Meet the Mushers Rustic Retreat

Canceled due to lack of interest

2010-06-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Meet the Mushers has been canceled due to low attendance.

We would like to thank everyone involved, currently and in previous years, for the wonderful friendships, generosity and grace shown to us. Here’s a short list of the folks who donated their time, resources, and talent to provide the attendee with an amazing experience.

Wiggy’s, Becky Bristow (Wild Soul Creations), Fog Tech, Ah-Regah, Alice Yax, Brad and Sharon Love, Louise Russell/Dog Booties.com, Cadillac Custom Tack, Donna Quante (Husky Productions), Dr. Tim’s Pet Food Company, Jay’s Sporting Goods, Lee and Claudia Nowak, Jeff King/Carrie Skinner, Ken Anderson, Jim Warren, June Price, Karla and Danny Dann, Mandy Palmer of Pawsh Companions, Mackinaw Mush, Michelle Martin-Germinder, Amy at Mountain Ridge, Ellen Southern, Mushing Magazine, Helen and Mark Hegener of Northern Light Media, Jim @ Northern Outfitters, Pastor Bruce, The Fink Family (John/Kim/Aly/Justin/Andrea/Josh), Clyde and Pat Risdon, Mancelona Do-It-Best Hardware, Into Focus Communications, Judy and Steve at Sled Dog Central, The Tim & Gena Dewey Family, Joe Gutowski, Linda Lange, Derrer Oil, Joann and Larry Fortier, "Uncle Jeff" and Robin, Billie Sherriff, Pat & Deb Crouch (w/ Bit and Blaze), Sue Bernecker (Russ’ Mom), Amy (the cook) Breakey/Jordan/LuLu and Ryan, Francie Dorman, Pastor Andrew, Singers ~ Ann and Will Rowland, Canada Goose, Mountain Ridge, Critterwoods, Redpaw, Winterdance Dogsled Tours, Michigan Dog Driver’s Association (MiDD), M.U.S.H., Sportmix, Kelsey Drew, Ryan Harcourt, Avery’s Restaurant, Nature’s Kennel, Colton Drew, The Black Dog, Michelle Phillips, Nancy Sanchez, Bobbi Riley, Hobby Horse Riding Stable, Kathy and Stu Stirrett, Andie Westrick, Joy Cowles, and so on…

We would also like to thank those of you, many who were strangers, (Laura the Teacher, Linda and Cristin…the list is long…) who attended our premiere event and stepped out in faith, right along with us, to see this dream for northern Michigan come true.

And finally, the mushers and adventurers. Lance and Tonya Mackey, rookie hopeful ~ Tim Riley, Dee Dee Jonrowe, Ryan Redington, Jason Barron, Aaron Burmeister, and Dr. Jerry Vanek. I assume it wasn’t as big a stretch on your part, as you are always excited to see what’s around the next corner.

Since they won’t be coming this year, please continue to support these amazing mushers/fathers/husbands/healers ~ Ryan, Jason, Aaron, and Dr. Vanek in their endeavors, in the coming months and years.

Thank you for embracing our vision...and God Bless ~

Calling all Iditarod Mushers~!

2010-03-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Any dog musher, who has started the Iditarod on Fourth Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska

on the first Saturday in March

any year...

is to receive a 50% discount on any Meet the Mushers entry.

This is our gift to you for daring to compete in the race

that boasts 18 champions in the past 37 years.

Wait...there's more!

If you are willing to "sing for your supper" ~

your entry fee is waived...it is FREE.

We would love to have a late afternoon (3:00 - 5:00 p.m.) informal camp fire chat

with Iditarod mushers near the main tent.

If you are willing to come and join in, we would love to have you participate.

Let us know...and your name will be added to the list of Iditarod mushers attending the

2010 Meet the Mushers in Mancelona, Michigan ~!

Curious? Let Jason Barron explain...

2010-03-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

Wonder just what Meet the Mushers is all about?

Hear what Jason Barron has to say!

Click on link below for a YouTube video in Jason's own words!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXwIqH8E2-4

Reserve cabin now for August

2010-03-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

This year, since we have all men speakers (Ryan/Jason and Aaron) coming to MtM...

The Bear's Den is up for grabs.

Anyone who desires to rent it for a night, or two, or three, let us know.

Heck, why not the entire week!

Privacy and comfort awaits.

Iditarod Special ~ Save Now for August MtM!

2010-03-08T01:43:00.000-08:00

SIGN UP NOW FOR EARLY DISCOUNT for the 4-day camping reservation!

Be a Die-Hard Camper!

If you sign up now...

