WOW!  What a GREAT week of skiing, snowboarding and FUN at Vail!

When we arrived at the Denver Airport, it was snowing and continued snowing all the way to Vail.  We did manage a stop at AppleJacks so that we could make much needed purchases. Landmark Towers was awaiting our arrival and everyone was soon snuggled into their respective condos.  Then the fun began with  the ski/boot renters off to get fitted and the hard core shoppers off looking for a bargain.  After obtaining the lift tickets, everyone decided it was time for dinner.    There was a wonderful restaurant right out our back door and most of the group went there.  Dana Wardell, Kayleen Kill, Shirley Lang, Linda Guice, Linda Licarione managed to find our surprise guest, Effie Rubenstein (our Sportours Director) and were all seen having dinner.

The next morning it was still snowing and soooo cold!  Since we were staying at Lionshead, the Gondola was convenient.  Everyone was thrilled to be able to ride to the top in an enclosure.  We all met for lunch with  first time skiers, Tony Loverdi and Jim Masonhall and were joined by their sweeties, Mary Jo Loverdi and Elba Villarreal.  Tony and Jim had signed up for an all day semi-private lesson with a look-a-like Kevin Bacon.  He was able to give some helpful skiing insights to the rest of us at the table. 

Shirley Lang and Linda Guice were our expert shoppers.  They even managed to out buy Ron Hayes, which was a difficult thing to do.  And, Ron still had time to take his many photographs.  Alas, Judy Schiro didn’t get to buy anything.  Because of Ron’s shopping they didn’t have any more room in the luggage.

Jeannine Jiral, Brenda Soileau and Mary Wolmann were seen tearing down the slopes. Keith Kirkman kept trying to offer Pat Piech free skiing lessons.

Monday evening, Effie Rubenstein from Sportours, honored us with a wine/beer/cheese welcoming party.  Everyone seemed to be present, after all, it was free and this group was lots of fun!  Steve Slade (with his arm in a sling from a previous injury), Jim Edwards, James Parise, Rita Wright, Nancy Towery, David Delaney, Nancy DuFrane, Ash Moza, Bob Rexford and our two shadows, Jim Walker and Brian Korshak joined in for the fun and getting to know the other skiers.  

Tuesday was another day of snowy weather and very cold. Braving the elements, Janet McKenzie, Carmen Mikhail, Rick Jaeger and Chuck Ratliff were seen trying to ski some of the bowls that opened.  Too much poling was the consensus. That night was our club dinner at Blu’s in Vail Village and it was wonderful.  The chef really outdid himself.   Dale and Alice Allbritton even joined us for dinner.  As we understood it, they cooked frozen dinners every night and were in bed by 7:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, more snow.   The short trip had to leave and the bus driver was very concerned over the road conditions.  But Ron Hayes raced down the mountain in time to make sure he got a good photo of the group (you know how he is).  Chaille and Tom Hutcheson, along with Kayleen Kill skied until the last possible moment while Patti Richards and Tom Hogle left earlier to brave the icy roads back to Denver in their rent car.

Thursday dawned and there was more fantastic skiing. Bob Olsen managed to find his new high-tech skis after much searching.

Friday, Bob Gottlieb was still looking for that perfect woman.  He thought he had found her, but she was only a figment of his imagination.  Roger Holzman and Ron Hayes did, however, find a nice English woman to ask to join their ski group.  Jeri and Dane Fugua, Laurie Haisher, Betty Storms, Tor Lileng joined everyone at the last Apres ski.   

Saturday was a time for fond farewells.  We had a marvelous time with no lift lines and record snowfall.  Let’s do this again!!!

What an incredible ski year we have had.  The two trips I’ve been on had tons of snow and, of course, it was all that much more fun because of the awesome people on the trips.  The photo accompanying this article shows all the snow I found in the Back Bowls of the December Vail trip.  As you can see, I was having some difficulty handling all the snow.  But it was AWESOME!

We have only one great trip left, Big Mountain.  Although it will be leaving Mar 11, we always have some last minute cancellations, so if you can be flexible, get on the wait list with TC Bill Brown.

We had four incredible trips in February, including two extremely popular ones.  Aspen is always a favorite with SCSC and I know everyone had a tremendous time, led by TC Jill St. Clair and ATC Tom Hogle.  TC Jerry Montgomery and ATC Rita Cardenas led a group of skiers and wine tasters on an unusual trip to Big White for 4 nights and the town of Kelowna for 3 nights.  A jam packed short trip to Breckenridge has kept TC Carol Cain busy.  About to return is a trip to Snowbird, led by TC Bruce Baird.  Thanks to all these great TC’s and ATC’s.

