Month: October 2022

Shiver by the River Series Set to Begin Next Month

by pagodapacers

The 33rd annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K is NOW.  The first one is Dec 11th, at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp.  Registration opens at 8:30, both races start at 10:00.  If you can’t run all 4 races, run 3, run 2, or run 1.  

Runners can register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com or by mailing the app and a check.  Plus, we will have race-day registration.  Pre-registration deadline is 11/18.  New this year – we are offering a knit hat and gloves instead of a shirt with registration.  Register early to guarantee a hat and gloves while supplies last!! Look for a picture on the Pacer Facebook discussion page.    

If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering.  We need volunteers before the race, for parking and registration; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup.  If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15.  If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30.  Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Redemption, Hallucination, and a Moment of Bliss

by pagodapacers

an oil creek adventure

by Steve Vida

Last year, I DNF’d the Oil Creek 100-Miler after 75 miles.  It was my first attempt at this distance.

I returned in 2022 with a little more experience and confidence.  Everything proceeded as planned, and I (mostly) crushed it with the indispensable help of my pacers and crew.  I was 23rd out of 46 finishers and 84 starters.  I feel redeemed and content.

The Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs take place in Titusville, PA.  This is a well-organized event with an established reputation for outstanding aid stations and abundant course markings.  It’s a 5-hour drive from Reading, but worth the trip.  The start/finish is at the Titusville Middle School, but the course is a 50k loop in Oil Creek State Park.  The 100-mile race repeats this loop 3 times, with an extra 7-mile “going home” loop tacked on the end.

There are also 50k and 100k races with staggered starts on the same day.  My sister (club president) Michelle Henry and my daughter Olivia finished the 50k this year.  It’s a popular event with a generous cut-off time, and the signups fill quickly.  All 3 of us had great weather with temperatures mostly in the 40s and 50s.

Everything about my 2022 race went smoothly.  I wasn’t sure how to pace the early parts of a 100-miler.  So I looked back at times from 2016, averaged the splits from the bottom 2/3 of finishers and used those as my targets.  I managed to run the first loop 20 minutes ahead of target.  The second loop was 7 more minutes ahead of target.  But the biggest boost came when I picked up my pacers for the third lap, and we came through 40 minutes faster than target.

Sometimes, all you need from a pacer is company.  But Matt Brophy and Jason Karpinski were bringing the deluxe pacer package to Oil Creek: they understood me, and I trusted them.  This team (along with my wife Tracy as my crew captain) would be able to guide me through anything.

Jason joined me at the start of the third loop, not too long after dark.  I was using an hourly alarm on my watch as an eating reminder, but now it became a countdown til sunrise.  Every hour I would announce “10 hours til sunrise” and then eat a gel.  Halfway through the loop we reached the aid station where I dropped last year, and Matt started pacing.  Every step now was farther than I have ever run, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.  But I was able to keep up some hiking/running mixture that surprised me.  I kept up the sunrise countdown with Matt, but when we came down off the mountain at the end of loop 3, it was still dark, and I was 67 minutes ahead of plan.

This was probably my emotional highpoint during the race itself.  In my mind, I was moving like an unstoppable machine.  I had 9 miles to go and almost 5 of them would be flat.  I had so much time left that the cutoffs no longer mattered – I was definitely going to finish.  But I was also about 5 miles away from my lowest point of the race.  And I was starting to see things.

There’s about a mile of paved bike path between the trail and the school.  As we headed back to the school to complete the third loop, I spotted a person well ahead walking their dog alongside the path.  But as we got closer, there was no dog and there was no person … and I think, weren’t they right here where this sign is now?  This kind of episode repeated itself for the remainder of the race.  I’m uncommonly tolerant of lack of sleep, but at this point I had run through 2 sunrises during the race, and it felt like my brain was stretched too thin.

These few flat miles to the school and back gave me a break with a chance to fast-walk for a while.  But after 45 minutes, when I needed to start uphill again, there was a new and significant soreness in my right quad.  It wasn’t excruciating, but still the discomfort quickly sapped everything I had left.  Downhills felt even worse.  So at mile 96 I reached my lowpoint, staring at a sign that identified the next section as the “Hill of Truth”.  It was a slow and quiet battle.

