Seward daily gateway., 1923-04-03
RECEPTION PIONEERS
 NENANA b!G EVENT

NENANA, March 2S--Nenana is in holiday attire with open hearts and hands, as welcome to the Grand Igloo. Nenana turned out en masse on the morning of the 27th to meet the train 1 from Seward which brought in the Grand Igloo Officers and Delegates, from coast points to the Grand Igloo Annual Convention meeting on the 29th.
 A reception committee of the local Igloo Number F, met the officers and delegates and conducted them to the Tavern Cafe where breakfast was serv ed to all, and then to several hotels, where reservations had been made for them to rest up for the evenings enter tainment.
 At ? P. M., the train from Fairbanks arrived bringing in the Delegates from Fairbanks and interior points, and were met by the committee. The evening entertainment consist ed of a Grand Reception and Ball, giv- en in the Union Hall, where short speeches of welcome were made by the Mayor, Roy SouthwoNh R. c. Morris, President of Igloo Number 17 and Grand Vice President Steve O'Neil which were responded to on behalf of the Grand Igloo, by the Grand Presi- dent Joseph Ulmer, in few we'll chosen words of appreciation and con graduation. The floor was then clear ed and the dance was on. A splendid orchestra of six pieces, furnished eN- cellent music for the occasion which was continued into the early hours. At 10 A. M, of the 2Sth, witnessed the starting of the dog team race to Old Minto Station, IS miles and re- turn, with 5 entries and starters. This is the beginning of an annual clas sic event of this line, but on this oc casion giving them only a seven day preparation. The weather is ideal with bright sunshine and very little wind. The program of the local entertain ment committe includes for tonight smokeless smoker, with boxing, an6 wrestling contests and other sports. Thursday evening, a minstrel show. Friday evening, school children enter Ia,y turkey dinner and dance, free for all. Sunday afternoon, Memorial services at the Pioneer Hall, in which s. Hall Young, Grand Chaplain, will officiate. Sunday evening, a free picture show, introducing some real Alaskan films. There will be free dances with free eats for all during the Grand Igloo Convention.
 The Committees appointed by the Grand President are as follows:
 Committee on Credentials: OCon- nor of Nenana, Ackney of Valdez, Gun ningham of Fairbanks.
 Everything indicates that this will be the most successful convention and the order in point of attendance. Nearly all the local Igloos are repre- sented by members, only minor num- Der are sending in proxies and Nena- na is outdoing herself in providing en- tertainment.
 The Pioneers endorsed unanimously the House Bill by Shepherd on Plo- neer Pensions. Other important mat ters are under discussion and in the hands of committees.
 The convention hopes to adjourn Sunday.
 To entertain the oldtimerS of the Itnerior and Nome section and also for the benefit of those who came from the coast and who probably have never witnessed a dog race, classic
 event was staged, three teams being
 entertained with the course being
 from Nenana to Minto and return, | total distance Ol % Ailco' Aho oA
 trants with the time of their depart
 ure, return and lapsed time, were as
 follows:
 Wm. Shannon, dogs, out 1925; in
 3:O2; time 4:37.
 Mike Cooney, 5 dogs, out 1O:4O; in
 3:41; time 5:01.
 i Stevens, a native, 9 dogs, poor
 third with no time taken.
 This was the first dog racing event
 to take place in Nenana for number of years and the visitors were vastly 1 pleased with the extra entertainment
 Mrs, A. H. McNeer will arrive from