Newsletter of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club

Box 431, Corvallis, Montana 59828

While not many die-hard skiers are making the drive up to the Chief Joe ski trails, the snow is actually holding very well. As Tony Neaves wrote in his column last month, “crust cruising” is a great way to spend a few hours on one of these cool sunny mornings.

About the end of April, for the past 12 years, as another season sort of melts away, I have reflected on how fortunate we are to have so many people contribute their time, enthusiasm, ideas and dollars to help make our ski club a real success story. And I want to at least identify as many as I can and say “Thank You” on behalf of every one who skis with a free heel (free the heel and the mind will follow) for another great season.

- our generous commercial sponsors who help make our mission possible.

One last note: The Forest Service has set aside the second week of June - June 10^th through June 16^th at the Hut for a week of maintenance, upkeep and “finish the few projects that didn’t get done last fall” week. For example:

- cleaning, window washing, brush pick-up.

- re-painting the main floor.

- re-finishing the kitchen counter.

- two or three small carpenter type jobs.

- finish the metal roofing trim.

- stacking firewood.

- walking ski trails.

We hope you can come any day or days. Bring a lunch and work gloves. You could bring your camper or tent, or bring a sleeping bag and stay in the cabin. A phone call to me at 642-3007 or to Ed Hastings at 777-2508 would help us with organization and would be advisable if you require vehicular access. A semi-pot luck (bring something to go with grilled hamburgers) is being planned for Saturday, June 15^th at 4:00 p.m.

Again, THANKS to everyone for another great season.

Vice President Mel Mooers opened the meeting, acknowledging several new members; there were 37 persons in attendance. Leo Joron stated the BRXC now has 458 members

Mel introduced Terry Ryan who gave a presentation on the July 12, 13, 14, 2002 Treasure State Art Show; she asked for assistance setting up from BRXC members.

Mel discussed a meeting that representatives of the Club had with Deb Gale of the Wisdom Ranger District regarding a summer rental program at the Gordon Reese Cabin. Dennis Havig is reviewing the process also. Some concerns are use, abuse and access to the cabin. The summer rental program season would be June 1 through Sept 4. There has been some irresponsibility from hunters in the past so the season will not continue beyond September 4. The front door will be locked and the lock changed monthly; also the access gate will be locked. Gordon Reese stated it will be walk-in experience. If it is necessary to drive in, special permission would be required. Gordon reminded members that three ranger districts are involved in the cabin area. The fee will be $30/night accommodating four persons; if there are more, an additional fee would be charged. Host arrival time would be noon or 1 p.m. instead of the present 10 a.m. time to be there. Cleaning of the cabin will be contracted out 1-2 times a month. Use of spring water for drinking is questionable for possible contamination, boiling is still advised. The idea of a well has been suggested but no plans for that are in process. Gordon also stated that the second week of June 2002 will be a work week at the cabin. There are approximately 35 tasks to be done, such as: refinishing kitchen counter tops, repainting floors and chimney, building a wall in the basement, stacking wood, minor carpentry, replumbing the sink drain, and trimming the roof. He suggested a pot luck on a Saturday after a day of work.

Mel mentioned other issues addressed at the meeting with the Forest Service: research of 3.5 acres of the Picnic Meadow area and possible cutting of additional ski trails. Gordon passed out forms that could be sent to the Forest Service by individual members stating input for additional trails. George Corn suggested a formal letter by Sonny LaSalle on behalf of the 458 members of the BRXC be sent. Another issue is interpretive signs; members interested in being involved should contact either Mel Mooers, Gordon Reese or Sonny LaSalle. Gordon explained that interpretive sign possibilities could be: identifying species of trees and their use, the Continental Divide, the historic travel of Lewis and Clark, vegetation management and clear cutting.

Gordon showed a sample of cushions being done by Bailey Upholstery for the benches in the cabin.

Mel introduced Mort Arkava who gave a program telling of his third book on hiking Bitterroot Trails, introducing 11 new trails. He also told of others not in the book and showed some spectacular photos of various hike locations.

