December/January 2011-12 News

WISHING FOR SNOW, NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT
The weather has been less than winter-like. Hiking boots have been the norm rather than skis and snowshoes. Due to the unseasonably dry, warm weather, our January candlelight ski had to be cancelled.

The trails are in excellent condition except for the absence of snow, which we are hoping will arrive soon!

For those who do not know me, let me tell you a little bit about myself. My husband, Dr. Paul, and I own Hometown Veterinary Clinic in Oconto Falls. We share our lives with our five children and many four-legged, furry family members. When I am not hard at work, you can find me hiking, gardening, and, of course, cross country skiing.

As President, I am open to suggestions for events and meetings to make your club enjoyable and successful! I hope to see you all at our regular club meetings December 5th, January 2nd, and January 30th. See our Calendar of Events for all our scheduled ski club events. Everyone, members and non-members alike, are welcome at all ski club activities.

---Gail Yatso

NEWS FROM THE FOREST, TRAIL MANAGER’S REPORT
Many thanks to Dave Landers on 10/16; Dale Tease, John Sommers, and Chris Kabara on 10/22 & 10/23; Darrell Berg on 10/26; and anyone else whom I don't know about for going out on their own and "sweeping" the trails. That allowed Gene Schroeder and me to do a final "sweep" and inspection on 10/26 and the mowing on 10/28. John Honish, Gene Schroeder, and I went out on 11/1 and replanted 2 sign posts, replaced one broken board on one bridge, and filled a number of critter holes. This was small work that was spread out around the trail.

Because of all that good effort, the trails are in very good condition and we were able to cancel the fall workbees that had been planned. Don Liesch and I went out on 12/9 to put up the road signs for the ski trails. While there we noticed logging going on at the beginning of the Brehmer Creek Trail (from the old trail head to the old clear cut along Konitzer Road). The logger expected to done within a few days and planned to planned to back blade the trail with a bulldozer before pulling out. I checked the progress on 12/26 and found the back blading had not been done. Also, the logger had torn up a bit of trail at the beginning of the Blackberry Ramble. I called the County to see what was going on with the logger. The County sent their backhoe/payloader out on 12/27 to smooth the trail before a hard freeze set in. On 12/29, Gene Schroeder, John Honish, and I did the brush removal and smoothed the remaining bumps the best we could. It is still a little rough, but nothing 6 inches of snow won’t cover up.

I talked to a hiker 12/26 and he had just come off Coral Berry and Timberwolf Trails. He said there were no trees or branches down there from the snow and winds this fall and those trails were in good shape. That was good news. If anyone is out hiking on the trails, please take a few minutes to throw any debris, branches, etc. that may have come down from the weather off the trails.

We will be trying out solar lights for the 2/4/12 Candlelight Ski. A very limited test last year was very promising. This time we will be using about 1/2 solar lights and 1/2 candles and spread them further apart. We have enough candles ready in case there are any problems with the solar lights. The solar lights proved to be much brighter, a lot easier to put out, and not susceptible to wind and cold. The cost will be higher and will depend on how long the solar lights last, but that first test showed it may well be worth it.

The renovator was taken apart this fall and painted. The cutters were then reinstalled on the renovator with new hardware. The track setter is set to go but could use a new or rebuilt actuator. The snowmobile is slick and clean and in good running order. So our equipment is all ready to go.

---Ray Tabar

TAKE NOTE
Ski club meetings Jan 2, and Jan. 30 at 7:00 pm at the Hometown Veterinary Clinic, 180 E. Highland Dr. Oconto Falls.

CANDLELIGHT SKIS
Candlelight Skis Saturdays Feb. 4 and Mar. 3 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm on the Blackberry Ramble Trail, conditions permitting. Skiers and non-skiers are all welcome to come and enjoy the campfire and camaraderie! The trail will be beautifully illuminated to accommodate skiers from beginners to experts!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Click on the “Calendar of Events” tab above for the complete events list for this season. The “Calendar” will be updated if any changes occur.

CONTACT US
For details and current status on any Ski Club activities, call any of the officers listed below: