HUMAN
Name: Nita Towarak
Age: I’m an elder
Residence: Unalakleet, Alaska
Occupation: Retired Educator
Years involved with the Iditarod: Oh, since Idiatrod start coming through. We’d bring food down. And then when Middy started this, we’ve been making hot cakes for like what, five years now? Four years.
Iditarod Roles: VeterinarianÂ
Current Location: Unalakleet, Alaska
Date of Photo: March 13, 2022
Temperature: 68F Indoors/ 9F Outdoors & Windy
What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?
I first got involved with Iditarod with my students. They used to do Readathons, they used to interviews and get signatures from the mushers. And then of course, volunteer bringing food down to the checkpoint. And then also got recruited to make some sourdough pancakes, which I’m doing right now.
What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?
I choose to volunteer for the Iditarod because it’s a once a year thing. And I remember how excited my students were, and it’s a nice way to help people that are coming through and also to keep the sourdough making alive because of Middy.
Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.
My most memorable experiences with Iditarod is in the Old Woman cabin, there was Joe Reddington, there was Libby Riddles, Susan Butcher. And long time ago, we used to snow machine up and make fire, bring some food up. And I happened to have Skittles…not Skittles, Jelly Bellies. And it was sort of like St. Patrick’s day. And I say, “Libby, eat the green ones. You might have luck.” That was the year she won the Iditarod. I always think about that, and how nice all those mushers were when you catch them, like not in the checkpoint, but out like at Old Woman cabin and stuff like that.
What in life do you know for sure?
If something is your passion, do it, do the best that you can. And I guess sort of like advice to kids especially, because alcohol is not the answer for things. And there’s always hope, there’s always a new day.