In my last message I described the qualities of a “real” Watchung member. One of the characteristics is “… one who is actively trying to teach others about the joys of skiing.” Many of you are doing this informally, trying to share helpful skiing tips with others as you observe each others style while on the trails or over an après ski drink. I have been given many pointers that I try to incorporate to improve my skiing. I would like to highlight when one of our long term members took this task to heart on the Elk trip last week. Not only did he work actively with a potential new member, he showed his true Watchung colors and made this man feel the spirit of camaraderie we all try to project while on the slopes.

   Bob Graul represented the club at Elk and followed up by recording his experiences that day. He wrote, “On Sunday, I went on the WASC bus trip to Elk Mountain. Early in the day, I met a newcomer to our group named Pete. He told me that he had not skied in years. I told him he could ski with me.” (Bob extended himself to someone who really did know not anyone in the group yet and made his day enjoyable.)

   To continue, Bob wrote, “I became his impromptu ski instructor. To be brief, I told him that I am not an instructor but that I have taken many lessons at Bromley, which I do. My skiing mentor there is Billy Davidson, although others have taught me also. “ I spent my day at Elk Mountain searching my mind hard for anything Billy or anyone at Bromley had ever done with me. I drew a half-circle in the snow as a teaching aide to describe how to turn on skis. I stood and watched him ski. Then I recalled something Billy does while teaching me. He skis backward and watches me ski while taking an occasional look over his shoulder to watch where he is going. So, I did that. “I also let Pete watch me ski. . . I told him that I am the hardest judge of my own skiing . . .

   “Do you think he was skiing better? Yes I do. Did I enjoy teaching and my day? Yes I did. It was the most satisfying day that I have had to ski in years. “ (excerpt from “My Weekend, January 22-25, 2004” by Bob Graul)

   As you can see from Bob Graul’s reflections, his actions constitute an example of one of the things that WASC is all about. He not only enjoys the sport himself but by trying to impart from his knowledge, he is helping others to have that same satisfaction. This is an example of a member of WASC who measures up!