Review of my book “My Skating Life” by a deaf-blind figure skater!

I just stumbled on a review of my book written by a deaf-blind figure skater!  I didn’t know it was there….but, wow, did I enjoy reading what she had to say about my book!  Hope others have time to read this wonderful review.

• “My Skating Life: Fifty Plus Years of Skating” by JoAnn Schneider Farris - May 16 2018

I’m so sad about Kelly Burge’s passing

A few days ago learned that Kelly Burge passed away on January 9, 2024.  

In the photo below, she is pictured with me and my sister Lynnellen when we were caddies at the Pacific Coast Championships.  I am on one end of this photo and my sister is on the other end and Kelly is next to her.  Kelly is holding up the “5” and I’m holding up the “1” and my sister Lynnellen is holding up the “6.”

The Burge family has always been close to my heart and are mentioned in my book My Skating Life.  Kelly’s sister Wendy placed 6th in the Olympics and was an Ice Capades star.  Wendy was the star of the Knott’s Berry Farm Christmas Ice show I performed in in 1985.  Their sister Roxann was also an accomplished figure skater and their parents were prominent US Figure Skating officials. I played with Wendy and Kelly.  Dr. Burge encouraged my dad to find The Three Schneiders the best skating coaches and he inspired my father to judge figure skating.  I am so sad.

Below is a video that not only features Wendy, but the Burge sisters.  The video talks about the struggles the Burge family faced after Kelly was his by a drunk driver.

Below are some family photo memories of Kelly:

Ruth, Harlan, and Kelly Burge

My Son Joel Is Now a Certified Snowboard Instructor! - Another “It Happened In Sun Valley Moment”

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, my son Joel passed a very difficult Snowboard Level One Two-Day Exam and now he’s a certified snowboard instructor!  (….In addition to being a certified ski instructor and a certified children’s snowsports specialist.) In these photos he is smiling with the examiner Shaun (in black and blue jacket) and fellow snowboard instructors Lauren, Fielding, and Dustin who passed the Snowboard Level One too.  This is a huge accomplishment since Joel added snowboarding to the things he can do only a few years ago.  His time in Australia this past summer gave Joel the opportunity to master snowboarding since it seems like everyone snowboards there, but to now be certified in the discipline is a dream come true!

 Joel did this totally on his own and is motivated to be certified in mult snowsports disciplines.  I am so proud of him!  Skating certainly helped him achieve this accomplishment.