Eastern Division NSP's News Magazine
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Division Director’s Report – September 2026
One thing is for certain: summer is slowly dying, and we are moving towards my favorite season. Depending on which long-range forecast you follow, we are either going to have an epic El Niño winter or a very wet winter. I’m going to believe that conditions will be great! Last week my local ski shop called to tell me my new skis were in, and now, on to the search for some new boots for this winter!!
As we move into fall, lots of exciting events are happening in the Eastern Division. Local areas are gearing up for their OEC and On the Hill Refreshers. I’m looking forward to getting back together with my home patrollers and catching up on everyone’s summer adventures.
The Eastern Division Board has also been busy during the off-season. In June, we passed the FY 2027 budget. We were able to fund all the programs with small increases to each program’s budget. I’d like to thank the hard work of the finance committee along with the program supervisors/advisors for the work put into the budgeting process. They all certainly know how to stretch their resources. Two highlights are the purchase of a Cascade break-down carbon fiber AKJA four-handle toboggan and no Eastern Division dues increase. The new AKJA toboggan is starting to become the go to toboggan in back country and off-piste rescue. Jay Peak is already integrating them into their toboggan livery. This AKJA will be used for training at Nordic/Backcountry and patroller schools, keep an eye out for it.
John Kane Inducted into NSP Hall of Fame
It was a tremendous honor to announce that John Kane has been inducted into the National Ski Patrol’s Hall of Fame class of 2027 at the Certified Boot Camp at Magic Mountain, VT.
It was a surprise recognition, celebration, and presentation of a very prestigious NSP award. The NSP’s awards and recognition program is the currency that we, as NSP members, must recognize patrollers who go above and beyond, whether it be at the patrol, region, division, or national level.
This award was established to recognize individuals whose association with the NSP has had substantial and lasting positive effects upon multiple regions and divisions or within the national organization
To be considered for this prestigious award one must be a 25-year or more active member of the NSP, have received a National Appointment or Leadership Commendation Appointment, served in a leadership position such as a patrol director/patrol rep, section chief, region director, program director or advisor at the national or division level, served as a National Board member, assistant division director or division director, received a Distinguished Service Award or Meritorious Service Award, served as an active credentialed instructor or IT for 20 years or more, possibly served on a national task force or participated as a co-writer to a national curriculum or even created a pilot program which was later adopted by the national organization
John Kane has checked almost every box of that criteria.
OET – Patroller Schools, Tail Ropes, Steeps & Bumps
The 2026–27 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for OET, with opportunities for patrollers at every level to sharpen their skiing, snowboarding, telemark, and toboggan skills.
We’ll kick off the season in December with our annual Killington OET Meeting, where we’ll prepare our staff to bring this year’s training initiatives back to their home regions. Once again, we’ll be partnering with the PSIA Educational Staff to strengthen our coaching skills. This year, our staff development will focus on the skills and tactics needed for successful tail-rope work—an essential skill for many patrollers and one that presents unique challenges for both patrollers and instructors.
Training Opportunities for Every Patroller
As the season gets underway, look for a full calendar of OET training opportunities across the division designed to meet patrollers where they are and help them take the next step.
Patroller Schools are tentatively scheduled at Saddleback, Bristol, Elk, Killington, and Gore. These two-day events are ideal for new patrollers, developing patrollers and aspiring seniors.
Raising the Bar: Certified Boot Camp at Magic Mountain
Lying down on the job so candidates can practice.
Three days of training, camaraderie, and a continued commitment to excellence brought nearly 70 patrollers together at Magic Mountain in Londonderry, Vermont, for the 19th Annual Eastern Division Certified Program Training.
From August 7–9, Magic Mountain served as the backdrop for the annual training event. Nearly 70 participants gathered for a weekend focused on advanced skills, practical scenarios, professional development, and—perhaps most importantly—the continued pursuit of excellence within the National Ski Patrol’s Eastern Division Certified Program.
Magic Mountain management and staff were exceptional hosts throughout the weekend, providing the facilities, support, and welcoming atmosphere that helped make the event such a success. Among those on hand was Magic Mountain’s own Assistant Patrol Director and Certified #871, Becky Rubin, who was able to participate in the weekend alongside fellow patrollers.
