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President's Notes by Karen Simmons 

Happy early summer to all. SWC warm weather activities are well under way with many choices for biking, hiking, paddling and whatever else keeps us moving. In just a couple of weeks we will be hosting our summer meeting, which will also be a picnic at Thatcher Park. Registration is strongly encouraged so we can plan for supplies and food for the day. Check out the events tab on the website for details of the day and to register. During the meeting there will be a chance to meet with Board members, let us know what you think is going well and what additions you might like to see. It will also be an opportunity for you to learn about the finances of the Club with a presentation by the Treasurer, an introduction to the newly implemented Clubhouse reservation system, tweaks to the Constitution and By-Laws that we'll share, and other items of general membership interest, as well. It won't be all serious....there will be plenty of time to explore the park or spend time at Wild Play which is near by. 

A new catagory has been added to our SWC website. Under Membership and Benefits is included "SWC Club catalog". Within that catagory is a link to order shirts, vests, jackets, sweatshirts, a tote bag or a summer hat all with the SWC logo embroidered on them. It's easy to view the options, place the order and then wait for your selections to be delivered to your address. 

I hope to see you on July 13th at the picnic. 

Karen 

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New Reservation Software…Live!

The Reservations Team has successfully completed implementation of  the new WebRezPro reservation software (WRP)! And all previous bookings made through BEDS24 have been entered into the new system.

There are a lot of new features to love in WRP that were not available in BEDS24:

• Members can MODIFY their own reservation.  You will be able to add or subtract days, add person(s) to your room, or even change rooms if available!

• Your personal “My Reservations” dashboard will show you Upcoming Reservations, Active Reservations, Gift Certificates, and Previous Reservations.  The dashboard gives you a view of exactly what you have booked and paid for.

• A full service set of communication emails: Confirmation, Guest Agreement and Pre-Arrival email.  These are set to a timely schedule - you get the confirmation email after booking and paying; The Guest Agreement and the Pre-Arrival emails are sent closer to the date of your arrival, to help manage the door lock access.

• A personal door lock code will be sent to you through an email 2 days prior to arrival. This system generated code is only good during the dates of your stay. (Just like a VRBO)!

• When making a reservation, you need to enter your SWC Membership ID.  Click on the PLUS symbol, and a text box appears for entry. You also have a link to open the SWC website to lookup your ID.

It is important that you read the user guide for WRP prior to using the system. It contains  information about accessing your new dashboard profile which relies on YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT being accurate. Use your own email account consistently to make sure you can see all of your reservations. The guide also contains explicit instructions for using gift certificates (formerly called vouchers), and step-by-step on making, canceling or modifying bookings.

We have scheduled 3 ZOOM training sessions to review the materials in the user guide and answer questions.  There are sign up links on the SWC event calendar or use a link below. PLEASE READ the User Guide before attending the training!

Session I Thursday July 11 - 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Session II Thursday July 25 - 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Session III Thursday August 8 - 7:00 - 8:00 PM

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Membership Renewals and Staying at the Clubhouse

Many members still have a membership renewal date of June 1, 2024. There are a few hundred members whose membership status is “Pending - Renewal”, meaning “not Active”. Please check your status.

It is important to make sure you are up to date as an active member in good standing to be able to make bookings for the clubhouse.  We do check membership status as reservations are made.  With the new system, automated booking reports are compared against our existing membership records, and we will send an email reminder to you to correct the situation. Compliance keeps the costs down!

About Off Season bookings…..SWC has added a requirement for booking the seasonal weekly rental - to be eligible to book for the week, you must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum 1 year prior to making the reservation. When we review weekly bookings, if you do not meet the membership requirement, then we will cancel the booking and refund any related payment.

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Hosts Needed

We have scheduled a number of hosted weekends at the clubhouse this year, and are looking for volunteers to host. If you are new to hosting or haven't hosted in awhile, John and Ellen Bidell are hosting a "Welcome to the House" weekend, October 24-27, as an orientation for hosts and those who haven't stayed before.  

Hosts prepare meals (with help) and organize tasks for the weekend, and earn vouchers for future stays. Take a look at the list below and pick a weekend to host at the clubhouse. Can't host but still want to be part of the fun? Mark your calendars to make your reservations for one of the hosted weekends. 

OTHER IDEAS

Golf Weekend

Bike Weekend

Cross Country Weekend

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Free Summer Music near the Clubhouse

Middlesex Bandstand Summer Concert series

The Middlesex Bandstand Summer Concert series takes place at the 465 Shady Rill Road, Middlesex next to Rumney Memorial School.  The concerts start at 6:30 pm.

Schedule:

July 10: Pointe Noir Cajun Band with Katie Trautz and her fiddle-driven New Orleans music.

July 31: Vermont’s own touring legend, Chad Hollister Band with a roots rock party vibe.

Aug 7: Noah Young Trio featuring guitar phenom Max Bronstein & drummer Andy Ggnon, both from New Orleans to roost on the Middlesex bandstand.

Aug 14: Billy Wylder—Avi Salloway an art-rock, global spirit band reminiscent of West Coast psychedelia.

More info: middlesexbandstand.com

Rusty Park Concerts

The Rusty Park Concerts take place at Memorial Park, South Main Street, Waterbury every Thursday from 6-8:30.  There may be food trucks available.

