Fall 2007
News and Information about the People and Programs of SFL International
Skiing. Sharing. Learning
The mission of Ski for Light is to enhance the quality of life and independence of visually or mobility-impaired adults through a program of cross country skiing.
Winter will soon be upon us, and with colder temperatures and snow will come the chance for all of us to get out on the tracks and do some cross country skiing. In this issue of the Ski for Light Bulletin you will hear about many events and locations where you can do just that. Included, of course, will be an update on plans for our 2008 SFL event scheduled for Bend and Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon next February. In addition, you will learn about the plans and programs of the nine SFL regional programs, SFL Canada, SFL Japan, and the Ridderrenn in Norway. I hope that you will take advantage of all of the work and planning that have gone into these events by getting out there and participating.
This is an election year for Ski for Light, with sixteen seats on the Board up for election. We need a steady stream of new people to serve on the Board. New members bring energy and enthusiasm that keeps the organization vibrant. New members are the lifeblood for any organization like SFL. If you have a passion for the work that we do plus skills and abilities that you think would be useful in operating the organization, please give some serious thought to running for a seat on the Board. Elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin you will learn how to make known your interest in serving on the Board, and how to run for one of those seats.
Also up for election at the Annual Meeting of the Board in February will be all officer positions. In SFL we have six officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Directors-at-Large. Each office is for a term of two years, with a limit of three consecutive terms in the same office for any person, excepting the Secretary and Treasurer. I am completing my third and hence final term as President of Ski for Light, Inc., so in February our organization will have a new President. But I will not be fading totally away. I will be around and still involved in many aspects of our work. Most importantly, I intend to give my successor, whomever that may be, the full support and assistance necessary for a smooth and seamless transition. I know that all of you will do the same.
It has been my honor and privilege to be your President for these past six years. I hope that in some ways I've made a difference. Personally, some of the most rewarding things for me have been supporting the growth and the future of the SFL endowment fund, overseeing the creation of a high-quality annual report, and helping new people get involved with the Ski for Light organization. I know that in most fundamental ways the organization is healthy and vibrant, and that is a good way to leave things. Thanks to all of you who worked so hard and made my job that much easier.
As most of you already know, the 2008 edition of Ski for Light will be held in Bend, Oregon, February 10-17. We will stay in Bend and ski at nearby Mt. Bachelor, which boasts both Nordic and Alpine skiing. The Ski for Light Planning Committee is already at work getting ready for our first International event to be held in the Northwest.
We'll go from a dearth of snow in New Hampshire to an embarrassment of riches at Mount Bachelor, where the average snowfall is 370 inches. The Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center has 56 kilometers of groomed and double-tracked trails, and just across the parking lot from the Nordic Center is the Mt. Bachelor downhill ski area. You might want to think about arriving prior to the event or staying after to take advantage of the Alpine skiing opportunities it has to offer.
Bend is a smallish town of 75,000 outdoor and sports-oriented people. The town itself is charming, teeming with boutiques, galleries, restaurants, bars and brew pubs, and shops. It is a huge mountain biking region.
We'll have our usual lineup of skiing, special-interest sessions, the ever-popular silent auction, raffle and talent show, Norway Night, and something new this year, a totally on your own "night on the town." Folks can team up and take the hotel shuttle to downtown Bend-just 5 minutes away-- and explore what the town has to offer, or, you can choose to take the night off and relax at the hotel, have a bite to eat at the pool-side cafe or at the bar, or just hang out in the lobby or your room.
The Riverhouse Resort Hotel has lots of amenities, including a beautiful, newly opened convention center where we will take our meals and have our meetings and events. There are indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a lounge with live music and dancing six nights a week.
I have skied at the Nordic area, and it is beautiful. The trails are wide and surrounded by trees set far beyond the tracks. There are some gentle trails and some more challenging ones, but our trail crew will come up with tracked routes that will be interesting and provide safe skiing for everyone.
More information about the event, answers to your frequently asked questions, and easy-to-complete online applications are available now on our website at www.sfl.org.
Applications have been pouring in from all over, but many this year are from the Pacific Northwest region. If any of you know of skiers who are hesitating to apply, this would be the year to do it-we should have plenty of guides.
We're all very excited about what will be one of the larger events we have had in several years.
I look forward to seeing everyone in February.
Plans are already being made for the SFL Silent Auction to be held in Bend, Oregon this year!
What do you plan to donate? Something handmade? Something local from your area? A gift? Something to eat or drink, a toy, artwork or a game? Something to wear, outdoor gear, or jewelry? Don't forget, a stay at a bed and breakfast, a get-away vacation or an adventure travel trip are great donations.
