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.
By Marion Elmquist
Hello All!
I'm sure that as you're reading this, you've just returned from biking, hiking, walking the dog, swimming, or other active endeavors to stay in shape for our next Ski for Light winter adventure, SFL International Week, to be held in Anchorage, Alaska. The dates are February 23 to March 2.
Event Chair, Nancy McKinney, will update you in another article in this Bulletin about plans. It's still early to know just what the week will look like, but be assured that there will be plenty of skiing and plenty of other fun and interesting activities to keep us entertained. Remember that the ceremonial start of the Iditarod dog sled race will be on Saturday, March 1. It will be fun to see all the eager dogs ready to race.
As you know, Ski for Light is an all-volunteer organization that is managed and supported by oh-so-many dedicated volunteers. Some serve on the board of directors; many non-board members serve on committees or do other important tasks that keep us running. One example is a former board member and guide applications coordinator, who lives in Minnesota. You may not know this, but all SFL mail, addressed to our Minneapolis address, goes to the Sons of Norway Headquarters. One of the benefits of our long-time relationship with SofN is that we get to use their address as ours. Each week the mail goes from Minneapolis to a volunteer in Arlington, Virginia, who sorts out the mail and sends any checks we receive from donors, foundations, etc, to our volunteer in Minnesota, who then deposits them at a bank branch of the SFL bank. Another current board member, and a VIP, receives information about each week's donations and sends the donor a Thank You letter. There's more that goes on behind the scenes on a weekly basis to keep our organization running smoothly, but you get the picture: Ski for Light is a community, and it takes a community to make Ski for Light what it is.
Ski for Light has touched all our lives in so many ways and I ask you to think about participating in even more ways than you already do. There will be board elections during the 2014 event. You will hear more about that later in the year. Please consider running for the board. SFL has a great tradition and history and it is so important to continue the philosophy, traditions and spirit to keep our organization vital and to continue our mission of enhancing the quality of life and independence of visually and mobility impaired folks.
Thanks for being part of the Ski for Light community. And let's continue to "make a good thing better."
By Nancy McKinney
The Planning Committee hopes that you are getting ready to join us at the 39th Annual Ski for Light International Week. We will be staying at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, from Sunday, February 23rd through Sunday March 2nd. Our ski trails will be a short drive away at Kincaid Park, a world class ski area with 60 km of professionally groomed cross-country ski trails.
The event this year will not be one to miss. Not only will we have access to fabulous ski trails and a fun urban setting; we will also be in Anchorage for the celebrations surrounding the Iditarod Ski Race. Here are some things to look forward to:
The Planning Committee is looking forward to playing in the snow with our Ski for Light family next February! We will be sure to have fun activities of our own on top of what the City of Anchorage will have to offer.
Additional information about the 2014 event and applications can be found online at www.sfl.org.
Can't wait to see everybody gathered together in beautiful Alaska. Meanwhile, have a great summer!
Early Bird Guides
In recent years most guides have tended to apply fairly late for the event, while most visually- and mobility- impaired participants applied early. Since the number of skiers that we can accept at any point in time is based on the number of guides we expect to attend the event, this timing divergence has resulted in significant delays and uncertainty for many disabled applicants for long periods of time. In an effort to induce guides to apply earlier, SFL is again offering an Early Bird Special for guides this year. If you apply before October 1st and pay your entire event fee by the due date of December 15th, you can deduct $50 from the amount you owe.
Early Admission for Visually- and Mobility- Impaired
Applicants
While our biggest problem with guides has been that they apply late, our biggest problem with visually-and mobility-impaired applicants is that too many cancel after being admitted to the event. This has often been caused by a lengthy delay between the date when the application is submitted, and the date - often several months later - when acceptance is received.
We want to change this and make it a smoother process for all. So this year SFL is offering the option of early admission to the 2014 event to up to 75 visually impaired and 10 mobility-impaired applicants. Those who request this option will be notified about acceptance to the event within two weeks of the request. If admitted early, the applicant will be guaranteed a spot at the event, and be able to start shopping for airline flights and arranging vacation time. The only requirement on the part of the accepted applicant is that they pay a $100 nonrefundable deposit to hold their spot at the event.
