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There is always something happening at Glenwood, from a holiday celebration, to a chat with a friend you haven’t seen all summer or even making a new friend. The way to make the most of your membership is to spend time at the pool!
Annual Letter Winter 2010
Glenwood Recreation Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 2407
Silver Spring, MD 20915
The hottest pool spot in town… a little something for everyone!
February 16, 2010
Dear Glenwood Members;
It is time to start getting ready for spring and summer. Over the past few months the pool has been empty and all of our furniture is stacked and stored, but the Board has been busy planning for the upcoming season. We will tell you all about it at our Annual
Member Meeting. If you are reading this, hopefully you have already marked your calendar for:
Monday, March 1, 2010
7:30 PM
Knights of Columbus Hall on Rosensteel Avenue
At the meeting we will discuss staffing, hold Board of Directors elections, share Swim and Dive Team plans and get you geared up for longer days and sunscreen. We will also have a very important presentation on the 2009 and 2010 budget. Here is some introductory background information:
· STAFFING FOR 2010. We are happy to report that Nora Mancino and Joe Meringolo will return as Managers in 2010. This is the time of year that teenagers should be signing up for lifeguard training courses. There are many offered through the County at all four of their pools, but sign up soon. Anyone interested in guarding - even if returning from 2009 should contact Dan McNickle at dan_mcnickle@hotmail.com or president@glenwoodpool.org.
· SWIM & DIVE TEAMS. Fig Ruggieri and the Shriers are looking for a great 2010 summer for the teams. Head Swim Coach, Jeremy Butler and his band of Assistant Coaches, Kelly Butler, Matt Ruland and Colleen McNickle will be back on deck. More information and maybe even some personal appearances will be forthcoming at the annual meeting!
· GLENWOOD BUDGET. Attached to this letter is a budget document. We will review this in detail at the Annual Meeting, but it will be helpful if you have already taken a look in advance. Some highlights are worth mentioning here.
o Our 2009 expenses greatly exceeded revenues, such that we were forced to tap into our capital reserves. Most of this was due to unexpected repair expenses, including a major water leak under the deck and its repair (total of $32,000) and repairs to the baby pool. Our utility costs were also higher and are expected to be even greater in 2010.
o Payroll costs were also higher than expected. First, staffing levels were intentionally higher in 2009 than in 2008. This had been planned because our staffing levels in 2008 were far too low, making safety a significant concern. We returned to a system and schedule that had been successful for many years until 2008, a summer that the Board (and staff) did not wish to repeat. Second, 2009 brought a large increase in minimum wage. While this had been planned for in our budget projections, the actual staff hired in the summer ended up having a higher ratio of experienced (and higher paid) staff to rookies.
o Finally, our revenues were lower than expected. For example, swim team, for the first time in many years, did not make money on concessions at meets, an experience shared by every team in the league.
The budget document also includes estimates for 2010. The Board has worked hard for several months to develop a plan to balance our budget. We have to plan for yet another slight increase in staff costs; payroll taxes are going up 75% and we will have a full summer at the full new minimum wage. We are being realistic about other expenses. Unfortunately, our “honeymoon” period of having a brand new facility is behind us and continuous attention to repairs, maintenance, replacements and improvements must become part of annual planning. For example, there was substantial tree damage to the property in the blizzard. We have much needed re-grading and planting of grass to control water pooling, mud and erosion and have long planned to install a permanent shade structure over part of the baby pool (this will be the 5th year we try to do this). We had hoped to do that landscape work in 2009.
Obviously, we must tend to our finances closely and the Board has already developed a number of measures to do so. We are trying to be creative, yet reasonable and a complete list of such measures will be discussed at the annual meeting. Maybe you have other ideas that could help. However, the bottom line is that it is not possible to maintain and operate Glenwood without a substantial increase in revenue. Our only significant source of revenue is annual dues, which we have not raised in several years. This year we must raise dues.
· DUES 2010. A notice of dues will be sent to you with our spring mailing. After much deliberation and a lot of math equations, the 2010 proposed dues structure is provided below. How much will this set you back? The increase will be an additional $30 per person for the season – the cost of a few visits to a county pool.
