GREAT FALLS
SKI CLUB
Club News and
Events
Updated: October 19, 2009
2009 –
20010 Ski Season
Ski Club Calendars
Latest
Panhandler Newsletter in PDF formats click
on link below.
You
can view and print the newsletter by using the link above
You
need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view Newsletter
(PDF files). You can use this link to download and install safely a free copy
of Reader.
Adobe Product
Downloads Link
2009 Editorial:
Much has
been said about club ski trips and there is even a survey distributed that
after review appears to be some what biased.
I encourage all to complete the form and let your Board members know your
feelings about trips and not let the personal views of a handful of people
dictate the direct the Club is heading. Trip evolution has been dictated by the
wants of the membership and many have lost interest in the same old thing
traveling locally. Cost is another reason that a dividing line has been drawn
but primarily it is transportation distance and costs. Yes we can fly to Vail
or any of the other Colorado/New Mexico/Utah resorts but there is a marked
increase in cost for airfare which has been viewed as unacceptable by the
masses when a trip overseas can be put together for similar price.
My example was is
the Whistler Trip I put together over a year ago with air, transfers and
lodging was close to $1,000 per person did not have enough interest to make it
go. The interest was not there like that we had for Chile. You have to remember that
the international trips composition has more than skiers going which basically
fill-up the trip. When you go to just a ski area and there is nothing to do foe
those that don not ski, they will not go.
Survey or not the
Club does not need to run trips that do not pay for themselves. I have never
run a trip that has needed to be subsidized nor should it be. The Clubs recent
trip to Jackson
is just one example of that possibility when you do not have enough people to
make the trip pay for itself. I think a long hard look at trip policy needs to
take place with an understanding that club funds are not meant to pay for trips
that all members do not get to participate in.
As the Club Trip
Trustee it has been my goal to provide quality trips at affordable rates and
I’m concerned about the direction we are heading. Marvin R. Jordan
June 2008
Editorial,
Club Trips: Unless you
live under a rock you know the price of energy continues to go up. This is
adversely affecting the travel industry from many levels and is making our trip
choices difficult from a price perspective; this includes the large areas in Montana that compete in
the world market where our dollar is currently weak. Many resorts are holding
their group rates to se if the prices will finally stabilize. There is a trend
by resorts not to provide group incentives as they can make more selling rooms
at rack-rate for individual travel. Additionally, they are not providing comps
that we have used to pay for the bus driver and trip leaders rooms. Not having
these just increases the overall costs of the trip as it is an expense. I can
tell you that several of the trip-leaders in the recent past have not taken the
full comp.
Your Club Board is aware of these issues and will
address trips, costs and locations which are in the best interest of the Club
membership as a whole. I will tell
you that the days of the $250 ski trip are over using our traditional model of
4 nights and 3 days of skiing even if we do not use the bus for transportation.
Average lift tickets cost for a group are at least $55 per day and a room based
on double occupancy is around $60 dollars per person. This totals to $405 per
person without transportation and depending on fuel and number of people could
be between $80 - $100 per person which
brings things in at $500 range a far cry from 10 years ago when we paid $240
and thought that was high.
One way to combat this is by using condos but many
members do not like sharing a room. Another is to use our local areas for events
we can schedule around other activities. We welcome constructive suggestions
form our membership and information we can use to make a trip happen. Marv Jordan.
May, 2008 - Jack Fisher resigns from Board citing
personal reasons. Terry Carpenter 2nd Alternate agreed to accept
position offered by Board.
Winter 2008
Club Snowball
Return a Resounding Success!
Over 56 people were present to
vote at Club elections with about 40 more attending the dance portion with
music of Texas Toast and Jam. Sue Ferrin provided the vision and energy to lead
a group of club members to plan, decorate, and feed participants to an event
that has been on hold since 1996 for lack of participation. Thank you Sue
Ferrin and all that helped make this event happen.
Information below is old, newer information can be
obtained on the homepage.
Election results posted in April 2007
newsletter.
Marv Jordan, President, calls it quits after 10 years
of service to the club. See the March 2005 newsletter (page 2) for his final
words as president.
·
11-1-05 Big Bear places large
newspaper ad competing with Swap after giving club officers assurance they
would not! Swap sales down. I will vote with my wallet (Marvin R. Jordan).
·
10-18-05: At a no notice meeting Big
Bear Sports management pulled the plug on their support for the ski swap just
three weeks before the event. They tried to tell us they had not made any money
the last couple of years but when pressed they cited disruption to store
activities as main reason. This left the club scrambling to make arrangements
to keep the event afloat. We did receive commitment from Skiers Edge and
Scheels.