We hope this goes a long way in reducing this messy time imbalance, but as always we welcome your suggestions as well. Write to the editor.
This year's Ski for Light Ridderrenn team included VIP Heather Berg, VIP/MIP Andrea Goddard and guides Kristen Johnson and Tim Byas. In all, 16 participants and guides from Ski for Light - led by Board President Marion Elmquist - made the journey to celebrate a very special Ridderrenn week. Below you'll find a full report from Heather about the week, and short reminiscences from Andrea and Tim. Kristen, we hear, is stuck in an elevator in Norway but promises to be home in time for SFL 2014.
Heather Berg
This year's event, held in Beitostølen, Norway from April 7-14, marked the Golden Anniversary of Ridderrennet. We all felt fortunate to be a part of the celebration of a 50-year legacy of a passion for cross-country skiing and the promotion of a healthy, active lifestyle along-side our Norwegian friends as well as skiers, guides and well-wishers from around the globe. There were a total of fifteen countries represented at this year's event and attendees hailed from as far away as South America and Asia and as nearby as Denmark and Sweden.
For many of us our journey began a few days before heading up to Beito, as the locals call it, with a strong show of support for the tourism industry in the Norwegian capital city of Oslo. We were graced with three days of glorious sunny and mild weather while in the city, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee on a park bench in front of the Parliament building, taking a boat tour of the scenic Oslo Fjord, strolling through the shopping district and along the waterfront, visiting museums and generally soaking in myriad aspects of Norwegian culture. Highlights of our wanderings included the Viking ship museum, the World War II Resistance museum, the "FRAM" polar exploration museum, the national gallery, Oslo City Hall, Holmenkollen ski jump and ski museum and the Grand Hotel. For those Ski for Lighters who arrived a little later, there was also time at the end of the ski week to take in the sights and sounds of Oslo and for this portion of the trip our tours were led by long-time friend of SFL and tour-guide extraordinaire Lisen Wikant.
Ski week began early on Sunday morning with a long, scenic bus ride up into the mountains. This SFL contingent shared a transport bus with the Danes, and this proved to be a time for getting to know our fellow skiers and guides and swapping ski adventure stories between first timers like myself and veteran Ridderrenn participants like Brahim, a gentleman from Denmark who was attending his tenth Ridder week. Much like on an SFL airport shuttle to the host hotel, energy and spirits were high with anticipation of the exciting week ahead.
Upon arrival in Beitostølen nearly 500 VIPs and MIPs, all laden with luggage, skis, mobility canes, wheelchairs and sundry other assistive devices, descended upon the event hotel. A process that could have quickly deteriorated into mass chaos was instead handled with, well, military precision. For good reason: the Norwegian military is and has always been an integral part of Ridderrennet and this year's event was no different. Young men and women of the prestigious King's Guard were on hand to assist with everything from hauling luggage to driving busses and transport vehicles, to grooming ski trails, ski waxing, manning trail-side aid stations and managing biathlon instruction and practice sessions.
As with SFL the skiing began bright and early Monday morning at the Beitostølen Health Sports Center just a five-minute bus ride from the host hotel. That day dawned bright and sunny with crystal blue skies and several feet of sparkling snow on the ground. It may have been April and starting to feel a bit like spring in many parts of the Northern hemisphere, but in the mountains of Central Norway it was still deep winter. Temps for the week ranged in the low to mid twenties and mostly remained below freezing.
The ski tracks we found those first few days in Beito were, in my humble opinion, likely to have been some of the very best ever set in Norway, or anywhere else for that matter. Tracks set deep and firm with a line that flowed, and they were often set four abreast. The surrounding countryside was majestic, and one could easily lose one's self for hours kicking and gliding along the many kilometers of flat to gently rolling terrain. Ski days were long and exhilarating.
