The Sno*Flake
Minutes of Down East Ski Club Meeting

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Location: DESC Lodge @ Shawnee Peak, Bridgton

Next Meeting – Annual Banquet – Saturday, April 28th @ DESC Lodge, more details to follow

Attendance: Brian Butler, Jennie Butler, Nathaniel Butler, John Crowley, David Farrar, Kim Farrar, Jacqui Marr, Valerie Marr-Ross, Kevin McBride, Diane McBride, Ed Platts, Gail Platts, Paul Rawson

Meeting Called to order by President David Farrar at 6:15pm

President’s Report:
David remarked that night skiing ends next Saturday 3/17 and advised that members should watch the Shawnee Peak website for hours of operation as the season is winding down.

David announced that the Oxford County Special Olympics were held this week at Shawnee Peak. 33 people from the program used the hut Tuesday night (approx. 25 Olympians plus staff). David, Diane McBride, Jenny and Andy Smith stayed and helped. Gail Platts, Diane McBride and Hillary Innes helped out as volunteers at the games. Participants had a lot of fun and the event was well organized. Ed Rock expressed his thanks to the DESC and there was mention of a BBQ to thank DESC members the weekend of the 18th. Details to follow as they come available.

David announced that next weekend March 17-18, the DESC will be hosting 8-12 Oxford County Rotary high school exchange students plus chaperones.

Race and Competition Report:
Gail reported the DESC-sponsored Russ Haggett race had 89 participants last weekend. Nathaniel Butler donated his time to the race department and there was no race fee charged to the club. Proceeds from racers, sponsors and donations collected by Tom Bennett gave us a total net of $1268. Tom Bennett recommends the club donate $2000 a year to maintain the fund which gives away two $1000 scholarships annually. Tom Bennett also wanted to pass on to the club that it is important to bring events like this to the skiing community as it is one of our few events related to ski competition. Three race winners were in attendance; Diane McBride, gold, Jennie Butler, silver and Nathaniel Butler, bronze. Thanks to Tom Bennett , Jennie Butler, Nathaniel Butler, Michelle Christakis, Marianne Young, Ed Platts, and SP race department June and Danny Geyger for their help with the event.

Vice President’s Report:
Ed Platts reported that the Annual Banquet is tentatively scheduled for April 28th. Details to follow. Ed is looking for members interested in being part of the planning and awards committee. Jacqui Marr, Kim Farrar and Valerie Marr agreed to help. More volunteers welcome! Contact Ed Platts if interested.

Secretary’s Report: minutes were posted. There was one correction: in attendance was Nathaniel, not Matthew Butler. Motion made and accepted to accept minutes as amended.

Treasurer’s Report: None.

Hut Committee Report:
Paul Rawson announced the maintenance committee will be meeting soon and the committee was considering options to renovate the men’s bathroom. Paul said he has had good reports on the window replacements keeping the hut warmer. Members expressed interested in a fuel usage comparison to get rough idea what the savings were on the new windows. A fireplace insert is in consideration as the next energy savings measure. Paving the driveway is also on the table as a hut project.

Old Business:
Club trip to Camden Snow Bowl will be March 11th. Three members are known to be attending.

New Business:
Nomination slate for the 2012-2013 DESC Officers was presented:
President: Ed Platts
Vice President: Nathaniel Butler
Secretary: Patti Sutkowski, Joanne Wright, Brian Butler
Treasurer: Cheryl Rawson
Hut Maintenance: Paul Rawson
Membership: Gail Platts
Ski Sale: Tom Bull
At Large: Gustin Kiffney, Doug Dolan, with one open seat remaining.

If anyone is interested in serving as an at large member of the Executive board contact David Farrar.

Motion was made and accepted to combine the 2012 annual meeting with the April regular meeting and vote on the slate of officers at that point. Annual meeting scheduled for Saturday April 28th, at the Hut.

Announcements:
David announced that the Senior level Ski Patrol emergency medical test was held at Shawnee Peak last weekend, led and organized by Paul Rawson. Several DESC members assisted with the test as patients. The evaluators were from all over New England. Six of the seven Ski Patrollers who took the test passed, including all six who were from the Shawnee Peak Patrol. Paul is stepping down as the Maine outdoor emergency care chief examiner/trainer after 5 years. DESC’s own Tom Bull will be taking over this position. Congratulations to Paul for excellent work!

Door prize of flower bulbs was won by Kim Farrar.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm.

Submitted by Brian Butler