It's very hard for me to believe that this is actually the very last Chairman's column I am to write. Last fall when I had to begin writing these things I am sure I told you that I was very worried about having to write something that would keep everyone even remotely entertained.
I seem to have survived (and so have you) and I even enjoyed testing my writing skills. Thanks for being so patient with me as I rambled on over these last few months.
Instead I really wanted to concentrate on what I thought was the heart of the DPS.. it's members. Over the months I have tried to write about the love of the desert that each DPS'er feels. I've also tried to write warm fuzzy thoughts and feelings about our DPS Leaders and member participants that have worked hard and played hard together.
Now the DPS find itself at the 50 year marker. That is an impressive birthday! At our Annual Banquet this year we will see pictures and faces of people and climbs that date back to the beginning days of our organization. We will also see pictures and faces of those more familiar to us, people who continue to perpetuate the DPS today.
These old and new faces have some very basic things in common that will make us know and recognize each other even though we can't put a name with the faces. We all love the desert and desert peaks!!! We all shared a special campfire, an exhausting climb and a wondrous view from the top whether it was 50 years ago or just this last weekend. Except for 4-wheel drives I don't think that much has changed. I would like to wish the DPS and it's members a very happy 50th Birthday. I wonder if I will be around to see it's 100th?
I am very excited about our new Management Committee, but especially about our new Chairman, Bill T. Russell. This year the Management Committee didn't move the earth, but we did manage to keep things together, have some really good programs and do everything that needed to be done not to mention the fact that Bill Gray and our leaders gave you some dam good trips.
I happen to know that Bill T. Russell is very excited about being Chair for next year Bill has the experience, the enthusiasm and the time to do justice to the DPS Chair position His committee, who will be introduced to you further on in the Sage, is a good mix of on-going members along with some new and very enthusiastic newcomers.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank this past years management committee, Bill Gray, Bill Tryon, John McCully, Patty Kline, Maris Valkass, Barbara Reber and Bill T. Russell for a job well done. The hours that you gave this year to the DPS were appreciated by myself as well as our entire DPS membership.
I have enjoyed serving as your Chair this year and I look forward to the privilege of passing on the crown to Bill T. at the banquet.
NEW OFFICERS for 1991 - 1992
| Chairman Outings, # Teasurer Secretary Programs |
Bill T Russell John McCully Wendy Reuss Christine Mitchell Bill Gray |
Conservation Council Rep SAGE editor Mountain Rec # Peak Guides # Membership Archives / History |
Pat Acheson Patty Kline Ron Jones Dale V Dalsem Dave Jurasevich Ron Bartell Bill T Russell |