Noggin, an Alaskan husky sled dog, and musher Karen Land visited with local kids and adults on July 3 at Golay Community Center.
Land described what it’s like to care for a team of Alaskan huskies and steer a loaded sled through mountainous terrain while crossing the vast Alaskan tundra and hugging the Bering Sea shoreline as part of Cambridge City Public Library’s summer reading program, themed “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
Land is a writer, public speaker, and three-time participant in the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as well as many other sprint and endurance races in Alaska, Canada, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Maine. Since 2000, Land has traveled to nearly every state with her Iditarod dog sled, mushing gear, Arctic clothing, and dogs, giving more than 1,000 school and public library presentations.
The program took place at the Golay Center while library carpeting was being replaced. The library was to reopen July 8. Many of the nearly 40 kids and adults who attended are connected to Golay’s Super Summer Fun childcare program.
CCPL’s summer reading program concludes July 31. Weekly reading qualifies participants for prizes. Top readers will receive cash prizes.
Karen Land shares her sledding experiences with more than 30 kids and adults at Golay Community Center. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery 
Lilah Griffey, 12, tries on layers of protective clothing worn by Karen Land, a three-time participant in the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery 
Maelyn Sullivan demonstrates what it’s like to be behind musher Karen Land’s sled on Wednesday, July 3, at Golay Community Center in Cambridge City. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery 
Children petting Noggin and checking out Karen Land’s sled are (from left) Harper Jones, Archer Smith and Percy Reeves. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery 
Noggin listens attentively to Karen Land’s presentation. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery
A version of this article appeared in the July 10 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.