For me, the absolute highlight of the ski week was the opportunity to try our hand at laser biathlon. This is a sport that combines a system of adaptive shooting that utilizes audio tones to aim with short, fast bursts of skiing. There were two days of biathlon practice prior to the competition day. On race day, participants skied a 2 km loop, shot five rounds, skied another 2km loop, fired another five rounds and finished off with a final ski lap. A one-minute time penalty was assessed to the final time for each missed target. This is a uniquely challenging event on many levels and yet it was the one that I found most rewarding.
In addition to the biathlon competition there were two other opportunities to race during Ridder week. On Thursday there was a men's 10-K and women's 5-K race, during which it snowed so hard that I am absolutely certain there were times when the guides could see no more than their skiers. It made for a thrilling experience all around. The culminating event of the week however, was the 20 kilometer Ridderrenn or "knight's race," which took place on Saturday, the final day of ski week. Additional skiers and guides arrived specifically for this event and it was estimated that around 800 skiers and guides participated in the race.
On Friday our group took a field trip to a nearby mountain area called Garli. This entailed a 20-minute bus ride further up the mountain from the ski site in yet another blinding snow storm - no pun intended, as no one could see very much. Once we arrived at the drop off point, we stepped off the bus into knee deep powder snow and most of us were up there on our skinny little track skis. Not ideal for bush whacking. It was wickedly cold and windy to boot and tracks were nowhere to be found. All this combined to give one the feeling of being on a grand outdoor adventure during the ski back down to civilization.
The evenings were a free-for-all of sorts for our little group. There was often programming or award ceremonies in the meeting hall, however, these were not translated and aside from taking in the pomp and circumstance of the King's Guard drum corps offered little, especially for those of us with little or no vision. Most nights many of our group could be found relaxing and socializing or, for some, generally behaving like freshman college coeds on spring break, in one of the two hotel bars or at a pub in town. There was a reception hosted by the US ambassador to Norway and another hosted by the SFL contingent for our Norwegian friends.
The absolute highlight of the off snow events was the talent show, the star of which was our very own Andrea Goddard of Spokane, Washington. She wowed the audience with her piano and vocal solo version of "Jesse," by Janis Ian.
Before we knew it, the ski week had come to an end and it was time to head back to Oslo. The bus ride back down the mountain found us contemplative and quiet, many sleeping off the last nights' festivities and not quite ready to return to the real world.
Although ski week was over, the adventure continued with another couple of days of touring in and around Oslo and a final meal together at a restaurant that over the past several hundred years had been everything from an asylum to a hospital, an orphanage, a bank and finally a unique dining experience. So over an exceptional meal and several bottles of wine we lifted our glasses in one final SKÅL to Ridderrennet, Norway and one another. The following morning we began to go our separate ways once again with hugs and farewells and wishes for safe travels as we returned home.
Ridderrennet was a remarkable experience and one that I will cherish for a lifetime. Once again, I say thank you or should I say, “tusen takk”, to Ski for Light for this most memorable adventure. And to all my SFL friends and family, be well, safe journey and see you in Alaska in 2014.
Tim Byas
I had the honor of guiding Andrea Goddard at the 50th Ridderrenn, and was so happy that we were able to get out and ski every day on some amazing snow. We got out early on Monday and Tuesday to get her arms in shape and practice shooting for the biathlon race on Wednesday. Now, for all those who don't know Ms. Goddard, she has the ability to use some colorful language when she becomes frustrated. So, on the first day of practice after one round of wayward shooting and some expletives from Andrea, we thought lunch would be a good idea. The next day, however, something clicked and you could see the smile spread on her face as she worked out how the audio guidance system worked. Instead of heading to lunch we decided to keep skiing. Andrea competed in the biathlon, the 5-K race and the Ridderrenn on the last day. As a side note, David Fisichella accompanied us in all the races and we determined that providing visuals of various foods dangling from David's rear end helped Andrea immensely in finishing races.
