December 2024 Newsletter

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As we close out November and all that SWC accomplished I think that once upon a time we thought of Winter as our “busy season” and the rest of the year was more relaxed. Nothing could be further from the truth, these days, and Club members have been very busy. The ADK Expo was fun and we chatted with many people who had never heard of us (where have they been since1932) and many members stopped to chat about all that is going on with the Club. The work weekend was over the top successful. Bill K has provided the details but I want all to know that the efforts of: Don and Brenda Streed, Jim Flaherty, Denise Hobson, Carl Sanner, Bill and Gina Kornrumpf, Tony Calvagno, Bill Simmons, Jim Foley and Lat and Phil Schmidt resulted in the completion of an amazing number of very challenging tasks. Long story short, we’re now very aware of what powder post beetle damage looks like. The Holiday Party gave us an opportunity to honor and thank one of the most selfless members ever……Bill K. Again, the work of Don and Brenda Streed, Bill Simmons, Carl Sanner, Bill Schaefer, John and Ellen Bidell and Mary Anderson to prepare and present the buffet and program was wonderful. With the efficient efforts of: Don and Brenda Streed, Bill Simmons, Charlie and Joann Fox, Martha and Kirby VanVleet, Jim Flaherty and Denise Hobson clean up was a breeze. Just two days ago Jim, Kim, Michael and Mikayla Schaefer offered their time and talent to offer the 95th Annual Mohawk Valley Hiking Club Thanksgiving breakfast. Labor intensive and very appreciated. Gotta say “SWC members are the best.” Now, let’s see what December brings.

My best to all,

Karen

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Work Weekend Tackles Prep for Winter Season

On a chilly and blustery first weekend of November, 15 SWC member volunteers tackled numerous projects inside and out of our SWC Clubhouse. They made for an industrious and talented crew finishing old projects and meeting new challenges.                                                                             

Repairs to walls and ceiling in Room 23 from the third-floor water leak were completed.  Repairs to walls in Room 11 from removal of the old chimney were completed.  The septic tank cover was repaired and reinstalled. Repairs and sealing the top two stories of the wooden fire escape tower was accomplished under blustery and very cool conditions.  And a major effort was undertaken to repair sill and siding rot on the north and east sides around the deck; much accomplished, to be continued in the spring.                             

And there were all the normal fall cleaning and seasonal preparatory activities including washing windows, moving fans to the attic, cleaning dehumidifiers, installing furnace filters, checking fire extinguishers, and so many more “change of season” tasks.

 We also took time out for a brainstorming session on what Clubhouse improvements and SWC activities should be considered for the next five years.  The work weekend volunteers came up with a list of 28 items which will be presented to the SWC Board of Directors.  More on this will be covered in separate communications.

Much gratitude is given to these dedicated members who gave up their weekend for the benefit of the entire club: Tony Calvagno, Jim Flaherty, Jim Foley, Denise Hobson, Bill & Gina Kornrumpf, Carl Sanner, Lat Schmidt, Phil Schmidt, Bill & Karen Simmons, Brenda & Don Streed, John & Sue Thurgood. And a special thank you to Brenda and Karen for all the fine meals, and to all those who pitched in to clean up immediately thereafter. It was truly a team effort!

Submitted by Don Streed 

Photos by Simmons & Kornrumpf

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If you are planning to stay at the Clubhouse…

1. Make sure you, and everyone in your party, are up to date as active members to make bookings for the clubhouse.

The system checks membership status as reservations are made.  We will send email notices to correct these situations -

• You entered a bogus membership ID

• You did not enter a membership ID for everyone staying with you

• Your membership is Pending Renewal or will expire before the dates you booked

• The guest you listed is not a Member

If we have sent you two (2) email reminders, and the issue is not corrected within 7 days after the last email, then we will cancel your reservation and refund your money. 

1. Enter your name and any guests booked in your room.

• Your name is already entered because you are making the reservation

• There are spaces to enter the names of guests in your party. 

• Only enter names in ADDITIONAL GUEST fields if there are actually additional guests! (These are not required fields).

1. Enter the Membership number for each guest listed in your booking

Help us out by following these guidelines which allows SWC to keep the cost of the Clubhouse low!

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New!! SWC Calendar of Events for 2025

Click here to view this beautiful and comprehensive Calendar

Upcoming SWC Events

Click here to view a list of upcoming SWC Events

SWC Wintersports Weekend at Rock and River Lodge

Space for one woman in the lovely group room available...read more

Save the Date: SWC Quarterly Meeting January 16

A Chili Cook off competition will be sponsored with all the fixings...read more

More Alpine Events around the Capital District

For information on ski areas in the Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Valley click here.  (Scroll down to the last few pages.)

