Thanks to
Cammy Lantis, Richard and Tracy Perdue
The Black Hills Regional Ski for Light family extends our heartfelt thanks to these
three who have so selflessly and tirelessly given of themselves to the organization
for so many years. It will be extremely difficult to fill the shoes of these three
hardworking board members but their support through the years helped the Black
Hills Regional Ski for Light grow to be the vibrant organization it is today. Cammy
and Richard, both owners of their own companies, offered up the services and
facilities of their companies to help get things accomplished. Tracy has been our
go‐to gal at SFL always ready to answer questions, make room arrangements, present
trophies, and give hugs to all the family. We are also indebted to Tracy for all the
pictures she has taken over the years which provides the pictures for the program.
As you see them this week, thank them for their hard work and we know that they
will continue to participate in our events.
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Tracy & Cammy Lantis
Richard & Tracy Perdue
Thank You
Cammy and her mom, Mary Ellen Lantis
Thank
Thank You
Richard & Tracy Perdue
Thank
Thank You
Richard & Tracy Perdue
Welcome to Ski for Light, 2017
Black Hills Regional
Board of Directors
__________________________
Vern Shafer, President
Tracy Perdue, Vice President
John Skulborstad, Secretary
John Gould, Treasurer
Tim Brunbaugh
Ray Bubb
Betsy Carbo
Diana Cornford
Chris Gould
Jim Hermeling
Rick Johnson
George Lee
Eric Lowe
Dale McMillin
Steve Sanders
Paul Soulek
Kim Weyer
Bill Young
Table of Contents
Welcome, Directors’ Letter ........................................ Page 1
New to SFL ............................................................ Pages 2‐3
Summer Light ............................................................ Page 3
Miss Wheelchair America 2017, Eliza McIntosh ................ Page 5
Who’s Who at Ski for Light ........................................ Page 6
Daily Schedule ............................................................ Page 7
Special Happenings .................................................... Page 8
Staying in Touch with the Ski for Light Family ............ Page 9
Special Awards.......................................................... Page 10
SFL Tribute .......................................................... Page 11‐13
Special Thanks to SFL Contributors...................... Back Cover
Dear SFL Family and friends,
Like the young child who is so excited for Christmas to come, we eagerly
anticipate the coming of this special week. Catching up with latest news with
friends that we have made, developing new ones, soaking in the beauty of
the Black Hills and enjoying the hospitality of Deadwood all contribute to this
magical week. In fact, in January True West Magazine named Deadwood “The
Best Place to Live Like an Old West Cowboy” and “The Best Town for Historic
Entertainment.” The famed Old Style Saloon No.10 on Main Street, and one
which hosts our group nightly, garnered the reader’s choice award as “The
Best Historic Saloon of the West.” For those of us who have been coming to
Deadwood for all these years, this comes as no surprise. Be sure to thank
these businesses which welcome us with open arms each year.
The 38th Annual Black Hills Regional Ski for Light is shaping up to be a great event. Although we are a regional event, we have 101
participants and 178 guides/volunteers from 24 different states and four countries who are attending. We have had a couple of
winter storms which have dumped white gold on the slopes and should make for great downhill skiing, cross country skiing,
snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The owners at Recreational Springs have changed however the new owners have already expressed
their desire to offer a great time for our folks. Be sure to introduce yourselves and thank them for their support of our program.
At last count, we had nearly 65 individuals who were attending the Black Hills Regional for the first time. If you happen to be attending
our event for the first time, be sure to check out valuable information on pages 2‐3, to let you know what will be happening during
the week. Don’t be afraid to ask board members or other participants who have been attending what activities are scheduled. The
daytime activities will keep you busy but a number of activities are also offered at night. Check out the activities which include singing
karaoke, playing in slot tournament, and dancing at the Old Style Saloon No. 10.
On a sad note, the Ski for Light family lost two long‐time members. Dallas Dietrich, one of the original board members of BHSFL,
passed away unexpectedly in October. Dallas ended up in a wheelchair himself after a horrific accident, but he continued to be a
fierce advocate for people with disabilities. In July, Dana Caswell, the general manager of the Mineral Palace, drowned in an accident
at Pactola Reservoir. This week we honor the lives of these two outstanding individuals and thank them for their contributions to
our organization.
Enjoy your week at SFL and thanks to everyone who has contributed to making this week special!
The Black Hills Regional Board of Directors
1
New to Ski For Light?
Here is Some Information for You!!
must go to the cross country site on Monday so check the
schedule to find out when the bus leaves for the site. You’ll meet
up with your guide, receive your equipment and xc ski for the day.
On Tuesday, you will come to the downhill side to ski so check the
schedule to see when the bus leaves for the site and arrange to
meet your guide there so they can help you check out your
equipment. Race day on the cross country side is Thursday so sign
up before then. If you are a stand‐up, non‐visual skier, race day is
on Wednesday for the downhill side so sign up on Tuesday. After
your race on the downhill side, you may continue to downhill ski,
or go to the xc site to ski.
If you are a participant who
signed up to Downhill:
Visually impaired skiers will
be assigned a guide for the
week and will find out who
your guide is on Monday
morning at Terry Peak.
Check the schedule to see
when the bus leaves for the
site. Your guide or a
volunteer will help you get
your equipment needed
after you get a rental slip from the downhill coordinator. If you
are a mobility impaired skier you will come to the site and sign
up with the downhill coordinator for adaptive skis and wait until
it’s your turn to use the ski. You will have many different guides
during the week. Race day for visually impaired, stand‐up skiers
is Wednesday so sign up before then. Race day for physically
impaired participants is Thursday so sign up before then. There
is no recreational skiing for adaptive skiers on race day until all
the races are finished.
