are knitting and spinning groups that meet regularly in almost every community.

When she moved to Ione 15 years ago, Linda Christianson said there were no spinners in the area. She gleaned them out, she said, teaching one friend who in turn taught others.

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Left: Nancy Glines crochets a lap blanket at Create. She says it’s a relaxing hobby.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Over the six years since she opened her store, The Mountain Chicks, the group of spinners that have been meeting there Fridays has grown.

Christianson likes the weekly gettogethers because it gives her time to spin. Plus, it’s an all-around good time.

“They always tell us we’re having too much fun,” she said.

Some knitters and crocheters have joined the group, but spinning is the focus. “If Knitting is a winter they don’t spin when hobby for me. they start, Making hats and we ususcarves just doesn’t ally convert seem that appealing them,” Christianwhen it’s 90 degrees son said.

It was and sunny. two veteran spinners who started the Fiber Arts Studio that meets at Create Arts Center in Newport. It has been going for 15 years now. Reit Westphal and Nancy Svoboda started to meet with their spinning wheels at the Cusick Library and Saturdays at Svoboda’s Bear Paw Camp. The group has expanded to include knitters and crocheters, and an occasional loom. For the last several

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Reit Westphal helped start the spinning group that’s been going for 15 years.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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10 Horizon|2012 Winter

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

years, they’ve been meeting at Create every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon.

“We just come for the camaraderie,” said Dorothy Bernard of Newport while knitting a sock at a recent meet up. She said it’s nice to have the expertise of others when she runs into a problem.

Bernard likes making knit socks. It’s a portable project, and they’re quick and easy, she said.

“It’s always easy if you know how,” Westphal chimed in.

If you’ve ever seen a knitted sock in progress, it looks like some form of “It’s mindless voodoo. Double and repetitive. pointed needles Relaxing – that’s about half the the word for it.” diameter of the average pencil stick out in Nancy Glines every direction.

Newport While some use circular needles or the magic loop technique where two needles are connected by a flexible cable, Bernard sticks to the tried and true DPNs.

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Dorothy Bernard shows the socks she is working on using four double-pointed needles.

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A relaxing hobby

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Ella Falk shows the baby outfit she is making for her new great-granddaughter. She bought the book when her first grandson was born, so it’s 26 years old, she says.

Sitting next to Bernard, Ella Falk of Usk vouches for the benefits of homemade socks. When her brother joined the service, he was the only one who never had blisters. He had homemade socks that his mother had made. When it was time to do laundry, that’s when he would develop blisters, Falk said.

Falk was working on an outfit for her new great-granddaughter. She had finished the leggings, working on a sweater out of the same white yarn. Falk used the pattern out of a book she bought when her first grandson was born. It’s 26 years old, she said.

Knitting keeps her occupied. “There’s something about women. Their hands have to be busy when they’re watching TV,” Falk said with a laugh.

“It’s mindless and repetitive. Relaxing – that’s the word for it,” said Nancy Glines of Newport.

She’s about the only one in the group who sticks to crocheting. “It’s what my fingers obviously want to do,” she said as she worked on an Afghan lap blanket. It’s made with yarn leftover from previous projects, like a patchwork quilt, it brings up memories of the past pieces she’s made.

Next to her, Lynda Torgesen is at her spinning wheel. It’s a hobby she picked up about five years ago. She likes that she’s able to get her yarn exactly how she wants it when she spins it herself. It’s also a way to relax.

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Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Buck takes a break at the feet of snowshoer Janelle Atyeo at Priest Lake in February 2011.

Get out and about on snowshoes

BY MICHELLE NEDVED

I

f the snow ever starts falling, cabin fever will follow close on its heels. But, just

because the ground is covered in snow and the temperatures dip below freezing, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty around us.

In the winter of 2011, my good friend and co-worker Janelle Atyeo, my husband Chris Coon and our two dogs, Buck and Gracie, loaded up in the Dodge Ram and traveled to Priest Lake State Park at Indian Creek. Janelle and I both are new to snow shoeing and Chris was in his second year of Telemark skiing with skins, which allows him to travel in a cross country skiing manner on his downhill skis.

14 Horizon|2012 Winter

Chris and I visit Indian Creek regularly in the summer, when my sister and her family camp there with a large group of their friends from the Tri-Cities. I was excited to see the campground I’m so familiar with covered in a winter blanket.

