Monthly Archives: February 2013

Fallen Leader – Day 2

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Master of the Shred Love Temple:  Grasshopper, time has come for you to lead. You must spread your wings and fly.

The Apprentice Grasshopper:  Master I’m not ready, I’m not worthy.  There are still too many questions for which I seek answers.

Master of the Shred Love Temple:  You MUST answer the call.  In life, you must step out on faith.  You only have to believe in yourself. Follow your instincts. In you, lie all the answers you will need.

The Apprentice Grasshopper: I will try my best Master.

Master of the Shred Love Temple:  Do not try, simply do.

For the first time in Shred Love history, our fearless leader Ms. Elizabeth Royster had to miss an event (hey, family comes first as Savion was sick). She entrusted the success of the outing to her team of me, Geneva and Jerrie.  To compound the challenge, Shred Love hosted the Urban Girl Squad, who signed on as volunteers for the day.

Want more challenges?  We were meeting two new volunteers –Rozalyn and Shay for the first time.  Add to that, some guy named Old Man Winter started succumbing to the harsh effects of the dreaded flu.  However, failure was not an option.

Once arriving to the mountain, we were reunited for the first time this season, with our favorite Park Rat Volunteers Gio and Deondre along with the leader of Shred Love’s “the Ready Betties squad”, Michelle. The day moved along smoothly with no major hiccups as the Urban Girl Squad – Clare, Hannah, Charisse, Jamie, and Sue were on the training hill with the other first timers including Charisma, Bria and Adriana.  With Trey rolling in the mini park with Gio and Deondre.

Michelle riding with the “Regular Betties – Jackie, Armani Rae, Kayla, Alexis up the mountain.

Shay with Brandon’s crew of – Khaliq, Edward, Darius and Julius running the mountain, Jerrie and Rozalyn rounding out the rest of the Shred Love Team on the small chairlift slope (someday I’m going to remember the name of that trail). The day went along smoother than expected.

With Old Man Winter being completely under the weather, who could have asked for more?

The Urban Girl Squad – after a challenging morning and a better afternoon, enjoyed themselves.

As for the kids of Shred Love, they ALWAYS have a great time on the mountain.

As for our fearless and omnipresent leader, Liz, she can now find comfort in the fact that she has a competent team in the event of her absence.  Special thanks to ALL for making this event a success!

Master of the Shred Love Temple:  Grasshopper, you’ve done well.
The Apprentice Grasshopper:  Thank you, your Excellency.

Old Man Winter
(Heading for the Tamiflu)


Shred Love – Learn to Ride 2013

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Winter, oh glorious winter. Happy Holidays, hot apple cider, chocolate covered waffles and snow covered wonderlands (did I mention salted-caramel hot chocolate?).  And in the still of ANY starry, winter night, if you close your eyes and listen closely, you can hear it calling ever so faintly, echoing off of the falling snowflakes.  Can you hear it? Can you hear the mountain calling, summoning all snowboards from their year-long hibernation? The time is upon us. It’s Go Time! Queue the music.

SHRED LOVE SEASON HAS RETURNED!

Sunday of President’s Day weekend (also the busiest weekend of the winter season, I may add… never seen so many riders and skiers on the mountain), Shred Love kicked off its Winter Snowboard program returning to wonderful Windham Mountain.  Under the superb driving skills of our bus driver Mr. Mike, we arrived on time to be embraced by a reunion of old friends and familiar faces, as well as, a few new soon-to-be old friends, as we ushered in the new season.

Returning Shred Love alumni Armani Rae, Brandon, Edward, and Jaden stepped up this season as Student Volunteers, helping with administrative tasks and team leadership on the mountain.   In addition, we had our other returning Shred Love veterans proving that they didn’t lose a step, or rather shred, since last season.  Nearly all returning Shred Love students were either riding on the small chair lift or further up the mountain – how’s THAT for progression!!!!

Then we have the beginners. Oh yes, the beginners, the fearless first timers, the noble novices, the rookie riders of the mountain range (hey – I can go on all day) – Tahjan, Charisma, DJ, William, Bria and Eric dared to strap up and drop in on lessons with Marcia’s team of instructors. By the end of the lessons, all were progressing quite well.

Awesome powder, mild temperatures, and brilliant sunshine characterized the day. In the end, it was a beautiful day for all.  Can’t wait until next week!

Old Man Winter aka Mel