Apart from skiing, a big part of attending the Ridderrenn is meeting old friends and new friends from around the world. I was happy to see that after taking it easy for the first two days, Andrea left a lasting impression on a lot of people. As we all know she has an impressive singing voice and she blew everyone away at the talent show. That was just the beginning. Later that night she was singing with the Bergen student band in the lobby bar and again in the morning she was a percussionist with the students at the ski area. Later that evening the US Ambassador to Norway asked her to perform at a function for the US, Russia and UK embassies. As a result of this, it was wonderful to hear all the comments from people as we were skiing on the trails. This was definitely one of the highlights for me during the week.
I want to thank SFL and the entire US contingent, 16 in total, for cheering and supporting us the entire week. I also want to thank our Norwegian hosts for organizing another great event with great trails, way too much food and plenty of memories.
Andrea Goddard
It's hard to know where to start. I'd never dreamed I'd go sit-skiing in Norway one day. I remember thinking how cool it was that I'd get to spend extra time with some of my SFL comrades, and oh, how very, very tired I was when I finally landed in Oslo (I distinctly recall hanging out with everyone at a pizza place that first night, and sitting at the table with my mouth open because I was too tired to close it or to eat). Happily, the too-tired-to-eat bit would make its first and final appearance that night, and my enjoyment of the fresh salmon, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cheeses, and the abundant custards and mousses would remain gratifyingly robust for the remaining ten or so days in Norway. The tracks up at Beitostølen were the deepest, most well-groomed tracks I've yet had the pleasure of sit-skiing in, enabling me to ski a bit better and with more confidence than I sometimes do. The highlights of the trip were the people: my awesome guide, Tim, the companionship I shared with my roommate and the rest of our SFL bunch, and the generous, upbeat, fun-loving Norwegians whose enthusiasm and helpfulness exemplified our Ski for Light spirit and purpose. The music provided by the musicians of the King's Guard, and by the Crazy Army Band, added an invaluable air of both formality and fun to Ridderweek, and I only hope I am able to return to Norway some day so that I can do it all again!
By Deborah Kendrick
Deborah Kendrick is a Ski for Light veteran VIP, an award winning journalist and a columnist for the Columbus Dispatch. Reprinted with permission.
Sunday April 28, 2013, 7:24 AM
I was offline the week of the Boston Marathon, on a cruise from New Jersey to Bermuda, and thus found hundreds of email messages waiting for me April 19. Sure, we knew about the Boston bombings on the ship from TV newscasts, knew enough to be horrified and grief-stricken with the rest of the world, but the usual information immersion wasn't there. I had deliberately left my computer at home and turned off my phone. As I combed through those hundreds of messages, the first that brought the reality of the Boston Marathon home most poignantly was from a friend in an international ski group, Ski for Light, asking, "Has anyone heard from Maya?" The Ski for Light family is comprised of a few hundred people throughout North America and beyond - a mix of people who are blind, visually impaired, sighted, paraplegic, quadriplegic - who have formed a kind of family, sharing simply the love of life, expressing that love through cross-country skiing and other athletic pursuits. Maya Jonas is a blind runner, and others in the Ski for Light family were frantic to know that she was unharmed. Eventually, someone received a text message from her. She'd been pulled off the course at about 40K and was frightened, but fine. Then, there was a message from Dave Wilkinson, another Ski for Light "family" member who is blind, who had finished running 20 minutes before the explosions. He, too, was safe. On the evening of April 20, we had a message from Duane Farrar, yet another blind skier and athlete who hadn't run the race but who lives in Watertown, just a couple of blocks from where the second suspect was found in a neighbor's boat. His brief but powerful message to the rest of us captured the essence of the lockdown, the efficiency of the police, the elation of stepping outside at 6:05 p.m. to chat with the neighbors and breathe some fresh air, only to be driven back inside by the sounds of guns on the neighboring street, and the poignancy of explaining to two little girls that the bad men were caught. For me, these personal updates, along with other news of the scores of people injured on April 15, were a simple twofold reminder that disability is an integral part of all our lives. First, those who have had time to acclimate and integrate disability as just one element in a composite self-portrait are living the same lives as those without disabilities - running marathons, sailing rivers, putting their children to bed with assurances of safety. And, second, all of those among us whose lives have not been touched by disability have the ever-present possibility of joining the ranks in an instant. The lesson, whether gleaned from the camp of those more experienced with disability or from the victimized newcomers, is the same. What we can learn about disability is what we have learned in recent weeks about the spirit of our country as a whole: resiliency. Put another way, to be alive - even with grief or trauma - is always a good thing. Tatyana McFadden, the 24-year-old first-place winner in the women's wheelchair category of the marathon, demonstrated this pervasive message when she said she was headed to the London Marathon and would return to Boston next spring. Ballroom dancer Adrianne Haslet, 32, who lost her left foot in the explosions, expressed it too, in saying she will dance again as well as run in the Boston Marathon next year. From the 2001 World Trade Center attacks to the Boston Marathon bombings and all the nightmares our country has endured between the two, the human spirit of resiliency shines again and again. There is really nowhere to go but forward - and people with disabilities are an integral part of that momentum.
