President’s Message

by John Flanagan

We started our 2007/08 Season, with the annual September picnic meeting and although there was a threat of rain we had a fair turnout, 44 people. I can’t remember our picnic ever being rained on or rained out. If we could only control the weather for skiing that well! Our thanks go to our regular picnic volunteers and desert makers, Lou Carbone, Dan Clapp, Dot James, Jim McCauley, Von Speechley, Kat Blinebury, and Bernie Niessen. I hope I didn’t forget anyone. Just a note our hamburgers came from the company that had so much tainted meat, it went out of business. So far for us, no after effects and they were good too!

There was a smaller turnout for the October meeting, again, not just a threat of rain, but a very strong thunderstorm. Dot gave us a review of the golf trip to Carroll Valley everyone was delighted with the golf courses and especially the meals. Dot seems to have a good turnout for all the trips she leads.

The November meeting had a good turnout and a guest speaker, Ted Heck. He was as usual very entertaining and informative. His main focus was skiing in our Austrian destination BadHofgastein, dining and side trips in the area, always great information. He also mentioned to make sure you know which bank has issued you Master or Visa card when in Europe. If you lose it you need to know the bank of issue to cancel it.

Our Christmas party was the Island Green golf course restaurant. We had a small gathering of loyal members who enjoyed a fine meal and Christmas cheer for all.

The skiing part of the ski season has finally started with the Elk Mt day trip for Jan. that was lead by Terry Libel. We had a good turn out, but sometimes as in this case, the snow was warm and it was that other wet stuff RAIN. As usual we endured and puddled down the mountain with good snow and poor visibility. For those who waited for the afternoon to ski, the rain stopped and the rest of the day was dry and clear.

The Feb. Elk trip lead by Meg Waldowski was a much different story. We were fortunate to have good conditions and small crowds. These trips are always a good time and a good warm up for the season.

Dot James had 44 people go on the Austrian trip, a terrific number and I am sure due the great work of the trip leader. They were on their way on Feb. 29^th for a great skiing adventure and returned to report they had a great time, between the skiing and touring to Vienna and their stay in Prague. We hear they even crowned a few Kings for a day.

Come and join us at the next meeting and hear Paul Waldowski goes thru his never ending quips. He has become our resident jokester. He really finds some beauties. Also there will be the election of officers with nominees the same as last year, it seem to be a forgone conclusion

Just a note RAIN is mentioned 3 times in this little script but that doesn’t reduce the enthusiasm of the Philadelphia Ski Club.