Fellow Members,

“But February made me shiver, with every paper I’d deliver.” Mostof you likely recognize this quote from Don McLean’s most famous song, “American Pie”. Since I started the January article with a quote from Paul McCartney, I decided to go with another quote from a song for February. Even though “American Pie” referenced a tragically sad airplane accident causing the death of young, talented musicians, it has been repeatedly played over the years to a few generations of fans. I actually had the pleasure of attending a Don McLean concert here in Reno about 20 – 25 years ago. If any of my loyal readers can tell me the name, and origin of the name, of his second most famous hit song, send me an email at prez@renoskiandrec.com . I will buy 6 raffle tickets at the next RSRC General Meeting for the first member with the correct answers.

As I write this, what we need most in February, 2012, is moisture. There is currently a possibility of 4 days of rain approaching. Hopefully, the storms won’t be averted or split, and it will be cold enough to have the snow we desperately need on our mountains. I would really enjoy a blanket of snow down here in the valley, but I will be happy to have rain for our trees, lawn, and bushes. I have lived in the Reno area for 34 years, and have never experienced a winter so dry that we needed to run the sprinklers to save the landscaping. I find it quite sad to look to the west at Mount Rose and Slide Mountain and see so much brown and so little white. Unfortunately, most of the white I see is man-made snow.

Two years ago at one of our winter meetings, I talked about the Plumas County Ski Club and the Longboard Races held annually near Johnsville, California, just a few miles from Graeagle. I also had pictures of the 16 to 20 foot skis, and some of the racers in their period costumes. Following that, a few of you came out for the finals in March, 2010. This year, like most resorts in the area, they have not had enough snow, so the races scheduled for January 15 th were canceled. Races are currently scheduled for February 19 th, and the World Championships on March 18 th. The race course is considered to be one of the oldest ski resorts on the North American continent. The Plumas County Ski Club has been working to restore the area. I have attended Longboard races off and on for several years, and I hope to see some of you there this year to support the Plumas County Ski Club.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

Monica