Author Archive: Rick

Mary Ann Sarver – 325 Saddlebrook Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 1maryatravel@gmail.com Phone (724-939-3394) or 412-302-6007

CHRISTMAS PARTY – DECEMBER 18 (6-10PM) Hampton Banquet Hall – Sign up and details are in this newsletter. Please send in reservations ASAP.

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Wilderness Voyageurs Bike Trips:

Patty Ann has become a bike guide for Wilderness Voyageurs and submitted the information below. Some members will remember Carol “Lee” Martin who was a member and joined us on several ski trips. She is the mother of Eric who now runs this organization. Also, some will remember the wonderful “white water rafting trips” that we did through the same company. It has grown and now does bike trips all over the United States. Below is some interesting information about these trips and Patty Ann’s experience with this company.

Wilderness Voyageurs Bike Tours, Patty Ann McLaughlin – pattyanntravel4u@gmail.com

Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitters was started in 1964 as a company that offered guided raft trip down the class 3-5 waters of the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, PA. What you may not know is that the company no longer offers just rafting trips. WV branched off into bike tourism and currently offers more Inn-to-Inn USA bike tour destinations than any other company! That’s right, the company offers over 200 departures annually to 30 destinations in 20 states and 18 national parks and their target demographic is 60-80 year old’s.

In April of this year, I spent a week with the management and staff at Wilderness Voyageurs training to work for the company as a Bike Guide. It was an overwhelming week of training covering the skills and knowledge needed to facilitate fully supported 3–6-day bike trip of up to 12 guests on road, rails trails, and/or gravel tours. I termed the training “operational engineering” covering logistics, navigation, meal planning and implementation, bike mechanics, first aid, baggage and bike management, and guest support and services. At the end of the week I was exhausted and stunned at the intensity of the training, the commitment to excellence of the company, and the camaraderie that permeates the staff and the other trainees.

It was with great apprehension that I accepted the position. Apprehensive because it is a full-on demanding job. What I discovered was that it is beyond rewarding and fulfilling, I met so many great and like-minded people, and had great experiences in impressive locations. My summer schedule consisted of two trips on the GAP trail, two trips in Washington/Idaho including the Trail of the Hiawatha, and a trip along the Erie Canal in upstate New York.

If you love bicycles and desire to travel and experience the USA from the seat of your bike, then check out: https://wilderness-voyageurs.com/bike-tours/.  You won’t be disappointed with the offering of destinations. You will be in great hands with the management and staff of WV. Their experience and the attention to detail is spot on – including trips being ranked in terms of their level of difficulty, pre-trip packing lists, and pre-trip training guides! And they offer a wide range of bikes for rent including e-bikes. The 2023 trip schedule is out, hurry! These trips book fast and please remember to mention my name.

SKI TRIP TO BEAVER CREEK, COLORADO – Must get reservations in as trip will be closed out soon. Contact Patty Ann McLaughlin for information or to be put on a waitlist.

“DAVID” Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster along with Dinner Show “Saturday Night Fever” – Nov. 9-10, 2022.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW TRIPS – I recently asked for suggestions for places to look into for travel. Here are a few. Please let me know if you would be interested. An email would be appreciated. 1maryatravel@gmail.com.

Fall of 2023 – Iceland – Land of Fire and Ice. There are several members interested in Iceland. Watch for details in upcoming newsletters.

Late Summer or early Fall of 2023 – Train across Canada – staying in the Hotel Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel. Let me know if there is any interest.

ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES, OUTINGS, TRAVEL IDEAS – PLEASE PASS THEM TO ME AT 1maryatravel@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR DER SITZMARK MEMBERS AND GUESTS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 (Sunday Night)

TIME: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

PLACE: HAMPTON BANQUET HALL

5416 – Route 8

Gibsonia, PA 15044

PHONE – (724) 444-6770

PRICE: $30 – FOR MEMBERS

$40 – NON-MEMBERS

ENJOY A FULL COURSE BUFFET-STYLE DINNER

Red Sangria Bar Included (Other drinks – cash bar)

Roast Beef Burgundy Tips

Chicken Parmesan

Rice Pilaf

Imported Linguine w/butter and Parmesan Cheese

Whole Green Beans with Almonds

Freshly Tossed Garden Green Salad

Assortment of Hard and Soft Dinner Rolls

Dessert—Cake

Door Prizes – We will have a 50/50

Entertainment – Ron Hopkinson will be our DJ for your listening and dancing pleasure. (Bring your dancing shoes).

