The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996              TAG: 9602090150
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Close-Up 
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   74 lines

ADAM STEIN HUSKY MUSHER

Last week's snowstorm left South Street in Western Branch covered with a sheet of ice.

Adam Stein, 13, now has proof that Segar, his 60-pound, black-and-white, pure-bred Siberian husky, and Lady, his 45-pound, red-and-white running mate, could pull a sled over the tundra with the speed of an Arctic wind.

It was Karl Park, a friend of young Adam, who got the idea of hitching the huskies to a boogie board to fashion the makeshift sled.

``Segar and Lady are beside each other on leashes,'' Adam said. ``The boogie board has a slick bottom, so it was scho-o-o-o-o, and we're gone. We sit down and hold on to their collars. K.L. would grab the reins and get us running.

``The dogs wouldn't go with us just telling them to go. To keep them going, I'd call, `Mush!' They were pretty much gone after that. It's a wild experience.''

For about an hour, Adam and neighborhood children rode up and down the street.

``The children are hysterical over the dogs,'' said Laura Journigan, a neighbor. ``The dogs have been getting a good workout. Everybody in the neighborhood, including older folks, came out to watch.''

``They are fast, with emphasis on fast,'' Adam said. ``I'd say at least 25-30 mph when we're on the sled. You can tell when they get tired.

``We almost have them ready to pull sleds. They'll stop when we tell them to.

``When (the dogs) were young, we'd hook a rope onto their collars and let them pull a board in a straight line,'' said Adam. ``They get used to it.''

The dogs, who have steel-blue eyes, will pull anything, including wagons, bicycles and skateboards.

Full name: Adam W. Stein

Hometown: ``I was born in Virginia Beach and have lived in Chesapeake for nine years.''

Fond childhood memories: ``Going to Busch Gardens and seeing all the people.''

Parents: Darleen and Tom Stein

Siblings: Carl, Danny and Mike Tucker and Kindra and Kara Stein

Hobbies: ``Playing street hockey and dating.''

Last book read: ``Hide N Go Seek on the Farm''

What's your favorite game? ``NBA JAM. It's a Nintendo game.''

Describe yourself as a color: ``Peachy white. I don't get a lot of sun right now.''

If you could be any animal, what would it be? ``An eagle, so I couldn't be killed.''

What irritates you the most? ``When people call you, and then they hang up.''

Favorite band: Hootie and the Blowfish

Favorite movie: ``That's a hard question. I'd have to say `Mortal Kombat.' ''

Can't resist: Fudge bars

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``My attitude. I'm kind of wild sometimes.''

Favorite TV program: ``Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' and ``X Files''

Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Ruby Tuesday in Chesapeake Square Mall

Favorite way to spend a day: ``It depends on the weather. Watching TV during rainy weather. On cold days, I like to sit inside and play Nintendo and watch TV. On hot days, I like to go swimming.

What would you choose for a last meal? Hot wings, macaroni and cheese, broccoli and cheese, mozzarella bread, butterscotch pudding and a Mr. Pibb ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL

by CNB