Honorary Birchleggings Club Membership Granted to the Late Dan Sanville

Dan Sanville, a veteran of 19 Birkies, passed away November 11, 2014 at the age 60 due to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  Dan was a lifelong skier who grew up skiing the trails in and around Escanaba, Michigan. When his disease prevented him from finishing his 20th American Birkebeiner, Dan was granted honorary membership into the Bircheggings Club, of which Dan was very proud.

In addition to his many Birkie finishes, Dan skied several World Loppet races, from New Zealand to Europe. He was a also strong supporter of the high school Nordic program in White Bear Lake, providing key parent support by hosting waxing clinics, chaperoning training trips, and providing pasta feeds over 10 years.

Dan also enjoyed other outdoor activities, including hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with his sons and kayaking the Apostle Islands during the summer.

For those wishing to offer a memorial in Dan's honor, a scholarship fund in Dan's name called the Dan Sanville Nordic Skiing Scholarship, has been established at White Bear Lake High School. Donations can be submitted through the White Bear Lake Educational Foundation's website at www.wblaef.org.

Annual Meeting Minutes and Updated Membership and In Memoriam Lists

The meeting minutes from the Annual Meeting held in October 2014 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin is available at the Birchleggings Club Meeting Minutes Section on the Right.

The Birchleggings Club Members and In Memoriam Lists have been updated and are available in the Membership Lists Section below.

The picture is of Brad Peterson, Birchlegger Class of 1974 and Steve Carmazon, Class of 1975 at the Birkie Event in Golden Valley, Minnesota on November 20, 2014.

IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships 2015

The IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships are being held in Cable, Wisconsin from January 22nd through February 1, 2015!

Extended Deadline to Order Birchleggings Club Clothing - November 8, 2014!

Extended Deadline to order Birchleggings Club Clothing now Nov 8, 2014!

Birchlegger clothing is back! The Birchleggings Club is excited to offer Sporthill jackets and Sporthill ski pants, as well as high quality cotton T-shirts, great ski hats and ballcaps.  And, new this year, through Mt Borah Teamwear, you can order Birchlegger one-piece and two-piece racing suits.  

Act now! Order information and downloadable order form below on the website. Remember that order deadline is November 8, 2014!

Board Member Election Results

The results of the Birchleggings Club Board Elections were announced at the October 19, 2014 Board of Directors Annual Meeting held at the Tower Ridge Ski Area in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Edward Eroe, Board Member and Webmaster / Social Media, was re-elected to a three year term. His initial term was one year when the board was formed. Edward is the President & CEO of Life Link III which provides air medical transport services in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin and has completed 27 Birkie races. Life Link III provides air medical support to local EMS by placing a helicopter in the Cable / Hayward area during the American Birkebeiner.

Don Becker was elected to a three year term. He has completed 30 Birkie races and is also a past member of the American Birkebeiner Foundation Board of Directors. Don's law firm, Becker Law, has been a major sponsor of the Birkie.

Connie Meek was also elected to a three year term. She has completed 31 Birkie races and is also a Worldloppet Gold Master. Connie serves as the Race Chief of the Barkie Birkie Skijor Race and is a Coach and Treasurer of the women's ski group, Ski and Tea.

A big thanks to our outgoing board members, Jeanine Evenson and Russell Roberts for their service and assistance in forming the Birchleggings Club Board of Directors and serving the first year!

Birchleggings Club Clothing for 2014 Now Available!

The Birchleggings Club Clothing Line for 2014 is now available. See the pages below and be sure to click on the pages to download the page for the links to particular items or for the order form.

Birchleggings Club Member and Memoriam Lists Updated

The Birchleggings Club Member List has been updated and is available on the Membership Links below and also at this link.

The Birchleggers in Memoriam list has also been updated and is available on the Membership Lists below and also at this link.

The Birchleggings Club Inc Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Election

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of The Birchleggings Club Inc will be held at Tower Ridge Recreation Area in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Sunday, Oct 19, 2014 at 1:00 pm.  See location, directions, and map below. All members are welcome to attend.  At this meeting, Board of Director members will be elected. As per our Bylaws, Board members are elected to three-year terms, with one-third of the Board positions up for election each year.  The Board terms of Directors Edward Eroe, Russ Roberts, and Jeanine Evenson will end this year. Board members may be re-elected for a second term.

Nomination process for non-incumbent members to be elected to the Board of Directors

All non-incumbent nominations for the Board of Directors must be presented in writing to the Nominating Committee by Sept 4, 2014.  The nomination must be signed by the nominator and the nominee, both of whom must be members, and five (5) other members.  The current list of Birchlegging Club members is posted on this website.  Questions to Tom Rowley or Dave Balsiger.

Mail the nominations to:

Tom Rowley

13384N Red Birch Lane

Hayward WI 54832

tomrowley_efr@yahoo.com

Election process for Birchleggings Club Board of Directors

Ballots will be mailed to all members 28 days prior to the annual meeting (21 Sept). Ballots must be returned by Oct 9, 2014 or you can vote in person at the annual meeting. No proxy voting.