2026 Memorial Scholarships
Harriet Frawley, Memorial Scholarship Fund Advisor
As my tenure as Memorial Scholarship Fund Advisor winds down, I am pleased to share this year’s David J. Nelson Sr. Memorial Scholarship recipients. Congratulations to the awardees, and thank you to everyone who has supported the Fund throughout its 50-year history. I also offer special thanks to those who have encouraged me over the past 10 years of steering the program.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s scholarship recipients.
Hope Giammatteo, Powder Ridge/CT
Sean Wallace, Blue Hills/EMARI
Nathaniel Demain, Abenaki/NH
William Burdin, Nashoba Valley/EMARI
Mason Opalka, Elk Mountain/EPA
Mary Page, Bear Creek/EPA
Nicholas Loew, Bromley/SVT
Flora Dewar, Bolton Valley/NVT
A Guide to Retaining Patrollers
Allan Miller
Eastern Division Alumni Advisor
This guide will help Ski Patrollers understand their options if they need to interrupt patrolling. It’s a retention-focused approach for keeping experienced members connected to the National Ski Patrol community. The goal of this guide is to help patrols retain members who conclude they may need to step away from active patrolling by making sure they understand their options, know whom to contact, and feel encouraged to remain part of the NSP community.
Why This Matters
Patrollers may need to interrupt active service for many reasons, including family responsibilities, health, work demands, relocation, or changing availability. When members believe their only choice is to leave completely, the organization risks losing experienced people, institutional knowledge, instructors, mentors, and future volunteers. A clear education and communication process can help convert potential departures into continued engagement as Alumni by providing the patroller with options to retain their OEC technician certification and their connection to their patrol and the organization.
Key Message for Patrollers
Leaving active patrolling does not have to mean leaving NSP. Members who can no longer patrol regularly should be encouraged to explore all the options they have so they can remain connected, continue contributing, and preserve important benefits where applicable.
Nordic/Backcountry Report – September
Hope everyone has had a great summer. I wrote this sitting on the porch of a cabin at the Cape Cod National Seashore, enjoying the evening. The Province Lands bike path rides like a roller coaster, reminding me of the terrain that I like to XC ski in the winter. Besides mountain biking, paddling, and rock climbing, I attended the certified boot camp at Magic Mountain this past August. It was so great to work with a bunch of patrollers striving to be the best that they can be. On the Nordic Master side, Keith Schultz, from the Pacific NW Division, just passed his oral board of review to become NM#024. Congratulations Keith! We’re looking for some more Nordic Master candidates from the Eastern Division. Reach out to me!
Avalanche Program Report
While it was still summer, we were already getting ready for OEC refresher season. Before long, we’ll all be thinking about the upcoming winter and hoping for plenty of snow.
Of course, with lots of snow comes the potential for avalanches. While many people think avalanches only affect skiers, we know that’s not the case. Tragically, 10 people lost their lives in an avalanche while climbing Broad Peak in Pakistan. Incidents like this remind us that avalanche education is valuable for anyone who spends time in snowy mountain environments.
The NSP’s avalanche courses aren’t just for skiers. Mountaineers, climbers, snowshoers, and other backcountry enthusiasts can all benefit from developing avalanche awareness and rescue skills.
Bear Creek EMS Workshop
Thank you to all who attended the Assessment of Chest Pain Patroller Workshop.
The Bear Creek EMS Program is hosting the following virtual patroller workshop.
Understanding Syncope – The Clues to the Collapse
September 29, 2026, 7:30-9:30 pm EST
This workshop covers the following objectives:
- Definition of Syncope
- Mechanisms
- Assessment
- Case Scenarios
- Diagnostic Evaluation
- Treatments
In Memoriam – Gretchen Rous Besser
To quote Gretchen Rous Besser, “Skiing has been the perfect mix of my intellectual and athletic life.”
Gretchen Rous Besser first put on a pair of skis and slid down Observatory Hill as a student at Wellesley College. She admits she didn’t know what she was doing, but she liked it enough to try again.
