SFL Bulletin Spring, 2001 Ski for Light, Inc. 1455 West Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55408-2648 Phone: 612-827-3232 Web Site: www.sfl.org General Information: Info@sfl.org From the President's Disk by Nancy McKinney Although it is always a joy to welcome spring, at the same time it means that it is time to put away the skis & boots and get ready for warm weather sports. I feel so lucky to be here in the Pacific Northwest and a part of a Ski for Light Regional program that skis all winter long. We spent our last ski day using klister or no wax skis and enjoying the sunshine and companionship of our fellow skiers. I encourage everyone to get involved in a regional program. If there isn't one nearby, and you live near snow, then find some people to help you start a program. Ski for Light International has lots of information available to help people get regional programs going. Two local guides here in the Northwest, Roger Young & Wally Hammen, came into about 40 pair of cross country ski packages which will be put to use here at our local regional and hopefully at a new regional in Minnesota. For more information about regionals, see the page on regional programs at our web site. Ski for Light 2001, held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was a huge success. The trail system we skied on in Brown County was perfect for us. There were many happy faces on the ski trails. Guides and skiers alike have commented that it was wonderful to ski in an area where the trails were wide, groomed well and the terrain rolling. Many thanks to the event committee and the locals involved in getting the details ironed out. Plans are currently under way for our 27th Annual Event to be held January 27th through February 3rd at the Inn at Silver Creek in Granby, Colorado. With the leadership of Larry Showalter, Event Chair, the Planning Meeting will take place late fall. As the cherry blossoms fly through the air and the spring rains come, it is hard to believe that it is time to plan for next year. Thank you everyone who helps in the making of Ski for Light. It is a relief to me that there are so many willing and capable people behind me and the Executive Committee. Best wishes for a great spring. Green Bay Wrap-Up A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our 26th annual SFL event in Green Bay such a success. This year, we had 90 VIPs, 10 MIPs and 115 guides, including many first-timers. Among the high-lights was the skiing itself. For many, the trails were the most skiable we have had in years. Brenda Seeger, our esteemed guide recruitment and application coordinator, summarized the experience of many guides in a message sent to the SFL list. In the week since our Green Bay event I have received numerous e-mails and calls from 1st and 2nd year and veteran guides about SFL 2001. They were filled with glowing compliments on our organization, the guide training, the overall smoothness of running such a large volunteer event and of course, the hospitality of Green Bay people. Every 1st year guide I have heard from wants to come back next year. It seems we have made a great impact on so many! NEVER have I received so many messages after an event. Wow. There were many guides who have participated in other races and events and they were extremely impressed with the way the race/rally was coordinated. I agree. My hat is off to Jeff's cheerful volunteers and the enthusiasm they showed to all. One comment by a long-time guide was "of all the places we have held the event, this was the greatest in every way". Like other years there were many friendships established and renewed. I know firsthand that if nurtured these will last a lifetime. The Ski for Light Board of Directors needs a pat on the back for long hours, tedious work, and a willingness to take on any job to make our "family" of skiers and guides happy, safe and able to see an enduring future of successful events. It's a delight to work with each and every one of you. Fifth Year Guide/First Time Skier by John Klemaseski Ever since my first time skiing 1/2 kilometer with my eyes closed in the hills near SpearFish, South Dakota in 1996, I have desired to ski blindfolded. This year in Green Bay my wish was granted. While skiing with Mary Hiland and Dan Beckman, it was our plan to have Dan as my guide and I would ski the 5K loop while Mary would chalet. Mary thought I could do the 5K in an hour and I thought she must have partied too hard the night before. The pressure had now begun, I didn't want her to have to wait too long for us to return. I removed my glasses, slipped on my headband backward over my closed eyes and asked Dan if he was ready to go. We were in the center of the crowded lodge at lunch time and started the maze of metal chair legs, ski boots, huge round tables and pleasant bumps into my fellow skiers. Still clutching his arm when the cool air surrounded us as we walked out the door. Now, to find my skies! I hadn't thought that far in advance, this was starting to get