SFL Bulletin Fall 1999 Ski for Light, Inc. 1455 W. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55408 Come to Colorado by Marie Huston As chairperson for the International Ski for Light event, I invite you to come celebrate with us! The 25th Anniversary of Ski for Light will return to the Rockies January 30-February 6 in Granby, Colorado. Winter is rapidly approaching, and the planning committee is hard at work designing a week to remember. Get your applications in to Brenda Seeger for guides, Judy Wilkinson for visually impaired skiers and Jeff Pagels for mobility impaired skiers. Check out our registration on the internet at www.sfl.org. See you here soon! Ridderren Trip 2000 The Ridderrenn, as many know, is a week of skiing in the mountains of Norway. Since SFL was based on the Ridderren, there are many similarities between the two programs. It is a week of incredible fun including ski training, a biathlon, 5, 10 and 20K races, sightseeing, and eating! The 2000 event will take place March 26 to April 2. If you are interested in going, or already know you are planning to go, then get in touch with Nancy McKinney to let her know your plans. Ski for Light will be happy to assist people with hotel needs in Oslo, transportation to and from the mountains, guides while up at Beitostolen and sightseeing adventures in Oslo including a trip to the U.S. Embassy. However, in return we ask you to notify Nancy of your intent to join the group as soon as possible--or no later than February 6, 2000. >From the President's Disk by Nancy McKinney As Ski for Light International looks to its 25th Anniversary, I am reminded of all of the wonderful things that have happened because of Ski for Light. These things include teamwork, regional programs, friendships, trekking trips in Colorado, sailing trips and even some marriages. The regional programs, however, are to me one of the best offshoots of Ski for Light. Regional programs involve skiing opportunities as well as hiking, canoeing, and other recreation. Locations of current Ski for Light Regions include: Colorado, New England, Pennsylvania, Puget Sound/Seattle, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Sierra Nevada, and Montana. These programs largely started because someone attended a Ski for Light International and decided that they wanted to bring the program to their home. Hopefully, Anchorage Alaska will soon be added to the list! Regionals vary in activities and encompass weekends or simply day trips. For example, the Puget Sound regional, which I have been participating in for 18 years, takes skiers and guides out for six day trips throughout the winter. We try to have up to 20 skiers and guides each time we ski. It is really fun to be able to have ongoing relationships with other guides and skiers throughout the season and the years. I recommend regional involvement, and hope more folks will choose to connect with the SFL magic in their area. A list of winter activities for regionals can be found in this issue of the SFL Bulletin, or on the SFL web site--www.sfl.org. I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Granby, Colorado. Until then, all my best to everyone for a happy and healthy holiday season. Many thanks to the board members and many committee members for all of their hard work this year. Winning for SFL Many SFL'ers know Kjell Skavnes as perhaps the quietest member of the "New Jersey Clan" that attends International events each year. On the ski tracks, he's a natural-born skier and a conscientious guide. But in his real life, cars take the front seat--and SFL is very lucky for that. That's because Kjell is a skilled race car driver, completing pro and club races all over--and winning big! Kjell has 67 national victories to his name, and has been maneuvering at speeds of 140 mph and more for twenty years. He currently races a Chrysler Neon. Off the race course, Kjell runs Reinertsen Saab dealership in Denville, NJ. But the most important part of this story is Kjell's generosity to Ski for Light. He flies the SFL banner on his car and donates the tens of thousands of dollars he wins to Ski for Light. Just recently, Kjell contributed $8,000 to the Ski for Light Endowment Fund. You are a real winner for us, Kjell, and hope your unique way of supporting SFL will inspire others to create fun and profitable ideas to build SFL's treasury. Thank you Kjell, and keep that engine running! Building tomorrow through the SFL Endowment Ski for Light has an ambitious goal of creating