Black Diamond
XP R E S S
July 2010
July 2010
The Columbia Ski Club
14th Annual Gettysburg
Bike Ride
June 13 2010
Inside this issue:
On a typical steamy Maryland
morning nine CSC’ers met up for
a cerebral bike ride at Gettysburg
National Battlefield Park. You
may ask, aren’t cerebral and bike
ride a contradiction in terms? Not
if you’re exercising and
experiencing history at the same
time. Bob McCune once again
led us around the battlefield,
stopping to explain key points of
interest about the three days in
July 1863 that became known as
the High Water Mark of the
Confederacy.
Although the ride is over
moderate terrain, the heat and the
rolling hills made us glad for the
occasional stops to talk about the
battle, or rather for Bob to talk
and us to catch our breath.
Typical of CSC, everyone was a
good sport when it started to rain
and we had to change the route to
find some shelter. The rain
stopped, and thanks to a pleasant
breeze the remainder of the day
turned out to be surprisingly nice.
At the end of the ride we all
agreed that Alvin deserved the
Tough Rider award since he was
―equipment challenged‖.
Thanks to Ron, Deb D., Neil,
Mary, Tina, Alvin and Eli for
making it a fun ride for me and
Bob. If you’re on MTS, check
out Eli’s photos. Next year
begins the 150th anniversaries of
the Civil War Battles so Bob’s
ride should be really exciting.
See you then.
President’s Corner
2
Executive Committee
Committee Chairs
2
Moose Tracks
3
People in the News
3
Ski Trip Synopsis
4
Help Wanted
4
Community Service
Corner
4
Panzer House
Concerts
4
Friday Night Movies
in Little Italy
4
CSC Committee
Unmasked—Part II
5
2010 - 2011 Ski Trip 6-8
Details
CSC Activities
9
CSC Membership
Application Form
10
Trip Application
Form
11
Next Meeting
July 12, 2010
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
Black Diamond XPress
Page 2
Executive Committee
2010—2011
President/Director
Darrin Bragunier
P r e s i d e n t ’s C o r n e r
301-797-2086
Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope everybody is
enjoying their summer. The club has many great
activities in store for the next few months. Tickets
went on sale last month for Columbia’s Annual Crab
Feast to be held Oct 17 at Fort Meade. Prices are $37
for seafood and $22 for non-seafood. Be sure to get
your tickets early because it will sell out quickly.
Thinking of snow? No, I am not crazy. Ski trips have
arrived and are selling fast. We have Steamboat
already sold out, and many others halfway full. And ,
the More Than Ski Trip committee is looking for ideas
for future non-ski trips.
President-Elect/Director
Deb McCune
410-637-5454
Directors
Tina Dorn
Gary Prestianni
Pat D’Adamo
Joyce Wronka
Buzz Bunting
Eliezer Richmond
410-546-4124
410-799-4253
410-740-4946
410-730-6841
410-578-0324
Treasurer
Alexa Fair
410-465-2966
Secretary
Molly Hochman
410-721-4407
Darrin Bragunier
Committee Chairs
2010—2011
Activities
Bob McCune
410-637-5454
Community Service
Sue Muller
301-498-8462
Hospitality
Anne Trent
410-730-5927
Membership
Joyce Wronka
410-730-6841
Judith Schlesinger
410-721-1984
Meetings & Programs
Vacant—need volunteer
Newsletter
Mario Tinto
301-776-3487
Publicity
John Lyons
410-884-6124
Kate Farber
410-715-4564
Racing
Bruce Brown
41-356-9545
Ski Education
Grant Wagner
301-725-4094
Ski Trip Coordinator
Ted Dietz
410-421-9064
Team Sports
Chris Law
410-595-6768
Web Site
Frank Maconi
Ken Sall
[email protected]
Columbia Ski Club
BOD Business Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 pm, in
the Owen Brown Community Center. Business meetings are open to all members.
