By Katie Mangelsdorf (Publication Consultants, $19.95)
The blurb: This biography tells the story of Joe
Redington and how he would go on to become the "Father of the Iditarod."
Excerpt: "The Redingtons now had their first Alaska
winter under their belt. Spring was poking its nose around the corner and Joe
had made a decision. Time to build a new cabin. This new cabin would have only
one stove to stoke this time. And no running water. The first batch of
mosquitoes made its grand and noisy entrance. Though their bite was weak, their
size foretold the next wave of vicious and voracious mosquitoes. What the second
wave lost in size, they sure made up in numbers. But as most Alaskans do, the
Redingtons learned to overlook those noisome insects and tune in only to the
work at hand. Joe learned that 'if you don't make a fuss at them, they won't
make a fuss at you.'
"Vi added with a smile, 'When people fuss about mosquitoes now, I just
kinda laugh.'
"Joe had a house to build."
