Hi Everyone!
As I write my message for this winter’s newsletter on a rather cool fall evening, it seems like just yesterday many of us were traveling to the White Mountains in NH to stay at the Wayside Inn. I love listening to the Ammonoosuc River from our balconies and spending time with everyone!
Our activities for Saturday included choices of hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming in the lake and taking a tram up to the top of Cannon Mountain. Just as our hike on Sunday was nearly over, heavy rain began falling as we all gathered together for lunch before beginning our journey home. Those of us riding back to the Boston area in the van have great memories of our ride! Once again we had new guides and participants join us who all plan to come to future events.
Thanks to everyone, both guides and participants, for pitching in and helping to make our event such a success and thanks to Sandy and everyone from ASPNC for guiding and assisting with the coordination and use of equipment throughout the weekend.
Our fall hike which took place at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA turned out to be a lovely fall day although rain was forecasted. A small group of us took to the trails and did some great climbing. Two new guides joined us for this hike making it possible for it to happen.
As a result of all of our outreach efforts over the past year we have recruited new guides and participants. Prior to our August trip Board member Polly Jacobson recruited her neighbors to join us on our August hike as guides. Most recently Cindy Wentz put an item in newsletter that reaches over 800 Boston area people and we received calls from two potential guides. I attended a support group for individuals who are visually impaired to present information about NERSFL, and some new VIPs are interested in our winter trips.
We have brochures, a one-page flyer to email or send out, a slide show, and posters. We are available to speak to groups about NERSFL. Let me know if you can help us get the word out about our great organization.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our NERSFL board of Directors for their hard work, dedication and commitment to this organization as well as their ongoing support and assistance to me as your president.
Many of you have offered your assistance during our day and weekend trips and I want to thank all of you who have helped to make our events such a success! Now I am asking you to consider becoming a board member to help shape the future of NERSFL by sharing your unique ideas, skills and expertise. This commitment entails attending at least two board meetings per year via conference call, assisting with committee work between board meetings and spreading the word about New England Regional Ski for Light. So consider sending in a one-page bio describing your interest in becoming a board member: e-mail it to nersfl@nersfl.org or mail to the NERSFL P.O. box. All bios must be received by February 15, 2012. Please be sure to include your name, e-mail address, phone number and mailing address so that a member of the Nominating Committee can contact you!
Please stay in touch by e-mailing or calling with questions or ideas, as well as providing us with names of organizations and individuals interested in being added to our mailing list. Most importantly, please join me in keeping with our NERSFL tradition to continue to have fun with all of our NERSFL friends as we enjoy physical activities together during this winter season and at future NERSFL events! I look forward to seeing you at our winter events and our NERSFL picnic!
Marie Hennessy