 CAPITAL GOLDEN SKIERS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER Events at a Glance October 30, 2011 (Sunday): Halloween Potluck and Costume Party, VA November 6, 2011 (Sunday): Art and Music at the National Gallery of Art, DC November 8, 2011 (Tuesday): Bridge, Arlington, VA November 13, 2011(Sunday): Dance at the Elks Lodge, VA November 16, 2011 (Wednesday): A Grand Tour of the Solar System, Smithsonian Ripley Center, DC November 17, 2011 (Thursday): Sugarloaf Mountain Hike, MD December 4, 2011 (Sunday): Photography and Music at the National Gallery of Art, DC December 10, 2011 (Saturday): Holiday Party at the Storms, VA December 12, 2011 (Monday): Planning Meeting, VA December 13, 2011 (Tuesday): Bridge, Arlington, VA December 15, 2011 (Thursday): Hike Burke Lake Park, VA Events in Detail Please go to our web site, www.capitalgoldenskiers.com, to get up-to-date information and check out the latest event and activity listings. Click on WHAT’S HAPPENING; ACTIVITY DETAILS and NOTICES AND REMINDERS in the drop-down menu. We Had a Great Time! The fall luncheon at Clyde’s
Tower Oak Lodge was well attended and with a delicious menu, as usual. We welcomed several members of Potomac Valley Skiers
who joined us. A surprise change in seating allowed six people in a booth to
get to know each other more in-depth since moving about was not an easy
option! In the end, this worked out well,
according to a number of new-found friends! Abingdon, et al Tour in October – a Summary Three CGS members drove to Galax on Tuesday and went to the Stringbean Café to hear bluegrass music, performed by two groups of 6 and 12 musicians. The musicians are self-taught and come from the surrounding area to get together and play each Tuesday for free. It was supposed to rain on Wednesday, but cleared up by 11am. Due to the threat of rain, we visited Mount Airy (aka Mayberry), NC and toured the Andy Griffith sites and the hometown of the Siamese twins who married sisters and fathered 21 children. The town was very attractive. We visited the Andy Griffith museum, his boyhood home, Floyd’s barber shop, and Wally’s gas station. We then drove to Grayson Highlands State Park where the autumn colors were magnificent with many sugar maple reds. We hiked up the hill and saw about a dozen wild ponies. Thursday we were scheduled to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail, but it rained all day. Instead we took a short hike, visited a museum and craft center, and toured the town. Thursday evening we had dinner at the Martha Washington Inn and went to the Barter Theater to see a comedy entitled Dracula Bites. We stopped on the way home on Friday, to hike four miles along the New River Trail with great water views. We hiked over two trestles and one short bridge. A gas station in Roanoke sold regular gasoline for $2.99 a gallon! Sunday, October 30, 2011 - Halloween Potluck & Costume Party – 4:00 p.m. Judy Ratliff is hosting a potluck party at her townhouse to enjoy the season! Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. We’ll have fun in any case! Please bring a dish to share. Judy’s address is 2155 Golf Course Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Please RSVP to Judy at jratliff@hotmail.com or if you do not have email, leave a message at 703-716-1294. Directions: Take the Dulles Toll Road, Route 267, from 495 or route 66. Be careful to stay to the right in order to avoid getting on the road to the Airport; there are no exits before you get to the airport. Take the Wiehle Avenue exit from 267. Turn left onto Wiehle Ave. and get into the right lane. Turn right at the next light onto Sunrise Valley Drive. Go to the next light and turn left onto Soapstone. Take the second right onto Golf Course Square. Think of Golf Course Square as the stem of a lollypop. You will hit Golf Course Drive. Don't turn left, which is what the street sign would indicate. Bear right. You will see the pool on your right. Cross a speed bump and then you'll see a playground on the right. Judy's cul-de-sac is the first left after the speed bump. Her house is 2155, but the 55 will be most prominent. Please park on the street in designated areas, because towing is enforced. Call Judy at (703) 758-1660 if you get lost. November 6, 2011 (Sunday) - Pastrana Tapestries, Warhol's Headline Works, and Beethoven String Quartets at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) - 3:30 p.m. Join other CGS members for a tour of two special exhibits at the NGA followed by a concert by the Talich String Quartet. Dating from the late 1400s, the monumental Pastrana tapestries are among the finest in existence. Additionally, there are some eighty works, representing the full range of Andy Warhol's practice, demonstrating the artist's career-long obsession with the tabloid news. We will meet at the Fourth Street, NW, entrance to the NGA East Building no later than 3:30 p.m. For further information and/or to indicate your intention to attend, please contact Dan Leubecker at 703-329-0194 or danielleubecker@aol.com. Information on the exhibits and concert can also be obtained at http://www.nga.gov. November 8, 2011 (Tuesday) – Bridge – 7:30 p.m. If you would like to enjoy an
