Roanoke Skier May 2014

Roanoke Skier
May 2014
Founded 1963
Monthly Newsletter of the Roanoke Ski Club
Visit our web site: www.roanokeskiclub.org
Dates to Remember in
5th – “Cinco de Mayo”
Happy Hour 5:00 El
Rodeo Cave Spring
10th – Rock Castle
Gorge Hike
20th Happy Hour 5:30
Mac and Bob’s Deck
Salem
26th Happy Memorial
Day!
30th – 6/1 Weekend
Adventure
Hello ski club!
Another year down. Whew! The board just met last night (Sunday, April 27)
- and we're off and running with plans for the 2014-2015 membership year.
It's amazing how quickly time goes by. Before you know it, we'll be saying
the same thing next year!
In this newsletter, we came up with a few bullet points about the ski club's
accomplishments and activities over the past year. Putting that together really
highlighted to us how busy this club is. There's a little something for most
everyone - and we hope to continue with other fun events and gatherings this
year.
Speaking of fun gatherings, we have not one, but TWO (yes 2!) happy hours
planned for May. (Because one just wasn't enough!) Emily Hurst will be
hosting a Cinco de Mayo happy hour on May 5th - and another one later in
the month. We also have the Rock Castle Gorge hike and lunch on May 10th
- and the South Holston Lake weekend adventure at the end of the month.
Did you hear we're planning an Outer Banks beach trip in October? Look inside for the details - but
this trip hasn't been run by the club since the 1990's - so reinvention/recycling is a good thing! We're
also narrowing down the trips for the upcoming year - and getting the details and pricing worked out.
Save your dollars -- because we'll have several trips you'll want to go on - guaranteed!
Like I said - there's a little something for everyone. We hope to see you out and about with the club
soon.
Make May memories!
Karen
Post-trip, end-of-year party at Hidden Valley Country Club
If you were able to make it to the last membership meeting of the year on April 2nd, you know that
we celebrated another great year with the club. The outgoing and incoming board members were
recognized – and a goodbye was said to outgoing board members Shelley Gibson and Dave
Bowman. Thank you for your service to the club!
Gene Collier recognized the trip leaders as follows:
Winter Park: Dana Harlor
Big Sky: Dudley Parks
Chamonix/Amsterdam: Mandy Pommerenke
Steamboat: Dave and Melinda Cohan
Beaver Creek: John Schrader
Timberline/Canaan Valley: Dean Martin
Telluride: Karen Saunders
I would like to extend a special thank you to a few people
who contributed to the success of our end of year party:
Bill Howard – who contributed to the brain-storming session
in Telluride about something new and different for
entertainment for our party
Perry Callagan – who booked Neil Diamond and Elvis for
this event without charging his booking fee.
Roger & Susan Magerkurth – who surprised us with free Party in the Park passes for our giveaway
Tom Rappold – who filled in for his wife at the membership table – and helped process everyone
through quickly
Doug Settles – Betsy Settles’ son – who was our performer for the evening. Great job!
And, to everyone who RSVP’d for the event. A big thank you for helping us get our numbers
accurate for the final count. You’re all the best!
Cheers – to another great year!
Karen Saunders
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU……
Mike Murawski will be our Program Director for 2014-2015!
We currently have one more Board position to fill.
The shoes will be hard to fill but our Club NEEDS YOU to help our club continue all the
wonderful activities we have through-out the year.
The Activities Director shall be responsible for coordinating all Club-sponsored trips and activities
other than ski trips. He/she shall appoint activity leaders, and assistant activity leaders, when
warranted, subject to Board approval. He/she shall instruct activity leaders regarding their duties
and responsibilities, including, but not limited to, general activity policies, the signing of
responsibility waivers for minors, and the collection of funds and accounting for expenses. He/she
shall be responsible for negotiating with all businesses involved and shall be empowered to sign
binding agreements with those businesses in the name of the Club, as regulated in Article VI.
He/she shall work with the Board to determine appropriate activity prices.
Please contact Karen as soon as possible and let her know you want to join the
Board!
Now taking membership applications for 2014 – 2015
Go to www.roanokeskiclub.org and click on the Membership tab; there, you’ll find an application
and instructions.
As of April 27th, we have 5 Individual Memberships, 3 Family Memberships and 1 Honorary
Membership. We have extended an honorary membership to Gene and Becky Bane in recognition
of their generosity in allowing us to rent Loch Haven Lake at a substantially reduced rate.
