PHOTO: Evelo honored by Ski For Light

While Mother Nature didn’t fully cooperate with the 49th annual Ski For Light, the organization honored the man who was instrumental in bringing the event for visually impaired skiers to Rhinelander for the first time in its half-century history.

Mike Evelo of Rhinelander was presented with the organization’s Bjarne Eikevik President’s Award, which is presented yearly to the deserving person(s) for their hard work and dedication in working for and improving Ski for Light. The award was presented to Evelo during the end of the group’s stay Feb. 1. 

“The recipient of this year’s Bjarne Eikevik President’s Award should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been with us this week in Rhinelander,” remarked SFL president Julie Coppens. “We are here because of this person. We love Rhinelander because of this person — he showed us how much there is here to love... I know I can ask him to do literally anything, and the answer is always yes, OK, when does it need to be done, and who else can I pull in to help?” 

The award was named after Eikevik, one of the founders over the organization and its president from 1976 to 1981. The award includes a traveling pewter drinking horn. 

During his own remarks, Evelo recalled his first year as a Ski for Light guide, and in particular, his surprise and disappointment that there weren’t more attendees from his own home area, where Nordic skiing is such a popular activity. He’s spent the years since working to change that. 

“I think now we can say, ‘the Rhinelander area knows what Ski for Light is.’ Bringing these two communities together — what an inspiration,” he said.