Please contact the President in advance to have an item included on the agenda.
NOTE:

The August BOD meeting will be held at the library at Cradlerock on 2 August;

Starting in September, the meetings will again be held at the Own Brown
Community Center;

The October meeting date has been changed to 12 October.
The Black Diamond Xpress is published monthly by the
Columbia Ski Club, Inc., a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to the promotion and enjoyment of the sport of skiing.
… and many other activities
www.columbiaskiclub.org
July 2010
Page 3
MOOSE TRACKS
Sign up early and often;
you did! We sold 40% of
the spaces on our ski trip
schedule at the June
meeting and that,
Mooskateers, is a club
record. Steamboat is sold
out and some trips are
half, to more than half
sold. Trip leaders report
they are getting checks in the mail so if you
are still on the fence don’t rip your pants,
bring your checkbook to the meeting and get
on a trip or two, or three.
wanted to get up at 4:00am to go to the airport
—not this moose either!
I mentioned there might be snow at the June
meeting and guess what? We had snow! OK,
the special effects kind, but pretty cool huh?
We have something planned for our July
meeting too, so instead of just hearing about it,
come and join in the frivolity. One feature
includes the not-ready-for-prime-time players;
could it be, trip skits already?
Remember, you will never get to your last
days and, while reflecting on your life, think to
yourself, ―I should have put more time in at
work.‖ Rather, reflect on the good times you
had by making the best decisions you ever
made; like signing up for that extra ski trip.
Hats off to our web team that was able to get
the trip schedule up in such short notice.
Many changes occurred due to last minute
Bring those checkbooks because we are still
scheduling of airlines, so we had to wait for
signing up early and often.
the details. Our New Year’s trip, for example,
The Moose
moved one day and our Powder Mountain trip
became a seven day trip. We didn’t think you
P
N
After accepting the Black Diamond Award at
the June meeting,, Terry McClung announced that the
McClung household is preparing for a new arrival.
We offer the McClungs our most hearty
congratulations …and look forward to a future
Columbia Ski Club member.
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
Black Diamond XPress
Page 4
Community
Service Corner
Date
The 2010—2011 Ski Season
Destination
Event
Nov. 13
Dates
Crested Butte, CO
12/28/10— 01/02/11
Vail, CO
01/15/11— 1/22/11
Taos, NM
01/22/11— 01/29/11
Powder Mountain,
Snow Basin, UT
01/28/11— 02/04/11
Park City, UT
02/04/11— 02/13/11
(BSRC)
Adopt-a-Road Cleanup.
Contact Pat D. at 410740-4946
Panzer House Concerts
Date
Artist
July 17
Denice Franke,
David Glaser
Aug 14
Lucky 13 &
Big Wide Grin
Jackson Hole, WY
02/12/11— 02/19/11
Steamboat Springs, CO
02/19/11— 02/26/11
Sept. 11 Jon Vezna &
Bob Simal
Aosta, Italy
02/25/11— 03/05/11
Oct 23
Caren Armstrong &
Naked Blue
Nov 20
Eric Schwartz
(BSRC)
Copper Mountain, CO
03/5/11— 03/12/11
Mammoth Mountain, CA
03/19/11— 03/26/11
Donation $20. BYOB
Light refreshments served.
Bring dessert or appetizer to
share if desired.
See details on pages 6 through 8
Friday Night Movies
in Little Italy

Date
After many years of dedicated service, webmasters Frank Maconi & Ken Sall
are stepping down from their duties maintaining the club website. They have
contributed immeasurably to the club’s success, and they pass the work on with
our appreciation and thanks.
The care & feeding of the website has been parceled into seven separate
activities; four of those positions have been filled.
Movie
2 July
Moonstruck
9 July
Bread and Tulips
16 July Tea with Mussolini
23 July Big Night
But, volunteers are still needed for the remaining responsibilities, including the
handling of email aliases, website updates, dealing with the ISP, coordination,
and budgeting.
