Schenectady Wintersports Club

Northern New York Paddlers

Mohawk Valley Hiking Club

Newsletters

September 2024

We have open spots for Steamboat!

Ski with Billy Kidd

Ski the Champagne Powder

(Read more)

Notes From the President

by Karen Simmons

We’re finishing out the summer at the YMCA on Silver Bay. Lake George has not disappointed with beautiful weather, calm water and so very much to see and do. Already, the phones are pinging with messages of Fall Ball team assignments, Varsity volleyball practice times and classroom assignments for the school year ahead. This G’ma will enjoy our final 48 hours at the cabin, knowing that it will be awhile before I can, again, gather everyone together to play as a family. 

I’ve received several messages from members on a wide range of topics. I love hearing from everyone and appreciate the level of interest and engagement that members have regarding the activities of SWC. Your Board considers every opinion and suggestion when we work on policies for the immediate and extended future of our club. One element which has become a topic is the communication of activities outside the Capital District or Stowe areas. We are now a group whose home locations cover a large geographic area. That is a wonderful thing which brings together a wide range of experiences, but offers challenges, as well. How can we gather with like minded SWC members closer to our home areas? Our web page contains a Forum tab which seems to be one way to connect for a specific event or to  suggest meeting for a random activity. Check it out and begin the dialog. The Board is also committed to providing a Zoom option for our quarterly membership meetings to engage and inform the largest number of members possible. Our size offers challenges, but we’re up for it.

Now, I’m headed to the lake with my Grandson to enjoy the end of Summer

Admin News

UPDATE: Membership

Make sure you are up to date as an active member to make bookings for the clubhouse.  

We check membership status as reservations are made.  With the new system, we will send email reminders 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 10 days after the last email, then we will CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION  and refund your money. 

In the new system, you are able to find your existing reservation, and make name or membership ID corrections on your own! 

Board Minutes of Meetings

Members only: view here

The Clubhouse

MEMBERS who book at the clubhouse:

If you want to CHANGE or CANCEL your booking, YOU must do it online.

Membership Renewals and Staying at the Clubhouse

Everyone who stays at the house must enter their MEMBERSHIP ID! You may be asking why does the club keep harping on this point? 

There are obvious answers like insurance and avoiding room taxes, but the white elephant in the room is to avoid future regulation as a short-term rental property, subject to rules set by local towns! If the clubhouse were designated a short-term rental property, we might have to significantly change the way we operate.  For example, rules could be put in place to prevent us offering bookings for one or two nights at a time. If you think the avoidance of regulation is a far-fetched concern check these links:

https://www.waterburyroundabout.org/news-archive/8wbn78bf0nwbeb1oilk2ztlmog8oc1

https://www.vtcng.com/stowe_reporter/news/local_news/stowe-selectboard-hears-concerns-over-short-term-rentals-housing/article_c8998728-cf02-11ed-b9eb-bf0861a3c708.html

This is why we enforce valid Membership IDs in our reservation system, and why you may receive an email to correct your membership ID or make sure your membership is current.  These records help us to document the fact that ONLY MEMBERS are staying at the clubhouse.

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 a while, 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.

(Read more)  

Events

Visit swcweb.org 

For the latest updates on Upcoming Events

Chatter

Ski Boots: How to get the most out of the boots you have. 

By Bill Romania

Your ski boots are arguably the most important piece of equipment in the ski-binding-boot triumvirate because they link you and your movement, thru the binding and ski, to the mountain and vice versa. They also have to fit both you and your bindings....read more

Boats and more for sale

(read more)

The Northern New York Paddlers

Newsletter

For more information on canoe and kayak races visit NYPRA.ORG

The President's Column

By Ed Greiner

Scenes from the Cranberry Lake Race.  Ed Greiner, Ann Stitt, Brian Stitt, Elise Springuel came in 5th out of 8th - C4.  Lots of Kayaks and C2s also.

Mohawk Valley Hiking Club

Newsletter

MVHC President's Column

By Bill Simmons

Because Karen and I attended the Snow Train ’34 events earlier this year, we became very familiar with Wolf Hollow Brewery, where the events were held. We also happened upon their next door neighbor Murrays Fools Distillery. Both of these businesses are invested in their communities and are both members of Schenectady Sips Craft Beverage Trail and have created a mile long loop through the surrounding woods between them, adding to the total experience they both offer.  The Grain and Glass Trail, of which they are now part, is comprised of various trails throughout Glenville, with a large portion of them available year ‘round snow shoe rentals available at Wolf Hollow.  Neither long nor strenuous these trails offer local options to get to the woods, follow a trail and breath in the fresh air. Nice that there are such options.