Celebrating over 80 Years of Skiing and Lifelong Friendships
February 9, 2021 Vol. XIV, #14
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday you will find the Ticket Elf fluttering around in the morning, as usual.
On Saturday afternoon the Stag's Head Lounge will return to some semblance of normalcy with our new bar servicer tending to your liquid needs from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Even though this is President's Weekend, there will not be any food service in the clubhouse on Monday.
For one free breakfast at the CSC, what was Leon Spinks' connection to Caberfae? Please submit your answer to: caberfae.ski.club.enewsletter@gmail.com
Inside This Issue:
1. No Bad News, by Sam Hogg
2. The Annual Meeting, February 27, 2021 at 5 p.m.
3. Did you find your eBallot?
4. The Candidates Are...
1. No Bad News (2020-21, Volume III) by Sam Hogg
Finally some snow! I’ve been doing some backcountry skiing in the Harrietta hills as a way to avoid the crowds and it quickly brought my attention to what a surreal world Tim and Pete deliver on the slopes. Until this most recent dump we’ve actually had very little snowfall this winter. There’s barely been enough snow in the woods to drop a knee on my tele skis. Kudos to the Caberfae team for keeping us blissfully unaware and Mother Nature for finally pitching in a bit.
It appears we are rejiggering Club policies to align with changing COVID guidelines. I’ve decided until Marty Manley can occupy his self-service Bud Light corner and I can take a nap next to Ruth Bosworth knitting my son a sweater, the juice ain’t worth the squeeze of inside activity. I may need a vaccinated proxy to go in to fetch Sue’s Sunday breakfast burrito for me, which has become my favorite new menu item as I can eat the entire thing without taking off my mittens.
The takeout window will be the thing I miss most from “the pause.” There were lots of people who enjoyed takeout convenience and we never even made it to the blissful March weather. If expanded seating and a second queue is a priority in our looming kitchen renovation, look no further than out the south windows. As much as I've enjoyed our temporary “COVID Corral,” I’ve noticed as soon as the sun rears its head the action shifts to under the deck. I guess we aren’t that far evolved from plants after all.
An update on the MacKenzie Trail Survey: people use that trail a lot of different ways, access it from a lot of different places, and there was general consensus that we’d have a lot of resources (both human and monetary) if we could ever get organized and out of the CSC/Caberfae/USFS three-way finger pointing rut. I also know our volunteer groomers are primarily motivated so their wives can have pristine conditions Saturday afternoons instead of the duck tracks we’ve encountered this year, so the status quo is not sustainable especially if the COVID-craze translates to more users in the future. Finally, our best grooming sled went up in smoke (literally) yesterday so we are in a pickle. Instead of being a curmudgeon about a resource that is truly owned by all, I’m going to sit down with Tim, Pete and the USFS to figure out how we can assist in a longish-term, multi-season plan that accommodates the increased demand, varied stakeholders, and needed equipment/manpower to maintain it all.
Next time you’ll hear from me will be March and we’ll have a refreshed board. Don’t forget to vote or do forget to gripe! In the meantime, enjoy the fluffy stuff. I’ve shared a picture below of Brooks’ favorite lookout as a reminder that our current situation is all about perspective. Born in May, he’ll probably think something awful has happened when he's finally allowed to go inside and see people’s faces. As George Harrison said, “It’s all in the mind, you know!”
2. The Annual Meeting will be February 27, 2021 at 5 p.m. Sorry, the Caberfae Ski Club Chicks took a paying gig up at Mt Bohemia, so they won't be around. I hope they know what they're in for. They do a little grooming up their now, but it's not considered "progress." It'll be pretty quiet in the Stag's Head Lounge. The meeting will only be via Zoom, so figure out where your mute button is. Zooming information will be coming soon.
