President's Message

As you may have noticed the weather is beginning to change. With any luck it is the beginning of a good skiing and snowshoeing season.
The board got together two weeks ago and began the discussions regarding what the club should do this season. The major issues discussed included: 1. Should club meetings be held again? and 2. What events should the club attempt to put on? Since it seems clear that COVID is still going to be with us for the long term, the members of the board had a variety of opinions on what should be done. So, to make a long story short it was decided it would be useful to put the question to the membership (i.e. Would you like to see the club start holding monthly meetings again?).
The boards’ objective is to make a decision during the November board meeting based on the number of positive responses received from members. If atleast 20 folks indicate that they would be interested getting together again we would find a venue to meet again on the first Tuesday of the month starting in December.
If the club were to start holding meetings again, the board agreed that the venue would need to be large enough to allow for social distancing. It was also agreed that use of masks would be optional, but highly recommended. It is our hope that most folks attending a Nordic Club Meeting would have already been vaccinated, and would feel comfortable enough to get together again.
If you would like to see the club start meeting again this season, please let us know before November 17th. Current club members can send a response to the club email address: pnc12@emaildodo.com, or leave a comment on the WEB page.
FYI – In the event there is enough interest, Greg Lewis has already checked and may have already gotten the go ahead for the club to meet at their church.

Regarding winter events, the board has agreed that the club should hold the Poker Run and Rock Soup again this season. It was also agreed that based on past experience the use of the Panhandle Hut during these events defeats the purpose of social distancing. To solve this problem, a portable open-air tent will probably be put into use this year for registrations, etc. A warming fire in the stove will still be maintained so folks can use the hut to warm up if they feel comfortable doing so.
The board would also like to invite the members to submit ideas for other events this season. It may still be too soon to get back into weekend trips to places like Windthrop, but there may be folks that would be happy to get together for local one day excursions. Please, if you have ideas let the board know. Again, send your responses to the club email address or leave comments on the WEB page.
As reminder, since it is the beginning of another season the need for folks to renew their membership or join the club is critical to supporting the maintenance of the trails and facilities at 4th of July recreation area. I want to thank everyone who stuck with the club in 2020 in spite of COVID and hope you will renew your membership in 2021. Randy, wanted a reminder to be included in this newsletter that
membership renewals, or joining for the first time, can be done through the WEB site. This also includes the ability to submit dues. Please sign in and take care of this as soon as you can, so that the membership list for the year can be completed as early as possible. Thanks again for your support!
PS – You may have already seen a message sent out by Goeff recently looking for volunteers to get the grooming equipment sheds and snowshoe warming hut up. If you have the time 
As you may have noticed the weather is beginning to change. With any luck it is the beginning of a good skiing and snowshoeing season.