Jason and Michelle met us about half a mile from the finish, and Michelle captured a photo that is my favorite from the weekend.  It’s Matt, me, and Jason walking together, but we’re spread out and clearly not speaking.  I think we look like 3 tired guys just leaving work after third shift.  And I think we give off an attitude like this is all something routine.

As we got closer to the school, Matt reminded me that I was expected to run it in.  I wasn’t convinced it was possible, but he also assured me that once I turned the corner, the energy and ability would be there, and he was right.  I lumbered down the home stretch with some mixture of disbelief and triumph.  I crossed the finish line, buried my face in my hands and choked back a quick couple sobs.  I imagined this finish so many times, but I never understood how the whole experience would gradually grind me away, and for a few blissful moments, all I would have – all I would be – is this belt buckle.

The Fall Run Off Junior High Cross Country Invitational and BCIAA Cross Country Conference Run

by pagodapacers

Race director’s report by Tom Chobot

As part of our community service and outreach initiatives, the Pacers are involved in 2 cross country events each year during the third week in October. We do this with the goal of promoting interest in distance running among the youth of Berks County.

The first is the BCIAA (Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association) Conference Run on October 18th at Kutztown University and involves about 300 high school runners from 16 Berks County school districts. Gwyn and I have directed this race for 8 years, and each year we start with the Pacers for recruiting volunteers, who have always come through for us. Each year, we receive plenty of compliments from coaches, officials, and parents on how stellar our race staff executes the race. One official said, “How appropriate it is that the largest running club in the county manages the county XC championship.” Gwyn and I wish to thank those who offered their time to course marshal, direct traffic, and manage the finish line area. 

The second is an official Pacer event, and it is supported, financed, and presented entirely by the club and its membership. It is officially called the Fall Run Off Invitational, but the kids call it the junior high ( 7th and 8th grades) county championships because the field is made up of around 200 runners from the 15 Berks County public school districts who have a junior high cross country program. The coaches, parents, and even the kids tell us each year that this is much more than just another race. It is their “big dance” and the highlight of their season. This was the club’s 14th year presenting the race, which was held at the Reading Fairgrounds on October 22nd. Gwyn, Phil, and I are grateful beyond words for the unending support for this event by the club and its members. 

I might add that both events provide far reaching and effective PR and community interaction for the club as well. As the leaders of the local running community, this cannot be overstated. Well done, Pacers!

2022 Club Election

by pagodapacers

They might not be able to stop inflation or kick the Russians out of Ukraine, but these are the folks who are ready to step up and lead the club into 2023 (and beyond).

Below is a list of who is running for Club President and the Board of Directors. (The president serves a one-year term, and the board members serve two-year terms.) A link to an online ballot will be sent to all club members on November 1st. The deadline to vote is November 10th at 5:00 p.m. Results will be announced at the monthly meeting that evening.

President

Michelle Henry

Michelle is coming the end of her first term as president and is seeking re-election. She has been a proud member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2017. In addition to being the club president, she is also co-race director for the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run, is involved in organizing many Pacer events, and volunteers at most Pacer races. She enjoys her current role and is proud of the way the club has grown and evolved over the past year and hopes to help continue that momentum for the next year.

Board of directors (choose 5)

Cody Harris

Cody is pursuing a position on the board of directors because he feels it is time to give back to the organization that has given so much to him. He has been running for more than 20 years, and he joined the Pacers six years ago. During that time, the club and its members have helped him grow as a runner and a person, and he wants to return the favor. He looks forward to helping increase the club’s visibility in the community, encourage new membership and work on activities and events that add value to existing members. He humbly asks for your support and vote for the board of directors. 

Kelly Ammon

Kelly became a member of the Pagoda Pacers shortly after moving to the Reading area about 5 years ago. She loves running and looks forward to the weekly Wednesday night runs, but what she really loves is that the Pacers are so much more than a running club. She has met so many wonderful and inspiring people through the Pacers, many of whom she is now lucky enough to call friends. If you had told her 15 years ago she’d be training for ultramarathons, she’d have said “no way,” but she found support and encouragement within the club. As a board member, she will continue to build a strong community and welcome new members, just as she was welcomed years ago.

Blair Hogg

Blair has been a Pacer member for 15+ years. He is co-race director for Run for the Ages, and he volunteers at every race he can make. He has been running on and off since high school cross country and track, but he won’t say how long ago that was (because he’s old and vain). 

