JUNE 2020 • GMSKICLUB.ORG • FOUNDED 1957 • VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE VI

Check our website for most current updates:

http://www.gmskiclub.org/calendar.htmlWe hope that during this pandemic

everyone is staying safe and healthy!

Golf ScrambleSunday, June 7 • 1:00pm

Rammler Golf Club38180 Utica Rd, Sterling Heights

Nine hole scramble. All levels welcome. First tee-off is 1:36 pm. Golf course is on Utica Rd., just east of Schoenherr. You are strongly

urged to bring your own pull cart. They only have 16 to rent at $3 each.

Or carry your bag. We suggest arriving around 1:10pm to pay and organize our walking groups. There will be an optional social distancing meetup in the parking lot afterwards. BYOB, a

chair, and a snack item to share.

COST: $20 to walk nine holes. Pay course directly.

RSVP: kenphillips@mail.com or text 586 242-2003.

MDSC Summer Dinner CruiseSat, July 25 • 6pm

152 N River Rd, Mt ClemensAll Aboard the Clinton Friendship.

Cruise Includes a buffet dinner, DJ with dancing and cash bar. Boarding

at 6pm and lasts until about 10:00pm. Free Parking at dockside. (Octopus’s Beer Garden)

Cost: $45/person if purchased in advance for a night of fellowship and fun. $50 at the door.

Space is limited – Sign Up Now!

Contact: Jim Millman at 248-489-9082 or Pam Rechul at 734-968-4507 or mail check to MDSC

23210 Harrellson, Macomb, MI 48042 by 7/15

2nd Thursday of every month • May-SeptRiver Woods Park • 6:00pm

300 N Squirrel Rd, Auburn Hills Cost: $5 Members, $7 Non-Members

General Meetings

River Woods Park

GM Ski Club PicnicSat, Aug 22 • 12pm-7pm • Dodge Park

40620 Utica Rd, Sterling Hts. Shelter #1. Catered meal by Chef Paul. Games, Volleyball, Bike Ride, Pie Eating Contest and Balloon Toss Contest. Earlybird Price: $15 Members, $20 Non-members. Pay via Paypal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8mTJ84P1mw

or Mail check payable to GMSC to Stan Sawicki, 35767 Hatherly Place, Sterling Heights, MI 48310.

GM SKI CLUB ANNUAL

CLUB PICNICGM SKI CLUB ANNUAL

CLUB PICNIC

Next Meeting:June 11

June BirthdaysJune 5 Sam Solomon

June 7 Thomas Scott Patricia Lloyd

June 11 David Zeiler

June 18 June Siehda

June 20 Suzanne Vivian

June 21 Karen Natale

June 25 Karen Johnson-Arel

June 28 Ken Phillips

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT:

Darrell Ahlberg, 586-899-8203

VICE PRESIDENT: Joe Yoblonski, 248-852-6561

TREASURER: Dan Boyd

SECRETARY: Deborah Ellinger

WEBMASTER: Kathy O’Driscoll

PUBLICITY: Dennis Dembiec

PAST PRESIDENT: Stan Sawicki, 586-808-3406

MDSC REP: Chris Luhrs

ACTIVITIES: Ken Phillips, 586-242-2003

SPORTS & SKI INSTRUCTION: Stan Sawicki, 586-808-3406

HOSPITALITY: David Haglund, 586-275-0208

TRIPS COORDINATOR: Carole Hacker

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Sherry Letavis, newsletter@gmskiclub.org

If you’d like to contribute club event photos, articles or ideas, please email them to me!

The MDSC has existed since 1955

and is the umbrella organization for twenty ski clubs

located in the MetroDetroit area, Toledo Ohio,

and from Grand Rapids to Windsor and Sarnia, Canada.

The GMSC is a member of the MDSC. As such we are allowed to attend other MDSC Clubs’ adver-tised trips at their member fee. There are also

discounts and many other benefits.

http://www.mdscski.org/

June 3, 2020A blacksmith in Scotland named Kirkpatrick Macmillan is credited with inventing the first

pedal-driven bicycle in 1839. Millions of people around the world use a bicycle as their primary means of transportation. World Bicycle Day – June 3rd – is the day to join them as a special celebration of one of history’s best inventions. Get outside and enjoy some sunshine!

WorldBicycle

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WorldBicycle

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WorldBicycle

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WorldBicycle

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Hi All,

I hope everyone is staying home and safe. Unbelievable as it seems, as I write this, the United States has just surpassed 100,000 deaths from COVID-19. As amazing at that sounds, it happened in just over 12 weeks. Keeping it all in perspective, that is nearly twice the number of Vietnam Deaths. It took over 2 years of World War II to reach this number. Of these, our home state of Michigan has suffered over 5,000 deaths. I only point this out to acknowledge the likelihood of people in our club have suffered a loss and/or to have experienced an illness themselves. On behalf of the GM Ski Club I would like to extend sincere condolences and sympathies to you and your families.

The bright light for us is that Michigan seems to be on the right track for flattening and bending the curve. Our own case load, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the downward cycle. This is a great testament to our people following guidelines and being smart.

The GM Ski Club has always been committed to doing our part. We have cancelled all events that could involve close proximity socialization. Yet we have maintained social contact through virtual gatherings with facilities such as Zoom. In this spirit, we have held card games and other social gatherings. These events have been great fun as well as testament to the resilience of our people to stay together and have fun even in these dire situations.

Like the rest of the state, and indeed, like the rest of the country, we are thinking of how to “reopen. ” For us, this means resuming social gatherings and doing it responsibly. The board is discussing matters like this. Can we do bike rides, hikes, kayak and paddling activities, and other outdoor activities in a way that keeps us safe? Can we do our outdoor meetings where we previously had community serving bowls and utensils and keep it safe? Can we even have our most treasured event, the annual picnic, in a way that keeps us all safe?

Details on these and other things will be forthcoming. The GM Ski Club wants to resume activities in a respon-sible way. Much of the success on this reopening will depend on you. We cannot guarantee the success and safety of any activity without the responsible behavior of the participants. Also please keep in mind, the uniqueness of the GM Ski Club is that it is run with the input of its members. So we want to hear your thoughts on all of the above.

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY.

– Darrell Ahlberg, President, GM Ski Club

President’s Message

http://www.gmskiclub.org/Member of the Metropolitan Detroit Ski Council

http://www.mdscski.org/Supporting Member: US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame

SummerSolstice

SummerSolstice

The first day of summer arrives with the solstice on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 5:44pm EDT which marks the longest day of the year The summer solstice has long been celebrated by cultures around the world:

In centuries past, the Irish would cut hazel branches on Solstice eve to be used in searching for gold, water, and precious jewels. Many European cultures hold Midsummer celebrations at the solstice, which

include gatherings at Stonehenge and the lighting of bonfires on hilltops. FUN FACT: Be sure to look at your noontime shadow around the time of the solstice. It will be your shortest noontime shadow of the year!