Bill Goslin, USFS Wilderness Ranger at the Stevensville Ranger Station has contacted the BRXC Ski Club as well as other organizations to spread the word that there may be employment opportunities relating to work projects (such as dam repair) in designated wilderness areas. Those employed would be “sherpas” to backpack tools, instruments and other duffle into wilderness areas where access was not suitable for stock (e.g., because of the difficulty of the trail or snow) and to reduce the need to use helicopters. Assignments would be mostly day trips in the Bitterroot Valley from May - October. Each individual would provide his own gear, would carry 40 - 60 pounds, and would be employed by the Irrigation Association or Dam Operator who was doing the project. Compensation would be negotiated between the individual and the employer. Goslin is acting as a contact point to collect names of persons interested. His number is 777-7419.

Call for Volunteers! Imagine a three day weekend filled with art, entertainment, and fabulous food set in an authentic Victorian garden with an imposing mansion silhouetted against alpine mountains in the backdrop…

The Second Biennial Treasure State Art Show and Auction will be held on the grounds of the Daly Mansion on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 12, 13, & 14, 2002. Opening day, the first paintings from Charlie Fritz’ new series: An Artist with the Corps of Discovery will be on display. Friday evening will feature an entertaining show called “The Clark and Lewis Show” put on by the Vigilante Players. Other entertainment will be offered throughout the weekend.

Original art by 90 top western and wildlife artists will be auctioned during the four-course Gala Dinner on Saturday, July 13. Proceeds from the event go to the Ravalli County Museum. We have forty artists signed up to be present in booths. We have the sponsors signed up and the entertainment planned. We have a committee busily selling tickets.

But, we have one big problem. The three day event needs a large number of mature, responsible volunteers willing to help with set up the day before the show and breakdown the day after the show. Additionally, throughout the entire event we need teams of four to six for shifts of four hours to be on the premises willing to do whatever is needed to make things flow smoothly. Don Giles, our volunteer recruitment Chairman, who performed this task so efficiently at the first art show, died unexpectedly last month. Thus we are in dire need of help from groups like yours to insure the success of this second show.

Please talk to your friends and see if you can find time to sign up for a four hour shift any time from 9am to 1pm, 1-5pm, Thursday, July 11 (set up day, Moving and hanging art.) 9am-1pm, 1-5 pm or 5-9 pm Friday, (opening day), 9am-1pm, 1-5 pm, Saturday, or Sunday from 9am -1pm or 1-5 pm. Lastly, 9 am-1pm or 1-5pm on Monday, July 15, for breakdown. Call toll free (866) 649-0111 to sign up. Thank you for your consideration.

From time to time I get comments such as, “I paid dues in February, March or April; why do I need to pay them again in June?” I can only answer in this way: Historically, the Club’s policy has been that the membership dues paying year runs from June 1 of one year to May 31 of the next year. But in reality, members who are in good standing on May 31 continue to receive the Club’s newsletter and other information (such as notices of activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing and pot lucks) up to and including the November “Membership” Meeting. If dues are not paid prior to or at the November meeting, members are dropped from the roster. I hope this clarifies the situation for those who have questions.

Individual - $10.

Family - $20.

Supporting Individual - $25.

Supporting Family - $35.

Life Member - $100.

POB 431, Corvallis, MT 59828

Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________ State: ____________ Zip: ___________

Phone: ____________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________

Type of Membership: ___________________________________________________________

Amount enclosed: $_____________________________________________________________

Newsletter delivery preference: (Check all that apply) Send by USPS _____;

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President: Sonny LaSalle 375-0871

lasalmom@montana.com

Vice-President: Mel Mooers 961-3163

m.mooersmt@juno.com

Treasurer: Jeane Lippert 642-3379

Secretary: Marion Deeths 363-7508

Hiking: Ed Curran 961-5446

edann@montananet.com

Income: Mary Ellen Reese 642-3007

Instruction: Bob Brophy 363-2381

Membership: Leo Joron 961-8359

lpj@bitterroot.net

Newsletter

Editorial: Art & Kerstin Seifert 961-4411

ajseifert@earthlink.com

Production Peg Hampton 363-1866(Msg.),

363-1887(H)

Mailing Leo Joron (see above)

E-Mail Toddy Perryman 961-4959

toddy@qwest.net

Outings: Jayne Brindle 363-4192

clp@bitterroot.com

Mel Mooers (see above)

Programs: (vacant)

Publicity: Diane Williford 363-6290

Trails: Gordon Reese 642-3007

Webmaster: Pat Patterson 961-4192

clp@bitterroot.com