By the time you read this newsletter, the snow may finally have melted! Let’s gear up for our spring programs: tennis, paddling, and the first full year for Row-BOC.

But first, what a great season for our cross-country program. We had plenty of snow and over 380 members took advantage of our trails at the Brattleboro Country Club. Kudos to Hank and Diana Lange, Clark Johnson, hut ambassadors, and grooming volunteers. Great job, everyone.

We also started a new alpine program in affiliation with the Manchester Ski Club in Connecticut. This program offers our members big discounts for downhill skiing and snowboarding at many Vermont ski areas and we hope for increased participation next year. If you would more information, please contact Rod Payne-Meyer at 387-5764.

Now, onto the spring season. The tennis program will be co-chaired by Andrew MacFarland and Sallyann Engel, and Bob Madrigan and Phil Natowich will return as our pros. Read Andrew’s article for news about the fantastic season the committee has planned with mixers, clinics, camps, and tournaments.

The new Row-BOC program returns for its second season. Tim Whitney brings a lot of talent and energy to this program with the assistance of Graeme King, Kendall Gifford, and Marcia Steckler. The dock launch is scheduled for Saturday April 12, if the weather cooperates. See Tim’s article for more information.

Larry McIntosh continues to do an outstanding job with our watersports program, and he has organized a number of canoe and kayak outings in May to October. See his article for details.

In other news, Roni Byrne and Brad Dinwiddie are working with a student at the Marlboro College Graduate Center to revamp our website. The new site should be operational by late summer or early fall.

I would like to thank all our board members for their time, effort, and support: Roni Byrne, Jake Dixon, Phil Dunham, Clark Johnson, Chris Lovell, Larry McIntosh, Andrew MacFarland , Tim Whitney, and Jim Woodberry. In closing, I encourage you to volunteer in anyway you can, as we need your help and to sustain and improve our existing programs. Please feel free to call me evenings at 257-2746, after 6 pm.

Dave Twombly