It was cold, I recall. A check of The Miner’s records shows highs reached 18 in Newport that day, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. It must have been at least a few degrees colder at Priest Lake.

We arrived at the park, which was empty, paying our $5 parking fee at the drop box, and then piled on the gear in the parking lot. The dogs were beside themselves with joy – both love the snow and going on walks. The air was silent, save the crunching of the snow under our feet. We walked into the campground that is so full and noisy in the summer. A deep snow covered the roads and trails and the little cabin where we CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Husband and wife Chris Coon and Michelle Nedved pose for a photo at Indian Creek Campground at Priest Lake while snowshoeing in the winter of 2011.

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Horizon photo|Michelle Nedved

Janelle Atyeo adjusts here goggles to snowshoe at Indian Creek Campground at Priest Lake.

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stay in the hotter months looked like it could be Santa’s workshop.

The trudged along the snow berms and headed toward the beach. Priest Lake doesn’t freeze over entirely, but In the winter an edge of ice of 2011, my forms around the beaches. good friend Between the ice and co-worker and the snow, Janelle Atyeo, a sliver of sand my husband was visible.

We continChris Coon and ued to walk our two dogs, around the Buck and Gracie, campground, loaded up in the climbing the of the Dodge Ram and biggest snowhills, and traveled to Priest soon heard runLake State Park ning water. The at Indian Creek. Indian Creek runs south into the lake, to the east of the campground on Indian Creek Bay. In the summer the water is barely audible, and only at night when campers are mostly sleeping.

With everything covered in bright white snow, the terrain was easier to navigate and we soon found ourselves on the banks of the creek. Buck, being a water dog, went wild. Ice formed and hung down into the water, tree branches Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Michelle Nedved and her dog Gracie take in the winter scene at Indian Creek at Priest Lake in the winter of 2011.

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miles/3.5 km snowshoe trails Grooming Yes - set track for traditional kick and glide Snowshoeing Yes Yurt No Backcountry ski potential Yes Restroom Yes Dogs Yes About: Nordic ski trails and snowshoe trails at Hanna Flats are relatively gentle in a meadow and forest setting on the west side of Priest Lake. The trail system is well-suited for snowshoers and track skiers. The adjoining airstrip is a great workout for skate skiing. Two short loops are available for skiers and several interlacing loops for snowshoers. The Hanna Grove Nature Trail, located a little more than a mile from the trailhead, is worth checking out to see some old growth cedar trees and read about an old wildfire. Backcountry skiers could climb adjacent mountains above the flats to crank out a few turns.

More Information Priest Lake Ranger District or call 208-443-2512

Location 11 miles north of Coolin,

on east side of Priest Lake Difficulty Beginner - intermediate Distance 5.4 miles/8.7 km ski trails;

1.5 miles/2.4 km snowshoe trails Grooming Yes Snowshoeing Yes Yurt No but winter one- and two-room cabins

are available for $45 per night Backcountry ski potential No Restroom Yes Dogs Yes on un-groomed trails only About: Priest Lake State Park’s Indian Creek Unit provides a change of scenery immediately adjacent to the lake. A compact trail loop system circles the park’s visitor center area, and if that’s not enough of a workout, another loop system to the north provides more mileage and more challenging trails. There is a new viewpoint trail that affords nice views of the lake and surrounding mountains on a sunny day. The park’s visitor center and store are open on weekends for fresh coffee or hot chocolate.

More Information Priest Lake State Park 208-443-2200

Location

MORE RECREATION INFORMATION ON PAGES 18-19

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

and trunks zigzagged across the water and the ice cold water gurgled toward the lake.

Being on snowshoes and skis made it easier to get around in the woods.

Snowshoeing is much like walking. The most difficult part is forging a path in deep snow, so takWe hiked ing turns in the lead helps with fatigue. around the We mostly walked campground along behind Chris, and whose skies made a perfect path easier surrounding roads, barely to forge than our snowshoes would seeing the have. tops of signs We hiked around the campground that stand a and surrounding few feet out of roads, barely seeing the ground in the tops of signs that stand a few feet out the summer. of the ground in the summer.

We finished off the outing at a Priest Lake restaurant on Cavanagh Bay, where the lake had frozen over for at least a hundred yards. We could see ice fishermen on the lake and we marveled at walking along what would normally be several feet of water.

