Ben Stamm's Story
From the Heartland to Nome Ben Stamm's Story How Can I Help Ben  Musher Ben's Journal Musher's Gallery Ridge Runner Kennels Sponsors Merchandise Kids Corner Iditarod.com cabelasiditarod.com Argyle Rod & Gun Club Savannasprings.com	The Beginnings of an Iditarod Racer Ben Stamm was born in 1946 and raised in the small rural farming community of Argyle, Wisconsin (pop. 823).  Ben's interest in dogs began as a kid when he started  training squirrel dogs and pheasant dogs or just about any dog he could get his hands on to train. Ben decided while watching the Iditarod on TV, that they  would raise a team of Alaskan Huskies from pups to eventually race in the Iditarod.  Alice, Ben's wife, is his life partner & chief puppy handler.  They have always dreamed of building a cabin in Alaska.  After reading Don Bower's Book, "Back of the Pack", I decided this would be the area to start.  Musher Dean, a friend of ours agreed to help us look for land.  While visiting Alaska, he drove down Montana Creek Road & met Ron Aldrich, who ran some of the first Iditarods  Ron helped us purchase land that was part of the Dick Mackey Homestead. In July of 2001, we traveled from Wisconsin with nephew Cody, to start the process of building the cabin. Due to unforeseen  circumstances we were only able to cut down our trees for the cabin.  Returning in September, 2001 we brought a chainsaw, string & level.   We then rented a bulldozer to clear the land & pull the trees to a sawmill we rented from our neighbor, Will Barclay. Ben's E-mail: traprben@mhtc.net The Argyle Rod & Gun Club Proudly Sponsors one of it's favorite son members on his Rookie Quest of the Iditarod.  Follow Ben in his preparations for & participation in the last Great Race on Earth, the Iditarod in his own Iditarod Musher's Journal  You can help Ben in his Rookie Quest of the Iditarod.  Visit The Help Ben Web Page God's Speed Bennie !!!	We traveled to Colorado & we were fortunate to purchase 4 trained adult Huskies and 3 litters of young dogs.  This is how our kennel began and how it has grown. Will's a perfectionist sawing & hand crafting all the logs & materials needed for the cabin.  With the help of our neighbors Wayne Mayo & Edward who walked 17 miles to be part of the team, the cabin was finally roughed in.  In 2002, we returned for a two week "work around the clock" effort to build our dog yard & insulate & furnish our cabin Ben Stamm & part of his team getting psyched up for the 2000 Midnight Run in the UP. Ben Stamm 17690 S Lake Rd Argyle, WI 53504 Bennie's Iditatod Finish