evening of bridge at Gerda Picco’s in Arlington, Virginia, please call Gerda at
703-527-7782 or e-mail her at gpski@aol.com. November 13, 2011 (Sunday) -- Dance Night – 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Join Don Vierimaa and members of the Capital Golden Skiers and New Phoenix to dance to live music at the Elks Lodge. If going to a dance alone is daunting, then join a merry band that together, can work on dance steps and get limbered up. There is power in numbers, so do contact Don Vierimaa who has reserved a table for the Capital Golden Skiers and members of New Phoenix. The $15 cost covers a light supper and a large dance floor. There is also a cash bar on the premises. There are those of us who have kept “planning to come to the dance” but somehow got tied up and didn’t make it. Act now and call Don at 703-256-0728; cell 703-200-4567 or dvierimaa@hotmail.com to reserve your place. It will be a fun night! Directions: The Elks Lodge is located at 8421 Arlington Boulevard (Hwy. 50), Fairfax, VA 22031, about three miles west of I-495 (Beltway). Don can give you more specific details if needed. November 16, 2011 (Wednesday) - A Grand Tour of the Solar System at the Smithsonian Ripley Center -- 6:30 p.m. Join other CGS members to listen to a lecture by planetary geologist Jim Zimbelman who will take us on a grand tour of the outer worlds beyond our comfort zone. From Mercury to Pluto, each planet has its own characteristics. Robotic spacecraft have now visited all of the planets in our solar system, as well as a host of moons, asteroids, and comets. We will meet at the entrance to the Ripley Center, just west of the Smithsonian Castle (1100 Jefferson Drive, SW), no later than 6:30 p.m. Cost is $18 per person. For further information and/or to indicate your intention to attend, please contact Dan Leubecker at 703-329-0194 or danielleubecker@aol.com. November 17, 2011 (Thursday) – Sugarloaf Mountain Hike – 11:00 a.m. Meet the trip leader, Dietrich Roesler, at 11:00 am at the parking lot by the entrance to Sugarloaf Mountain Park. This will be a leisurely uphill stroll to the highest elevation in Montgomery County with views on a clear day for twenty miles or more. Bring water, binoculars (if you have them) and money for lunch after the hike. Wear sturdy walking shoes or sneakers. Directions: From the Beltway (1-495) take 1-270 North. Take Exit 18 northeast on the Clarksburg Road (Route 121); go about 0.6 mile to the Frederick Road (Route 355). Travel one mile to the intersection with the Comus Road and turn left. Continue on Comus Road for 5.7 miles to the park entrance. Call Dietrich (703-768-2456) to let him know if you plan to come. December 4, 2011 (Sunday): Harry Callahan (Photographer; not SFO Police Detective!) at 100 and Beethoven String Quartets at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) -- 3:30 p.m.
Join other CGS members for a tour of the special NGA exhibit of some 100 photographs by one of the most innovative and influential photographers of the 20th century followed by a concert by the Pacifica String Quartet. We will meet at the Constitution Avenue, NW, entrance to the NGA West Building no later than 3:30 p.m. For further information and/or to indicate your intention to attend, please contact Dan Leubecker at 703-329-0194 or danielleubecker@aol.com. Information on the exhibit and concert can also be obtained at http://www.nga.gov December 10, 2011 (Saturday) - Christmas Pot Luck at the Storm’s - Noon to 3 pm. An advance welcome to all
Capital Golden Skiers and guests of members, from Gisela and John. We look forward to seeing as many of you who
can make this annual event. Bring a favorite dish to be enjoyed by many --- an
appetizer, salad, side dish, meat, vegetarian or pasta entree, dessert --- your
individual choice. Beverages will be
provided. Based on past experience we
could have 30, or more, attendees. We
strongly suggest to please have your dishes prepared to be placed on the table (micro-waving warm-up is okay), and bring the necessary
cutlery for portioning and serving. If
dishes have owner’s name tagged on plates/platter, and serving utensils if
able, orphans will be avoided at departure.