If you would like to help in this endeavor—-vital to the club—-please contact
[email protected]
30 July It Started in Naples
6 Aug.
The Italian Job
13 Aug. My House inUmbria
20 Aug. When In Rome
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
July 2010
Page 5
CSC “SECRET” COMMITTEE UNMASKED
Special I-Team Report
Part II — Trip Leaders Selection
by Gary Prestianni (President ’02-’03, ’07-’08)
Although the club’s trip leader selection procedure
has been in use since 2000, most club members are
unaware of its existence. A three-person team
makes the selections; the President and Trip
Coordinator are always two of the three selectors.
The third selector has been filled by Asst. Trip
Coordinators, other committee Chairs, or Officers
of the club.
scoring. A perfect score of 100 has not been
achieved, but some have come close. Those who
are quite active in the club and volunteer their time
in various ways garner more points than someone
who is only interested in leading a trip. Deductions
are given to anyone who has led flight trips for
three consecutive years; this keeps the top spot
changing from year to year.
By using this procedure, the same three selectors
have never come together twice. Over the past ten
years 21 different people have been selectors. Nine
people have held the Presidency of the club since
2000, 4 have served as Trip Coordinator, and 8
others have filled the third selector spot. By
changing the selectors yearly, each selection team
brings a fresh perspective to the role.
Each Selector fills out a scorecard for each
applicant, awarding points in the each category.
The Selectors then take the average of their scores
for each applicant and rank them numerically. This
year’s 26 applicants have all been similarly scored
and ranked. After the final ranking is compiled the
Selectors come to the final phase—calls to the
applicants. The club does not assign people to lead
a trip; each applicant is given a choice of available
trips.
Each applicant submits a resume that is reviewed
by the selection team. The team then rates each
applicant individually, awarding points using the
following six criteria:
Current Service (past 5 years) - Director, Officer,
Committee Chair / Member, Activity leader;
Past Service (over 5 years) - Director, Officer,
Committee Chair / Member, Activity leader;
CSC Trip Leader Experience – Leader, Assistant,
Flight Trip Leader, Europe experience;
Leadership Ability – Organizational skills,
dependability, people skills;
Ability to sell a trip – knowledge of ski area,
meeting attendance, availability;
Performance Skills – dependability, filing
appropriate forms and expense reports.
Naturally, the #1 ranked applicant gets the first
choice. Then each subsequent applicant is called in
order and has the choice of leading any remaining
trip or becoming an assistant on a trip already
chosen by a higher ranked applicant. This process
can take several hours but by the end of ―Selection
Sunday‖ all the trips have leaders and assistants.
Now the trip selling can begin!
Some categories are weighted higher than others
but all are important components for the final
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
Black Diamond XPress
Page 6
Crested Butte, CO
December 28 to January 3
$1374 per person
Trip includes:
R/T air from BWI to Gunnison, CO
(taxes incl.);
Ground transport from airport to
The Chateaux Condos;
6 nights 2BR 2 bath condos w/
spacious, fully-equipped kitchens;
Five day lift tickets;
Pre– and post-trip parties.
Condos are 500 yards from the lifts—
a short 10 minute walk
Also, free shuttle service to base area
and downtown.
Payment Schedule:
$300 Deposit; Check website or
contact trip leaders for payment
schedule.
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Dave Hodges
302-412-3352
Email:
[email protected]
et
Assistant Trip Leader:
Deb Dwyer
443-802-3731
Email:
[email protected]
Vail, CO
January 15—22
$1324 per person
Taos, NM
January 22—29
$1380 per person
Trip includes:
R/T air from BWI and transfers to
resort (taxes incl.);
7nights lodging at Vail Spa
condos, with washer/dryer in unit;
Five of six day lift tickets (also
honored at Beaver Creek,
Breckenridge, and Keystone);
Pre- & post-trip parties;
Welcome reception at lodging
property;
Daily grocery trips.