If you have a question about something during the event, the board
members will be wearing royal blue jackets with the Ski for Light
logo on the pocket area. Ask one of them your questions or present
your concerns and they can certainly point you in the right direction
Each year we have a number of new folks at Ski for Light who are
unsure of what the week entails. Because some of us have been
doing this for years, we take for granted that everyone else knows
what to expect and for that we apologize. But if you are unsure
of anything or need anything, please ask!! You will find we are a
very accommodating group to be with. Enjoy your week!
Sunday is registration day. Everyone should go to the Mineral
Palace between 2:00‐5:00 to register. You will then turn in all the
raffle tickets you sold, pay any balance due, find out which hotel
and room you are assigned, receive a program which includes a
schedule of events for the week, get a name tag, get banquet
tickets and meal vouchers you’ve paid or qualify for or you may
buy them there. There will also be SFL souvenirs for sale. At 5:00,
there will be a wine and cheese meet and greet and at 7:00 there
will be a new person orientation and Q & A session.
If you are a participant who signed up to Cross Country Ski: You
will find out who your guide for the week is either on Sunday at
registration or Monday at the cross country site. Check the
schedule to find out when the bus leaves to go to the cross
country site. On Monday, you will meet up with your guide,
receive your equipment and then you are set to ski on the 1K and
5K trails. You will have a chance to sign up during the week for
race day on Thursday. Races are finished by noon.
At Terry Peak, the Downhill site: There will be two downhill
coordinators. The inside coordinator will assign you a guide if you
are a visually impaired skier, and will help you get signed up for a
turn on an adaptive ski and let you know when it’s your turn. The
outside coordinator will help you get your adaptive ski and
guides. You will be provided meal vouchers every day from the
SFL t‐shirt table to eat lunch at the cafeteria.
If you are a volunteer who signed up to guide cross country: You
will find out who you are assigned to guide for the week either
Sunday night at registration or Monday at the cross country site.
Check the schedule to see when you will meet for training on
Monday morning at the site. We encourage you to help your
participant out during the week, and help them sign up for races
on Thursday.
If you are a participant who signed up to snowshoe: you can go
to the cross country site on Monday to be paired with your guide.
At the Cross Country site: there is a warming tent and lunch will
be served everyday but Thursday in which you can go back to the
Mineral Palace hotel and eat with a provided meal voucher, or,
you may go to the downhill side at Terry Peak and eat lunch with
a provided meal voucher and cheer on the downhill participants
during their races.
If you are a volunteer who signed up to guide BOTH cross country
and downhill: You will find out who you are assigned to guide for
the week either Sunday night at registration or Monday at the cross
country site. You will meet your participant on Monday morning at
the cross country site and xc ski there for the day. You will meet
If you are a participant who signed up to do both Cross Country
and Downhill: you will find out who your guide is either on
Sunday at registration or Monday at the cross country site. You
2
with a participant in the adaptive ski, make 3 runs and return to see
if the ski or guides are needed for another participant’s turn. Please
make sure the downhill coordinator knows that you are available
to guide and wait for an assignment.
your participant on the
downhill side on Tuesday and
help them get their equipment
and ski there for the day. You
will be expected to help your
participant out during the week
and get them signed up for DH
races on Wednesday and XC
races on Thursday.
General Information: You may eat breakfast and supper wherever
you choose in Deadwood but if you purchase or qualify for meal
vouchers, they may only be used at The Gem Restaurant located in
the Mineral Palace. They will have a breakfast buffet available every
morning and supper, every night. On Monday night, we usually meet
at the Saloon Number 10 for a free supper which is donated by a kind
contributor of Ski for Light, but check your schedule to be sure.
If you are a volunteer who signed up to guide Downhill: You will
meet on Monday morning at Terry Peak to help unload the trailer
(and everyday thereafter) and then go through training for adaptive
skiing and guiding visually impaired skiers. Some of you will be
assigned a visually impaired skier to guide for the week and you
should make sure to help your participant get signed up for their
race day on Wednesday. Some of you will be guiding participants in
adaptive skis. Your day will consist of taking turns guiding different
participants in different skis. There are usually 2 guides that will go
In the evening, there will be different activities available, like, karaoke
night, a slot tournament, a picnic and bonfire at the cross country
site, so be sure to check your schedule to see what’s available.
The registration room at the Mineral Palace Hotel will be open
most nights to any and all who would like a place to visit or play
music and hang out. Check the schedule for available nights.
Summer Light
The Summer Light event at Camp Bob Marshall continues to grow in popularity. Located in the heart of the beautiful
Black Hills, six miles east of Custer on the northeast shore of Bismarck Lake, Camp Bob Marshall is a 4 H Camp which
provides cabins and shower facilities at Bob Marshall that are wheelchair accessible. You are also welcome to bring your
camper.
Biking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and swimming on Bismarck Lake are key recreational activities. Bob Marshall’s
setting, the picturesque ponderosa pine forest of the southern Black Hills intermingled with aspen and spruce, is an ideal
area for bird watching, nature and rock studies. For many who attend, Camp Bob Marshall is the last chance to relax before
the school year starts. This event is very family‐friendly so feel free to bring your family and have them meet your Ski for
Light friends.
This year’s event will be held
Friday, August 18 – Sunday, August 20 2017
3
4
Ski for Light Welcomes
~ Eliza McIntosh ~
Miss Wheelchair America 2017
Eliza McIntosh Ms. Wheelchair America 2017
Eliza is eager to serve the community and provide mentorship for living with a disability
across the nation. She will use her platform: Where there is wheel, there is a way – identify
your passion, invite people to join you, and ignite your community behind you – to guide
her advocacy efforts throughout her reign.