Brandon Beane

Brandon learned of and started running with the Pacers about 7 or 8 years ago. He has run Shiver by the River and Blues Cruise, participated in group runs, and volunteered at many races/events directing traffic, sweeping courses, making awards, etc. He is also one of our Army Corps of Engineers certified chainsaw operators for Blue Marsh. He thinks that the organization is a great group of people to surround yourself with for a multitude of reasons from learning to run races of varying distances, giving back to the community, and just making great friends. Running for Brandon has become more than just an activity to keep physically fit; in fact, it’s become more of a way for him to stay mentally healthy. He’d like to continue helping to build a strong and healthy running community and club as a returning board member.

Lisa Domeshek

Lisa has enjoyed serving as your Pagoda Pacer Vice President this year. It has been an honor and a pleasure for her to support Michelle and the club as we continuously try to improve for our members. Some of the great things she has seen the Pacers accomplish this year and would like to continue to support are community outreach at local events, new social events, and new charity opportunities. She is running for a position on the board of directors so that she can help represent your interests in decisions affecting the club and continue to give back to an organization that means a lot to her. She co-owns and operates Fabric Mart in Sinking Spring and has served as a long-term board member and treasurer for the Sinking Spring Public Library. Both of these positions have given me valuable experience that I hope to bring to the Pagoda Pacers’ Board of Directors. 

Group Long Run at Wissahickon Valley Park

by pagodapacers

Sunday, November 6, 9:30 a.m.

Park at Salvatore Pachella Field, at the intersection of Henry Ave and Livezey Ln, Philadelphia.

The long run will be between 10 and 11 miles. 

There will be many options for doing a shorter loop. 

Trails are a mixture of smooth single track and some rocky technical sections.

More details–including a map of the route–will be posted on the Facebook event page for this run.

Post-run lunch TBD.

“Freddy Foose Is Coming In — Tear Everything Down but the Clock!”

by pagodapacers

call of the wilds 50k; waterville, pa — race report

by Fred Foose

The Challenge – A year earlier, when I signed up for this race, I saw myself as much more fit and ready to tackle what is considered one of the hardest 50Ks on the East Coast. I was going to make this my ‘A’ race of the year and do all I could to be ready. A year later, work, family, and a nagging hip issue found me, in my opinion, under-trained, sore, and debating whether or not to run this race. I had opportunity and excuses to step down to the 25K with no questions asked. No one would fault me and many running friends highly encouraged me to do so (very hard, you are sore, still just as challenging, they will let you switch before the race, etc.) But I am stubborn if nothing else and knew if I didn’t try I would wonder, “What if…” So, I packed up the truck with more gear than I would ever need and headed north to the beautiful and remote regions of the state, to the middle of nowhere: Waterville, PA. 

Evening Before – Night before the race, I got a decent meal and a beer. Back at the cabin I detailed out my ‘flat Freddy.’ No drop bags so whatever I needed was going to have to come with me! Decisions, Decisions! Worked on my hip one last time as if this one last session would get it right before the race after months of it nagging at me day after day and then tried to sleep. I don’t sleep well on race night–too anxious–but I got a few well-rested hours of sleep. 

Race Day – Up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready, eat, hydrate, and load up with all the stuff that should help me on the course including my secret weapon – mashed potatoes — and head to packet pick-up by 5:30. Looking at all the other 50K runners I knew I was in the wrong race! They were younger, fitter, and looked like they belonged there – still time to step down to the 25K?! Nope–I came to meet the challenge of the 50K or bust.  After a cup of Joe by the fire, it was go time – 6 a.m. sharp start and we are off! And…I am the last one out of the gate – telling!

In the Dark – My first ever in the dark start. Headlamps on looked pretty neat! Just follow the other runners up the first hill by tracking their headlamps. By the time I got to the top and by a few other runners. there were no headlamps behind me (making good time?) and only a couple in the distance ahead of me (good pace – guess not!). By the time I got to the second aid station I had overtaken the two in front of me in the dark and it was now light out. Ditch the headlamp and keep going – feeling great! I am doing this! Made it to AS3 and the two behind had caught up on the last very steep and rocky downhill, but I was still ahead of the cutoffs and going strong!