(start of Iditarod)

and when the Red Lantern is extinguished,

you will receive a 20% discount!

CLICK HERE

DON'T BE LATE~!

Everything Iditarod

2010-03-07T19:38:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for all the action!

The word is out...

2010-03-06T02:39:00.000-08:00

Click HERE

Also, watch for our ticker ad to begin the week of Iditarod.

Your hosts: Sherry & Russ Sutherby

Iditarod Fever

2010-02-25T20:42:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah, it's in full swing.

And when I think Iditarod ~ I think Meet the Mushers!!

See our updated MtM page ~ CLICK HERE.

We are going to have a howling good time!

Join us, won't you?

Your hosts: Sherry & Russ Sutherby

Justin Fink wins first ever Jr. Race to the Sky

2010-02-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

If you have been to either of our Meet the Mushers, you have met Justin Fink.

Always helpful.

Always hard working.

And always, always polite.

So it stands to reason this young man should succeed in life.

And succeed he has...click HERE.

Congratulations Justin ~ on a first place finish at the Jr. Race to the Sky in Montana!!

POSTSCRIPT: Received a call from Justin today between photo ops. He states having Jason Barron as his "handler" made all the difference in the world. (I should say so!) Jason and Harmony were at the start, and the finish line for Justin. Therein lies such proof of dedication between mushers in this amazing world of sled dogs.

Teach the Children Well

2010-02-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

The future of dog mushing is up to them...they are the future leaders of the sport ~ breaking trail.

Instilling hard work into nature-loving children...

Dedication...

Creating confidence...

Trust...that spans canine and equine...and ripples through nature.

And of course, kindness and wonder...

Come ~ and teach the children.

Click HERE.

Your hosts: Sherry and Russ Sutherby @ Russ-Stick Acres

The First to Sign Up

2010-02-09T04:47:00.000-08:00

Joann will be there...

Along with husband, Larry.

They have secured a spot as 4-day campers for the August MtM.

Fortiers know...

"Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price." ~ Vince Lombardi

Larry and Joann Fortier are successful because of their hard work, dedication and thirst for knowledge.

If you loved R & B, you'll really love R & B B.

Click HERE. We hope to see you too!

Keep watch, there will be discounts for any of the 4-day campers, i.e. Die-Hard Mushers, who participated the past two years.

It will be the Die-Hard Musher Dedication Discount~!

We want to reward you for your continued dedication to MtM.

Your hosts: Sherry & Russ Sutherby @ Russ-Stick Acres

Third Speaker Announced for 2010 MtM

2010-02-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Three guesses...

He was born and raised at the finish line.

He's a teacher to many.

A son to Richard, an Iditarod musher.

A husband to Mandy.

A father to Hunter.

And a successful dog musher.

Yukon Quest Rookie of the Year in 2007 ~ 5th place.

Six "top 20" finishes out of 12 Iditarods.

7th place finish in the 2009 Iditarod.

And he placed first in the heart's of many. Click HERE.

We are pleased to announce Aaron Burmeister will be coming to the Meet the Mushers this coming August.

We're excited.

We hope you will be too...

Come camp and talk dogs~!

Your hosts: Sherry & Russ Sutherby @ Russ-Stick Acres

The Finish Line

2010-01-31T12:40:00.000-08:00

When all the mushers are home from their races...John Beargrease, Wyoming Stage Stop, etc., I will be announcing the 3rd Guest Speaker for the upcoming 2010 Meet the Mushers.

This musher is amazing...and truly a class act.

Keep watch ~ it will bring a smile.

Montana-Michigan Musher Connection

2010-01-27T21:12:00.000-08:00

When our buddy, John Fink, headed from his home in Gladwin, MI to the 2009 Meet the Mushers in Mancelona, MI, he had no idea of the ongoing friendship that would result in meeting Montana musher, Jason Barron.

Those 4 days spent camping together has forged a friendship that crosses state lines.

Both John and son, Justin, have headed out West to handle for Jason in the upcoming John Beargrease race.

Jason happens to be the winner of the last two Beargrease Marathon races. 400 miles...

Jason's father, John Barron, is also running the race.

John Barron won two consecutive Beargrease Marathons a decade ago.

This will be quite the battle of the Barrons!

Best of luck to all the mushers and handlers!

See you on the trail ~

Sherry

He's Back...

2010-01-22T19:52:00.000-08:00

Photo provided by Paula Rossi

Ryan Redington will be coming back to Michigan the first weekend of August for the 2010 Meet the Mushers!

More information to follow~!

Photo provided by Paula Rossi

Stay tuned!

A place in the woods...

2010-01-18T09:38:00.000-08:00

Need a place to hang your hat? Check us out.

