The President’s Corner

It was great to see a few people out skiing on Saturday November 24^th! At times the conditions were very close to a mid winter blizzard.

Thanks to Peter and Bruce for getting on top of this right away. Packing the early snow quickly can go a long way to keeping some of it around. No guarantee, but the early work can help if the temperature co-operates and the rain holds off.

Thanks to Katja for providing an Introductory to Community Coaching clinic on the same day. For anyone who wants to help out as a volunteer with Jackrabbits it is a terrific introduction to working with our youngest skiers.

We have had both a television and DVD player donated to the club. More on this soon!

Thanks to Wendy and Blackfeather for the film presentation on Saturday November 10 at the Club. Well over 50 people attended this opening event to the 2007-2008 season. The film was outstanding! Donations received came to a total $250. The donations will be forwarded to a group of skiers (INDie 2010) training, with little support, for the Olympic games in Vancouver. Skeets Morel is one of those making the difficult journey to realize an Olympic dream. If you would like to support this group and Skeets in particular, we have calendars for sale. They made up of photographs that everyone who loves the sport will resonate to. The calendars make a great Christmas gift and all proceeds go directly to this group of skiers.

We are still looking for help with Women On Skies. If you can help out please contact Catherine McNeice cmcneice@zeuter.com and/or Debbie McMurray dmmcmurray@kawartha.com .

Raffle ticket are for sale again. If you would like to help out please consider selling a book of tickets. Contact me at chaser@vianet.ca We deliver. Thanks!

With any luck we will be skiing on all the trails before Christmas!

We do have skis, boots and poles to rent. Thanks to Ron Coulson all of this equipment is ready to go.

We just need SNOW please continue your contribution to the ongoing snow dance!

Ron Chase

President 2006 - 2008

Jackrabbits:

Jackrabbit registration is Dec 1^st at the

Burrow from 10:00-12:00.

Also Dec. 1^st is the last day for members to sign up and enjoy early sign up fees.

Hello Jackrabbit Families!!

We are into the thick of the organizing these days and it is going to be an awesome season of fun on the snow! The first day of Jackrabbit - January 5^th- is quickly approaching. New this year for the Jackrabbit program we have an enlarged, ski park area which will be a bonus for all groups. There is room for warm-ups, games, and endless activities.

Some important details:

Jackrabbit registration is Dec 1^s^t at the Burrow from 10:00-12:00.
Jackrabbit leaders meeting is going to be on Dec. 6 in the evening. Past leaders will be contacted in advance and new leaders/assistant leaders are welcome. Questions? Talk to Graham or Zack. We have found that an organizing meeting before January 5^th makes a big difference in the running of the first day and indeed the season.

(continued below White Squall advert.)

We need parent volunteers. There are numerous things to be involved with besides helping out with a Jackrabbit group. They include hot chocolate warmer uppers, helpers and organizers for the theme days, and tasks related to the ski park. You do not have to be a skier to help out with the above items, so don’t be shy. More info will be available on registration day.

If you have any questions about the

upcoming season or are interested in

helping out, talk to us. As well, if you are

not going to be able to come to registration

and want to register your kid(s), give one of

us a call.

Thanks! We know you’re already doing the snow dance. Don’t stop!!

Graham Poole (378 1963) and

Zack Crafts (746 9946)

The Jackrabbit Programme includes:

The Bunnies: This is games and songs on skis. Kids under the age of six, must be accompanied by a parent.

Levels 1, 2, and 3: This is usually for kids aged 6
to 9 years old. These levels focus mostly on
classical techniques with many games and activities to practice balance and weight transfer. A parent must accompany kids in level 1.

Levels 4: This level introduces kids to the
techniques of skate skiing.

Track Attack ~ Recreational: This level is for kids
10 years old or older who want to keep improving their skills, and are recreational skiers

Membership

The Club Membership form is at the end of the newsletter. If you pay before December 2, 2007 there is a reduced membership fee. Fees can be mailed directly to the Club, or paid in person, on Registration Day/Ski Swap/ Jackrabbit Signup: DECEMBER 1/07.

