P A L M B E A C H G A T O R S N O W S K I C L U B President s Message

Transcription

1 GATOR TALES T H E O F F I C I A L M O N T H L Y P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E F E B R U A R Y B O A R D M E M B E R S PRESIDENT Sharon Long wmarussich@comcast. net PAST PRESIDENT Evie Houston sgjewelers2@aol.com VP SKI TRIPS Walter Marussich gsscmem@comcast.com VP SPECIAL ACTIVITIES Debbi Haselmire fun45insun@yahoo.com VP SOCIALS Debbi Haselmire fun45insun@yahoo.com TREASURER Ann West awest1020@bellsouth.net SECRETARY Kathy Levas MEMBER AT LARGE Cheryl Barnes cherylb2108@aol.com COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR TBD MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Tim Dai aftd930@gmail.com EVENT COMPTROLLER DIRECTOR TBD P A L M B E A C H G A T O R S N O W S K I C L U B President s Message Hello Gators, Our club has a wonderful calendar of exciting trips and entertaining events! Please visit our website, read our weekly blast, download our newsletter, or visit our Facebook page to find out more. Please invite your friends and coworkers to check us out so more people can join in the fun. The larger our membership grows, the more fun events we can offer for your pleasure and entertainment. Our first ski trip of the year to Winter Park with 22 travelers was fantastic. Fortunately, it snowed just in time, and we got a couple of days of fresh powder. There were good mountains to ski with lots of slopes. Everyone had a delightful time on this very affordable trip. Thank you, Linda Elie, for doing a great job leading this awesome trip! Our second trip, the main FSC trip to Steamboat Springs with 48 Gators, has just returned. Steamboat is superb with huge runs and skiing for all levels. Skiing was excellent and we had fresh baby powder snow. Trip leader, Ken Kingston, did a tremendous job. Assistant trip leader, Scotty Howard, also did a terrific job. Thank you both! The Gators came in third in the FSC Cup race. Congratulations, racing team, and thank you, Race Captain - Carol Ashley! Our third trip to exotic Andorra and Barcelona being led by Kelly Lunsford goes out on February 2nd. Our fourth trip, the FSC trip to exciting Jackson Hole, Wyoming led by Chris McArdle, departs on February 24th. Our fifth trip going out on March 7th is another amazing international trip to incredible Sierra Nevada, Spain led by Walter Marussich. Although our trips are full, wait list positions open up frequently, so if you are interested, please contact the trip leader. Our club is looking for volunteers to fill positions on the Board for June 1, 2018 to May 31, We need your help to remain a vibrant and active club. Our election will be held at the April General Meeting. Member, Ildiko Haidacher has volunteered to be Election Supervisor. Thank you, Ildiko! She will conduct the first round of nominations in our February General Meeting and the second in our March General Meeting. Although nominations will be welcomed for any position, we especially need volunteers for President, VP / Ski Trips, VP / Special Activities, and VP / Socials. In addition, we are looking for volunteers to fill the appointed positions of Membership Director, Communications Director, and Event Comptroller Director. If you are interested in any of these positions or want more information, please contact me or Ildiko. Our Florida Ski Council (FSC) non-ski trip to Australia and New Zealand is now on sale. Join the Gators on this bucket list trip of a lifetime during the spring season on November 4-18, Please visit our website or contact trip leader Karen Eslary for more information. For the first time ever, the Gators will visit the fantastic new Manatee Lagoon on Saturday, February 17th, where manatees gather in the warm water near the FPL power plant. Afterwards we will enjoy a special Saturday happy hour at Rafiki Tiki. Please RSVP so we can get a headcount for Rafiki Tiki. Thank you, Cory Reed, for arranging this marvelous event. On another brand new event, the Gators will be going on the Barley Barber Swamp Tour Hike in Indiantown on Saturday, March 3rd, where we will board a bus that will transport us to the Barley Barber Swamp. We will hike on the boardwalk where we will view one of the most magnificent old-growth cypress communities in the nation. Thank you, Kathy Levas, for organizing this splendid experience. December 2nd marked the fourth Leisure Bike Ride in the series with Guest Leader, Tim Kuhn, leading a fabulous ride in Jupiter Farms. The next ride will be on Saturday, February 24th during the special weekend camping trip at Lake Okeechobee with Guest Leader, Patti Bochniak. The cabins go quickly, so make your reservation now. Look for a new ride every month. The closing of the North Palm Beach Country Club has been postponed until May It will not reopen for at least 18 months. Starting in May, we plan to move to the Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens. Come to our regular Friday night happy hours, arranged for you by Debbi Haselmire with input from the Social and Special Activities Committee. Happy hour is a great way to start the weekend with your Gator friends. We have included some new and exciting venues mixed in with club favorites. If you have any ideas for happy hours, please contact Debbi. The volunteers on our Social and Special Activities Committee are working hard to bring you great parties, events, and trips this year. If you have an idea for an event, please bring it to the committee. If you would like to get more involved, please join the committee, volunteer to lead an event or trip, or offer to assist other officers. We are looking for volunteers to help us with our events, so please watch for our next meeting. Help us to make your club even better. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, Sharon Long President Next General Membership Meeting: NOTE REVISED DATE: Thursday, February 15th at the North Palm Beach Country Club, 6:30 PM Social Hour; 7:30 PM Business Next Board of Directors Meeting: Thursday, February 1st at the Double Tree Hotel, Palm Beach Gardens, 7:00 PM