We are not sure if they will ever participate
again? We are sure it will be a loss to the ski community and most likely a
loss in ski/board sales for them.
·
Club holiday party a great success with over 100 members participating.
Anita Moriarity won the free Jackson Hole ski
trip. Thanks to all our sponsors and those dedicated members that helped put on
this meeting.
·
Thanks to Showdown for our Ski Day group lesson. Pray for snow!!!!
·
Marv Jordan
announces this will be his last term as club president. At the first membership
meeting of the year current president Marv Jordan informed membership that he
would not seek re-election after this term. Marv has been president for 10
years, longer then any other person in club history. Marv will continue to be
involved as Board Chair for one year and then as trip trustee.
Australia – New Zealand Trip news on the way.
Ski Swap appears to be a success financially for the
club even though ski input for sale was down. Club members turned out and
showed their true colors by pitching in and making everything turn out great!
We had a couple of minor paperwork mistakes but that can be expected with the
amount of volume and the fact we only do this once a year.
A few people stand out for their service that I want
to mention by name and I will take care of that in the next newsletter.
Thank you all very much for helping your club with
its only fundraiser for the year!
SUMMER ACTIVITIES CAN BE VIEWED ON THE Home Page
President Marv Jordan filled the Board vacancy
left when Larry Blazicevich became VP by recommending the first Alternate Chris
McGregor by vote of the membership (March 2003 meeting). The Board agreed that
this was the best solution. It was also agreed that Tom Fisher would be
considered second Alternate now with Bill Christofferson being first.
Ski Club Donates $1,000.00 to help Alice Leland with
expenses. In true club form we came together and raised $500.00 with the Board
basically matching that amount with another $500.00 that was given to the
Leland’s on behalf of the ski club along with a very nice card. Any questions
please feel free to contact Marv Jordan.
Mannequin Jump results will be posted shortly.
1-19-03
Great
Falls Ski Club Members: SHOWDOWN RACE TEAM HELP
Rick Jacobs and Baron Noble approached me this weekend about
asking club members for help with Showdown Ski Race Team activities. Before we
got into exactly what they wanted from the club I wanted to relate to them what
many in the club have thought about the race team over the past few years. I
did not have the words completely out of my mouth when they both told me that
they felt the same way and that is why they got involved so they could change
the team to how it was 15 years ago. Instead of having an almost private team
they are going to re-connect it with Showdown and attempt to make it available
for anyone child that has the motivation and basic ability.
I thought this was good as it fit into our club’s
philosophy of “promoting skiing in Central Montana”.
In fact it would be neat to have a young person standing on a podium at a
world-class event that came out of a program hosted at Showdown! Along with
what I’m listing below, they are also looking for athletes to participate.
I do not want to lose your
attention by writing an article that is too long so I will get to the point!
The newly reformed race team needs our help! There are several ways we can help
which I will outline below. The one thing to remember is money is not the only
way to give them a hand.
- On Jan 30 & 31, Feb 1st, 2nd
& 3rd the Showdown Super “G” Series Starts, there is a camp
the first couple of days and then the racing begins with the major speed
runs taking place on the 2nd and 3rd of February. It
just so happens that this is when they need volunteer help as “Gatekeepers
and Course workers” Contact Rick Jacobs @ 547-3587 or email bentoncreek@yahoo.com to let him
know that you are interested.
Volunteering does not mean you have to be there the whole event
working, just let them know what time you can give and they will be
grateful for what they get.
- The race team is in desperate need of money! They
are looking for any type of donations from private individuals that would
like to see a local ski program succeed. Additionally, corporate sponsorship
is really helpful as it lends legitimacy to the program overall. I was
just asked to try and get some interest stirred up and after speaking with
Rick and Baron I think they have what it takes to make this happen. My
only concern is failure due to lack of funds. It would be nice to get
someone or even our ski club to commit to paying the heat bill for the
timing shack which runs from $400 to $500 dollars.
Please try and help them out
if you can? If you cannot find a way to give of time and money maybe you will
be able to make to the race on Feb 2nd & 3rd?
Thank you for your time. Marvin R. Jordan, President, Great Falls Ski Club
1-19-03
Nomination
committee formed for this years club officer and board member elections. Please
contact a board member if you would like to nominate someone.
12-17-02 Ski Club Holiday Party was one of the most well attended events of the
year. We gave away our free ski trip to Alice Leland along with numerous gifts provided
by generous sponsors: Flower Farm, Ferrins Furniture, Keebler Cookies, Howard’s
Pizza, Town House Inn, Blacktail Ski Area & Showdown Ski Area. John and Kim
Gagnon did a great job deep-frying turkeys for our meal. Debbie Petrini, Sue
Jordan and Larry Blazicevich need to be thanked for all their help in
preparing/ serving the food. Kari Cann,
Treasurer also spent most of her evening taking money for renewals. If I missed
acknowledging someone I sincerely apologize, as it is not intentional.