complicated. I don't think Dan knew what he was getting into. I tried to describe my skis and poles but couldn't recall which rack they where stashed in. Standing there waiting while he searched, I wouldn't spoil this expedition by opening my eyes, I resolved, no matter what would happen. My skis were located and we started to put them on. Being used to just standing upright and stepping quickly into the binding, I took off my mittens, felt around for that soft spongy part, and after a few attempts I smiled with success. All right, now where is that mitten? My guide says to my right and my fingers feel the sting of cold wet snow. A little further back, more to the right, keep going, got it, and now for that pole I pushed away while searching for the mitten. I told my guide, if he said SIT, I would do so immediately. We began side stepping over to the tracked long down hill. I was ready and was going to ski as hard as I could. Down we went, good track, this was exciting, this is easy, my body starts to flow with the straight track. I could do this all day. Curving right, my guide tells me, as I lean too far into the turn and try to find the right position. Wobbling about, stability is regained until I hear left curve going up hill. These trails were easier yesterday! My rhythm has always been good as I feel my poles not quite hitting the snow uniformly. Up hills, I can lean forward and feel secure, but these curves sure are tough. Still skiing as fast as I can go, we pass others and I yell out my name. Some don't respond, maybe they're concentrating or maybe they are tired and trying to save on energy, as later on, I find, I will be doing. After 1K, water is needed, I'm hot, sweating and my jacket is too warm. I pull the water bottle out and drink. I don't want anyone to pass us nor slow anyone else down; this has now become a self imposed challenge. Hitting the pocket to replace the water bottle in my pack has become difficult and later I will ask my guide to do this. I find myself searching out for my pole with instructions from my guide and can't quite seem get the strap in the correct position. So on we go, turning where there are no tracks, suddenly my confidence level goes down and I question my enthusiasm, my sense of direction is lost, find a track but not the correct one. Track left, track left, I find more than one track and then, turn right, sharp right, and falling to the ground I kiss the snow covered trail. Fresh snow has started to fall as I pick myself up. I'm breathing heavily while the soft sharp snowflakes hit the back of my throat like tiny little darts. I complain to my guide that I'm going to slow down, but find myself skiing faster after a short time. Finally we climb the herringbone hill. The last kilometer is the longest and my fuel cell is running on empty. The head band covering my eyes is wringing wet, my shirt soaked through, legs are weak, head is pounding and my coordination is poor when my guide says the lodge is in sight. We ski up the hill, take off my skis and I get the traditional hug from Dan. Mary is there and she only had to wait that hour. I get a victory hug. I'm beat but excited. And you know, if I can do this, WE can do anything. New Editor by Laura Oftedahl I am delighted to welcome Vicki Post as the new editor of this SFL Bulletin. I've enjoyed working for the past five or so years as editor, but I feel my energy is really needed in SFL's fundraising arena. (Have you considered a gift to the SFL Endowment Fund yet?) Vicki has enthusiastically volunteered to become editor,and has some great new ideas for the Bulletin. Vicki brings to the job her editing skills as a radio news journalist, a love of any kind of news, as well as her enthusiasm for SFL. She has participated in the SFL International Week as well as the Sierra Regional and is an accomplished mountain climber. Please be nice to Vicki, as you were to me, and keep the SFL Bulletin alive and well with stories from your world. Have a fun and healthy summer. SFL Family There have been a number of victories and losses in our SFL family this past season. Jeff Pagels and his incredible team scored another victory. On March 21, 2001, Jeff and his team successfully summited Mt. Whitney. This is the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, standing at 14,438 feet. For a detailed account of the climb, check out his web site at: http://members.aol.com/Rainbowex/Rainbow-Expedition.html Congrats, Team Rainbow! SFL guide, Marsha Soucheray placed third in her 60-64 age group to lead a large number of skiers at the 51-kilometer American Birkebeiner. This is the largest cross country ski race in North America. And Mary Hiland reports that she sold one of her stories "The Bungee that Binds" to the recently-released Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul. The story is about her experience running in the "Race for the Cure" with her daughter. Congratulations, Mary! SFL guide, Virginia Ayres' father passed away. She and her daughter, Tamara, who also is