SFL Bulletin Summer 2002 Ski for Light, Inc.(R) 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 by Larry Showalter It is hot and humid in most of the country right now, but some people in the Ski for Light community are already thinking about snow, skiing and Alaska. That is because the SFL 2003 International Event will be held in Anchorage, Alaska next year. Event Chair Nancy McKinney and her planning committee are hard at work making plans for what is sure to be a memorable week. Those who attended SFL 1999 in Anchorage are still talking about it. Don't be left out this time around if you didn't attend. You will find detailed information about SFL 2003 and how to apply elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin. Event planning for 2003 is not the only thing going on this summer. Even though we are not skiing, SFL is a year-round activity. Several SFL people will be representing our organization at various Sons of Norway District Conventions and I will be speaking at their International Convention in Wisconsin in August. Other people will be attending the Outdoor Retail Trade Show in Salt Lake City to thank and re-sign previous corporate sponsors and to seek new supporters. Still others are investigating possible sites for future events, taking care of insurance and regulatory matters, submitting grant requests to foundations, sending out press releases and articles to magazines, ski clubs and similar organizations, and making plans for future fund-raising activities. The list seems to go on forever. The scope and breadth of Ski for Light activities illustrate that the work of SFL involves many people. All are volunteers, working for a common goal. Without the involvement and support of so many people SFL would not be what it is today. I am often asked by new people how they can help. There is no set answer to this question. Our needs are many and diverse but many of them require specific skills or organizational experience. The two givens, where anyone can help, are that we need guides and we need money. You can help attract new guides (and participants) by spreading the word about SFL in your local area, to friends, associates and wherever else possible. Word-of-mouth is our major way of attracting new people. On the money side, new people are often surprised to learn that we raise about $60,000 each and every year to offset event expenses and for the other activities involved in running the organization. Each event attendee would pay about $300 more without these fund-raising efforts. You can help here, depending on your circumstances, by considering a tax-deductible gift to SFL, by including a bequest to SFL in your will, or by letting us know about potential donors and supporters in your local area. No matter what your circumstance, you can help in at least one of these ways. It will be appreciated and it will make a difference. I look forward to seeing you in Anchorage. Ski for Light, 2003 by Nancy McKinney Ski for Light's 2003 event will be returning to Anchorage, Alaska! I am really excited to be working as the Event Chair making plans for our return to the Great White North. The event dates are February 23rd to March 2nd. We will be staying at the hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage. Plans are underway for us to ski at Russian Jack Springs, a park in the city of Anchorage. Not only does the park have wonderful trails, but you can ski back to the hotel on the Coastal Trail! So, what are you waiting for? Make your plans now to attend the 28th annual Event. You can apply on line at www.sfl.org; You can also request an application from one of the following applications coordinators: Lynda Boose, Visually Impaired Participant Applications Coordinator E-mail: lynda@sfl.org or Phone: (906) 250-7836; Brenda Seeger, Guide Applications Coordinator E-mail: brenda@sfl.org or Phone: ((507) 274-5502; and Jeff Pagels, Mobility Impaired Program Coordinator E-mail: jeff@sfl.org or Phone: (920) 494-5572. The Event Committee is planning to find things of local interest for us all to see and do. The event in 1999 was so much fun, and we hope to see everyone back in 2003. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at nancy@sfl.org. Recruiting for SFL Even though it's summer, SFL's recruitment committee is hard at work, and wants your help! CALLING ALL GUIDES! by Bjorg M Dunlop, Guide Recruitment Committee Tell your cross-country-skiing friends about SFL and invite them to join us as guides and share in the fun and camaraderie of the Ski for Light week. We get most of our new guides through word of mouth; an enthusiastic guide is the best Ski for Light ambassador. See you in Anchorage! TEN-HUTT!! The name is Brown. I'm the First Sergeant of the VIP Recruitment Platoon for SFL. Listen up, all you VIP vets! It's a well known military secret that those who have "re-upped" for several hitches at SFL and have had the experience of attacking the tracks and conquering the steep hills, both up and down, are the troopers who tell the best war stories about SFL. So here are your "battle" orders for our upcoming SFL 2003 campaign in Alaska. 1. Charge out into the field, (each person is a point person), and let out a battle cry for SFL. 2. Identify and "capture" potential new VIP recruits to add to the SFL ranks. 