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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, November 11-14, 2017 The Park Record 95-year-old set to take first chair up Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado ANTONIO OLIVERO Summit Daily COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. – As he sits in front of his brand new painting titled “Going Up River,” 95-year-old Frank Walter says water – both flowing and frozen – has always been at the center of his life. Born in 1922, Walter remembers water skiing as a child on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia, New Hampshire. He remembers his father wrapping leather around slabs of spare wood to help him ski atop a Northeast winter’s “hard water” in the family’s suburban-Boston backyard. “I grew up a mile from the ocean,” Walter said, “and my family was very active in many ways and it always involved water – hard or soft.” If Walter gets his way, the Copper Mountain resident of 29 years will have skied the hard stuff for more than nine decades. “My objective is to ski when I am 100,” he said. “And, the good lord willing, I can do it.” It was nearly nine decades ago when Walter’s father and mother first helped him board that pair of ragtag skis at the age of nine. Their destinations included that snow-covered North Quincy backyard and the neighborhood golf courses. “It wasn’t as great of a passion or even a wayward thing to enjoy back then,” Walter recalled Thursday while seated at Timberline Adult Day Services in Frisco, with the sound of his Boston accent still clear all these years later. HUGH CAREY/SUMMIT DAILY Frank Walter, at age 95, who was been skiing for at least eight decades, will take to the slopes again this season at Copper Mountain. “But even so, my parents skied when all they had was a piece of wood and a little bit of leather going over your foot.” When Walter skis this season – he hopes to hit Copper’s blue runs in December – it’ll be a far cry from those first experiences with his family. And when he, for the second straight year, pushes the button at 9 a.m. on Friday to ceremonially start the first chair up Copper, his ski getup will also be much different. Up until last year, he was in that first chair. These days there is no leather wrapped around Walter’s shoes. Rather, he brandishes a vibrant yellow ski jacket, one that has a number across its back. And it’s one that changes every year. On the eve of Copper’s open, “No. 95” was already set to go on Thursday at Timberline as he stood alongside one of his ski buddies, a neighbors who also serves as a caregiver and physical therapist: Timberline executive director Gini Patterson. “He is totally independent,” Patterson said, “and he wants to carry his skis getting to the lift line. But he walks in his ski boots and uses his ski poles for balance, gets off the chair without any assistance and doesn’t like to stop, until he gets to the lift line again. He absolutely skis in control. And he likes to take up a lot of the run.” Last year, by the end of the season, Patterson said she and Walter also decided to take on an “easy” black run. That more advanced trip set aside, the past few years she describes Walter as a “nonstop blue run skier.” Still, his standard as to what constitutes a good day of skiing has not changed. “How much vertical I get,” he said. “And I don’t stop except to get on the chair.” That’s much the same advice he’d give to any Summit County skiers, new or old, this season. “I’d tell them, ‘measure your vertical, top to bottom,’” Walter said. “It’s challenging in some spots. It gets you some black runs. Nowadays, I don’t do black runs that much anymore because of my age, but I can still get the blue runs in and enjoy them very much.” Skiing is one of the regular elements of his life that Walter believes has enabled him to live as long as he has. But he doesn’t shy away from the reality that his consistent approach to staying active mentally has also extended his life on earth and on the mountain. And it’s at Timberline where he continues to take part in his other passion: acryllic painting. Although he never tried to make a living with a paint brush – Walter said it wasn’t a logical profession to take up during the Great Depression era – he has dabbled since relatives and family friends first took notice of his talent as a child in the 1920s and 30s. At Timberline on Thursday, spread out in front of Walter was a handful of the paintings he produced at his art studio in Copper. Walter didn’t base his “Going Up River” on a particular part of Colorado. But Patterson believes it represents the landscape of the home he fell in love with when he retired from Chrysler in 1988 and moved full time to the High Country – the snow-capped peaks, the pines trees and the common thread of Walter’s life. “The water,” Walter said, “has to be involved.” Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Frostbite Golden Woody Manny His name is Frostbite, but he’s not cold! He’s about 2-years-old, and he’s an easygoing and relaxed cat. He is curious, friendly, and loves to be near people! Golden is a sweet and mellow Siamese mix who’s about 5-years-old. He’s gentle and easygoing and gets along well with people and other cats. Woody is an outgoing 4-yearold grey and white Domestic Shorthair. Woody is a big boy with a big personality! He’s very friendly with people but he can be bossy with other cats. Manny is a handsome 4-yearold Siamese mix. He’s shy but warms up with some affection. He’d be very happy to spend his days curled up on your lap and he gets along well with cats. Cashew Lindsay Poseidon New York Cashew is a 1-year-old cattle dog/sheppherd mix. He has tons of energy and needs lots of exercise. He’s learning his manners and basic obedience commands and he’s a very smart boy! Lindsay is an adorable Chihuahua who is about 8-years-old. She likes people, cats, and other dogs. All she wants in life is someone to cuddle with her and love her forever. Poseidon is a playful Shepherd mix puppy. He’s about 6 months old, and he’s having lots of fun growing up and learning what it means to be a good dog. He’s a bit shy. New York is a 1-year-old mix. He might be the world’s largest lap dog, but he’s also energetic! He’s dog selective, but could do well if giv en a proper introduction. A great hiking partner! Wanted: Volunteers These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Applegate Home Care & Hospice Applegate Home Care & Hospice is welcoming volunteers to join its team of professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. The hospice volunteer offers service, compassion and a listening ear to clients and families. If you would like to volunteer or want to learn more about volunteering with Applegate, please contact the hospice volunteer coordinator at 800-871-0102 or visit applegatehomecare.com. Arts-Kids Arts-Kids is in need of volunteers. Sign up now to participate in one of Arts-Kids eight-week after-school groups in Summit and Wasatch counties. After-school volunteer time commitment is one day per week for three hours. The nonprofit also has office volunteer opportunities. Beehive Homes of Park City Beehive Homes of Park City, a quality assisted-living facility that focuses on nurturing residents and fostering independence, is looking for caring and reliable volunteers to provide meaningful activities in an individual or group setting. These activities could include music, art, pet therapy, reading, current events, games and gardening. Please contact Colleen at 435-649-0977. Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah is seeking volunteers to become mentors to youth in Park City. Mentors meet two to four times per month with their “littles” to do fun activities and develop a lasting relationship. This little bit of time can make a big difference in the life of a child. For information, please contact Emily Medlock at 435649-9366 or emily.medlock@bbbsu.org. Canines with a Cause Canines with a Cause is looking for volunteers interested in learning dog training and assessment. Volunteers will foster and train prospective service and companion dogs placed with veterans suffering from PTSD. For information, please contact Cathy King at 435-640-9095. The Christian Center of Park City The Christian Center is looking for volunteers with a passion for helping the community. Open six days a week, the center needs volunteers (ages 16 and older) to help in the food pantry, boutique store and thrift store, and with seasonal events throughout the year. Fill out an online volunteer application at www.ccofpc.org or contact the center’s volunteer coordinator at 435-649-2260, ext. 15. Girl Scouts As a volunteer with a Girl Scout troop, you’ll introduce girls to new experiences that make every day feel like the best day. At every turn you’ll be their cheerleader and mentor, helping them develop skills that will last a lifetime. For information, visit http://www.gsutah.org/en/volunteer-role-model.html or call Heather Smith at 801-716-5109. Guide Dogs for the Blind Guide Dogs for the Blind needs puppy raisers. Volunteers provide a nurturing, well-rounded environment for puppies 8 weeks old to 15 months. The organization supports sitters with weekly meetings and training. Basic equipment and veterinary care is provided. Meetings are Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Park City/Heber areas. Contact Stefanie at 435-657-0760, or visit Facebook/SummitGuideDogs or www. guidedogs.com. B-7 |