Tag Archives: Aliy Zirkle

In Memoriam: Julie Verrette

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Helen Hegener

Julie Verrette, author of “In Gentler Valleys Roaming: A Memoir of Sled Dogs,” published last year by Northern Light Media, passed away on Saturday, May 23, surrounded by her family. For some time Julie had been facing Parkinson’s disease with … Continue reading →

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In Gentler Valleys Roaming

Posted on August 17, 2025 by Helen Hegener

Julie Verrette’s Summer Place Kennel provided a safe haven for retired sled dogs from some of the premier racers in the world, such as four-time Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher and Yukon Quest Champion Aliy Zirkle. Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Books, Iditarod, Memoirs, News & Information, Sled Dog Races | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AMemoir of Sled Dogs

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Helen Hegener

A new title from Northern Light Media: In Gentler Valleys Roaming A Memoir of Sled Dogs by Julie Verrette With a name inspired by the peaceful refuge in the song by the great Andy Williams, Summer Place Kennel provided a … Continue reading →

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Dog Gone Addiction

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Helen Hegener

The international award-winning film by Becky Bristow, Dog Gone Addiction, follows three women as they test their personal limits, driving their dog teams through record cold temperatures and over icy mountain passes in the 2007 Yukon Quest, a 1,000-mile sled dog race from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to Fairbanks, Alaska. The film focuses on a young Canadian mother, Michelle Phillips; Agata Franczak, a 48-year-old Polish adventurer; and Kelley Griffin, a veteran Alaskan musher. Continue reading →

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BLM Idita-Tweet Chat

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Helen Hegener

The BLM Alaska will be hosting a “Women of the Iditarod” Tweet Chat on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. (AKST; 1 to 3 p.m. EST), focusing on women mushers, the history of women mushers, the Iditarod National … Continue reading →

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2014 Copper Basin 300, Part Two

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Helen Hegener

There are over 100 photos here, and they’re good resolution, so please give them a couple of minutes to fully load. You can hover over any photo for a caption, or click on any photo to see it larger and … Continue reading →

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2014 Copper Basin 300, Part One

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Helen Hegener

There are a couple hundred photos here, and they’re good resolution, so please give them a couple of minutes to fully load. You can hover over any photo for a caption, or click on any photo to see it larger … Continue reading →

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Following the 2013 Yukon Quest

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Helen Hegener

The 2013 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is history, and mushing fans have already turned their attention to the Big One, the Iditarod, set to begin in Anchorage on March 2nd, with a Re-Start on Willow Lake the next … Continue reading →

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