Deborah Kendrick is a Cincinnati writer and advocate for people with disabilities. Contact the author at DKendrick@earthlink.net
By Peter Slatin
Spoiler Alert: This article is not about skiing.
Editor's Note: "Robie" (R O B I E) is pronounced "Robbie" (R O B B I E) despite the single "B" spelling.
From May 31-June 2, longtime Ski for Light veteran and blind sailor Duane Farrar (okay, Duane, stow the halyard and clip into your skis for a change), participated in the Fifth Annual Robie Pierce One-Design Regatta at the American Yacht Club in Rye, N.Y.
Duane and his two teammates staged a last-day rally to tie for first place, although they actually took second place because their chief competitors won five races to their four out of the dozen races held during the three-day regatta. (And you thought scoring could get complicated in Nordic racing.)
Each team in the regatta sails with two sailors with disabilities and one able-bodied sailor. Duane was his team's helmsman throughout the regatta. Maureen McKinnon, a paraplegic who took home a Gold Medal in sailing from the 2008 Paralympics in China, handled the sails and most of the controls on the boat. The crew's sighted tactician was Sol Marini, an accomplished racer who Duane has raced with for 9 years. For the most part, Sol did not touch anything, says Duane, although the rules allow him to assist in certain situations as needed.
The first annual Robie Pierce One Design Regatta for Disabled Sailors took place in 2009, and this year's fifth regatta included 17 teams. "The Robie" is unique in that it brings together sailors with all types of disabilities in one crew, including those with spinal cord injuries, amputations, blindness, traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. These crews compete together in a single fleet of identically prepared boats of the same type (hence the term, "One Design"). Each Ideal 18 sailboat is custom-adapted for each sailor's individual needs by a team of volunteers led by Ed "Buttons" Padin of the Larchmont Yacht Club, which rotates as host of the regatta every year with the neighboring American Yacht Club. Physically disabled and visually impaired teams typically are divided into separate fleets at other regattas, and the physically disabled sailors are often further sub-divided into smaller fleets utilizing different classes of boats, often the three Paralympic classes (3-person Sonar, 2-person SKUD 18 and the 1-person 2.4 Meter.) In addition, the experience level of the sailors ranges from those fairly new to the sport to seasoned Paralympic campaigners. Duane's team came from 10 points back on the final day of the regatta to pull into a tie for first place on points. "After Saturday's racing we were pretty firmly in second place and we figured that's where we would still be after racing concluded on Sunday," says Duane with a shrug. "So, we stayed late in the bar on Saturday night." (Author's note: I told you Duane had been to Ski for Light.) "And then we went out on Sunday and won the first three races for the day. We knew going into the fourth and final race of the day (and 12th of the regatta) that we had a shot to at least pull into a tie for first, but knew we'd have to win the final race to have any real hope. We ended up second in that race, but not by much," Duane says. But the outcome wasn't clear at the end.
