|
|
|
|
Hawaii Ski Club – November, 2011
EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Toby Kravet – 808-224-1065
Vice President – Kevin Okawa
Treasurer - Geof Chu
Susan Murata
Wayne Fujihara
Jon Kleinschmidt
Momi Kleinschmidt
Jonathan Carr
Roy Manzoku
-----------------------------------------
Club Historian
Jo Yee
Newsletter Editor
Toby Kravet
(Click on Contacts for e mail addresses)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Every Monday evening (except on holidays): 4:30 P.M. A group of ski club members and their friends play tennis at Keehi Lagoon courts, off Lagoon Drive. Stay in shape and share refreshments afterwards!
November 3 (Thursday): 6 P.M. General Membership Meeting at Sam Sneads.
November 12 (Saturday): 4: P.M. - 9 P.M. Second "Return of the Legendary Chili Cookoff," Wai'alae Nui Recreation Center.
November 17 (Thursday): 5:30 P.M. Board Meeting at Henry Loui's.
November 24 (Thanksgiving Thursday) 9:30 P.M. Club members, whether or not they are volunteering to assist the Salvation Army in the annual serving of Thanksgiving Dinner to the needy at 11:15 A.M. are invitied to joint the volunteers in a potluck brunch.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
Aloha to all renewed and new members for the 2011 - 2012 membership year. Those of you who have not yet paid your dues for the new year, October 1 - September 30, can find the membership form on our website www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com : Click on "Sign Up" in the left column of the home page which will take you to the form, complete it, and mail it with your check, "Attn: Membership," to our snailmail address which is on the form.
You know, it never ceases to amaze me how I could/can live in the same neighborhood with "a place" and never know it's there. I lived in Palolo Valley for one year, in 1979 I think, ran loops around the valley almost every day after work, passed right by the Palolo Chinese Home, and never saw it. On Saturday morning, October 8th, on my way to the volunteer activity, it wasn't where I thought it would be, and I had to go hunting. While it shouldn't make a difference what we do if it is for a worthy cause, it was fun to be prepping and painting (something I rarely do) rather than yard work (something I do at home all the time). Thank you Roy (Manzoku) for putting this together. I was proud at the size of our turnout. I am also glad to see so many of us having volunteered for the upcoming Thanksgiving morning at the Blaisdell (see article below), something I have never, myself, done as I am always on the Mainland for Thankgiving. Vounteering for worthy causes is something we did fairly regularly when I joined the Club in the early 80s, and I'm glad we're getting back into it.
Talking about turnouts, we had an excellent one for the Kick-Off meeting on October 6 with some members lingering late enough into the evening to practically close the place. Signups for Kick-Off were running a little behind expectations until the very end, and I hope we get the same last minute surge for second annual revival of the Chili Cook-Off (see article below) on November 12 which, likewise, is running a little "light" at this point in time.
How many of you subscribe to Ski Magazine and read that trip back in time to which the October issue was devoted? At the risk of showing my age, I have to admit actually using some of that accident-waiting-to-happen equipment including the "bear trap" binding, pictured on page 95, where the toe section of your leather ski boot was wedged into a metal bracket and held in place by a spring cable around your heel connected to a lever in front of the toe. I also remember that they didn't have plastic bottoms in those days: Before the season started, you would sand down your bottoms and brush on a new coat of base preparation: The best stuff to use was Super Faski with polytetrafluoroethylene, and how I remember this so well is that it was a far cooler word for a kid to know and recite than antidisestablishmentarianism which everyone else knew. You know you're getting old when-------- you look up at the museum pieces on the ceiling beams at the day lodges during lunch and recognize them as equipment you, yourself, once used.
See you at the meetings and activities!
Aloha,
Toby
UPCOMING SKI CLUB ACTIVITIES:
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Sam Sneads Tavern
November 3
(Thursday) 6 P.M.
This is the first General Membership Meeting of the new Club year. Although the meeting starts at 6 P.M., you'll want to arrive no later than 5:30 P.M. to take advantage of the "Sunset Dinner Specials."
SECOND
RETURN OF THE LEGENDARY CHILI COOK-OFF
Wai'alae Nui Recreation Center, 2203 Halekoa Drive
November 12 (Saturday) 4 PM - 9 PM
The Chili Cook-Off was so much fun last
year, that we are doing it again: Same venue, same format. Whether or not
we have all the laughs we had last year is up to you guys, but we'll try to have
some good (and funny) prizes again. Bill Hodges tell us that he will
be on the Mainland this year and not around to defend his last year's championship title so the
field is wide open. You can either enter the constest with a chili
or bring a potluck item such as rice, salad, or dessert.
Please let me know what you are planning to bring by just replying to one of
emails I have already sent or separately emailing me:
pres@hawaiisnowskiclub.com .