Getting outdoors on a day that most would spend inside in front of the fire is definitely a highlight of winter, and we hope to do more snowshoeing this winter, if the snow ever falls. <

Rocky Point Park N’ Ski Location 4.4 miles

north of Coolin Difficulty Intermediate Distance 4.3 miles/6.9 km Grooming Occasionally Snowshoeing Yes Yurt No but there is a

warming hut Backcountry ski Yes Restroom No Dogs Yes on leash only About: Rocky Point is a nifty trail system on a peninsula on the east side of the lake north of Coolin. It’s a steep and stout climb for less than a half mile to reach a timbered plateau, where you can enjoy several interconnecting loops.

More Information 208-334-4199

Horizon photo|Janelle Atyeo

Buck, a chocolate Lab, loves the snow and playing fetch. Here, he is spotting a stick to be thrown for him. His owner, Chris Coon, stands in the background.

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North Idaho Park N’ Ski

Coolin Mountain Park N’ Ski Location

Coolin in Northern Idaho on the south end of Priest Lake Difficulty Beginner - intermediate Distance 6.4 miles/10.3 km Grooming No Snowshoeing Yes Yurt No Backcountry ski potential Yes Restroom No but close by at the

Inn at Priest Lake Dogs Yes About: The Coolin Mountain Park N’Ski area provides quick access to un-groomed ski and snowshoe trails near Priest Lake and Sandpoint, from its location adjacent to Coolin at the southern end of Priest Lake. The trail switchbacks to the top of 3,475-foot Coolin Mountain, and provides an opportunity for backcountry skiers on the north face of the mountain.

More Information 208-334-4199

Priest Lake Golf Course Park N’ Ski Location

28 miles north of Priest River on west side of Priest Lake off Highway 57 Difficulty Beginner - intermediate Distance 9.1 miles/14.6 km ski trails; 2.8 miles/

4.5 km snowshoe trails Grooming Yes - set track for traditional kick and glide Snowshoeing Yes Yurt No Backcountry ski potential Yes Restroom Yes Dogs Not allowed About: The Priest Lake Golf Course has the most extensive groomed Nordic trail system in the vicinity of Priest Lake. During the winter season, the area is blanketed with generous amounts of snow and the golf course is transformed into the Priest Lake Nordic Center. Hill’s Resort serves as the hub for the Golf Course Nordic system and also offers rental equipment. The trail system provides routes along the lake side and also connects to the Hanna Flats trails to the north. The total of nearly 50 km of groomed trails from beginning to intermediate level provide an ideal setting for family Nordic activities.

Trails are groomed on a regular basis, conditions permitting, for traditional kick and glide skiers and skate skiers. The Nordic Park N’ Ski Trail area is open daily.

More Information 208-334-4199

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Courtesy photo|Cliff Snow

Diamond Lake resident Jeff Taylor zips across Diamond Lake in Dan Farmer’s iceboat. Diamond and Sprague are the only lakes Farmer has found in this area with the right conditions, which include thick ice, only a few pressure ridges and no snow.

Ice sailing: Call it crazy but it’s winter fun

Diamond Lake one of the few lakes with the right winter conditions for ice sailing

BY FRED WILLENBROCK

I

f your kind of winter fun is laying in a tub strapped to a sail streaking across a frozen lake at 50 mph, then read on.

Or just read on if you’ve seen this sailing vessel on Diamond Lake and wondered what fool it is.

The sailor most frequently seen at Diamond Lake and Sprague Lake is Dave Farmer from Tumtum, Wash. He also let his friends, Diamond Lake residents Tom VandeVanter and Jeff Taylor, take the ice bullet 20 Horizon|2012 Winter

for a spin.

“How fast do you go?” is the number one question Farmer gets asked after bystanders see him flash by.

It’s over 50 miles per hour.

“Gets squirrelly at that speed,” Farmer said.

Farmer got the urge to ice sail via land sailing about five years ago, he said in his office in Spokane. He works at Revival Lighting, which sells restored vintage lighting fixtures. He was land sailing in eastern Oregon and Nevada where it is popular.

It is the same boat and concept except the land sailboat has wheels and the iceboat has runners.

Farmer found his used land sailboat for about $1,000, he said, and put runners on it to make an iceboat. He has about $1,500 in the boat and tows it to frozen lakes with a small trailer behind a car. He has five sizes of sails and matches them to the wind conditions.