2 February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:00 PM Board Meeting 2 5:00 PM Happy Hour Water Way Café 3 4 Andorra and Barcelona Ski Trip Feb :00 PM Happy Hour Carmine s :30 PM General Membership Meeting 16 5:00 PM Happy Hour Dirty Martini 17 MANA-TIKI Manatee Lagoon 1:30 Rafiki Tiki 3: :00 PM Happy Hour Carrabba s 24 Lake Okeechobee Camping / Bike Riding Jackson Hole Ski Trip Feb. 24-March 3

3 P A G E 3 PRINTED DIRECTORY By popular demand, the Board is working on a printed directory of our members. PLEASE make sure your information and privacy settings are correct. View or download/print these step by step instructions on how to update your contact information and privacy settings. The closing of the North Palm Beach Country Club has been postponed until May It will not reopen for at least 18 months. Starting in June, we plan to move to the Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens. Dear Members: If you would like to make a payment for a ski trip with a credit card, please notify your trip leader and an invoice will be created for you to pay online. You can request to pay an installment or the full balance of your account. (Invoices are created by the Event Comptroller per request of the Trip Leaders.) From Communications Team STAY CONNECTED... NOMINATE A MEMBER FOR THE BOARD OR VOLUNTEER FOR A POSITION!! Did you know you can advertise in this newsletter for as little as $10? Condolence and Sympathy Messages If you know of anyone in the Club who is suffering from an illness or from the loss of a loved one, please notify our Member at Large, Cheryl Barnes, at (781) or cherylb2108@aol.com. We would like to let them know we are thinking of them in difficult times.

