1989
MARMORA Sl[D DOG RAC[S CANC[ll[D unny skies and balmy weather forced organizers of this year's
"~Marmora Cup to cancel the annual sled dog championship, the highlight of Sno-fest week in Marmora .... At 3:00pm on Wednesday it was officially decided that 'No races could be held under present weather conditions'," wrote the Marmora Herald. Although local motels and & restaurants took a blow, other Sno-fest events carried on, business as usual. The Arts and Craft show felt no effects, and Barb Sanderson at St. Andrew's United church reported "With the cancellation of the races, people seemed to welcome the opportunity to socialize" and over 100 deep dish turkey pies were served that day.
Leaving the Eldorado Checkpoint, to crosshighway #62
fiNISHING UN[ MARK[D B[GINNING fOR (OUPl[ Zion - The word "mush" had special meaning at the Marmora sled dog races this year. The finishing line for the weekend's races also marked a starting point for an Orillia couple, as they exchanged wedding vows minutes after the groom completed the 97-km race. Beverely Ann Lusk and Jay Verbeek, both of Orillia Township, were married Saturday in the tiny community of Zion, about 6 km north of Marmora. The local church was packed with the couple's friends and family to its capacity of about 100, and hundreds more sled dong racers and spectators waited outside to cheer for the newlyweds - both long-time dog sled race enthusiasts. ''I'd do anything to promote the races," joked Verbeek, 45, from the back of the crammed church as he prepared to approach the altar. Verbeek and his team of sled dogs raced in the annual Marmora events for their fourth year. But the professional millwright has about 10 years experience in the sport. His 39-year-old bride, a part-time dog
handler and trainer, had attended the Marmora races and other such events with Verbeek in previous years. When the couple returned to the area for a visit last summer, Lusk says she was impressed by the quaint setting of the Zion church. She remembers telling Verbeek "how old fashioned and nice" the church appeared. And soon after their October engagement, they decided to tie the knot in the Zion church during race festivities. Verbeek crossed the Zion finish line in time for the scheduled 8 p.m. wedding, but by 8:30 p.m. the planned minister hadn't shown up - because Rev. Don McEwen was busy completing, and winning, the 161-km race. McEwen, of Eldorado, and Verbeek met at a sled dog race about six years ago. Filling in for the missing minister was Rev. James Armstrong of Zion. The matron of honour was Lusk's sister, Marie Ali, of Mississauga, and best man was Bill Wallace of Oro Station. The newlyweds, each marrying for the second time, hadn't scheduled any specific honeymoon plans. After the brief ceremony, they jumped in a sled for waiting cameras, then headed for some of the local weekend celebrations. BY JULIA DRAKE/STAFF REPORTER BELLEVILLE INTELLEGENCER
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