1) Where else do you get to eat stale cookies that have been refrozen several times?
2) Great programs to stretch your mind and possibly aching body (thank you Chris and Dwight for the yoga presentation).
3) Unlimited possibilities to volunteer (this is not a subtle hint; we need help for the Poker Ski and Rock Soup activities).
4) Welcoming of other minorities (snow shoers, closet ice skaters, hikers and neophytes) that don’t share the love of cross country skiing.
5) Unlimited opportunities to make new friends and maybe meet your soul mate (I know a good minister).
6) Avoid having a yard sale by donating to the Poker Ski.
7) Where else do you know of a group of winter enthusiasts who have fun even with a crappy snowfall?
8) Leadership training by proposing a hike or nonwinter activity after the ski season is over which could be very soon (April meeting).
9)Realize your potential by writing a poem, offering a skit or telling a story or possible making a fool of yourself (many have) at the Tall Tales/Liar’s Club (March meeting).
10) Where else would you dare to be seen in public wearing spandex?

Best Hand Fun Ski and Snowshoe
Our annual fundraiser is now upon us. I’m sweating all the time and I’m now taking pep-to bismo and eating rollaids regularly. So where’s the snow? I’m usually worrying about prizes—will we have enough? The gifts are coming in at a steady rate. The goal is to have a prize for everyone in attendance. What about those Christmas presents that you faintly smiled when received? They will be a wonderful surprise for someone you don’t know or never have to see again, unless it is a club member. Remember if begging and groveling aren’t your forte (I’m not sure why it has become mine), make something, put a gift basket together or get a gift certificate from a favorite eatery. We need volunteers to pass out cards, launder money, food preparation, cleanup, etc. Come have fun Saturday, Feb. 5. Check in is between 11:00 to 12:15 and no one is allowed to start after 1:00.

Feb. 1 club meeting
Geoff Harvey will be putting together a power point presentation on various club activities through the year. The Panhandle Nordic Club is not a one-dimensional experience. This is a great opportunity to see what the club does. Invite your friends.

Cookies
Please bring some of your favorite cookies and goodies to the February club meeting. Jackie Beery will be making a gift tray for the highway department who plows the 4th of July parking lot for us. This is voluntary on their part so we like to let them know how much we appreciate this. Bring a few extra for the bachelor and bachelorettes and cooking challenged in the club. It may be the only home cooked food they get for the month.

Day activities are planned
Geoff Harvey is planning a day ski trip in February on some snowy, railroad grade. And Terry Bostick wants snow shoers to join him on easy trek, possibly on 4th of July. Tentative date is Feb. 12th. You can sign up at the meeting.

Overnight Trip
Jackie Beery and Jim McMillen are planning on skiing some local areas outside of Missoula over President’s Day Weekend, Feb. 19th to 20th. We will stay in downtown at a cheap motel. Snow conditions depending.

Rock Soup
Rock Soup, (Feb. 28 at the hut) is the club’s signature gourmet event. Bring something to put in the pot and go for a ski or snowshoe or a walk. Sorry no stale cookies allowed. A small committee is needed to organize—stir the soup, make duct tape origami table decorations, stoke the fire. It’s really easy. This could be your break into volunteerism with the club and use your Martha Stewart talents. Remember its fun to make new friends.

Elections
The board has decided to cancel elections for next year’s season. With all the election irregularities going on next door to us and in the world, the board has decided upon a dictatorship. So those of you who were sharpening your rhetoric and planning your campaign you will just have to sit this one out. The good news is that all board members have decided to stay on for another year. There is a tendency towards sado-masochism in this group.

HELP
Volunteers are needed to sit at the Centennial Trail table and answer questions about our club during the Banff Film Festival. Please call Chris, cell # 640-9733.
Banff Film Festival-Sunday, January 30,2005
North Idaho College, Boswell Auditorium 7 p.m.

The Best for Last
We have a website!! Hilma Volk (web goddess—check out her website www.manurehappens.com.) has volunteered to set up a website for us which is www.panhandlenordicclub.com. Hopefully it will be up and running by the Feb. 1st meeting. I’m so excited…..Jim


The Nordic Club Activity Calendar
February 1 - Club Meeting -- “This Is Your Club”
February 5 - Poker Ski Fundraiser
February 19-21 - Missoula Ski Weekend
February 26 - Rock Soup party at 4th of July
March 1 - Club Meeting -- Tall Tales & Ya I Du Ski
April 5 - Club Meeting -- Plan spring & summer hikes, etc.