For her second trip, she borrowed Northland wooden skis from her cousin and went with a group from New York City to Bromley, Vermont. She remembers the weather was freezing cold and she fell – a lot – but she still loved it. That love affair lasted more than seven decades, and despite dislocating her shoulder a dozen times and two hip replacements, this petite and strong-willed woman still left her house in the dark, at least three days a week, to earn first tracks as Stowe’s “Dawn Patrol.”
She joined the National Ski Patrol after witnessing a child hurt under the chairlift at Smugglers’ Notch Madonna Mountain. “My heart went out to the crying child, and I decided then that I wanted to do something to help.”
She started as a volunteer at Milton Snow Bowl in New Jersey. Then, in 1966, she joined the patrol at Smugglers’ after earning her Emergency Medical Training certification. Finally, she was admitted to the patrol on the Stowe side of the Notch. “They didn’t allow women on the patrol at Mount Mansfield,” said Besser, “but we didn’t make waves back then.”
In Memoriam – Roger H. Damon, Jr.
Roger H. Damon Jr., 97, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., died peacefully at home on Spring Street on September 2, 2026, surrounded by love.
Roger was born on January 21, 1929, in Jersey City, N.J., the only child of Roger H. Damon Sr. and Clara Louise Bruce Damon. His mother died when Roger was 3, and when his father left for service during World War II, Roger was lovingly raised in Melrose, Mass., by his paternal grandparents, “Buppa” and “Mardie,” and his Aunt Amy. Their love helped shape the kind, curious, independent man Roger would become, with a deep devotion to family, friends, and the outdoors.
Roger graduated from Melrose High School and from Norwich University in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering. At Norwich, he developed his lifelong interests in mountain winter warfare, skiing, and ski patrolling and met his future wife, Doris Katherine Jensen. They shared 65 years together until Doris died in 2016. Roger later found love again and married Pam Dearborn in 2020, who was by his side during his final hours.
In Memoriam – Douglas Stanford Zercher
Douglas Stanford Zecher passed away at his home in East Dorset, suddenly on July 19, 2026.
Doug received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in agriculture, plant, and soil science. Most everyone knew Doug for his active role in the Bromley ski patrol as past director and contributing member for 50-plus years. He had the honor of patrol 5.
Doug’s passion for the outdoors came from his upbringing on Overlook Farm in Manchester, Vermont. By his family and close friends he was known for his fast driving, tractoring, his passion for gardening, and his favorite, making maple syrup at Havoc Hill Sugarhouse.
In Memoriam – Robert Francis McLaughlin, Jr.
Robert Francis McLaughlin, Jr., beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026, at the age of 84 in DeBary, Florida. Born on June 5, 1942, in Somerville, Massachusetts, Bob lived a life marked by service, leadership, adventure, and dedication to others. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Harvard University and went on to enjoy a distinguished career as a Clinical Psychologist and as a Consultant for Executive Leadership Development before his retirement.
Outside of his professional career, Bob embraced a lifetime of adventure and outdoor pursuits. He enjoyed hiking, camping, and skiing throughout the United States, and was an avid runner who participated in numerous 5K races and completed the Disney Marathon. He also enjoyed spending time on the golf course with family and friends.
Service to others was a defining characteristic of his life. As an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, and member of the Order of the Arrow, he achieved the Vigil Honor—the highest recognition bestowed upon members of the Order. Through decades of involvement in Scouting, he mentored countless young people and helped guide many on their journey to becoming Eagle Scouts.
In Memoriam – William “Bill” Worobec
William R. Worobec of Williamsport, Pa., devoted conservationist, public servant, master craftsman, avid skier, and loving family man, passed away surrounded by family on May 18, 2026. Bill was born on Oct 13, 1947, son of Dr. Russell N. and Elsie P. Worobec.
He was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, after which he attended Bucknell University and then graduated from Lycoming College. He completed his graduate studies at the Wharton School.
Bill’s personal passions reflected his love of the outdoors, adventure, craftsmanship, and family. He shared countless hours skiing and fly fishing with his daughters, Eve, Erika, and Rebecca, always delighting in watching them learn, explore, and grow.
