Ptarmigan News

 April 2008


Newsletter Archive

A duplicate of the latest hardcopy newsletter can be found through the following link.  Sometimes they're available before the hardcopies are in the mail.
NLarchive


Fresh Tracks

Howdy gang,

The days are getting longer, and the weather is getting warmer and the local areas are starting to close up shop for the season.  Although some of us have a few remaining ski days planned, it won’t be long until all of our equipment gets packed away and waits for the shorter days of fall to arrive.  As our skis/boards hibernate, our bikes, hiking boots, rollerblades, kayaks, and volleyball sneakers emerge anew and bask in the glow of the warming sun.  It’s their time for action, and they’re ready to go.

April is the transitional month for our wonderful club.  The new Board takes office, works to resolve important Club issues over the summer, and plans activities for your enjoyment for the new Club year.  We are always open to your thoughts and ideas, and welcome any your participation in any of our discussions.  If you have any ideas for Club activities, any issues you believe we need to discuss, or any thoughts you’d like to bounce off us, please feel free to reach out to any of the Board Members or Officers.

This NL will contain updated Board Member contact information, the summer Board Meeting schedule, and other information on upcoming events to keep you busy over the next few weeks.  If we’re missing something, let us know!

Happy trails,

Brian

Brian Nuss
President – Ptarmigan Ski Club


Hike to Sunfish Pond Saturday, May 10, 2008

Time to put the skis away and get out your hiking boots. Bob Clark and Tom Weiser are planning another of their Annual Hikes this season to Sunfish Pond in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on Saturday May 10th. Meet at Panera Bread on Route 512 & 22 (south - Bethlehem – side of 22) around 8:30 am for a 9:00 am departure; some may want to meet earlier for breakfast.

The hike is about 3.5 hours round trip – approx 8 miles. We will go to the Dunnfield Parking Area just off Interstate 80 after crossing the bridge over the Delaware River. The hike will begin from the parking lot and follow the Appalachian Trail north to Sunfish Pond, following the ‘white trail blaze’ markers. The trail climbs 700 feet in the first 2 miles – ok for beginners but you must wear a good pair of hiking boots (too rough for ordinary sneakers). Reaching Sunfish Pond requires an additional 1.7 miles over a 300 foot elevation for a total of 1000’ foot vertical from the parking lot.

After the hike we will picnic in the Dunnfield parking lot. There are no grills available, so if you want to cook bring a gas grill (no charcoal allowed). There is no rain date. Contact Bob Clark 610-282-4387 or bgclark@epix.net for any additional info.

Looking forward to a great hike, as we had last year – 25 Ptarmigans did Ricketts Glenn and all came back alive! See you all Saturday May 10th.

Link to Map


Park City Trip Re-cap

by Mark Baechle

52 Ptarmigan's and their friends just returned from Mark Baechle's Park City Ski Trip, where they enjoyed over 4 feet of fresh powder!  Trip members enjoyed skiing powder days and sunshine days, at resorts such as Deer Valley, The Canyons, Park City, Alta, and Snowbird.  After a powder day in Deer Valley (waist-high powder!), we watched the Giants upset the Patriots on a big screen TV at the Superbowl Party the first full day.  After some more days of wonderful skiing, we had our annual Son-of-a-Beach Party, where everybody got lei'd.   This was followed by another day of incredible powder (62 untracked turns in a row!).  There was so much snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon that they kicked us out due to avalanche danger!  Our last day had sunshine and blue sky, highlighting a week of great powder, and making the trip complete.  After an adventurous travel day (does anyone smell brakes?) we returned home safely, and full of happy memories.

Click LINK for photos.

 


IMPORTANT BITS & PIECES

Ptarmigans - A Monthly Mountain Bike Ride at Lehigh Gorge:

  <>Join the Ptarmigans for a fun, leisurely and scenic ride in the Gorge on the last Saturday of every month beginning on April 26, 2008.  We will meet in the parking lot at Glen Onoko just north of Jim Thorpe at 9AM and roll out no later than 9:15AM.  This will be a NO DROP ride - meaning we will ride the pace that is comfortable with the slowest rider and, if a gap forms, we will wait!!  There are NO HILLS on this ride and we can ride whatever distance the group is amenable to.  To Rockport and back is 14 miles and to White Haven and back is 60 miles - so we have many distances to choose from.  For those so inclined (and I know I will be) we can stop in for a libation or three in Jim Thorpe afterward to reminisce - or lament - our adventure.  Word on the street is that Joel Derk looks great in a pair of biking tights but i'm not going there.....  <>

This ride will be hosted by Dave Schnitzler (610-965-2070, schnitdj@airproducts.com).  Looking forward to riding with you!    <>

Here are directions and also see the map. 