The Silent auction is a fun and very important part of our week. The auction plays an important role in financing our Ski for Light events, and you can have a fun afternoon on auction day previewing the goodies you'll bid on later. And, during the bidding, get into the spirit by out-bidding other bidders.
If you do not want to bring your donation with you, you can send it to:
SFL Silent Auction
c/o Bruce Meland
63603 Pioneer Loop
Bend, OR 97701
He will store your item until the SFL week.
We can't wait to find out what you are bringing!!
Any questions? Contact Rich Lindholm richlindholm@comcast.net Sheryl Lindholm sheryllindholm@comcast.net
Or call us at: Phone: (941) 926-9276
The 45th annual Ridderrenn 20 kilometer race will be held April 5, 2008. Ridderweek, the week-long fun and ski filled event in Beitostolen, Norway is March 30-April 6.
Join the "official" Ski for Light team of two skiers and two guides and enjoy the spirit and friendship of a large international group of cross country skiers. Try your hand at target shooting by participating in the biathlon; ski the 5 k or 10 k race for women and men mid-week, and finish up by participating in the 20 k Ridderrenn on Saturday.
The skiing at Beitostolen is fantastic! Groomed 2, 5, and 10 k tracks are available during the week for practicing your technique, for skiing and enjoying the scenery. Some folks pack a lunch so they can have a trail-side picnic. Technique sessions are available during the week, as well.
Our hotel at Beitostolen is next to a small downhill ski area and one of the new events of the week is a competitive downhill slalom race. It's fun to join the crowd to cheer on the racers.
The hotel is comfortable and friendly, the food fantastic and so plentiful you'll want to ski some extra kilometers to work it off!
The week boasts a talent show, music, dances, award ceremonies with the musicians of the King's Guard drumming and trumpeting to celebrate the winners, an auction to raise money for the RRV (Ridderrennets Venner-Friends of the Ridderrenn), and receptions.
After Ridderweek, folks stay a few extra days in Oslo to sightsee with a long time SFL friend and Oslo tour guide.
Plan to arrive in Oslo no later than Saturday, March 29 (leave the U.S. no later than Friday, March 28), and then spend a few days in Oslo after Ridderweek to see the beautiful and historical sights it has to offer.
I will host a Special Interest session on Ridderweek during SFL International Week if you would like to learn more. Or, if you can't wait, please contact me via e-mail at mlelmquist@aol.com or by phone at 515-279-3681.
SFL guide, Karen Showalter, tied the knot on October 20th in Stowe, Vermont. She and her new Husband, Michael Beevers, met while serving in the Peace Corps in Niger, Africa several years ago; we wish them well in their new life together.
Most of those involved with Ski for Light, Inc. know how instrumental the Sons of Norway has been in our history, but you may not be aware of the involvement by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington and some of its ambassadors.
Knut Vollebaek, ambassador from 2001 to 2007, and his wife, Ellen Sofie Aadland Vollebaek attended Ski for Light International in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 2004 and Granby, Colorado in 2005. Although they were not able to be there for the entire week, the Vollebaeks each served as a guide and participated in other aspects of the program. Ambassador Vollebaek was even spotted helping to load rental skis into a van for return to the shop. They truly embraced all that Ski for Light means.
In the years the Vollebaeks were not able to attend, they were sure to send a representative from the Embassy. And, true to their commitment to Ski for Light, last April the Vollebaeks hosted a fundraising reception at the Embassy to benefit the SFL Endowment Fund.
Ambassador Vollebaek was not the first Norwegian ambassador to attend the International event. Soren Sommerfelt, who served as ambassador from 1974 to 1979, guided at 8 events and was planning to be in Anchorage in 2003 He died at the end of that year.
Ambassadors Kjeld Vibe and Tom Vrallsen did not physically attend, but each became a life member of Ski for Light.
The commitment of Norwegian ambassadors to Ski for Light underscores the rich heritage and strong connections between SFL, Norway, and its Norwegian "parent," the Ridderrenn, after which SFL was modeled. SFL continues to send a team of two skiers and two guides to participate in the Ridderrenn (joined by a corps of other SFLers who want to experience that unique event).
We're sorry to lose Ambassador Vollebaek to his new post as High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and we wish him well in his new and important endeavor. Our heartfelt thanks to the Vollebaeks for continuing the relationship between our Norwegian roots and Ski for Light. And we hope to welcome his successor, Mr. Wegger Christian Strømmen in Bend, Oregon, February 10-17, 2008.
Tusen Takk!