More Hills and Rocks – Back up the hills I go picking my way through the rocks on both the ups and downs. As added fun the course follows along the river up on the ledge on a single track which slopes toward the river, and you have to run kinda sideways as you constantly pick your way through more leaf-covered rocks – slower going, but still beautiful. Now the two in front of me are getting further ahead but there are still at least two behind me right? Yep and nope – they pass me on the downhill headed into AS4! That will be the last time I share the trail with anyone, and it’s only mile 14. Quads now feeling the downhills. Too soon for that! Keep going – get to that next aid station and focus on your race.

The Never Ending Hill – I pull into AS4 with 10 minutes to spare and all alone the guy tells me, “You have 2 hours to go six miles to the next aid station. Just get to the top of that hill and it’s all downhill for the last 4 miles.” Off I go – sounds doable – NOT! The top of the hill never came until what seemed like 10 false summits later and then it’s a couple of miles of rollers before you get to a nasty rock-strewn downhill which most of is no trail at all! Rockslyvania! Oh great – two guys following me down the hill – are they pulling down the flags?! Yep the sweepers are gaining on me! Still, somehow, I pull into AS5 only 30 seconds past cut-off. Legs are feeling like lead after the rocky climb down, but somehow I pull into AS5 (mile 20) only 30 seconds off the cut-off only to find out they sent the sweepers out early!

Chasing the Sweepers – I assure the ladies at the aid station that I am going to finish the race with or without the markers! They take my number in case they have to search for me later and with a quick dash of water I am off to run down the next set of sweepers as the sweepers behind me cheer me out (probably thinking “This guy is crazy!”). I catch them about a mile and a half up the trail screaming for them to stop – ONE MORE COMING! The dog hears me and they stop amazed there is still someone out there! They assure me I have an hour to go the 3.5 miles to AS5 at the bottom of Torbert! I am spent running them down but finally some level trail and I know I can get there in time. By now I am using the poles to propel me with a goal to stay ahead of the sweepers and get to mile 25 and AS6. I push my body through the cramps and shot quads and pull in with 15 minutes to spare! They work me over like a Nascar pit crew and I am out of there and headed up Torbert with 10 minutes to spare! The end is near…!

Torbert and Beyond – I start up the most famous and last real climb of the course – only 1 mile to the top. Stephanie and her dog, the next set of sweepers,  are soon on my back as I inch foot by foot up a gentle but brutal climb. Halfway up I am done. My legs are gone. This is the end. There is nothing left. It was spent chasing down the sweepers. I want to just stop. Stephanie tells me there is no turning around. If I want to quit we both have to get to the top because that is where her car is. So I climb… 5 steps, stop. 5 steps, stop…until finally the top of the hill! I made it! And its flat and runnable! Another mile to the aid station – I got this! The hard part is behind me!

New Life – I am actually jogging again at a 13ish minute mile by the time I get to AS7 with 15 minutes to spare! I am making up time! Again, they work me over and see what I need. I tell them to call ahead and let them know Freddy Foose is coming in and they can tear everything down but the clock! I am going to finish this damn race!  Five minutes later, I am headed back down the trail – 1 mile of straight, steep, rocky trail down, begging my body to just hold together for 3.5 more miles.

The Final Push – At the bottom there is one more twist of fate. You can almost see and hear the finish line, but nope – back up we go! Another mile of switchback to a crest which overlooks the valley before another precarious steep, rocky downhill to the road leading back to the finish. I can hear the staging area. People are cheering – still some 25K finishers coming in? Maybe I won’t truly be the last one in! It sparks my feet to keep moving -almost there!

The Finish– I have found my way to the road again. Every step my legs are now threatening to completely seize up and now my upper body has joined in the fight against my will to finish! As I come around the final turn – there it is the finish chute and clock! They left it up! Time to make a good showing of it – run the last stretch in – don’t embarrass yourself! They are cheering – finally the DFL racer is in and we can all go home! (I am sure that is what they were thinking and cheering about!). How nice to be greeted after all those hours by fellow runners, sweepers, volunteers, and workers who helped me accomplish the hardest race of my short (so far!) running career. I came, and I answered …The Call of the Wilds!

Race Results (October ’22)

by pagodapacers

Want to see your race results in the next newsletter?

Email your race results to Amy Bird at raceresults@pagodapacers.com.

