Sandwich Notch Sled Dog Races pick up new sponsor

Old Mother Hubbard Inc. will sponsor the 17th annual Sandwich Notch Sled Dog Races the weekend of Feb. 14-17. The pet food company has historic connections to dogsledding as suppliers of food to sled dogs of the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition in 1928. These very dogs were trained at Chinook Kennels in Tamworth and the race honors that legacy. This year's race is dedicated to Col. Norman D. Vaughan, the last surviving member of the first Byrd expedition.The snow and trails are groomed for this year's 60-mile, 30-mile dog team races and a 15-mile skijor event with the start/finish location in North Sandwich.The races wind through scenic Sandwich, Wonalancet and Tamworth attracting top mushers from the eastern United States and Canada. Festivities begin with a pasta dinner at the Sandwich Central School Friday, Feb. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. On Sat. Feb. 15, a 9 a.m. start at Bennett Street in North Sandwich, off Route 113A. Spectators can enjoy a hot food tent set up by the Sandwich Sidehillers and can obtain a race program, with a map of the trail, at the starting line and at checkpoints.Checkpoints offer race viewing at Chinook Kennels in Tamworth, Bennett Street in North Sandwich, and Sandwich Notch Road in Center Sandwich. Other recommended viewing spots include Whiteface Intervale Road in North Sandwich, Route113A crossings in North Sandwich and again in Tamworth. Cash prizes, trophies and other awards are presented to teams at a Mushers Breakfast Banquet on Sunday morning, Jan. 17, at the Sandwich Central School.Old Mother Hubbard, Sandwich Sidehillers Winter Trails Club, Yankee Siberian Husky Club, Central N.H. Amateur Radio Club and the N.H. Humane Society (Laconia branch), sponsor the event with support from local and regional volunteers.Volunteer veterinarians and ham radio operators ensure the health and safety of every dog team and driver from start to finish.Many volunteers are still needed to ensure safe road crossings and other race day logistics. To volunteer, call 367-8676 . No experience necessary. The race committee thanks those local businesses who help feed our volunteers including Star Market and October Farm Market of Meredith, Hannaford of Ossipee, Hannaford of North Conway, Shaw's of North Conway, Heath's Supermarket of Center Harbor and Castle Springs of Moultonboro. Very special thanks go out to strong supporters of the race: Sandwich PTO, Sandwich Central School, Sandwich Fire and Police Departments, Club Sandwich 4-H and the landowners of Sandwich, Wonalancet and Tamworth.For more information, call 968-7706.