Trip includes:
R/T, non-stop air from BWI to
Albuquerque (taxes incl.);
Charter bus from airport to
Snakedance Condos;
7nights lodging; 2 BR., 2 bath
condos;
5 day lift tickets;
Welcome reception;
Daily Continental breakfast.
Payment Schedule:
$300 Deposit; $225 July 12; $225
August 9; $225 Sept.13; $177 Oct.11;
$172 Nov. 8.
Condos are slope side; 10 yards from
Lift One quad
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Bob Craig
410-381-4749
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Michelle Horton
301-572-6031
Email: [email protected]
Option Package:
6-day morning ski lessons—$99 (see
flyer for details)
Payment Schedule:
$150 Deposit; $400 August 9; $550
Sept.13; $280 Nov. 11.
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Bill Schroedel
410-935-6595
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Jim Ferrant
Email: [email protected]
NOTE:
 Prices are approximate—subject to change in the event of unexpected rises in
fuel surcharges or airline fees.
 Airline baggage fees not included.
 Mail check, made out to Columbia Ski Club, and trip application to trip leader
(find mailing addresses on flyers on website). Or, bring check and application
form to general meeting.
The details presented here are abbreviated in the interest of space. See the flyers on
the CSC web site for complete details, as well as information about the mountains
and the lodgings:
http://columbiaskiclub.org/SkiTrips/SkiTrips.aspx
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
July 2010
Powder Mountain,
Snow Basin, UT
January 28 to February 4
Page 7

February 4-13
$1653 per person
Jackson Hole, WY
February 12—19
$1284 per person
BRSC Western Carnival
$1279 per person
Trip includes:
R/T air from BWI to Salt Lake City
(taxes incl.);
7 nights lodging (double
occupancy) at Ogden Marriott;
Three day lift tickets at Powder
Mountain;
2 day lift ticket at Snow Basin (site
of 2002 Olympic Downhill);
Transportation to/from ski areas;
Full daily breakfast buffet;
Welcome reception.
If you choose, you can—with a single
airfare—bus directly to the BRSC
Park City Trip.
Payment Schedule:
$300 Deposit; Check website or
contact trip leaders for payment
schedule.
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Cathy Homens
410-796-1190 (home)
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Julie Slater (home)
410-799-1038
Email: [email protected]
Columbia Ski Club
Trip includes:
R/T air from BWI to Salt Lake City
& ground transfers (taxes incl.);
9 nights lodging (double
occupancy) at Park City Peaks
Hotel;
Complimentary cooked-to-order
breakfast daily;
Five days of skiing at Park City,
Canyons, and Deer Valley;
BRSC Welcome party;
Super Bowl Party;
BRSC Farewell Dinner Dance;
Welcome reception;
Pre– and post-trip parties;
Free resort shuttle.
Payment Schedule:
$200 Deposit; $250 July 12; 300 August
9; $300 Sept. 13; $300 Oct. 11; $303
Nov. 8
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Tom Donahue
410-747-6529
Email:
[email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Mike DiProspero
410-750-2521
Email:
[email protected]
Trip includes:
R/T, non-stop air from BWI to
Jackson Hole (taxes incl.);
Transportation to Wind River
Condos;
7nights lodging; 4 BR, 4.5 baths,
w/ washer & dryer in each unit;
4 day lift tickets at Jackson Hole;
1 day lift ticket at Grand Targhee;
Complimentary ski shuttle.
Payment Schedule:
$300 Deposit; $400 August 9; $400
Oct. 11; $184 December 13.
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Molly Hochmann
410-721-4407
Email:
[email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Tom Stanitis
410-997-0754
Email: [email protected]
www.columbiaskiclub.org
Black Diamond XPress
Page 8
Steamboat Springs, CO
Aosta, Italy
February 19—26
$1390 per person
February 25—March 5
Trip includes:
R/T air from BWI (taxes incl.);
Transportation to La Casa Condos;
7 nights lodging;
Baggage handling at condos;
5 day lift tickets;
Welcome wine & cheese party;
Pre- and post-trip parties;
Complimentary ski shuttle;
Condos are 100 yards from the slope;
Full-size washer & dryer in each unit.
