30 years of snowdrifters fun, ski & ride; we've just begun

Membership Board Members

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30th Anniversary update

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Activities Corner

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Back to the Future Flier

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Birthdays and Picnic 08 flyer

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Schedule of Events Ski Trip Schedule

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Travel with Susan

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Veep’s Corner

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Pre SUPERBOWL Flyer

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Pirates of the Caribbean

Historical Historian’s corner

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Advertisements 12

Application 13

Cover 14

What’s in Here: Newsletter

The new plan is for the show to go on at the January meeting, with our member “models” showing off the latest and greatest skiwear and accessories from some of the best manufacturers. You won’t want to miss it and if you see some-thing you like, don’t forget Ranch Craft also gives an additional discount to club members on purchases. The “White Elephant” or gift raffle went well thanks to all of you who brought items. We raf-fled off some Mountain High Lift tickets and the remaining items Bonnie Wheaton (the Mammoth SOCAL Regional Sales Manager) had brought to the November meeting and she’s since sent us two Adult Mammoth lift tickets ($158 value) that we’ll “Auction” to the highest bidder at our January meeting with proceeds benefiting our 30 year celebration activities. We’re planning to do another White Elephant raffle in February or March so watch your newsletter. The turnout at the December meeting was good again and it was great to see all of you, members new and old, and guests who joined us. The hotel bar obliged and brought in extra help to serve us as many of you requested; please make sure you compensate them fairly. I especially want to thank and recognize the members who again came through for the club and brought toys to donate for our annual toy drive, and also those who made very generous donations by cash and check. The donation total was as good as ever and was turned over to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. Thanks again to lots of people with very big hearts, you should be proud to be a part of making a difference in a child’s life. Special Thanks to Cheryl Riess (calendar, layout, and production), Janet Hatch-Plent (photos), Bill Altonen (data), and John Penafeather (directory format), for their creativ-

30 Years of Snowdrifters fun, ski & ride; we've just begun January 2008

(continued on page 8)

President’s Message

Memories of 2007- Changes Ahead!!

by Rick Bonnett President

Happy New Year Snowdrifters, Cheryl & I hope all of you and your families enjoyed a safe and wonderful Christmas, or Holiday Season, and have many memories to cherish. We wish you all the very best in 2008 and hope your resolutions are going well as we move into the New Year! It’s a new year with lots of exciting trips, activities, and events planned for the club. This season, 2007-2008, marks the 30th anniversary of this great club, and we have 2 very special events planned to celebrate. Our motto: 30 years of Snowdrifter fun; ski and ride, we’ve just begun! As current members (or members in the past four years), you should have received Season’s Greetings in your mailbox from the club. Inside was a two-sided mini-flyer with all the informa-tion you’ll need to sign up for the extravagant “Diamonds and Pearls Snow Ball” at the North Island Naval Base’s elegant Island Club planned as our end of ski season social May 17 and the family picnic, with optional weekend camping, Aug 10. Please mark your calendars now (all of them!) so you don’t have any schedule con-flicts. It’s not too soon to sign up for either, and if you plan to camp, you should call now to reserve a camping spot (as they reportedly go early in January or February!). Call Sweetwater Regional Park at 858-565-3600. The weekend camping will culminate in a catered (yes, you don’t have to bring any food!) family picnic complete with crazy games for kids of all ages. Our Programs and Meetings Director Ira, worked hard to line up the Ranch Craft Fashion Show for our December meeting but there was a little surprise that pre-empted their crew from showing up. The day before our meeting Missy had her baby, it’s a boy (William James), and mother and son are doing fine. Congratulations to Missy, husband Brian, and the Ranch Craft Family!!

