Husky News

The moment that made Bethlehem skating coach Janet Tremer as a faithful fan of Iditarod champion Lance Mackey was the 2006 race.

Mackey, who had just recently beaten throat cancer, stopped his sled on sea ice five miles before the the finish line where thousands awaited his 10th-place finish in Nome, Alaska.

He pat each dog on the head, looked into their eyes and said “We did it. We did it.”

That moment, Tremer said, demonstrated what the race is all about. Mackey never could have survived without his dogs. They pulled him through some of the most rugged landscapes. Through the journey, the musher and his dogs formed a very special bond.

Now Tremer, who placed a winning bid to ride with Mackey on the first 11 miles of the Iditarod this year, is raising money to benefit his dogs.

The Bethlehem Skating Academy, which she runs, is hosting an Idita-Skate 2008 fundraiser from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink, 345 Illicks Mill Road.

Admission is $10 as an “Idita-skater” and $5 for a “race fan.” Children three and under are free.

The goal is to collectively skate 1,112 miles, the distance of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. After skating every three miles — 30 laps — the Idita-Skater will check in and have their card stamped with a paw print. Each skater’s distance will be added to the mileage tally on the Iditarod Trail map that will advance the team to Nome.

Also featured will be off-ice displays with 2007 Iditarod memorabilia, educational information and artwork.

Sponsor envelopes and contributions may be dropped off at the rink. The checks should be made payable to the Bethlehem Skating Academy.

For more information, email jbtremer@yahoo.com or call 610-442-6245.