Family Unit |
Individual |
Family of 2 |
Family of 3 |
Family of 4 |
Family of 5+ |
Number of members |
24 |
41 |
100 |
190 |
158 |
2009 Dues |
$ 300 |
$390 |
$470 |
$515 |
$530 * |
Adjusted |
30 |
60 |
90 |
120 |
150 |
New dues |
$330 |
$450 |
$560 |
$635 |
$680* |
*An additional $25 charged for each additional family member
· MEMBERSHIP: Our beautiful facility and welcoming community continue to be popular! This early in the year our membership is full, as is the waiting list of potential members which was hovering around 100 at the end of last summer. As the spring thaw begins we expect that wait list to rise even further. Yes, we are the hottest pool spot in town! None of neighboring pools have wait lists the last we checked.
Board of Directors Elections 2010
Elections are held for four of our eight Directors every other year for terms of two years. This year we have one Board vacancy and one individual has stepped up to run for the seat! Ed Finn, who has been an active member of the Board of Directors for over 10 years, serving several terms as President, has decided it is time to be able to come to the pool to swim, read and relax. We will miss his energy, experience, clear thinking and judgment greatly. He has already been warned that he may be called upon for special consultations once he “retires,” as he leaves a legacy that is hard to follow. We are thrilled, though, that several other members have volunteered to take on tasks related to running the pool and Board expect to introduce them at the Annual Meeting. One of these individuals is listed on the slate for election, below.
Director positions for election 2010 Continue to serve to 2011
Brian Slattery (vice President) Karen Clark
Denise Weston (Treasurer) Dan McNickle (President)
Marie Slattery Dave Kreischer
New Candidate - Chris Ginter* Sandy Kweder
*Chris Ginter is a Glenwood member who is ready to dive into helping out on the board! He has a daughter who was a first time Tiger on the swim team last summer and it has given Chris “the bug” to get more involved at Glenwood. Chris owns and manages a title insurance agency that handles residential and commercial real estate closings in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. He also co-owns and operates a landscape consulting and design-build firm specializing in sustainable design and children’s gardens.
Other Board Activities
It takes dozens of members to keep Glenwood running all year. Much of the work is done by the Board of Directors, who meet all year long. However, there are important activities that need members to roll up their sleeves and be involved all of the time. Two summers ago, with some elbow grease and a few ideas, a fledgling Public Relations Committee got started. Last summer this shifted a bit to become a social event planning committee. Both functions are extremely important. Member Cindy Ross-Zenick has been the glue for that committee and would love some help to keep it going and being productive. If you are interested, please get in touch with her or with Sandy Kweder at p_e_coyne@yahoo.com
I hope to see you all at our annual meeting so that we can get our 2010 season off to a good start. Please bring your copy of the proposed 2010budget (attached). The Board and I will have more details about all of the items above, summer planning and, of course, will hold our annual raffle for FREE dues for 2009. In case of inclement weather, CHECK the WEBSITE for information about whether we will reschedule the meeting. www.glenwoodpool.org.
Sincerely,
Dan McNickle
President
Click here for a copy of the 2010 budget (pdf).
2008 Issues of the Glenwood Gazette:
Your Gazette editor's computer is home recovering from major surgery
at the Apple hospital and now finally able to pass on the following
information as we wind down the summer:
LADIES' NIGHT, Thursday, August 21, 7:00-10:00 pm: Come one, come
all, to tomorrow night's festivities at the pool for another gathering
of Glenwood ladies as we mark (celebrate?) the final days of summer
and the beginning of school. Bring a beverage and/or a snack to share
-- non-members welcome!
BACK to SCHOOL? You can still come to the pool! Beginning August 26,
Glenwood will revert to school's in weekday hours of 3:00 pm to 8:00
pm. Pool hours for Labor Day weekend and subsequent weekends into
September will be announced once staffing arrangements are finalized.
LABOR WEEKEND AT GLENWOOD... Details to follow via email, but plan on
spending that Sunday at Glenwood for some low-key relaxation and pizza
from Armands. Hope to see you there!
Cyber-Circulation: Approximately 425
TELL A FRIEND: Invite an interested friend or neighbor to subscribe to The Glenwood Gazette by having them send a blank email to: glenwood_news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To view back issues of The Glenwood Gazette, please visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Glenwood_News/files/.
IN THIS ISSUE...
-- Golfing and Crab Feast and Banquets, Oh My!
-- What'd I Miss? Not Ladies' Night or the Swimathon, We Hope!
-- Tiger Tales: Swim and Dive Team Seasons Winding Down...