4 Ski Trips From VP of Ski Trips, Walter Marussich P A G E Ski Season in Full Swing! The 2018 ski season is well underway. We know you are eager to make your plans for next year's skiing adventure, so go ahead! Registration is now open for most trips. Here is what we have so far: Winter 2019 Luxury Ski Trip to Vail, Colorado. Working on this for next year! Jan. 6-13, 2018 Winter Park, Colorado Ski Trip (26 spots), Trip Leader: Kevin Murtha. This is our No Frills-All Thrills ski trip that includes 7 nights in studios (double occupancy, 2 per studio) at the Vintage Resort Hotel which features 2 queen beds and kitchenette, round trip air from Palm Beach International (PBI) to Denver, ground transport, lift tickets, pre- and post- trip parties, après-ski happy hours, Club dinner, and bandana. Only $1,420.* Available for sign up. Contact Trip Leader at (954) or icu1274@gmail.com. Jan , 2018 Steamboat, Colorado - Florida Ski Council Ski Trip (60 spots), Trip Leader: Ken Kingston, Assistant TL: Scotty Howard. Saturday to Saturday 7 night ski trip to Steamboat, Colorado with the FLORIDA SKI COUNCIL. Standard Package includes: Lodging at Dulany at the Gondola Condos, 2 bed/2 bath, 4 per condo. Flying from Fort Lauderdale into Hayden. Includes ground transfers, 5-day ski lift ticket, pre-trip party, FSC welcome party, FSC Casino Night theme party with DJ, Club dinner, after ski happy hour(s), NASTAR race and voucher for lunch on the mountain, ski week commemorative pin and ID badge, and bandana. Only $2,080.* Available for sign up. Contact Trip Leader at kkingston57@msn.com. Feb. 2-13, 2018 Andorra and Barcelona Ski & Tour Trip (24 spots), Trip Leader: Kelly Lunsford. This is a 10 day ski and tour trip to Europe: 7 nights in Andorra and 3 nights in Barcelona. Standard Package includes: round trip air from Miami to Barcelona via Swiss Air, round trip bus from Palm Beach Gardens to Miami Airport, all transfers in Europe. Lodging at 4 Star Hotels both in Andorra and in Barcelona. Daily breakfast and dinner in Andorra, daily breakfast in Barcelona, 5-day lift ticket, private bus to ski resort daily, 4 hour bus tour of Barcelona, 4 hour bus tour of Montserrat, pre-trip party, welcome and farewell drink, Club dinner, Club après-ski happy hour(s), bandana, all taxes and fees. All that for only $2,195.* Optional day tour to Carcassone, France: scenic 3 hour drive to the medieval city of Carcassone for $79. Available for sign up. Contact Trip Leader at or kellykay27@bellsouth.net. Feb. 3-10, 2018 Taos, New Mexico Ski Trip (32 spots), Trip Leader: Bonnie Boaz. This is a Saturday to Saturday 7 night ski trip to Taos, New Mexico. Lodging at Snakedance Condos 2 bed/2 bath, 4 per condo. Ski in/ski out. Flying from Fort Lauderdale into Albuquerque. Includes ground transfers, dinner at La Hacienda, visit to the city of Taos, visit to the Rio Grande Gorge, pre-trip party, welcome reception, Club dinner, happy hour(s), bandana, fleece vest, taxes and fees. Only $1,745.* Available for sign up. Contact Trip Leader at or Bonnie.boaz2411@gmail.com. Continued on the following page Come to our next Social and Special Activities Planning Meeting to be organized in the near future. Meet at 6:30 PM; Meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Watch for date and location to be posted soon. For more information contact Deb at or fun45insun@yahoo.com.

5 Ski Trips From VP of Ski Trips, Walter Marussich Continued from the preceding page P A G E 5 Feb. 24-March 3, 2018 Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Florida Ski Council Ski Trip (42 spots), Trip Leader: Chris McArdle. We are sold out but have a waiting list. This is a Saturday to Saturday 7 night ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with the FLORIDA SKI COUNCIL. Lodging at Teton Village Condos 2 bed/2 bath, 4 per condo. Free shuttle to slopes (3 minute ride). Flying from Fort Lauderdale into Jackson Hole Airport. Includes ground transfers, 5-day ski lift ticket, pre-trip party, FSC welcome party with DJ, FSC theme party with DJ, Club dinner, after ski happy hour(s), fun race and voucher for lunch on the mountain, ski week commemorative pin and ID badge, bandana, and use of Sundance Swim Club hot tubs. Only $2,190.* Waitlist sign-up available. Contact Trip Leader at (home), (cell) or cmcardle0152@gmail.com. March 7-18, 2018 Sierra Nevada, Spain - Florida Ski Council 10 Day European Ski & Tour Trip (64 spots) Trip Leader: Walter Marussich, Assistant TLs: Vi Ware and Chris Yanuzzi. This trip was expanded from 42 to 64 passengers due to popular demand. We are sold out, but there is a very short waiting list. With this many passengers, there are bound to be some cancellations. Standard Package includes: 3 nights in Carmona, 5 nights in Granada, and 2 nights in Torremolinos. In more detail, it includes round trip bus from PBG to Miami, round trip airline tickets from Miami to Malaga, Spain, 3 day stay in the Parador of Seville at Carmona, Spain (breakfast and dinner), 5 days accommodations in Granada, Spain (breakfast daily, 4 Dinners), gala party in Granada, 4 days transfer from Granada to ski area, 2 days accommodations in the Torremolinos-Malaga area (breakfast daily), and all ground transportation in Spain. All accommodations are hotel rooms double occupancy. Lift tickets are NOT INCLUDED. All for only $2,640.* Waitlist sign-up available. Contact Trip Leader at or gsscmem@comcast.net. Several side trips to historic and natural wonder attractions will be offered: Granada & Alhambra Tour, Tropical Coast & Nerja Caves, Alpujarras. Side trips to Gibraltar and Seville will be included with your tour price. *Prices are per person, double occupancy. Terms and conditions subject to change without notice. Familiarization trip to Cortina, Italy is available. All trip leaders, current, former, assistants and trainees that have completed three training sessions are welcome to apply. If you are a current trip leader, you will not be as likely to be selected. You must be able to attend business meetings and make reports. Significant others are not allowed to accompany you even if they pay their entire fare. Come to our next Social and Special Activities Planning Meeting to be organized in the near future. Meet at 6:30 PM; Meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Watch for date and location to be posted soon. For more information contact Deb at or fun45insun@yahoo.com.