Farmer knows the speeds he is going by looking at his GPS. He said at top speeds he has to avoid spinouts where the boat does a 360 or worse.

“There is a fair amount of risk in ice sailing,” Farmer admits.

Among them are finding lakes frozen solid enough to support him and the boat. He says in this area that limits him to Sprague Lake and Diamond Lake. The others are too deep to freeze enough.

Another icesailer’s fear is running over a pressure ridge at 50 miles per hour. That’s where the ice plates crack and push up unevenly.

“I hit one at Canyon Ferry, Montana, that was three or four feet high,” Farmer said. “I launched and landed flat, fortunate I didn’t land in water.”

He says sometimes water sits on the surface and CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

What is an ice boat?

An ice boat (often spelled as “iceboat”) is a boat or purposebuilt framework similar in functional design to a sailboat but fitted with skis or runners (skates) and designed to run over ice instead of through (liquid) water. Ice yachting is the sport of sailing and racing iceboats.

Sailable ice is known in the sport as “hard water” versus sailing on liquid or “soft” water.

A related sport, land sailing, utilizes a configuration with an iceboat-like fuselage or frame equipped with wheels instead of runners.

Iceboats commonly used for racing are usually for only one person, but several classes of two-seat and multiple-seat iceboats are more or less common. On some boats, a “side car” can be fitted to take others along for a ride.

Courtesy photo|Cliff Snow

Dan Farmer prepares the iceboat he built from a land sailing boat before he takes off on the “hard water” of Diamond Lake last winter.

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509-550-7051 Winter 2012|Horizon 21

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

Courtesy photo|Cliff Snow

Stay healthy by ice biking Diamond Lake resident Tom VandeVanter takes a regular ride around the frozen lake during the winter. He says it helps keep him in shape in the winter with the bonus of being able to enjoy the winter scenes around the lake. He equipped his bike with studded tires.

Your “Single Source” Supplier for Safety

causes problems for sailing.

Iceboat sailors lay almost flat in the fuselage-shaped compartment. They steer the front-runners with their feet and control the main sheet or rope attached to the sail boom. Like all sailing they stop by heading into the wind or releasing the main sheet to dump air. It has a single sail.

In theory, that all works. But during winter sailing conditions there are gusts of wind, and the light iceboat can be a fun and exciting challenge to control.

Farmer wears a helmet but no other padding.

“I’ve been thrown twice,” he said. “The runners dropped in the ice and the boat stopped without me.”

The iceboat does have a seat belt.

Farmer says he has to wait for the right conditions to ice sail and sometimes they never come in this area. His enthusiasm for the sport is on display when he describes it, and even though he was at work during this interview he was obviously dreaming of the upcoming perfect day to sail on ice.

He knows people in Canyon Ferry east of Helena, Mont., who enjoy the sport.

But he admits it is still more popular in the Northeast and Midwest.

It has been rumored that the 2014 Winter Olympics will include iceboating as a demonstration sport. This rumor has been supported by recent Olympic Committee visits to the past two DN iceboat World Championships. <

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NO SERVICE is provided on Tuesdays and the following days: New Years Day—MLK Jr. Day—Presidents Day—Memorial Day—Independence Day Veterans Day—Thanksgiving—Friday after Thanksgiving—Christmas—Day After Christmas Fares: $3.00 one way Newport--Spokane $.50 one way Priest River--Newport

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Or Call: (208) 265-4554 Winter 2012|Horizon 23

Courtesy photo|Jill Wilson

This musher runs a team of six sled dogs at a Priest Lake race a couple years ago. The number of dogs and the number of miles raced are the same, so this team is heading out on a six-mile run.

Racing sled dogs fun, expensive

BY DON GRONNING

E

very year, even before the snow flies, mushers across the Northwest

start to get ready for sled dog racing.

“We have a dry land event the first weekend in November,” says Bob Wilson of the Inland Empire Sled Dog Association. “It’s a fun event. We run carts and bikes. It’s held at Riverside State Park.”

The dogs are hooked to the wheeled vehicles and pull the course.

But the real event in this area happens the first weekend in February, when the U.S. Pacific Coast Sled Dog Championships are held at Priest Lake.

The race course is located on Highway 57 and Ravin Ranch Road between 24 Horizon|2012 Winter

milepost 32 and 33. Set for Feb. 2 and 3 this year, it is one of the longest continually running events in the lower 48 states.

