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| FSC President's Messages, 09/10 Connie Wiley
President, May 2009 to April 2010 April 2010 Message
It seems kind of sad. We look forward to snow for nine months and then it is over in a flash. But FSC had a good year. All three trips were highly successful and I am sure everyone will agree -- a good time was had by all.
It isn't too early to start planning for next year. The Board of Directors expects to participate in the BRSC Western Carnival trip to Park City, Utah. A potential second club trip is in the works. Where would you like to go? Got a suggestion? Let a Board member know now as planning begins in June.
Several summer club activities will tide us over until next year. A possible night out at Riverside Dinner Theater, pool party and other activities could be coming up. If there is something particular you would like to do, please send me (cjw3423@yahoo.com) or Marguerite Schwab (marguerite2@verizon.net) your idea or mention it on April 21st, at Carlos O'Kelly's -- the last membership meeting of the season. The Club will buy a round of drinks (beer, wine or soda) for every member who attends.
We will be holding elections for the 2010-2011 season, so please plan to attend. We will vote for officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary, and for four Board members. Would you like to run? Your nomination is highly welcome. Send me your name or nominate yourself at the meeting. Board members select trip destinations, plan social events, and make other club decisions, and meets about eight times a year. The commitment is light but your influence will be great. Hope to see you on the 21st. March 2010 Message
What a great trip! Fourteen tired and “skied out” members returned from Tahoe late Saturday night. We were glad that Sharon Pedersen, a member from Florida who came on her own, joined us for the parties and some skiing. We spent three days (the more energetic skiers spent four) at Heavenly where we had conditions ranging from high winds and heavy snow to mild and sunny. Our day at Kirkwood started out in a near white-out, but as the day progressed, the sky cleared and everyone enjoyed the several inches of fresh powder. Sierra was a great experience; BRSC skiers were practically the only ones on the mountain.
FSC members did very well in the Tuesday races. Seven of the nine racers earned Heavenly medals by racing against the course. Two of those racers earned additional BRSC medals in competition with all other BRSC racers. Bob McMahon was awarded a gold medal at the Awards Banquet as the fastest BRSC skier in his category. Michael Bailey received silver for his category. And the club won third place for the percentage of race participants, a big accomplishment for a small club.
Our accommodations were only a block from the Heavenly Gondola which made it fast and easy to get on the slopes. The parties were terrific; with great food and music. And of course, the casinos beckoned. A few tried their hands at blackjack and slot machines; one made a 400% return on her investment. Many thanks to Rae Ehlen for leading another successful trip.
This month only, we have changed the day of the Membership Meeting, from Wednesday to THURSDAY. We will meet at Carlos O'Kelly's on Thursday, March 18, to accommodate the large number of members returning from Bormio the night before.
At the April Membership Meeting, the club will elect the 2010-2011 Board of Directors. The Board meets several times a year to determine trip destinations and plan social events for the off season. Board members also represent the club to the Blue Ridge Ski Council. Would you like to be a part of it? It is a small time commitment with a big payoff. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, let any Board member know.
Happy skiing to FSC members traveling to Bormio, Italy on March 6. We expect to see some photos at the March 18 meeting!!!
February 2010 Message
Why is snow so much more attractive when you’re skiing in it than when you are shoveling it? Those of us in the Fredericksburg area are digging out of a major snow storm; the third in seven weeks. Since we don’t get much practice at this, some of us are a bit out of tune.
But all this white stuff gets us in the mood for our next big trip, Western Carnival in Tahoe, February 20-27. Rae Ehlen has 14 members signed up for what looks like a great trip. I am hoping we will take some of this snow along to the Sierras.
Bob Schwab led a successful (and enjoyable) trip to Winter Park in January. Returning skiers reported good weather and enjoyable skiing. If you would like to share any photos, please send them to me or Cheer Lift editor, Mike Redding.
FSC and the Blue Ridge Ski Council always select great destinations for our trips. But have you ever wanted to have some say on next year’s destinations? If so, there is a place on the FSC Board of Directors (BoD) for you. The Board is elected annually, meets about eight times a year, and chooses club destinations and other social activities. The time commitment is minimal. If you are interested in being a BoD member, let me know.
