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Chasing Slices Of Lumber: Sawmill Ski Race, February 7, 2010

The sight of 19 WRNSC members participating in a race has to be setting a new record for the club, or at least nearing some of the larger contingents in the early 1990s. The fun-filled fiesta at the Sawmill Race in Hepworth had participants chase "slices of logs with a ribbon" as the ultimate prize. Well, Ralph and Bill came away with their hardware having taken the 2nd and 3rd places in the Master Men 7 km. As for the other 17 members, they left with great memories, including Juniors Jeremy, Colin and Vincent, as well as the quartet of Hannah, Heather, Lindsey and Syndney. Julie can still claim youth as the Senior women, but thereafter, our participants already have a few wrinkles but lots of life experiences; these include Donna, Leslie, Julie and Mary (another quartet), as well as Peter, Mike, Bill, Ralph, Mark, Joel, and Stephan. Mark this event on the calendar for next year; maybe, we'll raise the participant numbers again. Special thanks to Alex of Soigneur Race Services, who delivered much of the Adult Racer 101 team in his stylish van, which seats 9 and carries cookies...
Picture: Mike asking Ralph at the start: "What do I do?" Ralph replying, "Just follow me."

Magic Rabbits launch racing season at Orangeville, January 23, 2010

The Magic Rabbits, under the guidance of Susan and Ed, launched their season opening race at Orangeville under brilliant blue skies.
In the 2 km Mini Midget Girls race, Hannah Shields ( 9:56), Sydney Rasberry (10:52) , Lindsay Harttrup (14:11), and Heather Eble (14:49) placed 5th, 11th, 14th and 15th respectively. The course was sugary and dry, which made the day candy coated.
The 2 km Mini Midget boys had Cian McCarron finish 9th with a time of 9:55.
The Midget boys had to race a little further to finish their course. The 3.5 km course had 2 boys from WRNSC.
Rigel Conway-White finished 11th with a time of 15:09 and Colin Eble placed 15th with a 15:37 clocking. For many this was their first event and they came away with a sense of accomplishment. The Junior Outers had Oliver Conway-White finish 5th with a 20:08 clocking for the 5 km course.
The next race for the Magic Rabbits will be Sunday Feb. 07 at the Suntrail Race outside of Owen Sound and hopefully, the contingent of WRNSC skiers will only increase.

In the picture: Sydney, Heather, Hannah, and Lindsay. They'd bound to stir up skiing in Ontario in the future!

Highlands Nordic Bus Trip - Saturday, February 27, 2010

The WRNSC is offering a special Bus Trip for the family to Highlands Nordic. Travel is by school bus.
It will take place on Saturday February 27th, 2010. Highlands Nordic is a great place to ski, with a great view of Georgian Bay (once you climb up the escarpment).

Highlands Nordic has a Cafe that serves soup and Chili as well as other hot snacks, and we
will have the luxury of using the Diesel room (reserved just for us!!)

Sign up soon!

Prices are:
Children             $ 5.00
Adults               $10.00
Non-Members    $25.00
Children under the age of 2 are free!

Trail passes are $10.00 (Discounted rate for Bus)

Time to meet at Conestoga Mall  - 7:15 am (Depart at 7:30)
Time to meet at Highlands Nordic - 2:45 pm (Depart at 3:00)
Return home at approximately 5:00pm.

**** Must sign up and provide money for Bus Fare by Feb 12th 2010****

To sign up please contact :
Susan Shields (519) 650-8909 or susanshields@gto.net

Congratulations to WRNSC Junior Skier!

Andy Shields was in Quebec competing at the World Junior Trials this past week and qualified to be on the Junior National Team. The team will be heading off to Hinterzarten, Germany next week to race at the 2010 Junior and Under 23 World Championships from January 25th to January 31st. Well done Andy!! You can read the recent Record article about Andy at http://news.therecord.com/article/655021.

For more information on Hinterzarten and the event follow this link: http://en.jwm-2010.de/

2010 Canadian Ski Orienteering Championships

If you like the idea of combining cross-country skiing with orienteering, then the upcoming Winter Adventure Race and 2010 Canadian Ski Orienteering Championships may be of interest to you. It's being held on Saturday and Sunday, January 23rd and 24th, 2010, at Mansfield Outdoor Centre and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. It's being hosted by the Stars Orienteering Club of Waterloo Region http://stars.kw.net. One must be a member of an orienteering club to particpate in the ski-orienteering championships on Sunday, so WRNSC members have been offered a $10 introductory membership by Stars http://stars.kw.net/docs/memberapplication.html. For further details contact Nick Duca at nickduca2003@yahoo.ca or star_orienteering@yahoo.ca.