Please take the opportunity to thank those
working as volunteers on your behalf !!!!
I would like to say that I did cut the formal
portion of the meeting short, as I did not feel like competing against all the
people how chose to carry on conversations while I attempted to speak. In the
future, I will start doing the same thing at all the meetings. It’s funny how
it is always the same people that were talking during my portion who want to
know what was going on or just general information that they would know if they
had kept their mouth shut. I do not want to be so harsh, but after putting in a
long day setting up & cooking for the enjoyment of the club members, the
least they can do is listen to me for 20 minutes or so.
My suggestion to all is to read to the newsletter or
this web site to stay up to date or ask those who may not know they are being
rude to put a sock in it! Try and have a Merry Christmas, I
will??????????????????????????
12-7-02 Ski Day at
Showdown
was a bust! No one showed up to participate in the free group lesson. The blame
can be placed on the lack of snow at the hill as there is barely enough to open
much les ski from the lodge to triple chair. We all need to pray for snow!
11-4-02 Club Members:
Just
a quick message,
For all of our clubs membership that gave of their
precious time and energy to assist at the fairgrounds this year, thank you.
This thanks also goes out to those many members that performed duties behind
the scenes and could not physically make it to the swap. It takes a team
to make an event like the swap happen; once again our team came together and
made it work!
We accounted for 100% percent of all consigned
items, which is a feat in itself, all should pat themselves on the back!!! We
did make one small error on tagging some boots that cost us $25.00 but I think
we can live with that as we collectively did a great job and will learn from
our mistakes and successes!
The new layout appeared to work well with purchased
items being passed across the tables instead of them walking though the
entrance. In fact this change made it possible for those providing security to
concentrate on keeping items in instead of verifying receipts. My hats off to
the those who came up with the idea. Check printing seemed to work but with anything
new it required an adjustment from all of those who were not used to the
process. We will work on polishing up the process some but overall Kari Cann
plan worked achieving data entry and payment in one process. Great job
Kari!
We will be looking for input on what people feel
should be changed and this will be discussed at the 11-15-02 Board meeting that will be
held prior to the General Membership meeting at the Moose Lodge 5:30 PM.
The numbers are not in yet for the club but I can
tell you that Big Bear and Skiers Edge did better than last year. Our Friday
night gross numbers were $140.00 less than last year with Saturday maybe a
little slower. No the less we had a boost from Jasen Caughey, former Élan Rep.
that brought in a large amount of snowboard gear and ski equipment are other
new participant is Mark Manseau from Lewistown who brought in many very nice
items from his ski shop and sold through us.
Special
thanks to Larry Blazicevich for hauling all the left-over items and Bill
Christofferson for hauling the wood racks.
Raw
numbers are $32K gross and $5,400.00 net without deducting membership and
advertising. There will be more information once we get the complete totals.
Marv
Jordan
8-9-02 Alice Leland to take over
as club VP with Sue Ferrin to step in to finish Alice’s board term. This took place at the 8-5-02 Board
Meeting. Any questions contact Marv Jordan
Club Vice-President Tenders
Resignation
In a move that caught our
club completely by surprise Bob Mease in a letter to the club president
resigned on and effective August 5th, 2002 citing his inability to
make it to the meetings. Bob was just reelected this Spring and leaves the club
without someone filling the position basically for the entire ski season. The
president will bring this matter to the Board of Directors at the 8-5-2 meeting
and request action to fill the positron with a current board member or
alternate.
I’m truly sad to announce the sudden
death of Dick Dailey on 4-30-02, past club president 1989-1990, funeral services
were held in Great Falls, Saturday May 4th,
with burial taking place at Highland Cemetery. Members reflect about
Dick’s life in May edition newsletter
Click on link for recent photo
taken in Europe of Dick and brother Patrick: view photo
Fun Day at Showdown
Pond Skimming by Joe Pope was
excellent, many brave skiers and Boarders flew across the pond that Showdowns
artful groomers created.
Mannequin Jumping was the highlight of a perfect day with 27 entrants this
year and the largest ever crowd viewing the combatants. Below is a list of
winners by category and all who participated. Each category winner received the
highly coveted “Golden Sow Award” trophy.
We added two new categories this year, Yard Sale and Best of Show. Best
of Show is judged while the mannequins are sitting on the deck and was created
to recognize the efforts of those who spent much time and money for a creation
that just doesn’t quite make it down the hill. Contestants are required to send
their creations down an expertly groomed slope where they encounter a primo
jump that hurtles them into the air where they crash in a special landing zone
in front of a select panel of judges and spectators. Judge is based on a system
of rating each jumper in each of the categories on a scale of one to ten with
ten being the highest, all scores are totaled and winners announced in the bar
shortly after the event.