Trip includes:
R/T air (incl. taxes & fees);
Transfers between airport and
hotel;
7 nights at Cheval Blanc Hotel;
Breakfast daily;
Three dinners at the Cheval Blanc;
Mandatory medical travel
insurance;
3 BRSC activities-welcome party,
après-ski party, farewell dinner
dance.
NOTE: Lift tickets NOT INCLUDED
(see flyer for lift ticket prices)
Payment Schedule:
$200 Deposit; $200 July 12; $200
August 9; $200 Sept.13; $200 Oct.11;
$200 Nov.8; $190 Dec.13.
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Gary Prestianni
410-799-4253
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Kat Rhee
410-627-9537
$1865 per person
BRSC Eurofest
Optional Pre-trip
Paris, France Feb 22—26, $465
Payment Schedule:
$300 Deposit; $300 July 12; $300
August 9; $400 Sept. 13; $300 Oct. 11;
$240 Nov. 8.
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Judith Schlesinger
410-721-1984 (after 9:00 am)
301-805-7455
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Tina Dorn
443-546-4124
Copper Mountain, CO
March 5—12
$1154 per person
Trip includes:
R/T, non-stop air from BWI to
Denver (taxes incl.);
Transportation to Copper Mountain
Resort;
7nights lodging; 4-person condo;
4 day lift tickets at Copper;
1 day lift ticket at Winter Park;
Pre- and post-trip parties;
Baggage handling at resort;
Payment Schedule:
$200 Deposit; $200 July 12; $150
August 9; $150 Sept. 13; $150 Oct. 11;
$150 Nov. 8; Remainder Dec.13
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Alvin Friendlich
410-356-3585 (h)
410-218-2242 (c)
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Renee Speer
410-721-8671
Email: [email protected]
Mammoth, CA
Trip includes:
R/T air from BWI to Reno (taxes
incl.);
Transportation to Alpenhof Lodge;
Seven nights Lodging;
Five of six day lift tickets;
Pre– and post-trip parties;
Amenities
 Steps to the Gondola and Village
at Mammoth
 Refrigerator, laundry facilities,
 Free Wi-Fi
Columbia Ski Club
March 19—26
$1479 per person
Payment Schedule:
$300 Deposit; $300 August 9; $300
Sept. 13; $250 Oct. 11; $200 Nov. 8;
$129 Dec.13
For more information contact:
Trip Leader:
Maria McDonough
410-456-8111
Email:
[email protected]
Assistant Trip Leader:
Jim Miller
410-263-2250
Email: [email protected]
www.columbiaskiclub.org
A c t i v i t i e s
July 2010
Page 9
07/02/10Fri
Movies in Little Italy - Join our regular group of Columbia Ski Club paisanos for Friday night outdoor
movies in Little Italy in Baltimore. Hundreds turn out to sit in the open air, eat, sip wine and make that
critical run to Vaccaro's. We'll start saving seats at 7:00. Movie begins at 9:00. This week’s movie is
MOONSTRUCK, Rated: PG; 102 min.; 1987 with Cher, Nicolas Cage. Contact Lisa B. by email at
[email protected]
07/08/10Thu
Monthly Happy Hour - Join Ron C. on the deck at Nick's Fish House. Meet at 5:30pm. Socialize with old
and new friends. New and prospective members always welcome. Contact Ron C. by email at
[email protected]
07/09/10Fri
Movies in Little Italy - Join our regular group of Columbia Ski Club paisanos for Friday night outdoor
movies in Little Italy in Baltimore. We'll start saving seats at 7:00. Movie begins at 9:00. Look for the chair
with the balloon to find us! This week’s movie is BREAD AND TULIPS. Rated PG-13; 114 min.; 2000 with
Licia Maglietta, Bruno Ganz. Contact Lisa B. by email at [email protected]
07/10/10Sat
Olney Ale House Ride. Meet at Olney Manor Park at 10am. Ride about 25 miles. Bike helmets are
mandatory on all CSC bike rides. Contact Bill M. by email at [email protected]
07/12/10Mon
Monthly General meeting at the Columbia Hilton. Socializing starts at 7:30pm with the meeting starting at
8pm. Sign up for activities and ski trips. Contact Membership
07/15/10Thu
Monthly Dining Out at Maruha Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi. It's located at 6410 Freetown Rd.