a guide, were with him when he died peacefully and quietly in his room at the nursing home where he has been living. Her dad was an Ohio Congressman for many years. Siegfried Deiringer, long-time blind participant, died on March 2nd of a heart attack. He lived with his father in West Allis, Wisconsin. Word has it that he loved to dance and was a great lead in waltz and polka. He also had quite a sense of humor, as we see in this amusing anecdote, submitted by SFL guides Bob and Joyce Waite. The story comes from a letter he wrote to them following the North Conway SFL event in 1998. One morning I was in the lobby sitting in a chair in front of the elevator waiting for my guide to take me skiing. That's when you saw me sitting there and offered to help me. I said no thank you, my guide should be here any minute. Well my guide overslept and we left to go skiing after everyone else had already gone. Later that afternoon, I was sitting in the same chair when you came back again and asked me if I had been sitting here all day waiting for my guide? I replied yes, some people don't mind to be patient and wait all day long. Later when meeting my guide, everyone questioned her for leaving me sit so long and waiting. She of course had no idea of what they were talking about so I had to let the cat out of the bag! EVERYONE HAD A GOOD LAUGH. He also writes in German the following. Ich hoffe das wir uns nachstes jahr wiedersehn. (I hope that we see each other again next year) As we met again at other sfl events, we all continued to laugh about this. After battling cancer for three years, John Novotny died peacefully on April 18th. Bud Keith offers this remembrance. JOHN NOVOTNY: A young hero It's rather difficult to write a memorial to a young man of 42. Somehow, it just doesn't seem fulfilling to say "good bye" to someone who should have had decades more of life ahead of him. Especially one who enjoyed life so, and shared his love so easily with others. John was involved with Ski for Light at its very beginning, and joined us again in recent years, with nearly two decades of absence in between. Despite his absence from International SFL events, his life had a great impact on many of us in the SFL family. As a high school student, John was introduced to cross-country skiing in 1975 at the first event, then called Race for Light. The following year he was named to the first team chosen to represent newly named Ski for Light at the Ridderrenn in Norway. After that, John didn't attend SFL for many years, but we all knew of his activities, because John was doing what very few of us ever dare. John decided to follow a dream. He showed such potential in those first two years, that John set out to become the best blind cross-country skier in the United States, and maybe in the world. After college, John abandoned his home town of Chicago and moved to Breckenridge, Colorado, where there was a long ski season, lots of sighted guides, and an opportunity to train at high altitude. To paraphrase Joseph Campbell, a hero is someone who goes into the unknown with faith and courage. John went into the unknown, a field of competition where no other blind American had ventured. He did so with a courageous effort and a faith in himself and his many friends. He did become recognized as one of the best in the world, and pushed the other champions to their limits. John dominated the field in the United States for nearly ten years. Maybe it was his training as a psychotherapist that helped him draw out others, or maybe it was the reverse, Regardless, few would argue that John had the knack for making good friends very quickly. Although John was extremely competitive when the challenge was there, he was also gentle and encouraging with new skiers. He only missed one Colorado regional SFL program, this last February. I'm sure that John Novotny stories will be told for many years, among his American friends and those fellow skiers with whom he competed around the world. One of those stories will be the courage and faith with which he faced his death. John was born with cancer, and became blind as a result. It was a recurrence about three years ago that brought about his early death. Without question, he went into that great unknown as a hero of unrivaled achievement. Thank you, John, for your inspiration. Thanks for showing us that dreams can come true. Thanks for being our companion and guide in this adventure we call life. You finished the race with all the style and determination anyone could ask. Thanks again for being our hero. SFL regional gets a pat on the back Ski for Light regional programs offer many of us a way to stay connected with each other, and to get in some additional great skiing. These regionals also serve to introduce the general public to Ski for Light and its mission. The following article appeared in a local paper after the Sierra Regional event, and is reprinted here with permission. Teaching the blind to ski: Ski For Light guides disabled on slopes By LARA MULLIN, Sierra Sun "If I can do this, I can do anything." This motto could be heard again and again as it bounced off the sun-baked benches and swept through the wooded trails at Tahoe Donner Cross Country last weekend. After nine years of dedicated service to the blind and visually impaired community, Sierra Regional Ski For Light continues to expand in numbers, notoriety and compassion. Returning to Tahoe-Donner for three days of fun and a bit of skiing, the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization's members gathered together to share their love of Nordic skiing and the outdoors. Part of the International Ski for Light program, Sierra Regional was born in 1992 thanks to the hard work of Regional Coordinator Betsy Rowell and her endless supply of family, friends and admirers. The event pairs volunteer guides with blind and visually impaired skiers, giving many participants their first opportunity to don cross country skis and feel the thrill of this challenging sport. "This event focuses on skiing, not on blindness," said skier Laura Oftedahl. Oftedahl, a recent Berkeley transplant, started skiing with the International program 21 years ago. In 1980, she was overweight, smoked cigarettes and had never been on skis in her life. With virtually no peripheral vision and severely limited sight, her chances of becoming a star athlete were slight. On Monday, Oftedahl could be seen gliding confidently around trails and smiling the entire time. For many visually impaired skiers, programs like Ski For Light provide opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them. While the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act put the needs, desires and dreams of the blind community in the national spotlight, vital details are often overlooked in the process of creating outdoor programs for visually impaired people. Downhill skiing programs for blind skiers are becoming more common, yet they often fail to encompass the greater picture that Ski for Light involves. "Alpine programs are a lot more inaccessible. They are available if you can find out about them, get yourself there and provide all of the necessary accommodations. This is not the easiest thing for a blind person to do," said skier Frank Welte. Modifications are being made in virtually every realm of sport for the visually impaired, yet often these changes upset the very nature of the activity. "You lose so much in changing the sport that it becomes less than what it was, that is the beauty of cross-country skiing. We are out here skiing like everyone else, nothing is different and you make your own moves," Welte added. For many visually impaired athletes, this is vital in their quest for acceptance and acknowledgement by the seeing public. "The best way to show the non-disabled public what we can do is to be out skiing. Maybe even to pass them on the trail just to prove that we are athletes too," program participant Jeff Thom asserted. Thom, an attorney for the State Legislature in Sacramento and the group's unofficial comedian, was drawn to cross country by Betsy over 14 years ago. "I would never give it up," he said. The pride with which Ski for Light's participants speak and carry themselves centers around their accomplishments on skis, but it extends into every aspect of their daily lives. They are students, professionals, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and role models, and the confidence they gain outdoors in athletic pursuits permeates everything they attempt. For volunteer guide Mark Landgraf, the dynamic of this amazing group is what makes teaching so rewarding. Mark learned about the program in a Sierra Club newsletter a year ago and this weekend joined them again to ski, teach and more importantly to learn from his skiing partner Kitti Aby. For Kitti, Mark was her eyes, her guide and her teacher. He pointed out ruts and irregularities along the course and dictated instructions as they cruised along the sun-softened snow. What Mark was not prepared for was how much of a teacher Kitti would be for him. In his 20 years of Nordic skiing, he had never learned to describe the feel of a turn without visual aides. Struggling to describe the perfect way to maneuver around a difficult bend, Mark found himself unable to correctly guide his partner through the turn. After blindfolding himself and using his senses to direct him, he suddenly understood how to take Kitti through the course. "I am teaching him too," Kitti said, smiling. Like many visually impaired people, Kitti lacks peripheral vision and has limited direct sight which makes many outdoor sports difficult. The crowds and speed associated with downhill skiing are often intimidating even for skiers with perfect sight, while cross country can be taken at a much slower pace. "Doing this gives me patience and confidence that helps me cope with losing my sight," added Kitti. Over 65 skiers and volunteers gathered together to share so much more than skiing at Tahoe Donner March 10-12. A passion for life, sport, the outdoors