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I would like to take this time to engage in just a tiny bit of bragging rights. To date, I have had the very good fortune not only of having visited Alaska (and specifically Nome itself, though I also spent time in Wasilla and Anchorage); I've visited and done research at the Carrie M. McLain Museum in Nome and the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla; I've been honored with a radio interview on an A.M. talk radio station in New York City (Z Travel and Leisure); I've also been honored to have been interviewed on camera for an upcoming documentary about the serum run by a New York-based production company; I've helped with research and information for the Norwegian serum run documentary discussed recently in this board; and I've talked at length with professionals in the historical, curatorial and literary fields regarding the serum run and its various events and participants. All thanks to the exhaustive efforts put into my website (linked in my signature below). It's been quite a ride so far, and shows no signs of stopping!

Now, most recently, I have been conferred an even greater honor, which happily contradicts the unsubstantiated criticisms leveled at me and my site by one individual who's been coming on here for a year now for almost exclusively that purpose (I shall decline to get more detailed than that, and would hope it stays that way for the benefit of this topic).

No less a prestigious and noteworthy institution than the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, repository of the remains of Balto (the taxidermy mount) and the dog's (and his team's) history, recently graced myself and my site with a wonderful and touching official testimonial, applauding my continued efforts to share the true and valid history of the 1925 serum run, and my dedication to it (and assistance I have provided to them in the recent past). As most of you know, I receive no payment for what I do (nor do I seek any)...it is very much a labor of love that I fund entirely on my own. At times, that has been tough. And there have been minor bumps along the way. But stuff like this certainly obviates the isolated, though stubborn, heckling and irrelevant criticisms. A perusal of the guestbook pages of the site demonstrate that such criticisms are practically non-existent.

But it is such as THIS that makes it all worthwhile! And it's the first of what I anticipate (and am hearing) may be more of these! My gratitude to Ms. Lee Gambol (who wrote this testimonial) and to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History knows no bounds!

Well now! That is every Balto fanatic's dream, isn't it?
Brilliant work you've done my friend, and it's great to see it all pay off!

Congratulations! You've defiantly earned it. (=

Thanks, guys! Yes, I'm very proud and humbled by this!

Holy CRAP! That's nothing short of awesome!

Can anybody else say wicked-awesome-cool? I mean, this is legit, not something made up. This is something to be proud of! Way to go, JC!

It's quite a feather in my cap, and one of a few so far with regard to the website I created. And I anticipate more of the same.

But I appreciate and am grateful for all the nice comments and praises here too! This shows that anyone, with enough dedication and the right frame of mind (and heart) can do the same.

Your efforts that have finally been recognised. Well done! 8DD

Thanks so much!

As an afterthought, I should point out that this is very much indeed totally legit. One could easily contact the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and ask to speak to Ms. Gambol if they wanted confirmation of the fact. I have no fears of anyone doing that.

And really, I wouldn't have posted it on my website, where I know representatives of the museum have been perusing over time, showing the museum's official letterhead, if I had made this all up. That would be foolish. Besides, Ms. Gambol took careful steps to make sure that her supervisors and the museum authorities authorized this before she sent it to me, and it most definitely was.

Just FYI.

JC i tip my Engineer's cap to you for this majer achevment keep it up

Well thank you very much!

Wow....! That is definitely a huge honor! You should be very proud of yourself, JC - seriously!

I doubt that many other Balto fans would even dare to spend so many hours and personal time [and money, I'm figuring!] to witness so many aspects of what the original film left out of what really happened. Your dedication is just amazing, and I applaud you for this testimonial you've received!

My kudos to you and your hard work, my friend! *bows*

- Juuchan17

Thanks, Juuchan! Yeah, labor of love, personal money and all that, and loved every moment of doing so. No complaints there, and no issues. I've never sought out recompense for what I do. And, apart from two nay-sayers (one who only posts to participate in flame baiting from time to time, and the other who's sole reason for being here is to do that to me), everyone has been very nice about it. And this isn't bragging (I know you didn't suggest that...I'm just sayin'), it's to show that there are real benefits to working hard at this -- and that anyone, with enough dedication and heart can do likewise! Since I put all my own time and money into it (and the research, the footwork, etc. -- I figure a little, well, I GUESS it's bragging in a manner of speaking, isn't so bad a thing after all. Huh? lol

For a major institution like that to recognize my efforts is definitely a very huge honor, and it makes me extremely proud!