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Pink Stew at Garwin Library By Margaret Thomsen

Photo by Margaret Thomsen The mushers who participate in the Iditarod wear many layers of clothing to protect from the bitter cold. Christine Carroll is pictured with the children modeling the clothing required by one person. Children pictured include Callie Harrington, Cambry Harrington, Delaney McCubbin, Payton Laffoon, Maci Hubbard, Jonas Buchanan and Landon Stonewall.
Photo by Margaret Thomsen Sharon Powell and Christine Carroll are pictured with the children as they brush therapy dog, Emmett. Children pictured include Callie and Cambry Harrington,Maci Hubbard, Delaney McCubbin and Trey Laffoon.

Garwin area children were recently treated to Pink Stew Entertainment and their program about therapy dogs and the Alaskan Iditarod, a dog sled race across 1,049 miles of Alaskan wilderness. Pink Stew Entertainment also brought therapy dog, Emmett, for the children to meet. Emmett is a part Samoyed and Golden Retriever breed rescue dog. He and owner Christine Carroll have had extensive training to become certified. Christine is from Des Moines and does educational and fun children’s programs with the other half of Pink Stew, Sharon Powell. The duo has been to Garwin in prior years doing a magic show, face painting and balloon magic. They generously donated their services to the Library. They talked about the Alaskan Sled Race, the Iditarod. They explained that the race is named after a small Alaskan town along the race trail. The children got to try on the clothes a dog sled musher would wear to stay safe. The race takes place in early March and one of the hazards along the trail are moose. They do not like dogs. Each musher is required to carry a rifle for protection. The race goes across Alaska, traveling from Anchorage to Nome. Each musher begins the race with 16 sled dogs and is required to have at least 6 dogs pulling the sled at the finish line. The dogs wear coats and boots on their feet. All food and water for the dogs and medical supplies have to be pulled on the sled. The musher (driver of the sled) sometimes has to get off the sled and push if the trail gets too difficult or steep for the dogs alone. The winner of the 2018 Iditarod was a Norwegian and he made the trek in nine days and twelve hours. This was the 46th year for the famous race. It was noted that in every dog sled team there is a leader who sets the pace. All dogs wear a GPS monitor as they travel a speed of three to seven miles an hour. Of the 120 who usually begin the race, 25 to 30 will drop out. Sharon and Christine spent time interacting with the children and answering questions. Delicious treats were served. Garwin Librarian Lola Slingluff said, “We are so grateful for these ladies to come free of charge and present such a wonderful program for our children.”