6 P A G E 6 Special Activities From VP of Special Activities, Debbi Haselmire HELLO GATORS!! HAPPY VALENTINE S DAY!!!! Leisure Bike Ride Schedule is posted; please see website for monthly bike rides planned by Ben Smith. Back by popular demand, March 24, 2018, Florida Panthers vs Arizona Coyotes Hockey Game. Jump on the bus!!!! Be sure not to miss the Cruise to CUBA on board the NCL Norwegian Sky, April 23-27, 2018 (5 days/4 nights with 2 full days in Cuba). Cruise must be PAID IN FULL by February 7, SOLD OUT BIKE & BARGE!! Contact Estela Basso to be placed on a wait list for another fabulous Bike and Barge along The Danube: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary with 3 nights in Prague, September 8 19, As always, I am looking for some motivated Gators to help plan/run any event in Special Activities. Please contact me if you are interested in stepping up to the plate and joining in the making of FUN FUN FUN!!! Please join us at the next Social and Special Activities Planning meeting (TBD) We need your help!!!!!! Let s come up with some exciting Special Activities in 2018!!!!!!!! Deb Haselmire (VP Special Activities) BUS TO FLORIDA PANTHER HOCKEY GAME, MARCH 24, 2018 Leaving from the Airport Hilton on Southern Boulevard, join the Gators for a great night of hockey as the Panthers take on the Arizona Coyotes. Price includes transportation, ticket, free food, beer, and wine throughout the game in the Sky Box. See flyer on website under Special Activities for details. HAVANA, CUBA / APRIL 23-27, 2018 Don t miss out on this chance to visit Cuba!!!!!!! Enjoy and relax onboard The Norwegian Sky for a 5-day / 4-night cruise, leaving from the Port of Miami, with two full days in Havana and one day at Great Stirrup Cay. This trip will sell out quickly so don t hesitate to book your cabin with NCL Group Specialist, Emily Bell. See flyer on website under Special Activities for full details. THE DANUBE BIKE AND BARGE 2018 / SEPTEMBER 8 19, 2018 Cycle and sail with Estela Basso as she leads the Gators along the River Danube traveling through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary on one glorious holiday!!!! After the week of bike and barge, you will spend three nights at a four-star hotel in enchanting Prague. Only 26 spots available so don t delay signing up. Find full details on the website flyer for this exciting trip in 2018!!!!! Come to our next Social and Special Activities Planning Meeting to be organized in the near future. Meet at 6:30 PM; Meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Watch for date and location to be posted soon. For more information contact Deb at or fun45insun@yahoo.com.