There were only minor changes to the fee structure to provide equity between single and couples membership. The board of directors determined that our current fee structure appears to strike the appropriate balance between meeting financial needs and being affordable.

Because of this philosophy, our club relies significantly on the generosity of donations; it is a large part of how we keep the club affordable for all community members. Please consider making a donation as part of your membership. There is a spot for this on the application. Our club has charitable status. We will happily issue a tax-deductible receipt. And the Club does have a registered number.

If you plan on skiing more than 8 times, a club membership will: save you money, provide you with unlimited skiing on regularly groomed trails 7 days per week, remove the need to pay daily passes, supply a heated burrow and waxing room, organized social events, programs and races for various ages & abilities, reduced fees for courses & clinics, send you a regular, informative newsletters and give you voting rights at an annual general meeting. How could anyone resist?

When completing your application please be sure to check off the column where you would be willing to volunteer. Also please ensure you submit a waiver form signed by all members over the age of 17 and by a parent for those under. Your tags and tax receipt for any donation will be provided at the club when you go for your first ski.

Also, please provide the ‘local’ municipality/township where your residence or second home is located. This information is needed for us to successfully apply to local municipalities for financial support.

See you on the Trails!

Greg Mason

Contact us at:

GEORGIAN NORDIC SKI AND CANOE CLUB

Box 42,

Parry Sound, Ont.

P2A 2X2

746-5067 or 1-888-866-4447

e-mail: ski@vianet.ca For news and snow updates

check our website at: www.georgiannordic.com

Adult Ski Instruction

Thursday December 27, 2007: Conditions permitting, Wendy Grater and Katja Mathys will be offering lessons (classic and skating). This instruction will be at the club and is for adults. If you are interested please e-mail Wendy and Katja directly at info@blackfeather.com and/or sign up in the Burrow if conditions are such that we are open. Check the web site for more information.

georgiannordic.com

The Sounder

The annual Sounder Competition/Ski Tour Event is scheduled for Sunday February 24. Registration forms will be available in the near future and a copy posted on the website.

We will need lots of volunteers for both the Sounder for registration, timing, marshalling, the award presentations etc. Please call Peter Daleman at 746-2513 or e-mail to pdaleman@cogeco.ca if you can help out with planning and/ or on the day of the events.

Deadline for January Beaver Tale Submissions

I would like to have the next newsletter out before the first day of Jackrabbits. Please plan to have reports and articles to me by December 28^th.

E-mail: masonj@vianet.ca

Sea to Sea to Sea Project:

Ski the distance to Callaghan Valley site of 2010 Olympic games

Cross Country Canada invites ski clubs from across Canada to participate in this project. Clubs can enter as many teams as they want. Teams of up to 8 club members are allowed. Each team must ski 8000 km over the 3 year period. On the Sea to Sea to Sea poster map, our club will plan a route that travels around Canada and finishes in Callaghan Valley. Kilometres skied by our teams will be marked on this map on a regular basis.

Who can participate:

- any club member

- up to 8 skiers – any ages!!

(multiplier factor for young skiers:

- 0 – 5 Bunnyrabbit age – 5x distance

- 6 – 9 Jackrabbit age – 3x distance

- 10 – 12 Track attack age – 2x distance

Make a family team, a masters team, a racing team.

Get a variety of skiers on a team.

For those who ski a lot – take a challenge and sign up fewer skiers on your team.

Registration:

I will register the teams with Cross Country Canada. Registration starts Nov. 1^st, but I can register teams later. Logging of km starts Dec 1^st each year. In cases of poor snow conditions, roller skiing, jogging and walking may be substituted.

Cool prizes:

There will be Team and Club awards. Some lucky skiers will be selected to receive tickets for the Olympics.

Contact me if you have a team you would like to register or if you are a skier who would like to join a team. I will act as our club co-ordinator, but I need one captain per team who will update me regularly.