Annual Meeting Location and Directions

Location: 955 S. 82nd Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703 / GPS: 44.822323, -91.360803

Directions: From Hwy 53 exit at the North Crossing (Hwy Q) head East 5 miles

Turn right onto Cty Hwy L (S. 82^nd Ave) for 0.5 miles

Turn Left into the Tower Ridge Parking Lot.

Further information about Tower Ridge Recreation Area can be found at: https://www.eccountyparks.com/parks/parks_and_shelters/tower_ridge_recreation_area_chalet/   

Birchleggings Club Bylaws

The Birchleggings Club Bylaws are now available on the right side bar of our website. You can also click on this link to get your copy.

Member Information and Available Clothing Updated!

The Birchleggings Club Members, Rank, and Demographics have all been updated. See the links below and download the latest information as of March 2014!

Additionally the Birchleggings Club Available Clothing and as been updated. See below for more information.

The picture to the left was taken on March 26, 2014 by Edward Eroe on the Classic Trail between Bodecker and Double OO going west. According to the Birkie website, as of April 4, 2014, there is still good skiing on the trail!

Birchleggings New Members as of March 2014

The listing of the new Birchleggings Club Members as of March 2014 was released today. See the Membership Lists below on our website or go to this link.

Birchleggings Club Awards Breakfast 2014 Pictures

Pictures from the 2014 Birchleggings Club Awards Breakfast on February 23, 2014 can be found on the Birchleggings Facebook Page at this link. You do not have to be a member of Facebook to view the pictures.

If you have other pictures that you would like to post from the Awards Breakfast send them to Edward Eroe, Webmaster and Social Media Coordinator. Please include the names of everyone in the photograph.

Pictured in the photograph to the left are John Kotar, Club Founder & Past President and Gale Otterholt, Club President.

Nikkerbeiner 2014 Information

Nikkerbeiner Presented By

The Wooden Ski Waxing & High-Performance Ski Experts

THE STORY In 1973, the first year of the Birkie, cross country skiers were sporting the best athletic gear of the day--knickers, wooden skis, and bamboo poles. For the second year, you can re-live that era by participating in the Birkie “Nikkerbeiner.” This retro 5K ski tour on wooden skis has been named after the Norwegian word for knickers. This event will take place on Main Street, Hayward, at 2:15 p.m., Friday, February 21st. The event will start just prior to the Family Fun Ski 5K/10K.

RACE COURSE & TIMING  The Nikkerbeiner will start on historic, snow-covered Main Street in downtown Hayward, WI (the finish for the Birkie on Saturday), follow a 5K course, and then finish back on Main Street. The Nikkerbeiner is an un-timed event. This is a family event for anyone that can comfortably ski 5 kilometers. Put on some wooden skis and have fun!

COSTUME CONTEST & PRIZES!    Wooden skis are a must, but from there it's up to you. Go as retro as you can. Tell us about the “old school” equipment and clothing you will be using for the event. This will give our announcer great commentary while you ski and help us select the best retro outfits at the finish line. When you register on-line, be sure to fill out the section about what you will be wearing and what equipment you will be using. You may win a prize based on your equipment’s story as told by you when you advance register, prior to Thursday 4:00pm.  Prizes are to be awarded at the finish line. Prize details coming soon! 

Again, wooden skis are required for this event. If you have bamboo poles and knickers, great. If not, use what you have or can borrow and join your fellow "Nikkerbeiners" for this fun event celebrating 42 years of Birkie!

BIBS & BIB PICK-UP  Bring your own bib! You are welcome and encouraged to wear your oldest Birkie bib or your favorite bib. And, your bib can be a part of your story. If you do not have a bib, we will supply you with one at the check-in tent near the start line between NOON and 2 p.m. on Friday, February 21st.

COST   $10 per skier. Registration now open and is on-line at www.birkie.com   Select the Events tab and pick NIKKERBEINER. 

PARKING AT RACE START  - There is parking along the side streets near Main Street and at various free, public parking areas in downtown Hayward. Expect to walk a few blocks at most.

Start Time:  2:15 p.m., Friday, February 21st.

Location:    Main Street - Hayward, WI

Please contact the Birkie Office with any questions a birkie@birkie.com or 715-634-5025

Birchleggings Bib and Pin Holder!

A Birchleggings Bib and Pin Holder is now available through the Birchleggings Club, Inc. See information at the bottom of the website for details and ordering information. The holder is made by the Mark Blaskey Metal Studio

Membership and Dues

Membership in the Birchleggings Club is available to all skiers who have completed at least 20 American Birkebeiner ski races. For convenience (and some savings), dues can now be paid for more than one year.

Dues-paying members can receive discounts on gear at some Hayward area retailers.

See the Membership section on this page for all the details.

Mosquito Brook Warming Hut

The Birchleggings Club, Inc. is funding the Warming Hut on the American Birkebeiner Trail at Mosquito Brook.

The hut is a wonderful addition to the Birkie Trail and comes at an opportune place to rest if you are out skiing.

Please stop by as we continue to make improvements to the warming hut!