"The regatta's ultimate victors, a team that included disabled sailors Sarah Everhart-Skeels and Cindy Walker, finished a few boats behind us, so as we all sailed back to the dock none of us really knew who had actually won the regatta. It wasn't until we were all back on shore that we learned that we had tied for first place and that Sarah won the regatta on a tie-breaker with her five race wins to our four. It was one of the best days of racing I have ever had," recalls Duane.
Robie Pierce, a pioneer of adaptive sailing, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1985, and, while he does not sail in the regatta, he makes every effort to attend each year. Earlier this year Robie fell 10 feet down the shaft of his wheelchair lift at home and suffered a broken hip. Yet, there he was, making the rounds and greeting sailors before dinner one evening, recalls Duane. "It's that spirit that permeates the regatta and is found to be so contagious by the sailors, both disabled and able-bodied, who participate," he says. "I know that I am not alone when I say that I always return home pumped up and energized for an entire season."
By Cassie
Bonnie is at it again. She's in charge of raising funds from foundations for SFL and she's doing it all wrong. I want to go for a walk, and she's pounding away on her computer writing applications to foundations she thinks might give money to SFL. And what's her success rate at writing letters to foundations that have never heard of SFL and where she doesn't know anyone? Zero. Nada. Zip. I keep trying to explain to her that's not how you raise money. You raise money through personal contacts. But, she won't listen. She thinks that if something doesn't work, she should just keep doing it and she will be successful. She ought to know better.
She's had great success at working with foundations that have supported us in the past. And she's had even better luck when SFL members who know people affiliated with family foundations talk to them about SFL. Bonnie's great at following up with the foundation and sending all the right materials. Then suddenly, a donation appears.
It's so easy to talk to friends about SFL. Last winter, Bonnie opened a bottle of wine and began talking about SFL with a friend who had a connection to a family foundation. Bonnie talked so enthusiastically about SFL that the friend's foundation gave SFL $2,500 for VIP and MIP scholarships. It was really painless for everyone. The friend likes dogs so I got lots of petting and treats while they talked and drank wine, and I even forgot that I had to go.
So, if you know anyone who is connected with a family foundation or another group that might want to support SFL, please give Bonnie a call. She'll talk to you about how you should approach the foundation and she'll send the foundation all the information they need. Also, if you have a good connection with a fraternity like Delta Gamma or Lion's Clubs, she'd like to talk to you as well.
I guess Bonnie's done on the computer and ready to mail off another batch of letters. I don't think she'll raise much money, but at least I'll get my walk to the mailbox!
If you want to contact Bonnie, you can reach her during the evenings at 703 845-3436, or email her at boday@mathematica- mpr.com.
Tell her to give me an extra treat while you're at it!
Bjarne Eikevik President's Award 2013
The traveling Bjarne Eikevik President's award is a pewter drinking horn given to SFL by the Norwegians to give to a deserving person(s) for their hard work and dedication in working for and improving Ski for Light.
2013 Recipient: Cara Barnes
The Jan Haug Award
The Jan Haug Award has been presented annually since 1989 to a first-time disabled skier who has shown real enthusiasm and potential for the sport of cross-country skiing. Three finalists for this award are selected by the guide trainers and recommended to the SFL President who makes the final decision. The award consists of a full ski package of skis, boots, and poles.
2013 Recipient: Eun-gyong Lee
Here is the latest information about the summer activities sponsored by several of the SFL Regional Programs. For the latest information about what is going on in each of the nine programs visit www.sfl.org/regional.html.
Boating, fishing, fun in the sun, campfires, cabins and SFL camaraderie!
August 23 - 25, 2013
Camp Bob Marshall
Custer, South Dakota
Contact:
Telephone: (605) 341-3626
E-mail: bhskiforlight@gmail.com
August 3 - 7, 2013
Trekk for Light Montana
The Little Belt Mountains
Lewistown/Greatfalls, Montana
See www.trollstegan.com/sflmt/ for contact information.
Hiking and Outdoor Fun
August 9 - 11, 2013
THE ROYALTY INN
Gorham, New Hampshire
Cost: $180
On Saturday two choices of hiking will be offered in the White Mountains of New Hampshire: a
moderate level hike with rocks, roots and some climbing and a less challenging hike
on a paved trail. On Sunday we will explore various fun outdoor activities. The
Royalty Inn offers a hot tub and pool.