a $1 million Endowment Fund to ensure continuation of the program for years to come. Won't you consider a planned gift so that others can benefit from your efforts. Charitable Gift Annuities, Pooled Income Funds, and Charitable Trusts are all designed to help you preserve the assets you've worked so hard for throughout your life. At the same time, you can make a difference in the lives of others through charitable contributions to Ski for Light. Or perhaps one of these other gift ideas is right for you: - Gifts of Stock--a great way to minimize capital gains taxes and support SFL today. - Bequests--an easy way to leave your legacy while supporting SFL's mission tomorrow. If your wishes are complex, an attorney can help. Then contact SFL Endowment Chair, Laura Oftedahl, so that we know of your thoughtfulness. Laura can be reached by phone at (617) 923-7768 or e-mail: laura@sfl.org Get Ready to Ski at a Higher Level in Colorado by Jeff Pagels No, I don't mean to talk about how to prepare to ski at the 6,000 foot elevation we will find at Snow Mountain Ranch. I want to instead suggest that many of you skiers are ready to go to the next level in a quality ski experience on the Snow Mountain Ranch trails. To achieve that, here is what the Ranch Staff and SFL volunteers are going to do. When you start skiing on Monday, we will have already laid out and marked both the 5K and 10K course that will be used in the Saturday Race/Rally event. New this year will be kilometer markers that will tell you how far you are into the course. If we had to use one word to describe the difficulty of the trails this year, the word is EASY. For some of you, I expect a collective groan and whine that you are too good to use beginner trails. Here are three answers to your displeasure. First, there are plenty of other trails in the Snow Mountain Ranch system for you to explore and enjoy. Second, the SFL event is targeted at beginning skiers and teaching them to ski. And third, the so called EASY trails are where everyone can move up to the HIGHER level of skiing that I am suggesting. In order to go to that next level, here are some things to consider: 1. Getting Lost: We will try hard to properly sign the trails. In fact, we are going to spend some time with both guides and skiers before skiing on Monday to talk about what the trails signs mean and what to look for. But, its going to happen--someone will miss a sign and wander off in the wrong direction. If this happens to you, skiing at a higher level means you should not panic but rather enjoy the adventure! Work with your skiing partner to solve this little situation and find your way back home. First of all break the problem down. Realize that you are still in Colorado and probably still on Snow Mt. Ranch! Listen for other skiers, listen for music from the Lodge. Consider back tracking. Foremost, treat it as an adventure, don't blame others because you were not paying attention and enjoy the excitement of finding your way home! (Think of the stories you can tell in the hot tub that night!) 2. So You Think your Bored with easy Trails. It might interest you to know that I can ski pretty well in fact I was once the fastest sit skier in my class in the world. It also might interest you fast daring skiers that I love to ski on so-called EASY trails. So, to go to the next level of quality skiing, work on rhythm and pace. Work on technique that will allow you to ski faster with less effort. Take time to enjoy the quietness of the outdoors when one of the partners can reduce the constant chatter of "right, left, tree, rock". Both of you can just listen to the regular and quickened breathing as you pick up the pace with your new found improved technique. Skiing quietly is a perfect place to forget all your worries or to solve all those problems in the world. Quality skiing means exercise for your brain as well as your physical system. Well, that's it. Get ready to enjoy the special magic of a SFL. Keep it special by recognizing what an amazing opportunity we will have in Colorado. One final word: if you do have what you feel is a concern about the trail system, make sure you tell one of us volunteers who can either explain why things are the way they are, or make the changes needed. Need outdoor gear? Get it in the Sales Room! Pat Gabriel, Sales Room Coordinator If you're making your list for SFL 2000, remember the Ski for Light Sales Room! Due to the outstanding efforts of our Corporate Sponsor Committee, donations are way