While traveling the country, she will also empower and serve as a spokeswoman for the
disability community as a whole. In addition, she will have the opportunity to visit advocacy
groups, make public appearances, participate in parades, and is available to conduct
interviews.
Eliza uses a wheelchair for mobility because she has Spinal Dysgenesis and is paralyzed
from the waist down. However, she does not let the diagnosis stop her. She lives life to the
fullest and aims to shine a positive light on disabilities. Through advocacy and education,
she sets an example for other individuals who also use wheelchairs for mobility.
Eliza lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. She studies Political Science at the University of Utah and
is an intern at the Disability Law Center. In her spare time, she enjoys politics, wheelchair
basketball and chess.
This year we are honored to have Eliza McIntosh, Ms Wheelchair 2017, attend our
event. In addition, she has asked the first runner‐up, Madeline Delp, to accompany
her to the various events. So we welcome both of these young ladies to our event. In
addition, the Black Hills Regional is becoming a popular stop for the Ms Wheelchair
America winners as we are excited to see Ms Wheelchair America 2015, Sam Schroth,
and Ms Wheelchair America 2013, Mariah Kilbourne, attend this year’s event.
Madeline Delp
Madeline Delp, the reigning Ms. Wheelchair NC of 2016 and first‐runner up of the Ms.
Wheelchair America Competition, is a college student and advocate for disability rights.
She lives in Asheville, NC and has always called the mountains her home. After being in a
car accident at 10 years old, she began to use a wheelchair because of a T‐10 spinal cord
injury. Her experiences encouraged her to look at life in a new way – where every day is a
gift and a new opportunity. It has now become her passion to share this mindset with
others with her platform LiveBOUNDLESS, where she encourages others to live a life of
pushing the boundaries and to reach for their fullest potential, regardless of injury or
physical condition. She spreads her message by speaking to organizations across the
country and by creating her LiveBOUNDLESS video series, which shows wheelchair users
how to mentally and physically adapt to life with their new wheels. Madeline plans to
continue her advocacy with a career in the travel industry, specializing in travel for
individuals with disabilities.
5
Who’s Who at Ski for Light
Listed below are the Participants for the 38th Annual Black Hills Ski for Light
Tammy Adams *
Linda Alziebler *
Russ Arnold
Daniel Avard
Monty Bailey
Jeevan Bains *
Roger Balanga
John Bartos
Megan Bening
Chasse Bennett
Warren Bennett
Tracy Bradley *
Richard Branaugh
David Brown
Mark Bulger
Simmon Butler *
Brian Corwin
Casey Davidson
Madeline Delp *
LaDonna Derocher
Dale Diedtrich
Sarah Diedtrich
Kristi (Ms. WCSD)
Eisenbraun
Jacey Enget
Adam Feist *
Donnie Frasier
Nancy Galaway *
Agatha Gietzen *
Kandice Gietzen
Robert Gruchala *
Susan Lee Guest
Debbie Hamilton
Harley Haynes
Kari Krumwiede
Kaija Kuleck *
Katie Larson *
Sarah Lawson *
Karen Lemmon
Minturn Leslie *
Hope Magelky
Molly Maxwell
Eliza McIntosh *
Becky McCullough
Michael McMillen
Kenneth Meyers
Mathew Millar
Jason Mitschele *
Amy Mitschele
Theresa Montano
Brad Morgan
Linda Heller *
Michael Hoeppner
David Hoffman
Amanda Hofland
Jordan Houseman *
Cameron Hoverson
Michael Hutchens
Jim Jirak *
Kira Johnson
Jill Johnson
Chris Jonas
Sylvia Jonas
Tim Kachel *
Seth Kasper
Mariah Kilbourne
Tara Knudson
Jay Kronfeld
Gloria Olivo *
Brock Oster
Nicholas Pavel
John Paxman
Melissa Petersen
Mathew Pettit *
Darrell Poss
Doug Puetz
Vern Reilly
Kim Richards
Richard Rueda *
Melissa Saltzman *
Mickie Saltzman *
Samantha Schroth
Steve Senteney
Mary Sheldon
Bob Simonson
Richard Sobetski
Dawn Srstka
Lexee Steffan
Alma Stewart *
Doug Stip
Mary Stip
David Sundeen
Derek Turner
Wade Turner
Marcus Van Dam
Robert Vansteenberg
Morgan VanWell
Robert Westermeyer
Cindy White
Michelle Zentz
Helen Peterson
Listed below are the Guides and Volunteers for the 38th Annual Black Hills Ski for Light
Eric Ace
Jessie Ace
Willie Aldrich
Leif Andol
Nicole Aquillo *
Sallee Avveduto *
Michael Avveduto
Beth Bakke Stenehjem
Maureen Bartel
Walter Bartel
Michael Beason
William Beaster
Porfirio Belmontes
Allan Bening *
Jean Bening
Debbie Branaugh
Mitchell Branjord
Daniel Braun *
Liz Braun *
Samantha Brekke
Brian Brennan *
Robert Brown *
Tim Brumbaugh
Marcie Brumbaugh
Reidar Brustad *
Jim "Jimbob" Buehner
Betsy Carbo
Mark Carbo
Jodi Carlsgaard *
Carole Carniaux
Ann Chytka
Mark Chytka
Diana Cornford
Emily Covey *
Brian Curran *
Rozie Czeck
