Board update, October 1, 2012

Hi all,

Can you believe the spring is over…….and the summer too? What a great (but dry) summer it has been for all of us. While dry is usually good for us in the Northeast, fire danger in the forests and parks continues to be the downside to an otherwise wonderful summer. Now we have to hope this weather pattern changes toward wet and cold for our upcoming ski season. Believe it or not, Christmas is less than 90 days away and right around there, we’ll be skiing!!!!!!!!!!!

We all have a good amount of time to prepare whatever part of the body or equipment we need to get in order. Starting with the body, for those of you interested in improving your fitness before sliding downhill at 30mph, a good place to start would be the core and the legs. Your core strength and balance (staying upright is a good thing) can both be improved with a little yoga or pilates. Leg strength (also helps with balance) and cardio can be improved with anything from walking to running to cycling. Primetime’s goal will again be no injuries in 2013, and while difficult, it is a possible goal and certainly something to work toward. We had only three “serious” injuries last year, thus showing a significant improvement from year’s past.

Primetime’s annual meeting was once again very well attended by some 50 or so members. As usual, many of the membership participated in a Golf Tournament, a Biking Tour around Bethel, Kayaking down the Andro, and a hike up a nearby mountain. When members weren’t exerting themselves outside MJ and Dave Shiverick (and Gus) hosted a potluck where 45 or so members congregated and got the chance to reaquaint themselves with friends new and old. The Mill Hill Tavern hosted our annual dinner which was a great success with about the same amount (and same folks) participating in a casual dinner set up. When the busy schedule permitted some “down time”, members also found the Bethel Harvest Fest well under way with again beautiful clear sunny skies and much to do.

The members would like to thank all who put energy into any and all parts of another successful PT weekend.

The PT annual meeting was held Sunday 9/16 at the Jordan. Thirty seven (37) members attended.

Your 2012 Board will remain intact with the single replacement of new Vice President Pat Beliveau in place of Kurt Zwirner. Pat proved to be the slowest runner of the membership and therefore the Board’s nominating committee (of MJ, Ruthie M. and Carol Larson) was able to catch her. For members it will prove to be a very lucky catch as Pat has already shown merit in several Board related topics along with her championing the annual meeting after election.

As it goes, here’s your 2013 Board:

President: Jeff Zucchi

Vice President: Pat Beliveau

Treasurer: Bruce Marshman

Secretary/Social Director: Suzie DuBois

Presidential appointments:
Membership: Anita Haskell

Nominating: TBA

The Club is in great financial shape and was able to take advantage of the off-season by buying a Primetime Ski Club banner we hope will find it’s way into the North Peak Lodge (somehow). YOUR Club made donations to three noteworthy charities/non-proifts in the local area in 2012. MAS (formerly MHS) received $200 from PT, The Ski Museum of ME (many of you know them as Scott Andrews organization) received $150 and the Mahoosac Land Trust received $100. Feel good about your club’s commitment to be part of the local community and to help and educate others.

The Club started 2012 with about $440 and will now start 2013 with about $620. The Board will assemble in December or so to work thru budget plans as we do every year. You’ll be advised as soon as we get something worked up.

Oh, where to start? Your Club really has taken this socializing thing to a new level due to the leadership efforts of your Secretary/Social Director Madam DuBois (other’s of you know her simply as Suzie). With restaurant discounts at any of roughly 8-10 local places, we had tuning discounts at 3-4 fine shops I’m almost embarrassed to admit we probably get better discounts than most locals!!! Add in a discounted rate at Stor-a-Ski right there on the mountain and it was quite a deal to be a Primetimer. Don’t forget that as a Primetimer you also have available 15% “corporate discounted” vouchers thru our friends at Sunday River (see a Board member).

Enough of that fluff, what the heck did we do in 2012? Let’s see. Three potlucks (thanks to the Shiverick’s, the Halpins, and Margie Breen for arrangements). We had two special nights at area restaurants. One a Pizza Buffet at the Matterhorn and the other a GREAT Mexican Buffet at Roosters. We also held an exclusive wine tasting party (arrangements by Rhoda & Barry, set up by Lynne Z.) which again sold out. We all got a play week for GO-50 week on the mountain and we even had our own input into some of the arrangements! If not enough our end of the year dinner set another record for attendance with about 62-64 attending at the Phoenix. Great party in 50-0 degree temperatures (IN MARCH!).

If parties weren’t your thing, then Kurt Zwirner arranged a Snow Coach trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road! That’s something we’ll have to repeat. Mark Weisman shuttled several members of to Aspen and Snowmass for a weeklong ski trip in (the warm of) February, and Clarence Botting brought a bunch over to Wildcat for a ski day on a different mountain. Others took side trips to Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Loon and even Bretton Woods. Our friend Scott Andrews came and skied with some of us on mountain and did an article on Primetime in a regional paper. Lastly, three of our good friends at the Mountain (SR) came and skied with us one morning in March.

All in all, 2012 was a very special and quite an event filled year I think you’ll agree!!!!!!!!

As you might expect, with that much fun, that many events, special deals, and a great ski year (shhh, nobody was supposed to know), your Club grew quite a bit in the last couple of years. From January 2011’s total of 96 members, to January 2012’s 113, your club is now at a record 131.

Additionally, in 2012 we added several common courtesies to our membership duties. Now each new member receives a packet for their $20 dues which includes a PT badge, a welcome letter from the President, a laminated Membership card and several handout cards for others. At the end of the year each non-renewing member receives a “Sorry to see you go” letter from the Club signed by the President as well. The Membership Chair, Anita Haskell gets very little credit for her substantial efforts and extensive organizational skills. While not a complicated task, the attention to detail required is challenging and time consuming.

Some things bear repeating as we sometimes forget “Never Having to Ski Alone” isn’t meant selfishly, but inclusively. We should and WILL invite others as it’s the right thing to do so that THEY won’t have to ski alone either. Insularity serves no purpose, but openness serves many.

A motion was made an accepted to table all membership bylaw discussions for a year. The Board has received many recommendations for bylaw improvements including those previously prepared by the Board. The Board will discuss next steps during the year.

For those of you who continue to enjoy the social and skiing benefits of Primetime we need to ask you to kindly send in your 2013 renewal Primetime dues of $15 to our Treasurer:
Bruce Marshman

5 Cushing Place

Scituate, MA 02066

If you are a current member 80 or older (or 80th BD is before 1/1/13), please send a note to Membership Chair Anita Haskell at abhask@aol.com. Your membership is FREE.

2013 MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 15, 2012. Grace period is through 12/31, thereafter all payments are considered “new members” ($20).

The same 2012 Membership cards provided each of you last year will be used for 2013. Hopefully, you have kept your laminated membership card. If you have looked really hard, like you’re looking for your credit card, and still can’t find it, contact our VERY hard working Membership Chair for a replacement.

I think that’s enough for OCTOBER, don’t you?

Jeff