A Silent Shift

There is a lot going on in the sled dog world this time of the year. For example, did you know that this month we celebrate the centennial of the 1925 serum run that led to the Iditarod? See the links here and here. 

On Saturday February 15 and Sunday, February 16 the Tamworth History Center will celebrate the history of the Chinook, New Hampshire's State Dog. FMI see this link here. 

On Sunday, February 16 the Tamworth Outing Club will host a Sled Dog Fun Day event. See these links here and here. 

Another sled dog event will be held in Laconia NH Feb 21-23. See this link here.  

Recently we at the Conway Public Library's Henney History Room helped with information about sled dogs and winter art for a new exhibit that opened last week. See the website here.

Near the center of the exhibit is a display case...

... that features memorabilia from sled dog races. 

Inside the case is a list of the items and their source. 

The large pewter prize trophy cup is from the Gorham NH Carnival Association, from a Feb 8, 1921 race won by D.P. Brown.  

Here is a scrapbook from the 1922 Berlin Winter Carnival...

... with photos of Arthur Walden and Chinook. 

On one of the nearby walls is a 1923 poster from the Berlin Winter Carnival...  

... with details of the Northern New Hampshire Dog Sled Race, featuring American teams of Arthur T. Walden and Edward P. Clark against Canadian teams from LaTuque and Quebec City. 

Another section features action photos of dog sled racing in Colebrook, NH. 

The label on the right explains that historically, dog sled races where a staple component of winter carnival events. 

It also points out that while warming winters are making dog sled races more difficult to schedule, there is still an active dog sled community in the area. 

It includes a QR code to watch Sally Manikian's lecture from November 2024 about her mushing experiences. For more on Sally, follow this google search here. 

Another section explores the role that Mount Washington has played in record breaking sled dog ascents, climate research and in polar exploration training. 

On the nearby wall is a list of the items on the angled case panel. 

Here are some of the images. 

5 and 6 

A.T. Walden and his Dog Sled Team on Mt. Washington, 1927 postcard Hunting's Studio, 

7

Mrs. Clarks Mt. Washington Trip, On Top of Mt. Washington, undated postcard 

The exhibit also features another passion of mine, White Mountain Art. Here are four winter scenes of New Hampshire's White Mountains. 

An introductory panel explains that most artists visited the White Mountains during the warmer seasons of the year and that winter scenes are rare

The top left painting shows "snowliage" season when we have snow on the high mountain peaks and fall foliage colors in the valley. 

The painting below that shows a full on winter scene with views of the Moat Mountains and Cathedral Ledge.  

The painting to the right of that is entitled Sunrise on the First Snow, painted in 2024 by a local artist Eric Koeppel. 

In the painting to the right of that, Rebecca Klementovich uses abstraction to capture winter in the Whites. 

Around the corner is this painting by Benjamin Champney, a logging sled with the Moat Mountains in the background. 

To round out the exhibit, there are sections on winter gear such as boots and jackets...

... hockey...

...snow shoes, skis ...

... and a film 

If you get a chance, you should go and visit this exhibit.

 

Happy Plough Monday! Enjoy your cottage loaf.

 

Congratulations, you have survived the most active season of major holidays. Plough Monday follows Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's and signals a return to the plough after all those festivities.

I find it interesting that of these major holidays, all derived from British and European traditions, that Plough Monday has not transferred to the United States calendar.

It is also unique to have a holiday that celebrates work, few holidays do.

In Britain, Plough Monday is observed on the first Monday after January 6, known by Christians as the Twelfth Night. Plough Monday is an old British harvest tradition that marks the start of the agricultural season. The day was a celebration for farm workers. 

It usually began in the local church with the blessing of the plow that included Molly dancers.

Then the decorated plow was paraded in the street with more music and mayhem as they collected money for a community feast.

The plow was often followed by a parading straw bear and costumed plough boys.