-- Who's Who and News from the Board
-- A Special Award for One of Glenwood's Finest
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, July 18: Golf for Tim Benefit Tournament for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 10:00 am
It's not too late to gather your foursome and head for the Big Mash Golf Course in Laytonsville, MD, for this year's charity golf tournament to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Named in honor of the late Tim Durkin, one of the Glenwood Board members who led the effort to renovate our beautiful pool and grounds, this tournament welcomes tigers of all stripes to have fun and do good. The weather looks like it will again cooperate -- $125 will get you lunch, a round on the course, and a donation to JDRF. Contact organizer Nick Levintow at nlevin7@comcast.net or 240-423-8348 and tee off at 10:00 on Friday!
Saturday, July 19: Glenwood Annual Crab Feast, 6:00-10:00 pm
All the crabs you can eat are again at this weekend's annual Glenwood Crab Feast, which we also hope will attract many swim team alumni to help mark Glenwood's 50th anniversary as a founding member of the Montgomery County Swim League. Get the word out -- you can purchase tickets for the crab feast at the guard office for $35/person (crabs galore) or $25/person for everything but the crustacean -- chicken, salads and bread. Bring your own beverage (but no bottles please) and leave the kids at home -- this is grown-ups only. The company is great and the music is, too -- enjoy live rockbilly and honky tonk tunes performed by J. P. McDermott and the Western Bop; J. P. was named the Washington Area Music Association's County Vocalist of the year for 2007.
We also need volunteers to help with the traditional before and after tasks, so please email edfinn@gmail.com with your availability. Buy your tickets ASAP -- you know you want to, and we want to see you at this favorite Glenwood gathering!
Sunday, June 20: Dive Team Divisional Championship Meet, 9:00 am
The Big G hosts dive divisionals on Sunday, June 20 beginning at 9:00 AM (warm ups start at 7:00). Come out to see some of the best divers in the county compete in the divisional meet. Glenwood is a close second in Division II, behind undefeated Robin Hood, and has a shot at the divisional cup. The Dive divisional meet is followed Sunday evening by the annual dive banquet at Good Fortune restaurant in Wheaton. Divers get your tickets before the fried rice gets cold.
Tuesday, July 22: Glenwood Swim Team Banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall, 6:00-10:00 pm
Celebrate the end of the swim season and welcome back Glenwood's finest of any year at this year's swim team banquet, to be held next week at the Knights' hall at 6:00 pm. This is a shout out to all alumni to join the festivities and commemorate 50 years of the Tiger swim team tradition -- please join us to celebrate the vital force of Glenwood pride. Tickets are $10/person and can be purchased through team treasurer Lisa Gray, lgraypc@aol.com.
RECENT HAPPENINGS AT THE BIG G
Ladies' Night
Thanks to Cindy and Dayna for organizing Glenwood's first Ladies' Night of the summer last Thursday evening. Attendance was fabulous, company was grand, and a great time was had by all. If you didn't make this one -- or even if you did -- mark your calendar for the next Ladies' Night on August 21.
Swim for Tim /JDRF Swimathon
Once again, the Glenwood community came out in force and the weather cooperated to support 24 hours of fundraising for juvenile diabetes research this past weekend. More than 120 swimmers participated in the event, and kudos go to the following families for turning out their entire households for the swimathon: O'Kellys, Ruggieris, Levintows and all eight Hathaways! Speaking of families, the swimathon attracted participation and visits from several members of Tim Durkin's family, including his mother, who expressed her deep appreciation of the extended Glenwood family for this tribute and support. About 45 members of the swim and dive teams -- and their dedicated chaperones -- swam throughout the night, refueling with chicken sandwiches and ice cream, contesting a spirited water polo match and finally relaxing over movies, games, camaraderie and conversation. The $138 proceeds from the chaperones' friendly poker game were donated to JDRF.
Thanks again to organizers extraordinaire Kathy Levintow and Rand Ruggieri, whose herculean efforts made possible the many contributions from swimmers, donors, sponsors, chaperones, lap counters -- that village of volunteers that turns out to make the whole place proud and in turn gets a big thanks from Kathy and Rand. You can STILL contribute with a check to JDRF and place it in the Levintow family folder in the manager's office. Final numbers -- laps swum, dollars raised, number of times volunteers were asked, "how many laps have I done now"-- will be announced at next week's swim team banquet and reported in the next issue of the Gazette.
