Hi Phyl, on Matt Hammer's CD is a song called "Serum Run" which tells the story of the diptheria epidemic in Nome back in the 1920's. It tells of the dogs and mushers that ran the serum from Nenana across the frozen wastes in the middle of winter. Balto was a lead dog that belonged to Lenard Seppala, one of the mushers. Balto was such a good lead dog, that he was used by each of the mushers in series and ran the entire way with very few breaks. By the way, the dog teams got the serum to Nome in time to save all the children that were suffering from the disease. Its one of many heroic stories that have occurred here in the "Last Frontier".

There are many musicians and songwriters here and many of us have turned historic events into songs. I have lived here for 18 years and every year I hear about another fabulous topic to write songs about. My most recent song is about the Confederate warship "Shenandoah". This ship traveled around the world in 1864-65 to burn the Yankee Whaling fleet in Alaskan waters. Most people don't realise that the last battles of the Civil War were fought in Alaska.

All of you should come to Alaska some time and see the great scenery while listening to some of the state's top notch musical talents. Here is a sample of some of the scenery we have in winter: Aurora Borealis over Anchorage

Camai,
Mike