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The FaGowee International, Sacramento Chapter

May 2005

Elections
The deadline for accepting nominations for the upcoming elections to fill
the much sought after 2005-2006 FaGowee Board positions has came and went (Aug 26th).

When: May 24, 2005 @ 6:30 pm
Where: Karen & Norman Benedict's House
            1021 Mallard Circle, Folsom, CA
  Club will be providing a Spaghetti dinner.
  All you have to do is BYOB.
               

Voting

 

What: Changes to the Constitution (see pg 10)
When & Where: Same as Elections (see LEFT)

If you are unable to make it and wish to VOTE, Ask for an Absentee Ballot by May 17th.
It then MUST be received by May 21st.

There are still two openings for board positions that need nominations: Social Chair & Race Chair.
Contact the election committee, Bob McDonald, Jackie Chesi or Fred Conjour.
The following nominations have been received:

President Jim Van Riper
Vice President  Lee Johnson
Secretary Margaret Norville
Treasurer Norman Benedict
Trips Diane Wilson
Social  
Race  
Membership Karen Fontaine-Benedict
Newsletter Tracee Carter

It looks like another nail biter of an election this year.

Don’t forget about upcoming Events in June!

2nd ANNUAL FaGOWEE FAMILY PICNIC
and
END OF THE WORLD PARTY
June 4, 2005
See page 5 for more information 

27th Annual Clam Trip
at Dillon Beach
June 24th-26th, 2005
See page 6 for more information

 

Board Members

PRESIDENT
Eric (Skiing Eagle) Schmitt
782-3158
president@sacramentofagowees.org

VICE-PRESIDENT
Lee Johnson
967-5903
vicepresident@sacramentofagowees.org

EX-PRESIDENT
Jon Johnson
457-7743
jonjohnson@lanset.com

SECRETARY
Jim Van Riper
721-0892
secretary@sacramentofagowees.org

TREASURER
Norman Benedict
985-8523
treasurer@sacramentofagowees.org

TRIPS
Shirley Schmitt
782-3158
trips@sacramentofagowees.org

SOCIAL
Meredith Meschini
920-1502
mmesch_2000@yahoo.com

RACE
Lee Johnson
967-5903
race@sacramentofagowees.org

MEMBERSHIP
Karen Fontaine-Benedict
985-8523
membership@sacramentofagowees.org

HISTORIAN
Bob McDonald
817-4277

NEWSLETTER
Tracee Carter
366-3223
801-2803
newsletter@sacramentofagowees.org


HOTLINE
491-5999

 Prez Says

      As my term as your Chief, comes to a close, I would like to share my gratitude with the members in officialdom.  Being president is not all that difficult of a task.  The real work is done by your board.
      Lee Johnson sits next to me at all the board meetings.  He has been invaluable to me with his wit, humor, historical knowledge, and his willingness as V.P. to fill in the gaps. Skiing with you has been especially fun!
      Shirley Schmitt, I want to say thanks a bunch!  Shirley has served on and off the board for years.  She has a wisdom about her that we all listen to and we will miss.  Thanks Shirley, for being there when I come to you for advice or just for another opinion.
      Jim Van Riper, what can I say, but a big thanks for serving a very time consuming job as Secretary, and trip leader of one of the big club events!  You were there when I came here from Cleveland looking for "the Club".  Thanks again Jim, your my good friend with Jaeger always on ice!  Good luck on your next assignment, "the Chief!".
      Karen Benedict has done a great service this past year as Membership Chair.  This is a very time consuming job, a rather difficult job, until you get it organized, and get the computer/data system down.  Karen has also volunteered to help out wherever needed outside this position.  Thank you, Karen for filling this position again.
      I also have Jon Johnson to thank as my friend, and personal advisor as Past President.  You have been at my disposal for legal advice, when I make decisions, or have problems concerning the club.  I thank you for your assistance in operating this club this past year.
      Meredith Meschini leaves us as Social Chair. Well Meredith, what can say except thanks for filling that spot.  You continue to amaze me with your unending energy, and creativity in finding new things to do and new places to go  Thank you Meredith for turning us on to Kayaking.
      Thanks to you Norman Benedict for taking on the task of Treasurer for another year!  Your skills as Treasurer are greatly appreciated.  Your input, Ideas, and assistance helped us all in operating the club this past year.  Thank you Norm!
      Tracee Carter brought her expertise to the club.  The newsletter and website reflect that drive of yours to deliver.  You Tracee have been a delight to work with.  Becoming a Mother for the second time I know is most important to you and your family, but, you still took time to give your devotion to the club.  For that, we all thank you, Tracee.
      Last and certainly not least, I would like to thank our Historian Bob McDonald.  You have organized all our events and trips in pictures seen by many.  These yearly albums demonstrate the longevity of good times of the clubs existence.  Thanks again Bob for your contribution to the club. 