Each year the popularity of this event grows more
and more with new and bold concepts unveiled before a hungry crowd of
on-lookers.
If anyone is interested in building a mannequin and
needs some old skis just drop me a line and I can give you (free) some of the
ones we keep from the Swap for this purpose
2002 Mannequin Jumping Contest Winners
Crowd Pleaser
|
Biggest Bad Air
|
Bin Laden’s Last
Ride
Created by Tom & Sharon
Fischer, Dave & Becky Gunness & Greg Campanella
|
Gelatin Jenny & Red
Rocket
Created by Broquist
& Idaho
|
|
Distance
|
Best
of Show
|
Big Air Baby
Created by Larsen
Family Homes
|
“Panda”
Moneum
Created by Larsen
Family Homes
|
|
Engineering
|
Yard Sale
|
Bin Laden’s Last Ride
Created by Tom
& Sharon Fischer, Dave & Becky Gunness & Greg Campanella
|
Levi Leaps Higher
Created by CMR
High, Bike & Ski Club
|
Mannequin Jumping Entrants
Bin Laden’s Last Ride
|
Hooter Annie
|
Downhill Scolfer
|
|
Big Air Bear
|
Schow Dog
|
Gelatin Jenny & Red Rocket
|
|
Pabst-Man
|
Osama Under the Blade
|
The Crowd Pleaser
|
|
Viagra Bob
|
Sponge Bob
|
“Panda” Moneum
|
|
Dinn-AIR for Two
|
Big Air Baby
|
Feces Occurs in the Rental
Shop
|
|
Rocketman “2”
|
“TAZ”
|
I’m Pure Evil
|
|
Plane Jane
|
Granny’s Bored
|
Lazy Susan
|
|
Curious George
|
Air Lathrop Cubed
|
Toilet
|
|
Levi Leaps Higher
|
Swat Monster
|
Joe Patrol
|
Thank you to all that
helped put on this event and hope to see you next year!
Just Back from France
check out news on comment page.
Panorama Ski
Trip was great!
We were
upgraded to gold rated condominiums! Ski in and ski out pools just outside with
a fresh dumping of snow right before we arrived. You could not for better
conditions except for some more snow.
We had a
delay (3 hours) at the Sweetgrass border but all made it through. Tom Carpenter
was our driver and he did a marvelous job in spite on the bus breaking down.
The trip home found us in a storm for two thirds of the way with poor
visibility and slick roads. Great job Tom. Thanks.
We are
waiting to get the accounts settled and may
have a refund for those paid participants. Dave Ocenosak (Super Dave) will
keep us posted. I would like to thank Dave for the job he did and let everyone
know that any of the hiccups that happened while we were there can be blamed on
the weather (local storm stranded many people so they had juggle rooms for
several of our people). Thanks Dave for a job well done.
Swap
Results:
Well, it
looks like we have survived another one! This years ski swap found us with the
most volunteer help we have had in a long time. It was this help that made the
event flow smoothly as it took the burden and distributed among many.
I would like
to thank all who participated whether it was for 30 minutes or the complete two
days, your volunteerism is deeply appreciated.
I have some special thanks that I would like to pass on if not for their
specialized help we would still be sorting things out; Susi Schamp for her
tireless efforts in keeping our financial records straight, Bill Christofferson
for using his equipment to move the wood racks from storage to the Fair
Grounds, Dave Ocenosak, Dave Blom and Gordon Phillips and the others that spent
a day or more, our corporate sponsors, Big Bear, Skiers Edge, Showdown and the
new kid on the block Scheels for their swap involvement and last but not least
thanks to those who came out for the first time.
All’s you
had to do was open your eyes and you would have noticed the greatly reduced
amount of items placed for consignment. We have been wondering why since the swap
ended and coming up with many different answers, switching between straight and
shaped skis, weather was too nice, poor economy and not enough advertising in
advance on how to consign to name a few. I think it is a combination of all
listed and maybe some we didn’t think of. None the less we had a successful
swap as we raised some money for the club (about $1500.00 less than last year),
donated (in conjunction with Showdown and Big Bear Sports) some great items to
Eagle Mount and Special Olympics, met new people, renewed old acquaintances but
most of all had fun doing something for a sport we all enjoy.
We have made
great strides in our item accountability and efficiency these past several
years and not holding our breath quite as long to see if anything comes up
missing. It almost seems too easy.
I hope to
see all out there for next year’s event. Thanks, Marv Jordan
Great
Falls Ski Club Annual Ski Swap Results will be posted soon.
