Birchleggers at Becker Law Link Bridge Dedication on August 14, 2021

 

Birchleggers Dave Balsiger, Paul Thompson, and Steve Carmazon attended the new Becker Law Link Bridge Dedication and ribbon cutting on August 14, 2021. Dave, Paul, and Steve are pictured at the Capstone Rock that has the Birchleggings Club Name on it as a contributor. The new bridge over Highway 77 is in the background.

It was reported by Ben Popp, the American Birkebeiner Foundation Executive Director, that over one hundred people were in attendance for not only the ribbon cutting but also to hear the vision for the Mt. Telemark Village and Nordic Center and for the foundation's annual meeting in the Great Hall at the American Birkebeiner start area.

The Celebration of Cheryl Hiltibran's Life held on July 11, 2021 in Maple Plain, Minnesota

On Sunday July 11th friends and family of Cheryl Hiltibran, Birchleggings Club board member, gathered at a gazebo at Baker Park in Maple Plain, Minnesota to remember Cheryl and celebrate her life. 

Steve Carmazon and Paul Thompson, Birchleggings Club board members, attended. Cheryl’s magical Birkie Bib quilt was prominently displayed in addition to remembrances from ski trips, race suits and other paraphernalia. Cheryl’s life was so much more. She was deeply involved in a women’s writing and healing group and enjoyed many adventures into the North American wilderness in her solo canoe. We learn so much about people after they are gone.

Paul reported that he was left with a desire to learn more about this Cheryl and had the chance to chat with Stacy Laufer her step daughter and meet her neighbor Julie while picking up her skis to display on the ceiling of our Mosquito Brook Hut on the Birkie trail. Cheryl contributed so much to our board in the short time she was with us. My learning from her leaving is that we all have the opportunity  to learn and appreciate the stories and the people of our special community of lifelong skiers. Long live Cheryl’s memory.

Thank you to Paul for providing these photographs and these words.