“You had the sense that this was what Lake of the Isles was like at the turn of the century,” said one participant who was skiing the Luminary Loppet for the first time.  “Thousands of people dusted with snow, milling about in winter quiet and delight….  Kids playing, families and friends out together.  It was really something else.”

Minneapolis residents of yesterday and today would have admired the icy feats on the trail: over 1,200 ice luminaries perfectly spaced around a three kilometer course, totems of ice filling out the nooks and crannies of the lake, the Enchanted Forest luring visitors beneath hundreds of lanterns suspended from the trees.  Walkers, skiers, and snowshoers converged to delight in this truly magical winter experience.

“Looking at the lake you’d think everyone in Minneapolis skied” said a Diane Carlson, a Loppet Foundation volunteer with the Adaptive Ski Program.  Carlson and friend, Cindy Lund, have been assisting 14 year old Kevin learn to use a sit-ski all season.  For the Luminary Loppet – Cindy used a harness to help Kevin move along the course with Diane guiding from behind between Kevin’s enthusiastic pole plants.  They made it to the fire dancers which had everyone in the pack captivated.

The Luminary Loppet planning committee watched proudly as Mother Nature iced the cake sending down snow flurries as night set into the sky.  “Oh my God… It was my first year and no matter where I am in the world I am always coming back for that event!” said Dawn Pivec who was still mesmerized by the spectacle days after her evening on the ice.  “Since the Luminary Loppet – I’m addicted – I’ve been skiing every day since.” 

“I live here,” said Bill Dossett who, as a volunteer, oversees and manages all operations for the Loppet.  “I want to do this for the community.”  The Luminary Loppet is a prized event for Minnesotans – a powerful assembly of tranquility and  joy on a cold winter’s night.

Roll up your sleeves – it’s a lefse rolling party!

Invitation:

Greetings Team Lefse.  Please come around 6 but stretch and warm up your hands-wrists-forearms before you come to prevent lefse rolling syndrome, which afflicts thousands of Norwegians every year.  Its covered by Norwegian health care but the trip to Oslo would be prohibitive.

Please bring a brush which could spread melted butter and a shaker that could dispense a sugary mixture, if you have them.  If not Ingebretson’s carries imported royalty approved lefse buttering and sugaring instruments, on sale as a Loppet special package for $59 this week only. Hurry over before they are gone, they are reportedly whizzing off the shelves.

Our friends at Fat Lorenzo’s Pizza are donating pizza for our volunteer effort, with plentiful lutefisk/herring toppings.  Ya, you betcha we’re gonna have a gud time.  

Sincerely – Ole and Lena

Post race lefse snack… yum.

Thank you:

Greetings Team Lefse:  We watched with pride today as hundreds of hungry skiers’ eyes opened wide as they approached the baskets of still tightly wound lefse at the racers’ table following the Loppet races at Calhoun Square.  Hate to leave the fresh fruit and soup in the dust but it was clear that Mrs. Olson once again scored a culinary triumph.  We chatted with the company son Erik who says he appreciates all the support, still a lot of naysayers in the company up there (down there?) in Gondwick Minnesota.

Thanks again for a fun and whacky evening.  We also salvaged a cup of cinnamon/sugar from the floor sweeping afterward, mostly from where Maryanne was working. When our guests have cinnamon toast in the future, they will never know.

If you do not respond to this email within 24 hours, a reserved and non-refundable spot at “Lefse Rolling 2014—The Sequel” will be secured in your name.  And no, the first photo was not out of focus—that just shows how fast everyone was working!

Thanks so much for lending a hand (or two) Friday night—we had a ton of fun!

Sincerely – Ole and Lena

Mrs. Olson’s Lefse is the official Loppet lefse sponsor.  You will be seeing the Norwegian dessert popping up at all Loppet events.  If you would like to hold lefse rolling parties in preparation for Loppet events, please contact remak@loppet.org to roll!.

Over 500 youth, from toddlers to twelve year olds, participated in the Cook County Minne-Loppet, an event for young skiers and kids in the Loppet Foundation’s Minne-Loppet Program.  The Loppet provides equipment, coaches and grooming to six Minneapolis elementary schools. Students ski on trails groomed right out their door and learn the fundamentals of skiing and nutrition. The eight week program ends with the Minne-Loppet youth ski event.

The Minne-Loppet race is the pinnacle event of the Minne-Loppet ski season and a much anticipated event among the participants.  “They remember it and look forward to doing it every year,” said Minne-Loppet Program Director Margaret Adelsman.  

On race day, buses picked up parents and kids at their respective schools and brought them to the start line on the Lagoon.  Family members were invited to come along and walk along side their child during the event.  Kids had the option of the short course (1k) or long course (2k) before making a right hand turn on Hennepin Ave. to the finish where coaches and volunteers waited with open arms and crowned the accomplished skiers with moose antlers and a medal.

We know you are out there – but can we find you?  Every year hundreds of people ski the Freestyle Loppet, however only a lucky few end up on the podium.  As in years past, the participants in this year’s Freestyle Loppet will be shooting for that golden spot somewhere in the “middle of the pack”.

The 400th skier in this year’s Freestyle Loppet will win a Surly Brewing Co ski suit.

So good luck in your race.  We hope you get 400th!  And remember… you can be the Surly-est skier and still smile…

Winner will be announced at the awards ceremony, Sunday Feb 3., 3:00pm, Comedy Sportz.

Those who love the self propulsion of skiing and the grit and grind of winter biking are encouraged to come out for the ride of their lives…

Compete in both the Loppet Freestyle event and the Penn Cycle Fat Tire Loppet and be eligible for the glory of the glide, the ultimate ride on the trails, and the Minneapolis skyline sandwiched between a ski and a bike rim…

Yes- this year’s award for the Fittest Fattest Fasted Athlete is a one of a kind recycled piece of artwork handmade and donated by Beau Layman of Richfield Penn Cycle.  This award will be given out to the most hardcore male and female who do the 35k Freestyle ski race in the morning and the Penn Fat Tire Loppet in the afternoon with the fastest combined times.

The award is made of bike and ski parts.  What are you made of?