Believe it or not, Silent Sports is 20! Many long-time contributors were taken aback when informed this issue would mark 20 years since Greg Marr, with the backing of the Waupaca Publishing Co., started Silent Sports magazine. Greg would have been here to note this milestone had he not suffered a fatal heart attack
while cross-country skiing on December 19, 2003.
Exactly 10 years ago in the founding editor's letter which opened every issue, Greg wrote of his astonishment that he was still putting out this little but growing magazine. But he seemed to also express some vindication. "Outside magazine, we ain't. But then, we never set out to be anything but a down-home, regional magazine filling the void between national magazines and local media. Sticking around for 10 years tells me we must be
doing a fairly good job of it," he wrote.
Greg was hesitant to predict he would still be at it after another decade. In the same column, he asked, "Where will I be in 10 more years? I imagine my answer today is pretty much the same as it would have been 10 years ago: I don't know. Twenty years at the same job? It seems unlikely, certainly; but on the other hand, I didn't really expect to be doing this today. I still believe in what we're doing and enjoying the job. It's possible
I'll be right here, a 53-year-old fart in 2004, spinning yarns about the past 20 years, still trying to get in shape and still hoping to one day break that four-hour mark in the Birkie."
Much has already been said about Greg Marr, the man, on the occasion of his death. And although it is hard to separate the man from his magazine, certainly more could be said of Silent Sports as a forum with a life of its own.
The first few letters on the pages that follow are the result of my
request for contributing editors to reflect on the origin and influence of this magazine. I hope it triggers additional thoughts from readers, both new and old.
Please let us know how far you think this magazine has come and where it ought to be headed. Feel free to spin yarns about how you discovered the magazine and how you've enjoyed your chosen silent sports in the upper Midwest over the past 20 years.
Send your memories and "Happy 20th Birthday" wishes to
info@silentsports.net or Silent Sports, 717 10th St., P.O. Box 152, Waupaca, WI 54981. Your letters will appear in future issues.
JOEL PATENAUDE
Editor, Silent Sports
A community in the making
Regarding the 20th anniversary of Silent Sports magazine ... Difficult to believe it's been that long! I remember when Greg pitched the idea to me at start-up time. I figured it would be good for six, maybe a dozen, issues then fade like so many others. Guess I was wrong, and happily so,
on that!
Needless to say my viewpoint has been primarily on the XC side of the spectrum. The SS involvement and promotion of that sport, at all levels, has had a profound impact. Every major race in the Midwest has gotten coverage in the mag, and all have benefited.
This is not to say that the Birkie would not be what it is today without the magazine; that race has a life of its own and was well-established during the formative years of the magazine. But the other races, from Pre-Birke
to Noq to Badger State Games and on and on have all been moved to the forefront in many eyes due to the efforts of the magazine.
During the years of the great skate vs. stride debate, SS was there with a large number of pieces that addressed the controversy that raged at the time. It was arguably the greatest issue to hit skiing since the advent of fiberglass skis, and it raised huge issues among the aficionados. SS was there, presenting both sides, giving a forum to all who had an
opinion and cared to express it. And there were plenty! I suspect in your review of past issues you've seen some of the sound and fury!
Silent Sports presented people with a forum that they became part of. The magazine was never the work of an elitist cadre; it was always the voice of the masses. While tech heads and "serious" racers could find something for them, the great numbers of recreational skiers knew that the magazine spoke both to and for them. The readers of the
magazine quickly made it a large part of their recreational lives. The simple inclusion of the Calendar of Events alone gave the community something they'd never had before: a reliable, updated, consistent listing of events that were of interest to them. A simple yet wonderful concept.
It may be argued that SS served as much as a precursor of what is now far more common of the Internet; a place to find info, to share ideas, to feel part of something, to be less alone. An such, SS departed
in many ways from the traditional sports magazine.
While XC was well served, I'd also think that Greg's coverage of Al's Run, the Fat Tire, Grandma's and related marathons all that and more benefited from the magazine.
