What a Difference a Day Makes!
by Ellen Bidell
After nearly 18 months of being shut down to individual reservations, the clubhouse's future was uncertain. We came up with creative ways to pay the most basic bills ($500 weekly rentals), but we were delving into the checking account balance pretty hard. Then, after a fall of very few individual reservations, the floodgates opened, literally overnight. People started booking - to the point that we have been full many weekends. Even weekdays started to get busy. The result is that we will see the best year of reservations in recent memory (not counting Covid, of course). So to all you "wait and see" individuals out there, you might want to start planning your late spring/summer plans at the lodge now. And a big thank you to all you booked these past two months and helped save the day!
Ask What You Can Do for Your Club
by Ellen Bidell
SWC is an entirely volunteer organization, from the Board on down to the members. But as I look around at Board meetings and work weekends, I think, “what is going to happen when these people can't do it anymore?”
That is where you come in! We aren't asking you to commit hours each week, there are plenty of less time-intensive opportunities:
Work weekends - Work 5 hours a day Friday through Sunday and earn 3 vouchers for future stays (plus great meals and fun times). Work weekends are held in the spring and fall each year, and tasks range from cleaning to painting to construction.
Writing articles for the newsletter - Have a favorite sport you want to write about? What about your favorite things to do in the Capital Region and Waterbury Center? The newsletter comes out the beginning of each month - articles are due mid-month.
Post photos on the SWC Facebook or Instagram pages - They don't have to be photos of SWC sponsored events, just members enjoying the outdoors and each other's company.
Sponsor a weekend at the lodge; a happy hour around town; a hike, bike ride or camping trip. We will put the word out for you.
Have some more time on your hands? Help with the website, learn the reservation system, or think about becoming a board member (elections in the fall).
Wilton Preserve Moonlight Walks
by John Rack
Join the MVHC on the following dates. Call the Preserve if you are coming: 518-450-0321.
March 17 – 18 @ 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
April 15 – 16 @ 8:00 pm to 9 pm
May 14 – 15 @ 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm
SWC Board Meeting Minutes 2/08/22
In attendance via Zoom: John and Ellen Bidell, Don Streed, Bill Kornrumpf, Bill Schaefer and Bill and Karen Simmons.
Treasurer Report: Don elaborated on the financial report he provided to Board members. Overall cash position is good with first-time users at the lodge providing solid revenue, and compensating for membership numbers of 613 adults and 107 youth, while expenses are being kept low.
Reservations: Ellen reported that the reservation rates for the month of February are very solid and there are already 2 summer weekly rentals already booked. Volunteers continue to provide cleaning of the lodge.
Ski Council: Karen reported that the ski race scheduled for West Mountain was cancelled due to lack of registrants. Club dates with reduced prices are listed on the Ski Council website.
House: Bill K reported that there are repairs to be made at the Lodge which he and renters have identified. Bill continues to monitor the sump pumps and humidifiers to insure everything is running properly and has invested considerable time in cleaning and maintaining the mechanicals that keep the Lodge humming. The dates for the Spring work weekend were determined, and are: 05/13/22-05/15/22. As always, Bill has a lengthy list of tasks to be completed, so everyone is invited to join in the fun (yes, we do have fun).
Bill Schaefer is collaborating on a history of the Ski Bowl which will include SWC history.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for 03/08/2022.
Submitted by,
Karen Simmons, Secretary
Submissions for the Chatter
Content submissions for the SWC Newsletter, the “Chatter,” should be emailed to swcchatter@gmail.com by the 15th of the month and should include a contact name and phone number. Content that needs to be run in subsequent Newsletters must be resubmitted each month.
Change of Address Notices
Change of Address notices should be sent to:
John Boscarino* boscarino126@aol.com
126 Polsin Dr, Schenectady, NY 12303-2516
*Do not send to the newsletter editor or the Club PO Box; they will get lost
REMEMBER TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Membership is from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022
Sign up at https://www.swcweb.org/membership, or print and mail this form to the address below.
Name _________________________________________________
Age Group (circle one) 18-29 30-39 40-55 56-69 70+
Address__________________________________________________
__________________________________________ZIP____________
Phone _________________ E-Mail_________________________________
New Member( ) Renewal( ) $25 individual( ) $35 Family( )
For Family Membership, please indicate:
Name of Spouse________________________________________________
Age Group (circle 0ne) 18-29 30-39 40-55 56-69 70+
Names and Ages of Junior Members________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
To qualify for family membership, children must be under 18 or 18 and still in High School.
Interested in volunteering? Circle any that you are interested in: Clubhouse, SWC Board, Snow Show, NY Capital District Ski Council, Activities, Warren Miller Movie, hiking, biking and other Club help such as outreach.
Make check payable to SWC and mail with the completed application to John Boscarino, 126 Polsin Dr, Schenectady, NY 12303-2516