January 2010 Message Don't know about you, but the snow just before Christmas really helped to get me in the mood for skiing. Even shoveling the driveway and dodging sliding cars was fun. Well, okay, maybe "not so bad" is more accurate. But knowing that ski trip is coming up soon made the job more palatable. Those bound for Winter Park, CO, will be boarding a plane in a few days. With Bob Schwab at the helm, we know that thirteen of our club members will have a wonderful time. Fourteen Fredericksburg club skiers will go with Rae Ehlen to BRSC's Winter Carnival in Tahoe this year. Snow is looking really good. And I'm sure everyone is looking forward to not only the skiing in Bormio, Italy in March, but the wonderful Alpine ambiance, terrific food and sightseeing. Mike Redding will lead 12 skiers on that trip. I hope everyone takes lots of photos to share. As many club members noticed, the Free Lance-Star printed a great little article about the club in its New Year's Day issue. If you missed it, you can still catch it at: http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/012010/01012010/518013 That's all for now. May all our skiers enjoy their trips, whether club-sponsored or not. Please pass along the Cheer Lift to any friends who might be interested in club activities. We are starting to plan summer events. Let Social Chair, Marguerite Schwab, know about events that you would like to see the club sponsor. We are open to all ideas. Happy Thanksgiving! Now that the holiday season is here to keep us all busy, we don't have much time to "think snow." But the ski season will be here before we know it. I hope you have signed up for the trip or trips of your choice. We are down to the wire on commitments - you may still be able to register, but deadlines are close. Contact trip leader today if you want to go but have not yet signed up for the trips to Winter Park, Tahoe or Bormio. The Christmas party on Saturday, December 5, at Robinson's Tavern and Grill in Locust Grove, VA, is the Club's next social event. Information was mailed to all current and former members in late October. Contact Marguerite Schwab (540-972-3681 or schwabby@verizon.net) if you have not received it. Please RSVP by November 20.
Check out the photo of the road clean-up crew in this newsletter issue or in the Photo Album on our web site. Many thanks to Lois Rose, Mike Redding and John Parkinson for helping to beautify a small section of Stafford County on October 25. Regretfully, the Club is withdrawing its commitment to VDOT for this duty. We have performed this semi-annual volunteer effort since the mid-1980s, but in recent years, local membership has declined, which limits the number available to help with the clean-up. Therefore, the Board decided it is impractical to continue the commitment. Mike Redding has served as the clean-up coordinator for many years and deserves a big round of applause for his dedication. Thanks, Mike!
I close with best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in FSC. Don't forget the November monthly meeting at Carlos O'Kelly's on November 18, 6:30 PM. And, I hope to see you at the Christmas party!
October 2009 Message Welcome back to everyone who was away over the summer. We kicked the year off with a great first membership meeting—a picnic at Lois Rose’s beautiful farm and iris garden. It was an unqualified success! The weather was fabulous; the setting was peaceful; and the food and friends were the best. Even the horses were picture perfect. Thank you, Lois, for hosting us.
And thank you, Marguerite Schwab, for organizing the picnic as well as the club’s night out at Riverside Dinner Theater earlier in September. The play was Evita, and what a great performance it was.
If you wonder what you are missing, come to the next membership meeting at Carlos O’Kelly’s, on Wednesday, October 21st, 6:30PM. We will talk about the upcoming events, including the Christmas party. And, someone will be there to represent all three club trips, answer questions and take deposits. The Lake Tahoe (BRSC Winter Carnival), Winter Park and Bormio, Italy trips are quickly filling up. I understand there are only a few places left for Bormio. Don’t wait too long.
FSC is answering the national call to service with a highway cleanup morning on Sunday, October 25th. For many years, Club members have helped keep a small portion of Stafford County beautiful by twice annually picking up trash on a short segment of Route 1. Mark your calendars for this worthwhile way to get some great exercise. Afterward, the club convenes at a local watering hole for brunch. Look for the details elsewhere in the newsletter.
Have renewed your membership yet? Or, have you registered for the first time? Click the Membership Application link on the left sidebar; or look for a member application in your printed Cheer Lift, near the trip sign-up forms. The huge selection of BRSC sanctioned trips is only open to members, and the Fredericksburg Ski Club has the least expensive dues around.