Although the ski season is about to end, the work is beginning anew for the 2006-07 ski season.  I will be asking for your help in determining where the Texas Ski Council might ski next year. 

SCSC needs YOU to join the team of Trip Coordinators and Assistants running fun ski trips to exciting destinations.  Give me a call and I’ll get you on the list for next year.

See you on the slopes!

By now you should have already heard of all the fun that the Downhill Krewe of SCSC had in Galveston.  A very special thanks for Ellen Eastham for making this activity a success (this is starting to be a SCSC “classic”).  As you may know, we prepare this magazine a month in advance and as I write this article, I am preparing myself for the Big White, Canada ski trip.  I am very excited and will report to you all what you missed if you did not go on this trip. Jessica is in high gear and promoting several exciting non-ski trips and activities -- a  real Grand Finale for our term in Programs!!  We are still looking for volunteers, so don’t be shy, you can coordinate that activity that you always wanted the club organize and share with your SCSC friends.

This month our Happy Hour is at the Crome Bar,  2815 S. Shepherd on Thursday March 16^th .  On Saturday March 18^th , the action is at the Rockets game.  Check with Penny Chancey for tickets and details on this exciting event.  The General Meeting is on Monday March 20^th at Chateau Crystale, which is a very important meeting as it is voting day!!!  Yes, you have the opportunity to elect your leaders for the next year so please check this issue for the candidates.  

We have a very special weekend, March 31^st – April 2^nd ,  with the Texas Ski Council Bid Fest in San Antonio.   I am planning to be there and celebrate my birthday!!. We are always working on activities that our members will enjoy, so please check the web page and read the e-blasts, you do not want to miss them!!.

I just got back from Mammoth, CA where 24 very lucky skiers all enjoyed a GREAT week of skiing!  During my time with other SCSCers, I got even more ideas for places to go and people to lead us there.  In the works, and possibly on the website by the time this prints, you may find a trip to New York City, Las Vegas, or other exciting destinations to thrill you this summer.  Other ideas have included a New Orleans French Quarter weekend (or maybe the Jazz Festival?), an overnight at Lake Charles Casino, a Hill Country Weekend Adventure, and summertime in a mountain location for a long weekend.  Special thanks to Penny, Craig, and Jim who have already volunteered to explore the options for some of these trips.  Nothing is final yet, but we’re getting closer!  I just can’t wait to see how it all works out!!

We’re still hoping to find leaders for a Road Rally, Laser Tag, Paintball, and other exciting stuff.  I heard a rumor that Radio Music Theater might soon be closing its doors.  Anyone interested in planning a group outing there just in case the rumor is true?  How about the Improv Troupe we had at a meeting last year?  That would be a fun, easy activity to do.  All we need is someone to say, “I’ll do that!” and Jose and I will jump in with you to help it become a reality.

Where would YOU like to go?  What would YOU like to do?  Your VP and Director of Programs want to hear from you!

We are also looking for ideas and suggestions for our May “Follies” meeting.  I know the Mammoth trip has a presentation to do.  We challenge all trips to create a skit, song, poem, or whatever to recap any trip or activity at our May meeting.  Remember the coconuts and grass skirts last May?  What fun!  Let’s show our trip spirit with a presentation.  Let us know how we may help.  That’s our job…to help you have FUN!

Jessica

• I’m a native Texan, born in Corpus Christi in August 1955.
• I grew up in St Louis, where I developed my appreciation for cold winter weather – no skiing though, and moved back to Houston in late 1981.
• I began skiing during a three-month business trip to Alaska in 2002, where I also had my first contact with SCSC group on the Alyaska trip.  I immediately joined the club and have enjoyed being a part of the SCSC family ever since.  I’ve only been on four trips with the group, but thoroughly enjoy skiing and the comradery that I’ve found in the club.
• I acted as the ATC (Assistant Trip Coordinator) on the ’05-Snowmas trip and I’ve also been the SCSC Treasurer during the 2005-06 year.
• My professional life has primarily been centered in the accounting and finance fields.
• I currently work for a large international industrial gases company located in the Galleria and enjoy traveling whenever time and money permits.

I would like to thank the Nominating Committing for selecting me as a candidate for the position of Secretary.  I have been a member of SCSC for ten years and have taken many trips with the club each year.  In 2003, I was the Trip Coordinator for the Thanksgiving TSC trip to Keystone.