PLEASE WELCOME
Our newest members:
Charles Mitchell
Wendy and John Cooley and Children (Faith and John David)
W. David Hale
Ann "Chris" Daniel
Annette Parsons
May Happy Hours
Hours
May 5th Cinco de Mayo on the deck at El Rodeo, 3280 Electric Road, Roanoke - 5:00
May 20th - Mac and Bob’s, Salem, on the deck at 5:30
Rock Castle Gorge Trail Hike
&
Lunch at Chateau Morrisette
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Hosted by Dave Hoglund
Join Dave Hoglund for ONE of 4 Rock Castle Gorge Trail hiking options listed below, followed by lunch at the
Chateau Morrisette!!
1) At the Visitor Center is an easy 1.3 mile loop called the Picnic Trail Loop. The wild azaleas should be in full
bloom. (Yellow markers) Should take about 1.5 hours.
2) On the far eastern side of the PT Loop, and after crossing the BR Parkway is the Rocky Knob Summit hike.
It' a short 1.1 mile hike but has some steep parts. Bring a compass for this hike or you'll miss lunch. About the
same time for this hike, 1.5 hours.
3) Probably the hike most will do is the Black Ridge Trail. This is a moderate 3 mile hike that passes through
fields of wild azaleas, ferns and lots of wildflowers. Allow about 2.5 hours for this hike. (Blue markers)
4) Then there's the Rock Castle Gorge hike, a strenuous 10.8 mile loop that has almost an 1800 foot elevation
change (think Sharptop and double it). In addition to the many wildflowers, you'll see huge stretches of
Mountain Laurel. Allow at least 4+ hours for this hike! (Green markers). Bring a compass for this one and if
you get lost, or tired, just head south on the BR Parkway and head towards Milepost 171. Someone will drive
you back to your car after lunch.
We will meet at the Visitor Center about 11:00 am, except for the hardcore who may want to start at 9:00
am. When finished, plan to have lunch at Chateau Morrisette:at 1:30 pm. Don't be too late as the staff has to
set up for dinner. Or stay late if you want and enjoy the winery.
Tentative reservations for 20 people have been made so please contact Dave at davidhogl@gmail.com no later
than May 5 if you plan to come.
Chateau Morrisette agreed to do separate checks provided we all don't wander off after lunch. We can all meet at
the Visitor Center and leave our cars there since most of the hikes are loops.
May 30th Weekend Adventure At South Holston Lake,
VA - We have rented Two Lodges/Homes
Due to the large number of members that responded to the weekend adventure and almost filling the
first lodge.... I have located yet another lovely home/lodge on S. Holston Lake for 10 more members
of the Roanoke Ski Club. The lodges are 4 miles apart and right on the lake! A weekend adventure
is in store with hiking, biking, swimming, boating, trail rides via horseback, antiquing in nearby
Abingdon, Barter Theater....and MORE! $120 pp includes 2-nights lodging, Welcome
Reception, 2- Breakfast in Lodge #1
*****Lodging available for one Male!*****
Please contact Shelley @ 434-444-3951 or Shelley@roanokeskiclub.org if you are interested!
NOTE: Members NOT signed up to attend the Weekend Adventure are welcome to join us
for the horseback trail ride. The ride will be ½ day @$90.00pp. Please contact Shelley
Gibson for details
To my dear friends in the Roanoke Ski Club,
After 5 years as Activities Director for the Roanoke Ski Club I am
stepping down from the Board and my position. It IS with mixed
feelings that I have made this decision as I have truly enjoyed making
plans for you and organizing the clubs many activities! However, it is
time I take a bit of time off and let someone else have some fun with
this. I will still organize an event or two here and there..... for as you
know, the club welcomes folks stepping up to the plate to help and I
would be glad to do just that!
Shelley Gibson, Activities Director 2009 – 2014
Please check our Facebook page for updates and pictures of all the fun activities
our club is having "outside" of skiing and boarding!
Karen Saunders, President, has been a member of the ski club since the early ‘90’s, has served in
multiple positions on the board, and has led trips for the club to Kitzbühel/Vienna, Taos, Jackson
Hole/Grand Targhee, Telluride, Big Sky, and Banff/Lake Louise. Karen grew up in Roanoke and
Botetourt and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Hollins University. After a 12year career in the higher education software business, Karen now owns her own consulting business,
Consultability, which allows for a flexible schedule and more free time.
David Key, Vice President, is a native of Roanoke and has been a member of the Ski Club for four
years. David graduated from VA Tech with a BS in Economics. He has been skiing since he was
12, with his first run at the Homestead. He is currently employed by Virginia Pool Sales and
Services, and enjoys playing golf.
