Although the run-up to winter is probably the last thing on our minds during July heat, each passing day is a little bit shorter, and this will continue until mid-December. I’ve been back driving the car the past four weeks, after ten weeks of “home confinement” following injury in March and ankle surgery on April 1. With lots of physical therapy, I’m seeing slow progress toward where I’ll need to be when the snow flies. Getting my swollen right foot back into a ski boot might remain the biggest challenge
We often hear the term “patrol family,” but I doubt many of us ever fully grasp the concept until we see it in action. The commitment of that “family” was positively proven during my confinement since I couldn’t drive and my wife hasn’t driven in years due to low vision. Patrollers brought me to doctor’s appointments and to the hospital for surgery.
Patrollers brought us home-cooked meals, picked up our mail at the post office, hauled our trash, checked our other house 90 miles away, delivered groceries that we ordered online, replaced the dead battery in our car, helped take the plow off my truck, picked up milk at the local convenience store, and just stopped to visit and help us keep our sanity. Some traveled 50 to 100 miles each way, just to get to our house in North Creek so they could help us out, and then covered the same distance on their way home. And some did this repeatedly after a long day’s work.
Many more just called to check on us and wish us well. I’ve done my best to thank them, but the debt will never be fully repaid – and I suppose that’s just how it goes with “family” such as this! You all have my eternal gratitude!
July 1 marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for NSP and the Eastern Division. Every patrol will need to complete a Form 990 and submit these to their Region Treasurer by July 15 for the fiscal year just ended. And, every Region Treasurer will need to forward a consolidated Region 990 to Dallas Coffman, our Division Treasurer, by August 1. Dallas sent an email to the Region Treasurers with further details on June 29; please help get this done on time, so Dallas won’t have to ask your RD (or me) to chase after you!
July is also when program activities for the coming year start to pick up. OEC refresher materials are now available from National for OEC instructors, beginning the refresher process that will take us through the fall. Certified Boot Camp is coming to Ski Roundtop in the EPA Region in August, and the Enhanced Patroller School will be at Swain in the Genesee Valley Region in September. Please check the Eastern Division calendar and don’t wait too long, since these events fill up fast!
Stay strong and enjoy every day!