The event attracts mushers from throughout the Northwest and Canada, who gather for two days of sled dog racing.

Vince and Brendia Heintzelman of Newport have been involved in sled dog racing for more than 40 years. Vince’s health doesn’t allow him to compete anymore but for years he and Brendia traveled to sled dog races near and far.

Saw his first race in Alaska

Vince was serving in the Air Force, stationed in Oklahoma when he first got the bug for sled dog racing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25 Courtesy photo|Jill Wilson

Bob Wilson heads out on a skijorring run a couple years ago with his dogs Wind and Jezebel.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

er, so he built the trailer he and Brendia used to haul their dogs to competitions.

He used a boat trailer chassis for the base and built it from there.

He had traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska.

“It was the only thing I saw up there that was any good,” he says. “When I got back, we started acquiring dogs.”

It’s about the dogs The first dogs were from Tennessee.

But the heart of the sport is the dogs.

The Heintzelmans bought three SibeThere are a variety of breeds used for rian Huskies in about 1969. With that, sled dog racing. The Heintzelmans eventhey started a hobby that the spent the tually started breeding Eurohounds, a next 40 years with. breed developed in Sweden especially Neither was especially experienced for sled dog racing. with dogs, let alone sled dogs. They “They have longer legs,” says Brendia. learned from other mushers.

She says they got away from the “Mushers are good about helping Siberian Huskies because the other dogs people starting out,” said Brendia. Of were faster. course, if you wanted to buy a dog or The Samoyeds are beautiful dogs with two from them, so much the better, she white, fluffy hair. Brendia doesn’t have says with a laugh. much good to say Vince put in for a The voice commands are the about their racing transfer, hoping to get same as with mules – gee for ability, however. farther north. He was “Fluffy butts don’t right, ha for left, go or hike transferred to work win races,” she at Fairchild Air Force to start and whoa to stop. says. base, and they settled Eurohounds are in Cheney. a mixture of pointer and husky. They They continued acquiring dogs. Even- have short coats, which is good for tually, they had about 70 dogs. sprints and mid-distance races where Sled dog racing isn’t a cheap sport. the dogs don’t lay down in the snow “We go through about two bags of as they do for longer races, such as the expensive dog food a day,” says Brendia. Alaska Iditarod, a 990-mile race held The $33 a bag dog food is supplemented each March. by meat.

Bob and Jill Wilson, who live in Athol, The sled costs anywhere from $500 race huskies. for a basic sled to well over $2,000 for a “I’ve been using Alaska huskies,” top of the line sled. says Bob, who competes in skijoring, Then there is hauling everything to the race.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 Vince Heintzelman is a do-it-yourself-

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

a contest where two dogs pull a skier.

He says Alaskan huskies are a “highly selected mutt,” bred to be a performance dog, as opposed to the Siberian huskies, an American Kennel Association breed that is bred for looks.

Huskies are crossed with a variety of breeds, including greyhounds, to produce the Alaskan husky.

The Wilsons have been involved in the sport about 20 “Mushers are years.

“I wasn’t that good about crazy about helping people it, but my wife starting out.” wanted a dog she could hike Brendia Heintzelman with,” says Bob. Since they both liked cross country skiing, it wasn’t too long before he was trying skijoring.

“I raced and came in second,” he said.

He was hooked on skijoring.

Jill wanted to race sled dogs.

“That’s when things got out of control,” he jokes.

They currently have 22 dogs. They spend about $500 a month to feed them, he says.

He says they start conditioning dogs for racing as soon as the temperature starts to fall. They use 85-pound carts and scooters at first, moving up to 165-pound eventually.

Miner photo|Don Gronning

The Heintzelmans have collected a number of souvenirs from their racing days, including this one.

Miner photo|Don Gronning

... and this one.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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Miner photo|Don Gronning

Vince Heintzelman is retired from sled dog racing but his grandson, Kristopher Scott, has been working with the dogs.

Miner photo|Don Gronning

Brendia Heintzelman shows the trailer she painted and her husband, Vince built.

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The races at Priest Lake are considered sprints and mid-distance races.

Dog sled racing is a timed event, with teams taking off every two minutes or so. The team that completes the course in the fastest time wins.

The races are the same distance as the number of dogs, so four-dog teams race four miles, six-dog teams race six miles and eight-dog teams race eight miles.