July 11 Maple Run Band: Americana, roots rock, alt-country and twang

July:18 Lewis Creek; Bluegrass

July 25: Prydein; Mix of American rock & Celtic rock band with the Great Highland bagpipe.

Aug 1; The Steppes: rock fusion & eclectic covers.

Aug 15: Rid River North with country Americana

Music in the Trapp Family Lodge Meadow concerts

This is a ticketed music series held in the Meadow on the Trapp Lodge site.  Bring your chair, blanket and a picnic. Gates open at 5:30 pm for picnicking! Concert 7:30 to 10:00 PM    Details at https://www.stoweperformingarts.com/contact/  

Schedule:

July 7: Vermont Symphony Orchestra; Enjoy a spectacular evening of music by Sufjan Stevens, Margaret Bonds, Vermont’s own Erik Nielsen, John Philip Sousa marches, John Williams’ E.T. score and more – plus spectacular solos from VSO’s musicians! Music Director Andrew Crust leads the ensemble featuring Principal Percussion D. Thomas Toner, Principal Clarinet Kelli O’Connor, and Principal Cello John Dunlop. Bring your picnic and relax under balmy summer skies with your Vermont Symphony Orchestra!

July 28: Catherine Russell; Grammy Award winning vocalist Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist/composer/bandleader, and Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist/guitarist/bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Sy Oliver. Ms. Russell has toured the world, performing and recording with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, The Holmes Brothers, Wynton Marsalis, and Rosanne Cash, among others.

Aug 18 Oxomatli; This multiple GRAMMY Award-winning Los Angeles-based band brings the evening’s energy up with their lively mash-up of salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap and several types of Latin music: tropical genres like merengue and cumbia, Mexican styles like norteño and Jamaican ska and reggae, all mixed with a heavy dose of hip-hop and fun

Spruce Peak Summer Concert Series

This is a ticketed music series held at the Spruce Peak Village Green.  Opens at 5pm  the Music starts at 6pm and the Main show at 7pm.  More information at https://www.sprucepeak.com/concerts2024/  

July 11: Chelsea Cutler; The Platinum singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer sings with a novelist's attention-to-detail. Generating over 3 billion streams and selling out worldwide tours, she has also been named Forbes 30 Under 30 and has received acclaim from Billboard, Variety, Wall Street Journal, NPR, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and many more.    With special guest Yoke Lore

July 25: Jamestown Revival; Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) is an Americana band from Austin, TX. They have performed at iconic music festivals, including ACL, Coachella & Lollapalooza, and alongside the likes of The Avett Brothers, Ryan Bingham, Brandi Carlile & Willie Nelson. They’ve released four critically acclaimed albums (Utah, The Education of A Wandering Man, San Isabel, Young Man) & two equally praised EPs (A Field Guide To Loneliness, Fireside With Louis L’Amour).  With special guest Kat Wright.

Aug 7: Ripe; “The wildest thing for me is that the record simultaneously sounds like it has the scars of everything we’ve been through and also that it doesn’t — it’s joyful music, which is very exciting given that it was made in the middle of getting hit in the stomach,” says singer Robbie Wulfsohn, who came together with guitarist Jon Becker, drummer Sampson Hellerman, and trombonist Calvin Barthel while they were all studying at Berklee College of Music. with special guests G. Love and The Free Label

Aug 29: Brandy Clark; A GRAMMY and CMA Award-winner, Brandy Clark an esteemed songwriter and musician. Clark won Best Americana Performance at this year’s 66th GRAMMY Awards for her song “Dear Insecurity,” featuring 11x GRAMMY-winner Brandi Carlile — Clark’s first GRAMMY win. The song is from Clark’s self-titled album, which was produced by Carlile and features her most personal songwriting to date.  With special guest Stephen Kellogg.

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SWC Picnic is Around the Corner

Saturday, July 13 at Thacher Park

The summer picnic is right around the corner - July 13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 PM at Thacher Park in New Scotland. Please sign up on the SWC website so we can plan for food. What to bring? Money for parking, a side or dessert to share, your beverage of choice, a comfy chair and any games you would like to play.

Hope to see lots of you there!

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MVHC Long Path Hike Section 34

Currently the Long Path is a 358 mile hiking trail extending from the 175th Street Subway Station in NYC , north to John Boyd Thatcher Park in Albany County. Future plans are to extend the trail to the Mohawk River and eventually into the Adirondacks.

As a long time member and trail maintainer with Long Path North, I would like to extend an invitation to join in the following scheduled hikes:

July 13 LP in Cole Hill State Forest, about 3 miles on LP Section 34

Contact Bill Simmons for further hike details (time TBD).

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We have open spots for Steamboat!

New members will receive a 1 year membership...

For more information SKI TRIPS

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Two Kayaks for Sale 

- Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135T:  Tandem kayak that can also be used solo, great for carrying stuff to a water-bound campsite.  

- Dagger Kayaks Zydeco 9.0:  Solo kayak, 38 pounds so even a smaller person can manage on/off a car top easily. 

- Plus a Thule DockGlide cartop carrier

Great kayaks well-loved by the family, but we now need to give them up due to a medical issue, and we hope that they find their next good home. If needed, we have paddles, life jackets (for children and adults) and a Thule DockGlide cartop kayak carrier. Normal scratches for used kayaks, but in ready-to-use condition. Feel free to research and any reasonable offer will be considered. In Glenmont (can send photos in advance, and can deliver across the Capital District if needed). Contact James Chung, 617 851 8697 or James Chung.