North Island Snowdrifters Newsletter - December 2008 www.nisnowdrifter.com

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North Island Snowdrifters Board Of Directors

President Rick Bonnett [email protected] 858-300-5816 Vice President Dave Arnold [email protected] 619-284-8777 Secretary Claire Mason [email protected] 858-541-2262 Treasurer Judy Schultheis [email protected] 619-461-4478 Newsletter Editor Nick Cowell [email protected] 619-390-6659 Travel Director Susan Shaffer [email protected] 858-481-5043 Programs/Meetings Director Ira Lindenfeld [email protected] 858-481-7510 Social Director (Activities) Stephanie Young [email protected] 858-232-9886 Membership Director Bill Altonen [email protected] 858-232-9887 Resources Director Ken Zuorro [email protected] 619-449-6689 Communications Director Catie Somers [email protected] 619-890-3464

Race Director Aaron Kamerling [email protected] 619-855-0107

SDSC Representative Tom Garcia [email protected] 619-589-2860 CW&R Commissioner Dave Arnold [email protected] 619-284-8777 Public Relations Director Janet Hatch-Plent [email protected] 858-272-2887 Past President Cheryl Riess [email protected] 858-300-5816 Webmaster Don Cheshire [email protected] 858-481-5043

This past holiday season brought many of us together to enjoy the greatest gift of all…. friendship. That’s what makes social organizations so meaningful. We get

to chose what we want to participate in, how often, and with whom. The North Island Snowdrifters Ski Club has mem-bers who joined our club knowing that there are many things they can do, many people with whom they can do it with and friendships that could be made. When you come to one of our get-togethers, you’ll witness all kinds of friendships ranging from an accepting

nod to those that are special, long-time or “very best”. That’s what makes our club so appealing; it’s what we do, our members and our friendships. As we go into the New Year, I am sure that our member-ship will grow, but more importantly, it’s the new friendships that will sprout.

Since our December Newsletter, we had 22 renewals and added 5 new members. Since June 1st,

we’ve had 197 Renewals, added 50 New and 20 Previous Members. This puts us at 267 for fiscal year 2007-2008. As mentioned in previous Newsletters, the 2006-2007 Membership Period expires on December 31st. Those who have not renewed will be removed from the Current Membership list. These members (~113) are not lost however, because the 2007-2008 Membership period ex-tends until May 31st. I am hoping that many of these members will sign-up during this period. Let’s see what happens… I will keep you posted.

MEMBERSHIP

by Bill Altonen Membership Director

No Board meeting this month, Merry Christmas

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North Island Snowdrifters Newsletter - January 2008 www.nisnowdrifter.com

30th Anniversary Update By Jean McCasey

Committee Chairperson

Membership (continued from page

New Members: Christine Low referred by Susan Shaffer; David & Scott Dohren by Bill Altonen & Stephanie Young (we met David on a Kayak excursion to Humphrey’s & David referred his son); Matt Shillingburg & Susan St. John by Janie Lindenfeld and Tim Apple-gate.

Previous Members: None Family Memberships: Michael & Gaetana

Patton, Stephen & Linda Coxen, Jon & Patricia Tucker, Roy & Irene Winter (members since 1998); Ted and Jeanie Davis, and Eric & Jennifer Van Pelt (newly weds; Ken Zourro’s daughter).

Mammoth Season Pass Members: Liz

Baker, Christine Low, Eric & Jennifer Van Pelt.

Skiers, Party & Sports Enthusiasts: Bob

March (past President and resident of Maui, Hawaii… where’ the snow???), Marie Acevedo (keen, active, supportive member), Laurie McGrath, Margie Fullerton, Nancy Har-rison, Robert Colling and Charles Barry.

Let’s go into the New Year

with the comfort knowing that the North Island Snowdrifters Ski Club is available to every-one who has a desire to ski, travel, socialize, have fun and make friends.