TIGER TALES: SWIM AND DIVE TEAM NEWS
Swim Team
The Glenwood Tigers completed the dual meet portion of the season with a 1-4 record, swimming valiantly against divisional foe Lake Marion on July 5 and losing narrowly to undefeated Regency Estates at home on July 12. Fourteen year-old Eric Ruggieri displaced former coach Mark Schopmeyer twice more on the team record board, setting new marks for the 50 yard breaststroke and butterfly races, and lowered his own IM record yet again. The Girls' 14 and under relay team of Lizzie Lees, Mila Tkach) and Quinn sisters Sarah and Zelie also knocked another two seconds off their new 2008 record. And last but not least, the Glenwood community paid tribute to another great group of graduating seniors: Christine Caffes, Eva Jannotta, Asst. Coach Molly Lincoln, Pre-Team Coach Colleen McNickle, Tessa Tripodi, and Michael Willems.
Eric Ruggieri, Jack Foster and Zelie Quinn also proudly represented the Tigers at the July 8 MCSL Coaches Long Course meet in Rockville, finishing ahead of their seedings in virtually all their events. Eric took 3rd in the 13-14 Boys' 200 IM and 100 Breast; Jack finished 5th in the 11-12 Boys 200 IM, and Zelie took 1st in the 8-and-under Girls' 50 Back and 2nd in the 50 Fly. Congratulations to all these fine swimmers!
Still plenty of opportunities to cheer the Tigers on as the season winds down. This Wednesday, Glenwood will host a B meet Relay Carnival with regional rivals Daleview and Kenmont at 6:00 pm at home. On Saturday, Tiger swimmers join the division's best at Regency Estates for the Division F Championships. And finally, the MCSL All-Star weekend on July 26-27 caps off the season at the Rockville Municipal pool, featuring the league's top 16 swimmers in each event and our 8-and under relay teams. And after that, the ink can dry on the Glenwood record board until next summer!
Dive Team
The Tiger Dive team finished the dual meet round of the season with a terrific 3-1 record, the only loss coming in a super-narrow 48-42 contest against Robin Hood at home on July 6. Last Sunday, the Tiger divers celebrated their bye week with a challenging intra-squad dive relay, which brought some stars out of retirement to uphold Glenwood Glory. Divers from all age groups competed with dives ranging from one and a half flips with two twists to the old fashioned belly flop and cannonball. Extra points for splashing the judges. Outstanding dives were turned in by assistant coaches and Tiger alumni Austin Wolfe (a wacky splasher) and Elizabeth Finn (her inward 1-1/2 hasn’t lost much); and head coach Sandra Holmberg (a reverse straight straight dive that showed she still has the right stuff). And very special appearances were made by those crazy diving parents: Margaret Wolfe, Liz O’Kelly, and Jack Niemczuk. After an hour of diving, and before the thunder the meet wound to its exciting conclusion. Final score: White team 87; Black Team 87; Green team 87…..A three way tie! What are the odds of that?
The MCDL season concludes with two more chances to see your favorite divers on the boards. On Friday, July 18, Robin Hood will host its Invitational Meet for divers throughout the league -- a fun event sure to please fans and competitors alike. And on Sunday, July 20, Glenwood will host the Division II championships at 8:00 am, with the following contestants enjoying a home field advantage: 8 and unders Molly Benson, Isabel Koff, Ryan Niemczuk and Dermot O'Kelly; 9-10s Sheridan O'Kelly, Caitlin Miller, Ben Nelson and Jace Bucheck; 11-12s Jenna Pastel, Madi Taylor, John Riley and Ethan DeWaal; 13-14s Bea O'Connor, Hanna Buchek, Brendan Ayala and Nick Simpson; and 15-18s Catelyn Koff, Jessie Wolfe, Russell Cox and Nate Schrier. Congratulations to all the Glenwood divers for their impressive accomplishments and achievements still to come!
WHO'S WHO AT GLENWOOD
Swimmers of all ages are happy to welcome back Nora Mancino, the conscientious pool operator, life guard and swim instructor who recently returned from a study-abroad program in Argentina for her 8th summer working at Glenwood. A friend and mentor to Tiger swimmers for more than a decade, Nora graduated from Einstein High School and will enter her junior year at Indiana University in the fall. In addition to helping keep our pool clean, fun and safe, Nora also has an internship at the U.S. Capitol this summer. We're glad to have her back!