The Wai'alae Nui Recreation Center, 2203 Halekoa Drive, is on Wai'alae Nui Ridge
above Kahala Mall. If you are coming from Honolulu, get on the H1,
take a left on Aina Koa which is the first traffic light after the elevated
freeway has morphed into Kalanianole Highway, go up Aina Koa approximately
.4 mile, take a left on Halekoa, and you will find the recreation center
on the right (I may have
mistakenly said "left" in an earlier email) approximately 1.5 miles after you have made the turn onto Halekoa: It
is just after you have passed Ahaku St. on the
right. Also, this is BYOB as well as
potluck.
TOBY
FEEDING THE NEEDY ON THANKSGIVING DAY
Assisting the Salvation Army with
feeding an early Thanksgiving Dinner to the needy at the Blaisdell Center has
been a Ski Club tradition for, seemingly, forever. Thanks to members
who were "chomping at the bit" to do it again and signups from an earlier email
and at the Kick-Off meeting, we, thankfully, already have reached our limit of
sixteen
volunteers and have a waiting list. The "dinner" actually begins
before noon which gives volunteers plenty of time to complete their duties and
go to their own planned Thankgiving celebrations. All Hawaii Ski Club
members, however, are encouraged to join the volunteers at the 9:30
potluck brunch on Thanksgiving Day. We meet outside the Blaisdell arena near the
parking structure. It's a beautiful way to start off a day of Giving Thanks with
friends and great food.
WANDA, TOBY
SKI TRIPS FOR 2012
Your Trip Committee is still hard at work with planning for our two trips
in 2012.
Ski Week -
Big Sky, Montana - January 27 - February 4, 2012. This is our
official Hawaii Ski Week trip for 2012! Full packages start at $1582.
1) Ski in/out Huntley hotel room with a
free breakfast buffet. The hotel is located in the Village and has two Queen
beds in the room with a small refrigerator. Double occupancy.
2) Walk in/out Bighorn condo's, 3
bedroom/3 bath, good for 6 occupants. This is a short walk to the slopes and you
can connect via the Poma lift. See this link for more details on a poma lift.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platter_lift
Your lift tickets will be good at Big
Sky mountain. To ski on both mountains (Moonlight Basin and Big Sky), there is
an additional fee that you can pay at any lift ticket office (we thought it
easier if you coordinate with friends on what day to go, meet at the ticket
office, pay (approximately $27 more) and ski on TWO mountains.)
If you wish to go
on the Yellowstone Snowmobile day trip (see below),
purchase only a 5-day lift ticket package as the Yellowstone trip will take all
day. Ask Hawaii Ski Club members who have
already skied Big Sky, and they will tell you that the highlight of this
trip to Montana is snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park. Snowmobile through
Yellowstone in winter, and you will find yourself amidst a place like none
you have experienced before. A Nordic wonderland. Yellowstone and the
surrounding area are comprised of many geological and geothermal wonders like
Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. In addition a wide
variety of wild animals like bison, wolves, bald eagles, elk and trumpeter swans
abound in the park. Over-snow vehicles trek into the heart of this snowy
paradise so you will get close to these natural wonders, frosty bison,
sculpted ghost- trees, steamy thermal pools, and endless vistas.
Big
White, CANADA
- is located in the picturesque Okanagan Valley. Big White is uniquely blessed with sunny weather, dry powder and a mild average
temperature of -5C (23 F). With 118 marked runs fanning from the summit, 2,565
acres of skiable terrain, and 16 lifts, there‘s a great selection of terrain for
everyone with deep powder bowls, wide-open glades, and great fall-line cruising.
For the ultimate park experience, head to the award winning TELUS Terrain Park
which is the best progressive park in North America. To top it off, slalom
through the spectacular“Snowghosts” (snow caked trees) which create a magical
backdrop in this winter playground.
Trip dates are March 9-17, which is the DOE Spring Break.
Bring your whole family! Kids ski free with a paid adult lift ticket.
Air Canada is an affiliate of United
Airlines so get mileage for United, AND one bag is free! Everyone who goes on
this trip MUST HAVE A PASSPORT.