Sponsored
by Big Bear Sporting Goods, Skiers Edge & Scheels All Sports
Consign
Check-In Starts: Friday, Nov. 2nd at 12:00 Noon - 4:30 PM
Sale Hours:
Friday,
Nov. 2nd - 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Fair
Grounds Trades & Industry Building, Great Falls, MT
Clean out
your garage and bring in your old ski equipment to consign. Great equipment
bargains new and used equipment, professionals on hand from Big Bear, Skiers
Edge, Scheels and Showdown Ski Area.
For
more information call 452-9301”
Good news, Scheels
Sporting Goods is being invited to attend this years Ski Swap. More info to
follow.
Ski Club Workday
at Showdown was a great success with club members cooking burgers and polish
gods for all of Showdown’s Pass-holder Picnic guests. Remember all that
participated names will go into the free Panorama trip drawing.
Thanks to those
who participated in this years highway cleanups. Remember all that participated
names will go into the free Panorama trip drawing.
Final General
Membership Meeting was held, Friday, April 20th
7:00 PM, Moose Lodge, Black Eagle. New club officers/directors were introduced,
fried chicken dinner, snacks and refreshments were served while Marv Jordan
went over the meeting agenda. Ski trips and summer activities topped the list
of items that were discussed. After the formal part of the meeting concluded
there was a slide presentation of the up-coming France trip.
The Board will be
working on a program that will reward those members who attend all the
membership meetings. Details will be forthcoming.
I would like to
thank all that participated in club activities this year and looked forward to
increased member participation in the future. See everyone at Septembers
meeting or at a summer activity.
Posted 4-9-01
Well another
ski season is “in the can” as they say in Hollywood. It seems just like
yesterday that we dusted off the equipment for the year to hit the slopes. For
some reason this year I appear to be affected more by knowing that skiing is
finished until next year and I’m starting ski-withdrawal symptoms.
Showdown once again came through a
light snow year with flying colors as they always do. Location, snow management
and maybe just old fashion good luck are responsible. The only regret is that
as I write it is still snowing and we won’t be able to ski unless we hike to
the top.
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank George, Margie, Katie, and all the others that made this ski year
possible at Showdown. We had a great ski year!!
Fun Days was going to have ski golf
(Skolf) but we, as a club couldn’t get it together so the event was canceled. I
had many disappointed people express their desire to skolf and for this reason
we will attempt to have it as an event at our Ski Day in December 2001. I would
like to enlist the help of all members in obtaining equipment necessary before
the ski swap in November. We need four through seven iron golf clubs and racket
balls. Anyone interested please contact Marv Jordan, 452-9301.
Mannequin Jumping
This year we had 27 entrants compete
for trophies in four categories, “Biggest Bad Air, Distance, Engineering and
Crowd Pleaser”. As usual mannequins came in all shapes and sizes, complex and
simple. Many of the entries looked familiar like Grand Pooh-Ba a defending
double winner from last year, Air Arnold the giant flying sky pink sky pig and
the Budman who was resurrected from his two-year retirement. Some of the new
entrants included the university rivalry of “Disappointed Griz Fan”
(electrocuted grizzly bear) and “Mr. Recreation” (devoted to Griz memorabilia)
along with many other very creative mannequins to numerous to mention here (see
table below). Four judges were selected from the ski club membership and they
viewed/scored each participant in the areas listed above on a scale on one to
ten. Winners were announced in the bar directly after competition.
Biggest Bad Air: “Oh Jeez” Lindsay, Maria
& Carley of W.S.S.
Engineering: “Budman” Gary Hooks and Marv
Jordan of Great Falls
Distance and Crowd Pleaser winner: “Disappointed Griz Fan” Dave Gunnes, Tom Fisher, Tim Kifer &
Gerg Campanella of Great Falls
Each winner was presented with the
new highly coveted “Golden Pig Award” additionally each participant received a Great
Falls Ski Club lapel pin for their efforts.
We are looking to make this event
bigger and better each year and have already decided to expand the categories
by adding the following: “Best of Show” that will be judged prior to actual
competition and “Yard Sale” this category will be judged by observing mannequin
landing/crash. We are also looking at re-defining some of the existing
categories to make judging easier.
I would like to thank Ed Paterea,
Idaho Trenberth, Ken Poser, Debbie Petrini and Sue Jordan for their efforts in
judging and score tabulation.
Now is the time to start working on
next year’s creations as next ski season is just around the corner. As a member
of the ski club you have access to discarded skis and boots along with
mannequin building experience. So come on out and get active with your ski
club.