Thank you FaGowees, for letting me be your president for the 2004-2005 year!
ERIC

Looking for some pictures!!!

We still need pictures of the "Gold Point" Ghost Town Trip,
The Orphan's Christmas Party at Sally Green's,
"Blue Moon" Pool Party at Tim and Ellen's,
and any of your snow pictures. 
We would like 4 x 6 prints and with the dates and info on the back of the prints.

Thanks~ Bob McDonald
Snow News is published monthly for the FaGowee International, Sacramento Chapter members. Articles or photos MUST BE to Tracee Carter by the 20th of each month. You may e-mail the information to Tracee at newsletter@sacramentofagowees.org or call (366-3223/801-2803). Editor has the right to edit or omit submitted material because of content or space, with Executive Board oversight.

 

Special Announcements

Eppie’s Great Race
July 16, 2004
8 a.m to 11 a.m.

     Time to start planning for Eppie’s Great Race. The race is a triathlon consisting of a runner, a cyclist, and a paddler. It starts on the bike trail bridge at William Pond Park to Guy West Bridge to Sunrise Ave. footbridge to Goethe Park.
     No, we’re not looking for participants. We are looking for volunteers to help at the finish line. We will be taking the popsicle sticks and bib tags from the finishers, and processing them. I need a few people with special skills to enter the times on the scoreboards.
     For four hours of volunteering you get a T-shirt, parking pass, food & drink tickets, and tight buns. There is a big party at Goethe Park after the race. In addition, we will have a pool party. The site year will be at Diane Wilson. She lives near Goethe Park. For those hardy soles, you can park at her house and ride or walk to Goethe Park.

For more information and volunteering, please contact me. Jackie Chesi, 916 3448413 or j.chesi@comcast.net.
Please leave your t-shirt size when you call or email.


May Birthdays

2 Ruby Lerner 15 Richard Dangles
9 Cindy Dangles 22 Robert McDonald
9 Linda Marren 24 Bruce Colmer
11 George Morton 28 Lora Christoffel

Get Ready to go Whitewater Rafting on the
South Fork of the American River!!

When: July 9, 2005
   **However, we'll need 4 or more people to sign up and pay,
     so that equipment can be reserved!

Cost: $35 rafting (commercial can charge in excess of $100)
         $3 parking/car & $3 use fee/person (paid @ Camp Lotus)
**1/2 is due by June 25, 2005 & other half is due the day of rafting**

Please bring a Backpack Lunch.

For more information contact:
Mike or Tracee Carter
916-801-2803
tracee@na-usa.com

NEED ADVERTISING SPACE? WANT TO SELL SOMETHING?

Several club members have recently made inquiries as to the possibility of placing personal advertisements in the Snow News. The Executive Board addressed that question at the January ’05 Executive Board Meeting. Effective immediately, we will be accepting personal advertisements for publication in your newsletters.

If you have something to sell or if you want to advertise your business, you can now place your personal advertisement in the Snow News, and your cost of placing each ad will be as follows:

AD SPACE SIZE:

MEMBER PRICE:

NON-MEMBER PRICE:

Business Card Size (2-1/8”H x 3-1/2"W)

$ 5.00 per month

$10.00 per month

¼ Page Size (4”H x 3-1/4”W)

$10.00 per month

$15.00 per month

½ Page Size (4”H x 6-1/2”W)

$15.00 per month

$20.00 per month

The Usual Small Print:

  1. Personal ads will be published one-time per month for the above-indicated prices. Please include your payment along with your ad and mail it to the FaGowee post office box.
  2. Your ad and payment must be received at the FaGowee post office box on or before the 10th of the month to be included in the following month’s newsletter.
  3. The Publications Editor has the right to refuse any advertisement that may be deemed inappropriate.

 

Trip, Trips and more Trips
June 24-26, 2005 Clam Dig at Dillon's Beach Wally Baumgartner
916-736-1540
August 11-14, 2005 Abalone Dive & Dine at Casper Beach Jim Van Riper
916-721-0892
September 10-11, 2005 Car Rally Karen & Norm Benedict
916-985-8523
October 14-16, 2005 Annual Ghost Town Trip Don Girard
916-635-8159

Shirley Schmitt, Trips!

