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candgnews.com JULY 23, 2025 Vol. 18, No. 15
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Samantha LaLonde shares a moment at the finish line with her dog Gibbs during the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The race started in Anchorage, Alaska. Photo provided by Jim LaLonde
Karla Aren, host of the exhibit, said the event garners a lot of local interest. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Faithful dog leads ‘Rookie of the Year’ to finish line FARMINGTON HILLS — Samantha LaLonde, 29, a Farmington Hills native and graduate of Harrison High School, was named “Rookie of the Year” in the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race by finishing with the best time for
the first-time mushers. A musher is the rider who controls the sled. Samantha completed the race in 12 days and 14 hours. Her parents Jim and Sally LaLonde, of Farmington Hills, were in Alaska from the start of the race through when she crossed the finish line in March. See LALONDE on page 6A
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
FARMINGTON HILLS — Words and art combined during Farmington Hill’s inaugural Literary Art Exhibit at Farmington Hills City Hall June 25. The writers wrote and read aloud their original literary pieces while standing next to the visual art that inspired their words. The art is exhibited throughout City Hall. “The city of Farmington Hills really treasures the arts,” said Karla Aren, artist liaison and host of the event. “When we moved into this newer building and it was expanded, there was a possibility of buying art … from one place, but we decided we wanted See EXHIBIT on page 8A
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BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
Words paint a picture at Farmington Hills exhibit