Lift Line. President s Message APRIL NEWSLETTER 2013 LITTLE ROCK SKI CLUB...SOCIAL,TRAVEL & MORE COMING EVENTS

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1 APRIL NEWSLETTER 2013 Next Meeting: Tues. April 9, 6:00 PM AT THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL Lift Line Established Follow us on Facebook LITTLE ROCK SKI CLUB...SOCIAL,TRAVEL & MORE President s Message It is good to be back in the good old USA, but two weeks in Italy is really hard to beat. Twenty two lucky ski club members toured Italy March 5-15th and twelve of us continued on to the lovely mountain village of Cortina, Italy March 15th-19th. See the full trip report on pages 7, 8, 9 & 10. Linda Frisbee is selling the last spaces left for the Buffalo River Float Trip, so be prepared to sign up at the meeting. See page 5 for details. This next meeting on April 9th will be our annual Board of Directors election. I will be in Snowmass at the annual Mountain Travel Symposium to talk with properties, agents and ski industry representatives about ski trips for next year. Be sure to give Cheryl Nesuda your full attention during the meeting announcements and the elections. Be thinking of anyone who you might encourage to run for a board position. Five positions are open each year. Contact Cheryl Nesuda or Patti Lucarz before the meeting if you or anyone you know is interested. Serving on the board is both an honor and a fun experience that I hope you will consider either now or in the future. Thank you all for your support. Mike Graves, President COMING EVENTS April Meeting April 9 th 6 pm Crowne Plaza Hotel Lobby Board of Directors & Birthdays Page 2 Friday Night Flights Bravo April 16 page 3 Complete Agenda For Meetings & Activities for 2013 page 3 Oaklawn Race Day Recap page 4 Buffalo River Float Trip May Page 5 Profiles of Ski Club Members No Profile, but take a look anyway page 6 Tour Italy Review Page 7, 8, 9 & 10 Summer Lake Cruise Saturday July 13 Page 11 Volunteer Application form page 12 Rice Depot Message page 13 Membership info & ads page 14

2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Office/Committee Name Phone President Newsletter, Ski Trips Mike Graves (501) Vice President, Social Cheryl Payne Nesuda (501) Secretary, Social Kay Marsh (501) Treasurer, Audit Chair Roger Nesuda (501) Audit Dave Sullivan (501) Ski Trip Chair, Audit Patti Lucarz (501) Membership Ann Neeley (501) Membership Carol Thompson (501) Advertising Chair, Social Ronnie Jones (501) Social Chair Carlyn Yancey (501) Membership Michael VanBokhoven (501) Social Linda Frisbee (501) Ski Trips Larry Storthz (501) Web Master David Bentley (501) If you want to ski, party and have all kinds of fun this coming year, then you have come to the right place. If you would like to help, fill out a volunteer form on page 10 and give to a board member. April Birthdays Jane Phillips April 5 Carol Thompson April 10 Roger Nesuda April 10 Larry Storthz April 14 Howard Greene April 24 Marilyn Robison April 26

3 The Board is planning the following for club year Meeting date Meeting theme Other Activities April 9 Monthly Meeting Board Elections April 19 Friday Night Flights-Bravo May 14 Monthly Meeting Summer Party May 10/12 Buffalo River Float Trip May 17 Friday Night Flights June No Meeting Summer break June July No Meeting Enjoy your summer July Larry s Houseboat Party Saturday July 13 August 13 First Meeting of the New Club Year Renew your Membership Sept. 10 Monthly Meeting Sept. 7 Tailgate Razorback Game Monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 6pm, August through May & Friday night flights are on the third Friday at 5pm. Membership dues are due starting in August and are good through the following July. We do not operate on a calendar year. OUR NEXT FRIDAY NITE FLIGHTS Will be held at Bravo located at Chenal Pkwy Friday April 19th - 5:00 pm This is the perfect way to end the week with friends. Guests are always welcome See you there! If you get there early, grab a BIG table!

