2006 Springtacular

adapted from article by Bella Coover in the Mammoth Times

There were 55 "Stars" with butterflies of excitement getting ready to shine brightly during their four day skiing event at the Main Lodge beginning on April 24. Mammoth Mountain and Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra hosted the first annual event designed specifically for people with special needs. Participants traveled from all over California to attend this event, which was started 31 years ago by Mary Cahill.

Springtacular Group

Originally named Special Olympics, the event grew into California Special Sports and has since transformed into the "Springtacular" with a new look and feel. The new look features a great logo, compliments of Jorie Nolen, and the new feel is one of encouraging individuals to achieve their potential through freedom and exhilaration of skiing!

Tom Mazidis, Pete Blumenthal, Cliff Rahming

Keith Miller, one of the "Stars," stated of all the years he's participated since 1977, this one was the best, "especially since I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday the last day of the event."

DSES extends many thanks to Mammoth Mountain for supporting the event so generously! They hosted this Springtacular event that included lunchtime entertainment with Paws 4 Healing Therapy Dogs (and rat!), Kids on the Block puppet show and drumming. Mammoth Lakes Parks and Recreation and Tourism Commission funded scholarships for the local "Stars," and local students made up one-third of this year's participants-the most ever!

Lillian jamming with the shakers during the lunchtime drumming

The Springtacular Dance was held April 26 at Ocean Harvest. All the "Stars," volunteers and staff moved and grooved the night away. Wynton Williams, a Springtacular "Star," said that he "had the pleasure of dancing with many beautiful ladies." DSES said they are grateful to Benjamin Louie, Doug Frye, Greg Roberts, Molly Geirman and Ed Hurley for "reopening" Ocean Harvest for the party, deeming it "one of the best ever!"

Beau Smalley helps with drumming and music festivities

More than a hundred volunteers came out to support, organize and teach the super "Stars" for the Springtacular. Susan Denniston says she volunteers because of "the laughter and smiles that skiing brings to the Stars' faces."

Janet Zeldis, Warren Mesa, Dot Beck

Volunteer Dot Beck noted, "Warren (one of the "Stars") did it-he made 10 runs in one day and has become independent of all adaptive gear!" Successes happened all over the mountain that week. All of the "Stars" were soon successfully doing laps on chairs 11, 1, 6 and 2. These special "Stars" are ones to be gazed at with wonder!

It should come as no surprise to everyone that the DSES event exceeded all expectations, making the first annual Springtacular an outstanding event-one to be repeated each year!