3. Did you find your eBallot? They were emailed to you on Sunday afternoon, February 7, 2021. If you can't find it, please check your Spam or Junk mail folder. If you find it there, click around until you figure out how to give it "permission" to go to the proper email box. If you really tried, and you really can't find it, send Norma a note roelfsen@gmail.com. She can work miracles. Ballots must be submitted by noon, Sunday, February 21, 2021.
4. The candidates are... Our little club is blessed with many giving people. Five of them have tossed their helmets into the ring, offering their names for consideration as candidates, running for two positions serving on the club's Board of Directors. Please review their information below and hunt them down on the slopes and ask them some tough questions. Like, "If I vote for you will you move my name to the top of the Parking Lot list?"
Mike McGuire
If you aren’t familiar with me, my name is Mike McGuire and I’m a native of Cadillac, and I actually had the pleasure of raising a little hell in the halls of our beloved club as a kid when my parents were members. My dad tells us that he and my mom decided to become club members because they wanted something for the whole family to do together but whenever they came out to the club, my siblings and I would take off and they would never see us for the rest of the day. It’s true. I had some great times out here as a kid, and I have the scars to prove it.
Now, 150 years later (or so it feels like anyway), my own boys are taking off with their friends and leaving Marsha, my wife, and I to hang out by the fire pit, scratching our heads and enjoying a beverage while we wonder where the heck they are . . . out making their own memories and gaining their own set of scars, no doubt. (If you see them doing something dangerous though, don’t tell Marsha, it makes her crazy!)
It only took Marsha and me about six years to get off the waiting list to become members, but boy did it come just at the right time. Our oldest son, MacKale, had just had his leg amputation and was learning to ski again and having the club as home base for him to just take off and ski has been a huge blessing. All of our boys have definitely made good use of the facilities and have quickly made up for any lost time on the waiting list. They are all HUGE fans of Sue’s chicken noodle soup, burgers, and those killer milk shakes. For Marsha and me, it’s great just to meet old friends and new at the club especially this year as we play, who’s behind the mask?
When I’m not chasing after teenage boys, I’m in the business of Real Estate with Coldwell Banker for the last seven years. It keeps me busy, but not so much so that I haven’t had time to be active in the community over the last several years. I have added my name to several local and regional committees and boards (Cadillac Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Cadillac Visitors Bureau, the Clam Lake Township DDA board of Directors, Cascade Board of the Directions, Michigan Amputee Golf Association Board Member).
Being raised in the hospitality business most of my life, I have always understood that ‘you get what you give’ in life. I feel that with my various experiences serving others, running a resort (with food and beverage), and dealing with employees and board members, I can make a significant contribution to your board (plus I make a really mean Rum Runner when necessary.)
See you on the slopes!
Stacey Potthoff-Dimmer
My name is Stacey Potthoff-Dimmer, otherwise known as the “other Stacey”. I am a retired healthcare professional (cardiac clinician, educator and management) from Port Huron. I have skied at Caberfae since I was 3 years old...the days of rope tows and gloves held together with duct tape. I coordinated clerical work for Jerry Clifford’s race camps and was employed at Caberfae for two winters. I have family who live in the village and they have so generously allowed me to make their home-mine. With this I have since become a member of the club. I started being a regular during an incredibly difficult time of my life. I was so welcomed by members and their kindness. It helped me find some “balance” and “happy”. I would like to pay it forward to the club by being part of the team to help make the club a place everyone wants to be a part of. With my love for the ski area, ski club and professional skill sets I feel I would be an asset to the board. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Rick Stubbs
I am running for your Board of Directors, once again. My wife Mary (n'ee Porter - a Cadillac girl) and I have been club members for five years. We became full-time residents of the area in August when we sold our home in East Lansing and moved up to our place near Caberfae, as I will be retiring in February of this year. As one of our wonderful lifties says, we’re truly “Living the Dream!”
As to my background, I have enjoyed a nearly 40 year career as a financial advisor. I spent the first seven years with Merrill Lynch, the next 31 years with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, and the last year and a half with Stifel Nicolaus & Co., where my business partner and I moved in June, 2019. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and my MBA at Michigan State University.