3. Encourage them to surrender without a fight by telling your best war stories, informing them about SLOP (Ski For Light's operating procedure), explaining the logistics of submitting an application and providing them with tactical intelligence , such as our web site address (www.sfl.org) or a copy of this newsletter. If you successfully recruit even one rookie VIP, you will be honored by receiving the coveted SFL "DRAFT" commendation medal (diligently recruiting another first-timer). You will also get a snappy salute from your first sergeant. So don't wait until you hear the bugle. Put on your combat boots and Gortex fatigues and get out there and kick butt for SFL! Skiing the Ridderren, Norway 2002 by Marvin Liewer The arena was a kaleidoscope of color and excitement as Duane Farrar and I, along with nearly 1000 other skiers, gathered for the start of the Ridderrenn. How exciting to be part of such a great athletic and cultural event. I was nervous with anticipation, knowing that my visually impaired skiing partner and I would soon be In the tracks with some of the fastest skiers In Norway and other countries of the world. We had skied in the 5k and 10k races earlier in the week and had learned that we were not fast enough to be in contention for a winning medal. This did not deter our competitive spirit, however. Duane strapped a Camelback water carrier on his back -- a signal that we would not be stopping at a water station for a drink. We were competing against a time we had set for ourselves. If we could ski the 20 kilometer course in less than two hours It would be the fastest either of us had ever skied. This was the 39th annual Ridderren, a race named after a legendary Knight's Race of Norwegian folklore. Erling Stordahl, a blind musician and well-known entertainer was responsible for organizing the original event. Each year, Ski for Light recognizes four people who have been instrumental in its program with an expense paid trip to attend the Ridderren in Norway. In 2002 I was one of the four so honored. I was chosen to guide Duane Farrar, a visually Impaired skier from Boston Massachusetts. Jean Larson of Spokane, Washington was selected to guide Dianne Brunswick, a sit skier, from Glendale, Arizona. Other people from the US also made the trip to Norway at their own expense. We flew to the capital city of Oslo and traveled by car to the mountain village of Beitostolen. We were lodged in a modern hotel with a food service that is legendary. Most of the meals were buffets with a greater quantity and variety of food than I had ever seen in my life. Imagine being hungry after a hard day of skiing and filling up your plate from a food line that extends for nearly 100 feet. One of the fun evening events was the awards ceremony on the three days of the competitive events. It was especially exciting for those of us from the USA, as Dianne Brunswick, guided by Jean Larson, powered her way to a first place medal in each of the three events she entered. She was impressive. After a week of skiing we spent three days in Oslo where we took in such attractions as the Homenkollen Ski Museum, War Resistance Museum, Norwegian Folklore Museum, Viking ship museum-, Vigeland Sculpture Park and the American Embassy. Staying downtown and touring in a busy European city was a new, fun, and educational experience for me. Back to the Ridderren for the final race of the week. The weather was warm the day before and the snow became wet and mushy. The tracks were set late in the evening, and during the night, they froze. The weather stayed cold on race day resulting in tracks that were icy and fast. The race is a timed event with skiers starting every 30 seconds. The excitement builds as one waits his turn in the starting lane. I cautioned Duane to control his energy at the start and set a pace that would not exhaust us before completing the event. Matching his pace was a real challenge for me. I not only had to keep up with him but also had to maintain enough wind to be able to describe the track and snow conditions. We got off to a good start and soon passed the person that started 30 seconds ahead of us. Good for morale. We negotiated the first gentle climb and started down the first hill. The track was much faster than earlier in the week, yet it never occurred to us to control our downhill speed. The track made a long sweeping curve to the right. As speed picked up, centrifugal force pulled Duane out of his tracks and he eventually went down. Being very athletic he was quickly up. His body was in fine shape, but his ski pole was severely bent. Fortunately I was able to bend it back reasonably well. We were off again. A long flat stretch gave us time to assess the situation and modify our course of action. Because of the speed of the track, we decided we would tandem down future hills. This would enable me to telegraph changes in the track such as bumps, right and left turns more effectively-than by verbal communication alone. Of course this meant that I would have to stay on my feet lest we crash together. We settled into a good pace and negotiated some downhill runs quite well. Halfway through the course we were several minutes under one hour. We felt good but the real test was yet to come. The second half of the trail began with a long, steady climb. The harsh frozen snow had worn most of the wax off our skis and we were slipping. It made for an exhausting and frustrating climb. It helped to know that we would be rewarded with a long downhill run once we reached the top of the mountain trail. Eventually the trail leveled off and we were able to catch our breath. We were now above tree line and we could see the grand expanse of the Jotunheimen mountains. It seemed like the snow and mountains