The organization is known as Ski For Light. The event is known as Ski For Light. Skiing normally involves snow. However, when the members of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Ski For Light regional event arrived at the venue, they found not snow but mud. The picture is taken from the center of the road on approach to the lodge.
While the weather had provided some snow a week prior to the event and much of it was still on the grass and the surrounding mountains, there was not nearly enough snow remaining on which one might venture out on skis. The next photo shows boots (and paws) on mud.
It looked like the week would be filled with hiking and story telling of days gone by when snow seemed to appear on cue. Everybody would arrive in time for dinner at about 6 o’clock in the evening. Then the snow would start, the heavy precipitation would continue through the night until 6 to 10 inches accumulated, and then stop. Guides would arise early on Monday morning, don their skinny skis, set tracks for the blind skiers, and then begin the cycle of eat, glide, chat, sleep, repeat.
Nevertheless, this year turned out no different. The snow appeared only a day late. (I guess I didn’t get the order in soon enough. I’ll need to start earlier this year.) The very next day brought the “winter wonderland” scenes for which we had hoped.
And ski we did !!! First time skier Shirley A. experienced her first glide on the snow under her own power while navigating a wide open field with guide Bjorg.
Later in the day, the temperatures became unfriendly to snow skiing so a few folks ventured out to try snow shoes. Not that we needed them but the independent practice of donning equipment and going on a long walk is always rewarding. 
A trek up what is called the logging road revealed that the snow may not have been deep but the ice formations were quite dangerous. Snow shoes mitigated that risk entirely.
Others not pictured here took advantage of the slippery wet snow and retrieved sleds and other odd snow sliding contraptions and enjoyed an afternoon of sliding down an area known as “Marty’s Bump.” Playing in the cold while enjoying the warmth of friendship.
The evenings in the lodge were relaxed and filled with quiet social times. Well, mostly quiet. The shuffleboard games became increasingly competitive and the crowd became increasingly captivated by the brackets.
As eliminations typically yield finalists who are near equals, this year’s championship was one rousing game. Individual puck sliding techniques were carefully guarded, strategies regarding puck blocking were considered on the fly during every round, and, oddly, the inanimate board would have its way with the contestants regardless of their efforts. So much so that some observers were convinced there might have been paranormal influences at play. Ultimately, our shuffleboard champs were Dave K. and Sue who defeated Karen and Frank G. 32 – 31. (Stunning game!)
Other evening activities included a gift exchange, a wine and cheese tasting, and a much anticipated new recipe for glug. Due to a scheduling consideration, we decided to have the glug immediately prior to the “No Talent Show.” I’m pretty sure the jokes were funnier. At least I think they were. (Or could it have been the glug? Nah. We don’t need glug to laugh. It comes natural.)
The last two items in the weekly line up were the silent auction and the Roy Chelsen Memorial Rally. It has been my experience of 10 years in attendance, that the generosity of the group has always been heart warming. Items offered for auction came from the broad categories of lavish merchandise to lovingly hand crafted specialties to “one-person’s-junk-is-another-person’s-treasure!” And the whole affair yielded some dollar amount increase to the program operating fund and for each one’s contribution we are grateful.
The rally is a memorial to sighted guide and long time friend of the program Roy Chelsen.
Roy was a firefighter with Engine 28 in Manhattan and was one of the first responders to the World Trade Center Towers on September 11, 2001.
He lost his battle with a rare and incurable bone-marrow cancer which was linked to his lengthy exposure to the toxic dust of the towers.
The rally marks achievements by skiers, snow shoe walkers, or foot walkers. It proves the week of physical accomplishments of the guide and participant team. This year’s winners performed a walk to within 39 seconds of their predicted time. Given the fickle nature of the guide’s pace, the distractions of stopping to chat with passersby traveling the same route, stumbling over one walker’s guide dog, and tripping over the other walker’s white cane, the accomplishment was all the more significant. (Note to self: Never guide a guide dog and don’t get in the way of a white cane user!)
Indeed, every member made an important contribution. The folks that comprise this group are from all walks of life, economic strata, and of varying abilities. But each person puts forth a “can-do” attitude and seeks to seize opportunities to enjoy the natural environment and personal associations. Here, each member of the event becomes a role model demonstrating the enhanced quality of life and independence of visually or mobility-impaired adults in a program that starts with cross-country skiing.
You can learn more about Ski For Light International by visiting the official website sfl.org.
Visit the official website for North East Pennsylvania Regional Ski For Light and Sports For Health here: http://www.nepasfl-sfh.org/.
Land of the Vikings (LOV) was a wonderful venue for many long years well before I discovered the Ski For Light program. It was a sad day when the coordinators for the regional Ski For Light and Sports For Health programs learned that LOV cancelled all winter activities for the coming year. Indeed, the attendees enjoyed the grounds and daily adventures in the great outdoors but the programs are not completely dependent upon a single venue.
The Ski For Light motto is “If I can do this, I can do anything.” Having one venue close down only means that the future regional coordinators and attendees have an opportunity to demonstrate the “…I can do anything” part for the 2014 SFL regional event.
Stay tuned…
Hi, Ed! That was a great wrap-up letter and the links to the photos, at least in my opinion, did not interfere with the text. You certainly have a way with words!