Kelley David *
Kaye Dial
Scott Doty
Peggy Doyle
Nicole Eckroth *
Scott Eckroth
Kjersti‐Helene Ehlers *
Sandi Eisenbraun
Lance Enget
Jan Engwer *
Kayla Fender
Sherry Fennell
Cindy Ferrell
Hilary Filler *
Lisa Fitzner
Shirley Frasier
Chris Gould
Frank Gould
John Gould
Michael Gould
Robert "Ruby" Guertler
Greg Gunderson
Shawn Gunderson
Izzy Haggar
George Lee
Peter Lee
Timothy A. Lemmon
Eric Lowe
Gary Maddock
Karla Maddock
Scott Malon *
David Martin
Anna Mason
Karen Matteoni *
Paula Matteoni *
Bonnie Mayer‐Streitz
David J. McCloud
Dale McMillin
Robert Miller
Mark Milligan
JoAnna Mitchell
Robert (Moe) Moelder
Mike Mohrman *
Kevin Moulder *
Augustin Murra
Terry Nelson
Gretchen Newman
Sara Nolen
Nick Nolen
Audrey Novak *
Jan Olsen *
Den Olsen
Maggie Olsen
Jackie Oster
Sophia Haggar
Faye Haggar
Rhonda Haley
Brandon Harvey *
Sharene Haux
Dan Hawley
Kelly Hayworth *
Doug Heller *
Jim Hermeling
Jamie Hower
Cheryl Hutchens
Gina Interrante
Sydney James
Petra Janes
Rick Johnson
Bryan Johnson
Andrew Josten *
Carol Kachel *
Doug Kasten
Casey Keough
Kathy Kinney
Ward Kinney
Dante Kitzmiller *
Greg Klein
Beverly Krause
Adam Krumwiede
Robyn Kyte
Edward Lammers
Connie Landrus *
Lisa Larson *
Kjeld Ole Otterstad
Diana Pace
Willie Padilla *
Ken Pasiewicz
Larry Pawlowski
Joseph Payette
Konnie Peck
John Pelerine
Richard Perdue
Anna Perry
Dean Petersen
Stephen Peterson
Karl Pfefferle
Kevin Pfefferle
Kevin Piatt
Katherine "Kitty" Pitts
Krys Reeker
Janelle Reeve
Andraya Reichel
Diana Reichel
Katrina Richter *
Ron Rolinskas
Les Roselles
Aryn Rowe *
Dave Rowe *
Janet Sanders
Steve Sanders
Jeff Schirle
Bruce Schmidt
Dave Schrall *
Lindsey Schroth *
Darlene Schroth
Lisa Setzepfandt *
Chris Sewell
Steve Sewell III
Donna Shinpaugh
John Skulborstad
Paul Soulek
Robyne Staiger
Kassy Swanson *
Marie Topp
Rob Van Dam
Nick Van Dam
Lorraine Vander Maten
Cynthia VanWell *
Mary Verlinde
Paul Verlinde
Janeen Walker
Brian Watzke
Kim Weyer
Linda White
Laurie Wilson *
Douglas Winkka
James Wright
Ron Yeager
Wayne Yeager
Steven Yesner
Katie Young *
Bill Young
Mike Yuds
* First Time Attendee
Please note that there may have been changes after this publication went to press. *Indicates first‐time attendee
6
Daily Schedule — Ski for Light January 22- 26, 2017
Sunday, January 22nd
2:00 – 5:00 pm
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Registration – Mineral Palace
Conference Room by Restaurant
Wine/Cheese Welcome
Mineral Palace Meeting Room
7:00 –8:00 pm
9:00 pm
Newcomers’ Orientation**
Band at Old Style Saloon #10
Monday, January 23rd
7:00 – 9:00 am
9:00 – 10:30 am
9:00 – 10:30 am
10:00 am
Breakfast
Downhill Guide Orientation at Terry Peak
XC Guide Orientation at Site
Bus #1 Leaves for XC Site
Equipment Issue at XC Site
(If participating in both XC/downhill,
go first to XC site for guide pairing)
10:00 am
Bus #2 Leaves for Terry Peak
12:00 pm
Lunch Served at each site
10:30 – 4:00 pm Skiing
(no transport between venues)
4:00 pm
Buses Return to Hotels
6:00 pm
Dinner at Old Style Saloon #10
Sponsored by Mary Ellen Lantis
9:00 pm
Band at Old Style Saloon #10
Tuesday, January 24 th
7:00 – 9:00 am
9:00 am
9:15 ‐ 12:00 pm
12:00 pm
Breakfast
Buses depart –
Bus #1 to XC Site
Bus #2 to Terry Peak
Skiing
Lunch Served at each site
10:00 – 4:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
8:30 pm
9:00 pm
Skiing
Buses Return to Hotels
Slot Tournament at Mineral Palace
Karaoke – Location at the Buffalo Bodega
Band at Old Style Saloon #10
Wednesday, January 25th
7:00 – 9:00 am
9:00 am
11:00 am
9:15 ‐ 12:00 pm
12:00 pm
Breakfast
Buses depart –
Bus #1 to XC Site
Bus #2 to Terry Peak
Visually Impaired Downhill Racing
Skiing
Lunch Served at each site
3:30 pm
4:00 pm
5:30 pm
9:00 pm
Downhill Skiing Ends‐Bus tranport to XC
Bonfire at XC Site – (One bus will return
for those not wishing to stay for bonfire)
Second bus returns to hotels
Band at Old Style Saloon #10
Thursday, January 26th
7:00 – 9:00 am
9:00 am
9:15 ‐ 12:00 pm
9:15 ‐ 12:00 pm
12:00 pm
Breakfast
Buses depart –
Bus #1 to XC Site
Bus #2 to Terry Peak
XC/Snowshoe Races (may do both)
Downhill Races (Snowsliders first)
Lunch
12:30 pm
XC Bus returns to hotel after races
completed (vouchers for lunch at the
Mineral Palacewill be distributed after
race is completed)
1:00 ‐ 4:00 pm Completion of Downhill Races
4:00 pm
Downhill Races Completed
(Bus back to hotel – may leave earlier)
6:00 pm
Bus leaves hotel for banquet
7:00 pm
Banquet/Awards Dinner at
Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel
**The meeting room at the Mineral Palace will be available at night on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for those who want a more quiet environment.