I don't know that what I've written is different from anything else you've heard. I suspect that there are common threads. And that may be the true power of the magazine, that people find in its pages a sense of belonging, a knowledge that tough issues and controversy
will not be swept under the rug, that there will be honest and reliable reporting and information. And that within it all people will find something that is increasingly rare these days: A sense of community of like-minded individuals, driven and motivated by the same things that move us all to get off the couch, strap on the skis or grab a bike or lace of the running shoes or whatever, and get out and enjoy the world that Silent Sports continually involves us in.
Good luck with it all!
MITCH MODE
Rhinelander, WI
ED: Mitch as well as Bill Hauda served as contributing editors for the first issue of Silent Sports, published in July 1984, and continue to write for the magazine. Thanks for your perseverance, gentlemen, and to all who have come aboard since. This is your baby, too.
From humble beginnings
Twenty years. Wow! Does time fly. It seems only yesterday that Greg Marr started Silent Sports. I remember clearly my first reaction: I doubted that there
would be enough interest in such obscure sports to maintain a magazine. But the enthusiastic reaction of my skiing and running friends soon changed my mind. It seems that the "lone eagles" of these "perspiration sports" had finally found a central roosting place ... and they called it Silent Sports.
Soon SS became much more than just a specialized news magazine for rabid enthusiasts; it became an integral part of the social fabric of these aerobic sports. The calendar
quickly became the "one place" you could rely upon to plan your silent sports year.
Gradually the influence of SS continued to expand until it even became an instrument of change. When skating arrived on the cross-country ski scene, articles in the magazine showed how to upgrade trail systems so that skating and striding could coexist on the same trail. And instructionals on skating technique helped many readers learn how to master this strange new stroke. And even recently,
articles in the magazine helped in the move to protect ski trails from excess erosion by promoting separate trails for mountain biking.
How do I know these things? The simplest way possible: from readers themselves. I hardly ever visit a ski trail without someone mentioning something about Silent Sports. And sources of this feedback have ranged from the average reader, to those who develop ski trails, to race organizers, to DNR officials.
In retrospect, Silent Sports has certainly
surpassed one of Greg's main goals. Let me put it in his words: "I want this magazine to be one that people actually read, not one that just sits on the coffee table."
Well, I know that Greg's goal has easily been reached and, from that humble start, Silent Sports has become a lasting monument to the vision of Greg Marr.
LEE BOROWSKI
Brookfield, WI
Sigurd and Greg: a Parallel
On January 13, 1982, Sigurd Olson left a note in his typewriter. It read, "A new
adventure is coming up and I'm sure it will be a good one." Later that day on a new pair of snowshoes, he set out on a hike not far from his home in Ely, Minnesota. Sigurd died of a heart attack on trail while snowshoeing. I have communicated with Sigurd's son Bob Olson over the past couple of years. According to Bob, Sigurd loved to snowshoe and did quite a bit of it.
On December 16, 2003, Greg Marr sent me a note along with a copy of the January issue of Silent Sports. It read,
"We're skiing and shoeing here and across the northwoods! Iola was fantastic last night. Now, I don't want to be a pessimist but if we could just get some more (snow) before the sure-to-come thaw, that would be nice. For now, though, I'm a happy guy looking at two weeks off."
Later that week on December 19, he set out on skis again in Iola. Greg died of a heart attack on trail while cross-country skiing. According to his colleagues and friends, Greg loved to cross-country ski
and did quite a bit of it.
Sigurd was known for his impact as an environmentalist, writer and educator, and for his love of the outdoors. He was the author of many environmental books and an active leader of wilderness protection. Greg was known for his impact as a silent sports enthusiast, writer and editor, and for his love of the outdoors. He was responsible for nearly 20 years of producing Silent Sports magazine and an active leader in promoting silent sports recreation. The parallel
is unique in that both men lived and died in their element, and both made significant contributions in their endeavors.
