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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> member@nfbtx.org <member@nfbtx.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Michael McCulloch<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 20, 2025 6:54 AM<br><b>To:</b> Michael McCulloch <mdmcculloch1@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBT] Re: 2026 Ski for Light Team Texas Kickoff\u200b - August 19<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>If you missed the kickoff meeting last night or want to review meeting, you may find the meeting recording at the following link:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt'><a href="https://tinyurl.com/2026-SFL-Team-Texas-Kickoff">https://tinyurl.com/2026-SFL-Team-Texas-Kickoff</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Regards,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>-- michael</span><br><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><br>Michael McCulloch<br>832-453-7139<br><a href="mailto:mdmcculloch1@gmail.com" target="_blank">mdmcculloch1@gmail.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Wed, Aug 13, 2025 at 5:51<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span>PM Michael McCulloch <<a href="mailto:mdmcculloch1@gmail.com">mdmcculloch1@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><img border=0 width=141 height=86 style='width:1.4687in;height:.8958in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:ii_meajhwak0" alt="Ski for Light logo - a blind skier and guide skiing side by side and a mobility impaired skiier on a sit ski ahead of them"></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Greetings,</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I am Michael McCulloch, the 2026 Ski for Light Team Texas coordinator. The mission of Ski for Light (SFL) is to enhance the quality of life and independence of visually or mobility-impaired adults through a program of cross-country skiing.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Although the temps across much of Texas are in the 90\u2019s, it\u2019s time to start planning for the 2026 Ski for Light International Week. We had 8 participants on Team Texas attend the SFL Event in Provo, Utah this past year. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>We are eager to get back on the snow and are looking to send an even larger Texas contingent to the 2026 SFL Event. We are also hoping to have some of our mobility impaired friends attend. Please join us for the upcoming 2026 SFL Team Texas kickoff meeting on Zoom.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>WHEN: Tuesday, Augst 19, 2025, 7:00 PM Central Time.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Join the Zoom meeting</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://zoom.us/j/7428486329?pwd=M003RmZaa3pTbWRlZ00xbSs4YTlmUT09" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>https://zoom.us/j/7428486329?pwd=M003RmZaa3pTbWRlZ00xbSs4YTlmUT09</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>One tap mobile from a smartphone: +13462487799,,7428486329#</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>,,,,*369978#</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> US</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Dial from a phone: +1 346 248 7799 US</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Meeting ID: 742 848 6329, Password: 369978</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>First, we will share highlights from the 2025 SFL International Event that occurred this past January/February. Then, we will discuss plans for participating in the 2026 SFL International Week, scheduled for February 1 thru 8, 2026. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The SFL event will be held at </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado, near Winter Park</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>About Snow Mountain Ranch</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>Snow Mountain Ranch is a 5,100 acre recreational complex that is part of the <a href="https://ymcarockies.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#AA0000'>YMCA of the Rockies</span></a>. At an elevation of 8,750 feet, the site was originally the location of two high-country <a href="https://ymcarockies.org/Activities/Compare#activity-historical-sites" target="_blank"><span style='color:#AA0000'>homesteads</span></a> and was acquired by the YMCA in 1966.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>On the grounds of Snow Mountain Ranch are a 100 kilometer cross country trail system that is consistently rated as one of the best Nordic venues in the country. There is even a lighted 2 kilometer loop near the Nordic Center for those who do not get enough skiing during the day. Trails are wide and wonderfully well groomed. Also on the property are a heated indoor swimming pool and sauna, a lighted tubing hill, a covered outdoor ice skating rink, an indoor roller-skating rink, and a crafts center. While cross country skiing will as always be the only official Ski for Light activity, attendees will have many options available to them for their leisure hours.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>The skiing portion of the Ski for Light week has been held at Snow Mountain Ranch twelve previous times, from 1992 to most recently 2023. This year, as in 2023, we will not only be skiing at Snow Mountain Ranch, we will be staying in the hotel and ski lodge buildings on the property. This will allow attendees to ski onto the trails just a short distance from their lodging.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The Ski Area</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>The Colorado Rockies are renowned for their dry powder snow. This makes skiing a real joy for skiers of all ability levels. It is also quite common for the early morning chill to turn into sunny and clear weather by the middle of the day. At an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet, the sun can be intense and skiers will need to remember to bring their sun block: sunburn is much more common than frostbite at Snow Mountain Ranch.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>The trail system covers more than 100 kilometers, with plenty of terrain for every ability level. There are practice loops and hills right outside the Nordic Center for those new to the sport.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#555555'>The <a href="https://ymcarockies.org/Nordic-Center" target="_blank"><span style='color:#AA0000'>Nordic Center</span></a> is a large two-story building with upper level decks for sunning and warming. On the lower level are a rental equipment shop, a retail store selling cross-country equipment and clothing and a fireplace and lounging area. Lunches on ski days this year will not be on the upper level of the Nordic Center, as in past years, but in the newly constructed Camper Hub building, a short walk from the Nordic Center.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>In keeping with Ski for Light tradition, we will end the week with the Olav Pedersen Race/Rally and enjoy the customary array of many off-snow activities throughout International Week. Check out the SFL promo video at the following link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjC96E7cyzg" target="_blank"><span style='color:#954F72'>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjC96E7cyzg</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You may also check out some of the photos from previous Team Texas SFL events at the following links.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>2020: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yvh2mrj6" target="_blank"><span style='color:#954F72'>https://tinyurl.com/yvh2mrj6</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>2023: </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/fA4mqLvdmt9gnbTZ6" target="_blank"><span lang=DE style='color:#954F72'>https://photos.app.goo.gl/fA4mqLvdmt9gnbTZ6</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Please share this email with other visually or mobility impaired Texans who may be interested. For additional info, please contact Michael McCulloch, </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="mailto:mdmcculloch1@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:#954F72'>mdmcculloch1@gmail.com</span></a> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Regards,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>-- michael</span><br><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><br>Michael McCulloch<br>832-453-7139<br><a href="mailto:mdmcculloch1@gmail.com" target="_blank">mdmcculloch1@gmail.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <br>National Federation of the Blind of Texas <br>"Live the life you want."<br>--- <br>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Members" group.<br>To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:member+unsubscribe@nfbtx.org">member+unsubscribe@nfbtx.org</a>.<br>To view this discussion visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/nfbtx.org/d/msgid/member/CANPAw5qPufkmkJWKo7GnVZAD_nUZKv77R%2BV1M49Bn1TVNwFfOQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/a/nfbtx.org/d/msgid/member/CANPAw5qPufkmkJWKo7GnVZAD_nUZKv77R%2BV1M49Bn1TVNwFfOQ%40mail.gmail.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>