TRIP COMMITTEE
HAWAII SKI CLUB'S TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Situated along the Continental Divide, Yellowstone
National Park has some of the best snowmobile trails in the West. With the
second highest elevation in the United States, Wyoming is an outdoorsman's dream
ride! You can tour Yellowstone by snowmobile or snowcoach, a climate-controlled,
passenger vehicle much like a small bus on snowcat treads. A snowcoach sits up
high so passengers have a better view of scenery and wild animals while staying
warm. Those on a snowmobile tour encounter a totally different adventure of
cruising the magnificent terrain and incredible scenery on a state-of-the-art
Arctic Cat snowmobile. Our all-day adventure is the Old Faithful
Explorer tour, Yellowstone’s most popular tour. Experience the world’s largest
concentration of geysers with knowledgeable local guides. Journey along the
Firehole River to Madison Junction, Fountain Paint Pots and Biscuit Basin with
wildlife viewing the entire way. Enjoy a box lunch in a warming hut adjacent to
Old Faithful . Our adventure includes round trip transportation from the Huntley
Lodge (approximately a one-hour bus drive to West Yellowstone), a hearty box
lunch, an Arctic Cat TZ1 snowmobile, guide fee, National Park entrance fee, tax
and gratuity. The tour bus departs Huntley Lodge at 6:45AM and
returns at approximately 6:00-6:30PM. Warm snowmobile clothing
(helmet, boots, suit and gloves) can be rented the day of the tour for an
additional $15.45 or helmet only for $6.18 plus tax . A DOT- APPROVED HELMET IS
REQUIRED FOR SNOWMOBILE RIDERS. If your snowboard/ski helmet has a DOT sticker
inside, you can use your own. If it does not have a DOT sticker, you must rent a
helmet from the tour company. Price for a snowcoach tour includes
roundtrip transpiration and lunch (all snowcoaches and snowmobiles spend the
lunch break at Old Faithful). Those on a snowcoach do not have to purchase
special clothing. Since Yellowstone National Park restricts the
number of snowmobiles and snowcoaches each day and because the shuttle bus to
Yellowstone has only 32 seats, OUR GROUP MUST BE SPLIT IN TWO: TUESDAY, JANUARY
31 AND WEDNESDAY FEB 1. If you wish to snowmobile with a group of specific
people, please arrange in advance which day all of you wish to sign up for the
tour. DAY PRIORITY IS DETERMINED BY THE POSTMARKED DATE ON YOUR ENVELOPE. No
other activity has been scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday so no matter
which day you select, you can attend all ski week activities. INCLUDE THE
RESERVATION FORM BELOW WITH YOUR CHECK. MAKE CHECK OUT TO THE “HAWAII SKI CLUB”
AND MAIL TO: Anita Hodges, 98-1006 Palula Way, Aiea, HI 96701. DEADLINE FOR
PAYMENT IS DECEMBER 1, 2011. There will be no refunds once the final HSC check
for all rentals is mailed to Yellowstone Vacations after December 1, 2011.
However, you may have another club member take your place.
Please
complete, detach, and submit this reservation form with a personal check for the
amount listed:
*********************************************************************************
RESERVATION FOR SNOWMOBILING AND
SNOWCOACHING
AT YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK
Name:________________________________________________________
Contact phone
number:___________________________________________
Email:_________________________________________________________
Please check the option you wish:
_______ Solo snowmobile rider ($250.00)
_______ Two riders on a single snowmobile ($155.00 for
EACH RIDER)
The name of the
second rider on the above snowmobile_______________
_______ Snowcoach ride ($180 per person)
Day you wish for snowmobiling /snowcoaching: Tuesday, Jan
31______________
Wednesday, Feb
1_____________
Reservation
deadline is December 1, 2011
Make personal check out to “Hawaii Ski Club”
Mail check and completed reservation form to:
Anita Hodges, 98-1006 Palula Way, Aiea, HI 96701
**********************************************************************************
ANITA
PAST SKI CLUB ACTIVITIES:
PAU HANA AT RYAN'S GRILL
September 23
Ryan's Grill in the Ward Center, with its extensive beer selection, tasty pupus, and convenient location never seems to disappoint us. Nine "Ski Clubbers" showed up on Friday, September 23 to hoist a few, grind, tell stories, and finish the week "correctly." The only problem was the competition, with other growing groups, to grab the extra tables needed for our progressively expanding size. Maybe, next time, we'll see if they (Ryan's) are willing to let us reserve a couple of tables.
TOBY
VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE PALOLO CHINESE HOME
Twelve ski club members met at 8 am on Saturday, October
8 and worked until noon to help with maintenance of the Palolo Chinese Home.
This is a nonprofit adult residential care facility which, despite its name,
serves people of all ethnicities and religions and is located on 15 acres in the
back of Palolo Valley. We painted walls, buildings, and railings and ended the
morning session with much paint on ourselves as well. We ended with a nice
lunch at Serg's Mexican Kitchen in Manoa Valley.
The staff at Palolo
Chinese Home really appreciated the results of our work, and we were happy to
help this nonprofit organization that serves people in our community. We will
schedule other community service activities in 2012.
ROY
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SNOWBOARD FOR SALE
Craig Shaffer still has an unused size 141 snowboard for sale. $250.00. Craig may be contacted at 261-5989.
-----------------------------
Contributions from the membership to future newsletters are encouraged and will be greatly appreciated: Please e mail them to Toby (see Contacts) no later than 9 calendar days from the end of the month. Thanx much.
Updated club info available at http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com/