See you at the meeting on October 21st. Start thinking snow! September 2009 Message The summer has gone by so quickly. Where did it go? You are probably looking forward to some cooler, crisper days. Those days are coming, but so is the time to sign up for club trips. This time of year is so busy that it is hard to even think about trips 5 months from now, but now is definitely the time to make those plans. Trip leader Mike Redding already has bookings for half of his spaces on the Bormio, Italy, trip, and we know the Tahoe trip will be very popular. Rae Ehlen reminds FSC'ers that you need to register quickly. Bob Schwab's trip to Winter Park, CO, will be popular as well. Don*t miss your chance! Contact any of the trip leaders with reservations or questions. Remember that you must have an active FSC membership to participate in a club trip. This is easy - just fill out the membership form in this newsletter or on the website and send it with your trip registration and deposit. Membership is one of the best bargains around as it allows you to register for any sanctioned BRSC trip. Just look at the offerings on the Trips page. And don't forget the first membership meeting of the year. We are trying something a bit different for this season's opener. Lois Rose has volunteered her farm for a picnic on Saturday, September 19th. This will be a pot luck, with the club furnishing burgers and paper goods, and everyone bringing a side dish or dessert and something to drink. RSVP to Social Chair Marguerite Schwab. See you at the picnic! July 2009 Message I'll bet you are thinking, "It's hard to think snow in August." Don't know about you, but every time I go outside these days, I seriously look forward to frosty nights and winter white. While we wait for snow, Social Chair Marguerite Schwab arranged some fun social events this summer. See the activities page for a story about the canoe trip. Bill Rowe gave an interesting "insider" tour of the Udvar-Hazy Center and we had a great time at the pool party hosted by Libby Jacoby. More events are yet to come. Mike Redding will give a special tour of Chatham on August 15th. Mike has gained a lot of lore during his tenure as a volunteer guide there. This is your chance to quiz him about Civil War history. Be sure to reserve Saturday, September 19th, on your calendar for the first membership meeting of the year, which will be a picnic at Lois Rose's farm. This will be a good time to renew your membership for the 2009-2010 season. All are welcome; be sure to bring your skier (and potential skier) friends and show them what a great club this is. It will be hard to make a choice of FSC trips this year. Bob Schwab is looking forward to leading the club's first sanctioned trip this winter, to Winter Park, CO. This will be a Sunday to Saturday trip, January 17th to 23rd. Winter Park is a great mountain--big enough to provide five days of challenging skiing but small enough to easily do it all. The BRSC Western Carnival at Tahoe is next, on February 20th to 27th. Rae Ehlen will lead this trip which will give skiers a chance to see some spectacular scenery and do some fabulous skiing. Fredericksburg has only 20 places on this trip; don't be late in signing up. And, not to forget the club's third trip, to Bormio, Italy, March 6th to 14th. I have it on good authority that trip leader Mike Redding expects that the evening activities will be as much fun as the skiing. If you don't ski, not to worry. There will be plenty of daytime activities to keep everyone busy. We will miss if you don't go on an FSC trip. But if none of them fit your schedule, a benefit of membership is your eligibility to choose from dozens of other BRSC-sanctioned trips. I hope you are having a great summer. See you at one of the upcoming events, or at the picnic/membership meeting in September. Until then, think snow!! May 2009 MessageIf it was snowing rather than raining as I write this, we could be skiing now. There is just that tiny issue of 70 degree temperatures. But, summer gives us time to anticipate trips this winter. And do we have great trips to look forward to! The FSC will participate in both Blue Ridge Ski Council trips in 2010. Rae Ehlen will lead the club to the Western Carnival at Lake Tahoe, February 20-27. This trip is a bit later than normal, but snowfall in the Sierras can be fantastic later in the season. Rae has reserved 20 places but he can "grow" that number to accommodate everyone who wants to go. Mike Redding will be leader of the Eurofest trip to the northern Italian resort of Bormio, March 6-14. Bormio is just south of the Swiss-Italian border. You don’t ski? I am sure there will be plenty for non-skiers to do as well, not least of which is admire the awesome Alpine scenery. Find information about both BRSC trips in this newsletter and on the club Web site. Or, call Mike or Rae. Bob Schwab expects to lead a third club trip this winter, perhaps in January. He is considering some of the Colorado mountains. When more details are known, you will read about them right here. Events closer to home…. FSC elections were held at the April membership meeting. The slate of candidates was approved by acclamation. Steve Konopa is the new vice-president, Mike Redding was re-elected as Secretary, Rae Ehlen as Treasurer and Wally Morton, Bill Rowe, Marguerite Schwab and Lois Rose were re-elected as Board members. And I am honored to be the 2009-2010 president. Many thanks to Wally Morton and Mike Redding for their contribution to the trash pick-up day on April 26. Our group was small, but it was mighty. Club Social Chair, Marguerite Schwab, has a full summer of activities planned. Check this issue of the Cheer Lift for details. A couple of them require early reservations (especially for the evening at Riverside Dinner Theater for Evita), so don’t delay. Stay cool this summer and think snow!! | |
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