2001 Mannequin Entrants
Election Results
2001/2002
Elections took
place at the regularly scheduled General Membership Meeting Friday March 16th
2001, Moose Lodge, Black Eagle, 7:00 PM. The following persons were
elected to offices listed below:
Officers:
(One year term)
President - Marvin Jordan, Vice Pres.– Bob Mease
Secretary – Sue Jordan, Treasurer - Susi Schamp
I would like to
thank Gail Farley for taking care of ballot printing and overseeing the
elections as none of the Election Committee was present. Additionally, A
smaller than normal number of members attended this meeting and I would like to
thank them for taking time from their busy schedules to support THEIR
CLUB. I have to wonder if voter apathy
is contagious given the low turnouts in recent national elections? Just
remember not to complain when you see something your not happy with when your
not involved.
We have some
exciting things planned for the next ski season along with completing some works-in-progress.
I hope to see some new faces at the Board Meetings and get some new ideas on
how we can attract more club members that will be active. Board Meetings are
held the first Monday of each month at the Flamingo Lounge, 10th Ave So. 6:00
PM.
Thanks once again
for putting your trust in my abilities to provide club leadership. Marv Jordan
Ski Education
As we come to the
end of our 2000/2001 season I would like to write about one of our successes,
middle school ski education. We sponsored 10 students who responded by
answering a questionnaire that was developed and distributed by middle school
counselors that had them (students) put in writing why they would like the ski
club to pay for ski/board rental, lift ticket, lesson (lesson mandatory) and
transportation as needed. Counselors made selections based on student
individual needs.
The Board of
Directors was allowed to read all of the applications and was touched by each
one. We wish could we afford to let them all go but our budget unfortunately
was for only 10 ($500.00).
Showdown, George,
Margie and Katie have given us very positive feedback on those that have
attended with all being extremely grateful for this opportunity. We even
received a letter from one student thanking us:
“Dear Great Falls
Ski Club,
Thanks a lot for
the opportunity for me to learn how to snowboard. I really had a lot of fun.
Every time I fell down I got right back up. I went down the hill a lot. I am
going to more than likely go snowboarding again & again. You have hooked me
on something fun. Thank you so much.
Signed T.P.”
I think we have
done a good thing with this program and I would like to see us double our
efforts next year with Board approval. I would also like to thank Alice Leland
for stepping up and implementing this at our middle schools. Lets keep this
going!!!
Showdown Ski Trip March 10th & 11th
Fun was had by all that attended!!
Thanks go out to: Dave Blom and Alice
Leland, Pam & Jim Gold, Bob’s Bar, Showdown and a special thanks to Forrest
Labelle and his helpers Andy & Lindsey.
Cash prizes awarded to ski club
members who won the following events:
Poker Run:
1st place Dave Ocenosak, 2nd Dave Rada & 3rd
Shirley Weaver
Treasure Hunt:
1st Place Sue Broquist, Deb Trenberth, Dawn McDonald & Baron, 2nd
Place Pam & Jim Gold & 3rd Place Bob & Tami Mease and
Sue & Marv Jordan
Pepsi Challenge
Combined time: Jim Gold 35.78, Bill Ferrin 40.31 & Andy Ferrin 40.71.
Forrest Labelle
once again put on a very challenging trivia hunt with a Indiana Jones theme.
Forrest also provided summer sausage as gifts. Thanks for all your work.
Saturday’s dinner
at Jim and Pam Gold’s was the highlight of the weekend with all enjoying the
massive amount of food that was brought/prepared along with what the ski club
provided (beer/pop, burgers & polish dogs). Honorable mention Larry
Blazicevich for bringing a wonderful pan of homemade lasagna and pies. Larry’s
going to make someone a good wife one of theses days. Besides the great food
members were entertained with guitar playing, watching video of past mannequin
jumping contests and catching up on the latest ski gossip.
Special thanks to
Jim and Pam Gold for opening their house along with all that attended. Lets do this again!!!!!!!!
2000 Ski Swap
Results:
Welcome to our new
club members that signed up during the swap. We look forward to meeting you at
our next general membership meeting on November 17th.
Special swap
thanks go out to all that volunteered their time to make this a most productive
event. I would like to recognize a few by name as their individual efforts stood
out; Susi Schamp, Ken Poser, Dave Blom, Sue Jordan, Debbie Petrini, Marvalee
Christofferson, Dave Ocenosak, Lloyd Rowe, Pam Gold, Bob & Tammi Mease,
Bill Christofferson for having his hired-man Steve haul the wood ski racks. Our
commercial sponsors Big Bear (Frank Machunga & Lil Brownlee), Skiers Edge
(Darryl Baggett) and Showdown (George and Margie Willett) for selling items
through us. Vern Francis, Special Olympics and Cal Struts, Eagle Mount for
taking care of all the donated ski items and giving them some extra life.
