LJ Strenio Poster Benefiting VT Flood Victims

9/2/2011

Words: Erme Catino | STE Managing Editor

Photos: Dan Brown | Kapitol Photography

The aftermath of Hurricane Irene is now into it’s fifth day. Slowly power is being restored to the battered communities, though roads left in a pile of rumble are making it difficult for relief efforts. Amidst these distressing accounts of the current state of affairs in Central and Southern Vermont, Vermonter’s across the region have been organizing to assist their neighbors.

We at Ski The East are deeply saddened to hear of the devastation caused by Irene, and are proud to assist in the rebuilding process. In partnership with photographer Dan Brown, Ski The East will be selling a limited edition poster featuring VT local & pro skier John Strenio. The 300 posters will be individually numbered by Brown and signed by LJ Strenio. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Mad River Valley Community Fund, specifically their Flood Relief Fund, and will go towards helping area residents & businesses that were affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene.

Dan Brown of Boston, Mass, was at Sugarbush Resort this past weekend photographing a wedding. Little did he know he was about to become situated in the middle of a disaster. The wedding went off without a hitch, but after the reception, information from guests and employees kept coming in that the roads to the resort were getting washed out. “Without power & limited internet access via my phone, I kept checking major news stations & Twitter for any updates, but all I kept seeing were news briefs about the VMAS & Lady Gaga.”

The next day Dan documented as much as he could on his way back to Boston. “It was pretty heavy to see all that loss of personal items; photos, birth certificates, and family history all washed away. Through all of that though, it was amazing to see the quick turnaround of those affected. I was walking through the aftermath in Waitsfield & Waterbury, VT, and neighbors were helping each other haul flood-ravaged furniture to the curb and people were bbq’ing food to feed the volunteers. They weren't waiting for a telethon to get things done, they were just doing what was needed to move forward.”

The selected photo of John Strenio is from February 2011 while he was shooting with Meathead Films for their upcoming release, Prime Cut. After a few attempts, Strenio was able to put a Double Cork 1260 Mute to his feet. It’s a trick that's hard enough in a terrain park and damn near unthinkable in the setting in which it took place. The art installation "Reverence," more commonly known as the "Whales' Tails," is an iconic granite sculpture by Jim Sardonis located in a farm field beside Interstate 89.

After witnessing the damage to Vermont, Dan and STE united to put together this limited edition, individually numbered poster signed by both LJ and the photographer. To purchase the poster from STE for $20, and directly support the Mad River Valley Flood Relief Fund: http://www.skitheeast.net/shop/product/LJ-Strenio-Ltd.-Edition-Print-.DSH.-Hurricane-Irene-VT-Benefit-