4 OAKLAWN DAY AT THE RACES RECAP Even though is was a rainy day on our Day at The Races, everyone was in good spirits and happy to be there for some fun with the horses. We were on the upper deck close to the betting windows, close to the food and close to the bar to keep our spirits high. The corn beef sandwiches were as good as ever. Jon Luer was having fun cashing some tickets and showing some of us how he was betting. Glen Brown was winning about every race until he went to find a friend about the sixth race. We assume he kept winning. I (Larry) know Mike Graves was doing well early because he kept telling me about it. Gem and Marvin Koski were enjoying themselves. It seems Roger and Cheryl Nesuda had some winners and Roger was especially enjoying the food. I was cashing some tickets most races but could not keep up with Glen or Mike. Unfortunately, some folks didn't do as well. Right, Jeanette Krohn? Dave and Millie Sullivan and Ann Neeley and Carol Thompson tried their hand at the track casino and had a great time winning some money. The Ski Club sponsored the third race on the card and Jon, Glen, Larry and Jon's daughter walked out on the track to hand the winner the trophy. The jockey was Calvin Borel and we were able to shake his hand and congratulate him. The winning horse was Incognito Bandito After the race most of us met at Rod's Pizza Parlor. We had four tables and enjoyed some great pizza and beer with a model train going around the top of the room and in to other rooms. Everyone was reminiscing about the fun day we had at the races, despite the rain. Let's do it again next year. Maybe Glen can show us how to pick the winners! Larry Storthz

5 Buffalo River Float Trip May , 2013 > Two nights at Beaver Creek Cabins > Light breakfast Saturday morning > Sack lunches Saturday on the river > Canoe and shuttle provided > Barbeque Dinner Saturday night > Campfire and Entertainment Only $ per person Limited availability Bring cash to pay for supper to eat at the Low Gap Café on Friday night. Sunday Breakfast on your own. After March 12, $140,00 per person. Last day to pay is April 9, 2013 Cost is less if you do not float, but still want to join us for this fun trip! Zip lining or other activities may be available in the area, but you must schedule on your own at extra cost. The last time the LRSC floated the Buffalo was 5 years ago, so take advantage as this is not an annual event. No cancellations or refunds. Only substitutions will be allowed. Call Linda Frisbee Larry Storthz Also we have the talented Rod, Larry & Mike playing guitars and singing for your enjoyment.

6 Profiles of Ski Club Members By Ronnie Jones Each month we will interview some members for you to get to know better. Your Friends Photo Here suggest members for this page Number of years in Ski Club 45 Occupation under cover agent and part time gigolo Favorite place to ski any place with snow Favorite Place to travel Favorite LRSC event French Riviera Lobster Boil, of course Most people don t know I am a illegal alien How did you find out about the LRSC the wonderful website! Your idea of a romantic evening being seduced by a beautiful woman on a moonlit beach My dream vacation Monte Carlo and live it up, again Most memorable LRSC moment the ski trip with just me and the rest were all women Favorite foods Favorite drink thick juicy steak with crab legs, lobster & caviar of course Vodka martini, shaken, not stirred I drive a silver Aston Martin

7 TOUR MARCH 5TH - 19TH 2013 ROME, FLORENCE, VENICE & CORTINA, ITALY ITALY REVIEW The participants: Mike Graves, Trip Captain & Carlyn Yancey; Linda & Rod Frisbee; Bill & Linda Raney; Ron Crow & Vicki Payne; Rick & June Garner; Larry Storthz & Jeanette Krohn; Bob Spector; Rosanne Boyd; Kay Marsh; Becky Gross; Robin Barton; Dee Nuchols; Zelda Hoaglan; Kathy Swanson; Glen Brown; Patti Lucarz, Assistant Trip Captain. Twenty two ski club members set out on March 5th for a memorable trip to Italy. After a long flight over the Atlantic, we finally arrived in rainy Rome to start our tour. We were met at the airport by Angelika Mair, who would be our full time escort. She also was the escort on the ski club trip of 100 to Austria back in She played a big part in making our trip so much fun. We also had a local guide in each of the cities of Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Padua and Venice. These guides were full of facts and antidotes about the fascinating sights that we visited. In Rome, we visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Vatican and a bunch of magnificent churches in Addition to the wonderful food, wine and gelato. The walking was usually at a fast enough pace to keep our heart rate going strong. Several of our members did develop a flu like cold and the first to catch it was Dr. Ron Crow, but despite that, he said I feel that I got more than my money s worth in tours. I never dreamed that we would see so many historic and beautiful things, all which came alive with the narrative of the well informed guides. June Garner said I enjoyed walking in to the basilicas for the first time. The art and architecture was amazing along with reflecting on the historical significance. While the excitement of Rome was thrilling, the smaller towns were relaxing and I already miss the gelato and cannoli. This was definitely one of the best trips I have ever been on. It is hard to say which part was my favorite. said Robin Barton. It seemed in every city or town we visited were more churches and museums filled with magnificent artwork. In Florence we saw Michelangelo s David at the Academia and more beautiful art at the Uffizi Gallery. The hilltop town of Assisi

8 was so picturesque and peaceful, but of course it is occupied mostly by monks and religious workers. Siena was a lovely town with a unique market square that has a famous horse race on just one day during the year. On our visit they were holding a chocolate market with just about anything you can imagine in chocolate! In Pisa we climbed the leaning tower with its worn steps and narrow stairwells. It is the bell tower for a magnificent church. Part of our tour in Florence included a stop at a fine leather shop and a demonstration of how to buy the best leather garments, including some modeling by several of our members. Kay and Carlyn bought some purses, Larry got belts, and Zelda came away with a lovely leather jacket. On the way to Venice we visited Padua where the University is among the oldest in Europe. The Basilica of St. Anthony contains the saint s remains from the 12th century and his still intact vocal apparatus. Angelika had warned of a lone pick pocket that might show up in the bus parking area and low and behold, Becky Gross tried to buy some post cards from him, but the whole bus shouted her down before the guy could ply his trade. There is only one pick pocket in this town and you found him she said. Kathy Swanson says it was a memorable experience for me to walk among the ancient ruins of Rome and yet herald the historical election of a new pope. I also found the fabulous basilicas very inspirational as was walking the 463 steps up the cupola of the basilica in Florence. The only glitch was that I did not know part of the climb included being led around the cupola on the interior looking down from a narrow balcony to the marble floor below. Did I mention that I am afraid of heights? Thank goodness for Rosanne, who with her calming words and my mantras, we had a great climb to the top and an amazing vista of the city of Florence. On a lighter note It is a good thing Kathy did not drop her camera from that great height as some of our group were wanting to know what kind of bullet proof camera she had as it did hit the ground several times (each day). Venice was the last major stop for some of the group and although it was cold and windy, it did not disappoint. We toured the Ducal Palace and Saint Mark s and saw a glass blowing artist before we spent time and Euros in the showrooms (Linda F. got an anniversary gift from Rod and Bill & Linda R. also got some nice items. Mike spent an hour winding through the narrow streets to find the Peggy Guggenheim Museum which contains a wonderful collection of modern artwork including Picasso, Mondrian, Klee, Pollock, Dali & Mondrian. Later in the day the entire group set out in a flotilla of gondolas complete with a surprise from Angelika of an opera singer accompanied by an accordion player to serenade us on our journey. Dee did not have a hat or scarf and spent most of the time holding her coat up around her head to stay warm. Twelve of our group went on to Cortina which is situated in the Dolomites north of Venice and is a picture perfect mountain village with magnificent mountain vistas, ski runs and the loveliest hotel yet. By this time, Ron, Rod, Viki and Glen had all had the cold/flu that was circulating and were slowly getting over it, but Carlyn was just coming down with it, and did not get to enjoy the skiing or the wonderful sights of this beautiful little village. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

9 Larry, Jeanette, Patti, Glen, Linda & Rod and Mike all skied several days and Bill & Linda Raney took lessons and said they really had a good time on their first intro to skiing. We love it when we have new skiers on a trip. The only sour note came on the third day of skiing when Patti skied into a whiteout and fell and injured her knee. She is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery to repair it so she can continue on her quest to be the fastest woman on skis. A last quote from Jeanette & Larry reads What a fabulous trip! The icing on the cake was Cortina. After a week of mostly clouds and drizzle in Rome, Florence and Venice, we woke up in Cortina d Ampezzo to a brilliant blue sky accentuated by stark, snow covered peaks in every direction. It was so magnificent that you had to pinch yourself a few times to believe that it was real. Great skiing on perfectly groomed slopes, no lift lines, delicious food, and a great hotel in an alpine village right out of the Sound of Music. Could it be any better? We could write much more and it would end up being a novel, so how about some photos to finish the storey. Oh yea, and Bob had a great time too. More photos On next page

10 Cool & windy weather Did not stop us! It snowed about 15 on the last day & All Was Good!

11 Little Rock Ski Club 9th Annual SUMMER LAKE CRUISE SATURDAY JULY 13TH 2013 HOUSEBOAT SS MOONDANCE AND THE STARLIGHT LOUNGE ************** WITH CAPTAIN LARRY STORTHZ AND FIRST MATE LUNA BRING YOUR OWN FOOD, DRINK & LIFE VEST $10 MEMBERS - $15 GUESTS all guess must be accompanied by a member BOARD AT 11:00am LEAVE at 11:30am LARRY STORTHZ

12 Favorite foods: Chocolate, fruit and lots of cooked veggies. Favorite drink: A glass of sauvignon blanc. I drive a blue SUV. ter. We hope you will enjoy.

