From your President

Hello Gators,

     Our Club has a marvelous calendar of exciting trips and entertaining events!  Please visit our website, read our weekly email blast and download our newsletter to find out more.   Please invite your friends and coworkers to try us out so more people can join in the fun. 

    I would like to thank all of our loyal members for their support. We are a club run by volunteers who do their best to meet everyone’s expectations of what a fun, dynamic club should offer.  We are planning next year’s activities.  Please give your ideas and feedback to our VPs. This is your Club, and we would like to hear from you. 

    The Gators mourn the passing of long time active member Ward Cotthaus, who lost his valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Ward led many events over the years and also participated in many Florida Ski Council meetings with the Gator delegation.  We will miss his friendly, outgoing presence at our meetings.  We send our deepest condolences to Ward’s significant other of twenty years, Arvie Moore, and to his two sons. 

    Our annual membership picnic will take place on Saturday, May 13^th in Carlin Park at the Beach Pavilion.  Join your friends and renew your membership at this free celebration featuring hotdogs, sides and beverages prepared and served by your Board members.  Play some fun games, listen to some good dance music and socialize.     

    Our third trip to fantastic Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado led by Stephanie Morgan went out from February 4^th to 11^th.  Everyone had a wonderful time skiing with excellent snow conditions.  Our fourth trip, the FSC trip to gorgeous Lake Louise/Banff, Canada led by Carol Ashley, left on February 25^th.  Our fifth trip to incredible Andalo-Paganella, Italy resort led by Vi Ware departs on March 11th.  The trip itinerary is thanks to the exceptional planning of our members from the area, Marco Dallapiccola and Agnese Leonardelli.  Our sixth trip during Spring Break to magnificent Big Sky, Montana led by Rich Ruvido departs on March 18th.     

    Our summer ski trip to Valle Nevado, Chile on August 17-27, 2017 sold out with 16 spots, but due to popular demand, we have expanded it to 26 spots.  If you are interested, please contact our trip leader, Lee Chitty.      

    Please be sure to come to the General Meeting on March 9^th.  We will honor our racing team that won the Florida Ski Council Cup at Beaver Creek.  The second (and final) round of nominations for next year’s officers takes place at the March meeting.  The election will be at the April General Meeting.  We are looking for volunteers to serve in our elected positions starting on June 1^st.  If you are interested, please contact our Supervisor of Elections, Ildiko Haidacher.   

    The Gators played Mini Golf at Lighthouse Cove in Jupiter on Saturday, February 11^th.  This fun event organized by Kathy Levas attracted quite a few members.  Afterwards, the celebration continued at Shipwrecks Bar and Grill. Thank you, Kathy!   

     February 25^th marked the fifth Leisure Bike Ride of the season with Ben Smith leading an enjoyable ride at around Lake Okeechobee.  This trip was the highlight of the special weekend camping trip.  Lots of Gators stayed for the weekend and had a fabulous time after the bike ride at the Gator Hole and later Saturday night around the campfire.  Ben and the helpers he recruited thrilled us with a delicious breakfast in Sunday morning.  Thank you, Ben!  Our next ride on March 11^th will be at Riverbend Park in Jupiter with Guest Leader Letti Falko.  Please join us for an enjoyable ride.    

    Our Discover Alaska cruise on Princess Cruise Lines scheduled for August 2017 features a 7 day cruise with a 3 day land package.  We already have a great group of Gators signed up, so please join us!

     Come to our Friday night happy hours, arranged for you by the Social and Special Activities Committee run by your VPs Debbi Haselmire and Betty Williams.  We are taking over from Bonnie Boaz, who did a terrific job. Thank you, Bonnie, and best wishes for a speedy recovery from your broken leg in Beaver Creek.  Happy hour is an excellent way to start the weekend with your Gator friends.  We will be including some new and exciting venues mixed in with Club favorites.  If you have any ideas for happy hours, please contact your VPs. 

     The volunteers on our Social and Special Activities Committee meeting are working hard to bring you enjoyable 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 come to our next meeting, tentatively planned for March 28th.  With your help we can make your Club even better. 

     Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. 

