S K I T R A C K S
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club
Box 431 • Corvallis, Montana 59828
September, 2008
Sept. 6 WORK DAY & POTLUCK AT CHIEF JOE
The annual work day/pot luck will be held on Saturday
September
6th beginning at 9:00 AM. Mark your calendars. Consider car
pooling
from Quality Supply and Mel Mooers (961-3163,
m.mooersmt@juno.com)
This is always a fun time where much is accomplished
and good
food is consumed. We plan on the usual stacking of the wood in
the
basement, doing trail work and splitting, stacking and covering
next
years firewood. Bring gloves and ear protection if you don't want to
hear
what is said when someone drops a block on their
foot.
President’s Message
It’ that time of year again and thank goodness. With any luck we will be on snow within 90 days. Our wonderful, traditional Bitter Root winter was followed by a cool, wet--read excellent-- spring. The backcountry skiing was great in the Bitter Roots. Some friends and I skied Camas Peak, top to bottom on June 14th. Even in a good year that’s generally not possible after May 15th. Alas, work prevented further outings.
The board met on August 18th to sort out the year. Here are some highlights. We have a work day on Sept. 6 at 9am at the cabin. See Mel’s special notes about this. A reminder: it’s pot luck, a lot of fun and usually over by 3pm 2pm. Many hands make the work go faster, so please come if you can. Bring gloves and a good attitude.
Our October 9th meeting will be the drawing for the cabin. You must have your dues paid in order to be in the drawing, so be sure to get those in ASAP. We are looking into having an instructional evening sometime in November or December which will be for the general public.
We are also looking for someone to be in charge of programs. Many thanks to Bob and Barb Schumacher who did such a great job over the last several years. We have lots of suggestions for programs and have programs covered through December.
Many thanks to the Wood Warriors, who under Mel’s direction, have been working all summer.
Think snow and see you on Sept. 6th at the cabin. -
/s/ George Corn
NEWS ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY
by Kay Fulton
MAY POTLUCK: We had a great gathering at Allan and Judy Meyers’ house May 8th. The only business item, in addition to wonderful food and socializing, was the approval of the amendment to the bylaws which will allow the immediate past president to sit on the Board. Thanks again, Allan and Judy.
NEW EDUCATION CHAIRPERSON: Mel Holloway has agreed to coordinate a Ski Lesson program that will, hopefully, include a couple of special presentations on gear and safety as well as instruction for beginners. He will also coordinate the January Lesson Day. The Board is looking into including an advanced lesson day as well. Please share your ideas with Mel.
PROGRAM CHAIRPERSON NEEDED!!! As you know, Bob and Barb Schumaker, who did a fantastic job arranging programs for us, have stepped down. A new chairperson is needed immediately. Please consider helping out. The job is an important one. Bob and Barb as well as the Board have already come up with some ideas for the coming year. The duties would include scheduling the programs, making sure the right equipment is available and getting announcements in the newsletter and newspaper. Contact George Corn, Earl Phillips or any Board member (BEFORE THEY CONTACT YOU!) THANKS
CLUB HISTORIAN NEEDED: We have realized that there needs to be a history of the Club, the Gordon Reese Cabin, etc. put into writing. How about one of you "Old Timers" with the knowledge of this history putting something down? It could be done by interviewing people too. Typing services will be provided. Please contact one of the Board members if you are willing to do this.
SCHEDULE FOR 2008-09 SKI SEASON: The Board put together the following rough draft schedule. It is unfinished but wanted members to have dates for their calendars:
Sept. 6 WORK DAY & POTLUCK AT CHIEF JOE
Oct. 9 MEETING & SIGN UP FOR HUT (dues must be paid)
Nov. 13 NEW MEMBERS MEETING & SILENT AUCTION
Dec. 11 POTLUCK & PROGRAM
Jan. 8 MEETING
(Jan. 17 (Tentative) New Skier Lessons
Feb. 12 MEETING
Feb. 21 or 28 for EXRAVAGANZA
Mar. 12 MEETING
April 9 MEETING
May 14 POTLUCK
TRAIL REPORT
Winter is not here yet but the
work has begun. The 'Wood
Warriors" Jim Arnoson, Allan Meyers, Mel Holloway,
Bill Sweet, Ed
Hastings, Jim Anderson along with John Ericson and Mike
Wilkerson from
the Forest Service and myself attacked the previously felled
hazard trees
in the area of the trail head on July 24 & 25. They were cut
into 4,8 &
12 foot lengths and many were hauled to the area of the Hut.
By the time
you read this one or more work days will have finished clearing
this
area. There are still many of these trees that need attention if
they
are going to be preserved for winter firewood.
The annual work day/pot luck will be held on Saturday
September
6th beginning at 9:00 AM. Mark your calendars. Consider car
pooling
from Quality Supply and I will need the year, make ,model color
and
license number from those that drive, by September 1, so that I
may
obtain the proper permits for you.
This is always a fun time where much is accomplished
and good
food is consumed. We plan on the usual stacking of the wood in
the
basement, doing trail work and splitting, stacking and covering
next
years firewood. Bring gloves and ear protection if you don't want to
hear
what is said when someone drops a block on their foot.
I'll leave a description of the needed work at the
Hut to Ed
Hastings who is doing a great job of taking care of
it.
There will be a short meeting after
lunch.
Bill Sweet has built boxes to go on the back of the
new Viking
machines to haul the items we need on the trails. He did a
beautiful job
as you'll see when we start grooming. Many thanks,
Bill.
Looking forward to seeing you on September 6 and the
start of
another great year.
/s/ Mel
Mooers