I am an avid reader and admirer of Sigurd. His writings helped me fine-tune my personal wilderness ethic and enhance my appreciation of the outdoors. Greg gave me an opportunity to write about something I have a passion for snowshoeing.
Three years ago, I met Greg at Canoecopia in Madison. We talked about my teaching snowshoeing at a university and he asked me if I
write. I said I was published in a professional journal and wrote for newsletters. He then invited me to write snowshoeing articles and ultimately write for the snowshoe section in Silent Sports magazine.
Greg would respond during the snowshoe season by sending me a brief but personal memo upon completion of each issue. It was always fun and light with some informational details included. I'm sure he did this with all his writers. That was what made him so personal, and such a unique
editor. I respected Greg as a leader in silent sports recreation and learned from his editorials and example, just as I learned about the wilderness from Sigurd Olson.
It saddened me that Greg did not live to see this 20th anniversary issue published. Sigurd did not live to see his final book Of Time and Place published. It, too, was published shortly after his death. However, the 19 1 2 years that Greg produced this valued magazine, he promoted and helped shape a healthy value system for
silent sports in the Midwest and beyond.
I thank Greg for his contributions to silence in recreation and for his invitation to me as a writer. Congratulations to the Waupaca Publishing Co. for carrying on the tradition of Greg's Silent Sports into and beyond its 20th year; a monumental milestone for us silent sports enthusiasts. A new adventure is coming up and I'm sure it will continue to be a good one. And I'm sure Greg will continue to be with us in spirit on this journey.
JIM JOQUE
Stevens Point, WI
20/20 Vision
Twenty-twenty vision. That's what this magazine has. Silent Sports is 20 years old and still providing a clear and uncluttered view of the sports we all love.
Being heavily involved in what Greg Marr would be the first to call the "silent sports," I was a charter subscriber of this magazine back in 1984 and soon became an occasional contributor.
Marr, who founded and edited this publication from 1984 until his untimely and tragic
death this past December, was what I would call a hands-on visionary. The man could see the forest through the trees on a wide variety of issues because he was always out in the forest himself carefully clearing a path for all of us. In the fast-paced, me-first world of today, they don't make many like Greg. We were lucky to have him and I'll be lifting a glass to Greg and his wonderful magazine this month as it turns 20 an extraordinary feat in a business where things can get a bit rocky
when you least expect them to.
I think it was 1986 when Marr sent me one of his little typed notes asking if I would like to write an "Illinois" column for Silent Sports. He had just broadened the publication's scope by dropping "Wisconsin" from the magazine's original name and was branching out to provide more coverage of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. With all the passion and fashion down here, we were a logical extension of the Silent Sports market.
After
describing the person he wanted, he ended it with "Might you be that person?" I think my reply was something like "Yes, I might be." And 18 years later, I still am and will continue "to be" as long as new editor Joel Patenaude wants me to stay around.
I'm putting this in Joel's hands now.Here's to the next 20 years at Silent Sports!
BOB RICHARDS
Villa Park, IL
Rowing article valuable
I found former editor Greg Marr's article about rowing on
a Web search and would like to commend him for his insight into the beginner rowing experience.
I recently bought an Alden Horizon and I am trying to work the crabs out of my rowing cycle. I have been very happy with this boat. The only modification I found I needed was raising the seat height for comfort. The Alden people keep the seat height low for beginners.
The people who really need to read Greg's article are the ones who sell rowing shells. It seems crazy to me to create
disappointed customers because they have not received basic orientation before considering the purchase of a rowing shell.
I think Greg's article should be mandatory reading for anyone starting to scull. Thanks again for a great article.
JIM COTTER
Cedar Grove, NC
ED.: The article, titled "A rookie goes rowing," appeared in the June 2000 issue of Silent Sports. It can be found on our Web site at www.silentsports.net/features/rookie_goes_rowing.html.
