Illinois 1/14/00
Wisconsin 1/19/00
Michigan 1/24/00
Indiana 1/28/00
Ohio 2/1/00
Illinois: Due 1/14
East Hazel Crest, IL
January 14, 2000
I arrived in Illinois on Friday. The students didn’t expect to see me
until Monday, so they were very excited when I arrived that morning. Mrs.
Hathaway opened my box and I could hear the boys and girls asking
questions about me. They showed me their Owney bulletin board in the back
of the room. I could see that they really took pride in following my
journey.
The weather here is 40 degrees today. I decided to wear my poncho to
stay warm. The students went outside for lunch recess but I went to the
teacher’s lounge for lunch. I love being cuddled by a teacher. After lunch,
the students worked at the computers. After that, they had music time. The
music teacher sang me a special song because I was a special visitor.
After looking at everything on my harness, the students decided to add a flashlight key chain. They said that I could turn it on if I was scared or
lonely. I could even read while traveling from state to state. They must
really love reading at Lincoln Elementary.
Owney
P.S. My next stop is Wisconsin. I should be there by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Wisconsin: Due 1/20
Jennifer Belcher, Lac du Flambeau Public School, Lac du Flambeau WI 
January 19, 2000
I arrived in Lac du Flambeau, Ojibwe for Lake of the Torches, on January 18, 2000. The temperature in Wisconsin is below zero this time of year so I wore my poncho to keep warm. I didn't need my sunglasses because it was pretty snowy during my visit. I visited four second grade classrooms: Mrs. Eckardt's, Mrs. Briar's. Mrs. Olson's, and Mrs. Jubert's.
They were so excited to see me and loved all the pins and extra clothes I was wearing. They enjoyed tracking my travels from Hawaii to the mainland and through all the states I've visited so far. Mrs. Eckardt's class were surprised to see how far south Mississippi is. Ms. Belcher, our computer teacher, has been taking good care of me while I am visiting here.
Lac du Flambeau is a beautiful Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin. The people here enjoy hunting and fishing in the beautiful and bountiful forests and lakes. During the winter, people enjoy the outdoors by skiing, snomobiling, ice fishing and sledding. All the children here are learning their native language Ojibwe. When people say hello, welcome they say "Boozhoo." When they say see you later they say "migwetch." So, Migwetch to you! I am on my way to Michigan!
P.S. The dreamcatcher is from our Ojibwe Language and Culture teacher, Tinker, to make sure Owney doesn't have any bad dreams while he is traveling.
Michigan: Due 1/25
Angela Andrikides, Dolsen Elementary, New Hudson MI
Just so you do not struggle when reading to your children my last named
is pronounced like this: Ander – key - dees
1/24/00
Dear Journal,
Well I arrived in Michigan on Saturday and spent my weekend in the post
office. Of course I didn't mind this since I spent most of my life in a
post office! However when Ms. Andrikides open my box in the Kindergarten
classroom I could hardly contain myself! The children were so delighted to
see me that my tail just wouldn't stop wagging! I even got to watch the
Animal Planet special about me that Ms. Andrikides taped over the weekend!
Then she read a book call M is for Mitten which told me all about Michigan!
I ate snack with the kids, they were all so polite and shared. I went to
guided reading groups with them, and to music and I even went to lunch. I
also got to visit the first graders who met me last year! It was very cold
today only 11 degrees, so we stayed in for recess. After school Ms.
Andrikides held me as the children's bus lines were dismissed they all
called my name with excitement and pet me on their way out! They really
love me! I will spend one more day here so that Ms. Andrikides' other
Kindergarten class can meet me then I will travel over night to Indiana!
Michigan Facts,
Capital: Lansing,
Population: 9,496,000,
Governor: John Engler (R, to January 2003),
Counties: 83,
Entered the Union: January 26, 1837,
Statehood: 26th state to earn statehood,
Nickname: The Wolverine State,
State Flower: Apple Blossom,
State Bird: Robin,
State Tree: White Pine,
State Fish: Brook Trout,
State Stone: Petoskey Stone,
State Song: "Michigan My Michigan",
Origin of Name: From Indian word "Michigan" meaning "great or large lake",
The Mackinac Bride is sometimes called a wonder of the world. It is FIVE
miles long and links Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to it’s Upper Peninsula.,
Henry Ford built the first Model-T here in 1908.,
Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are in Dearborn Michigan.,
Apples are big industry in Michigan.,
Michigan leads the nation in production of red tart cherries, dry edible
beans, cucumbers for pickling, and eastern white winter wheat.,
Maple syrup: Michigan ranks 7th in maple syrup production, producing on
average 80,000 gallons per year. (behind Vermont, New York, Maine,
Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Ohio),
Freshwater coastland: Michigan has more than any other state! 3,000 miles
and 11,000 inland lakes.,
Lake Superior is the second largest inland lake in the world.,
Christmas Trees: Michigan lead in growing plantation,
Indiana: Due 1/31
Connersville, IN
1/28/00
Dear Friends,
Before I arrived at Eastview Elementary, in Connersville, Indiana, the
students had planned a "warm Hoosier welcome." I’m glad it was a warm
welcome, because it is really cold and snowy here. They gave me Indy 500
socks to keep my paws warm. Here are some of the other things we did
during my visit.
+ Students had created songs and rhymes. I asked then for a few of these
to go into the journal. I especially liked O-W-N-E-Y.
+ They made covered bridges from shoe boxes. Did you know that they have
a covered bridge in their city park? Mrs. Newton showed it to me on the
way to the post office.
+ They brought in Hot Wheel cars to race through the bridges in their
own version of the Indianapolis 500, the Eastview 24.
+ They showed me how to play the Hoosier’s favorite past-time –
basketball. Wow, those first graders sure know how to shoot hoops.
+ Then in the afternoon, their 4th grade PALS came down to watch "Air
Bud" and to eat puppy chow and popcorn. Indiana grows lots of popcorn! I
think I like it almost as much as puppy chow.
Before I knew it, it was time to wag my tail good-bye. It seems as if
we had just gotten to know each other. But Mrs. Newton told me not to
whimper because the students in Ohio are waiting to see me. So, I barked
good-bye and leaped into the box knowing that my paws would be warm
along the way.
Owney
Ohio: Due 2/4
Akron, OH
2/1/00 Dear Journal,
I made it to The Academy at Robinson in Akron, Ohio this
afternoon. It was a quick trip from Indiana. There is snow everywhere! It
isn't too cold, but I am dreaming of the days in Hawaii. Mrs. Swan's class
was thrilled to see me. Some of the students remembered last year's Owney
and were glad to meet me too. I also got to visit Mrs. Brunswick's second
grade class. I met the Voyager after-school program. They were learning
about dogs today and my timing couldn't have been better! They learned
about different types of dogs and they decided that I was a working dog.
So I guess I'll get back to work and back in my box. On to Kentucky!
Your friend,
Owney
