Vancouver had an Olympics, too

SHOHOLA — Powered by plentiful food and beer, a competition in “challenging” winter sports took place on Saturday, Feb. 27, as the historic Rohman’s Inn in Shohola hosted its 24th annual Winter Olympics. Kurt Abrahamson of Shohola said he had come for the special souvenir cup, and “to drink some beer.” A four-year Shohola Olympic veteran, he was also going to take part in the two-man sawing competition. “I’m feeling strong,” he said. At the Civil War-era bar, Kim from Matamoras was having “a blast.” It was her second time at the Olympics and she loved the souvenir cup and the atmosphere. She’d come to see the bed racing competition. The weather was favoring the event, one day after devastating winter storms that left many without power for days. The sun occasionally peeped out from behind the clouds. It was warm, making the Polish ski contest a little wet, and it may have affected the bed racing competition on the puddles, too. Owner Sheila Farrell’s daughter, Mary Herbert, was busy serving beer from the side of the inn. She said they had ordered 500 cups, but she wasn’t sure how many would attend. The Olympics would go on until 6, and the place was teeming in the early afternoon. Although it’s not advertised, many people come every year from as far away as Long Island, to this well-kept secret event. A range of competitions also included: turkey shoot (not really), horseshoe and keg tosses, golf, and triathlon, as well as something called a “beer pong.”