Columbia in the Hickory Ridge Village Center. Time is 6:30. Contact Rob F. at 410-242-6080 by email at
[email protected]
07/16/10Fri
Movies in Little Italy - Join our regular group of Columbia Ski Club paisanos for Friday night outdoor
movies in Little Italy in Baltimore. We'll start saving seats at 7:00. Movie begins at 9:00. Look for the chair
with the balloon to find us! This week’s movie is TEA WITH MUSSOLINI, Rated PG; 111 min.; 1999 with
Cher, Lily Tomlin, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith. Contact Lisa B. by email at [email protected]
07/17/10Sat
Panzer House Concert - Acoustic music in an intimate setting at the Panzer home in Columbia. Featuring
Denice Franke and David Glaser. Show starts at 7pm. Suggested donation $20. BYOB. Light
refreshments served. Bring dessert or appetizer to share if desired. Doors open at 6:30pm. Reservations
required. Please RSVP. Contact Sherry P. at 410-531-9233 by email at [email protected]
07/23/10Fri
Movies in Little Italy - Hundreds turn out to sit in the open air, eat, sip wine and make that critical run to
Vaccaro's. We'll start saving seats at 7:00. Movie begins at 9:00. Look for the chair with the balloon to
find us! This weeks movie is BIG NIGHT, Rated R: 107 min.; 1996 with Tony Shaloub, Stanley Tucci,
Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini. Contact Lisa B. by email at [email protected]
07/24/10Sat
Bring a blanket, or your chairs, picnic food to share for a great evening at Oregon Ridge for the BSO
Broadway Melodies concert starting at 8:00 p.m. We will meet at 5:00 PM to carpool. We will purchase
tickets at the gate for $18.00. If we have over 15 in advance, we might be able to get group prices.
Contact Joyce W. at 410-730-6841 by email at [email protected]
07/24/10Sat
Ride the Mount Vernon Trail. Details TBD. Bike helmets are mandatory on all CSC rides. Contact Tom S.
by email at [email protected]
07/28/10Wed CSC Mini Golf Tour Championship: Preliminary details: - 4 events (2 standard mini golf; 2 crazy golf)
- To be held on the last Wednesday of 4 consecutive months May, June, July, August
- 4 different venues around the area (indoor venue if raining)
- 7 or 7.30 pm tee times (approx - details to come soon)
- Okay to play rounds with your own groups of friends, or just show up and make new friends!
- No need to sign up in advance... just show up
- Cost: Green fee, plus $2 if you want your score in the Tour Championship
- Optional bar location for socializing after each event
- Winner will be determied by best scores from 3 events (i.e. you can miss an event and it will be okay.
You can miss 2 and still be in with a chance if you have stellar rounds). - Trophy and medals at end of
tour. Contact Chris L. by email at [email protected]
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
Page 10
Columbia Ski Club
Black Diamond XPress
www.columbiaskiclub.org
July 2010
Page 11
All forms can also be found at the website:
ColumbiaSkiClub.org/forms/forms.aspx
Columbia Ski Club
www.columbiaskiclub.org
The Columbia Ski Club
P.O. Box 204
Columbia, MD 21045
www.columbiaskiclub.org
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
COLUMBIA, MD
PERMIT NO. 1184