Skiing still alive in Ashland
To the editor:
There’s excitement in Aroostook County that more of us could be a part of and enjoy. Nordic skiing is alive and well in our communities. It provides exercise and learning for our children, entertainment for family and friends, and purpose to our snowy winters. Skiing is a lifetime sport; it’s the reason I still live here.
Today the first middle school ski meet of the season took place in Ashland on the Garfield Road. I’m the kind of person who cries at a parade, so of course I got choked up hearing the crowd roar at the finish line. The sounds of laughter and encouragement seemed to say “skiing that started here so long ago is still alive.” I was out on the race course encouraging students to have fun and “enjoy the ride on the downhill.” The expressions of the racers’ faces were priceless. Middle-schoolers love an audience and being encouraged. They light up when they hear someone say “good job” or “hup hup” (an expression in skiing).
Congratulations to the Ashland Ski Club. They put on a great event that day. The trails were well prepared, volunteers were eager to help, grandmothers made whoopee pies and cookies to share, andthe Ashland Middle School ski team earned a chance to be leaders in this, the beginning of middle school ski season – a heart-warming community event that was great, clean fun. Congratulating my students tomorrow (the Ashland Hornets) will bring added enjoyment, and so the fun continues.
I encourage you to attend the Junior Olympics in Presque Isle this month, to see a community middle school ski race too. A schedule of races can be explored at www. fourseasonstrail.org Do you want to surprise a skier or yourself? Both pleasures can be had by enjoying the things snow brings!
Mapleton