<>Take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Exit 34 and follow US 209 south to Jim Thorpe. In town, turn right onto PA 903, which crosses the Lehigh River. Go three blocks to the stop sign, continue straight across PA 903, and go down the hill to Coalport Road and the Lehigh Gorge park entrance. The trail starts on Coalport Road on the left at the Glen Onoko access area. Rest rooms are located along the trail at Glen Onoko and Rockport (about seven miles).

Volleyball Begins Tuesday May 6

Join fellow Ptarmigans every Tuesday at 6:30 PM for volleyball in the Rose Garden of Allentown.  Afterwards, the group usually ends up at Ringers Roost for a bite & a beer.


Summer Board Meeting Schedule:

Although the Club doesn’t hold meetings over the summer months, the Board is very active and continues to meet throughout the summer months.  Summer Board Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month and are hosted by a Board Member.  General Members are welcome to attend a Board Meeting should they choose; all we ask is that you advise the Board Member prior to the meeting night so we can plan accordingly.  Below are the dates for, and locations of, the summer Board Meetings:
•    April 2nd    Jeanne Weiser
•    May 14th    Brian Nuss
•    June 11th    Jackie Lulewitz
•    July 19th    Linny Esterly
•    August 13th    Mary Laronge

First Thursdays

First Thursdays from 6:00 to 11:00 PM at Jack Callaghan's Ale House, 21st and Tilghman Streets. Those who want to meet for an after-work drink and dinner can arrive early and enjoy the food. Those who want to come in later or stick around for the music can do that, as well.  Click here for more information.


Vouchers from ESPC available Vouchers are available for various ski areas from Eastern PA Ski Council for Ptarmigan members.  Click here for application form.


Support Ptarmigan Ski Club with this fundraiser. Save 50% on almost everything.  Great savings at your favorite local merchants as well as for informal dining, carryout, local services, national values, etc. PRICE REDUCED from last year, only $20! Same size as last year with many new additions as well as the old favorites.

Books available at ski club meetings, events, or arrangements can be made for delivery. For more info.or to order: contact Donna Westgate at 610-392-9200.

BUSINESS ADVERTISING AVAILABLE

Quarter Page Ads are available for $250 for 10 issues (per year). Business card size for $125. Please provide camera-ready art or on a disc. Discounts for members.

Thinking about buying a Subaru?

Becker Subaru has offers for Ptarmigan members. Click on the following link.  Becker

BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAEB/ 790AM announces birthdays at 6:50 and 8:20 AM with a daily winner receiving a cake. Al & Carol Koszi coordinate (610) 691-0967. Let them know your birth date –

IT’S YOUR CLUB WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER

Any news for the website & newsletter; please forward information to webmaster@ptarmiganskiclub.org and news@ptarmiganskiclub.org .

ITEMS OR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SALE OR RENT

THE LEHIGH VALLEY BEER TOUR CONTINUES…Happy Hour GIF

Come as you are after work on Fridays and join the fun! Get on the e-mail notification list or submit suggestions by contacting Bill Ortner at wortner@att.net or (610) 712-5443.

Got e-mail?

Stay current between newsletters by getting on our email list for upcoming events... If you have an email address make sure that we have it as well...Send your email address to our Membership Secretary, Jackie Lulewitz, at membership@ptarmiganskiclub.org .

R. A. M. PROGRAM

1. What is it: Simply stated, RECRUIT A MEMBER!! Each existing, active, dues paying member is challenged to recruit one new member.
2. Purpose: To increase membership
3. Scope: Through friendship, or through neighbors or relatives each active member is asked to invite people to join in the club activities and become members.
4. Rewards: Satisfaction for each member knowing that they helped the friend & club. As in the past; each member that recruits five (5) new members would receive a free membership or a free mountain party pass.

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This page was last updated: 4/6/2008
Send comments & questions by e-mail to: webmaster@ptarmiganskiclub.org