WAR NEWS  9

          Denton Hill Ski Patrol Report

Molly Sue Bovard, DHSP Patrol Director

   Even though I'm not describing a bottle of wine, "It was a very good year!" certainly applies to the entire year for the Denton Hill Ski Patrol.  Our patrol members accomplished more goals and participated in more activities this year than in any year for the past two decades.  With officer elections completed in mid-March 2002, the new Executive Board at Denton Hill began the process of revamping the Patrol By-laws that hadn't been touched in 20+ years and were voted on as a "one vote package" by nearly 90 % of the patrol membership in attendance.  First time ever, Denton Hill Patrollers were presented with "Years of Service" Pins and Award Certificates. They had no idea that some of our veteran patrollers had been so dedicated for so long.  The summer and fall whizzed by with fundraiser activities.  In July and August, the Denton Hill gang provided first aid services for the archery events that were held at Ski Denton.  While the patrollers were "standing by," they also sold candy bars to the hungry archers.  In October, the patrol once again participated in its annual ski swap at Berger's Ski Shop in Corning, NY.  Our Chair Evac Day in November was a 13-hour marathon of non-stop activity.  The day started with a "Welcome Back" breakfast hosted by Mike and Joyce Knefley, Ski Denton's Management.  The morning proceeded with a CPR/AED refresher review and station check outs. For the first time in many years, a group photo of the entire patrol in its winter ski attire was taken and were eventually placed in two frames and displayed in the lodge this year for the enjoyment of all.  Following the photo session, the revised protocol for a "total blackout" night chair evac was presented.  The recently purchased lift evac line launcher was also demonstrated and a practice session followed for each patroller.  Another new skill, the cable rope flip using carabineers and bamboo poles, was also presented to the group and then practiced.  As darkness fell the Coudersport Fire and Light Truck and crew arrived at the lodge to join us as we practiced the new Night Chair Evac Protocol total blackout conditions with a loaded chairlift and stranded skiers scattered here and there made quite a learning experience.  Now more than ever, we all realize that necessity truly is the Mother of Invention and patollers always need to be willing to improvise.  Following the evac, patrollers and firemen returned to the lodge for a 30-minute review and wrap-up of the evac.

  For the first time in many years, three Skiing Enhancement Seminars were held in January and February at Ski Denton.We were honored to have the excellent teaching of fellow patroller and Level III Certified Instructor Richard Frear come and work with the Denton Hill patrollers.The surprise visits in early and mid-February by Eastern Division Director Jerry Sherman and Eastern Division Supervisor for S&T program Randy McNeil resulted in more training opportunities for the Denton Hill patrollers.  The smiles spread from ear to ear on both Jerry and Randy's faces after a run down Avalanche and reaffirmed what a special mountain we really have in Denton Hill.  Our mountain will no longer be one of our best-kept secrets.  Jerry e-mailed many of his fellow ski friends in the Western New York and Genesee Valley Regions and before long we had a Toboggan Enhancement Seminar scheduled for early March. Thus began the process of reaching across state lines and breaking through regional boundaries.  The Denton Hill patrollers are very thankful and grateful of the efforts by Jerry and Randy.  Randy was able to recertify Denton Hill for Senior Terrain  In addition to all of the patrol enhancement training and the ongoing ski and toboggan candidate training this past season, the Denton Hill patrollers also scheduled time in February to help host a weekend Pennsylvania Race Association (PARA) event. Our season culminated on March 29th with an Awards Banquet, we were pleased to see an overwhelming turnout of nearly 70 patrollers and family members in attendance.  At the banquet we honored two of our veteran patrollers, George Bliss and Larry Crane, who retired with 35 and 34 years respectively.  Additionally, we also recognized two patrollers, Jody Bliss and Doug Colangelo, with a new award entitled "Exemplary Service Award" for service above and beyond the call of duty for five continuous years.  Yes, the Denton Hill Ski Patrol is alive and well. Our spirits are high and we have much yet to accomplish - yet we know that with the support of each other and the help from our fellow patrollers within our region and those in neighboring regions, we will continuing building our future together, one step at a time.  We can all raise our glasses and "drink to that!"