October 2002

Number 28

Message from the President

Tom Daer

The annual Pattee Canyon Ski Trail Workday is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, at 10:00 am. Please bring gloves, shovels and rakes to spread wood chips. Also, a couple weed-eaters would be helpful for finish work.

This winter the club plans to groom the Rattlesnake for classic skiing and to support shared-use activities such as hiking and snowshoeing on a weekly basis. In order to accomplish this mission, start-up costs will be substantial and I implore our members to contribute accordingly, as this will be our first major trail expansion in over twenty years.

In addition to monetary contributions, volunteer groomers are needed to realize our Rattlesnake goals. We need folks with snowmobile experience that are mechanically inclined. Please contact Ray Johnson (Grooming Coordinator) or me if you are interested.

The club is looking for someone to fill in as interim Secretary for this winter. I would also encourage folks to contact Kathy McGann or me if you’re interested in serving as Vice President or Treasurer starting at the end of 2003. We have numerous officers who’ve donated their time on behalf of the Missoula Nordic ski community over the years and we would like an infusion of new ideas and energy to carry this organization to the next level (OK, we’re overdue for a long winter’s nap).

If our best-made plans come true, perhaps we could sponsor a moonlight tour up the Rattlesnake. For all of you my wintertime wish is that our trails provide you not only exercise but also a form of meditation where you can find solace from the complications of everyday life.

On behalf of the MNSC Officers and Board Members,

Thank you for all your support,

Tom Daer, President

Pattee Canyon Trail Work Party

It's time to spiff up the Pattee Canyon trails to prepare them for the ski season. The club will be holding a work party, at the Pattee Canyon Equipment Shed (located on the inside of the picnic loop, north side ski trails) on Sunday October 20^th. Show up to work on trails for an hour or more.

A couple of years ago when we had the trail work and “shed warming” party it was snowing. One eager member (guess who? M.H.) was actually grooming and skiing the picnic loop! So come prepared for work and fun. Bring gloves, shovels and rakes to spread wood chips. A couple of weed-eaters would be helpful for finish work.

Who? MNSC Members, Friends and Families

What? Prepare Pattee Canyon Trails for grooming

Where? Equipment Shed on Picnic Loop at Pattee Canyon

When? Sunday October 20, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.

Dues Reminder

Enclosed in this newsletter is a handy dues envelope serving as a not so subtle reminder that it’s time to pay up again so that the club can continue to groom the trails in Pattee Canyon for your skiing pleasure. Last year grooming was expanded to occasionally include the Rattlesnake area and plans are to continue that program this year. Most of the membership dollars go toward grooming expenses. Our membership list grew considerably last year (currently about 190 households and businesses) so dues have not gone up. Additional funds will be needed for expanded grooming, so please consider an extra donation now or later in the season when you’re skiing a lot. See our economical rates below and for a pain-free way to contribute extra funds or save on your membership fee, see the Open Road Special Offer article. Thank You!

Yearly membership fees are $15 Individual, $25 Family, $50 benefactor, $75 Business, $150 Corporate, and $1000 life. Send check to: Missoula Nordic Ski Club, P.O. Box 7354, Missoula, MT 59807.