Bill

I would like to introduce the Chairs for the Sub-Committees for the 30th Anniversary celebrations. We have two committees, one for our Diamond and Pearl Ball and one for the Picnic. If anyone is still interested in being a part of the wonderful celebration of your club you can contact any of the following. Jean McCasey -Program Director Diamond & Pearl Ball and Picnic [email protected] Mike Sanford -MC, Diamond & Pearl Ball Bill Altonen -Promotions, Publicity, Tickets Registration Diamond & Pearl Ball, picnic [email protected] Peter Stiehle -Video & Photo Boards [email protected] Susie Vetter -Food, Diamond & Pearl Ball [email protected] Yvonne Lawrence -Food, Picnic [email protected] Dick Wood -Games & Activities Picnic Eileen Sanford -Decorations. Diamond & Pearl Ball Rick Bonnett -Picnic Location and POC Diamond and Pearl Ball [email protected] Ken Zuorro -Libations, Picnic [email protected] Ball and Picnic [email protected] Judy Schultheis -Budget Diamond & Pearl Ball and Picnic [email protected]

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Grand adventures await those who are willing to turn the corner. – Chinese fortune cookie. As we enter this new ski

season we are reaching out to ski new slopes, trav-ersing new territory and embracing new members. This year is our 30 year anniversary, think big

thoughts to create new pathways for our club. Many of you are lucky enough to have already started down the slippery slopes, some with the San-ford’s in Aspen and others in different locals. Our extra curricular club activities slow down this time of year as we hurry off to join the ski trips. But don’t you worry the planning still goes on. Some-thing special is always around the corner. You to can be a “Join Us Events” volunteer. Just let me know about those hikes, bike rides, concerts, and

other fun activities. As al-ways, I'm happy to include announcements about an event you are planning so you can enjoy the company of your fellow Snowdrifters. If

time is short, we can also send e-mail announce-ments.

ACTIVITIES CORNER

by Stephanie

Contact: [email protected] Cell: 858-232-9886

CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 26th, Saturday, BUNCO Party, need volunteer host. May 24th, Saturday, BUNCO Party, need volunteer host. June 28th, Saturday, BUNCO Party, need volunteer host. July 26th, Saturday, BUNCO Party, need volunteer host. August 30th, Saturday, BUNCO Party, need volun-teer host. September 27th, Saturday, CASINO NIGHT or BUNCO Party, need volunteer host.

Stepanie

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Cindy Diller 1 David Morris 1 Fred Blecksmith 1 Glenda Shekell 1 Jack Shekell 1 Jeffrey Annis 1 John Thompson 1 Linda Thompson 1 Suzanne Coates 1 Tom Sullivan 1 Zack Rose 1 Candy Cowell 3 Jennifer Myer 4

Edward Isacco 5

Ken Zuorro 6

David Garber 11 Frank Stahl 12 Janet Hatch-Plent 12 Sarah Keating 17 Liz Baker 18 Sandra Garcia 18 Bob Roses 20 Blake Lusky 21 Christine Gill 22 Gary Stewart 22 Mike Patton 22 Neal King 23

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Date Event Contact Site

January 8 General Meeting All CHARACTERS BAR in the La Jolla Marriott, 4240 La Jolla Village Dr.

May 16, 2008 China Tour Carl Cobb 619.222.5015

China

Visit www.nisnowdrifter.com (a truly GREAT website) for more info on all events and trips

North Island Snowdrifters sponsored events are in white

North Island Snowdrifters

is a zero drug

tolerance club!

DATE(S) MOUNTAIN TRIP TRIP LEADER(S)

Jan. 3rd - 6th, 2008 Mammoth #801 Trip #801 3 day Race $275 Gates Ingram (619)463-2615

Jan. 19th - 26th Whistler, Canada FWSA Ski Week $1305 - $1425 Susan Shaffer (858) 481-5043

Jan. 25 - 27 Mammoth Cancelled

Feb. 2nd - 9th Beaver Creek, CO Trip #8003 7 day $1129 Cheryl Riess (858) 300-5816