Cathy Campbell, Secretary/Newsletter, has lived in Roanoke for 12 years and hails from Grayson
County, VA. She has been in the Ski Club for four years. A graduate of VA Tech, she works for
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, a Fortune 500 Company, as a commercial underwriter
licensed in VA, WV and TN. Except for a short stint as a Financial Consultant, she has been in the
title insurance industry for 24 years. Cathy enjoys playing in the snow and sun… skiing, mountain
biking, golfing, hiking, sailing, and listening to music under the sun & stars.
Dave Cohan, Treasurer , joined the Roanoke Ski Club in 2005 and was President of the Club from
2007 – 2009. He and his wife Melinda have led Ski Club trips to Banff/Lake Louise,
Canaan/Timberline, Innsbruck/Munich, Italian Alps/Venice, Jackson Hole, and Steamboat. Dave
grew up in New Jersey and graduated Rutgers in 1985, majoring in Psychology and minoring in
Music. He graduated UVA Law School in 1989 and practiced in Virginia Beach before moving to
Roanoke in 1993. From 1993 – 2005 Dave was a camp director at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle
Landing in Craig County, then dusted off his law degree and worked at Gentry Locke Rakes &
Moore (yes it’s a law firm, not a hardware store) in Roanoke until May 2013. He is currently the inhouse General Counsel at Associated Asphalt, a reseller of liquid asphalt with 15 terminals in 6
states, with its corporate headquarters in Roanoke.
Gene Collier, Trip Director - Born in Savannah, Georgia and reared near Atlanta. Became a
Virginian early in life and remains one. Moved to Roanoke in 2000 and joined the Roanoke Ski Club
shortly after. Gene has been active in the club as he really enjoys the people and fellowship
associated with it. His involvement includes being President, Vice President, Activities Director,
Program Director and Trip Director twice. Also, he has served on various committees including
marketing. HE’S DONE IT ALL! Gene started his own business, Solution Flooring, in 2008. His
interests include, of course, skiing, fishing, hiking, exploring, cooking and gardening.
Trish Rappold, Membership Director, is a retired RN who spent most of her nursing career as a
Nephrology Nurse. She has lived in Roanoke along with her husband, Tom, for 26 years. They
have 3 grown children, twin daughters (36) and a son (31). They have been members of the Ski
Club for 6 years. Not only does she enjoy skiing, but other hobbies include golf, tennis, and
traveling.
Sallie Dodson, Marketing Director, has served as Program Director and Marketing Director for
2013-2104. She is a long time Salem resident and has three grown children, Blair, Tyler and Jesse.
Sallie is a faculty member in the Department of Information Technology at Radford University, and
has been at RU for 15 years and still enjoys it a great deal. She plans to travel as much as possible
with the ski club, visit her children in far off places and try her hand at gardening this summer!!
Ted Lonitz, Webmaster, has been a continuous Club member since 1974. He served as Treasurer
1977-80 as well as Trip Leader for local and long distance trips. Serving as Webmaster since 2009,
he maintains the Club membership database and the Club e-mail database. Married to Pam who
was the Secretary for 2010-11. Ted has been retired from the corporate world since 2008; and, also
retired from the Naval Reserve just prior to Desert Storm after serving for 26 years. Aside from the
Ski Club, he serves on the Supervisory Committee for KEMBA Roanoke Credit Union and Board of
Directors for the Samuel’s Gate Homeowners Association. Hobbies include skiing (of course),
photography, oil painting and traveling. Also, he occasionally dabbles in technology (legacy PC
systems, DOS, Linux systems, web and graphic design, etc.) and provides software/technical support
for some corporate clients.
Mike Murawski, Program Director, joined the Ski Club last year. He and his wife, Nancy,
relocated to the Roanoke area from New England, and he is trying to wind down a consulting
practice. Mike is an avid skier and enjoys other outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and
shooting sports. He has an Australian Shepherd, his child substitute! You may remember last year
he was looking for folks to ride share with him to ski New England.
John Schrader, Past President, has been a member of the club since 2005 and served as President
from 2011-2013. Originally from Northfield, New Jersey, near Atlantic City, relocated to the area
and has resided on Claytor Lake in Pulaski County since 1996. He recently retired as Vice
President and General Manager of Copperhead Chemical Company, a privately held company that
makes nitroglycerin for heart medications and also makes energetic ingredients for the defense
industry. John can more often enjoy golf, biking, hiking, jogging, boating, outdoor music events,
wineries, college football, cooking and entertaining – oh, and skiing. While he claims his favorite
toy is his boat, it is actually his kegerator – stop by for a cold beer anytime!
