Years ago at a Bill Koch Ski Sale I bought an old pair of downhill ski poles for $5. They happened to fit me OK, without any skis on, and the price was right. These poles had serious type molded plastic hand grips that gave great purpose when striding out. I removed the baskets and use them occasionally for pre ski season hiking or "dry land training". Maybe they'll help out someday if I ever run in to an old bear with a bad temper. They work great to help propel my fat butt forward! My arms really "feel the burn" after a few miles of hiking in the woods. They help give a tempo to hiking as they prepare your arms for the nordic ski season ahead. I think I read somewhere that you can burn almost 20% more calories per mile using hiking poles! At the time, Ed Hamel had both of our daughters under his cross country ski coaching wing. He was teaching them how pre ski season workouts with poles gives a cross country skier a great upper body work out. So here we are in early December with no measurable snow on the ground. The start of most Berkshire winters always seem to keep us cross country skiers guessing! I see that ski shops are selling adjustable poles for hiking. They are telescopic in design which makes them handy to travel with or even strap on to your backpack. Berkshire Outfitters in Adams is one of several specialty shops in Western Massachusetts that sells them. Steve says that a pair of adjustable lightweight hiking poles can run from $50 to $100 and that they are becoming very popular for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. He told me that the adjustment feature on these hiking poles can even make them relatively shorter for going uphill and a little longer from coming down. What a salesman! They come with rubber ends on each pole that can be removed to reveal a carbide tip for walking over rocky or uneven terrain. Some have a tiny compass built in to the top end of the grips. So, if you are preparing for another great cross country ski season ahead at Notchview Reservation, and there is still no snow on the ground by the time you read this, think about picking up a pair of these adjustable hiking poles and get out on the trails in Windsor. And they make a terrific holiday gift! Jim Dodge, Worthington

This is the first entry of our online newsletter or weblog. As many of you are aware there is a lot going on at Notchview both winter and summer; this is an opportunity to share it with you. Volunteer members of the Notchview committee will be writing notes and providing photos on a weekly basis. Committee member Glenn Roy has agreed to serve as our web master to post content. Those of you who have experiences to write about or great photos to share are welcome to send information for posting to notchview@ttor.org. A quick update on things: Congratulations to Mary Ann Richardson who heads the Notchview Ski Patrol. Mary Ann was selected as The Trustees of Reservations Volunteer of the year. With many worthy volunteers statewide, to be selected is both an honor for Mary Ann and for Notchview. Say congratulations to Mary Ann this winter. We are starting a volunteer ambassador program. Ambassadors will help to greet skiers and provide assistance on the trails and within the lodge. Notchview is a gift for all; the Ambassadors will help everyone fully enjoy it. If you are interested in volunteering as an ambassador send us an email at notchview@ttor.org. We have a new Ginzu groomer with dual track pans that will let us groom our classical trails more easily. We are looking forward to getting it working. Total snowfall this season is about 3 inches. We are looking forward to an early start on the season. See you soon! Jim