Social Corner
Meredith Meschini

Please mark your calendars now for the following dates. There is always room for more. If you have an event you would like to host, please either e-mail me or call me so we can make sure no other event is being planned on that date. I am always here to help with any event and get it advertised on the social calendar.

May 10th Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm ~ Jim VanRiper's Residence
7500 Blackthorne Way, Citrus Heights, CA 916-721-0892
May 24th Elections & Social Meeting @ 6:30 pm ~ Karen & Norm Benedict's house
1021 Mallard Circle, Folsom, CA  916-985-8523
June 4th

2nd Annual FaGowee Picnic & End of the World Party @ Rancho Seco
Contact Meredith Meschini (916-920-1502) or Jim VanRiper (916-721-0892)

June 14th Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm ~ Bob McDonald's Residence
1078 Perazzo Circle, Folsom, CA  916-817-4277
June 28th Social Meeting Potluck @ 6:30 ~ Diane Wilson's Residence
9716 Elmira Circle, Sacramento, CA
July 26th Social Meeting Potluck @ 6:30 ~ Eric & Shirley Schmitt's Residence
628 Dawnridge Rd, Roseville, CA 916-782-3158
Aug 23rd Social Meeting Potluck @ 6:30 ~ TBA
Sept 27th Social Meeting Potluck @ 6:30 ~ Tom & Adrianne Parks' Residence
759 Shoreside Dr, Sacramento CA 916-391-3160
Dec 10th Christmas Party at the Buggy Whip.  More details at a later date.

 

FaGOWEE EVENT / TRIP REFUND POLICY
Revised, Approved and Adopted at the Executive Board Meeting, October 8, 2003

   1.        The following Refund Policy applies to any Club event for which a fee is charged.
   2.        You will automatically receive a 100% refund fur any trip or event cancelled by the Club.
   3.        If you cancel and someone takes your place from the waiting list, you will receive a refund of the amount you paid, less a cancellation fee. The cancellation
           fee will be $10.00 or 10% of the event/trip fee- whichever is more, unless a specific cancellation fee is advertised for the event/trip.
   4.        If you cancel and there is no waiting list, or no one on the list takes your place, you will receive a refund of the amount you paid less a cancellation fee and
           less any expenses that the Club incurs due to your cancellation.
   5.        If you arrange for someone not on the waiting list to take your place, you will be responsible for full payment to the Club plus any transfer fees or costs the   
        Club incurs because of the change. Other money transactions are between you and your replacement. You must provide that replacement with a note for the 
           trip leader or you must confirm the replacement directly with the trip leader prior to the event/trip. The person who submits payment must request all refunds 
           from the Executive Board in writing within 60 days after the completion of the event/trip. The Executive Board will review the final financial report from the 
           event/trip and may approve refunds in accordance with this refund policy.
   6.        Any member may appeal to the Executive Board for refunds greater than provided by this policy if special circumstances warrant.
   7.        There will be no refund for events that are designated as "Fund Raisers" unless they are cancelled or rescheduled by the Club.

 

2nd ANNUAL FaGOWEE FAMILY PICNIC & END OF THE WORLD PARTY
By: Jim Van Riper & Meredith Meschini

DAY / DATE: Saturday, June 4, 2005 – 11:00 am
LOCATION: Rancho Seco Recreational Area – Picnic Site # 2-C
COST: There is a $5 entry fee at the park ($4 for seniors and handicapped).
            Your entry fee will be reimbursed at the picnic site upon showing your receipt.

Come and join your brother & sister FaGowee’s at our 2nd Annual FaGowee Family Picnic. This outing is being combined with the annual End of the World Party this year. If you have any FaCademy Awards to present this year, this will be the place and time to do it. This location shows all the earmarks of being a great place to hold this first of many annual events. Rancho Seco Recreational Area is located adjacent to SMUD’s former nuclear power plant. There is a 160-acre fresh-water lake, large lawn areas and a large clean sandy beach. R/V and tent camping sites are available for those who might want to come earlier or stay longer.
Note: If you want to camp, you must make your own reservations. Reservation information is listed below on this page.
             Some of us will be staying in the campground for the weekend.

