Eastern Division NSP's News Magazine
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We Can Only Hope!
Bike Patroller School at HoliMont
The Eastern Division Bike Program ran their second annual Bike Patroller School at HoliMont Bike Park in Ellicottville, NY.
Our weekend started late Saturday morning allowing the participants to meet up and ride the bike park at reduced rates. During our Saturday ride, Adam, a HoliMont patroller, led a great skills clinic focusing on improving our cornering. I’ve been riding for many years, and his tips made me an even better rider! We finished our day with pizza and beverages in their ski school building, and then a few of us camped out at the mountain.
The main program started bright and early on Sunday morning. The HoliMont instructors taught the Bike 1 course first thing. The GVR instructors followed that with the wheeled-litter course. For those who are unfamiliar with the wheeled litter, it is the summer patroller’s version of a toboggan.
Nordic/Backcountry Update
As the leaves begin to turn color and the temperatures begin to drop, the refresher season has started. This year is Refresher Cycle C. We have divided the Nordic skills list into three recommended refresher cycles running parallel to our OEC refresher cycles. The skills list and refresher cycles can be found on the division website’s Nordic/Backcountry page.
The main topic of most refreshers is to be updated on your local mountain’s requirements. For the skills requirements, try to make that fun. Think of games and challenges. Even if you are a seasoned veteran at basic and senior skills, how fast can you perform these skills? Are you able to teach others?
New Instructor Development Courses
As we approach the ski season several patrollers have told me they delayed their dream of becoming an NSP instructor because they haven’t taken an Instructor Development (ID) course. “Why not?” I asked. There was a litany of reasons (excuses), but the primary reason was the lack of a convenient ID course. “There wasn’t a course offered in my region when I needed it” or “I work on the weekends when the courses were offered.”
Problem solved.
Avalanche Events Schedule
The dates for all the avalanche courses are now up on the Eastern Division calendar. Registration for the classes will be open by the middle of November at Patroller School. We will be running three Level 1 and one Level 2 courses. The IOR for the classes are listed with each one individually. If have any questions on any individual courses, please reach out to the IOR or me. The program goal is to provide premier avalanche safety and rescue education, specifically designed for the needs of patrollers, mountain search and rescue teams, and snow recreation stakeholders.
Women’s Program Update
There is a “new face in town.” At the September Eastern Division Board meeting Chrissy Ludka was appointed the new Women’s Program Supervisor replacing Heather Newman. Special thanks to the hard work from Heather over the past two seasons.
Chrissy brings a world of experience and enthusiasm to the Women’s Program. Chrissy is a patroller at Elk Mountain in EPA. Her experiences include YAP Advisor, OET TE, Women’s Program Instructor, EPA OET RA, OEC Instructor, and a world of related activities.
GOT MTR?
If you’re interested in attending an MTR course (Mountain Travel and Rescue), I recommend reaching out as soon as possible to get yourself on the list! MTR Courses are beginning to appear on the EDiv Calendar. They can also be found on EDiv’s Patroller School.
The role of the MTR Program is to provide ski patrollers and interested members of the public with knowledge and skills that:
- Enhance their effectiveness at ski patrolling.
- Build their outdoor leadership capacities.
- Enable them to serve as assets and leader in search and rescue operations, especially in winter settings and mountain environments.
Building Partnerships with Youth Cycling
When I first arrived at a Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League (MICL) race venue a few seasons ago, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew mountain biking, I knew emergency response, but I had never seen hundreds of middle and high school riders, their families, coaches, and volunteers come together to create the kind of electric, supportive atmosphere that defines NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) events. What I discovered that day changed how I think about patrolling and community involvement.
Collaborative AMN Refresher
If you were not there, you missed it! The AMN 25 instructor continuing education refresher was a huge success! It’s going to be hard to find a location that will beat Pike Glades in New Hampshire. The weather was perfect, and we had the largest attendance ever for this event. This year we had many people who only did the online portion of the refresher. This is going to become a yearly requirement, with you only needing to attend an in person refresher once every three years.
What is a Receipt?
Webster’s dictionary says a receipt is, “a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money.” The first item in the Eastern Division Expense Reimbursement Policy says, “Receipts for expense, including meals, lodging, travel and miscellaneous expenses, must accompany all reimbursement request. The receipts must show the items purchased.” We need receipts since we are accountable for how we spend member funds. Simple, at least so far…
Every receipt should include four elements that answer these questions:
1. What? (say what was purchased)
2. When? (when it was purchased)
3. How much? (dollar amount spent)
4. Who? (who bought it)
In Memoriam – Sandy Macys
Sandy was born in Schweinfurt, Germany in 1947 of Lithuanian parents who were escaping the Russians. He moved to Vermont at the age of three and then to Connecticut when he was five.
He graduated from Paier School of Art with a professional degree in Interior Design.
In 1969, Sandy started patrolling at Mt. Southington, CT. Moving to Vermont, he became a professional patroller at Killington in 1970. In the two years he was there and in 1972 he passed the Certified test and was awarded #23. He was an active member of the program, examining in all the modules. In 2009 he was recognized by his peers in the program and was awarded Lifetime status. He joined the Sugarbush Resort Patrol in 1974.
In 1972 he discovered photography. For the next five years Sandy worked as a photographer with United Press International. In 1987 he became began a 15-year stint as a staff photographer at the Barre-Montpelier, Vermont Times Argus all the while continuing to be an active ski patroller.
In Memoriam – Chris Lindberg
Chris Lindberg, of the Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, Western Appalachian Region, passed away at the age of 74, on October 13, 2025. He joined the Ski Patrol in 1996. Chris was always smiling and willing to lend a hand with anything he could. He was a long-time OEC instructor and served as a member of the Hidden Valley Ski Patrol Board of Directors. Chris was a full-time homeowner at Hidden Valley and was active in both the HOA and the Jefferson Township community.
Chris was a Major in the United States Air Force, Retired. As Chris would put it, he served in the USAF for twenty-two years, three months, and eighteen days. His military career took him to many parts of the country and the world, including the University of Nebraska, where he graduated with his master’s in physician assistant studies and obtained his medical license. He specialized in Medical Oncology and Hematology but spent time practicing in related healthcare fields during his military
service.
In Memoriam – Walter “Buck” Berdan
Walter “Buck” G. Berdan passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025, surrounded by family after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on July 29, 1949, to Leonard and Margaret (Bliss) Berdan.
Buck grew up hiking, camping, swimming and caving all over New York with his brothers and his many cousins and friends. He was an Eagle Scout, a certified scuba diver, enjoyed sailing his numerous boats over the years, and he was an avid winter camper.
Buck graduated from Schoharie Central School in 1967 and enrolled in Union College, Schenectady, New York. His education was interrupted when he volunteered to serve two tours in the Vietnam War. From 1970 to 1972 Buck was a cryptographic Specialist 5 with an armored cavalry unit of the 23rd “Americal” infantry division.