Boyertown Rotary Fall Frolic 5k

38:08Diane Gilbert3rd F 60-69

Kyle Pagerly 5k

33:25Joanne Patti1st F 60-69
38:40Rick Showers2nd M 60-69
44:43Rose Hagy1st F 70+

Blues Cruise 50k

4:44:14Tod Slabik1st M 50-59
4:51:44Karin Tursack2nd F 40-49
5:01:16Stephanie Kershner1st F 30-39
5:20:46Justin Kershner
5:22:30Mark Weaver
5:26:58Karen Gibbon1st F 50-59
5:50:21Michael Reinhart
6:02:59Donald Mengel1st M 60-69
6:20:53Karen Tremblay
6:41:51Yvonne Good
6:41:53Eric Weaver
7:08:39Fred Foose
7:22:10Trevor Hills
7:23:49Julia Hager
7:30:11Tory Miksiewicz Clugson
7:58:24Kristen Rothenberger
7:58:40Michelle Foley

Delaware Distance Classic 15k

1:00:22Lou Donofrio1st M 40-44

Reading Hospital Road Run 13.1

1:32:24Justin Kratz
1:38:11Jen Esposito1st F 45-49
1:40:05Dale Wiest2nd M 60-64
1:45:16Emily Trudel3rd F 35-39
1:45:40Nicholas DiMascio2nd M 65-59
1:47:33Jennifer Pierdomenico1st F 55-59
1:58:27Jackie Snyder1st F 60-64
1:58:39Blair Hogg
2:01:22Andrea Adam
2:30:50Michelle Foley
2:33:43Craig Richards
2:39:11Andre Marjanowski
2:52:44Robert Stichter
2:57:30Dasheem Cole

Run for Shelter 5k

17:21Mihai Sanchez2nd M Overall
32:41Joanne Patti2nd F 60-69

Jan’s Daisy Dash 5k

32:20Dianne Showers1st F 60-69
38:13Rick Showers
44:14Judy Anttonen1st F 70+

Penn State Berks Benefitting THON 5k

36:48Diane Gilbert1st F 60-69
41:40Bruce Cronrath1st M 70+
42:25Rose Hagy1st F 70+

Oley Stop, Drop & Run 5k

39:58Bruce Cronrath2nd M 70+

NJ Ragner Trail Ultra

Pagoda Pacers Ultra Team 3rd OA in Ultra, 1st Place Mixed Masters Division

Members Curtis Musser, Sandie Kincaid, Lisa DiBerardinis & Steven Holgate

Red Barn Challenge 24 hr

Andrew Styer77 miles7th Place Overall

Call of the Wilds 50k

11:14:48:32Fred FooseProud DFL!

Oregon Dairy Corn Pickin’ 5k

40:52Bruce Cronrath
43:45Rose Hagy2nd F 70+

5k Race, 2k Walk at the Lake at Lehigh County’s Leaser Lake

39:50Scott Scheidt1st M 60-69

Atlantic City Marathon

3:03:06Lou Donofrio3rd M 40-49

Reading Firefighter 5k

30:33Joanne Patti1st F 60-69
31:31Diane Showers2nd F 60-69
37:32Rick Showers
38:05Bruce Cronrath2nd M 70+
40:36Rose Hagy3rd F 70+

Maple Mistress 5k

19:46Brock Kline1st M 40-49
21:10Justin Kershner

Evansburg 7k Trail Challenge

50:24Joanne Patti
56:09Diane Gilbert
76:50Helene Horn

Evansburg 10 mi Trail Challenge

1:07:25Mihai Sanchez1st M 0-29

Oil Creek 100 Miler

29:19:05Steve Vida

Oil Creek 100k

11:27:05Rhoda Smoker1st Female

Oil Creek 50k

11:05:14Michelle Henry

Oley Valley Country Classic on Saturday, November 5th

by pagodapacers

Race-day registration will be open with shirts while they last!! 

Great looking awards! Let’s hope some leaves hold out to create a picturesque run for you!

Jakes of Mt Penn Food Truck will be on site making breakfast sandwiches and hot dogs.

Come out and volunteer and cheer on all the runners!

If you want to help out, or if you have any questions, email race director  leonardeburton@gmail.com or barrygoodhart@gmail.com.

See you real soon! 

