Who you see when you don't have your camera.....

My camera went on a hunting trip yesterday and I went to a charity dinner and auction for Joel Stefanski. His wife, Melinda, was going to be a new teacher at our school this year. Joel was volunteering for the state fair, working on the Lumberjack show, when the post he was working on broke. He fell over 20 feet and shattered his hip/pelvis. The auction was a show of support to cover the families medical expenses. There were lots of cool auctions including an African safari, fishing trips, etc....but being the Mat Su Valley all the local celebrities were there for support, only they tend to blend in like Joe Bob who lives down the road. For example, I had been talking with a lady at my table who just retired from teaching Kindergarten this year. Halfway through the auction I find out that it is none other than Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his wife. They are an amazing couple and their generousity was also amazing. If we get visitors next year we will definitely visit their place Happy Trails Kennels. http://www.buserdog.com/ Another local who has been in the news a lot lately "Todd" was there as well. His family had donated a snowmachine ride with the Irondog Champion and a McCain/Palin hockey jersey. Both of which were big sellers. Once again, I am in awe of the generous, down home, atmosphere of this area. We feel truely blessed to have the opportunity to live here.

In other news....it is now exactly 32 degrees and snowing. the ground is white and I cannot see across the hayflats. I guess this counts as our first snow of 2008!