NEWS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bulletin Board and Suggestion Box
We hope you've noticed that we recycled an old covered bulletin board and put it up near the water fountain outside the guard house. The most recent edition of the Gazette, and other updates from the Board, will be posted there, so watch that space. Next to the bulletin board is a brand new suggestion box! If you have a suggestion or question and won't remember to send your thoughts via email to the website, write it down and slip your missive into the box. No "howlers" please!
Request for Stuff
Want to unload that old metal desk languishing in the basement? We would really appreciate a gently used metal desk for the pool manager's office -- if you have one to donate, drop by the office and let us know, leave a note at the afore-mentioned suggestion box, or email sandra.kweder@fda.hhs.gov.
A Special Glenwood Gig
And we knew them before they hit the big time -- the Glenwood Mamas and Papas, regular performers of the National Anthem to open Tiger home meets, have been asked by divisionals host club Regency Estates to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before Saturday's championship meet. No word on whether they've signed an agent, but I think they'll still give autographs -- and it's nice to see that the rest of the league appreciates one of Glenwood's classiest acts!
50th ANNIVERSARY ANNALS
Perusal of the MCSL 50th blog revealed that Asst. Coach Molly Lincoln was awarded a Sarah E. Auer scholarship last week at the Coaches' Long Course meet in Rockville. Named after former Poolesville and RMSC swimmer and coach Sarah Auer, who died in a car accident at the age of 21 five years ago, the scholarship recognizes the accomplishments of competitive swimmers who "embody qualities of hard work, teamwork, excellence and dedication [during their high school years], as well as sustained long-term dedication to swimming." Sounds like Molly Lincoln to a T, for this year and another 50 more! Congratulations, Molly!
Cyber-Circulation: Approximately 425
TELL A FRIEND: Invite an interested friend or neighbor to subscribe to The Glenwood Gazette by having them send a blank email to: glenwood_news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To view back issues of The Glenwood Gazette, please visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Glenwood_News/files/.
IN THIS ISSUE
-- 4th of July, Ladies' Night, Swim/Golf for Tim & JDRF
-- Tiger Tales: Swim & Dive Team News
-- Who's Who at the Pool?
-- News From the Board
-- Step Back in Time...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, July 4, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm: Independence Day Celebration!
Hard to believe it, but July 4 is almost here! Come one, come all to July 4 at the Big G! We will mark our 50th season in grand tradition with the gates opening at 10 and locking up at 6, and in between a blast of a day! Grills will fire up around 11:30 and we will sell burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, nachos, chips and drinks. Games and races for young and old will be scattered throughout the day. Don't forget to bring a sweatshirt if you want to be in the sweatshirt race, a raft for the raft race or your parent for parent-kid relays! Of course we will have the greased watermelons and belly flop contests.... Have even more fun by volunteering to help! We need folks to set up, grill and sell concessions, and it take lots of us to keep things rolling. A sign up sheet is posted at the pool for one hour shifts, but please consider signing up for two hours. No workers? No eat! If you can't get to the pool to sign up, just email Sandy and she will be happy to assign you a slot at sandra.kweder@fda.hhs.gov.
Thursday, July 10, 7:00-10:00 pm: Ladies Night at Glenwood
It's Girls' Night Out at Glenwood , so bring a favorite beverage and snack to share and leave the kids at home with dad! As a swim team cheer goes, "RELEASE YOURSELF" and make an evening of good company, food and cocktails for members and friends of the girlfriend persuasion. Non-members are welcome but only if they're over 21. The more, the merrier -- so please come on the 10th!
Saturday, July 12-Sunday, July 13, noon to noon: Swim for Tim Swim-a-thon for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Do some good for yourself and others by participating in Glenwood's 4th annual Swim for Tim swim-a-thon to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Named in honor of former Glenwood board member Tim Durkin, who before his death contributed so much to our pool community and had suffered from juvenile diabetes, this swim-a-thon has raised more than $20,000 for JDRF over the last four years. How can you participate?
As a Swimmer! Pick up a flyer/donation form at the front desk and sign up for lap lane times and dates. Decide your swim goal, line up some sponsors to support you, and turn in your form and donations when you check in to swim on the 12th or 13th. Please make checks payable to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or "JDRF," NOT to Glenwood.
As a Sponsor! Sponsor your kid, your mom, your neighbor by making a donation on a swimmer's behalf. You can also support the event itself with a payment to JDRF -- $15 will get you a very cool Swim for Tim tie-dyed t-shirt in gorgeous Glenwood green.
