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MUSICIAN ON SKIS

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Jean Gruslin Jean was well known within the park as an enthusiastic skier who pursued skiing with a joie de vivre. What wasn’t as evident was the difference he made to skiing in the park as a volunteer in the ski patrol and in the Keskinada. He was a member of the patrol for eighteen years and for most of that time was a team leader. When the park’s volunteer patrol was becoming something of an orphan Jean stepped in as the patrol coordinator to save the vitality of the patrol. In this role he effectively lead the patrol and maintained the communication with the NCC, the professional patrol, and the park contractor. The park depended on him heavily to ensure the health of the patrol. All members and former members of the volunteer patrol have great admiration for what he accomplished. About the beginning of February he would disappear from the trails as a skier and would show up on a snowmobile to ensure that the Keskinada course would meet World Loppet standards. Every thaw, bout of freezing-rain, or snow drought would send him into depression - he would be convinced that this year the Keski’ wouldn’t happen. On Keski’ weekend, he would spend the nights with tracksetters and the days with his team of volunteers. with little sleep in between, ensuring that the course was up to scratch. But when the Keski’ had another successful year he would return, with his characteristic smile, to Huron shelter and trail #24. Photo by Pierre Cholette Submitted by Ron Lorenson