All smiles: These athletes from Families Matter Inc. in Waterville show their enthusiasm as they arrive for the 45th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games at Sugarloaf USA on Sunday. The games begin Monday with alpine and nordic skiing, snowshoeing and skating with the help of coaches and hundreds of volunteers. From left are Ashley Cayouette, Ronnie Hood, Caitlin Killarney, front, Shirley Stevens, Shelly Ambrose and Tiffany Carter. Staff photo by David Leaming

WELCOME: Phil Geelhoed, left, president and CEO of Special Olympics Maine, greets Joshua Nougaret at the volunteer headquarters of the 45th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games at Sugarloaf USA on Sunday. Ron Goldstein is in background. Two days of skiing, skating, snowshoe competition and camaraderie begins Monday. Staff photo by David Leaming