On September 27, 2024, the
Birchleggings Club (BLC) held its 2024 Annual Meeting at the Johnson
Family Outdoor Center at the OO Birkie
Trailhead.
Along with the BLC board
members, approximately 20 additional persons attended.
Special guests for the day
included John and Nina Kotar. John is a co-founder of the BLC. Louise Droessler, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
(ABSF) Development Director and the
BLC’s liaison with the ABSF represented the Birkie Foundation.
A pre-meeting picnic lunch
was prepared by Tom Rowley, Grillmeister, and other board members. Because of
the very-unseasonably warm conditions in the sun, the pre-meeting festivities
were moved from the patio to inside the Johnson Center.
The BLC Strummers,
consisting of Dave Balsiger, Tim Burke, Edward Eroe, and Jim Tenorio (JT)
performed several songs, including Birkie Fever, two songs written by
Tim Burke—Double O and Born in the Jackpine, and one song with
lyrics by JT—Let Me Go Home Klister. Dave Balsiger ushered in the formal
opening of the annual meeting by performing his Birkebeiner Morning
song.
The meeting itself began
with President Paul Thompson giving a warm welcome to all attendees and to
Kortelopet 20+ Skiløpers and Birke+Korte 20-year-combination race finishers who
are now eligible to join the Birchleggings Club (BLC).
A report was given on each
of the 2024 BLC summer events that had taken place. The organizer of each event
gave a summary of their event. Slides provided by Paul Thompson & Mindy Ahler
illustrated each of the events.
Gus Virkus encouraged
persons to attend our final summer event, the Fall Foliage Hike and Cornhole
Tournament, to be held on October 10, 2024.
Louise Droessler gave an
overview of the Birkie One Initiative and the different events/programs that
are ongoing and planned. Birkie One is the ABSF’s effort, along with the
support of the BLC to encourage and help persons of traditionally underrepresented
persons/groups to become involved in Birkie-sponsored events and in
outdoor-active physical activities in general here in the Northwoods. Louise also gave an update
on the progress and the grand opening of Telemark Village and the Telemark
Basecamp Building.
One of the regular agenda
items at the annual meeting is the election of our board of directors. Two
members, Dave Balsiger and Kim Ruud, were stepping down from the board.
Formal nominations were made
for the following persons to join or continue on the BLC Board of Directors. A
slate of candidates was recommended by the board as follows:
-
To renew their
three-year terms on the board were Paul Thompson, Connie Meek, and Jim Tenorio
(JT)
-
To join the
board as treasurer: Tom Rowley
-
To join the
board: Nona Goertz
The candidates above were
elected by the members present to the board of directors.
The highlight of the day was
a celebration to recognize Dave Balsiger for his many years of service to the
BLC. Dave has been instrumental in founding and running the club since its
inception 32 years ago, although he himself places his years of service at 26. Dave’s
wife Linda was also recognized for the help she provided during all those
years. Dave’s “retirement” from the board sets a milestone for the club as Tom
Rowley steps in to assume the responsibilities as club treasurer.
Dave reminisced for the
audience some of his experiences skiing, forming the club, and serving as
treasurer and membership manager over the years. John Kotar, the co-founder of
the BLC with Dave, expressed his appreciation and shared some of his memories
of their involvement. He stressed several times that one of the most important
benefits of the BLC is to develop and nurture the many friendships developed
among skiers and club members over the years.
Paul Thompson presented Dave
with gifts of appreciation for his service—a restaurant gift card and a gift
certificate to Farm & Fleet, one of Dave’s favorite stores.
The tribute to Dave
concluded with JT and the audience singing, With a Lot of Help from Our Dave.
Sung to the melody of the Beatles’ With a Little Help from My Friends,
JT wrote the lyrics, which were displayed on the screen, so folks could join
along in the singing. See lyrics below.
With a Lot of Help from Our Dave Sung to the tune of, With a Little Help from My Friends September 27, 2024 Lyrics by Jim Tenorio, with apologies to Paul McCartney & John Lennon
1) What will we do in the Birchleggings Club
Since our treasurer has “turned in his keys?”
For 32 years Dave has managed the books,
And kept the membership records for free.
Chorus 1:
Oh, we got by with a little help from our Dave.
No, we thrived with a little help from our Dave.
No, we thrived with a lot of help from our Dave.
2) Dave paid the bills, and he took in the cash
At our breakfast with Tom at his side.
He’d maintain the lists from the ABSF
So you knew at what rank you reside.
Chorus 2:
Oh, we got by with a little help from our Dave.
Mmm, we thrived with a little help from our Dave.
Mmm, we would fly with a lot of help from our Dave.
Bridge 1:
(Do you need anybody?)
We need a new treasur-er.
(Could it be anybody?)
Tom has stepped in to serve.
3) Dave did big mailings and set up our booth,
Linda helped him with all the work!
He could tell you just when your membership will expire
And sold all of our hats and T-shirts.
Chorus 3:
Oh, we got by with a little help from our Dave.
Mmm, we thrived with a little help from our Dave.
Mmm, we would fly with a lot of help from our Dave.
Bridge 2:
(Will we miss anybody?)
We’ll miss Dave after he goes.
(Will we miss anybody?)
We thank him more than he knows.
Final Chorus:
Oh, we got by with a little help from our Dave.
Mmm, we thrived with a little help from our Dave.
Mmm, we would fly with a lot of help from our Dave.
Yes we would fly… with a lot of help from our Dave…
With a lot of help from our Daa-aav
In spite of formal
adjournment, socializing continued well after the meeting ended. The
conversations and fellowship are a common theme of Birchleggings Club
get-togethers, and they are one of the joys and benefits of membership.
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