2022 Ski for Light International Event: Virtually Anywhere---Again!

The Ski for Light Board of Directors was extremely disappointed that we had to cancel our annual International Event, yet again in 2022. We sprang into action, quickly contacting Snow Mountain Ranch, sending out refunds to registrants, and cancelling other contracts related to the event. We took a deep breath-and decided we COULD still share and learn if we organized another virtual event!

The remote gathering took place from March 23 to 25 via Zoom. Our new president, Julie Coppens, provided a smashing opener at the Wednesday night welcome session with her heartfelt rendition of one of my favorite Supremes songs, "Someday, We'll Be Together," singing, "Someday, We'll Ski Together!" Nancy Stevens presented a brief overview of the Ridderrenn, the Norwegian cross-country ski event, where the idea of SFL was born. We learned about the upcoming fitness and special interest sessions and heard a preview of Friday night's fabulous auction items. Past president Tim McCorcle presented the Bjarne Eikevik President's Award to those who have hung in with SFL during these difficult times -- all of us! We held two fitness sessions during the event. Marie Pacini, back by popular demand, presented Yoga 2, a more advanced version of yoga as a follow-up to the one she led last year. On Friday, Debbie Impiazzi offered a full body warm up session, and we followed it up with Core Strength and Balance by Betsy Fisher.

Registrants could participate in four interactive special interest sessions, including one offered by Larry Povinelli and Susan Bueti-Hill on Space Camp, one by Amy White and Bonnie O'Day on long-distance bicycling, one by Marie and Chuck Huston on the Great American Loop Boating Trip, and a very engaging advocacy discussion hosted by Marian Wildgruber. Each session had more than 50 attendees and many of them asked questions and participated in a healthy discussion after the presentation.

We closed the formal part of the 2022 virtual event with a live auction, organized by Judy Dixon and Bonnie Hartman, and moderated by Ron Stubbings. Thanks to our corporate sponsors and generous donations from our SFL supporters, we had a wonderful time and raised almost $7,000 for the organization.

What would an SFL event be without informal gatherings to connect with old and new friends? After the auction, we hosted three Zoom rooms, and I understand that conversation and conviviality went on well into the night.

I would like to thank the virtual event organizing committee: Julie Coppens, Judy Dixon, Karen Wood, and Melinda Hollands, as well as our Zoom aficionados Jim Denham, Judy Dixon, Tim McCorcle, Sheri Richardson, and Rick Moran. We could not have pulled this off without all of you!

Although this year's online program was a success, I sincerely hope I will not need to chair a virtual event committee next year! I would much rather ski, share, and learn in person!