If you are eating lunch at Terry Peak, see SFL coordinators for lunch vouchers.
Vehicles at XC site must be kept to a minimum. Do not park on Hwy 385 – you will be ticketed/towed
7
Ski For Light Happenings
Last year’s snowmobile rides proved to be a big
hit and we are continuing these rides on the
George Mickelson trail which takes riders through
the beautiful Black Hills. Be sure to sign up for the
ride at registration and also at the different
venues. We would also like to thank Recreational
Springs for their generosity in allowing us to offer
these rides to our Ski for Light members.
Black Hills
Regional Ski for Light
Wins Dream Maker Award
Several members from the Black Hills Regional Ski for
Light travelled to the Huff Hills Ski Resort in Mandan,
ND to help in a day of skiing on February 27, 2016. It
was dedicated to a day of adaptive skiing organized by
Hope’s Vision and Dreams in Motion. Richard and
Tracy Perdue, John Gould, Brad Morgan, and Glenn
Johnson travelled to Huff Hills to lend a hand and some expertise to the group. Dreams in Motion provides recreational and sporting
opportunities for youth and young adults with mobility challenges or visual impairments and their families and friends. Hope’s Day
on the Hill allowed local skiers with disabilities to try their hand at downhill skiing. As a result of their efforts the group was presented
with the Dream Maker Award. Well done, Richard, Tracy, John, Brad and Glenn!
This year’s event takes place on March 4, 2017 and if you are interested in participating contact them at
[email protected] | PO Box 625, Mandan, ND 58554‐0625 | (701) 426‐7374.
Band at the Old Style Saloon #10 at 9:00 pm
Karaoke on Tues., Jan 24th 8:30
pm at the Buffalo Bodega
The Bonfire will be at XC Site Weds evening
starts at 4:00 pm
Slot Tournament will be held at the Mineral
Palace on Tuesday, January 24th at 6:00 PM.
Sign‐up for the slot tournament is at the main
desk of the Mineral Palace.
Come to Verns Tent for some warmth!
8
Staying in Touch with the Ski for Light Family
On l y
$1 icke t
f or e a
ch t
Did you know…..
The Black Hills Regional Ski for Light
that you could win $500 just by buying a raffle ticket to
be drawn the night of the banquet, Thursday, January 26,
and you need not be present to win. Proceeds from raffle
ticket sales are used to defray the costs of the event and
to provide scholarships to individuals who would not be
able to attend without the assistance.
website provides information on our program such as
dates, applications, photos, how to make a donation,
and key dates for our events.
Please check us out at www.bhsfl.org
Pictures to Share?
We have added a Facebook web page for you to
stay connected to your Ski for Light Friends year
round.
The photo gallery on the
website is for sharing
photographs of our various
events with friends. If you
have some good pictures
and want to share, please
send a CD (the disk will not
be returned) with selected
photos to:
Go to Facebook and search for
Black Hills Regional Ski for Light.
What is Your Ski for
Light Moment?
Please send us any interesting,
inspirational, humorous, or
humbling pictures so we can
share Your SFL moments.
Send it to our office at the
following address:
Rick Johnson at
[email protected]
Furnish the following
information which is helpful
to website managers in
annotating photographs.
Black Hills Regional Ski for Light
P.O. Box 3707
Rapid City, SD 57709
email us at [email protected]
You can include your name or make it anonymous and
we will try to share these moments with others.
• EVENT: SFL 2017
• CAPTION—your caption
• PEOPLE—identify people
• DESCRIPTION: A brief description of what is in the
photo as this will be used to describe to visually
impaired.
BHSFL Ski Swap
The Black Hills Regional Ski for Light Ski Swap has become the
largest in the surrounding area and has been strongly supported
by the local population. Held the first weekend of November each
year, vendors and consignors sell their equipment at the Rapid
City Civic Center. It has been the main fundraiser for the winter
event which enables the organization to keep the cost for the
week of skiing level for the last 30 years.
Working at the swap has its perks as volunteers are able to prebuy
equipment prior to offering it to the public for the sale which only
runs for three hours – noon to 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday.
This year’s ski swap is November 4, so come volunteer or come
and buy equipment for the upcoming ski season.
• PHOTOGRAPHER—for credit
You can also upload pictures to the BHSFL Shutterfly
account. It allows you to post your own messages and
photos. The web address is:
http://pictureperfectsflmoments.shutterfly.com
Go to the website, sign up for a FREE account, and then click
on the “Add Pictures” button at the top of the screen.
9
Special Awards and Tributes
The Cross Country Participant Award/Downhill Participant
Award is given to a cross country participant/downhill participant
who distinguished themselves in a unique way on the cross
country/downhill side. It may be that person who challenges
him/herself to go beyond his/her physical limitations or provide
emotional support to their friends who are skiing while they
can’t.
2016 Cross Country Participant Award – Donnie Frasier
2016 Downhill Participant Award – Molly Maxwell
Donnie Frasier
Molly Maxwell & Tracy Perdue
The Ski for Light Spirit Award exemplifies SFL Board’s desire to
recognize the contributions of an individual who may be a person
known for their flamboyance, for their soft and gentle demeanor,
for work they do during the course of the week as they assist
or interact with SFL people.
2016 Ski for Light Spirit Award – Hannah Shafer
Hannah Shafer &
Nick Van Dam
The Cross Country Guide Award/Downhill Guide Award is given to
the cross country guide/downhill guide who devotes their time and
efforts to helping out in whatever way they are able to taking care of
those involved with the cross country /downhill program at Ski for Light.
