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The (Syracuse, NY) July 20, 2003 TEEN TO SLALOM SKI SKANEATELES TO GAIN FUNDS FOR VETERANS PARK Alexis Scarpinato Contributing writer While some people walk or run
to raise money for charitable causes, a Marcellus High School student will
water-ski.
On Aug. 2, Ryan Phillips will water-ski 16 miles on Skaneateles
Lake to honor war veterans. "I just wanted to ski the lake, so I figured why not raise money
while I do it," he said.
Water-skiing has been a favorite pastime of Phillips for more than
10 years.
He has skied 14 miles at one time, he said, but never 16 miles.
"My family challenged me to ski the lake," he said. "It's a hard
thing to do."
Water-skiing on two skis is hard enough, but Phillips will do it on
one ski, slalom style, he said.
"Slalom skiing is a lot harder because you have to keep your
balance," he said.
The slalom ski Phillips will use is 66 inches long and a little
wider than traditional water skis.
"The skinnier the ski, the easier you can turn," he said.
The trek across the lake from Glen Haven to the pier in the village
of Skaneateles will take 30 to 45 minutes, he said.
"I try to ski as hard as possible," he said.
Phillips looked for a charity in the Borodino area, where his
family has a summer camp.
Mary Marshall, a neighbor of Phillips' and a member of the Ten Mile
Point Association, is helping Phillips raise money for the park.
"Ryan is a real good kid, and that's why I was glad to help him,"
she said.
Marshall, of Skaneateles, is helping him sell T-shirts and
circulate a sign-up sheet among the neighbors at the camp for donations.
Phillips would like to raise $10,000 but doesn't think that is
possible, he said.
Johanna Fritelli, a resident of Skaneateles and Borodino, is a
member of the Spafford Veterans Memorial Park committee.
"It's been an ongoing project for three years," she said.
The park project has developed thanks to grants from the state and
the county and donations from various organizations and private
individuals, Fritelli said.
"This Ryan is so wonderful," she said. "We are very proud of him."
Phillips is employed at Brinson Marine on West Seneca Turnpike
Road, where he works on boats and delivers boats and rafts.
When he is not working, Phillips said, he is out on the water. "I
try and get out on the water each day," he said.
Next summer, Phillips has an even bigger goal.
"My dad wants me to ski all the Finger Lakes next year," he said.
How to give
Send donations to:
Ryan Phillips Fund-raiser, C/O Spafford Town Hall, 1984 Route 174,
Skaneateles 13152
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