Our goal once
again was to not lose any items; we would have made it except for a Big Bear
consigned coat that was lost. Every year
we learn something new and try to improve on how we handle swap issues. The
Board is looking at ways to further improve this process and has elected to
make the following changes for future swaps; shortening the pickup time hours
from 6 – 9 PM on Saturday to between 5 – 7 PM. We can do this now as we have
gained great efficiency in processing forms, inventory control and
setup/tear-down. One area where we still
haven’t reached a satisfactory level is consignors retrieving their items on
Saturday, we will try stamping their top copy receipt with “Equipment Pickup,
Saturday 5 – 7 PM” in large letters. The receipt already has a disclaimer that
explains what will happen to unclaimed items and I had this disclaimer
re-printed in large print on separate sheets from them to read. We have tried
many different things with some people just ignoring the times.
We are also
looking into automating check-in by entering data into donated networked
computers. This would allow us to print labels and automate sales activity. I’m
in the process of demonstrating a few software programs. We are not convinced
as a club that we need to do this yet but we are still exploring different
options.
We also discussed
having a second cash register for Friday night with Debbie Petrini volunteering
one from her business (Flower Farm). This will help relieve some of the
bottleneck during the Friday rush.
It was batted
around by some to reduce the amount of time the swap is held from it’s current
day and half format to a single day. I feel that we should keep the current
format as it allows for maximum input from consignors. To have a single day
swap would require us to recruit a great deal of volunteer help that would have
to be there all day to make it work. Currently volunteers can come and go at
will working around personal schedules.
We bettered last year’s
totals by several thousand dollars in gross sales but down in new and renewal
memberships. Financial specifics will be briefed at the membership meeting.
Looking to next
year it would be nice to get more commercial involvement from other ski related
businesses. Please let me know of any possible swap prospects and I will
contact them about future participation.
Overall a great
swap. The last three have been as smooth as can be expected when you consider
we only do this once a year with many new volunteers in the mix.
Once again I personally thank each and everyone who made
this years swap a success.
Marvin R. Jordan
President
April; Election
results, Fun Days and future trips.
Ski Fun days Results
Our final ski event took place at Showdown, Saturday April
8th.
We had slalom race
on the Pepsi Challenge Hill and a Poker Run along with our always-popular
Mannequin Jumping Contest.
The slalom race took place on the Pepsi Challenge
Race Hill with each competitor racing twice and their scores combined for a
final result. Results for race will not be published as the names were lost.
Prizes were
awarded in each category.
Special thanks to
Jim Anderson and the Showdown Ski School for all their efforts in making this
event a success, Snow Groomers and Mannequin Jumping participants and their
creators;
Mannequin Jumping
Results
Participants were
competing for honors in four separate categories with the results listed below;
Winners in each
category received a $20.00 gift certificate from Skiers Edge Pro Shop.
Poker Run Results
Bill
Christofferson took first place with a pair of
Kings, Jim and Christopher Gold grabbed second and third
place honors.
I would like to
thank all participants and ski club members for their efforts in making this
years events a success.
**Thanks to Hooters Peaks Ski Club, Billings for their
support of the Fun Days events and a special thanks for the hand-made skier
trophy they presented to our club.
Thanks to Sue Jordan, Gail Farley and Dave Blom for their
efforts in making this Fun Day a success.
BIG MOUNTAIN Ski
Trip:
All that attended this trip had a really great time!
Thanks to Sue Jordan for coordinating this event along with Dori Hamilton of
Northern Rocky Adventures, Whitefish. Staying at the Grouse Mountain Lodge was
a departure from out normal accommodations. We weren’t the only ski club at the
lodge; the Kitty Hawk Ski of Dayton Ohio was also having a multi day trip. They
were in the middle of a "toga" party when I spoke with their
president. Skiing was great!!!!!!!!!
Elections
Results
Club elections took place at the regularly scheduled
General Membership Meeting on Friday March 17th 2000, The following
persons were elected:
Officers :
(One year term)
President - Marvin
Jordan
Vice Pres.– Ken
Poser
Secretary – Stacy
Bower
Treasurer - Susi
Schamp
Directors:
(Three directors
were elected for a two-year term)
Stan Howard, Seth
Littlefield & Julie Ramsey
Alternates are selected from the top two Directors
runners-up vote for a one year term.
Terry Carpenter, Sue Jordan & Debbie Petrini (Sue & Debbie tied)
I would like to
thank outgoing Board Members Gary Hooks and Sue Jordan and Secretary Debbie
Petrini for their club service. It is our membership that makes the club work.
