Mary Spring is a long-time resident of Huntsville, a retired elementary school teacher and a grandmother who loves to cross country ski.
In the early 1980’s, while teaching at Huntsville Public School, Mary and a co-worker, George Manolakas, discovered cross country ski equipment in the basement of the school. The skis were revived, repaired and used for physical education classes on the flat playground of the school. After school ski programs began, and then, thanks to parent volunteers, the skiing took place where the pool now stands. The Huntsville Jackrabbit program had begun.
The Jackrabbit Youth program was developed in 1975 in Manitoba and the foundation of the program was that cross country skiing was fun and a sport that everyone could enjoy for life. In 1982 Mary Spring connected with the people in Manitoba and began the Huntsville Jackrabbit program. Initially the program was held at the Pioneer Village area but then moved out to Arrowhead Park.
For 45 years, children in Huntsville have had the opportunity to learn to ski in a fun, affordable and equitable program. We are so lucky to have Arrowhead Park on our doorstep and to have volunteers of the Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club who have kept the program running for many years. Children who begin to ski as bunny rabbits graduate to become Jackrabbits. Older children become helpers and leaders of the program. Jackrabbits from Huntsville have moved on to compete at elementary school races, the Huntsville High School Nordic ski team, university ski programs and Canada’s National team.
Mary Spring is happy that she was part of the success of Huntsville Jackrabbits and that her own children benefited from the program. She is proud of the accomplishments of local skiers and thankful for the countless volunteers who help to run the Jackrabbit program. Nothing made her happier than to see her own grandchildren take part in the Jackrabbit program in 2025.