From the President-

Hello.

As I sit here to write this article, my mind travels to the 9/11/01 date and all the tragedy associated with that fateful day. It is much of the news since the calendar changed to September. It seems so unfair to me that we have spent so much energy on being afraid and mourning the loss of so many innocent lives and the destruction caused that day. It has changed all of us in some way, shape, or form. I bring this to your attention because I feel we all have lost something, or someone, or just our trust and our innocence that day. Each year as that day rolls around, we will have those memories and heartaches to get past in order to get on with our lives and our future. I truly feel saddened for all of the families that have gone through this on a personal basis and have lost a loved one.

I think that I am rambling here but endure with me for a moment. Whenever you loose something or someone, you become so much more acutely aware of what you had and what you lost and how it will affect you for a very long time. It goes to reason then that if we love something and truly enjoy it, we would work hard and take time out (like with our families) to enjoy it. Well, that brings me to my point here--OWSD! We need to make the time to get out of our routine and the rut that we all find ourselves in and try on a new activity or a new class. OWSD is here for you, but will it be here for a long time? Will it be here in another 10 years? I believe that with hard work and dedication to this organization, we can make it happen that OWSD will be here for our granddaughters!

OWSD is an organization that exists solely for the members. It is made up of women and a few men who truly enjoy outdoor activities like hunting, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, camping, archery, and so much more. It is an organization that has so many ideas and plans for classes, if only there was enough people-power to make it all happen!! So this is my question to each of you as members: “What do you want to do to help promote OWSD, your organization?” Call or email and let me know your thoughts.

The OWSD board is planning its first winter event with a snowmobile safety course and possible dog sledding classes this winter. There are monthly classes/get togethers to make things or learn new activities. And, of course, we are already making plans for the annual Convention that will be held near Rapid City at Storm Mountain in April 2007.

OWSD members take a kayak trip each summer together to explore some portion of South Dakota from the river viewpoint. There are also meetings planned to see if there are enough people interested in going on a kayak/tourist trip to the Virgin Islands in January 2008!

OWSD is expanding and trying to look at ways to bring you, the members, what you want. However, in order for the board to continue to have a clear picture of what that vision looks like, we need to hear from you. Do not hesitate to call or email a board member and ask questions or give suggestions or share ideas with us. We need your input so we can try to bring you the classes and events that will impact your lives.

So, this September, remember past events, but let us look to the future, for it is the future that we have control over and are able to impact for future generations. Let us learn what we have done right and continue on that path or journey, and let’s have a lot of fun on this walk through life!! Let me know your ideas and your thoughts.

See you at the annual Becoming an Outdoorswoman weekend at Lake Poinsett on September 22, 23, and 24!!

May Schaefer
memories57@hotmail.com