Visit swcweb.org.

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SWC Quarterly Meeting

SWC Chili Cookoff

SWC invites you to our quarterly meeting on Thursday,  January 16th at the Clifton Park Community Center.  A Chili Cookoff competition will be sponsored with all the fixings.  Meeting agenda to be announced.

5:30 - 6:30 PM      Eat Chili and socialize!
6:30 - 7:30 PM      Meeting and program
7:30 PM                Help with cleanup

Address:

Clifton Park Senior Community Center

6 Clifton Common Boulevard 
Clifton Park , NY , 12065

ANNUAL SWC WINTERSPORTS WEEKEND

FEBRUARY 7-10, 2025

Rock & River Lodge, Keene NY

JOIN THE FUN!!!  Plan ahead for winter sports now that we see snow!  The gracious Rock & River Lodge in Keene, NY will host our annual stay. Take a look: https://rockandriver.com/lodging/

A non-refundable $75 deposit holds this space for ONE WOMAN in the lovely group room that features 6 beds, 2 full bathrooms. The full cost of the stay is payable at the event. Minimum stay is Friday to Sunday.  

For any questions, or more details on payment info and reservations, please contactMargie Litwinor phone 518-928-0600 (cell/text). We always enjoy a fabulous time!

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Join SWC in Steamboat, CO, March 8 thru March 15, 2025

We realize thinking about ski trips in summer is like celebrating Christmas in July, BUT SWC has negotiated a truly awesome ski package to share with members interested in skiing out west!

You might even run into Billy Kidd, Olympic skier.  See this video here.

Kidd lives in Steamboat Springs, CO, and serves as director of skiing for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.  During ski season, skiers and snowboarders can join Kidd for a daily free, on-mountain clinic when he is in town, at 1 PM at the top of the Steamboat gondola. Those who "ski with Billy Kidd" down the Heavenly Daze intermediate run get ski tips, and learn about what it's like to ski in the Olympics.

The total package cost of $2474 includes

• GROUP AIRFARE - Have you seen the individual ticket prices lately? This trip will fly from Albany into Hayden airport in Steamboat Springs in prime season!

• 7 NIGHTS LODGING at The Ranch, a premium condo complex. Prices here start at $736 per night if you were to rent a condo for yourself.  Guests can enjoy an array of features including an outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, full kitchen and a private shuttle to the mountain.

Don't have an IKON Pass?

Steamboat Resort is an IKON mountain, but there are discounted options available through this package.  Regular full price daily lift tickets for March 2025 are $300 per day.

The SWC package offers discounted day passes - you have an option for day ski passes at $134 per day!

• 4 days - $538

• 5 days - $672

• 6 days - $806

What about meals?

Meals are not included in the package but The Ranch condos do offer a full kitchen which can be used to prepare breakfast, pack a lunch, and if you prefer, have a home-cooked dinner.  The group leader will arrange for folks to be able to stock groceries.

Want to protect your trip in case of emergency?

Reasonably priced trip insurance from Travelex can be conveniently purchased through our trip.

Please look at the details using this link, and reserve your spot today, this trip is already filling up! Questions? Email Rick and put Steamboat in the subject line.

MVHC Thanksgiving Day Breakfast

And then Mother Nature delivered a heavy wet snow...read more

Bill Kornrumpf Roasted at Holiday Party

Relive the moment!  

Holiday Party 2024

The buffet and program was wonderful...read more

Learning How to Ski 

"My first skis were toys; a couple of bent boards with cloth toe straps, and a pair of dowls for poles..."  And then came STEEL EDGES and lots of lessons.  Read Walt's essay below.

Miracle in Lake Placid 

During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid,  SWC members Mary Kuykendall and Bill Kornrumpf entered into an Olympic challenge of their own making to see who could sneak into the U.S. vs Russia hockey game.  They did not have tickets. The event was sold out.  They had no choice but to engage their intellectual acumens and circumvent standard procedures. Earlier both had volunteered at the Downhill event - Bill was on maintenance (the patch on the sleeve of his blue jacket read "Maintenance"); Mary was a Controller (the patch on the sleeve of her blue jacket read "Controller").  Their escapade into the event is hysterical and worth the read.  The following is an excerpt from Mary's book, Memoir Moments.

Dorie