13 ARKANSAS RICE DEPOT Our Story Way back in 1982, a few caring Arkansans noticed there were a lot of children, families and senior citizens going to bed hungry right here in Arkansas. Many food pantries were struggling for supplies. The cupboard was bare at the shelters. Children were hungry. So these folks organized and looked for food. And they found rice. Home-grown, nourishing and inexpensive rice. They paid for it out of their own pockets and gave it to anyone in need. Soon word spread about this organization that provided free rice to any group willing to fight hunger in their community. And the Arkansas Rice Depot was born. Within a couple of years, nearly one hundred rice growers from Riceland and Producers mills were donating rice. This was just the kind of foundation the charity needed. By 1986, then-governor Bill Clinton helped the Arkansas Rice Depot distribute its one millionth pound of rice. For a while, rice remained the only food distributed, and though nourishing, it wasn't a complete meal. A Billy Graham Crusade changed all that. Six tons of food items were collected that year, and soon dry goods, canned foods, frozen meats and other items were donated, warehoused and distributed across the state. In 1994, an Arkansas public school nurse noticed some children arriving at school listless and hungry. They said their school lunch the day before was the last meal they had. She wondered if the Arkansas Rice Depot could help. Immediately, the Food For Kids program was launched, sending hungry children home with backpacks filled with food every night. Today the Arkansas Rice Depot serves around 600 Arkansas public schools and the Food For Kids backpack program has been duplicated across the US, helping feed hundreds of thousands of hungry kids. Every year the Arkansas Rice Depot feeds around half a million hungry Arkansans, distributing food to shelters, schools, disaster relief efforts and homebound seniors. All with minimal overhead. And in the summer of 2009, Arkansas Rice Depot received national recognition of our programs, when All Roker brought NBC's Today Show to the Depot, with his Lend A Hand program. Through Lend A Hand, Arkansas Rice Depot received a five truckloads of items with a value totaling over $600,000. Local dignitaries came out to join in on the fun. We were one of only five charitable organizations chosen through Lend A Hand. You see, we don't believe in big salaries or glitzy marketing campaigns 98% of all donations go to feeding the hungry. So you can be confident your donation fills an empty stomach. It's how this charity started, and it's how we'll continue our mission.

14 Membership Memberships are for a period of one year, starting in August and ending in July. A non-member or guest may attend only two meetings per year without joining. Please help us keep your information updated by sending changes in addresses, phone numbers and to insure you receive reminders of special events, ski trips openings, and other items of importance. Any changes should be sent to Membership Chairman Carol Thompson, at P.O. Box , Little Rock, AR , or caroltho@msn.com If you are interested in advertising in the monthly newsletter, contact Mike Graves at mngraves@sbcglobal.net or call Square Business card size ad for $150 for one year. Please consider doing business with our advertisers and to personally thank them for helping to support our club. We appreciate their willingness to partner with us. AMERICAN STORAGE, INC Covered & Open Boat & RV Storage -Many Mini Sizes -Resident Manager -Fenced and Lighted -All New Metal Buildings or Rixey/Kiehl Road, Exit 5 Sherwood, AR Call Cindy Imprinted, logo branded business promotions for your company or your special event. Caps, pens, mugs, calendars, etc. Web site: winnerscircle@cablelynx.com YOU COULD BE ADVERTISING HERE AND HAVING YOUR AD READ 300 TO 400 TIMES A MONTH, FOR AS LITTLE AS 3 TO 4 CENTS PER VIEWING Contact Mike Graves at or to mngraves@sbcglobal.net Square business card sized ads are $ per year. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. Advertisements that appear in the Lift Line are PAID advertisements. The LRSC does not endorse products or services advertised, but encourage you to consider them. Advertisements that may compete with or affect our members participation on trips or at functions sponsored by LRSC will not be approved for publication or distribution on line or promoted at meetings or functions. We want your input. We want all of your support and suggestions for trips and activities. We would like input on functions that we might offer that will be of interest to you. Please contact a board member with your suggestions and please respond to any surveys we send your way.