FOR THIS OUTING: We plan to share a BBQ picnic lunch and to enjoy a great fun day together.
THE CLUB WILL PROVIDE: Meats to BBQ, the sandwich buns and condiments, a variety of soft drinks & bottled water, and the plates, cups & eating utensils.
YOU NEED TO BRING: Your friends and family (yes, your kids and grandkids are welcome). Bring your own booze and a pot-luck dish to share. Bring your ball gloves, bats and a ball for a softball game, your horseshoes, your Frisbees, your swimsuits, your kayaks or canoes and your fishing poles. Also bring any FaCademy Awards you may wish to present to any of your unsuspecting recipients.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO: Rancho Seco Recreational Area offers everybody a wide variety of things to do for their enjoyment.

  1. 100 shaded, grassy picnic areas adorn the lake’s southern shore. Picnic tables and BBQ pits are available.

  2. Cast a line from one of the six fishing piers. The lake sports bass, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, crappie and catfish. SMUD also stocks the lake with rainbow trout, November through March. (Fishing enthusiasts 16 years and older must possess a valid California fishing license to fish).

  3. There are two boat-launching ramps. Bring your own kayak, canoe, rowboat, sailboat or electric motor boat. Gas-powered boats are not allowed on the lake.

  4. Pedal-boat and kayak rental is available from May through September.

  5. Depending on the wind conditions, windsurfing is allowed.

  6. There is a roped-off swimming area along the 36,000-square-foot sandy beach. Lifeguards are on duty.

  7. There is a General Store available May through September for your incidental shopping needs.

  8. 18 R/V campsites are available. Each site has a BBQ, fire pit, picnic table, drinking water and electrical outlets. There is a $15 per night charge for R/V sites and reservations are required. A sanitation dumpsite is available at the park. Call 916-732-4913 to make your R/V reservations.

  9. 20 Tent lakeside campsites are available. Each site has a BBQ, picnic table and drinking water. There is a $10 per night charge for Tent sites and reservations are required. Call 916-732-4913 to make your camping reservations.

  10. Also available for your convenience: Coin operated showers, Washer & Dryers, Fish cleaning station, 3 public restrooms, Horseshoe pits and a Recreation Room for overnight campers.

DIRECTIONS: From Sacramento, take Highway 99 south to the Twin Cities Road/Highway 104 exit. Go east for 15 miles on Highway 104 to the Rancho Seco Park exit. Take the first right after passing the two towers to the park entrance. We’re looking forward to seeing you there. “AFFAFFA”

 

 

Discount Tickets
If you have not turned in your unused Homewood or Sugar Bowl tickets, please call Robert Rice immediately! Ticket returns for these areas received after May 10th will not be accepted.  Alpine Meadows, Northstar, and Squaw Valley tickets can be turned in any time before October 15th, 2005.
     Northstar tickets ($49) can be used during the summer for activities such as:
          ~Mountain Biking - bike rental and lift ticket OR two mountain bike tickets
          ~Golf – 18 hole round of golf after 1:00 PM
     Squaw Valley tickets ($51) can be redeems for summer activities as High Camp (more details in the coming months).
If you are interested in purchasing tickets for these summer activities, please contact:

Robert Rice 916-996-9842
 rob@ricero.com

 

 

 

ANNUAL ABALONE DIVE & DINE
By: Jim Van Riper & Jon Johnson – Trip Leaders

Get away from it all…. Leave the 100+ summer degree heat of home behind and take the scenic route through the California Redwoods to the cooler weather on the coast north of Mendocino. Join us as we relax among the redwoods and sunbathe on one of the cleanest beaches in Northern California. Take a ride on the Skunk Train through some of the most pristine redwood forests you’ll ever see. Explore the quaint town of Mendocino, test the libations at the brew-pub in Ft. Bragg and join us for a great abalone feast on Saturday night (there will be BBQ chicken for those who have an aversion to abalone).
             There will be an Oreo-stacking contest for the kids, a sand sculpting contest for those of all ages, and a campsite-decorating contest for the adults. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries, so hone your skills and dust off your fancy decorations.
             As of this writing, the 15 R/V sites have been spoken for. I have several others who are asking about R/V site availability, so those who get their payment to me will be guaranteed a site. We still have plenty of tent spaces for the young-at-heart and brave tent-campers available.

