Saturday, January 14th, 2006

POTLATCH CORPORATION SUPPORTS SLED DOG RACES

      GWINN, MI –– Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association President Pat Torreano announced the Potlatch Corporation of Gwinn, Michigan has donated $5000 to fund the sled dog races. The $5000 will be used in part for the maintenance of the 300+ miles of trail for the racers, and to help keep the races solvent.

For sixteen years, the U.P. 200 & Midnight Run Sled Dog Races have been conducted through and near Gwinn, Michigan. These races bring over 10,000 fans to the Upper Peninsula each year during February, normally a quiet time of year for tourism.

Earlier in 2005, the Marquette City Council terminated their funding for all events, including the sled dog races, where the downtown start for the U.P. 200 has traditionally been held. This brightly lit venue has been touted as the most dramatic sled dog race start outside of Alaska.

"We began a fund raising campaign and established a "Save Our Start" committee. The races are costly and we needed to raise significant funding to be support them," added Torreano.

The need for funding was answered by several corporations. The Potlatch Corporation from Gwinn became a Swing Dog/Trail Sponsor with a $5000.00 donation. Their name will appear on all trail markers, and their funding will support other elements of the races as well.

"I worked with Ron Salisbury from Potlatch," said Torreano. "He is a transplant from Minnesota who has never seen our races. I'm very excited that he is involved and we cannot thank the Potlatch Corporation enough for their generosity."

The U.P. 200 and Midnight Run sled dog races are scheduled for February 17th, 2006. More information on the races can be found at www.up200.org, and more information on Potlatch Corporation is online at www.potlatchcorp.com.

- 30 -

Prepared by Beverly Stroh