Birkie foolishness
It was announced last month that the Birkebeiner Foundation was going to have a 15K race that starts at 1 p.m. at Mosquito Brook and finish on Main Street during the Birkie. They seem to think most of the skiers will be done by that time.
So what about the participants who will not be done? Let's put a bunch of fresh people on the course when waves five and up are still on the racecourse between Mosquito Brook and Hayward.
I was given this opinion by one
middle-to-back-of-the-pack skier: "I would feel very intimidated and uncomfortable at this point in the race when I am extremely tired and may not have all my faculties about me, to have new, fresh racers passing and cutting through the course. I'm not sure it's fair to me as a 50K participant to have the extra congestion in the last 15K of my event."
In addition, you could be affecting the spectators who go to Mosquito Brook to cheer on their friends and family and, in many
cases at that point in the race, give a "feed" and a final boost to the finish. Sounds to me like too much congestion for such a small area to actually be starting a race at the Brook. Logistically, parking and busing sounds like an additional nightmare.
The stated goal is to get more skier participation and have people come back to the sport. How will this help, and at what cost to the current skiers that are doing the race? I have yet to talk to a skier who likes this idea. In
fact, most Birkie skiers I talk to use the word "stupid" when talking about this event. The best quote I got from a skier and local business person was, "It's like inviting someone to a New Year's Eve party at 2 a.m."
We have the 10K race, the Korteloppet and the Citizens Sprints for a variety of events that draw in people of all ages and abilities.
Another issue is who really wants this 15K? Several members of the board have told me they knew of no discussion about
this event. This is the brainchild of the director and a very small group of board members who have decided for the board. And a very poor decision it is.
Folks should contact the Birkie office with their comments on the event. The e-mail address is Birkie@Birkie.com, write, "Attention, Shirley."
G.R. HANSEN
Hayward, WI
ED: As of press time, www.birkie.com did not include info about the 15K event. However, a Birkie official told Silent Sports that registration for
the 15K should be possible through the Web site by the time you read this.
The 15K will be a non-competitive opportunity for people wishing to check out the latter part of the trail and get a first-hand feel for the Birkie experience. Starting at Mosquito Brook, the second to last food station for the 50K, participants in the 15K event will be "funneled in" amidst the full Birkie skiers as space allows. "The intention is not to have the 15K participants interfere with those
already on the trail," the official said. The 15K skiers will finish on Hayward's Main Street in a separate chute. The 1 p.m. starting time may be subject to change.
Excellent mag becomes more so
Joel, I just read in one sitting from cover to cover my June 2004 issue of Silent Sports. Just wanted to say, as a longtime subscriber of the magazine, that I really enjoyed this issue the articles, the inline skating coverage, your changes on the contents page, etc. The magazine
continues to be excellent and you're making it even better; nice job.
I've kept all my issues of Silent Sports. I'm going to dig them out and see what my very first issue is. It has to go back into the '80s. I'm looking forward to the 20th anniversary issue in July.
CARL KLEIN
Wausau, WI
Wisconsin needs quiet space
My husband and I enjoyed your editor's letter in the June Silent Sports magazine; we agree that Wisconsin needs its very own Sylvania or BWCA. Keep up the good
work, Joel, and good luck with the baby.
DAWN & TERRY CHIER
Deerbrook, WI
Reader feedback elsewhere
Dear Joel,
Just wanted to say thanks for mentioning Erik Ness' piece, "The Quiet Zone," in your June editorial. I have to say, this has stirred more interest than any other issue since I've arrived at Wisconsin Trails in July 2003. Anyway, welcome to your new job, and thanks.
HARRIET BROWN
Editor, Wisconsin Trails Magazine
Black Earth, WI
Inline marathon boosted
Thank you for the great story (on the anticipated inaugural St. Paul Inline Marathon) in Silent Sports. June cover feature awesome! Our numbers keep climbing and I have no doubt that Silent Sports is helping.
MIKE COFRIN
Marathon promoter and co-director, 26point2 Inc.
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