WHERE: WHEN:
Caspar Beach R/V Park & Campground Arrive: Thursday, Aug 11, 2005
14441 Point Cabrillo Dr, Mendocino, CA 95460 Depart: Sunday, Aug 14, 2005

COSTS:
        ~ R/V Camping Fees: $33 per night – most sites have full hookups available. Those staying in R/V sites will be responsible for paying
            their own camping fees to the R/V Park. The R/V campers will pay the club the “Saturday Night Dinner Only” fees for their attendance.
        ~Tent Camping Fees: Members: $40 ea. “Wildcard” Guests: $40 ea. Other guests: $50 ea. Thurs (8-11) to Sun (8-14)
        ~ Saturday Dinner Only: Members: $25 ea. “Wildcard” Guests: $25 ea. Other guests: $35 ea.
        ~ Divers: FREE (Please note: “Divers” are defined as those who actually physically go under the water and return with abalone for
            consumption by the attendees at the Saturday Night Dinner.)
        ~ Children 15 & under: FREE (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
        ~ Pets: The campground charges an additional $2 per night per pet. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to pay this fee to the park.

BRING: Your own firewood, camping equipment, warm clothes as it can be cool, lawn chairs, towels, soap, etc. BYOB. You’re on your own for all meals except the Saturday Night Abalone Dinner.

NEARBY THINGS TO DO: Included, but not limited to: Kayaking sea cave tours, Skunk Train, Botanical gardens, Pt. Cabrillo lighthouse, Mendocino Village, Noyo Harbor Fishing Village, magnificent redwoods, river canoeing, golf & tennis, many fine restaurants, bicycling, scuba diving, fishing, beach combing, shell collecting, horseback riding, blueberry picking and wine tasting at several local wineries.

STILL NEEDED: Volunteer, Divers, Volunteer Cooks, and Happy Campers.

CONTACT: Jim Van Riper at 916-721-0892 for more information. To guarantee your reservations, send your check payable to the FaGowee’s to me ASAP at my mailing address as follows:

                    Abalone Dive & Dine
                    c/o Jim Van Riper
                    P.O. Box 7045
                    Citrus Heights, CA 95621-7045

Please note that any refunds for this trip will be made strictly in accordance with the current FaGowee Refund Policy as published in each and every monthly issue of the Sacramento FaGowee Snow News newsletter.

 

Come Join Your Friends
on This Year’s
Mystery Car Rally

September 10th and 11th, 2005

           Cost: $120 for members
                                       $140 for non-members

 

Deposit of $60 is due by June 10th
With the full amount due by August 10th

A trip packet with all details will be sent out on
June 1st with your final payment notice.

Contact the Car Rally Committee:
Laura Thompson
Karen or Norm Benedict
916-985-8523
For more information

As always the FaGowee event/trip refund policy will be in effect.

Congratulations to all our WONDERFUL racers this year!
Especially to MARK HADLEY, who has won 3 GOLD MEDALS this season!
Actually, it may be more, we lost count!
At this point, we only have the awards for the Sierra League racers, not for the finals.
We’ll try and print those for the next edition.

RACE RESULTS UPDATE:

3/12/05 NORTHSTAR GS
Tom Horton (S1): silver medal
Mark Hadley (S2): 4th
Lee Johnson (S8): gold medal

3/13/05 NORTHSTAR SL
Mark Hadley (S2): 4th place

3/27/05
Mark Hadley (S2): gold medal
Lauri Thompson (S7): gold medal
Lee Johnson (S8): silver medal

**Racers: if you raced more than one race this season, be sure and show up for the End of the World party on June 4th for your surprise gift.  Please let Andrea (andreajoew@sbcglobal.net or 487-9052)) know what size T shirt you wear (I guess that question kind of spoils the surprise part of it!)

I encourage all of you that didn’t race this year to commit to it next year.  It’s really a lot of fun; you make new friends you’re your skiing really improves.  You will get a handicap and just race against others at your own level!

New this year was race registration via the Internet so that you didn’t have to drag yourself out of bed at some ungodly hour to be at registration at 7:30a.m. to 8:30a.m.

 

May 2005

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10

Board Meeting

 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24
Elections   Social     Meeting    		25 26 27 28
29 30 31        

May Events

5/10 Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm VanRiper’s House 721-0892
5/24 Elections & Social Meeting @ 6:30 pm Benedict’s House 985-8523
June 2005

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

      1 2 3 4

2nd Annual Picnic
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14

Board Meeting

 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24

Clam Dig @ Dillon Beach

 25
26

Clam Dig @ Dillon Beach

 27 28

Social
Meeting

 29 30    

June Events

6/4 2nd Annual FaGowee Picnic & End of the World Party ~ Meredith Meschini 916-920-1502
6/14 Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm ~ McDonald's House 916-817-4277
6/24-6/26 Clam Dig at Dillon Beach ~ Wally Baumgartner 916-736-1540
6/28 Social Meeting Potluck @ 6:30 pm Wilson's House