Need a lead dog

Training dogs to race takes some doing. It usually requires and experienced lead dog, which is paired with another dog.

The lead dog is a special animal, says Brendia Heintzelman.

“There is more of a drive in a lead dog,” she says. “And they want you to listen.”

Not surprisingly, not all the animals get along with each other.

“We’ve had some we couldn’t put together,” says Brendia.

Bob Wilson says most bites that happen in sled dog racing occur when 28 Horizon|2012 Winter

separating fighting dogs.

“I haven’t been bitten much, but Jill has had a couple bites,” he says. They all occurred when she was breaking up dog fights.

It is important dogs listen to their owners. The only way to control them is through voice commands.

The voice commands are the same as with mules – gee for right, ha for left, go or hike to start and whoa to stop.

The whoa is the tough one. The sleds have snow hooks, which can be used to stop a team by throwing it in the snow.

A good part of the fun of dog sled racing comes from the camaraderie.

“We’ve known some of these people for years,” says Vince. Though he is retired from the sport, he still keeps in touch with friends, including many of who were rivals during a race.

There is some money to be won sled dog racing but not much, says Vince, who says they won enough to pay for the dog food.

“If we hadn’t gotten into sled dogs, we’d be millionaires,” he jokes. <

(approx.)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

2011

Brendia Heintzelman greets an old friend. Her dog was a dependable runner. He’s a lover, Brandia says.

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Drop off E-cycle at any Transfer Station Winter 2012|Horizon 29

Calendar of Events Winter 2013 DECEMBER DEC. 7 AND 8 Christmas Chorale: ‘An Unexpected Christmas’

Northwoods Performing Arts present their annual Christmas show at the Circle Moon Theatre on Highway 211. The dinner and show cost $20 or show-only tickets are $12, available at Seeber’s Pharmacy in Newport or call 208-4481294. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 7 Sportsmen’s Auction

The Sportsman’s Association hosts a wild game banquet and auction at the Nickelplate Restaurant at Priest Lake, 4 p.m.

DEC. 7 Open Mic

The Pend Oreille Playhouse hosts a monthly open mic night on the first Friday. Come play between 7-9:30 p.m.

Admission is $2.

DEC. 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 ‘Christmas Belles’

The Pend Oreille Players present a Christmas comedy about a family of feuding Texas sisters. The curtain opens at 7 p.m. each night, aside from Sunday

matinees, which start at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, available online at www.pendoreilleplayers.org or at the box office, 240 N. Union Ave. in Newport.

DEC. 22 DEC. 9 Kindred Kitchen

The Metaline Assembly of God hosts a free meal from 5-8 p.m.

DEC. 13 North Pend Oreille Chamber of Commerce Christmas

DEC. 29 Allen James Teague Concert

DEC. 14-16 ‘Christmas from the Heart’ Concert

Open Mic

JANUARY JAN. 4

A trio of concerts featuring local artists are planned at Create Arts Center in Newport. A dinner will be served opening night at 6 p.m. with the concert to follow at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. Shows on Dec. 15 and 16 start at 2 p.m. Tickets for the show only are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

DEC. 15 Mila in Concert

Local guitarist Mila puts on a con-

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30 Horizon|2012 Winter

Pend Oreille Players in Training youth actors put on a holiday themed program at the Pend Oreille Playhouse in Newport. The show is at 7 p.m.

Teague puts on a concert at the Pend Oreille Playhouse, starting at 7 p.m.

On Beautiful Priest Lake

309. S. Washington Newport 509-447-5743 www.landtitlecompany.net

Holipalooza

The chamber hosts its annual Christmas party at 6:30 p.m. at Metaline Falls American Legion. They’ll be giving away the $1,000 cash prize for the lucky raffle winner.

Grandview Resort

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cert titled “The Oracle’s Kitchen” at the Create Arts Center starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

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The Pend Oreille Playhouse hosts a monthly open mic night on the first Friday. Come play between 7-9:30 p.m.

Admission is $2.

JAN. 5 Ski Lessons

It’s a free Idaho Park N’Ski Day with free lessons and a guided snowshoe hike offered at Priest Lake’s Indian Creek State Park.

JAN. 12-13, 19-20 AND FEB. 2-3 Snowshoe Softball Tournament

The 44th annual snowshoe softball tournament at Priest Lake takes place at Highway 57 and Luby Bay Road. Twelve teams compete for the championship over three weekends.