Maggie Olsen
2016 Cross Country Guide Award – Maggie Olsen
2016 Downhill Guide Award – Doug Winkka
The Ski for Light Legacy Award is given to someone who has
contributed to the mission of Ski for Light. It may not be just at
the winter event, which continues to be the largest event of the
year, but in the course of the fundraising at our annual ski swap,
helping out in a summer program, helping during a ski day for the
local schools, etc. The contributions of Phyllis O’Connor and Joe
Sanders come to mind in the presentation of this award.
2016 Ski for Light Legacy Award – The Van Dam Family
Doug Winkka
Beth Bakke‐Stenehjem &
Donnie Frasier
Nick, Marcus & Rob Van Dam
Pam Fritz, Kaye Leslie, Doug Winkka
10
Molly Maxwell
Ski For Light Tribute
A tribute to those who have passed on; we know that
they are smiling down on us during this week.
Stephen Whitehead
Stephen Rex Whitehead, age 63, passed away on March 23, 2016 in Sandy, UT. Born on February 25, 1953 in American Fork,
UT to Stephen Olpin Whitehead and Betty LaRue Dimick Whitehead. Survived by a sister, Cheryl (Joel) Adams and a brother,
Kyle (Mary) Whitehead. Preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, March 30,2016 from 7‐9 p.m. at his parents home, 630 S 1300 E, Pleasant Grove, UT.
In lieu of flowers please remember to buckle your seat belts and make a donation to the Christopher and Dana Reeve
Foundation, 636 Morris Turnpike, Ste 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078.
Steve Whitehead
After working for Caswell at the hotel, the two
eventually became partners in a club known as
the White Buffalo entertainment complex in
Buffalo, Wyo.
“Dana was the hardest working guy and as
honest as you can be,” said Attaway, who
credited Caswell with helping him get the gig as
the in‐house entertainer at the Deadwood
Mountain Grand.
“He was always there for everybody, a true friend
and a wonderful man. What a terrible tragedy.”
With more than 100 locals sharing memories and
cocktails, Alan Caswell, 55, said he was Dana Caswell
overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy and
well‐wishes since Dana’s death.
“It’s incredible, and it’s heart‐breaking,” Alan
said, hugging his young son to his side. “People
loved him so much and with great enthusiasm,
and that’s pretty clear today.”
As Caswell’s cohorts, friends and their families
gathered along Main Street, ready for a New
Orleans‐style send‐off, inquisitive tourists
assembled beneath the Victorian facades of the
Old West town, some fairly certain that Wild Bill
Hickok was about to die in a shoot‐out for the
seventh time that day.
Newly crowned Miss South Dakota Julia Olson, of
Sioux Falls, was on hand to provide a beautiful rendition of “Dancing in the Sky,” a
song she said told the story of the prospects that await each of us at the end of
the trail.
Then with a bugle call, a police escort and a second squad car carrying Blues
Brothers look‐a‐likes, the growing procession of 200 revelers shouted, hooted and
pranced up the brick‐lined boulevard, past a few thousand smart phones and
smiles, in a raucous celebration of a life cut short and abbreviated friendships that
would never be reclaimed.
A half‐hour later at Santana’s Bar in the Deadwood Mountain Grand, Mitch “Gator”
Romer, one of Caswell’s co‐workers, said his departed friend was the epitome of
the Northern Hills tourist town — a hard‐worker who arrived early and stayed late.
“Dana was Deadwood,” Romer said, hoisting a shot of red‐eye. “Every night, Dana
shut this town down. Tonight, we shut this town down for Dana.”
In a quiet moment, Deadwood Mountain Grand co‐owner Monica Conrad attested
to Caswell’s good‐nature and his love of close friends.
“These people are here because Dana was such an upstanding, proper gentleman,”
she said. “He always had a hug for you. He loved fine wine, and he loved his
friends.”
Christine Bestgen, who knows a bit about saying goodbye after losing her son, Spc.
Dennis Jensen, in Afghanistan in 2003, said Caswell had helped her find some
solace.
Deadwood Departure Draws Nearly 200, By Tom Griffith, Journal Staff
Reprinted with permission of The Rapid City Journal, By Tom Griffith, Journal Staff
Dana Caswell
An extraordinary event occurred in this pine‐clad mountain town Wednesday night;
a thing so unusual it bore brief mention, the significance of which was muffled by
belching bugles, a torrent of love and a few thousand tears, some shed by manly
men not given to such public displays.
In this warren of cowboys and craps rollers, boozin’ and blackjack, where you’re a
newcomer if your grandparents aren’t buried in the local cemetery, a few hundred
friends gathered to pay tribute to a greenhorn with vast experience, and a
tenderfoot with a heart so tender it touched everyone from struggling waitresses
to towering businessmen.
The man they honored, 64‐year‐old Dana S. Caswell, arrived in Deadwood just
eight years ago, ready to start managing the food and beverage operations of the
Gem Steakhouse at the Mineral Palace Hotel on Main Street. Caswell’s all‐too‐brief
tenure, which was preceded by several decades of hard‐earned experience, was
cut short July 10 when he drowned while swimming at Pactola Reservoir.
“I’m still in shock,” Caswell’s little brother, Alan, of Billings, Mont., said Wednesday
afternoon while surveying a get‐together of friends and co‐workers at the Mineral
Palace. “That’s the second brother I’ve lost, and I’m still trying to deal with it. I
have to take him back to Maine where he’ll be laid to rest.”
In less than a decade in town, Caswell had attracted a cadre of close friends and
become the “go‐to guy” for civic and business organizations needing quality
volunteers.
He reportedly worked hard for the Deadwood Business Club and hosted meetings
of the Lead‐Deadwood Lions Club at the Gem Steakhouse he managed in the
Mineral Palace Hotel on Main Street.