As a Volunteer! Help check in swimmers, count laps, and review paperwork during the day, or chaperone the swim-a-thon overnight for swim/dive team members aged 13 and over. You can sign up on the poster on the bath house.
Questions? Contact organizers Kathy Levintow, klevintow@hotmail.com, or Rand Ruggieri, ruggrand@yahoo.com.
Friday, July 18, 10:00 am tee off : Golf for Tim Tournament
For those of you who'd rather swing a club than swim a lap (or do both!), join Glenwood's golfers at the Blue Mash golf course in Laytonsville, MD benefit the JDRF. Prizes, your donation, and a barbeque lunch are included in the $125 entry fee; buy four mulligans for another $20 to increase your donation and keep your score low. Last year, the first time the event was held, attracted about 7 or 8 foursomes; we're really hoping for twice as many this year! To register your foursome and get more information, contact organizer Nick Levintow at nlevin7@comcast.net or 240-423-8348.
TIGER TALES: SWIM & DIVE TEAM NEWS
Swim Team
The Tigers have swum hard and fast since the opening dual meet win but were ultimately bested by two tough opponents, Merrimack Park on June 21 at home (410-381), and Rock Creek away (414.5-375.5) this past Saturday. Tiger swimmers have set several new pool records in the last two A meets, with eight-year-old Zelie Quinn setting new standards for the 8-and-under girls 25 butterfly and backstroke; the 14-and-under girls’ graduated 175 freestyle relay team of sisters Zelie and Sarah Quinn, Elizabeth Lees and Mila Tkach usurping the 2004 record for that event, and Eric Ruggieri besting his own new record each weekend in the 13-14 boys’ 100 IM. Tiger fun dominates the mid-week B meets as well, with two having already been completed over the last 14 days. Rain postponed but didn't prevent the second annual Green & Black intra-squad meet on June 18, and last week brought a late night romp against the nearby Northwest Branch Dolphins.
On June 29, the 8-and-unders carried the day for Glenwood at the Division F Relay Carnival at Lake Marion. The girls' medley team of Katie Flynn, Tess Mayfield, Zelie Quinn and Mae Smith and the mixed medley team of Paul Egan, Katie Flynn, Michael Petrizzo and Zelie Quinn will carry Division F honors at the July 26 Relay All Star races in Rockville. Congratulations to these youngest Tigers, and to the coaches and parents who helped get them there!
At 1-2 for the season, the Tigers continue the road-trip part of the season at Lake Marion this weekend for Saturday’s dual meet and return home on the 12th for the final meet against Regency Estates. The next two Wednesday 6:00 pm B meets (v. Kemp Mill, 7/2, and Daleview, 7/9) are away, too, so you'll have to do a little traveling to come cheer your favorite Tigers on the next couple of weeks!
Dive Team
The Glenwood Dive Team remains undefeated as it upset top-seeded Ashton 59-23 on June 22 and edged out Manor Woods this past Sunday, 45-44. Consistently stellar performances have been turned out by O'Kelly siblings Sheridan and Dermot, the Schrier brothers Gabe and Nate, and Ethan DeWaal, and first-time competitors Madi Taylor, Ryan Niemczuk and Jenna Pastel are leaving their mark all over the division as well. Sheridan O'Kelly set a new team record for points scored in a dual meet by a 9-10 girl against Ashton, her second Glenwood record. Kudos and thanks to the dive team parents, whose home meet concessions operation continue to lead the league in quality and quantity, and to the Tiger coaches, who drove and chaperoned many of those well-fed divers to the post-meet celebration. Join the 3-0 Tiger Divers for their 5:00 pm meet this Sunday at home v. Robin Hood, and parents, check the dive team bulletin board to make sure all the jobs are filled.
WHO'S WHO AT THE POOL: STAFF & MEMBER PROFILES
Pool Manager Brian Friend is a life-long Montgomery County pool rat and started swimming for MCSL's Tally Ho club at the age of five (favorite stroke: butterfly). Now aged 32, Brian is a health and physical education teacher in the county public school system and taught most recently at Ridgeview Middle School in Gaithersburg, where he currently resides. Brian earned degrees from West Virginia University and Takoma Park's Columbia Union College. He is also a certified professional trainer and avid triathlete, preferring to focus on Olympic distance events like the Annapolis Triathlon that will be held this September. Glenwood is not his first stint at pool management -- he admits to having worked at Seven Locks and other pools less glorious than the lovely Big G -- but this is his first year at Glenwood. Poke your head in the manager's office and welcome him aboard!
