Niina Baum and her sled are pulled by a team of four dogs. | Article Credit: Eileen Persike - Rhinelander, Wisconsin 
Sled dogs to dash in Rhinelander
A 416-acre section of wooded land recently gifted to the city of Rhinelander will be highlighted next month when skis, sleds, dogs and mushers converge on the property near the Northwood Golf Course. The Wisconsin Trailblazers Sled Dog Club is hosting the inaugural Heal Creek Dog Dash and Winter Festival Feb. 26-27.
Longtime Rhinelander physician and silent sports enthusiast Dr. Lee Swank donated the property to the city. The Rhinelander City Council approved a resolution Jan. 10 to approve a quit claim deed that transferred the land to the city. The idea for the sled dog race at Heal Creek came from Mayor Chris Frederickson, who said he wants to find ways to use and support the area. He reached out to friend and dog sled musher Pete Thompson, who reached out to experienced race planner Niina Baum.
“I had thought about doing a race in Rhinelander before, but there have never been enough trails in the same location and now with the city’s support we’re able to groom extra trails to get the mileage we need, so it’s actually possible now,” Baum said.
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