I would also like
to thank all the nominees for taking time to get involved.
This is the start
of a great ski season, I look forward to working with all our club members.
Thanks to Alice
Leland for making our election process a success.
March Update:
Election results
are posted on the home page. I would like to thank all that have participated
in club activities throughout the past year and welcome future evolvement.
I have announced
that this will be my last year as club president, six or is it seven years is
plenty. I will continue my involvement in club activities at a level that is
agreeable to my schedule.
Get wells: Gary
Guidotti and Jerry Meyer.
February Update:
Club elections are just around the corner, all
officers and half of the Board of Directors will need to be replaced. Show-up
to the meetings and exercise yours rights as club members.
Kimberley BC Trip a Success!!
Thanks to Marvalee Christofferson (formerly Novak) and her
new husband Bill for all the work they did to make this trip a success.
A full bus with Tom Carpenter at the wheel is how we
started. After an 8 plus hour trip we arrived to our condos and Kimberley
Alpine Resort. Most of the rooms looked good but a cheep landlord who wouldn't
put any money into upkeep must have owned the one I stayed in. I would
definitely look at the unit before I rented in the future.
Kimberley's snow cover was lacking in many areas with
the steeper having twigs, trees and rocks exposed. The first day found us
enjoying a light dusting of powder and the second day looking for a ski shop to
checkout the bottoms of our skis. The last day found us up to our knees in the
best powder you could ever hope for as it had snowed non-stop since the night
before.
Super Dave O and Jon Jordan took a day trip on our
last day to Fernie in an effort to find steeper terrain. They should have
stayed to enjoy our powder-fest.
Bill and Marvalee surprised the club by getting
married during our group dinner. If you get a chance congratulate them.
Stan Howard will be running next years long ski trip.
If you have any suggestions please contact him.
Follow link below
for latest ski conditions and information about the area
Kimberley B C
Life Members:
Lil Brownlee was nominated and
elected for Lifetime Membership for the 99-00 ski season.
The Board of Directors nominated and voted in George & Margie
Willett Lifetime Member status for the 98-99-ski season. There is no existing
record of a non- past president being bestowed this honor. Our By-laws allow
the Board of Director this opportunity only once each ski season.
All were selected for their sustained outstanding
contributions towards supporting this club and for promoting downhill skiing in
Central Montana have singled them out among the ski community.
Ski Day December 4th has been moved to
Saturday December 11th.
postponed because there is not enough snow yet.
Ski Swap A Success!!!!!
Once again our club membership has rallied its
efforts to put on a great Ski Swap. The total amount of items appeared to be
down this year but what we had sold very well. It is also to our credit that we
controlled inventory and didn't allow problems to sit until the last minute. If
a boot tag was found on the ground all made an effort to find it's correct
status, this was repeated numerous times throughout the swap. The fact that we
made record time in setup and tear down is testament to all the great help we
had. We also encouraged more people to donate those older ski items to charity
instead of trying to have them returned. I only wound up with ten items to take
home this year.
Monetarily speaking we did fantastic, costs kept to a
minimum with gross funds raised at the $5,000 mark. This amount is just a bit
higher than last year where we had much more stuff to sell.
All who worked will have their names entered into the
drawing for the free ski trip drawing and chances for other great prizes.
Once again a special thanks to all that volunteered
their time for this fundraiser.
Marvin Jordan
Club President
Thank you to Ann Zahn for organizing the club's last
Highway Cleanup for this Millennium. I would also like to thank all that
participated throughout the summer. Additional Thanks go out to those who
worked at Showdown cleaning up the slopes.
WERE BACK!!!!!!
ALL HAD A GREAT TIME, FOLLOW LINK BELOW FOR LATEST
POSTINGS FROM THE TRIP.
We will be having a "Picture
Pizza Party" (date and location to be announced) for all that attended to
share the pictures they took in NZ
New Zealand
Club members prepare for their trip to NZ this July. We
have a full trip at this point (21 people) and look forward to a great time. We
can take more but the prices will be based upon current rates. Want more
information? Follow link to NZ page
Long Ski Trip, Kimberly BC
Jan 29th - Feb. 2nd, 2000
Marvalee Novak, Trip Coordinator, 761-2719
Second Highway Cleanup a success!
Thanks to Dave Blom for organizing a most worthy event.
Next Years Long Ski Trip To Be Announced
After the 7 June Board meeting our first ski trip of the new millennium
will be chosen.
First
Highway Cleanup a Success
Thanks to Gary Hooks and all that participated in our first cleanup of the
season. Everyone's name will be entered into the free trip drawing.
The
Club is here to promote skiing in Central Montana.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at meanmarv@gfmt.net
Return to Top of Page
Return to Home Page
