Sarah van Rijsewijk, a Schenectady native, is the debut author of the heartwarming children's book, Santa and the Sled Dogs (North Country Books/Globe Pequot Publishing, distributed by Simon & Schuster, November 2025). Her life's journey has been an adventure of creating family and pursuing a dream that deeply connects her roots in the NY Capital District with the spirit of the Adirondack wilderness.
From a young age, Sarah's profound connection to animals shaped her path, starting with her first dog, Shelly, and years spent caring for horses. This passion, combined with over 15 years of raising Alaskan Malamutes and self-taught dog sledding alongside her husband, Jeramie, directly inspired her book – a story written in 2020 as a "prayer" during a time of uncertainty, now a tribute to their enduring family dream.
Beyond her writing, Sarah is a natural storyteller and 'modern-day mystic.' She is a certified life coach (since 2014), a Reiki practitioner, and a self-taught professional Tarot advisor with hundreds of clients. A prolific freelance writer and blogger, her work has appeared in various local publications. Her greatest achievement, however, remains the publication of Santa and the Sled Dogs, a lovely story created with artist Hetty Easter, inspired by Sarah and Jeramie's little family.
Sarah
Jeramie
Jeramie van Rijsewijk, a native of upstate New York near Saratoga Springs, spent his childhood immersed in the outdoors, camping across the country, and preferring the colder snowy months to the muggy summers. His lifelong passion for nature and adventure deepened with his love for dogs.
In 2008, he and his partner, Sarah, started their family with Ludo, a red Alaskan Malamute puppy, who taught them the joys and challenges of these intelligent, stubborn dogs. Soon after, Luna, a witty escape artist and the only female from her litter, joined their pack. Jeramie's journey with Malamutes took a significant turn when he acquired an Ed Moody dogsled, arguably one of the best ever made, sparking a deep commitment to the sport.
With over 15 years of self-taught dog sledding experience, Jeramie is a skilled outdoorsman and was an unseen participant in the NatGeo TV series 'Called to the Wild.' He is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Moonglow Acres LLC, where he trains dogs and will eventually oversee kennel operations, construction, trail development, and lead adventure tours. His hands-on expertise and deep connection to the Adirondacks are fundamental to realizing the Moonglow Acres dream.
Love, Family, and the Roots of Moonglow Acres
Jeramie and Sarah, a partnership forged in shared passion, were married in the fall of 2010. Their intimate backyard wedding, surrounded by loved ones and their two Malamutes, Ludo and Luna, was just the beginning of a remarkable journey.
A year later, on their first wedding anniversary, under the vast Adirondack sky, the couple, with Luna by their side, ascended Mount Marcy – the highest peak in New York State. There, at the summit, they relit their wedding unity candle, a sacred act that seemed to set forward a trajectory for their lives. This moment powerfully rooted their destiny in the very mountains they climbed.
The universe continued to weave their story when their first daughter, Adelynn (aka Addie, named after the Adirondacks), arrived the following summer. She spent her early years nestled happily in a dogsled, riding quietly with Jeramie as Ludo and Luna led the way. Adelynn, a natural adventurer, scaled summits in a backpack and was an eager kayak fishing partner.
In 2016, just after Sarah’s 30th birthday, their second daughter, Felicity, joined the family pack. With her spunky demeanor, Felicity embraced every family outing, embodying the adventurous spirit of her parents.
Through years filled with the joy of their growing family – daughters, Malamutes (Apollo, the Sun, and Yue, the Moon), cats, and chickens – and countless travels along the East Coast, every experience deepened their connection to each other and their shared dream. This journey wasn't just living; it was a divine preparation for the magic they were destined to create at Moonglow Acres.
