To the Editor:

The 44th Bethel Outing Club (BOC) Ski and Snowboard Sale is behind us. Proof that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well, making it possible to continue providing the community affordable opportunities to Nordic ski, mountain bike, hike, roller-ski, and more.

The club’s largest fundraiser requires the coordination of many moving parts, including organizers, vendors, a host site, movers, and dozens and dozens of volunteers. On behalf of the BOC Ski and Snowboard Sale Committee, consisting of Nancy Babcock, Sarah Southam, Eric Boyle-Wight, Bruce Pierce, Julia Reuter, Beth Hodgdon, Chris Barstow, Fred Call, and Colleen Raymond, we’d like to extend an enormous, giant, really big thank-you to all that made the weekend possible. You are indispensable.

Thank you to all the people who provided donations and consignments to sell, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you to the vendors who packed up their stores and brought them to Bethel, no easy feat – Plymouth Ski and Sports, Bob & Terry’s Ski and Sports Outlet, Green Machine Bike Shop, True North Adventureware, Raisin’ Heel, Carter’s XC Ski Center & Ski Shop, and Akers Ski, Inc., Black Mountain of Maine, Maine West Project Play, Winter Kids, and Bethel Garden Club, your presence added dimension to the sale; thank you for coming.

Gould Academy has once again generously provided the space for the sale making it easy to duplicate the floor plan year after year. True North Adventureware collected used gear before the sale, making it easier for people to consign. Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce and Kimmie Johnson at the Gould Academy Store kindly distributed tags for used gear consignment. Mallory Raymond designed the flyer. Sparrowhawk Orchard added apples and cider to the nourishing array of culinary delights provided by James Reuter. The abundance of goodwill was endless.

We live in an area where there is a plethora of outdoor activities to choose from, especially in autumn, making it all the more impressive when so much of the community comes out to support the BOC efforts. A North Star team led by Justin Bondesen, Lydia Malcom, and Becca Shepard moved the infrastructure of the sale from the generous barn space provided by Jeff Newsom and Saranne Taylor. Thank you, Neal Westerberry, Kyler Bryant, Travis Young, Charlie Page, Meshia Lee, Szimon Lee, Chloe Demass, Elyana Davis, Zach Brennan, and Kayde Ridlon. Setting up the fieldhouse, checking in vendors and used gear, exit door support, ticket sorters, security, and cashiers consist of volunteers-extraordinaire: Alex Kerney, Allie Burke, Ally Galea, Amy Connell, Angeline Andrew, Becky Secrest, Beth Cail, Betsey Cooper, Brynn Newsom, David Walker, Doug Doane, Dustin Angevine, Eliza Hazen, Ian Hathaway, Jenn and Kyle Evans, Jill Rathburn, Jim Lepich, Jo Elliot, Jocelyn Nivus, Karen McElroy, Katy, Abe and Cecilia Crooker, Katie Stack, Kathi Burke, Martha and Kirk Siegel, Kristin Powell, Laura Allen-Tummon, Lauren Head, Lesley Rowse, Gary Inman, Loraine Duclos, Lynne Zimmerman, Maisy Colby, Mallory Raymond, Mark Landry, Megan Heon, Mia Shifrin, Norm Greenberg, Peter Southam, Reece Pierce, Suzanne Pierce, Robin Zinchuk, Samantha Langlois, Stephanie Baker, Sue Radway, Susan Vogt Brooks, Rita Gilbert, Cynthia Raymond, Monique Raymond, and Kate Goldberg. Thank you for your time.

The Mahoosuc Kids Association provided twelve small, but energetic and willing helpers. Having the youth be included in the hard part of making fun, outdoor programs possible is important, as is laying the groundwork for future volunteerism. Thank you MKA staff for making the trek to the fieldhouse with the students.

As the last of the shoppers leave and the vendors pack up their unsold gear, the final contingent of amazing volunteers springs into action. Thank you, Community Sports, and Sue and John Dunn, for picking up donated gear. Thank you Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue, Chris Hayward, Alex Kerney, Robin Nesbeda, Sarah Nutt, David Walker, Elizabeth Newman, Jerry Bernier, Chris Barstow, and Jo Elliot.

Thank you all for choosing to spend your valuable time making the sale a success. We could not have done it without you. Take a quick breather and start practicing your snow dance! There are lots of people with new gear to enjoy!

BOC Ski and Snowboard Sale Committee:

Nancy Babcock

Sarah Southam

Eric Boyle-Wight

Bruce Pierce

Julia Reuter

Beth Hodgdon

Chris Barstow

Fred Call

Colleen Raymond

Bethel