Upcoming Ski Season 2010

Much of Ontario has experienced abundant snowfall, just in time for a variety of loppets (i.e. a mass participation cross-country ski event). This is a great opportunity to experience skiing outside of Waterloo Region at some outstanding ski venues. Here are some to consider:

Sunday, Jan. 10, Midland Ski Club, up to 9 km skate www.mountainviewmidland.com
Sunday, Jan. 24, Muskoka Loppet, 15 & 30 km classic, 7 km classic for kids and social skiers, Huntsville www.arrowheadnordic.ca
Sunday Feb. 7, Suntrail Special, Hepworth (near Owen Sound), 7 & 14 km, www.bruceskiclub.ca/suntrail_special/
Sat/Sun, Feb. 13/14, Canadian Ski Marathon, 160 km - 44th year of this 2-day Nordic classic, on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, http://www.csm-mcs.com/index2.html
Sat/ Sun, Feb. 20/21, The Gatineau, various events http://www.gatineauloppet.com/php/en/index_en.php
Sat/Sun, Mar. 6/7, Midland 24 Hour www.mountainviewmidland.com

Rental Ski Equipment Pick-up, Friday January 8, 2010

For those club members who have not picked up their rental equipment for children and youth skiers, there is a limited selection of skis, boots and poles available for pick-up this Friday at 6:30 PM. The location is the City of Kitchener storage facility, right along Goudie's Lane, behind the Scotiabank in downtown Kitchener (King St. W. and Ontario St.) You can park in the Scotiabank parking lot off of Ontario St. Our equipment manager, Eva, will be on hand to help you out.

Bechtel Park Lights Up Starting January 5, 2010.

Beginning on Tuesday January 5, 2010, the lights on soccer field #5 will be turned on for the benefit of WRNSC members and the skiing public. The lights will remain on from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday. So, whether you're taking lessons or just out for a fun ski, your experience will be much more.... enlightened.

Highlands Nordic Coach Bus Trip - Sunday, January 31

The WRNSC and the Grand Valley Trails Association (GVTA) are once again organizing a ski trip via comfy coach bus to the ever-popular Highlands Nordic (www.highlandsnordic.on.ca) on Sunday, January 31, 2010. This cross-country ski mecca offers 24 km of impeccably groomed ski trails for the classic and /or skate skiers, from novice to expert. For those family members who don't ski, Highlands does have some speedy toboggan runs. Highlands Nordic's location atop the Niagara Escarpment, near Collingwood, ensures that the snowsqualls coming off of Georgian Bay provide supreme ski conditions. Their ski centre also provides equipment rentals, a pro & service shop, change rooms, waxing facilities and a full service cafeteria that offers hot meals & fresh baked goods.

Advanced registration is required. Registration deadline, along with payment, is Sunday, January 10, 2010. A minimum of 35 participants is required. Trip cost includes bus fare & ski trail fee. The fee is non-refundable, unless the trip is cancelled. Adults - $35; Youths - $21; Children 6 & under - $10. Fee for non-members is $45.

Make your cheque payable to the "Waterloo Region Nordic Sports Club", and mail it to: WRNSC, P.O. Box 40031, Waterloo, ON N2J 4V1. Please include the number of particpants and their names, age group, contact phone # and e-mail address. Also indicate which pick-up point you have chosen (see below).

Skiers will picked up at 2 locations by an Ayr Coach Lines bus:

In Kitchener - Departure at 7:45 AM, Holiday Inn, 30 Fairway Road South. Park in the far side of the lot closest to King St. Provide GVTA leader Georgia Mulholland with your license plate #.

In Waterloo - Departure at 8:15 AM, Conestoga Mall at parking lot north of Zellers (enter off of Conestoga Road, parking lot will be to the left). Park as far away from the mall and store entrances as possible.

The approximate arrival time back to K-W is 6 PM.

To register or if you have any questions, contact Greg at nolanharling@rogers.com.

All Shiny and Looking Like New, November 21, 2009

The Junior Racing team completed its first Ski-Tune-Up at the Breithaupt Center on November 21, for 26 members, while fundraising $270 for travel to the Eastern Canadian championships in February 2010. Thanks to the members who came out. You are a step ahead of many, who are waiting for the snow to even look for their skis. Well at this point, we are all waiting for snow. It is coming...

Adult Program Coordinator Needed, 2009-2010 season
Beth Baechler's imminent move to Edmonton has vacated the position of adult program coordinator and we need to fill her ski boots with a volunteer candidate. The Learn-to-Ski programs have currently three committed instructors, and the coordinator needs to be the cement for all the participants; you tasks include:
-contacting all participants prior to the start of the program in January,using the web page e-mail services
-contacting participants with changes in program delivery due to weather/snow,using the web page e-mail services,
-meeting and greeting participants on Tuesday and Wednesday night, especially in the first few sessions
-promoting the Ski&Socials with its program coordinator Julie
-be a contact and promoter of the club to all participants
-soliciting instructors at the end of the season for a participant's name, who has shown great spirit, attendance and improvement
-possibly taking pictures for the members' section of the web page
As you can see, it's about a few e-mails and being a friendly face, unless you add more ideas and endeavours. Should you be a qualified instructor, it is a bonus as a coordinator. Should you wish to become a instructor, the club will fully support you financially. Please contact the club by phoning the hotline at 519-880-1719.