There will be more details about the project from CCC shortly. I am very excited. I think this is a great way to capture the Olympic spirit and share great skiing experiences with club members. Please join in. All you need to do is log the kilometers you ski.

I will be at the Jackrabbit registration to sign up teams or e-mail/call me: katjamathys@hotmail.com / 705-389-1768. Let is snow!!!

Katja

Equipment and Trail Prep. and

Grooming

We had reasonable snowfalls Nov. 22^nd and 24^th. This was 10 days earlier than the first snowfall last year. We tested our snow machines and some of the grooming equipment to roll and pack the Partridge, Jackrabbit and short Lynx. A number of skiers took advantage of the limited trail conditions to check out their skis and leg muscles. As usual, the first snowfall does not stay around long so by Monday the 26^th most of the snow had disappeared. The weather forecast promises more snow early in December so by next week we may be out grooming the trails again. Please check our web site for the latest ski information.

Much of the trail work completed this year was at the maintenance level; brushing, improve drainage, additional equipment turnaround places for more efficient trail grooming. Some landscaping assistance was provided to help set up a Jackrabbit Ski Park. A small extension to the parking lot was also constructed.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who provided many hours and many weekends preparing the trails for the ski season.

Peter Daleman

(Ed. Peter might also have mentioned that some annoying sharp corners on the hills, of the Beaver and Bear are straighter now to encourage a ‘whoopee’ hill instead of a ‘slam the brakes on’ one. The hairpin on the Bear is broader, too, so 215’s can get around it in the tracks.)

PRE SEASON KICK OFF GREAT SUCCESS!

Thanks to everyone who came out for an evening of camaraderie on November 10^th. About 50 people attended, and watched the awesome film ‘In Search of the Coastal Wolves’, shot and produced in Canada. It was a super attendance, and shows that everyone is keen and ready to ski!

The event raised approximately $350.00 towards the INDI 2010 team, including athlete Skeets Morel, as they train and work towards making the Canadian 2010 Olympic team for x-c skiing.

I will be making a presentation of these funds to the INDI 2010 team at their season opening race at Silver Star, BC on Dec 1^st.

Thanks to everyone!

Wendy Grater

ONTARIO MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PARRY SOUND!

For the second time, GNSCC has been chosen as the host of the 2008 Ontario Masters Championships. We are hoping for between 80 and 100 participants for this fun event. It will be held on February 1, 2 and 3, and feature the following events:

Fri. Feb 1 pm 11 km skate

Sat. Feb 2 am 11 km classic

Sat. Feb 2 pm 4 x 4 relay

Sun. Feb 3 am 22 km skate

This will be a great event to be part of! Any skier over the age of 30 from GNSCC is welcome to participate! An application form is attached.

The organizing committee also needs volunteers. We will need helpers in the following areas:

- trails – preparation & marking

- trails – marshals

- registration & bibs

- timing: start/finish

- results

- burrow help

- Please contact Wendy Grater or Katja Mathys if you are able to help in any way.

Georgian Nordic Ski & Canoe Club

Directors for 2007-2008

Ron Chase President

Jack Hoffman Vice-President

Bob Smyth Treasurer

Catherine McNeice Secretary

Dorothy Ehgoetz Publicity

Greg Mason Membership

Cec Smith Buildings

Peter Daleman Trails and Equipment

Graham Poole Jackrabbit

Phyl Bywater Budget

Ron Coulson Ski Rentals

Debbie McMurray

Georgian Nordic Ski & Canoe Club

Box 42 Parry Sound, ON P2A 2X2

(705) 746-5067

2007/08 Application for Membership

Name_________________________________________________

Mailing address_________________________________________

Town____________________________Postal Code___________

I will Phone #_______________________________

help E-mail________________________________________________

with Residence Township/Municipality

(for survey purposes)

_____Women on Skis Membership before after X # of $

_____Moonlight Skis Category Dec. 2/07 Dec. 1/07 members

_____Sounder Ski Tour Adult $85 $95 _______ _______

_____Jackrabbits Couple $170 $185 _______ _______

_____Socials * Family $190 $205 _______ _______

_____Committees Student $45 $50 _______ _______

_____Elementary Race Corporation $1000 $1100 _______ _______

_____Time trials

_____Membership Total membership amount _______

_____Trail Clearing Donation _______

_____Newsletters Amount enclosed ________

_____Web site *Family definition for membership purposes: 3 or more persons living at the same

_____Board Duties address consisting of 2 adults and all children under 18 and/or full time post secondary

Students.