Space is limited. Must be 21 or older to attend.

Questions: Call Mary Ann (724-939-3394) or Cell 412-302-6007

TO REGISTER, FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW AND SEND CHECK FOR $30 FOR MEMBERS AND $40 FOR GUESTS BY DECEMBER 10th to:

Payable to: DER SITZMARK SKI CLUB

C/O – MARY ANN SARVER

325 SADDLEBROOK ROAD

GIBSONIA, PA 15044

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NAME__________________________________________________________________

PHONE #________________________________

NON-MEMBER NAME_____________________

Joe Hrason lead the meeting with about a dozen members present. Upcoming events were discussed. Ron reported there is $3549.25 in the treasury and mentioned that dues have remained the same for many years. Dues for membership are now overdue. If you haven’t already paid your dues, please do so now. Membership form is below. Still the best deal in town!

Download (DOCX, 23KB)

Mary Ann Sarver – 325 Saddlebrook Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 1maryatravel@gmail.com Phone (724-939-3394) or 412-302-6007

CHRISTMAS PARTY – DECEMBER 18 (6-10PM) Hampton Banquet Hall – Sign up and details are in this newsletter.

SKI TRIP TO BEAVER CREEK, COLORADO – Must get reservations in as trip will be closed out soon. See Flyer and Sign up in this newsletter.

SEE NEW ACTIVITY – “DAVID” Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster along with Dinner Show “Saturday Night Fever” – Nov. 9-10, 2022. See flyer and sign-up sheet in this newsletter.

There is still a little time to sign up, but soon will be unable to get show tickets. This trip is a go!!!!

SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW TRIPS – I recently asked for suggestions for places to look into for travel. Here are a few. Please let me know if you would be interested. An email would be appreciated. 1maryatravel@gmail.com.

Fall of 2023 – Iceland – Land of Fire and Ice

Fall of 2023 – Cruising Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands

Early Fall – Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks

RECAP – STEAM BOATING ON THE MISSISIPPI -Sept 25 – Oct 5, 2022

Our journey began in New Orleans with a local guide guiding us through the “Big Easy.” Seeing the historic Jackson Square and the French Quarter were just a few of the highlights. A trip to a cemetery was interesting as they bury their dead above ground. Yes, you purchase the land and crypt just as you would a burial plot here in PA. We enjoyed lunch at the New Orleans School of Cooking with a demonstration by a chef showing us how to make Corn and Crab Bisque, Chicken Creole, Bananas Foster and Pralines with the best part enjoying everything he made. It was a lot of fun and very informative.

Then onboard the American Queen (built in 1995 and is the largest steamship in the world). This is a beautiful ship which was very comfortable with great food, all your drinks and live entertainment every night. The singers, musicians and entertainers were exceptional. We had two big winners in bingo $240 and $220 – not bad at all.

One downside to the trip was that the Mississippi was at a very low point. Actually the river is at its lowest level in 18 years. This proved to be a problem in getting to some of the stops. As a result, we spent a little more time on the ship. We did make stops to the Nottoway Plantation, Pointe Coupee and Natchez, Mississippi. However, we missed Vicksburg and Greenville, Mississippi.

Once we arrived in Memphis, we enjoyed a three hour tour around all parts of the area. During our lunch break, our tour guide took some to the famous ducks at the Peabody Hotel. This tradition began in 1930’s and continues to this day. Check it out on goggle – The Peabody Ducks. Then we enjoyed a tour of the Elvis Mansion and car and plane museums. We overnighted at the beautiful Graceland Guesthouse with Elvis memoranda and music playing everywhere. There is even a Founders Garden where you can have your ashes interred for all eternity.

