[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING LOST VALLEY SKI AREA

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, outdoor recreational activities are 
a staple of Maine's winter, past and present. From skiing to 
snowmobiling, visitors have flocked to Maine for decades to get a 
chance to enjoy the mounds of fresh snow our State enjoys every year. I 
rise today to recognize Lost Valley Ski Area, located in the city of 
Auburn, which this year is celebrating its 50th year of operation.
  Lost Valley has been an Auburn staple since it was founded by Otto 
Wallingford and Dr. Camille Gardner in 1961, when it first began 
enticing people from the Twin Cities and the surrounding areas to its 
slopes to learn how to ski. It was then that a 700-foot tow rope was 
installed in a little known area named Perkins Ridge, where children 
used to navigate through the trees to a clearing, or ``The Lost 
Valley,'' as it was called. That clearing now holds ``the Lodge,'' 
where after a long day on the slopes, newly minted skiers can enjoy a 
hot cup of cocoa by the stone hearth. Additionally, the 55 acres of 
trails are now co-owned by Linc Hayes and Connie King, two small 
business owners who have dedicated their time to continue the mountain 
tradition.
  Mr. Wallingford is not only known for opening Lost Valley for Mainers 
and tourists alike, but is also considered one of the fathers of 
snowmaking and grooming. He was the originator of the ``fan gun,'' a 
piece of snowmaking equipment that sprays a mist that is fanned to 
cover a large area. His first attempts created more ice than snow, but 
that was eventually remedied by removing water from the snowmaking 
system. He then developed, 30 years before they became a fad, snow guns 
on elevated poles.
  It was not, however, Mr. Wallingford's penchant for creating snow, 
but his dedication to improving skiing conditions that brought him to 
the forefront of the ski industry. In order to create a more skiable 
terrain, Otto transformed old farm equipment into the predecessor of 
the modern ``snow groomer.'' An agricultural engineering graduate from 
the University of Maine, Mr. Wallingford used a tractor and attached a 
roller with a chain-like material that pulverized the snow. His 
``Powder Maker'' was so successful that he crafted and sold them to 
other ski resorts both in the U.S. and abroad. A majority of his 
original snowmaking equipment is still in use at Lost Valley today! 
Following the tradition of providing a mountain that caters to all ages 
and skill levels, Lost Valley Ski Area offers the Central Maine 
Adaptive Sports Program, or CMAS. The CMAS provides a disabled person 
the chance to ski, and ``focuses on student's abilities rather than 
their disabilities.'' The program is staffed by volunteers who coach 
skiers one-on-one in order for them to learn the basic skills. It is 
both the physical activity and the focus on gaining self confidence 
that keeps students coming back. Through this and other programs at 
Lost Valley, students are able to train for the Olympics and ``Go for 
the Gold,'' like famed skier and three-time Olympian Julie Parisien, 
who grew up skiing at Lost Valley.
  Maine is home to scores of innovators and philanthropists. Linc Hayes 
and Connie King are following in that tradition by keeping Lost Valley 
Ski area a beacon of history, learning, and fun. Their commitment of 
providing a place for all to enjoy snow sports is what makes Lost 
Valley such a special place. I thank them and everyone at Lost Valley 
for their efforts, and wish them 50 more years of success.

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