It is a new season for our Club, our 68th if I'm not mistaken, and with all the recent events like the hurricane disasters and the on-going war it is time for each of us to think and pray for our fellow Americans who have to sacrifice and live with inconvenience for a long time. We are really fortunate to have our fellow Club members and friends and be able to enjoy a sport we love.

   This year we have to look at and possibly change the way the Club does things. One objective is the collecting of money for trips. In today's post 9/11 World the Club has to pay-out a lot of money to secure spaces on planes or to reserve buses. This money is at a higher risk then ever before, and most of the times it is the Club's money that will be lost since we pay earlier then ever before. So that is why it is important to commit to trips more seriously this 2005-2006 ski season and to plan to pay ahead of time. Start planning now by taking a look at your calendar and Club's calendar - I have done so already.

   Also, speaking about money, the Club has to seriously look at raising of its dues across the Board. Everything is more expensive today then it was five or ten years ago. For example, the Lodge that we meet in on Thursdays has tripled in price. Also, the monies for trip deposits are larger and must be paid earlier in this current day of age then before. In addition, the postage for mailing newsletters and flyers is higher, and we all know we have a Club website that costs to keep it online as well.

   All these factors that I have mentioned above, plus more, like not filling bus trips or purchasing of Club pins, costs more today then ever before. That is why I talk about this now - it will help the Club keep pace with the times ahead.

   The good news is that it is a new season and soon we will be clicking-on our boots and skis. Aside from all the things I've said in this message, we will be doing something we truly love; something that helps take our minds off everything else - and that is skiing!

   Boy, do I love having an activity in the winter time that never gets boring - every turn, every stop, every run, and every ski hill - it just doesn't get better then that.

   This sport is great!

Ski Heil,

Paul Y.