went on forever. It was exhilarating, and our bodies felt a new surge of energy. Our speed picked up. We were soon beginning the long descent. For some reason it was difficult to judge the degree of slope by sight. It seemed like a gentle decline but the wind in our face gave us a sense of accelerating speed. Knowing that our legs were tiring, we occasionally kicked into a snow plow with one ski and negotiated the thrilling run without major mishap. We were soon back in the valley bottom and could hear the noise at the finish line. We had a bit of adrenaline left and with one last push we were there. Time -- one hour and fifty-two minutes. We did it! A medal was placed around our necks. (Everyone is a winner and gets a medal.) We congratulated each other for a great race and a great week. Ridderren 2002 was the adventure of a lifetime. Everyone that makes Ski for Light the program that it is helped make this experience possible for me. My thanks and a big hug to all of you! Why Not Try Something New? Have you wondered how you would feel floating down a river through the wilderness, shooting through a fast moving rapid, relaxing with friends around a campfire, or falling asleep on a sandy beach under the stars? Here is your opportunity for a unique wilderness adventure. A six-day white water raft trip is being organized for late July 2003. The trip traverses 80 miles of the Main Salmon River, known as the "River of No Return," in the mountains of central Idaho. Its grand scenery, history, big waves, hot springs, hiking, diverse wildlife and giant sandy beaches make this river canyon one of the most magical in the country. There will be plenty of time for relaxing, for fishing, or for off-river exploring. Each night you will make camp on a sandy beach beside the river. Never been on a white water raft trip before? Then this trip is perfect for you if you are comfortable with wilderness camping. ARTA, Inc. has been our outfitter for previous river trips and ARTA's experienced, licensed river guides will again lead this trip. Space is limited, so act early. To make your reservation contact: Dick Ashley, e-mail: dickashley@juno.com or phone: (703) 892-9082. For additional details contact Dick or visit ARTA's web site at www.arta.com. Regional Round-Up Ski for Light's many regional affiliates offer a variety of outdoor activities; this is a great way to build on your initial SFL experience, and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Sports for Health, July 28 to August 4 Land of the Vikings, Sherman PA Hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, etc. Contact: Allison Holder E-mail: sports4health@aol.com A Day of Kayaking, July 13, 2002 The Ionia State Recreational Area Sponsored by the Western Michigan Coastal Kayaking Association Contact: Jim Ellickson Phone: (989) 224-8288 E-mail: ellickson@voyager.net Black Hills Regional Ski for Light Camping, boating, water skiing, fishing, Dates: July 19-21, 2002 Lake Angustura This is a program for both blind-visually impaired and physically disabled persons. Cost: $20 per person, meals and equipment provided Bring your own swim suit and sleeping bag. transportation from Rapid City can be provided. Canoe trip, September 6-8, 2002 Niobra River, near Valentine Nebraska camping and canoeing Cost: $20 per person. Meals, canoe and paddle, and tents are provided. Transportation from Rapid City is available. For additional information contact: Black Hills Regional Ski for Light PO Box 3707 Rapid City, South Dakota 57709 Phone: (605) 341-3626. New England Regional Ski for Light Editor's Note: The contact information for all the following NERSFL summer events can be found at the end of this list. New Hampshire weekend: July 19-21, 2002 Cranmore Mountain Lodge, Conway, NH You can hike both days, boat on the Saco River both days, or do a day of each. Cost: $145 per person This includes 2 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches and Saturday evening dinner. Canoeing on the Concord River: Saturday, August 17, 2002 Cost: $15 Meet at the South Bridge Boat House, Bring your own bag lunch. Hiking in the Blue Hills: Saturday, September 21, 2002 Cost: $10 Bring your own bag lunch. For more information on all NERSFL summer events, please contact Marie Hennessy; Phone: (781) 321-1071. Winter Events This coming winter, many of the SFL regional ski events will precede the week-long International Event in Alaska. They could offer you a great way to get in shape ahead of time. This is not a complete list of winter events; that will come in the fall, but this might help you start planning your winter. Black Hills Regional Ski for Light Dates: January 26-30, 2003 Deer Mountain, Deadwood, SD Cost: Approximately $180 This includes four days of cross country or downhill skiing for blind/visually impaired or physically disabled persons, ski equipment, lodging, noon meals, 2 evening meals, and awards banquet. Transportation can be provided from Rapid City. Stipends may be available. For additional information contact: Black Hills Regional Ski for Light PO Box 3707 Rapid City, South Dakota 5770 Phone: (605) 341-3626 Wisconsin Regional Ski for Light Dates: January 22-24, 2003 Wisconsin Lions Camp, Rosholt, WI Contact: Bev Helland 10168 Edgerton, WI 53534 Phone: (608) 884-4955 E-mail: bhelland@madison.k12.wi.us Michigan Ski for Light Dates: January 24-26, 2003 For more information, go to: www.msfl.org Colorado Regional Ski For Light Dates: January, 24-26, 2003 Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby, CO