The second annual women's triathlon camp for women who are blind, and women who are interested in learning to guide will be held: When: April 17 through 20 2008 Where: Glenwood Springs Colorado Hot Springs Lodge and Athletic club What: Two and a half days of instruction in Swim, Bike and run techniques by Roaring Fork women's triathlon team members and coaches, and 3 time world champion blind triathlete Nancy Stevens. Ski for Light was well represented at the first camp with 2 guides and 3 blind women participating. SFL guide, Karen Ishibashi, guided blind athlete, Lori Miller, a first-timer at the camp.
"I am so honored to have been a participant in this superbly organized and Conducted camp. During our Mini-tri at the end of the camp, I was amazed by how my guide and I synchronized our swimming strokes, pedaled with a time trial style over the cycling course, and settled into a comfortable yet Competitive rhythm for the run. I am a former Paralympic cyclist and have Competed in many other sports, but crossing the finish-line in the triathlon gave me a sense of accomplishment like no other individual sport has. I felt as if I had faced a challenge and overcome the obstacles. What I enjoyed most was that we are individual athletes, yet we are a team. Goals were set and met while at the camp and goals were set for the future. I sincerely hope that other athletes will consider Pursuing The sport of triathlon. See you on the course!" For more information, contact Nancy Stevens: Phone: (970) 945-2171 E-mail: Nancy@nancyspeaks.com
Have you ever wondered about or even considered running for Election to the Ski for Light Board of Directors? Ski for Light is governed and managed by an elected Board of Directors of up to 30 guides, participants and others. The Board is a working Board, with each member expected to take an active role in some aspect of the work we do. About half of the seats on the Board will be up for election next February. If you are interested in knowing more about the duties and responsibilities of Board membership, and more about the process for applying, please read on.
Any interested person may nominate himself/herself. You may also nominate another person, as long as you have their permission to do so. Nominations must include a biographical paragraph from the nominee that includes a description of past and/or current involvement in the work of Ski for Light, a statement about possible future areas of involvement or responsibility that would be of interest to the nominee if elected to the Board, and anything else that the nominee thinks is important or relevant. All nominations will be considered and the election will be held on Friday, February 8, 2008 in Bend, Oregon. The deadline for receipt of nominations shall be forty (40) days prior to the Annual Meeting. That date for receipt of nominations is December 30, 2007.
Please send all nominations to Bud Keith, Chair of the SFL Board Development and Elections committee. Please send your biographical sketches as e-mail attachments to: budkeith@comcast.net by December 30, 2007. If you do not have access to a computer, you may send clearly typed or printed material to him at 737 N. Buchanan Street, Arlington VA 22203. December 30 falls on Sunday, so make sure you send the material early enough to arrive by December 29. For further information feel free to call Bud at (703) 528-4455 before 9:30 pm eastern time.
Do you get an extra big rush on race day at Ski for Light? Could you ever imagine yourself skiing your heart out and representing the U.S. at the Paralympics? Are you called to take your skiing ability and fitness level to new heights? If so, you might take a serious look at the U.S. Disabled ski team.
The Disabled Ski team started after the war as an offshoot of the U.S. ski team; it consisted, primarily, of veteran amputees. However, according to Nordic head coach, John Kremealmeyer, visually impaired skiers have always been a small but integral part of the team. In 1992, there were four blind skiers on the team; however, at present, the Disabled ski team consists of six sit skiers, a notable one being Andy Soule, a veteran from the Afghan war. Kremealmeyer says he would love to see some visually impaired skiers' names added to the team roster.
Me, you think? Not possible! As it happens, Ski for Light has been a springboard for a number of former team members. Some familiar names include Jeff Pagels who medaled twice as a sit skier, John Novotny, Nancy Stevens and Michelle Drolet. Drolet, who medaled in the 1994 Paralympics, says she got "all fired up" about the team when she was still a new skier at SFL. At the time, she knew she was interested, but thought this an outrageously unattainable idea. However, Drolet says the dream never really went away, and as her skiing improved, she found encouragement and resource from several SFL guides. So, it's never too soon to contemplate the idea.
So just what is it you would be contemplating? According to coach Kremealmeyer, this is high-level competition, which includes rigorous training and extensive travel. To succeed, Kremealmeyer says you have to love the idea of pushing yourself beyond your known physical and mental limits. According to former members Nancy Stevens and Michelle Drolet, it was intense, mostly fun, and a lot of hard work.