A lifelong skier, he served the National Ski Patrol as part of the Ski Sawmill Ski Patrol in the Western Appalachian Region for 35 years. He served many years as Day Leader and assistant Patrol Director, then as Patrol Director for four years, guiding the patrol skillfully through a difficult period of bankruptcy of the ski area, and management by a bank. He taught his children to ski, and spent more than 50 years enjoying the slopes, particularly in Aspen, where the family shared a home.
In Memoriam – David Hayle
David Hayle of Malone, NY, passed away on May 22, 2026, at the age of 75. Dave led a full and “adventurous” life. He was a four-year veteran of the armed forces. He enjoyed camping, motorcycling, golfing, boating, traveling, and especially skiing.
He started skiing at Moon Valley Ski Area, long before it became Titus Mountain. In his over 30 years of service with the Titus Building Committee and assisted with many Octoberfest celebrations. The patrol was an extended family where he formed lifelong friendships for him and his family. He was especially close to the infamous “Sunday Morning Shift”
Dave particularly took pride in teaching his three amazing daughters and grandchildren to ski at Titus. Many days were spent at the mountain skiing and enjoying “apres” skiing!
In Memoriam – Gary B. Peck
It is with great sadness that the Catamount Ski Patrol of Hillsdale, NY in the Eastern New York Region announces the passing of Gary B. Peck, a Senior-credentialed, 33-year member. Gary passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, with family at his side. Gary’s life was marked by commitment to his family, friends, service to the community, love of skiing, and a passion for the outdoors.
Gary’s journey began in his hometown of Copake, NY, surrounded by deep family roots and tradition. After high school he answered the call to serve his country. He honorably served with the U.S Army, demonstrating the dedication and integrity that would define his whole life.
Gary’s professional career included many positions with a prominent local phone company beginning as a lineman, and ultimately as a member of its board of directors. His professional accomplishments were matched by his commitment to volunteerism and community service. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, he served faithfully on the Catamount Ski Patrol for more than three decades, passing the torch to his son, Adam, who is currently an active member of Catamount’s patrol. Gary was famously known for his unique yodeling ability while skiing with streamlined grace and style while “schussing” down the mountain.
In Memoriam – Robert “Bob” Crossman
Bob Crossman passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026, at his home in Lake Titus, N.Y., surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marilyn, and their three daughters, Beth, Caryn, and Emily, who were his reason for being, and his six grandchildren. Bob was predeceased by his cherished son, David, in 1991.
From 1964 to 1968, Bob served in the United States Navy in the Naval Communications Security Group. Bob later joined Alcoa Aluminum in Massena, NY, as a millwright, retiring in 2001. He served as the Town of Malone Code Officer for 20 years and later as the Code Officer in Westville, NY, and Duane, NY.
Bob was happiest when he was out meeting and helping people. He loved to ski and taught all of his kids and grandkids and many of their friends to ski as well. He was a member of Titus Mountain Ski Patrol in Malone, NY for over thirty years, many of them with the famed “Sunday morning crew.”
In Memoriam – James ‘Jay’ Sanders, Jr.
James (Jay) Sanders, Jr., an alumni member of the Blue Knob Ski Patrol (BKSP), PA passed away on April 6, 2026.
Jay grew up in Rye, NH with winters of skiing and pond hockey, and summer camp sailing. He served in the US Navy and earned an EE degree at Tufts University. Following graduation, he took a position in Maryland supporting a US Navy missile systems contractor. He met his wife Carol, skiing at Blue Knob (BK) and they were married in 1967.
Jay joined the BKSP in 1970 to begin his 50-year NSP ski patrol career. He achieved senior status in 1972. During his career, he held numerous leadership positions including both OET and MTR instructor. He also served as both an APL and a PL. His awards included BKSP Patroller of the Year for several years, a Yellow Merit Star for Cooperation During Lifesaving Efforts at Blue Knob in 2012, and National Appointment #4965 in 1978.
Known widely on the patrol as “Mr. Radio,” Jay introduced VHF radio system technology to BK in the 1970s and served as Telecommunications Advisor for 50 years. His radio skills coupled with a passion for ski patrolling converged and became his career mission. He designed and built the system currently in place, incorporated upgrades, and trained patrollers in the professional use.
