Newsletter of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club

Box 431, Corvallis, Montana 59828

Notice ! The dates for the first annual Club maintenance week have been changed. Previously, it was scheduled for the second week of June. Because of a snow pack that is lingering longer than we anticipated we thought it was prudent to change our work week to the last week of June - June 23^rd through June 28^th. We need to be able to drive to the Cabin in order to bring in the needed equipment. As stated before, we will be doing some cleaning, window washing, re-finish the kitchen counter top, stack fire wood, finish the metal roofing trim, walk our ski trails and do any projects that will make the Cabin very usable.

As of this time all the weekends are booked for the summer Cabin rental season, and while there are scattered week days still available, those too are pretty well booked. If you have thoughts about staying at the Cabin call the folks at the Wisdom Ranger District, 689-3371 soon!

During the work week there will be lots of room for your camper or tent, or just bring a sleeping bag and stay in the Cabin. We plan to have a relaxed schedule so folks can enjoy the week. If you have questions please call me at 642-3007. Remember, many hands make light work. Thanks.

P.S. - The pot luck - something that would go with grilled hamburgers - will be Sunday, June 23^rd at 4:00 p.m.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail crosses over Chief Joseph Pass only a short distance from the Gordon Reese Cabin. The 3100 mile long trail begins at the Mexican border and ends at the Canadian border in Glacier Park. It is still not complete and requires a great deal of work by a lot of interested and dedicated volunteers.

The Continental Divide Trail Alliance, based in Pine, Colorado, is recruiting volunteers to set up a CDT information station at Chief Joseph Pass on Saturday, July 6, 2002 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The purpose of this activity is to let people know that the “King of Trails” is practically in the Bitterroot backyard and to spread the word about this national treasure. Other key locations are at MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass, Deer Lodge Pass, Monida Pass and significant passes in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

The BRXC Ski Club has twice participated in the overall survey of the Trail, hiking and reporting on the condition of Segment #6, from the Anaconda - Pintlar Wilderness to Lemhi Pass. We also worked on a project with the Forest Service to build a new section of trail, moving the route from a road to the actual divide.

We will be setting up a travel trailer, awning, tables and chairs, signs and literature from the Alliance and Forest Service at the access road to the parking lot at Chief Joe. But we also need Club members to participate for an hour or two, talking to visitors. And you don’t have to bring a shovel! Volunteers should call me at 961-5446 so we can begin to organize.

At our May potluck, an idea was presented for the BRXC Ski Club to enter a team in the “Relay for Life” a community event that raises money for the American Cancer Society. There was immediate support, and a BRXC Ski Club team was formed, of which I am the Captain. At the present time the BRXC team numbers 18. (Note: our team may have many more members, so please call me at 642-3007 if you would like to be involved.)

The event begins at Haynes Field (at Westview School) at 4:00 p.m. August 17^th and continues until 8:00 a.m. August 18^th. During these 16 hours, each team will have one or more members on the track at all times. At the kickoff, the first lap consists of cancer survivors (yes, the Ski Club does have survivors.) The second lap will be for survivors and care givers. The third lap will be for family members, and the fourth and succeeding laps will be for the teams.

At 10 p.m. thousands of luminarias will light the track. These are glowing tributes to people or animals who have battled cancer. Yes, animals are included, and last year the largest number of luminarias were for a beloved dog. Luminarias are available for a minimum donation of $5.00. A form is reproduced in the newsletter which you can clip out and return to me at 2286 Pleasant View Drive, Victor MT 59875 (by July 31, please.)

Last year there were 27 teams taking part. This year the BRXC Ski Club is team #40! The event is both inspirational and festive (lots of music groups are providing support and encouragement.) All of us have been touched by cancer in some way, either through family or loved ones, or personally (two of our team members are cancer survivors.) Proceeds from luminaria sales benefit the Ravalli County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

This is a wonderful way to support our generous community and your contribution will be part of the money raised by the team. So, welcome aboard (there’s room for all!)

At the end of each dues year, I start a new membership list. Therefore, it is important for both new and renewing members to give me a new membership form containing current information as to membership type and address. With renewals, this saves me a lot of time and effort in otherwise having to search out and transfer the information from the previous year’s records, and helps me to know that the membership information is correct and up to date. It is particularly important with respect to members who want e-mail delivery of newsletters, as I have found that e-mail addresses change fairly frequently.

The membership form indicates how you wish to receive your newsletters, and if you want e-mail delivery, you must of course give me your e-mail address. Please write the e-mail address legibly. If even one character is off, the e-mail will not be delivered.

When the membership form is received, I enter the names and other membership information on the master membership list. From that master list I make up an e-mail list for Toddy Perryman, who sends the newsletters via e-mail. If your e-mail address changes, send that information to me; please do not contact Toddy Perryman directly, as she does not maintain the records.

Remember, even if you have been receiving e-mail newsletters in the 2001-2002 dues year, and you wish that to continue for the 2002 - 2003 dues year, it will be necessary to give me a written membership form choosing that option and including an e-mail address.

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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I’ll get it on the website _____.

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

brxcski@logonfrog.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