This waiver MUST be signed and dated by each applicant over the age of 17 when registering.

I HEREBY AGREE to abide by the rules and regulations of Cross Country Canada (hereinafter called the CCC) Southern Division (hereinafter called the Division) and to participate in the events, activities and programs sanctioned by the CCC and the Division in accordance with the Association’s Rules, Regulations and By-laws.

IN CONSIDERATION OF CCC, the Division and the Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club in acceptance of me as a registered member of the Association, and my being permitted to take part in the Association’s events, activities and programs. I hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, forever release, discharge and hold harmless CCC, the Division, Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club Inc., its directors, officers, employees, representatives, or agents and all land owners on the trail system.

Print name of each member Signature of each

Included in this application applicant over 17 Date

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: Tags and charitable tax receipts for donations will be provided by the burrow attendants at your first ski of the year!

Ontario Masters Cross Country Skiing Championships

February 1, 2, 3, 2008

Hosted by Georgian Nordic Ski Club, Parry Sound, ON

Last Name: ___________________________ First Name:__________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________ Postal Code: ________________________________

Phone: ___________________________ Fax: _____________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________

Date of Birth: Day _______ Month _______ Year ________

Category: _________________________ (see below for category information)

Canadian Masters Member Yes ______ No _____**

RACES: Mass Starts by Age Groups * Early fee if paid prior to Jan 4, 2008

Date distance technique early fee* late fee Total

Friday PM 11 km SK Tech $15.00 $20.00 _____

Saturday AM 11 km CL Tech $15.00 $20.00 _____

Saturday PM Relay SK/CL $5.00 $5.00 _____

Sunday AM 22 km SK Tech $15.00 $20.00 _____

** Membership Fee (if not already joined for 2008) $20.00 _____

Banquet & Awards, Feb 2, evening # tickets _____ x $20.00 _____

Cheque Payable to Georgian Nordic Ski Club Total _____

Entry fees must be received with race entry form. Entry Deadline: Jan. 28, 2008

Category Year of Birth

Masters M/W 1 1977 - 1973 Mail to:

Masters M/W 2 1972 - 1968 Ontario Masters XC Skiing Championships

Masters M/W 3 1967 - 1963 Katja Mathys

Masters M/W 4 1962 – 1958 Box 144

Masters M/W 5 1957 – 1953 McKellar, ON

Masters M/W 6 1952 – 1948 P0G 1C0

Masters M/W 7 1947 - 1943

Masters M/W 8 1942 - 1938

Masters M/W 9 1937 - 1933

Masters M/W 10 1932 - 1928

Event Waiver

In consideration of Cross Country Ontario, The Canadian Masters Association and the Georgian Nordic Ski and

Canoe Club accepting my entry in the Ontario Masters Championships, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators release and forever discharge Canadian Masters Association, Cross Country Canada/CSA, its division of clubs, servants, agents, sponsors or employees form any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of actions arising out of or in consequences of any loss, injury or damage that may arise by reason of the negligence of Canadian Masters Association, Cross Country Canada/CSA, its divisions of clubs, servants, agents, sponsors or employees, without limiting the generality of the foregoing. I further release any and all recourse, which I may now, or here-in-after have resulting from any decisions of Canadian Masters Association, Cross Country Canada, Cross Country Ontario and the Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club.

Release and Waiver: As a participant of the Ontario Masters Championships, I have read and understand the

above.

Name:

Signature: Date:

Volume No. 28, Issue No. 3 December 2007