We stayed an extra night at the Hampton Inn and Suites hotel which was centrally located and close to our tour departure point. We thoroughly enjoyed the Mojo Music Bus Tour where we were entertained by a very good singer and guitar player. He had us singing along while he told numerous stories about the area as we passed by. I believe we all had fun. Then we went to the Sun Studios for a good tour of the studio where Elvis recorded his first song. It costs him $4 to record and took him several weeks to save that $4 which changed his life immediately. I believe the title of the recording was That’s All Right Mama. We returned to our hotel and freshened up for dinner, which was one block away on Beale Street – a place called Alfred’s.

All in all, it was a fantastic experience!

Der Sitzmark Ski Club and Hunt Club Present: “David” in Lancaster, PA

November 9-10, 2022 Wednesday/Thursday

David: Master Poet, Fearless Warrior. Anointed King. After unprecedented

victories lead to devasting failures, this passionate warrior will face the biggest

battle of all: the one within himself. Experience one of the most legendary bible

stories as it comes to life in this brand-new stage production from Sight & Sound

Theatres.

Day 1: Travel to Lancaster, PA where you will check into the Double Tree by

Hilton. A buffet dinner will be at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater before seeing

“Saturday Night Fever.” (D)

Day 2: Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Stop at Lil

Country Store before you arrive at Sight and Sound Millennium Theater to see

“David.” There will be a stop at Kitchen Kettle Village (lunch on own) before

departing for home. (B)

Price: Double Occupancy: $465.00 per person

Triple Occupancy: $435.00 per person

Quad Occupancy: $424.00 per person

Single Occupancy: $539.00 per person

Insurance: Coach USA Travel Protection Plan is available for an additional cost of

$28.00 per person on double, triple and quad occupancy and $43.00 for single

occupancy. A separate check made payable to Lenzner Tour and Travel for the

insurance.

Departure: 9:00 AM

Pickup Location: The Hunt Club, 312 Saddlebrook Road, Gibsonia, PA 15004

Approximate Return: 10:00 PM

Mary Ann Sarver at 724-939-3394 if you are interested in this trip or if you need additional information.

Includes: Transportation by deluxe motor coach, one (1) night accommodation

with breakfast, Dinner and Show at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater with tickets to see

“Saturday Night Fever,” admission to Sight and Sound to see “David,” time at Lil

Country Store, baggage handling, gratuities and taxes.

Full Payment due now.

REGISTRATION FORM FOR LANCASTER “DAVID” NOVEMBER 9-10, 2022

NAME(S) ____________________________________________________

ADDRESS_____________________________________________________

PHONE_____________________ CELL____________________________

MARY ANN SARVER’S TOURS, LLC

Phone (724) 939-3394 or 412-302-6007

1maryatravel@gmail.com

BEDDING __________________ (QUEEN OR TWO DOUBLES)

SEND DEPOSIT OF $200 BY CHECK TO: Mary Ann Sarver’s Tours, 325 Saddlebrook Road, Gibsonia, Pa. 15044

Final payment due now to Mary Ann Sarver’s Tours.

TRAVEL INSURANCE CAN BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY AND PAID DIRECTLY TO LENZNER TOUR AND TRAVEL ($28.00 PP FOR DOUBLE OR $43.00 FOR SINGLE).

Mail separate check made to Lenzner Tour and Travel and mail to my address above. (Insurance is for medical emergency or death in family).

Departure from Hunt Club Community Club House at 312 Saddlebrook Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 at 9am on November 9th.

Return November 10th at approximately 10pm at same location.

Large parking lot to leave your car.

On a hot Tuesday evening, Middle Road Inn was jammed with diners.

Save the Date:  December 18th for our annual Christmas Party.

Membership renewals are due in September.  Renewal application can be found in this newsletter.

Ron Sarver, Treasurer reported total club money $4,249.31.

Beaver Creek is the Western ski trip.

Please note that on August 21 the ski club meeting will be held at our picnic.

                                                            Libby Murphy, Secretary

Dave Pots led the meeting in Joe’s absence.  Joe was working the polls.

A picnic date was discussed.  Joe is going to reserve the grove at Hampton Park for  August.  Watch for more information.

Judy Neyer shared Pat Hare’s obituary (see info in this newsletter) and information from the last WPSC meeting. 

Dave said that the Cancun trip on May 7 – 14 was very enjoyable with perfect weather the entire week.  Eighteen people attend