up. This means the Sales Room will be brimming with great hi-tech wear and gear again this year. All proceeds directly benefit SFL, so leave room in your suitcase. As of the Bulletin deadline, we're still awaiting final word from many of our corporate sponsors, so here's just a fraction of what you'll find in the Sales Room this year: Fleece Pullovers--JanSport with SFL Logo Handwarmers--Grabber Warmers Hats--Bula, Granite Gear & Jytte Mau SFL 2000 Event T-shirt--JanSport Neck Gaiters--Turtle Fur Norwegian Chocolate--Need we say more? Portable Camp Chairs--Crazy Creek Ski Tights--by Cycle Wyld Socks--Thorlo & Wyoming Wear Sunscreen--Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Sweatshirts--JanSport with 25th Anniversary Logo Water bottles--JanSport with 25th Anniversary Logo Of course we'll have a more complete list of merchandise in the coming weeks. So, if you're interested in something that's not on the list, send me an e-mail (no calls please!). We'll be happy to find out if the item will be available and let you know. Time to go wax my skis! Pat Gabriel, Sales Room Coordinator E-mail: pat@sfl.org Sewing and Skiing You know all of those wild tights worn on the Ski for Light trails? They come from two creative guys--twins--in Cable, Wisconsin. The business is Cycle Wyld, run by Jon and Joel Malkerson. The Malkersons are expert ski guides for SFL as well. They have donated many dollars to Ski for Light by giving the organization $10 for each pair of tights sold at the event. Joel and Jon started out making brightly colored clothing along with painting bicycle frames--hence the name Cycle Wyld. The bicycle painting only lasted two years, but the business of making tights for runners, skiers, rock climbers, wind surfers, aerobics people as well as bicyclists lived on. It started in the mid-1980's when the twins borrowed a sewing machine and created some really crazy ski suits to wear in the "Berkie". Being elite skiers, they started in the front row. They ended up on the front page of the Duluth newspaper with the caption, "For some skiers the Birkie is a fashion show" Their business has grown each year since then. Long-time SFL guide, Betty Johnson, introduced the Malkersons to Ski for Light, and we are certainly glad of that! Not only do skiers get cool tights--often to match the event shirt--but Ski for Light profits too! You can contact Cycle Wyld via e-mail at: wyld@win.bright.net SFL Regional Events Northern California Sierra Regional Ski for Light March 11-13, 2000 Contact: Betsy Rowell Tel: 916-362-5557 E-mail: betsy@unlimited.net Colorado Ski for Light February 25-27, 2000 Nordic Ski Center, Frisco, CO Petra Janes, Visually Impaired Coordinator Tel: 303-321-2646 Toll-free: 877-355-2627 Ron & Yvonne Barton, Guide Coordinator Tel: 303-798-2755 E-mail: ron.barton@dfas.mil Brenda Bertrand, Mobility Impaired Coordinator Tel: 303-986-6714 E-mail: bertrand@netone.com Michigan Regional Ski For Light Dates Pending Contact: Cheryl Wade Tel: 517-835-9572 Montana Ski for Light January 27-30, 2000 Yogo Inn, Lewiston, MT Contact: Sharon Larson Tel: 406-632-4706 New England Regional Ski for Light January 7-9, 2000 Great Glen Trails, NH March 3-6, 2000 Great Glen Trails, NH Contact: Claire Morrissette Tel: 508-543-6157, after 6 p.m. E-mail: clairem@ici.net Web site: http://members.xoom.com/NERSFL N.E. Pennsylvania Regional Winter Program February 9-13, 2000 Land of the Vikings, Sherman, PA Contact: Bjorg M. Dunlop Tel: 518-731-8741 E-mail: bjorgm@juno.com Black Hills Ski for Light Dates Pending Contact: Don Michlitsch Tel: 605-341-3626 Ohio Regional Ski For Light Dates Pending Contact: Leah Tudor Tel. TBD Seattle (Puget Sound) Ski for Light Jan 15, Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb 26-27, Mar 11, Mar 25 Contact: Maida Pojtinger Tel: 253-631-7904 E-mail: MPOJ@aol.com Wisconsin Regional Ski For Light January 21-22, 2000 Wisconsin Lions Camp, Rosholt, WI Contact: Beverly Helland Tel: 608-884-4955 E-mail: bhelland@madison.k12.wi.us SFL Family News Andy Volstad--Andy (O. Andrew) Volstad passed away on September 22, 1999 after suffering from a massive stroke. A service was held at the Norwegian American Lutheran Church with private internment. Andy served Ski for Light as a guide off and on since 1983. He was also a member of the board and served as secretary during 1991/92. Memorials for Andy are being made to either Ski for Light or the ELCA (Lutheran) Hunger Relief Fund. Andy will certainly be missed, especially by his good friend, Egil