and each other was found in every individual whether they were out for the first time or the fiftieth. That is what Ski for Light is all about: exploring human potential and demonstrating the capabilities of blind and disabled persons not only to the general public but to themselves. Regional Roundup N.E. PA Regional Sports for Health July 29 to August 5, 2001 Land of the Vikings, Sherman PA (For those arriving by bus or plane, transportation will be provided from Binghamton NY.) Activities include hiking, tandem biking, canoeing, swimming, games, etc. Price starts at $335. for room and meals. For information contact: Allison C. Holder 13016 Shadyside Lane Germantown, MD 20874 Phone: 301-515-0627 e-mail: sports4health@aol.com New England Regional Summer Program June 23: 20 or 30 mile tandem bike ride in Lincoln, MA July 14: 10 mile 1 day canoe trip on the Merrimac river in Concor, NH August 3,4,5: Canoeing and hiking at the AMC lodge in Pinkham Notch, NH September 23: Day hike at Blue Hills in Milton, MA Reservations due by June 1. For further information call NERSFL at 508-660-9270 or email NERSFL@juno.com Fire at Great Glen Trails We were saddened to learn of a fire and explosion at Great Glen Trails, site of our 1998 SFL event. New England Regional also skis their every season. Repost from http://www.greatglentrails.com/winter/wconditions.html Saturday, March 24. Well, the good news is that no one was hurt. Both Nate and Scott and Napoleon got out of the building unharmed. In an early Friday morning explosion and fire, the entire lodge at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center was destroyed. Nothing but the massive chimney remains standing after a propane leak ignited by the return of power in the building following a power outage blew up the kitchen storeroom and fueled a fire that quickly consumed the timber frame structure. Due to the quick thinking of the crew on the scene at the time of the fire, the Piston Bully groomer and one of the snowmobiles was saved. Fire fighters were hampered by the ongoing snowstorm that was in the process of dropping 20" of heavy snow. Fire personnel from the communities of Gorham, Jackson, Bartlett, Berlin, Jefferson, Randolph and Cascade responded to the fire which was well underway before the first units could get to the scene. Planning meetings started today to assess what needs to happen next in order to be able to offer some level of service and recreation this coming summer season and to start the longer range plans for next winter. Stay tuned for more details as we develop them. Trails are officially closed however we invite you all to come out and enjoy the wonderful conditions that exist at Great Glen. As a thank you to our loyal pass holders and future pass holders, we will continue to groom 2 - 3 times a week. The donation box will be out. We welcome your comments and suggestions as we move forward in this rather difficult time. Howie We at Ski for Light wish them well as they rebuild. Giving Forward The goal of the Ski for Light Endowment Fund is to insure that SFL remains affordable and viable for all into the future. Only a portion of the income of the fund may be used to support the works of the organization, with the principal of all gifts to the Fund restricted as described in the Rules and Regulations of the Fund. Major gifts to the Fund like those of Valerie Anders, Bud Keith, Brit Peterson, Kjell Skavnes, Gordon and Jean larson, are important to the growth of the Fund. If your circumstances permit, please consider a major gift to the Endowment Fund. Gifts can be in the form of cash, securities, or other assets, and there may be substantial tax advantages involved which you should discuss with your attorney. You may also wish to consider including a gift to Ski for Light in your last will and testament by including a specific paragraph for that purpose in your will. Be sure to discuss this with your attorney, and tell him/her that Ski for Light is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) Tax Deductible Organization, Federal ID #51-0175938, located at 1455 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Laura Oftedahl, Chair of the Endowment Committee, is also available through the Ski for Light office if you wish to discuss your plans with her. List of SFL Sponsors Please remember to support these corporate sponsors whenever you can. Ambutech Backpacker's Pantry Bison Cascade Designs Chuck Roast Crazy Creek Devold Feathered Friends Grabber Performance Group Granite Gear Jansport Jytte Mau Designs Malkerson's Cycle Wild New Halls Wheels Optic Nerve Power Bar Princeton Tec REI Salomon SnoWalkers Thorlo Zukes The SFL bulletin is published three times a year. It is available in Print, on cassette, via email or on the web at www.sfl.org. To receive the e-bulletin, send a message to Judy Dixon at: judy@sfl.org. Editor: Vicki Post Email: bearger@sasquatch.com Editorial assistance: Laura Oftedahl Email: laura@sfl.org Layout and Graphics: Lisa Wangberg Email: lisa@sfl.org