Cost: $100 YMCA Cabins contact: Dave Thomas E-mail: yourdama@ecentral.com Sierra Regional Ski For Light Dates: March 8 - 10, 2003 Tahoe Donner Cross Country, Truckee, CA Contact: Julie Lisenby Phone: (916) 362-5759 E-mail: julis823@pacbell.net SFL Family News SFL guide, Kari Heistad has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays scholarship to study multi-cultural education in New Zealand. The five-week program will concentrate on the Maori tribe, the indigenous population of New Zealand. Congratulations, Kari, and have a safe trip. Skier and Board member, Laurinda Lacey underwent yet another surgery for a tumor in the lining of the brain. She is recovering nicely, but says her strength is coming back slowly. She says short walks around the block still tire her, but she is her usual resilient self and is already back at work. she will begin radiation treatments later this summer. We wish her a full and speedy recovery. Our intrepid Jeff Pagels is organizing another climb, this one to Africa's 19,340 ft. Mt. Kilimanjaro. Jeff's Rainbow Expedition, "Putting People With Disabilities on Top of the World" is planning the 96K three-week climb for October of 2003. A team of disabled climbers is now being organized. Estimated cost is going to be somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000 per person depending on flights to Africa. If you have a disability or are interested in guiding on this trip, contact Jeff at pagelj@aol.com. More information can be found at the Rainbow Website, http://members.aol.com/Rainbowex/Rainbow-Expedition.html. In order to raise funds for this trip, the core team is once again selling commemorative sponsor T-shirts produced by Jansport. The shirts are long sleeve, rust in color, and have a beautiful picture of the African Landscape with Mt. Kilimanjaro as the center piece. Price is $30.00 for the shirt and shipping. Contact Jeff if you would like to order a shirt. The Goodfellow Fund By Nancy McKinney Sometimes people have the names that fit them. In the case of Marilou Goodfellow her name not only suited her it was her entire being. As a young woman, Marilou was a preschool teacher for visually impaired children. In the late 1970s she met and connected with Svea Karlsen, one of the founders of the Puget Sound Ski for Light Regional program. Marilou began guiding at that regional, and it wasn't long before she was also guiding at International events. Marilou didn't get involved in politics. For about ten years she came, she guided, and she quietly made a difference in the lives of all of those who came into contact with her. Unfortunately, Marilou passed away early in life, the result of a tragic accident. After she died, in 1990 the SFL Board created the Goodfellow Fund. The fund was created to honor her memory and the impact that she had on so many lives. Donations to the fund were to be used to support guides and guide-related activities at the International Event. Guide-related activities include such items as guide stipends, guide training, guide recruitment, etc. These activities cost Ski for Light more than $10,000 per year. It has been some time since we have publicized the Goodfellow Fund. We are correcting that situation with this announcement. If you were a friend of hers, are one of the many whose life she influenced, or you simply want to make a donation that is earmarked for guides, please consider a gift to the Goodfellow Fund. Donations will be used for the guide-related expenses mentioned previously. In so doing, you will not only honor the spirit of a woman who was truly beautiful in every sense of the word, you will honor the spirit of Ski for Light. Marilou was not only a guide and local volunteer in Seattle, she was my mother's sister -- my aunt. She is the person who invited me to attend a local regional event. Mine is only one of the many lives she changed. List of SFL Sponsors Please remember to support these corporate sponsors whenever you can. Jansport Backpackers Pantry Bison Belts Bolle Bushnell Crazy Creek Products Feathered Friends Gekko Gear Grabber International Granite Gear Hind Jytte Mau Kelty National Geographic Maps New Hall's Wheels Optic Nerve/Mountain Shades Patagonia Pearl Izumi Planet Dog Polarmax Power Bar Princeton Tec Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Silver Creek Lodging Thor-lo How's your format? The Ski for Light Bulletin is published in ink-print and on audio-tape cassette. Each issue is also distributed via e-mail to those who have requested it. Would you prefer the e-bulletin to what you are receiving now? You would receive each bulletin sooner, Ski for Light would save a few dollars, and you might have a version of the bulletin that you like as well as or better than what you are receiving now. If interested in changing to the e-bulletin format send your request to Judy Dixon at judy@sfl.org The SFL Bulletin is published three times a year. Remember that your contributions and feedback are always most welcome. You may submit articles as e-mail or as a word attachment; if you do not have e-mail, you may send a typed article through the mail. Send all items to: Vicki Post E-mail: vickip@sfl.org Address: 1849 Clay St. #2, San Francisco, CA 94109. The deadline for the fall Bulletin is October 15th, 2002. We look forward to hearing from you. Ski for Light, Inc. is a registered trademark Editor: Vicki Post E-mail: vickip@sfl.org Layout and Graphics: Brenda Seeger E-mail: brenda@sfl.org Invaluable special assistance: Judy Dixon E-mail: judy@sfl.org