| You know a footrace
is long when it starts near Arenal Volcano yet is called The Coastal
Challenge. You might not realize, however, that our lanky Tronadora
neighbor, Kurt Lindermuller, whom we're likely to see running anywhere
on the south side of Lake Arenal - and probably in more distant locations
if we drove more adventureously - is capable not only of running a
230-kilometer race such as the The Coastal Challenge but of finishing
second against an international field of 64 ultra-marathon runners.
Though a long-time resident and hotel owner (Cabinas Caracol) in Costa
Rica, Kurt represented Germany in the six-day stage race that ended
February 9 at Playa Salinas near the Nicaraguan border. A Costa Rican
did win, however, Juan Carlos Zuniga, in a total time of 19 hours,
39 minutes. Kurt ran the 230 kilometers in 21 hours, 7 minutes.
The membership meeting of Fuentes
Verdes Ecological Association held March 10 at Hotel Tilawa proved
very pleasant as well as successful. The hotel has beautiful broad
views of the lake and the mountain range beyond, a fitting and perhaps
inspiring setting
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for a group intent
on preserving the health of the lake and restoring the forests long
ago turned into pasture. Members and guests heard about the aims and
current projects of the organization from President Ed Yurica, heard
also about the non-profit's history of successful projects from Secretary
Sandy Shaw, and learned from a Roberta Ward Smiley slide show about
a wide variety of native trees that can be planted to restore animal
corridors and reduce destructive run-off. About a dozen people have
since joined the organization. The yearly dues for an individual are
$15, for a couple $25. For information about joining or making a donation,
email fuentes_verdes@yahoo.com.
The many friends of long-time
Tronadora resident Nick Charles D'Amico were saddened to learn of
Nick's passing on the night of March 12, the date of his 61st birthday.
We join them in expressing deep sympathy for his wife Elena and
his family. On March 14 friends gathered in the afternoon at Hotel
Tilawa to celebrate his life with music by the group Traveling Light
and a guest viola player. A memorial service was held in San Jose
March 13.
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