The 2013 – 2014 trips are complete and all closed out. The season was successful with 200 trip
participants with a variety of trip choices. Mother-nature cooperated with good conditions in the
west and east. We experienced new destinations and adventures.
The Southern Caribbean Sailing Cruise kicked off the season and had it all. Adventure and
romance…well some had romance…others had a great time. “Royal Clipper”, what a wonderful
magnificent ship!
All the ski trips had good to great conditions with good times had by all.
Thanks to all that participated and a special thank you to the Trip Leaders!
We are working on next year’s trips and they are coming together for what looks like a great trip
line up. The airlines are presenting their usual challenges, but we will work around those.
Our goal is to have all trips finalized and out to the club around July 1.
NEWS FLASH…I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST TRIP!
SOMETHING NEW…..
SKI CLUB BEACH WEEK
October 4 – 11, 2014
Oceanfront Beach House on Outer Banks
7 NIGHTS, 6 DAYS AT THE BEACH
LARGE OCEAN FRONT BEACH HOUSE
FUN…FUN…FUN
WALK ON THE BEACH, SUN ON THE BEACH, ENJOY THE POOL, FISH, EXPLORE
ETC.
PRICE INCLUDES ROOM, POOL, HOT TUB, WASHERS AND DRYERS.
PLUS
•
•
•
•
•
LINENS PROVIDED.
SEAFOOD BOIL- LUAU DINNER- POOLSIDE WITH MUSICAL
ENTERTAINMENT
ITALIAN NIGHT
BONFIRE ON THE BEACH NIGHT
SUNSET CRUISE WITH CHAMPAGNE AND LOCAL SHRIMP
ALL FOR $ 400. PER PERS., DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
SOME SINGLE SPACE AVAILABLE
$ 200. PER PERSON DEPOSIT RESERVES YOUR SPOT.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!
MAKE DEPOSIT CHECK PAYABLE TO “Roanoke Ski Club”. MAIL OR BRING TO:
GENE COLLIER
2516 KEAGY ROAD,
Salem, VA 24153
540-529-1208 gcoll325@comcast.net
You must be a dues paid member of Roanoke Ski Club for 2014/2015 season!
• Please mark your calendars for the annual Trip Presentation Party to be
held at Loch Haven on ….
Sunday July 13, 2014. More details to follow.
Very exciting and interesting trips are being planned that will be different as well as some that
are familiar……
Stay tuned as details will be revealed soon.
Gene Collier, Trip Director
Looking for a job? Backcountry.com located at 295 Technology Drive in
Christiansburg, has several full and part-time positions available. Merchandise
Processor I, Maintenance Specialist and PM DC Supervisor. Want to know more?
Go to www.backcountrycopr.com and apply!
Best Ski Bargain?
RSC successfully partners with Roanoke City Park and Rec
Roger Pommerenke
March 11, 2014 The final Snowshoe Shuttle of the season returns to Roanoke. L-R Renee Lavin (City of Roanoke
Parks and Recreation) and RSC members Brian, Dana, Mandy, Roger, Don, Peg, Joyce, Bill, and Linda.
Do the math. A typical long distance trip might cost $1500 for a maximum of 6 days of skiing.
Say $250/day. However, thanks to the RSC board, there was a cheaper alternative this year. The
RSC partnered with Roanoke City Parks and Recreation so members could ski at Snowshoe for as
little as $48/day including transportation if they purchased a Snowshoe ‘3 days for $99’ pass. Now
that’s a bargain!
Several RSC members took advantage of the deal. Several day trips were offered, and some
members made more than one trip to Snowshoe. Let’s hope there is an encore next year.
Jan 16 A bluebird day.
RSC almost had Ballhooter to themselves
Jan 30 Top of Cupp.
Note fresh snow on nearby mountains.
As we begin another ski club membership year, the board thought it may be nice to do a quick look
at our accomplishments (and challenges) for the past year. Here’s a quick look at the discussions,
accomplishments, programs, and events over the past year:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The by-laws were changed to add a new board position of Marketing Director.
The membership voted down a change in the name of the Roanoke Ski Club to the Roanoke
Ski and Adventure Club.
The board discussed a dues restructure proposed by a former member of the club. The
restructure would have decreased single membership and increased family membership to a
more equitable level (family paying double the cost of single membership). The board found
similar fee structures in the Blue Ridge Bike Club and Appalachian Trail Club – and decided
not to propose a dues change.