Minutes from the General Meeting (October ’22)

by pagodapacers

General Meeting Minutes

Date: October 13, 2022

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Mohnton Fire

Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – the account is at 155% of target – Blues Cruise purchases and charitable donation obligations were the expenses. Regarding the refunds needed for the rescheduled pickle ball event, Shaun was not able to use RunSignup for refunds due to type of account the club has, so checks were issued.

Races:

  • Blues Cruise 50K (recently completed) – Elaine Cook and Mike Whalen are the new race directors – Mike reported for this year, there were over 100 documented volunteers, some putting in 10 to 12 hours. Stephan Weiss has been timing the race for no charge, but he is moving away from this responsibility. Also, the Blues Cruise web site will move from Stephan’s site to the Pacer platform. Riley Bradley was the overall winner of the race, and the first female to win the race, and in a record time for any female finisher. 298 registered runners, with 222 finishers. Dirt Sculpt was able to complete the trail repair just prior to the race.
  • Shiver by the River 10K and 5K races (1st: Sunday, December 11, 2022) – Georgine McCool – she is having difficulty finding sponsors, which is not something the directors are super comfortable with, so if anyone can lend a hand, please do.
  • Kris Kringle 5 Miler (Saturday December 31, 2022)
  • Oley Valley Country Classic (Saturday, November 5, 2022) – Lenny Burton – just over 100 registrants, fewer than are hoped for at this point. At the Oley Valley Fairgrounds. A food truck will be available for the post-race event.
  • Jr. High Cross Country Fall Invitational – Tom Chobot, Tuesday, October 18, needs between 6 and 8 volunteers for this event – course monitoring and help in the finish chute, 4 and 4:45 p.m., usually done by 5:15. And then, Saturday, 10/22, the Junior High cross country event (the club’s race), about 330 kids will bet there. There are 9 and 9:40 races, with parking assist, it is about a 4-hour period of time to volunteer. Held at the Reading Fairgrounds.

Committee Reports

Social Committee:

  • October 25 is the pickle ball reschedule.
  • Friday, Dec 2, Christmas party. $10 members, $20 for non-members, at the Grill Fire Company.

Communications Committee

  • Website – Michelle Henry – she is working with Ed Recker, the webmaster, to get a race results tab created. The one there now is not current. Race directors should be sending these results to Ed, but this task may have gotten overlooked with the passage of time and races to new directors.

Community Service

  • Trail Maintenance – Larry Sundberg is resigning his work for his portion of the Horseshoe Trail. Shaun Luther suggests we talk to the Horseshoe Trail Organization. Shaun will contact his POC about this to find out if other sections are a priority to be maintained. 

Old business:

  • Opportunity House evening meal volunteering – people volunteered in person and had others dropped off donations. They served meatball sandwiches, potato chips, salad, and apple crisp (made personally by Kris Jacoby, and it was a best seller). Everything went quickly, and we served about 75 people. Jane would like to make another event due to club interest – possibly by the end of the year.
  • The pop-up marketplace for swag is open until Oct 25.
  • Elections are next month – with the president’s annually reelected position open and then 5 new board member positions are open.

New business

  • Jeff George memorial ride (BAMBA), Nov 20, starting around 11:00 at Fishpond West, dedication of a bench in his name. You can bring food, if desired. Liz Glass is trying to establish a scholarship.
  • Cranksgiving Berks County, October 29, Jim Borden is director, benefits Helping Harvest. 
  • Calls were made for Wally ball – Brad will set this up, as requested – may go January and March
  • Possible roller skating social – Michelle is working on some details

Letter from the President (November ’22)

by pagodapacers

Man, I cannot believe it is time for club elections already! Congrats to each person who felt inspired and empowered this year to nominate themselves to either take on a new leadership role in the club or to seek out re-election in their current role. Good luck to you all! 

Just a quick note to go along with this month’s meeting:

The November meeting is an exciting one as we gather for the announcement of our newly elected! Last November’s meeting was heavily attended, with at least double our normal attendance. If possible, please, please, please RSVP on the Facebook event page created for the meeting or send me a quick email (mhenry.pacers@gmail.com). This will help tremendously with planning for enough food and seating to accommodate everyone – especially those who don’t normally attend these meetings throughout the rest of the year. While we love to see double the normal attendance, food is pre-ordered, and we don’t want to run out or be scrambling last minute to have enough seating. Thanks in advance for your help in capturing a (close to) accurate headcount to send to the venue.

Gotta go read some bios, 

Michelle