Both Stevens and Drolet say the most challenging part was finding enough guides to do the required training. Stevens says she devoted about 15 hours a week to her workouts; during her time on the team, she lived in Frisco, Colorado, and even with access to guides, she says it took work to find enough guides for all the races. Drolet, on the other hand, had a job in New Jersey which she did not want to leave; so, she had the added challenge of finding places to ski in between competitions. The most rewarding part, for both skiers, was the journey to getting on the team, which included achieving a new level of physical fitness and having the chance to be part of a team and work with many wonderful people. Drolet says that even though standing on the podium was exhilarating, she is most grateful for what she learned about herself along the way. Some tips for success in this adventure include: Move to a snowy location where you can ski every day or as much as possible; be flexible and learn to work with all manner of guides; be a good fund-raiser; practice patience with yourself and with people around you; and, according to Drolet, it really helps if you're young!
Most team members have jobs and/or families to manage, and, according to coach Kremealmeyer, most need time to fully understand what is expected from them. For example, once you start training for the team, it can still be several years before you qualify; skier Nancy Stevens says it will be at least two years before you start finding sponsors, and it will require an unwavering commitment to keep going when it gets difficult. Still, Drolet says that being part of the U.S. Disabled Ski team is an amazing opportunity for growth, challenge and fun; and "if you feel called to try," she says, "you should absolutely go for it."
If you are interested, or if you would like more information, you can contact John Kremealmeyer: E-mail: jkxcski@yahoo.com
You can also visit the website: www.usskiteam.com Follow the link for Disabled for more information. In the meantime, get out and ski every chance you get!
The nine regional programs offer many different opportunities to enhance your SFL experience, and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Following is the list of regional activities for this winter, plus information about the programs of Ski for Light Canada and Ski for Light Japan. Happy trip planning!
Black Hills Regional Ski for Light January 20-24, 2008 Deadwood, SD (605) 341-3626 info@bhsfl.org www.bhsfl.org
Colorado Regional Ski for Light 25th Anniversary Winter Event January 25-27, 2008 Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby CO Contact: Brenda Bertrand 3425 S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8342 bbertrand@craighospital.org www.cosfl.org
Michigan Regional Ski for Light Friday PM, Saturday & Sunday, January 18, 19, 20, 2008 Please see web site for information. www.msfl.org Contact: Jim Ellickson 810 West Park Street St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 224-8288 msfl@msfl.org
Montana Regional Ski for Light March 2-6, 2008 West Yellowstone, MT Contact: Ed Durbin (406) 538-7151 tedurbin@midrivers.com www.sflmt.org
New England Regional Ski for Light www.nersfl.org January 4-7, 2008 Craftsbury Outdoor Center Craftsbury Common, VT Ski and snowshoe right from your door. Cost: $230 (includes meals) Second weekend: February 22-24, 2008 White Mountains, Gorham, New Hampshire Skiing and snowshoeing at Bear Notch and/or Great Glen Trails Cost for this event: $140
For both events, contact: Cindy Wentz (617) 926-8488 cindy2u@comcast.net
Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Ski for Light January 13-20, 2008 Land of the Vikings Sherman, PA Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, hiking and other activities. Contact for Guides: Bjorg M. Dunlop (518) 731-8741 bjorgmd@aol.com Contact for blind participants: Barry and Louise Wood (201) 868-3336
Puget Sound Regional Ski for Light Six Saturday day trips: January 5 and 19, February 2 and 16, and March 1 and 15, 2008 Travel from Seattle via chartered bus to the Trollhaugen Sons of Norway Lodge, Erling Stordahl Snow Park, Stampede Pass, WA Cost for skiers: $80 for the season or $20 per trip Contact: Doug Sundberg (206) 297-7579 svensun@juno.com
Sierra Regional Ski for Light www.srsfl.org SATURDAY DAY TRIPS: Open to children and adults at Tahoe Donner Cross Country, Truckee, CA. Dates are: Saturday, January 12, 2008; sign up by January 7 Saturday, February 9, 2008; sign up by February 4 Contact: Betsy Rowell (916) 362-5557 montbets@pacbell.net 16th ANNUAL THREE-DAY EVENT: March 8 - 10, 2008 Skiing: Tahoe Donner Cross Country, Truckee CA Lodging: Best Western Truckee Tahoe Inn, Truckee, CA Contact: Cindy Quintana (510) 483-2948 cindyq12345@sbcglobal.net
Wisconsin Regional Ski for Light
January 18-20, 2008 Wisconsin Lions Camp Rosholt, WI Contact: Bev Helland 10168 Amber Trail Edgerton, WI 53534 (608) 884-4955 bevhelland@yahoo.com
Ski for Light Canada February 4-10, 2008 Vernon, British Columbia Contact: Barry Nelson (604) 463-8777 barrynel@telus.net http://members.shaw.ca/sflcanada
Ski for Light Japan 13th Annual Program January 12-14, 2008 Fukushima, JAPAN Contact: Toshiaki Aomatsu info@sflj.org www.sflj.org
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