Hawaii Ski Club – November

President – Geof Chu – 330-7432
Vice President – Anita Hodges, 486-8667
Secretary - Kathlyn Wong
Treasurer - Wanda Sowell – 487-7485
Craig Shaffer - 261-5989
Gordon Ng (See Contacts)
Toby Kravet – 224-1065
Wanda "Wandi" Sagum - 523-0982
Linda Giers
Sylvia “Sam” Wright

Due to numerous holiday activities, THE DECEMBER AND JANUARY GENERAL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER SKI CLUB EVENTS (the December Christmas party at the Larges and the January pre-Whistler gathering at Wandi Sagum's condo complex). General meetings will resume on the first Thursday of the month beginning February 7, 2008.

Every Monday evening (except on holidays): 4:30 P.M. A group of ski club members and their friends play tennis at Keehi Lagoon courts, off Lagoon Drive. Stay in shape and share refreshments afterwards!

December 7, (Friday): 5 P.M., Pau Hana, Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch and Crab, Nimitz Highway

December 15th (Saturday): 5 P.M., Annual Christmas Party, General Meeting, and Boat Parade at Darrell Large's House in Hawaii Kai.

January 11, (Friday): 5 P.M. Pau Hana, Stuart Anderson's Cattle Company (time and location forthcoming)

January 18th (Friday): 6 P.M. Party and packet pickup for Whistler trip at the community area of Wandi's Condo, Honolulu Tower, 60 N. Beretania St. (More details forthcoming)

February 16, (Saturday): Post Ski Trip Party at Sam's condo in Hawaii Kai (directions and more details forthcoming)

According to NOAA this is a “La Nina” year, and the long range forecast is that snowfall will be above average for December, January, and February in the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Rockies. I guess that means Whistler should have abundant snowfall when we get there. I hope so, but remember, “Don’t shoot the messenger” if doesn’t materialize.

On another note, for this UH alumnus, after 35 years of season tickets (Freshman in 1972) and tolerating coaches Larry Price and Fred von Appen, we finally have something to be very proud of. Perhaps a trip to a BCS bowl will be in order! GO BOWS!!!

After a chilly golf vacation in Pennsylvania where the weather was better for spring skiing than golfing, I appreciate the warmth of Hawaii and the food and friends upon return. The Thanksgiving Party at Bill’s and celebrating Thanksgiving with family was priceless. I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas the local way and hope to see you all at the Annual Christmas Party at the Large’s residence and take in the boat parade with good friend, good food, and , always, GOOD FUN!!

Our Club's Christmas Party, at the home of DARRELL and RHETA LARGE, 583 Kumukahi Place, Hawaii Kai, will also serve as our General Membership Meeting. It will be on Saturday, December 15th to coincide with this year's Hawaii Kai Marina Boat Parade. The parade starts at 6 P.M. so try to get there around 5 P.M. to better insure parking near the house. Don't be late! Directions to their house as follows: Take H-1 EAST and continue on Kalanianaole Highway (HI-72 E) for another 4.2 miles. Turn LEFT on Hawaii Kai Drive and go 0.9 miles. Then RIGHT on Kumukahi Place and go 0.3 miles to arrive at 583 Kumukahi Place, which will be on the left. Call either 395-6825 or email: darrellnrheta@aol.com if you have questions.

POT LUCK, BYOB, and bring your bathing suit for the spa! GIFT EXCHANGE: $15 minimum worth, and NO WHITE ELEPHANTS! This gift exchange, while traditional, is optional so members do not have to participate by bringing a gift. Of course, please remember that those "great" and "I wish I'd gotten that one" gifts mean that you need to bring something nice to exchange. If you can't think of anything, a bottle of alcoholic beverage always seems welcome.

Thank you Mary and James Purvis for having us over to The Wine Experience to help bottle some bloody red wine and have a Halloween party at the same time...There were about 5 stations that we needed to help out. Filling the wine bottles, corking them, putting the caps on, labeling, and then drinking some of it...which was the best part. If you have never done this before, it is a delightful experience. All of the pirates, priests, dancing girls, kitty cats, and mexican cowboys appeared to be having a good time. Mary and James were the most authentic and almost looked like they were out of the movie, "Treasure Island." There was lots of delicious food, good company and plenty of hearty red wine to drink. A good time was had by all....Thanks again.....

Bill Rothe and Rebecca Horne again graciously opened their home for a Pre-Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, November 11^th (during the Veterans’ Day long weekend). There were 2 substantial turkeys (one smoked, one baked) provided by our hosts and a very fine array of “side dishes.” A few too many people remembered last year’s Pre-Thanksgiving dinner when no one brought any stuffing. With lots of gravy, there were 7 different stuffing trays this year! Of course, a diverse selection of wine bottles also appeared. Twenty-four Ski Club members attended. No matter what their dietary restrictions, everyone had a “mixed plate” and looked very pleased. Of course, the UH football team was the topic of much discussion. With the setting sun, those present also joined in celebrating Lee Cataldi’s birthday.

SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEERS SERVING THANKSGIVING DINNER AT BLAISDELL EXHIBITION HALL

Once again, Ski Club members eagerly volunteered their services to the Salvation Army’s annual community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 22, 2007. Eighteen skiers with their club t-shirts and wearing Christmas headwear either helped in the food service line or worked as waiters / waitresses. A potluck brunch (held tail-gate style near the fishpond) prepared those intrepid volunteers to face their tasks. Mimosas, more appropriately identified as “orange juice,” bottled water, and Starbucks coffee also lubricated the way. This year, the Salvation Army’s dinner ran out of turkey for their late diners. Besides that, it was a good experience for all involved.

I just won a snowboard in a drawing over at Windward Mall The board is not my size, and I would like to sell it. The size of the board is 141cm. Its brand new and still in the plastic bag. The list price is $479. I would like to sell it for $250 or best offer. For more info please contact me at 261-5989 or (email) cshaffer50@hotmail.com

Contributions from the membership to future newsletters are encouraged and will be greatly appreciated: Please e mail them to Toby (see Contacts) no later than 7 calendar days from the end of the month. Thanx much.