Happy April everyone!

As I type this on March 22, it is about to rain quite a bit across a wide part of the area, which sadly will likely impact our beloved ski hills. I just ask myself if this means if March will go out like a lamb?

By the time you’re reading this, we will be about to meet for the annual Spring Banquet where we will celebrate our year together, review financials, elect new officers and find out who will be bestowed the honor of the Dick Wortiska Service Award. Once again, we will be at The Woods Golf Course, with a family style banquet which we have grown fond of. 

Now that it’s the “off season” the real work begins for the Board and its Committee chairs. As you may know, this is when we make important decisions about the upcoming season, largely our Midwest trips. These have been a challenge these last few years, which Covid certainly impacted. We have been striving to address the trip requests of you, our customer, and offering a variety of day and weekend trips. The reality is, we have not been filling them which leaves us in a tough spot. We have been trying to maintain the bus yet have had to cancel that portion due to low interest. The trips have proceeded as drive ups trips, yet there is even less interest in that! I hope you can see the dilemma we face and understand there will be tough decisions to make which won’t come easily, even if it’s the right thing to do to preserve the viability of our club. Nothing is finalized yet and everything is on the table as to how we proceed. You can help by providing your constructive feedback to a Board member or even volunteering to help with the planning. 

Another topic for you to think about in this off season is your ID for future travels. If you plan to fly within the U.S., visit a military base or other federal buildings, the Department of Homeland Security will require identification that is REAL ID compliant (or show another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport) beginning May 3, 2023. The club is not requiring anyone to update their identification to this new format, yet we do want you to be aware of its impact by not preparing. Please read more information and make a decision for yourself at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id  If you choose not to upgrade, please plan to bring the alternative identification.   

 

Truly, your fellow ski bum,

Adam