NEWS FROM THE BOARD
After Lessons, Members Only
Glenwood is half-way into the swim lesson season and hosting many families eager to have their little ones learn this important life skill -- thanks to Assistant Coach Molly Lincoln for coordinating this program, and to the many staff participating in swim instruction. As many of you know, group lessons take place from 11:30 am -1:00 pm and include members and non-members alike. Once lessons have concluded for the day, don't be surprised if you are approached by a staff member and asked to show your membership badge -- this is one way to restrict pool patronage to paid members. Be sure to bring your badge every time you come to the pool!
Party Guidelines
There are few places nicer than Glenwood to celebrate anything, but we've heard from some of you that occasionally, private parties are impeding your access to pool facilities and violating prohibitions against alcoholic beverages and glass containers. To address this problem, the Board has drafted a set of guidelines underscoring pool rules for private parties that will be sent to every member reserving a private gathering, and to be posted on the website as well. Let the manager know if you see something that concerns you, and if you are hosting a party, please make sure your guests are aware of the guidelines designed to maximize everyone's enjoyment of the pool.
STEPPING BACK IN TIME: 50TH ANNIVERSARY ANNALS
History buffs among the Gazette readership might want to check out www.mcsl50.blogspot.com, a blog started and maintained by MSCL President (and Glenwood alum) Sally MacKenzie to commemorate the league's 50th anniversary. Sally's posts trace the evolution of the rules and rituals that comprise the summer swim team experience and contain a wealth of information for veterans and newbies alike. And veterans are encouraged to contribute their memories and comments to the blog, so if you have your own piece of MCSL history to share, contact Sally MacKenzie at the URL above -- and tell her Glenwood sent you!
GOT NEWS?
If you have news of general interest to the pool community, please contact me at kjclark@erols.com and let me know what you'd like to share.
Cyber-Circulation: Approximately 475
TELL A FRIEND: Invite an interested friend or neighbor to subscribe to The Glenwood Gazette by having them send a blank email to: glenwood_news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To view back issues of The Glenwood Gazette, please visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Glenwood_News/files/.
June 18, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE:
Summer Pool Hours have started!
Mark Your Calendar -- what's coming up at Glenwood this week
Getting In the Swim of It -- Kids' Swim Lessons Have Started
Tiger Tales: News of the Glenwood Tigers Swim and Dive Teams
Membership Reminders
Coming Soon to a Gazette Near You
SUMMER HOURS
School’s out and the summer has begun -- and with it, the extended pool hours for you and your family’s enjoyment. Please note that exccept for swim and dive meets to be hosted at Glenwood, the pool will be open as follows:
Monday through Friday: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Variations to the schedule are posted at the front desk and will be reiterated in this and future editions of the Glenwood Gazette.
Also, Early Bird lap swimming for adults has resumed at Glenwood on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 6:15 to 7:30 am. Cost for the summer is $50 for members, $100 for nonmembers, payable by check to Glenwood Recreation Club.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Delayed Openings/Early Closings
Thursday, June 19: Pool closes at 6:00 pm -- Second Annual Green & Black Intrasquad Meet (postponed from 6/18)
Saturday, June 21: Pool opens at noon following home meet v. Merrimack Park
Sunday, June 22: Diving well closes at 4:00 pm to host dive meet v. Ashton; rest of the pool observes regular hours
Social Events
Saturday June 21, 6:00-10:00 pm: Glenwood Swim & Dive Team Family Dance
Get your groove on poolside at this year’s annual family dinner/dance, to be held this Saturday night from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Glenwood’s fabulous staff is in charge of decor and tunes, so come out and celebrate the start of summer with picnic fare and family fun this Saturday night. Chicken dinner for swim team families costs $6/person (drinks and ice cream are $1 each), and feel free to boogy with the gang even if you don't have a team member in the family!
Friday, July 4, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm: Independence Day Celebration at Glenwood
Family, friends and neighbors are all welcome for Glenwood’s annual July 4th party, which features food and fun all day long. Our incredible staff organizes games for kids of all ages, including relays you’ve never heard of, the belly flop contest, and a greased watermelon scrimmage not for the timid. VOLUNTEERS help keep the food flowing -- if you can help out with concessions, please notify event coordinator and board member extraordinaire Sandy Kweder at sandra.kweder@fda.hhs.gov.
SWIM LESSONS ARE BACK!!!