Price includes two nights lodging, two breakfasts and two lunches and Saturday night
dinner.
Day Hike
October 5, 2013
BREAKHEART RESERVATION
Saugus, Massachusetts
COST: $10
Join us at 9:30 AM for a day hike. There will be two hikes, one easy and one moderate,
followed by a picnic. Bring snacks, lunch and plenty of water.
July 21 - 28, 2013
Land of the Vikings
Sherman, Pennsylvania
Canoeing and kayaking, hiking, tandem biking, orienteering, target shooting, horseback riding lessons available off site (transportation provided, additional cost), and various other activities.
See www.nepasfl-sfh.org for more info and application forms.
Contact for Guides:
Joan Chelsen
Email: joan@nepasfl-sfh.org
Contacts for Visually- and Mobility-Impaired Participants:
Sig Kay
Email: sig@nepasfl-sfh.org
or
Donna Goodman
Email: donna@nepasfl-sfh.org
Aquatic Activities
Water bikes, Paddleboats, Canoes
July 27: 9am - noon
Lake Natoma
Fee: $30
Deadline for fees/reservations: July 20
Contact for Aquatic Activities: Bruce Johnson
Telephone: (916) 858-8020
E-mail: ahoyskpr@aol.com
Hiking
August 18
Hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail
Meet at Van Sickle State Park in the South Shore of Lake Tahoe at 10am. It's a beautiful hike, through the forest, up to a small waterfall, and then back. Although not too strenuous, there is an elevation change of several hundred feet, so plan accordingly. Please bring lunch, suitable footwear, clothing for variable weather conditions, sunscreen, hat, and whatever extra gear you feel is needed.
Contact for Hiking: Jim Mrazek
Telephone: (916) 939-0442
E-mail: banananote@aol.com
Weekend in the Sierras
September 20 - 22
Clair Tappaan Lodge
Fee: $110 (includes meals/ 2 nnights lodging)
Deadline for fees/reservations: July 1
Contacts:
Betsy Rowell
Telephone: (916) 362-5557
Or
Vicki Post
Telephone: (415) 928-2711
Our thanks go to the following companies that have provided products or services to help support Ski for Light. Many of these companies have stood behind us for years - and we're grateful. Be sure to think of our friends when you're gearing up for your next adventure.
* JanSport * Birkenstock * Bison Designs LLC * Blue Ridge Chair Works * Byer of Maine * * CamelBak Products * CanineHardware * Clif Bar and Company * Cocoons * Columbia Sportswear * * Crazy Creek Products * Cross Country Skier Magazine* Dansko * D-fa Dogs * Fox River Mills * * Granite Gear * Haiku * Helly Hansen * Hog Wild * Honey Stinger * Ingebretsen's * ISIS For Women * * Injinji Performance Toe Socks * Katie's Bumpers * KAVU * Kiva Designs * Kuhl * Laacke and Joys * * LARABAR * Madshus * The Master Skier Cross-Country Ski Journal * Mt. Borah * * National Geographic Maps * Nikwax * Olly Dog * PeakWaggers * * P&N Promotions * Silent Sports * Timex * Toko U.S. *
Editor: Peter Slatin
Layout and graphics: Bjorg Dunlop
Electronic version: Larry Showalter
Special thanks to: Fram Lodge #3-564, Sons of Norway
The SFL Bulletin is published three times a year. It is available in ink-print or via e-mail. If you wish to change formats, please send your request to: bulletin@sfl.org.
The current as well as past issues of the Bulletin are also available online at www.sfl.org/bulletin.html. In addition to an online edition that may be read in your browser, you will find a downloadable pdf version of the current issue.
For future Bulletins, 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:
Peter Slatin
255 West 108th Street, Apt. 8A-1
New York, NY 10025
The deadline for the Fall 2013 Bulletin is September 15, 2013. We look forward to hearing from you.
Ski for Light, Inc. is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
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