Woodchipping 2009, October 31, 2009, Bechtel Park

Don't let Disney's depiction of the chaingang mislead you; wood chipping Bechtel Park is not quite like it as the striped uniform is optional, but this year's date coincides with Halloween, so you might just make it a costume occasion. We are woodchipping on October 31, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. You can contribute the whole morning or just parts of it. Wear boots and clothing appropriate for the weather and bring a shovel, rake and or a wheel barrow, should you have one. We will meet near the stone bridge, which is easily reached when you enter the woods at the soccer fields. A lunch will be provided for all participants.

Registration 2009-2010

It is time to think about registration fot the season, and this year we have several options for you:
Preferred Method: New for 2009-2010
1. Register on-line after September 30, using PayPal if you wish. We encourage members to register on line as we will try to use our web features more, including the members section. If you do not wish to use PayPal, you can send a cheque to the club.
During the on-line registration process you will provide a username and password for the purpose of accessing the web page members section.

Please note: If you pay by PayPal, your membership account will be automatically activated. If you pay by cheque, your membership account will only be activated once we receive payment.

2. Register in person on Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Adult Recreation Center in Waterloo (on King Street beside the brewery). You can also pick-up rental equipment on a first come first serve basis.

3. Register by mail, using the brochure registration and waiver (to be mailed soon and to be available soon at select locations in the Region). Send form and cheque to Waterloo Region Nordic Sports Club, P.O. Box 40031, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4V1.

Stay tuned for your brochure, open web page registration, and more news as the season build momentum.

Partner of the Year 2008-2009: Velotique

Every year, we honour one of many community and industry related partners, who make club endeavours and skiing more joyful; for the past season, Velotique, under the ownership of Saul and Beverely Goldman, took the honours. They have both provided exceptional service to many members and have helped past programs such as the Sistas on Skis and the Junior rentals. On behalf of the club, and as a token for their partnership, Stephan presented them with a handcrafted ceramic bowl, couretsey of artist-in-residence at Joseph Schneider House. Saul and Beverely are taking their first steps towards retirement, but do not be alarmed; service is as usual: simply excellent and welcoming.

It Felt Like An Eclectic Family, June 5, 2009: The AGM at La Casbah Restaurant

The 2008-2009 season came to an end on June 5 at the La Casbah restaurant in Kitchener, which treated us to a Moroccan buffet and a traditional Moroccan living room arrangement: it made a for a very family like atmosphere. The Board of Directors would like to thank all those who attended, especially our guest John Cooper, from the City of Kitchener Community Services Department. He handed out the traditional, and much anticipated, volunteer pins. His presence makes the family of skiers complete at these functions.

Aside from the revelry, the AGM included business as well. We heard from program directors who presented their annual reports; the AGM also meant a change in the Board of Directors. We extend a warm thank you to Beth Baechler and Judy Paul, for having served as directors in the past year. Both are moving on to other endeavours, but naturally will continue to ski. The Board welcomes Ed McCarron and Nancy Hartrup. They will be joined by Leslie Smith, Greg Harling, Stephan Latour, and Farida Latour-Machane. At this point we welcome at least one more director, and members are encouraged to contact the club.

On the right: When you stick around for many years, the volunteer pins keep coming. After ten years, Stephan gets "pined" by John for the 10th time. A special t-shirt marked the occasion.

Annual WRNSC Banquet - Sunday, April 5, 2009

Approx. 80 club members celebrated the 2008-2009 season at the Optimist Club/Camp Heidelberg with a wonderful selection of healthy foods and a joyous atmosphere.The afternoon found its crescendo with the numerous awards and gestures of gratitude. MCs Stephan Latour and Nancy Hartrup announced the following winners:

Jackrabbit Leader of the Year: Don McCracken
Youth Leader of the Year: Jens Morgan
Jackrabbit Johannson Award: Ralph Morgan
Adult Learn to Ski: Carla Verwijs as well as Anne and Graham Liebeau
Adult Racer: Bill and Mary Henry
Junior Racer of the Year: Gavin Shields
Kitchener Sports Association: Kevin Shields
Partner of the Year: Saul and Beverley Goldman (Velotique)

John Cooper from the City of Kitchenere made a whirlwind visit and provided words of encouragement as we look to wrap up the year formally with the AGM at the end of May.

Kevin recieved the KSA Award of the Year