Get your little ones in the swim of things with small group lessons taught by Glenwood’s fine young staff members. Assistant Swim Team Coach Molly Lincoln coordinates Glenwood’s swim lesson program -- get more information at the website, www.glenwoodpool.org. Members of the coaching staff also offer private lessons; arrange with them individually before or after practice.
TIGER TALES: SWIM & DIVE TEAM NEWS
Swim Team
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL), which was founded by Glenwood and five other teams and eventually came to encompass 15 divisions comprising 89 swim clubs throughout the county today. The Glenwood swim team inaugurated the season in grand tiger style with an upset victory of 408 to 374 over the Norbeck Hills Anacondas this past Saturday at home. Particularly dominating performances were turned in by the 13-14 boys and the 11-12 girls. Fourteen-year-old Eric Ruggieri grabbed his second pool record with a 1:08.61 (MCSL All-Star ) time in the 100 IM, breaking Keith Nalepka’s 22- year-old hold on Glenwood history for that event. Come cheer on the Tigers for this week’s intrasquad Green v. Black meet on Thursday evening, and on Saturday morning, when Glenwood takes on the (0-1) Merrimack Park Maniacs here at the Big G.
Dive Team
We’re on a roll as the Tiger Dive Team also opened the season with a 50-38 victory over Merrimack Park in Sunday’s away meet. Glenwood’s dive team, among the largest of the 45 in the Montgomery County Dive League, had competitors in every age group and upset the higher-seeded Maniacs en route to shaking up the Division II standings. Coaches Sandra Holmberg, Austin Wolfe, Elizabeth Finn and Russell Cox are developing those young eight-and-unders to take on the competition, which this weekend will be at Glenwood in the form of the division’s pre-season top seed, Ashton. Check out some stellar diving this Sunday at 5:00 pm!
MEMBER REMINDERS FROM THE BOARD
Check In!
Please check in with the front desk EVERY time you come to Glenwood, You should be asked to show your member card or sign in with first and last name. Lost your membership card? Replacements are available for $5 each.
Guest Passes
Guest passes left over from last year are good only through July 4; after that, you must purchase new ones by check at the front desk for $25 to use for the rest of the summer. Guests over the age of two must have a pass, and all guests must be met and signed in by members.
Also please note that on days when the pool is especially crowded, the manager may enforce the limit of 3 guests per member unless you have made other arrangments in advance. This is for our members’ and guests' safety, so if you want to host several guests, please contact pool manager Brian Friend ahead of time.
Parking and Drop Off
Parking in the lower lot closest to the front desk is restricted to staff and the handicapped as indicated by the designated signs. If you are dropping your swimmer(s) off for practice, please let them off at “Tiger Rock” at the pool end of the Gardiner Avenue parking lot -- do not drive down into the staff/handicapped parking area.
COMING SOON...
Keep track of Glenwood happenings by checking the soon-to-be-posted bulletin board for pool news of interest to the general membership.
Let us know what you think -- look for the new Suggestion Box at the front desk in the coming days. We know Glenwood is already a wonderful place -- but do your part to make it better and let us hear from you.
More Social Events: Ladies’ Night Out at the pool, Swim for Tim swimathon, golf tournament and overnight for swim team members, the annual Crab Feast -- it’s all at Glenwood for your enjoyment, so join us! More details to come...
Who’s the pool manager this year? What’s the name of that nice lifeguard who seems to know every pre-schooler at the pool? Who puts in more time gardening at Glenwood for free than the lawn service company under contract? The answers to these and other compelling questions are coming in future Gazette editions’ new segment on “Staff and Member Profiles.” Watch this space!
EDITORIAL LICENSE
Consider this the first in the profile series -- Karen Clark, your humble Gazette author/editor. Our family's belonged to Glenwood for four years now and I was just elected to the Board of Directors two weeks ago. I have two daughters, Emily and Tess Mayfield, who both swim for Glenwood; my husband Jamie is the swim team's automation understudy to Mike Lincoln, unofficial team photographer (along with Stu Foster) and also helps me lug boxes of sportswear to sell at home meets. We look forward to expanding the Glenwood family by one member this summer when we host a visiting 17 year-old student from Austria, and we know she'll become an honorary Tiger in no time! The Clark-Mayfield family loves Glenwood and its welcoming spirit, and we feel very grateful to be part of this special place and community.
And special thanks to Dave Coyne, now retiring from Gazette production but sure to be a special correspondent and contributor to future editions!