7 PALM BEACH GATOR SKI CLUB PRESENTS.....A SPRING ADVENTURE TO Hi Gators! I am inviting you to join me on a NON-SKI TRIP adventure of a lifetime to Australia and New Zealand this coming November 4-18, Our excursion starts in Sydney, Australia for three (3) days with a tour of the city and the harbor and personal time for you to explore. Our next stop is Auckland on the north island of New Zealand. There we will tour the city and explore Waiheke Island for wine tasting and lunch. We will then travel to Rotorua, home of the famous hot springs for two (2) nights. On the way, we will have the opportunity to tour the Hobbiton Village where the Lord of the Rings was filmed. While in Rotorua, we will experience the Maori Cultural Center for a show and dinner. Next on our adventure is Queenstown on the south island of New Zealand. Our hotel is located on the edge of the pedestrian village and within walking distance to the beach and lake. Activities include a gondola ride to the top of the mountain for a Florida Ski Council party and dinner, a cruise across Lake Wakitipu to the Colonel s Estate for dinner and a sheep shearing show, shopping, and plenty of time to explore on your own. The base trip to Australia and New Zealand is $5,900 which includes airfare, transfers, hotels, and planned activities. There is an optional pre-trip extension for six (6) days in Australia and a post trip to Fiji. Please contact trip leader Karen Eslary at or NewZealandGatorTrip@gmail.com for more information. CONTACT: KAREN ESLARY Phone: (561) NewZealandGatorTrip@gmail.com

8 Socials From VP of Socials, Debbi Haselmire Hello Gator Members, P A G E 7 Be sure to check out the exciting Happy Hours (old favorites and new venues) that are being put together for the club. Feel free to contact me with any new ideas for Happy Hour venues. I will try to provide as much variety as possible. Watch the website in 2018 for new Social Events being planned. Deb Haselmire VP Socials Mana-Tiki Saturday February 17, 2018 (FREE EVENT) Meet up at the Manatee Lagoon at 1:30 PM for a self-guided tour. Explore on your own, at your own pace. Wear your Gator name tag and meet in front of the facility at 3:00 PM for a group photo N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Afterwards at 3:30 PM Rafiki Tiki (190 E. 13th Street, Riviera Beach) will host the group for Happy Hour! Drink specials will be offered and the group will have a designated space to eat, drink, mix and mingle! See website for more information. Please register by February 12th, as a head count is needed for Rafiki Tiki. Barley Barber Swamp Tour Hike Saturday, March 3, :00 AM 1:00 PM, followed by lunch at the historic Seminole Inn (15885 SW Warfield Blvd., Indiantown, FL 34956). We will meet to take the tour bus to begin our tour promptly at 9:00 AM. Collecting a $10 cash donation to help support the Treasured Lands Foundation. Contact Kathy Levas to sign up & get more information. See flyer on website. Come to our next Social and Special Activities Planning Meeting to be organized in the near future. Meet at 6:30 PM; Meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Watch for date and location to be posted soon. For more information contact Deb at or fun45insun@yahoo.com.

9 Please Visit and Like Our New PBGSSC Facebook Page P A G E 8 The Palm Beach Gator Snow Ski Club is proud to announce our new Facebook page. Please visit us at and like our page. You are encouraged to post pictures and comments.

10 P A G E 9 Visit Our Website Take a tour of our new website. We hope you like it! It features: Event Information: On ski trips and all social activities. Blogs: Each of your Board Members can keep you up-to-date on the news from their area of responsibility. Event Registration: Register online and pay with credit card (or checks). Join/Renew: Membership online. Members Only Area*: Password protected area with a searchable Directory and other content. Forums: Where members can discuss topics of interest with other members. Surveys: Where members can vote on preferences. Customizable Member Profile: You can add a head shot of yourself and set your privacy settings (what information would you like to share and what to keep private). Photo Albums: Pictures taken at our events...are you there? *In order to access the Members Only area, your membership for the current fiscal year (June 1, May 31, 2017) must be current or the system will not let you in. If you need to join or renew your membership, you can do so online. Your login is your . Each member needs a unique . If you are logging in for the first time, click "Forgot Password" and a password will be ed to you from webmaster@gatorsnowskiclub.com. If you do not see the shortly, check your spam/junk folder. If you have joined/renewed recently via check and you cannot log in, your check may be being processed. Otherwise, we may be missing your or there may be a typo in it. Please contact the Communications Team at webmaster@gatorsnowskiclub.com for help.

