[Andrew Vonderschmitt, Program Manager]
El Dorado Arts Council announces that David C. Antonucci, author of Snowball's Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe, will discuss the 1960 Winter Olympics, with a special focus on the games that took place in El Dorado County. The event will be held on February 22nd at the Fausel House Gallery which is located at 772 Pacific Street, Placerville, and begins at 6:00 pm. Attendance and parking are free.
Snowball's Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe is the first book that narrates the historic VIII Olympic Winter Games at Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe. "I became interested in Olympic history when I stumbled across the abandoned and forgotten cross-country ski racing trails in my neighborhood on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe," said Antonucci. "My research on the trails and the events that occurred there led to my book on the comprehensive history of the 1960 Winter Olympics."
The talk complements The Games of Winter, a curated exhibition of art, memorabilia, and promotional items from the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley featuring items generously loaned from the Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics, and collector Stan Batiste. This show hosts items which are truly unique to their time, such as photographs which capture the electrifying excitement of the spectators and champions alike, maps of the competition trails that artistically show where the triumphs and losses occurred, and souvenirs that exemplify the magic of the day.
One of Antonucci's favorite stories from the 1960 Winter Olympics was that the "USA Hockey Team was written off as a collection of ill-prepared amateurs whose Olympic dreams would end quickly," he noted. "They astounded the world by going undefeated and winning America's first Olympic gold medal in hockey that created the first 'Miracle on Ice.' Within the intense competitions, there are many compelling individual stories of enigma and invention, written off underdogs that ultimately come out on top, and a promise to win gold made to a terminally ill loved one."
Antonucci put it best when he said "these were an Olympics like no other." Hearing about the events while surrounded by captured moments in history is sure to make this a talk like no other as well.
David C. Antonucci has resided in the Lake Tahoe area for over 38 years, and holds a bachelor's and a master's degrees in civil and environmental engineering from California State Polytechnic University and Oregon State University, respectively. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and Squaw Valley Olympic Museum.
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El Dorado Arts Council's mission to promote, connect, and empower arts and culture throughout the county is achieved by targeted programs and services, a vibrant gallery exhibition series, and a focus on initiatives which support and sustain the cultural life of the region.
If you would like more information about this , please contact Andrew Vonderschmitt at 530-295-3496 or email at andrew@eldoradoartscouncil.org.