I was born, raised and educated on the East Coast and started working for Texaco after college.  After 15 years at the Texaco Eagle Point Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, I was transferred to Southern California.  Since I lived a 45-minute drive from the mountains, my friends and I decided to try skiing one winter.  I immediately became hooked and skied most weekends until the snow melted in the spring.  In taking a transfer to Houston, there was the realization there would be no mountains close by.  In finding SCSC, I was able to meet many good skiers and ski many new mountains.  My non-SCSC activities include traveling in the United States and Europe, tennis, working out at the gym, reading, and volunteering at the Houston Hospice and Palliative Care facility.

I feel I’m qualified for this position as I held various office and secretarial positions while working for Texaco for over 20 years.  I am also willing to spend the necessary time and effort that this position requires in the coming year and look forward to serving on the board with dedication and enthusiasm and to help promote SCSC.

I am excited to be your nominee for VP of Publication.

I joined SCSC in 1992. During these years, I had meet a lot of great people and made a lot of friends.  I have been traveled to many countries with my friends in SCSC, such as Switzerland, Spain, Morocco, Austria, New Zealand, Fiji, Egypt, China and many others. It has been a great experience and I have enjoyed all my involvements with the club as TC & AC for many ski trips and activities.

After 13 fun years with SCSC is time for me to contribute back to an organization that has provided me with fabulous skiing, vacation and fun. I decided to run for VP of publication in 2006.  With my strong computer, marketing and business experience, I am looking forward to serving you as VP of Publication.

My hobbies are traveling, playing tennis and skiing. When I am not traveling or skiing, I love to sell real estate – it’s my passion!

If elected treasurer of the Space City Ski Club, I will do my best at managing the finances for the upcoming year. I have been a member of the Space City Ski Club for five years and on several skiing trips. I have been the race director on two of those and have been active in non skiing activities as well. I was on the planning committee for the On The Water Spectacular Weekend Activity last August, have participated in Mardi Gras for four years ( have been a member of Royalty twice ) and participated in other ski club activities.

I started skiing when I was in high school when I went to Winter Park, CO the first time. I have skied quite a bit since even though there were many years when I did not ski.  I do not have any horror stories to tell concerning injuries as (knock on wood) as I have never been seriously injured from skiing but have had my share of exciting falls including numerous face plants, lots of double binding releases and even broken some skis

I believe I have the qualifications for the position of treasurer. I have worked as a senior premium insurance auditor for a large insurance company for a number of years.  I also am an accountant and  previously served as president and treasurer of the Houston Insurance Auditors Association. I am a former member of the Board of Directors for the Municipal Utility District in the subdivision where I used to live. I have been involved in other activities including charitable organizations. I am a graduate of Colorado State University and have also taken post graduate classes at the University of Houston.

I have many interests and hobbies. I do long distance bicycle riding including the MS 150 ride from Houston to Austin each year. I have a motorcycle and enjoy riding it through the countryside.  I am an animal lover, owning both cats and dogs, and the dogs have lots of miles on their paws from walks including charity walks / runs.  I also enjoy hiking and camping as well as some indoor activities such as going to movies, plays, museums, C & W dancing, etc. I am usually game for most activities.

I have a son and a five year old grandson, both of whom reside in CA. Hence every so often I travel to that state to visit them. 

Again if elected I will do my very best at being the treasurer of the Space City Ski Club.

"Helllllooooo, Space City Ski Club."  You may have heard this once or twice during this year's meetings. That would be me, Jessica Halter, your current Director of Programs, trying to get our monthly meetings underway. 

As we approach our next season of events and trips, I am honored to have been asked to serve as Vice President of Membership. I have been in the club since 1997 and have been delighted to ski on numerous trips, attend lots of meetings and happy hours, serve as ATC Telluride, TC Vail, Director of Trips, and currently serve as Director of Programs.

Our membership includes some of the nicest, most fun-loving and genuine people I've ever met.  I have met and befriended so many people since joining SCSC.  My goal, should I be confirmed as VP of Membership, will naturally be to find and recruit more people with similar mindset and a devotion to FUN.  This will ensure that our club becomes an even greater, more interesting social group.  I challenge every member to
serve as a "recruiter" and spread the word to find other members.  SCSC is a GREAT GROUP of people.  Let's expand to include even MORE!

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.  I look forward to serving and meeting every single person at the meeting check-in table monthly