Sincerely,

Sharon Long

 President

Hello Gators,

     Our Club has a wonderful calendar of exciting trips and entertaining events!  Please visit our website, read our weekly email blast and download our newsletter to find out more.   Please invite your friends and coworkers to check us out so more people can join in the fun. 

    I would like to thank all of our loyal members for their support. We are a club run by volunteers who do their best to meet everyone’s expectations of what a fun, dynamic club should offer.  We are planning next year’s activities.  Please give your ideas and feedback to our VPs. This is your Club, and we would like to hear from you.   

    Our first ski trip of the year to Copper Mountain led by Everett Barber was amazing.  The snow conditions on this very affordable trip were fantastic and everyone had a delightful time.  Thank you, Everett!

    I just got back from our fabulous FSC trip to Beaver Creek. We had a record amount of snowfall and skied in excellent conditions.  Trip Leader Carol Pattison did an outstanding job – thank you, Carol!  Everyone was thrilled to witness the Gators reclaim the FSC Race Cup!  Race Captain Paul Nappi (one of the founding members of our Club) did a great job of leading our team to victory.  We had many Gators volunteer to represent us at the race.  The top finishers that constituted our race team were: Dick Miller, Denise Taylor, Karl Taylor, Alina Shubov, Jacob Shubov and Louise Saelzer.  Kudos to our racing team and thanks to everyone who raced.  Unfortunately, Assistant Trip Leader Bonnie Boaz suffered a broken leg while practicing on the race course.  She had to undergo emergency surgery in Vail and is recovering.  Our best wishes go out to her for a speedy recovery.  

    There has been extraordinary snowfall this season out west, which means superb snow conditions for our other trips there this season.  Our third trip to marvelous Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado led by Stephanie Morgan goes out on February 4^th.  Our fourth trip, the FSC trip to beautiful Lake Louise/Banff, Canada led by Carol Ashley, departs on February 25^th.  Our fifth trip departing on March 11^th is a return by popular demand to incredible Andalo-Paganella, Italy resort led by Vi Ware.  The trip itinerary is thanks to the exceptional planning of our members from the area, Marco Dallapiccola and Agnese Leonardelli.  Our sixth trip during Spring Break to magnificent Big Sky, Montana led by Rich Ruvido departs on March 18th.     

    Now that ski season is underway and our winter trips are sold out, it is time to think about our summer ski trip to Valle Nevado, Chile on August 17-27, 2017.  To add to your experience, the resort will host a wine festival during our trip.  This trip has sold out with 16 spots, but we are looking to expand it if there is enough demand.  If you are interested, please contact our trip leader, Lee Chitty.      

    Please be sure to come to the General Meeting on February 9^th.  You will be treated to a free Valentine’s Day Dance with a DJ and pizza.  I am donating my deferred benefit of $500 from last year towards this event, so I would like to see a big crowd of Gators there. 

    Nominations for next year’s officers takes place at the February meeting.  We are looking for volunteers to serve in our elected positions.  If you are interested, please contact our Supervisor of Elections, Ildiko Haidacher.    

    Join the Gators to play Mini Golf at Lighthouse Cove in Jupiter on Saturday, February 11^th.  This fun event organized by Kathy Levas will feature a Shotgun Tee Off at 2:00 PM for only $12 per person.  Beverage service with discounted drink prices is included.  Afterwards, the celebration continues at Shipwrecks Bar and Grill.    

     January 14^th marked the fourth Leisure Bike Ride of the season with Guest Leader Tim Kuhn leading an enjoyable ride at Jupiter Farms.  Thank you, Tim!  The next ride at Lake Okeechobee on February 18^th will include the special weekend camping trip.  Look for a new ride every month.   

    Our Discover Alaska cruise on Princess Cruise Lines scheduled for August 2017 features a 7 day cruise with a 3 day land package.  We already have a great group of Gators signed up, so please join us!

     Come to our Friday night happy hours, arranged for you by Bonnie Boaz.  It’s a wonderful way to start a fun weekend with your Gator friends. 

     The volunteers on our Social and Special Activities Committee meeting are working hard to bring you enjoyable parties, events and trips this year.  If you have an idea for an event, please bring it to the committee.  We are looking for more members, so please come to our next meeting, tentatively planned for February 28^th.  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.   Help us to make your Club even better. 

     Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. 

Sincerely,

Sharon Long

 President