JAN. 12 Crab Feed

The Newport Soroptimist Club will hold its annual All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed at the Newport Eagles Lodge on Union Avenue. Seating times are 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The price is $20 for adults in advance at Owen’s Grocery, Seeber’s Pharmacy, Safeway the Eagles or from any Soroptimist member. Tickets for children ages 12 and under are $6 at the door.

JAN. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Selkirk High School presents a program in the Sam Nicholas Gymnasium at 10 a.m. titled “Until Justice Rolls Down Like Waters.” Choir selections and readings are performed.

JAN. 23 Jazz on a Winter Night

For the 22nd annual Jazz on a Winter Night, Selkirk High School musicians take the stage of The Cutter Theatre in

Calendar of Events Winter 2013 Metaline Falls with jazz music under the theme “My Favorite Things.” The performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

day at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Cutter Theatre. Tickets are $5.

FEB. 1

JAN. 25-27 Serviceman’s Canteen

The Pend Oreille Players in Training youth group present a 1940s USO-style canteen/radio show complete with coffee and donuts at the playhouse, 240 N. Union Ave. in Newport.

JAN. 25 Klondike Derby

Boy Scouts compete in a survival skills test at Camp Cowles at Diamond Lake. Kids make sleds and race to various stations for different challenges.

JAN. 26 Winter Carnival

The town of Metaline kicks off this centennial year by celebrating winter in Metaline Park. Festivities include sledding and a potluck meal and other fun.

FEBRUARY FEB. 1-2 ‘Beauty Lou and the Country Beast’

The Missoula Children’s Theater visits Metaline Falls to help kids put on their own production. Performances are Fri-

Open Mic

The Pend Oreille Playhouse hosts a monthly open mic night on the first Friday. Come play between 7-9:30 p.m.

Admission is $2.

p.m. Tickets are $10. Performances are at the Pend Oreille Playhouse, 240 N. Union Ave. in Newport. Advance tickets are sold at the Playhouse and at Seeber’s Pharmacy.

FEB. 16-18 Winter Fest

Cavanaugh’s at Priest Lake puts on its second annual Rock & Ride Winter Fest.

FEB. 2 George Hill Memorial Snowshoe Volleyball Tournament

FEB. 23 Spaghetti Luncheon

Who needs sand for this sport? Try on some snowshoes and get to spiking! The tournament takes place at Hill’s Resort at Priest Lake.

The Blanchard Community Center hosts a spaghetti luncheon to benefit the Sarah Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m.

FEB. 2-3 U.S. Pacific Coast Sled Dog Races

Priest Lake hosts the 43rd annual U.S. Pacific Coast Championship sled dog races at the U.S. Forest Service airstrip on Highway 57.

FEB. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 Howard’s Follies

The 10th annual Howard’s Follies vaudeville show features songs and comedy skits. This is the final year for the program, featuring a “best of” the follies. Saturday performances start at 7 p.m., and Sunday showings are at 3

MARCH

MARCH 15 Panorama Music Festival

Bands and choruses gather from surrounding schools, including Selkirk, Newport and Cusick. After a day of rehearsing with guest conductors, the kids make a public performance at 7 p.m.

The event is held at a different school each year.

MARCH 16 Tundra Swan Festival

Birders gather at Calispell Lake to watch the hundreds of swans that migrate through the Pend Oreille River Valley. Speakers talk about swans at the Camas Center for Community Wellness at Usk. The day starts at 10 a.m. Learn more at www.porta-us.com.

MARCH 1

MARCH 18-19

Open Mic

‘Antigone’

The Pend Oreille Playhouse hosts a monthly open mic night on the first Friday. Come play between 7-9:30 p.m.

Admission is $2.

Selkirk High School dramatists put on a play adapted from “Sophocles” by music teacher Donivan Johnson. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at the Cutter Theatre.

MARCH 2

MARCH 23

Winterfest

Chamber Gala

Hill’s Resort at Priest Lake’s Luby Bay puts on its annual Winterfest.

The Greater Newport Area Chamber of Commerce is giving its annual awards at this second annual gala event with a reception and dinner.

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509-467-8185 Visit us at www.spokanepowersports.com

Winter 2012|Horizon 31

32 Horizon|2012 Winter