Feb 23-26 Mammoth Trip #804 3 day Race $275 Catie Somers (619) 890-3464

Feb 29—Mar 4 So. Lake Tahoe Trip #8005 5 day $$$ TBD Bob Cleaver (619) 666-5346

March 13-16 Mammoth Trip #806 3 day Race $275 Michelle Daignault/Carla Hyduk 619 562-4769

March 22-27 Park City/Deer Valley Trip #8007 5 day $995 Susan Shaffer (858) 481-5043

April 3-6 Mammoth Trip #808 3 day Race $275

Anna Marie Sorriso /Jeff Meyerson

(858) 270-9003

Oct23-Nov7, 2008 Vietnam/Cambodia Trip #8009 $3689 + Port tax / Visa Bill Altonen (858) 232-9887

Wait List

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ity and hard work in creating our keepsake 2008 Calendar and Club Directory, they got it done and available for sale at the Decem-ber meeting. Since this is a landmark year for us, the directory commemorates the event with hundreds of color pictures of members having too much fun. Chances are pretty good you’re in it! They’re invaluable for making out your Christmas, activity, or party lists and being able to keep in touch with your friends in the club. Not to mention you get a year long calendar with all the events and Birthdays listed for you. If you didn’t get one, they’ll be available at the January meeting, and if you can’t make the meeting or missed out on getting yours, give me a call and I’ll make sure to get one to you. Don’t wait, they’re almost gone. Meanwhile, the storms have been lining up and dumping on Mammoth, so get out those skis and sign up for a trip with us! On a final and somewhat ruminative note, I’ll be stepping down as President this com-ing April. The club has helped me grow on a personal and social level, and I’ve enjoyed the support everyone has given me over the years but it’s time for change; a change in direction for me (retirement & family) and a change in leadership for the club. Change is inevitable for all of us and organizations are no different. Change is what we decide to make it; we can make it good or bad, it’s up to us as individuals and as organizations. The recent volunteerism in the club has rein-forced my belief that if we all take turns participating and leading; bringing our ideas to the forefront, we’ll continue to be the best club in San Diego. I’m confident that as a group, we’ll continue to contribute, get in-volved, support each other, work together, and be the best. As I’ve said before, I’ve been a member since 1978 and you, the people in the club, have been like family! I’ll see you at the next event or meeting, until then, I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Rick

President’s Message

(continued from page 1) Happy 2008 Snow Season…some of us have already had a chance to hit the slopes and get ready for the great winter season ahead. We have booked and paid for most of our winter trips so that all we have to do is pack and go. I actually count my ski trips as Christmas gifts to myself.

Gates & Jean organized the 1st Snowdrifters trip to Mammoth for 2008 “Back to the Future”. Their trip is al-ways popular and always fun; can’t wait to hear the stories. Everyone on the trip returns to San Diego all charged up and ready to go again which is good because we still have space on the Club trips planned to Heavenly, Park City and

Mammoth. Catie is leading Mammoth trip #804, Feb 23-26 (Saturday-Tuesday) “Super Heroes”. 50 people have already signed up, but Catie encourages you to contact her for wait list information…there is always turnover Michelle & Carla have planned Mammoth trip #806, “Let’s Make a Deal”, March 13-16. They promise a fun bus ride to the Mountain and evening Condo entertainment worthy of an Oscar award. Oh, you do get to ski/board and party in the Jacuzzi too. Anna Marie & Jeff have the last Mammoth trip of the season “Last

The trip schedule for 2008 is HERE!