Plastic plates, cups, napkins, forks/knives/spoons will be provided. An advance telephone call
(703-924-2394) or e-mail (Jstorm7900@aol.com) of your planned attendance and
expected dish by December 8 would be appreciated. However, a last minute decision to attend is
okay! Directions to the Storm’s: 6145 Manchester Park Circle, Alexandria, VA 22310; 703-924-2394. From the Beltway (Rte. 495/95), exit onto Van Dorn Street. Drive south on Van Dorn, cross over Franconia Road (four lights). Stay in right lane, pass by one light, and just before the second light bear right onto Kingstowne Village Parkway (a small lake on the right, and shopping center on the left) and at the first light (intersection with Manchester Blvd), turn right and proceed about 200 feet to a light at Manchester Lakes Drive. Turn right, go to second right turn (Manchester Park Circle) about 200 feet, and enter Townes Manchester Park. Bear right at the split. Residence is 6145 Manchester Park Circle - in third Townhouse complex on left. Early birds park in drive; others make left turn to first available parking spot around corner. If you become disorganized and have a cell phone, please call for assistance. John has experience tele prompting lost guests. Welcome! Come and enjoy. December 12, 2011 (Monday) – Planning Meeting – 10:00 a.m. Join board members and activity planners to discuss club issues and to plan activities for the coming months. The meeting will be held at the home of Gerda Picco. Please call Gerda at 703-527-7782 or e-mail her at gpski@aol.com for more information or directions. December 13, 2011 (Tuesday) – Bridge – 7:30 p.m. If you would like to enjoy an evening of bridge at Gerda Picco’s in Arlington, Virginia, please call her at 703-527-7782 or e-mail her at gpski@aol.com. December 15, 2011 (Thursday) – Hike Burke Lake Park –
10:30 a.m. This is a level 5 mile loop around the shores of Burke Lake. It is easy walking with pleasant views. Call Dietrich Roesler, (703-768-2456) if you’d like to join. Walk off some of those pre-holiday calories! Directions: Take I-495 to the Braddock West exit, 1.8 miles to Burke Lake Road, 4.7miles to Ox (123) Road. Turn left on Ox Road and go a short distance to the main entrance of the Park. We will meet at the Marina Parking lot.
The Potomac Pedalers Touring Club (PPTC) sponsors bike rides at a variety of ability levels and is looking for you to join on one of their trips, regardless of the weather! For new or experienced bikers, joining a group of like-minded individuals is relatively inexpensive at a yearly fee of $35 for an individual, according to their new website, www.potomacpedalers.org. . Although some activities are free, it appears that many are for members only, but do check their web site for more information! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Golden Skiers Ski Trip Schedule 2011/2012 For
more detailed information about the ski trips, check our website www.capitalgoldenskiers.com. At this time, please call the trip leader to
see if space is available. A. December 6-14, 2011 - Vail, Colorado - Paul Levy (PaulL1817@aol.com) B. January 21-28, 2012 - Sun Valley, Idaho - Paul Levy (PaulL1817@aol.com) C. February 11-18, 2012 - Snowmass, Colorado -Marianne Soponis (marianne.soponis@gmail.com) D. March 2-10, 2012 - Andorra in the Pyrenees -Inge Lesjak (skislovenia@aol.com) E. March 3-10, 2012 - Aspen, Colorado - Paul Levy (PaulL1817@aol.com) LOCAL SKIING Day Trips Weather permitting,
we will have weekly ski trips to Ski Liberty or White Tail each Wednesday or
Thursday. Decisions on ski trips will be made by Monday or Tuesday. Those
interested should call Dietrich Roesler at 703-768-2456 once there is
snow! Carpooling is encouraged. Web Site News
We would like to remind members to check WHAT’S HAPPENING; ACTIVITY DETAILS and NOTICES AND REMINDERS on the Web site to keep up to date. Also, if you have any difficulty downloading or printing CGS newsletters or other information, please feel free to contact Bob Kramer, our webmaster, at kramerbob@aol.com or 301-299-3338 Newsletter Notes For members receiving the newsletter by e-mail: Please remember to notify Vice-president Paul Levy at PaulsL1817@aol.com and webmaster Bob Kramer at kramerbob@aol.com of e-mail address changes. In addition to the newsletter, we periodically send out alerts to save time, make corrections, etc., so it’s important to have the correct address. If you change your Internet service provider or e-mail address, please inform Paul and Bob. A little bit helps a lot! For members receiving the newsletter in hard-copy form who have access to the Internet: Please take time to check the Web site occasionally, as it will show any updates and changes in activities and schedules. And don’t forget that the latest newsletter can always be directly accessed on the site, www.capitalgoldenskiers.com. Member Contacts President Donald Vierimaa 703-256-0728 dvierimaa@hotmail.com Vice-President Paul Levy 301-881-4081 PaulsL1817@aol.com Secretary Mary Ann McNamar 301-263-9183 ma.greeves@mindspring.com Treasurer; Roster Therese Malambri 703-451-6958 tmalambri@cox.net Webmaster Bob Kramer 301-299-3338 kramerbob@aol.comSki Trips Inge Lesjak 703-913-0759 skislovenia@aol.com Hiking Dietrich Roesler 703-768-2456 dietroe234@aol.com Bridge Gerda Picco 703-527-7782 gpski@aol.com Social Chair Dan Leubecker 703-329-0194 danielleubecker@aol.com Newsletter Marianne
Soponis 202-363-5250 marianne.soponis@gmail.com
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