Membership remained strong with a total membership at year-end of 228 memberships
equaling 369 members. (108 individuals, 115 family, 4 single parent, 1 honorary.)
The club is running within budget – with membership meetings and the holiday party being
the largest expense categories.
The club participated in the Virginia State Chili cook-off in May, 2013.
The club participated in the Go Outside Festival (GoFest) in October, 2013.
Monthly happy hours were well attended and included venues such as: Fork in the Alley,
Penny Deux at the Patrick Henry, Parkway Brewery and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Hikes were made to the Claytor Nature Study Center, the Peaks of Otter, and Cascades.
Picnics were enjoyed at the Phleger Family Farm (with Bluegrass too), Foxhill Farm with the
Harlors, and at the mountaintop with Tom Landsberg and Kate Steinbacher.
Music was lively at Ginger Hill, hosted by the Hamiltons, and at Party in the Park.
The scenery was enjoyed by bikers on the New River Trail bike excursion.
The Holiday party at Loch Haven was well attended – and the band was great.
Wine enthusiasts enjoyed the Wine Country Weekend in Charlottesville and Valhalla, on
numerous beautiful Friday evenings.
A large group enjoyed the Sunday luncheon at Hotel Roanoke.
Sailors escaped the frigid January temperatures in Virginia by flying to Barbados and sailing
the Windward Islands.
Ski/Snowboarding long-distance trips were made to Winter Park, Big Sky, Steamboat,
Beaver Creek, and Telluride. A local weekend trip was made to Canaan/Timberline.
European enthusiasts enjoyed the trip to Chamonix and Amsterdam.
The club partnered with Roanoke City Parks and Rec on their Snowshoe shuttle service.
Programs were presented at the monthly membership meetings – and included Roanoke
Parks and Rec., Mountain Shepard Wilderness Survival School, Snowshoe, Blue Ridge
Parkway Foundation, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Elvis and Neil Diamond (aka Doug Settles) performed at the April membership/post-trip
party at Hidden Valley Country Club. Lucky winners walked away with prizes such as a
home theatre speaker system, trip discounts for the upcoming year, electronics, Party in the
Park tickets, and gift certificates.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered last year to host or lead an event. It takes a village!
Karen
Shelley has been Club Activities Director for the last 5 years and organized, hosted, planned,
and attended more activities than I can list here. I asked one of her dearest friends to share a
fun story, or insight into who this wonderful woman & member is.
“My funniest story of Shelley was when on the Greenbriar biking trip two years ago. On our first
evening there, all of us sat around talking about snakes and how in the camping areas snakes were
not uncommon, so Peg and I decided to put a rubber snake in Shelley's bed that night. Peg & I
waited in bed nearly an hour anticipating Shelley's reaction. All of a sudden she ran to our room, and
what was really funny was the modified shower cap (a plastic bag) that was on her head as she
jumped up and down trying to convince us that we needed to get out of bed as we might also have a
snake in our bed. She even got angry with us for laughing and telling her we were not about to get
up. She thought we were making fun of her (and we were), because we didn't believe her. Dean
grabbed the snake in a towel and threw it out the window, while we laughed our heads off. We
finally had to tell her the truth of course, so from then on Peg & I were given the nicknames of little
....#1 and little....#2. We deserved it!” Dana Harlor
We’ve asked Shelley to remain our Activities Director but she has decided it’s time for
someone else to take the reins and bring fresh ideas to the Club. Please join the Board in
saying
THANK YOU, SHELLEY, FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE FOR OUR CLUB! We are better
because of folks like you.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS
www.roanokeskiclub.org
Or, follow us on
facebook!
Roanoke Ski Club Board Members and Leaders, 2013-2014
TITLE
NAME
E-MAIL
President
Karen Saunders
karen@roanokeskiclub.org
Vice President
David Key
david@roanokeskiclub.org
Secretary/Newsletter
Cathy Campbell
cathy@roanokeskiclub.org
Treasurer
Dave Cohan
dave@roanokeskiclub.org
Activities Director
Vacant
Ski Trip Director
Gene Collier
gene@roanokeskiclub.org
Marketing
Sallie Dodson
sallie@roanokeskiclub.org
Webmaster
Ted Lonitz
ted@roanokeskiclub.org
Membership Director
Trish Rappold
trish@roanokeskiclub.org
Program Director
Mike Murawski
mike@roanokeskiclub.org
Past Director
John Schrader
john@roanokeskiclub.org