GNBTC SPOONER 10K, WAREHAM TO FAIRHAVEN RUN

The GNBTC 10K Road Race in Memory of O. Gardner Spooner was held on Sunday, November 10, 2002, for the 24^th consecutive year. (Talk about a ‘long run.’ Please, excuse the pun.) A world of appreciation to Atlantic Choice, Inc., Executive Mitsubishi, Glaser Glass, Antonio N. Marques, Rosenfeld Insurance for their continuous sponsorship for this superlative event. Congratulations to Mike Oliver and Mary Cass winners of the Alan Graubart Memorial Trophies, given annually to the first place male and female members of the Greater New Bedford Track Club. Gushing praise to Dave Richard, Joan Sparrow, the New Bedford and Dartmouth ‘Gendarmes’ (for their exceptional traffic control), and all of the runners and volunteers. It is all of you who make this 6.2 miler the quality event that it truly is. A special ‘merci’ to Ann Russo for conducting our club’s most important membership drive. More GNBTC 10K info and results are enclosed in this issue.

Our club’s annual Wareham to Fairhaven Run was held on Sunday, November 24. 2002. As expected, we had another fine turnout. Everyone seemed to have a pleasant run. All returned to a never-ending cup of ‘high-octane coffee’ and food aplenty. Much thanks to Dot and Joe Fernandez, Lois Curley, and the Fairhaven VFW for their gracious hospitality. Must not forget the ‘Paper Cup Gang’ for their supply of water along the 15+ miles course. As in the past, a successful ‘grab a mile and join in the fun’ event.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY AND CLUB MEETING, NEW ENGLAND RUNNER

Our Annual Christmas Party and Club Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2002. We will leave the New Bedford YMCA AT 9:00 a.m., for our yearly Quarters for Christmas Run/Walk. Pledge sheets can be found in this newsletter. Let’s try and help the less fortunate. Prizes will be awarded to the top three money raisers. The popular Christmas buffet will follow the Jog-a-Thon. The meeting, election of officers and presentation of awards will begin at approximately 11:15. Remember that this is YOUR club. If you have any complaints, suggestions, do’s, don’ts. Then this is the TIME and PLACE. So please bring your appetites, pledges and input. Hope to see you all there and don’t forget to say ‘Hi’ to Santa. As 2002 rapidly comes to a close, I wish to thank the officers and board of directors for their tireless work and devotion to our club.

In New England Runner (November/December 2002.) Lonny Townley writes, ‘One club that’s investing in youth is the Greater New Bedford Track Club. Upon learning that a $2,500 grant to hold a local Hershey track meet had dried up, GNBTC stepped up with the help of some corporate sponsors to hold a meet in Billerica at which 28 New Bedford area athletes qualified for the Massachusetts State Finals and a chance to win a free trip to the Nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Getting a quick step on the year 2003: The GNBTC Board of Directors meeting will be held at Rosie’s (380 Hathaway Road) on     Wednesday,         

January 8^th at 6:00 p.m. All club members are welcome to attend. Please, call (508) 998-5068 for reservations.

Our annual blood drive will take place at St. Luke’s Hospital on Tuesday, February 11, 2003. Hours for blood donations will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please look for sign up sheets at our annual Christmas Party. Thank you for your concern.

Try not to forget to renew your GNBTC membership for the year 2003.

The GNBTC would like to extend a great big holiday ‘THANK YOU’ to all of our sponsors for providing their support over these many years.

Please take note – the January and February 2003 newsletters will be combined.

On behalf of the club officers and board of directors, we wish you all very happy and safe holidays.

Watch your step out there.

Dogs seem to love Christmas and runners.

There are always fleeting moments of depression at Christmas. But I consider myself lucky. I can always go for a run.

What was the best Christmas present I ever got? My very first pair of running shoes.

I like Christmas above any time of the year. It turns gray winter into bright colors and the world with it.

A Tuesday is the ideal day for Christmas. It gives me a Sunday to go for a run and think about what last-minute things I have to do Monday.

Someone is always giving me advice on how to carve the turkey.

My face always turns the color of a Christmas poinsettia after my annual cold and windy morning yuletide run.

Need no fireplace after 10 miles; my feet are already nice and toasty.

It’s the only day that I would ever change from Gatorade to eggnog.

None of the tricks they tell you about helps keep the needles on a tree.

I always think that something has been thrown out with the Christmas wrappings.

Please don’t tell me that Christmas is too commercial.

Spending Christmas Eve with ‘The Rethreads’ and sharing a brew or two or ………

I have never read ‘A Christmas Carol’. Is that why I’m always catching the ‘dickens’?

Christmas with interest: 3% light snow.

How come I never tire of listening to Christmas music?

My holiday wish: That every day of the year be Christmas.

Merry Christmas everybody!