by Susan Shaffer Travel Director

Chance” (#808, April 3-6) planned for skiing/boarding & racing. The weekend will have Far West Ski Association (FWSA) championship races. Our Club needs racers at all levels & all ages and this season would be a good time to try your downhill skills and be part of a winning team. Contact Anna Marie for trip details and Aaron Kamerling (Race Director 619-855-0107 or [email protected]) for racing de-tails. One last pitch for our South Lake Tahoe trip that includes a 3-day lift at Heavenly, 4 nights at the Horizon Hotel & options for extending your Tahoe stay. You book your own air for times you want to fly (Southwest Airlines is approxi-mately $210 RT) and you book your own ground for $43 RT to travel to/from the Reno airport to the Hotel (SouthTahoeExpress.com or 800 435-9792 to book). Maybe you want to stay on at the Hotel and ski at other resorts or take the Lake Tahoe paddleboat din-ner cruise; you could even stay on in Reno and ski/board North Tahoe…lots of possibilities. For details call me 858 481-5043 or trip leader, Bob Cleaver, 619 666-5346. Trip dates: Feb 29-March 4th. Park City/Deer Valley will be the

final Club flyaway for the ’08 season, March 22-27. We have several spots available and hope that you will sign on for 5 nights and 4 days of skiing at Deer Valley, Park City & the Canyons. I am leading the trip would love to have you join us. So many mountains, so little time…

Susan

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By now everyone is getting ready for their first ski trips of the season. I want to remind everyone on how

to protect yourselves from cold related injuries. The best way I can address this is to go over a few of the warning signs that you will see before you get an injury from frostbite or hyperthermia.

Frostbite is one of the most common injuries related to cold weather and high altitude. Like burns, there are three degrees of frostbite. First degree is also called frost nip, which a lot us have had in our years of skiing since it is similar to the first-degree burn from a sun-burn that you get in the summer. Frost nip presents itself as numbed skin that has turned white in color. The skin may feel stiff to the touch but it is still warm below the surface. Second degree or superficial frostbite is a serious medical condition that needs treatment from a trained medical professional. The skin will be white or blue and will feel hard and frozen but the tissue be-low the surface is OK. Blistering is possible when the skin is thawed, which is why medical treatment is needed. With proper treatment there should not be any permanent injuries. With third degree or deep frostbite, the skin is white, blotchy, and/or blue. The tissue un-derneath is hard and cold to the touch. This is a very bad injury which also requires treatment from a trained medical professional. If you think you have frostbite and are not sure of the degree, see the Ski Patrol or check with a First Aid Center. They will be able to start any treatment that you need and give you directions on what to do next.

If you cannot get medical treatment quickly, you should follow these steps. Get into a warm room as soon as possible. Immerse the affected area in room tem-perature, not hot water (the temperature should be com-fortable to the touch for the unaffected parts of the body). Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage to the area. Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming. Affected ar-eas are numb and can easily burn.

Hypothermia is a condition where your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. This results in an abnormally low body temperature. Once this hap-pens you may not be able to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous be-cause a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fum-bling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsi-ness. Since the person going into hypothermia may not know it, we need to be diligent in making sure that peo-ple we are with are OK.

Veep’s Corner

Cold Injuries by Dave Arnold

Vice President

If you think you or someone is in the early stages of hy-pothermia and medical care is not available, you need to do the following: Get out of the cold into a warm place. Change into warm dry clothes if needed. Get blankets or layers of clothes to help warm up. Drink some warm beverages that do not have alcohol in them. Then get medical attention as soon as possible. If you find some-one with severe hypothermia that is unconscious, send someone to get ski patrol or any available medical assis-tance immediately. Handle the person gently in case there are other injuries or don’t move the person if pos-sible.

The best way to avoid these problems is to dress for the conditions. This is done by wearing layers of light-weight and waterproof or water-resistant clothes. Insu-lation is provided by the air trapped between the layers of clothing and your skin which becomes warm and pro-vides a barrier to heat loss. The more layers between the skin, the more air and insulation will be produced around your body. Several layers of lighter clothes pro-vide better protection than a single bulky layer.

The innermost layer against the skin should be a lightweight synthetic such as polypropylene. This wicks moisture away from the body's surface and dries quickly. Cotton or natural fibers will become saturated with moisture and stay wet. Clothing that becomes wet through sweating or external moisture loses most of its insulating properties. Therefore, you end up getting cold. Your next layer should be a lighter sweater or fleece that provides insulation without restricting move-ment. Cover these layers with a zipped or easy to open jacket. Choose one that is both waterproof and light-weight since it will be your protection from snow, rain and wind and it will be the layer you shed if you heat up too quickly.