Seeley 200

2010-01-15T21:12:00.000-08:00

Follow along ~Here

Or, take a peek over to the right and follow our Blog roll updates.

Either way, you can see the action.

Looking for a change?

2010-01-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Enjoy dogs?

Snow and cold?

The call of the wild?

Hanging with other like-minded folks?

All types of livestock?

Beauty all around you?

And lazy Sundays?

Then we're for you...

Inquire within. (Click on within...)

2010 Meet the Mushers ~ First Announcement

2010-01-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

Photo by Jeff Schultz

We are pleased to announce the return of Jason Barron from Montana.

Back by popular demand!

Anyone who knows Jason, knows he has much more to talk about...next August ~ 4 days of dog talk.

Jason doesn't just talk...he produces, as evidenced by his race history and results.

2009 RACE SEASON

JOHN BEARGREASE 400-1ST
UP 200-5TH
CAN-AM CROWN 250-2ND

2008 RACE SEASON

JOHN BEARGREASE 400-1ST
SEELEY LAKE 200- 3RD

2007 RACE SEASON

IDITAROD-14TH
SEELEY LAKE 300-1ST

2006 RACE SEASON

IDITAROD-8TH
SEELEY 200-1ST

2004 SEASON

IDITAROD-12TH
IDITAROD- 68TH (HARM/PUPPY TEAM)

2003 RACE SEASON

RACE TO THE SKY 350-1ST
COPPER BASIN 300-4TH (HARM)
SEELEY 100-1ST (JASON)/2ND (HARM)

2002 RACE SEASON

IDITAROD-41ST(HARM)/42ND (JASON)PUPPY TEAMS
RACE TO THE SKY 350-1ST(HARM)
SEELEY 200- 1ST(HARM)
SEELEY 100-1ST(JASON)/4TH(HARM)

Come and hear what Jason has to say...

In the meantime, follow his 2010 race trail.

John Beargrease 400-January
Iditarod 1100-March
Kobuk 440-April

See you in August~!

Who to watch for...Rookie Runners in the Big I

2010-01-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

With Iditarod looming, there is always excitement about the new entrants...the rookies.

There are too many to name, but watch for Canadian, Michelle Phillips. Michelle supports Meet the Mushers. One way you can support Michelle is to check out her online store. This little book is a gem, both in price and content. It's packed full of 32 pages of adventure. I've got a copy by my side.

Quinn Iten, of Kotzebue, Alaska, son of Iditarod musher Ed Iten (and Ruth), is one of the youngest rookies ever to participate. I wonder if he will be carrying muktuk in his sled bag. You can also find Quinn on Facebook and follow his training adventures.

Dave DeCaro, of Denali Park ~ Alaska, is also one to watch. Dave is from Missouri ~ the Show Me state. I think he will be showing us how it has paid off to be working hard ~ running and training with The King.

Check out Dan Kaduce (and partner, fellow musher Jodi Bailey) out of Chatanika, Alaska. Peruse their website, Dew Claw Kennel, listed on MtM Blog roll, to see how you can sponsor them. Nifty stuff!

Sign up to follow Meet the Mushers (it's easy) and you can follow these folks through their journeys, as their websites are listed and updated ~ all in one easy location on MtM. You won't need to search the Internet! I've done that for you.

With 20+ rookies, there's plenty of excitement this year!

Long live the King ~ Jeff King

2010-01-05T20:09:00.000-08:00

Our friend, Carrie, is always smiling. Whether she is hanging out at the Bunk House...

...or going for a walk with an old friend, and his goat.

Carrie has reason to smile. Carrie works for Champion musher, Jeff King, of Husky Homestead in Alaska.

Jeff King, who I've always referred to as "The Rock Star", stepped up and donated $50,000 to the Iditarod coffers, which were suffering this year with the loss of some sponsorships.

In addition, Mr. King regularly supports MtM in words and awesome door prizes for you attending mushers.

We salute you Mr. King.

You tell me...who for 2010?

2009-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

O.K. folks...who would you like to see at the 2010 Meet the Mushers?

First it was Lance and his wife, Tonya. Talk about setting the bar high!

Then the trio came into town. Dee Dee, Ryan and Jason!

An amazing time was had by all who attended and talked dogs~!

Local Musher, Larry Fortier

His wife, Joann, also an avid musher.

Musher, Tim Dewey, our sound expert!

Musher, Bruce Magnusson and Jason discussing strategy perhaps...

Musher, Whitney Warren

We're excited to present the 3rd Annual Meet the Mushers Rustic Retreat on August 6,7, 8, 9, ~ 2010.

Will you be there?