Regarding relevant experience, in the past I served on various committees at the Country Club of Lansing and Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing. During that time I was witness to both clubs undertaking what I felt were ill advised major clubhouse renovations, which involved taking on a lot of debt. The end result was that both clubs eventually declared bankruptcy and in 2018 Walnut Hills, founded in 1921, ceased to exist and is today a pasture. These events reinforced my belief in fiscal conservatism and good stewardship. From what I’ve observed and have been told, it’s clear that the Caberfae Ski Club board of directors has done an outstanding job of stewardship for many, many years, and I would very much welcome the opportunity to do my part.
During our first few visits to the club as guests, it quickly became clear to Mary and me that this was a truly special place. Learning about the history and traditions of the club has made it that much more special. I can’t adequately express how much we enjoy our association with the club and the great friendships we have made and continue to make. Whether chosen for the board or not, I look forward to doing all I can to help maintain and enhance the club traditions and facilities, as well as the membership’s experience.
Thank you so much for your consideration.
Paul Waug
Hello fellow club members. I am running for re-election on the board and currently serve as Second Vice President and Entertainment Chairperson. I also assist with building maintenance. I enjoy performing my current duties including running the fall and spring work bees and planning the event calendar. I am dedicated to the club and believe that my many years of experience on the board have had a positive influence on our club and its future.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this club that I still feel passionate about and would like to continue in my current capacity for another term.
If re-elected I promise to continue to honor our traditions while working toward a common vision for the future of our club.
Erik Winquist
I am excited to run for an open board member position at the Caberfae Ski Club. I want to thank the current board for their tireless work this year managing this pandemic and finding unique ways to keep the club open and safe for all members. My wife and I live near Grand Rapids, MI and we have two kiddos named Henrik (2yrs) and Emelia (1 month).
Caberfae Ski Club holds a special place in my heart, as it does for all members, since I grew up skiing at the club with my grandparents (Bob and Ariadne). Making sure the club remains a place of community and enjoyment is a priority.
I have volunteered to work on boards for non-profit and for-profit organizations with different roles ranging from director of Finance and HR. Serving on the board is the least I can do to give back to the club I care so much about.
I look forward to serving the members if you determine me qualified to join the board.
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COMMENTS, CONTRIBUTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
This is your club and we’d like to hear your ideas to continually improve the Caberfae Ski Club for the enjoyment of you and your family. Let us hear your suggestions. Email us at: caberfaeskiclub@caberfaeskiclub.org If you have a story or an article you’ve written that you’d like to share with club members in the eNewsletter, please email or call the eNewsletter editor.
CLUB CONTACT INFORMATION
Caberfae Ski Club web page: www.caberfaeskiclub.org
Send your favorite photo-moments from the club or the slopes to neffzone@yahoo.com
Club Wi-Fi Password: Check the bulletin board in the hall near the dining room
Caberfae Ticket Agent available Fri, Sat., & Sun. until 11:15 a.m.
Calendar of Events: www.caberfaeskiclub.org/calendar
Dinner Reservation Hotline: dinnerreservations@caberfaeskiclub.org
I Forgot to Make Dinner Reservation Phone Line: (231) 920-6769 (Sue’s personal cell phone)
General Caberfae Ski Club email address: caberfaeskiclub@caberfaeskiclub.org
Caberfae Peaks Resort: www.caberfaepeaks.com
Board Members
Pat Bourassa, President
Ron Kimball, Immediate Past President
Mary Jane Canfield, First Vice President
Paul Waug, Second Vice President, Social Chairman
Tac Lee, board member
Cathy Maher, board member
Brian Nyland, board member
Lauren Rule, board member
Club Secretary/Treasurer - Norma Roelfsema
Assistant Club Treasurer - David Reiser
Club Manager - Sue Egelus
Club Webmaster - Jim Neff