Since a lot of your body heat dissipates through our heads, wear some kind of hat, or helmet. If you are ski-ing or boarding, I recommend wearing a helmet. Make sure to cover your ears since they are highly susceptible to frostbite. Last, always wear gloves or mittens.

Remember to keep safe and always end the day on the slope before you get tired. See you on the slopes or the bar before we get on the bus or plane.

Dave

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SEND DEPOSIT/PAYMENT TO: (CHECKS PAYABLE TO NORTH ISLAND SNOW-DRIFTERS) PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR E-MAIL!! Michelle Daignault 9015 Prospect Ave., #219 Santee, CA 92071 619-562-4769

Includes:

Dinner on the bus

Drinks on bus

Jacuzzi Party

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North Island Snowdrifters Scavenger Quest

The North Island Snowdrifter’s pirate fleet set sail Saturday, November 17th, departing Shelter Island harbor on a Scavenger Quest. Five ships left Captain’s Quarter and headed to sea in search of “activity” bounty.

Captain’s Rick Bonnett, Janet Hatch, Claire Mason, Paula Ruth, and Susan Shaffer commanded their “scallywag crews” as each ship headed off to various destinations in San Diego.

Crew members were seen standing in shop-ping carts, swimming “nude”, helping elderly people cross a street, dancing on bar tops, getting tattoos and singing songs & jingles when we re-turned. It was fun, it was a challenge, and we became sea worthy pirates.

Claire Mason alias Captain Claire Bonnie and her Scurvy Mates pillaged the largest booty. Each scallywag was presented with a Pirate of the Caribbean ring….”YARRRR.”

They were followed closely by Rick Bonnet alias Captain Rick’s Hot Chicks, not to be out flanked, soon came Janet Hatch alias Captain Janet and her “Scurvy Dogs.”. The rest of the “scallywag crews” are wearing dead mans patches and waiting for their chances to even the score. Watch yer back me mates. Booty raised >$345 for the 30th Anniversary Celebration.

SNIPPETS FROM THE PAST

As we celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary, it’s fun looking back at the “good old days.” Over the years we’ve added a little more gray hair, our ski pants now have more elastic in the waistline, and we may not ski from early morning to the last run of the day just to see how many punch holes we can get in our tickets, but the memories we’ve captured have been incredible. The only thing better than these wonderful memories are the wonderful last-ing friendships we’ve made throughout the years.

Thirty years ago when 12 North Island employees got together and formed this club, no one would have ever dreamed that we would grow to over 400 members and be skiing in places like Aspen, Banff, and the Rocky Moun-tains from Canada to New Mexico; Alta, Park City and elsewhere in the Wasatch Mountains; from Blackcomb & Whistler to Big White Mountain in the Cascades; and in the Alps from Innsbruck to Cortina de Ampezzo; all of this in addition to a dozen ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada beyond Mammoth and Big Bear.

As a long-time club member and past club historian, I hope to relay some historical (and sometimes hysterical) memories throughout the year. Whether you’re a long-time member or just a newbie, I hope you enjoy these sto-ries.

Jonnie Johnson, the Hysterical Historian

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“Mammoth Condo -

Considering a partnership to buy a Mammoth condo (2 bedroom/2 bath) to use for fun and profit. If you’re interested, contact Paula Ruth (Babiruth) at 619-206-3433 or email [email protected].”

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North Island Snowdrifters c/o Civilian Services Council Building 9, NAS North Island San Diego, CA 92135

General Meeting - December 11th

CHARACTERS BAR in the La Jolla Marriott, 4240

La Jolla Village Dr.

30 years of snowdrifters fun, ski & ride; we've just begun

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