“It didn’t matter who it was, Dana always wanted to help and he was always
friendly to everybody,” said past Lions Club President Terry Houk. “He’d help with
silent auction items, ticket raffles and highway clean‐ups. He was just a guy who
always volunteered. We’ve all lost such a good friend.”
Lifelong Deadwood businessman Mike Trucano said he didn’t remember anybody
ever saying a bad word about Caswell or him saying a bad word about anyone else.
“We truly lost a pillar in our community,” Trucano said. “Dana was just the sort of
person you wanted to come to Deadwood, the kind of guy you wanted to be your
neighbor and your friend. He was a gentleman.”
Caswell’s death left Rich Turbiville shaking his head. “It’s not even like it’s real yet,”
said Turbiville, who brought Caswell to Deadwood when he hired him as food and
beverage manager at the Mineral Palace in 2006. “He was one of those rare guys
who had the level of experience we were looking for, and he brought people to
town to work for us we normally couldn’t find.”
With restaurant and banquet experience stretching from restaurants on the coast
of Maine to the mountains of Jackson Hole and Sheridan, Wyo., Caswell operated
on a different plain, Turbiville said. And, no one ever saw Caswell become
unsettled, he said.
“The guy was really amazing,” Turbiville said. “He once staged a Maine lobster bake
for a VIP party in Deadwood, with live lobsters. It wasn’t something just anybody
could do around here.
“I never heard Dana raise his voice to anybody,” Turbiville recalled. “It could be
chaos, and he could calm the room just by walking in. He was so good with people.”
Entertainer Kip Attaway, who first met Caswell 27 years ago at the Sheraton Hotel
in Steamboat Springs, Colo., said Monday he had lost one of his dearest friends.
11
Dallas Dietrich recalled as 'a friend to everybody'
In 1997, a semitrailer crashed into the rear
of his car, injuring him and his wife and killing
their two children (Deric at 21, Dawn at 26)
and Dawn's husband, Joseph Krutzky.
Dietrich suffered a spinal‐cord injury and was
left unable to walk.
Despite this, his friends claim that they
never heard him bemoan his problems.
"All the pain he felt, and you could see it,
but he never once complained," Fullerton
said.
"He never really thought about that,"
Shafer said. "I've never known him to feel
sorry for himself. He was more concerned
about everybody else, disabled or not."
Dallas Dietrich
Dietrich himself spoke to the Rapid City
Journal in a 2002 interview, saying that he
was just as motivated to help people after his accident as he was before.
"I've been around people who were in a lot worse shape than me," Dietrich
said. "What's helped me is trying to help other people."
Dietrich threw himself into other projects for the disabled. With Mary, he
created Meeting the Need, a Black Hills camp for people with disabilities,
spending years on renovations before opening it to the public in 2005. Shafer
and Fullerton have been on the camp's board of directors.
"It provides a vacation destination not only for individuals with disabilities,
but their families as well," said Shafer.
Shafer said that Dietrich was still involved in the day‐to‐day operations of the
camp up until his death. He was also a major contributor to the recent
renovations on the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to make it more accessible to
those with disabilities, according to Fullerton.
"He had a lift to get in and out of his pickup, and did it all on his own, every
day," Fullerton said.
That involvement went all the way to everyday efforts to help people with
disabilities on an individual level, according to Gould.
"He'd call you and say, 'this person needs this, we should do this, let's do this,'"
Gould said. "If he heard someone needed a wheelchair, a ramp, whatever,
he'd make sure it got to people."
His efforts were recognized when he was named Volunteer of the Year by
South Dakota Gov. George Mickelson in 1985, and as Outstanding Citizen With
A Disability by Gov. Mike Rounds in 2006.
Whether it was on a personal or public level, his friends remembered his
service, his big heart, and his unfailing ability to bring cheer those who
needed it.
"There's probably 5,000 people who consider him their close friend," Fullerton
said. "It's amazing what he did for the community just by being a friend."
by Max B. O’Connell
When friends think of the late Dallas Dietrich, every one of them seems to hit
upon a similar refrain: That he was "a friend to everybody."
Dietrich, a co‐founder of Ski for Light and an avid volunteer and advocate for
people with disabilities, died Saturday at 68. He leaves behind a legacy of
kindness and community involvement and betterment across the Black Hills
region.
"God, how do you explain Dallas?" said Jeff Fullerton. "Everybody he touched
he put a smile on their face. He had God's gift, a one‐in‐a‐million gift."
Born on May 28, 1948, Dietrich grew up in northeastern Montana, eventually
making his way to Rapid City, where he graduated from National College, and
where he raised two children, Dawn and Deric, with his wife, Mary. He owned
and operated Adventure Sport in Rapid City and Spearfish for seven years and
owned tourism businesses in Keystone for 27 years.
But his greatest legacy was helping people.
"He was always a guy who said, 'What can I do to help you?'" said Vern Shafer.
Those who knew Dietrich well could easily pinpoint how they met him, and
across the board, they remembered instantly liking him. John Gould met
Dietrich in the National Guard, where they had the enviable task of guarding
a broken wagon full of beer.
"I knew I was going to like him right away," Gould said. "He was extremely
positive. We've been best buds ever since."
John Gould and Dallas Dietrich were among the half‐dozen people who co‐
founded Ski for Light in 1978, providing a skiing experience for people with
disabilities at Deer Mountain ski area.
"He went to the first international Ski for Light, talked about how much fun
he had, and it got started here," Gould said. "I haven't missed one since."
Fullerton said that as soon as he got involved in Ski for Light, he saw the good
it did for those involved.
