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It is with deep regret after having established this website more than a decade ago when few clubs had websites, that I must resign as your Webmaster. Being that I am in my late 50's I must turn my attention to using my free time to develop a second stream of income. I am currently engaged in several other ad revenue websites dealing with issues from politics to new thought religion, while trying to collect my thoughts to author a book on religion. I also plan to have a Hiking Website that deals with photography and articles of interest to those of a New Age slant. Many of my old materials and much new materials will be there.
My first event ever with the Outdoors Club was strangely a hike that I also lead! I used to have a reputation as a very fast hike leader for "Conservation And The Outdoors" and Alan Kaye accepted me into this club as a leader without having first ever hiking with this club! I soon followed Floyd Cook and became his successor in leading Night Hikes! Due to my current job, which I hate with a passion, my participation in hiking has been greatly diminished and my health followed suit. I am now restarting a higher level of participation in hiking. Since my job work schedule changes four times per year I will list my "impromptu hikes" with Mike Pollack on his Members Only E-Mail Group. I am also starting a club at work that will car pool from Staten Island thus making it far easier for me to get involved in hiking again.
Many of us today, myself included, suffer from diabetes. No one in my family has it! It is a curse of our age and lifestyle. I URGE YOU to have your A1-C tested and to engage in hiking to prevent it or reduce the disease if you already have it. Age should not stop one from hiking! Just look at the NY RAMBLERS!
It is also my hope that NIGHT HIKERS of all clubs will co-ordinate with their various clubs to increase this almost mystical aspect of hiking for the hiking public! I learned this form of hiking while growing up in Missouri and attending Park College.
I see that Ray Lin (our new webmaster) has added the club schedule to the new website. I find that to be very helpful as I have come to rely on it being there since I tend to throw out my mail. However if Ray is to be able to continue doing that it is essential that non-members stop using the website's copy of the schedule to by pass paying fees! While the website was originally hosted on my "PRODIGY CLASSIC" account it soon grew to large in size with over 150 - 200 pages to stay there. It cost me then about $100.00 per year up till one year ago when I was able to add it to my Webmaster account with my other sites. No one is making money from this so please be honest and join if you come to more than three events.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT IF YOU USE OUR SITE'S SCHEDULE AND COME TO MORE THAN THREE HIKES YOU SHOULD BE HONEST AND JOIN! Again - No one is making money from this site. If you join the club then you will also have access to Mike Pollack's special E-Mail Newsletter telling you of hikes that are not on the printed copy or on the website! Many leaders are adding "impromptu hikes" using Mike Pollack's high tech delivery system. It is perfectly fine to come to use the web schedule to "sample" some of our hikes as that is not the issue. We are a registered non-profit organization. Helen Yee, Ray Lin, Lou Miller and Craig Nunn are not being paid a dime nor are the leaders who take the time to first scout their hikes and walks.
For over a decade it has been a pleasure to serve as your webmaster (I will continue to be available to assist our new webmaster and wish him well) and I hope the website encouraged you not only to join our club but get involved in hiking!
I hope our trails continue to cross and may the Great Spirit be with us!
CLUB PRESIDENT -----> Helen Mangione
WEBMASTER---> Brian J Dawson
**The Outdoors Club was founded by Roger Coco, Alan Kaye, and Dorothy Lovitz.
Copyright Notice. All articles, pictures and narration copyright to Brian J Dawson. Schedule is copyright to Outdoors Club