THE SKI & SPORTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON, DC

This page is still under construction as of February 2022, but what is here now, may inform about SCWDC's efforts to recall its history. 
It will contain a combination of SCWDC history, current activities, and predictions for future plans.  

PART I
One person has been the club historian since 1983, her enthusiasm continues to this day.

Kate (Kathy) Hayes is the Club Historian.  

She is "famous" and highly regarded for editing the 1936-1986 Yearbook of 216 pages that documents the start of the club and its growth through 1986.   For the 85th Anniversary, she composed a short, inspiration speech delivered to the group of past presidents that gathered in its annual meeting .

KATE HAYES – MEMORIES AND COMMENTS AT THE PAST PRESIDENTS RECEPTION, OCTOBER 2, 2021.

“BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW”

            In 1986 this club was the largest ski club in the U.S. with about 7,000 members & a 50th Anniversary still talked about.

            How?...The real answer takes a while...a whole 216 pages book-while.  Bet you think it started small with a few people saying, "Let's start a ski club & plan trips."

            No, No, No!  President Roosevelt brought some snow Yankees down to our non-skiing area to "do" the New Deal...too complicated to explain now (science, maps, getting our own Train Car!)  All this ended with a very successful ski day in PA, followed by a successful weekend there and the group deciding to start a club & incorporate it:  From a trip evolved a club!

            After that must have been easy sailing?  NO WAY...World War II happened & that's saying a lot. In 1943 the outgoing club President on his way to military service told his successor, "Just keep the Club going so we have something to come to after the war."  President Davidson and Vice President Delphine Carpenter did that very thing.  The account in the Yearbook says, they "...opened club meetings to non-members.   It was her idea , and it was very useful, because it brought top skiers visiting "Washington, D.C. in contact with SCWDC.  Many of them came to our meetings, and we gained by the occasion."

            Our members came home, continued the club and got busy creating the "Baby Boomers"…aren’t we great!  We added many more programs like Tennis, Biking, Cultural, Sailing, Recreation, Community Programs, Volleyball, and of course Ski Racing both East and West Coast in the U.S. & trips to far away places.

             The Club became so large that over a million dollars was crossing our desks with the work managed by 99% volunteers. [Editor:  still true today.]

            How did we get so big?  Easiest answer:  single ladies in the 1970's didn't want to sit in bars...they loved going to Their Club & the guys just followed.  (Smile icon TO BE ADDED)

            Why aren't we 7,000 members today?  The easiest answer:  computers! People can plan their own ski trips alone...although you shouldn't ski alone.  And many people today aren't joiners and prefer independence...although you should never-ever après ski alone!

            Bet you didn't know this Club brought skiing to West Virginia(*)...now skiing is one of its biggest tourist draws.  We also brought Ski Patrol and Ski Instruction and maintained our own ski area.  There, volunteers used dynamite to remove rocks at Cabin Mountain and moved "his" and "her" outhouses every season...forget that one....we don't do that now.

            Now is the time for you, Yes You, to join our merry band & create your own memories.  BUT you're only allowed to exaggerate a little...otherwise you're just boring...WE DON'T DO BORING!!!

* See Web page, HISTORY OF SCWDC

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FYI - ONE ASPECT OF LEADERSHIP FROM FEMALE MEMBERS

Women Who Have Served as SCWDC President
NOTATION:  (P) = Passed

1965-66 Eloise B. Newdorp (P)

1966-67 Eloise B. Newdorp (P)

1974-75 Rosemary Gwynn (P)

1979-80 Jane Hinton Hart

1980-81 Carolyn Marra

1983-84 Toni Castagnolo (P)

1993-94 Sheri McFarlane

1995-96 Susan Cook

2004-05 Judy Burlbaugh

2005-06 Judy Burlbaugh

2006-07 Donna Brother (P)

2012-13 Madeline Metcalfe

2013-14 Madeline Metcalfe

2014-15 Madeline Metcalfe

2021-22 Ruth D'Alessandro

2022-23 Ruth D'Alessandro

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