DAY #14 MARCH 19 2023 NOME BANQUET
The MAYOR of NOME is the Master of Ceremonies at the Mushers Banquet. I always remember the Mayor RICHARD BENEVILLE, the exuberant and colorful Mayor died at 75. He had been Mayor since 2015-2020. He was always there at the burled arch when the mushers came in. Some years handing out green headbands as it always is around St. Patrick's Day. He was a former dancer and former Broadway performer. He was a class act to follow. Since 2020 JOHN HANDELAND has been MAYOR of NOME. He presided at the banquet, last night. He certainly isn't like Mr. BENEVILLE--then who could be!!At the beginning of the dinner all sang the National Anthem, three Girl Scouts sang God Bless America in Yu pik, one of the native Alaskan dialects and then sang that in English. Very patriotic way to begin.
After their dinner, which I never saw a picture of or did anyone explain what was on the menu. So????Have to say everyone looked full and happy.
Then the awards began. I did mention, as the mushers came into the checkpoints, what award they received. Those awards were then brought to Nome and presented at the Banquet.
EDDIE BURKE was chosen as the Rookie of the Year. He was THRILLED!! He is very charming when he is interviewed and he has So many fans.
29 mushers finished and 4 had to scratch.
FYI The BERINGTON twins have participated in the IDITAROD for many years. They usually run together and seem quite inseparable. They finished only 16 SECONDS apart. Its a twin thing!!
RYAN REDINGTON the WINNER of the race also won most of the awards. The one I liked, besides all the gold nuggets, was the 25 pounds of salmon. Whew!! Thats a lot of salmon. RYAN was the Oscar winner of the IDITAROD for sure!!He was also praised and won a 1st place trophy for his win.
MATT FAILOR came in 30th in 2022 and 8th 2023. He won the award for MOST IMPROVED.
HUNTER KEEFE, a rookie, won the SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD. This is voted on by the mushers. HUNTER had helped fellow mushers when needed. He was a favorite.
Even RYANS dogs, who came to the Banquet, GHOST and SVEN won Awards as they should!!
JASON MACKEY won the MOST INSPIRATIONAL AWARD. Also he did have one of his brother LANCES' dogs RED, with him.
GRAYLING was chosen as the best checkpoint. That surprised me as I heard many mushers say they loved SHAKTOOLIK. I think they all were special in their own way.
BRIDGETT WATKINS won the HERBIE HAYOPUK AWARD. An award chosen by the checkpoint checkers themselves. She won $1,049, a beautiful ivory bracelet , more ivory jewelry and a beautiful sled dog ivory carving. I particularly LOVED that one.
JASON MACKEY won the RED LANTERN AWARD, for the courage to continue on and finish even though you are last. JASON said he put out the flame for his Brother.
Till next year. Let's hope for snow, a few more mushers, healthy and happy dogs, all those wonderful volunteers and the hard working people who organize and carry out the details. Let's hope for a GREAT 2024 RACE. TILL NEXT YEAR.
Thank you for reading my blog. It encourages me to continue.
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