"You go there and there's no person complaining," Fullerton said. "Whatever
problems you have, it's nothing compared to them, and none of them are
complaining."
Ski for Light's current president, Vern Shafer, went as far as to say that nobody
in the area did more to help the visually impaired and physically disabled than
Dietrich.
"It's been the goal of Ski for Light to provide fun and vigorous outdoors
activities for the disabled," Shafer said. "And from the moment I met him, he
was interested in who I was, how I came to be at Ski for Light."
Ski for Light was recognized by President George H.W. Bush as the 80th Point
of Light in his national Thousand Points of Light recognition program in 1990.
Dietrich and Gould were among those who witnessed the president
acknowledge the program in the Rose Garden.
"It made you feel pretty proud to be part of an organization like that,"
Gould said.
An avid skier, outdoors enthusiast and volunteer, Dietrich would soon
experience the other side of program.
Reprinted with the permission of the Rapid City Journal
12
I've only met Dallas one time, but in the first five
minutes of meeting him, his beautiful nature showed
clearly. Debbie Hamilton and I had just showed up on
the spur of the moment at Terry Peak Ski
Resort and before we had even gotten on the
elevator he had Debbie set up to take a ride down
the hill. Which she was addicted to from there on
out. He even demanded we take his suite and stay
the night. He was so kind and friendly I know
Debbie and I will never forget him. Heaven has
definitely gained an angel. Rhonda Haley
I saw Dallas once and he seemed quiet,
withdrawn. It was not possible, even,
to draw him into conversation. With all
the hubbub around him at Nelly's, he
stood, aloof and silent. Perplexed, I
turned to his closest friends to see
what was going on, to find out if
maybe they knew what had impacted
him so profoundly. They offered me a
taste of the same Insanity Sauce that
had so recently paralyzed the vocal
chords of the great and talkative
Dallas. It was the only thing I ever saw
that slowed him down. Brad Morgan
Many years ago, my friends Carmen and Diana gave me a cowbell to ring during
our races here at the Black Hills Regional Ski for Light. As I'm sure you all know,
it's traditional to ring bells while we cheer on the cross‐country racers but I didn't
have a bell until, I think it was Christmas before that particular event. I don't
remember which year, but that doesn't really matter.
Anyway, during the races that year I lent my bell to Dawn when I left the
course. She, in turn, said she gave it to Dallas, who in turn, said he'd get it back
to me at the banquet. Well, the banquet came and went and so did the farewells
the next morning but Dallas said the bell was in his truck, somewhere, and he'd
make sure it got back to me.
Well, time passed and no bell. Then one day, Fed‐ex or UPS, I don't remember
which, delivered a package from Dallas. It had a bell in it sure enough, but it
wasn't mine! It was smaller by a long shot and therefore didn't have the
resonating sound that the bell from Carmen and Diana had. He insisted that it
was mine. Of course it was now, but it wasn't the bell that I had lent to Dawn.
The year after that, I replaced the original bell with one as close to it as I could
find and brought both to the next Ski for Light. When everyone was gathered in
the lodge at Deer Mountain, I got the microphone and let everyone hear the two
bells and asked them if they could tell the difference. Of course, they could and
everyone laughed. I still have both of those bells and a real cow bell that Shirley
Fraser gave me, mud and all.
We all miss Dallas but you know he would never miss one of our events. He will
be there where ever something mischievous or fun is happening, and somehow
we'll all know it. Petra Janes
13
SPECIAL THANKS
Our event is made possible by the generosity
of businesses and individuals who support us
every year. We would like to recognize those
who have helped us this year. Some of those
who made a contribution may have been
received after this publication went to press.
DIAMOND
– $5000+
Robert & Barbara Guertler
Sampson Foundation
GOLD
- $1000+
Gould Development
Eric Vetter
Regis & Diane Synan
Maria Carroll
Independent Insurance Agents
of Rapid City
Calvin Schmidt
Cammy Lantis
Century 21 Associated Realty, Inc
of Deadwood/Greg Klein
Rick Messer
Luther Family Ford
Mary Ellen Lantis – in memory
of Dallas Dietrich
SILVER
Great Western Bank
Operations
Karen Andrew – in memory of
Todd Andrew
Sturgis Lions Club
Spearfish Lions Club
Tony Pauly
Marie Topp
John Paxman
First American Title
Northwest Pipe Fittings
Evening Star Lions Club
Hill City Lions
Jay & Angela Crossland
VFW BH Post 5969
Deadwood Elks Lodge #508
Sands Drywalling
David Hoffman
National Multiple Sclerosis
Society – Minnesota Chapter
Debbie Brinkman
- $500+
Dean Kurtz Construction
Richard Koch
Scull Construction
Huron Noon Lions
Pete Lien
Beverly Krause
Jessie & Eric Ace – in memory
of Dallas Dietrich
Boydʼs Liquor
BRONZE
Mineral Palace
Richard & Tracy Perdue
Black Hills Harley Davidson
Wharf Resources
Terry Peak
Black Hills Powersports
Acme Bicycle
Rapid Chevrolet
Black Hills Works
Todd Kasin
Paul Thorstenson
Smithʼs Liquor
Viking Sports
Epic Signs
Pioneer Bank & Trust
– < $500
Gene McPherson
Britton Lions Club
Brookings Noon Lions Club
Lemmon Lions Club
Harlan & Karen Robbins
David & Donna Eversman
Selby Lions Club
Stanley Johnsen Concrete
Contractor
White River Lions Club
THANK YOU!
Alexandra McArthur– in
memory of Dallas Dietrich
Genevieve Dawson
Steve Flanery
Alette Coble-Temple
Mountain Equipage
Ron & Joyce Koth
Collins Company
Jerald Hellwig Sands Drywalling
Mary Lee Martinson