11 P A G E 1 0 Gator Snow Ski Club Advertising Rates on Website or blasts WEBSITE ADVERTISING: Select the size and the page(s) where ad will be shown for 12 months. All ads include a clickable link to your website. Full Size Display (300 x 300 pixels) Home Page plus Sponsor Page One Inner Page plus Sponsor Page Sponsor Page Only $400 $300 $200 Half Size Display (300 x 150 pixels) Home Page plus Sponsor Page One Inner Page plus Sponsor Page Sponsor Page Only $200 $150 $75 Continued on the following page

12 P A G E 1 1 Continued from the preceding page Page Banner Any Page (600 x 150 pixels) $500 Quick Links ( 1-4 words with hyperlink) Example of Quick Link: My Company is Great! Home Page plus Sponsors One Inner Page plus Example of Quick Link: My Company is Great! Page Sponsors Page Sponsors Page Only $125 $100 $80 Your ads will run in the locations selected, for one full year. All the ads will be image-maps or links, that will take the user to your website when they click. Make all checks payable to the Gator Snow Ski Club. Don t have an ad? NO PROBLEM! I will create one for you (fee $50/hour payable to Gator Snow Ski Club). Most ads take 1 hour, perhaps 2 hrs. if many revisions. Do you want to use your business card? That would fit nicely in the half size display. Scan it and send it to me via . Or I can scan it for you for $20 (again, payable to the Club). Contact: Estela Basso webmaster@gatorsnowskiclub.com BLASTS Add your ad to our weekly blasts. Your ad size should be up to 600 pixels wide, and up to 150 pixels tall. All ads include a clickable link to your website. Price per inclusion ONLY $10 Buy 4 inclusions $8/each Buy 10 inclusions $6/each Buy 20 inclusions or more: $5 each!!!!

13 P A G E 1 2 Check us out on Facebook Create your own free Facebook account, then search for Gator Snow Ski Club. You can join the group or just "like us". Event Planning Committee: MEETS ONCE A MONTH Join Debbi every month for the Event Planning Committee Meeting. Look for dates to be announced. Betty Williams Debbi Haselmire VP / Special Activities Join Us at Our Events Gator members have fun at Carmine s Happy Hour on August 18, Look for our Mascot at Happy Hour Look for the Gator Sign and the Alligator Head full of candy, seen here at the Snuggery for Blue Jeans Night Out on August 15, Volunteer for Club Activities Estela Basso volunteers as guest leader for Ben Smith s Juno Beach Bike Ride on December 3, 3016.

14 P A G E 1 3 Membership Renewals for New Club Year Starting June 1, 2017 Our membership year began on June 1, In order to participate in most of our trips and weekend events, you must be a member. Please take the time to renew your membership. Your dues are used to pay for our operating expenses, our Membership Picnic, and the free food you get at many of our meetings. Please support your Club. Member name tags are available upon request at our general meetings. Membership applications can be downloaded on-line at our website at They are also available to fill out at our general meetings. Dues are $40 per year for single memberships and $60 for family memberships. You can mail in your application, turn it in at a meeting, or pay on-line with a credit card. For your convenience, a membership application is included on the following page of this newsletter. Your Club Needs Volunteers! Your Club Needs Volunteers! We are looking for volunteers in several categories to help our Club succeed in the year that started on June 1st. Social and Special Activities Planning Committee We need more members to help with our events and activities. If you have ideas for new events that you would like to help implement, come to our next meeting. We meet every month on a Tuesday at a date and location that will be shown on the website under the All Events Calendar. Come at 6:30 PM to order food and drinks. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM. For more information, please contact Debbi Haselmire at or fun45insun@yahoo.com. Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders For Ski Trips, contact Estela Basso at or estelavpofski@gmail.com; for other trips, contact Debbi Haselmire at or fun45insun@yahoo.com. Event Leaders If you are interested in leading one of our events, please contact Betty Williams at or msbettywilliams@att.net or Debbi Haselmire at or fun45insun@yahoo.com. Officer Assistants Volunteers are needed to be assistants to the VP/Ski Trips, VP/Special Activities, VP/Socials, and Treasurer. Must be members in good standing and comfortable with computers and with experience using , Excel, and Word.

15 P A G E 1 4 Palm Beach Gator Snow Ski Club P.O. BOX Palm Beach Gardens, FL Here is your copy of GATOR TALES