Almaas. John Novotny--As many know, John Novotny who is a world-class blind skier and has participated in SFL many times, is battling cancer. It started out as inoperable brain cancer, and has now metastasized to the lung area. John and his wife, Sue, wrote an "open letter" recently and expressed deep appreciation for the many messages folks have sent. However, John reports that he has again started chemotherapy and does not have the energy needed to answer hundreds of e-mail messages. So they hope that friends understand their situation, and may want to express thoughts in other ways. Fortunately, there have been a few exciting projects for John and Sue. They were featured in mid-October on the Oprah Winfrey Show in the three-minute segment called "raising your spirits." And, long-time friend, Jim Salestrom, is producing a CD of some of John's favorite music. John reports that the CD experience was one of the most exhilarating things he has ever done. We will include information on obtaining the CD in a future issue of the SFL Bulletin. And John and Sue hope to be at the Colorado event. John and Sue Novotny P. O. Box 886 451 Lincoln Breckenridge, CO 80424 Phone (970) 453-4583 Contributions can be made for the Novotny account: Amazing Grace Naturals P. O. Box 734 Breckenridge, CO 80424 Contributions can be made to the SCMEF and designated to the Novotnys Summit County Medical Emergency Fund (SCMEF) P. O. Box 7487 Breckenridge, CO 80424 Scott McCall--Many SFL'ers know Scott as the man behind the mic at morning and evening announcements at International events. Congratulations to Scott on his recent career advancement to Vice President of National Programs at the American Foundation for the Blind. Scott will work out of Atlanta. Trekk for Light is Back The Colorado Ski for Light summer llama trek in the Rawah Wilderness will be back for the millennium after a year's hiatus. It is scheduled for August 18-26, 2000. While no one will carry more than a daypack, the "trekk" (Norwegian for "pull") is still much more than a stroll in the park. Trails are steep and rocky, and the air is thin. We will hike from about 8500 feet above sea level to well over 11,000 feet covering up to six tough miles a day. Both guides and participants need to be in good physical condition, and pre-trekk training is a must. But the rewards are worth it! The cost per person for both guides and participants will be $500. If you would like to apply, either as a guide or a participant, contact: Chuck Bell Phone: 970-498-9888 Fax 970-498-9766. E-mail: bellbird@jymis.com Sail for Light Plans are now underway for the fourth Sail for Light event to be held in Boston in mid-September, 2000. This event is intended for blind and visually impaired individuals who wish to explore the joys of sailing as well as those individuals who possess sailing experience. If interested in participating, express your interest no later than February 15, 2000. contact: Chris Nason Phone: 781-388-9325 E-Mail: cnason@juno.com Rocky Mountain Federation of Handicapped Athletes Winter Park, Colorado Presents Winterfest Ski Program 2000- Jan. 23-30, 2000 Have you always wanted to try out downhill skiing but didn't know where to start? Or, are you an experienced skier, just in need of a guide? The Rocky Mountain Federation of Handicapped Athletes (RMFHA) will hold their annual Winterfest the week just prior to SFL in Winter Park, CO. This is a small and diverse group of disabled skiers who participate in the downhill ski program of Winter Park's National Sports Center for the Disabled. Skiing is available for six days, and you can choose to ski any or all of these days. Guides are reserved and provided through NSCD., and all you need to do is show up and be ready to ski. Cost is approximately $135 a day for everything. For more information, contact: John Anderson at: W: 970-887-5222 E-mail: anderson@rkymtnhi.com SFL Bulletin is published three times a year. Deadlines are April 1, August 1, November 1. Editor: Laura Oftedahl, 104 Coolidge Hill Road, Unit 7, Watertown, MA 02472. E-Mail: Laura_Oftedahl@wgbh.org Thank you Ski For Light Sponsors JanSport, Bison Designs, Alpina, Bula, Camel Back, Cascade Designs, Chuck Roast, Inc., Crazy Creek, Devold, Exel, Grabber Performance Group, Granite Gear, Halls Wheels, Hotfingers, Jytte May, Mountain Lift, Pearl Izumi, Rocky Mt Sunscreen, SAS Airlines, Thor-Lo, Turtle Fur, Wyoming Wear SFL is a member of ORCA, Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America