Well, who would have thunk it possible for a scheduled Ski-O to actually end up being a true ski-o with the real white fluffy stuff on the ground? Not me, given how it green it was last week and for so many weeks prior. So green that the first of the two events planned for the weekend was cancelled in anticipation that there wouldn't be sufficient snow at Harriet Hollister Spencer Park to allow the event to take place. Thank you Mother Nature and the quirkiness of Upstate New York weather, for allowing our Mendon Ponds Winter fest Ski-O to be such a success!

We had 38 starts for a cold, but sunshine filled day which made the event even more enjoyable to experience. Per usual, a successful ROC event can't take place without the dedicated group of volunteers that take on the many tasks that are part of any Orienteering event. For the Winter fest we actually needed to have volunteers at two locations, Hopkins Point and Stewart Lodge. Thanks to Jim T, Tom C. and Sandra L., Richard B. and daughter Linda, for taking care of the try it course and information booth at Stewart Lodge.

At Hopkins Point we had the course designs of Jim R. who created 5 unique courses utilizing only 16 controls!!! Talk about efficient planning! Jim set the course with the assistance of the Worner/Kohn clan of Rick and Linda. Linda also provided her course consultant skills. Our official greeter was the always friendly Carol M. Comprehensive instruction was provided by the informative Don Winslow and Karl Kolva. Registration was handled very efficiently by Laurie H and Nancy B. Start and finish was handled with the usual high level IT skills of Tyler B.and Stina B. Patty B. seemed to be everywhere helping where needed as she seems apt to do, and which was welcomed and appreciated. Thanks to Sandra for providing the fresh fruit and Linda for contributing some banana bread.

Thanks go out to our official and " unofficial" control retrievers of Ed. D. Jim P. and Steve T and Pavel K. Bob B. is always efficient in submitting the O results to the newspaper following the meets and that is appreciated Thanks also to Jim P. for helping with all the end of the meet tasks such as cleaning up and closing the lodge along with retrieving our meet signs, when I needed to leave early due to a family obligation. I was happy that I didn't spend the entire day hanging out in the lodge. I had the opportunity to try out my new snowshoes and walk the white course along with a newbie to our sport, Bob S., whom I met when he showed up to learn about the fun sport of Orienteering. It was a great snow filled day to do some O-ing!!

On a final note in the lost and found dept. area, I am currently in the possession of some gloves that were left in the lodge. The one pair is black and white and the brand is Auclair. The second is a single black leather left glove and the brand is Thermolite.

Sandi Willsey, Meet Director

White | Brown | Green | Red | Blue | Winsplits

White    3.8k  

Brown    4.4k  

Green    5.4k  

Red    7.6k  

Blue    9.1k