Council Tracks

The newsletter of the NJ Ski Council

October, 2011

“NJ Skiers & Boarders Care”

 

Hurricane Irene was born in the warm waters of the tropics and who would have thought she would ever find the Northeast….but find us she did!  Hurricanes visit Florida, rain themselves out somewhere in the South after making landfall or boomerang into the ocean.  Irene however, dealt the Northeast a historical punch and while she hit NJ hard she rained devastation upon The Catskills and Vermont.  I don’t have to rehash the scenes of destruction because it’s like opening an old wound; with one exception – for many, the wound hasn’t healed!  These areas were hit so hard they might not be able to recover for a long time.  I heard from a reliable source in Windham that at least one small town in the Catskills was wiped off the map and won’t come back-ever.  These are areas that we as skiers frequent and have grown to love over the years.  Many of them are sparsely populated and don’t have the tax base to generate funds for recovery.  For many ski resort towns WE provide their income and without us, there is no economy.  Now, more than ever, the people in these towns need our help!

 

There are events which impact our lives and define who we are.  If there was any good to be derived from Irene it is that people are reaching out to those in need.  At the September meeting, NJ Ski Council voted to conduct a fund drive for the mountain areas.  Our “NJ Skiers & Boarders Care” fund is a drive to generate funds to donate to victims of hurricane Irene.  Money we generate will be donated to charities operating in the mountain towns that were severely damaged.  Council President, Susan Donlan and the Ex Com. will determine specific charities where our money will have the most impact.  At the September meeting a motion carried and The Council donated $2,000 to kickoff NJ Boarders & Skiers Care.  We plan to have collection jugs at the Jamboree and if we can get enough jugs also have them at ski shops for donations.  PLEASE get the word out to club members and friends that this is serious business.  If you lost your home and everything it…..it would be VERY serious!  A $5-$10 donation won’t break anyone’s piggybank and if everyone at the Jamboree tosses a ten-spot into the jug we’ll be part way to our goal of $100,000 in Mountain-Aid!  We want to make a statement that NEW JERSEY CARES………  We care about the people who live in the towns who host our ski lodges and those who dwell in OUR Mountains – PLEASE HELP The Council to reach its goal!  You can donate at the Jamboree or by mailing a check made payable to NJ Ski & Snowboard Council at:

 

NJ Ski & Snowboard Council, Inc., 768 Springfield Ave., D7, Summit, NJ  07901

The Council:  Before I go any further with this issue of Council Tracks I would be remiss if I did not give the good news.  The September meeting of the council saw a historic vote.  A suggestion was made to change our name and after some discussion a near unanimous vote officially changed our name to:  the NEW JERSEY SKI & SNOWBOARD COUNCIL.  Make no mistake about it, we did this to embrace the sport of snowboarding and hope that the snowboard community realizes we did.  If you are a snowboarder and know of a snowboard only group please tell them about the benefits of membership in NEW JERSEY SKI & SNOWBOARD COUNCIL.  NJ snowboarders now have a body to which they can come for issues within the snowsports community.  How historic you may ask, NJ Ski Council was founded in 1939 – that’s pretty historic!

 

 

The Jamboree:  Planning for this years Jamboree is well underway.  We intend to give the jamboree new spin this year by focusing attention not only on member clubs but also on the fact that New Jersey Ski & Snowboard Council supports charitable causes.  This a major point that the public should be aware of, that Boarders & Skiers contribute to the well being of those less fortunate.  As many know, we donate to Windham Adaptive Sports and the

 

 

 

Wounded Warriors Projects as well as Vermont Adaptive Sports.  For those who may not know, the “Adaptive Sports” programs work with physically challenged people.  Many of whom, without assistance and expertise provided by the program would never get on a ski slope!  In all cases, the Adaptive sports programs give the participants renewed hope and a new life!  Pretty good stuff for ski clubs, to pull off.

 

STACI MANELLA:  Council Prez Susan gave me a copy of the Newark Star Ledger which ran an article about a 14 year old, named Staci Manella living in Randolph, NJ.  Staci is legally blind and able to see only several feet in front of her.  She began skiing with the Windham Adaptive Sports Foundation at age 4 and has made phenomenal progress.  This year, The Council is PROUD to dedicate our Jamboree in honor of STACI MANELLA and the Windham Adaptive Sports Foundation.  Staci, her parents and Guide Kim Seevers, Operations Director for the Adaptive Sports Foundation will be at the Jamboree.  

 

Staci is a ski racer described as the up and coming star of Windham Adaptive Sports Foundation.  She and Kim recently returned from Alaska where Staci participated in the 2011 US Adaptive Alpine Championships.  In addition, she has won the Junior National Championships in downhill and slalom.  She is training for the 2014 Para-Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  This is not just any skier but a local champion in the making!  Staci is said to ski “wicked fast” and with her guide Kim was clocked at 55 mph!  Although Staci likes the downhill, reportedly she is better at slalom!  Imagine a sight-challenged skier banging gates on a race course!  Please welcome Staci Manella and Windham Adaptive Sports Foundation to the Jamboree dedicated in their honor!  Stop by the Council table to meet and speak with Staci and Foundation personnel.  While you are there, buy a T-shirt which helps support The Foundation and Staci’s efforts.

 

Oktoberfest:  Hunter’s Oktoberfest is both days of Columbus Day weekend.  It’s a great festival that’s alive with the colors of Autumn.  Present are craft and food vendors, a German band imported for the occasion, an American rock band and of course the German Beer wagon!  The lift is running so you can get a great view of the fall foliage from the summit.  It’s also the weekend of Hunter’s ski sale/ski swap for both used and new equipment.  I go every year and have experienced weather from a balmy 75 degrees n sunny to snow at the summit.  There is something for everyone including kids….. it’s too good to miss!

 

Guidebook Contest:  If you were at the September meeting of The Council you know that High Life Ski Club won the Guidebook contest.  As one of your elected “Councilpersons”, I got to see the submissions and there were some really good ones.  There were several that were so good, the council moved to award 2nd and 3rd prizes as well.  The design of the winning club will be the cover of this years Guidebook.  For now High Life Ski Club of Rockaway, NJ has bragging rights (na, na, nuh, na na,) to the front cover of the Guidebook and the Pox to the rest of you!  Thanks to all who participated and to those who did not, I hope you enjoy paying your full dues this season!

 

Last Tracks:  Last month I reminded you to start exercising your ski legs.  Yes, I know that might be ‘challenging’ but for one minute think of the challenges that Staci Manella has to overcome.  People in the Adaptive Sports program give a lot to us and I don’t think they ever realize that they do.  There is no one, who has not stood in awe while we watched a challenged skier go by.  They don’t complain and don’t say, ‘I can’t’, on the contrary, they are thrilled beyond words that THEY CAN!  Next time you find an excuse to forget your daily work-out, think about the girl who skis, “Wicked Fast” and maybe Staci will carry you on her shoulders to the gym!

 

Falls here n the weather is changing!

 

Bob Zega

Chair, Public Relations

NJ Ski & Snowboard Council