2007 Snow Shoe Festival   
January 13, 2007   

The festival truly didn’t exactly hold its name this year, with the weather being so warm. Driving into the courts I had expected to see about 10 cars, what a surprise I had approaching. I did not count the cars but I knew the club would have a great event.

Mother Nature’s snow making machine was malfunctioning a bit, but we had built a wood fire in our big cast iron grill anyhow to heat the pitchers and water. It was fed all day and made a slight falling of ash across the courts. With the chill in the morning, the smell of the smoke and the occasionally drift of ash made it feel like the middle of winter. At times, walking across the middle of the courts, you could see little white things drifting by and think “WAS THAT SNOW?” It never was. The sun came out by 1:00, and the day was simply gorgeous! Folks pitched in their (short sleeve) teeshirts!

At the cut off we settled down to 20 pitchers, all raring to go. Divided up into three groups, one 6 man and two 7 man flights. The winner of each flight would pitch for the championship (winner take ALL).

The festival was more like a family reunion with some new comers. Ronnie Walker from Mineral, John and Raymond from Richmond, Marshall, Tamara and Bobby from West Virginia, Marty and Mark from Lynchburg.

Kenny Puffenbarger from Churchville showed up to show his support. He was injured in a terrible accident back in August, but felt the need to be there. He wanted to pitch, but the surgery last week on his knee kept him from doing so. Kenny still has a huge recooperative struggle in front of him, so please keep him in your thoughts.

Bill Hartless and Wayne Coonley showed up too late to get in, but both hung around to give their support and encouragement. It was great to visit and catch up with them.

With the prelim games of the three flights done, things boiled down to first place winners Glenn Bouley (Stuarts Draft), Ronnie Walker (Mineral) and Tamara Burke (Inwood, WV) in the championship flight.

Getting ready for those rounds, Glenn tried hard to convince both Ronnie & Tamara to give him a 15 point lead. No takers. A lot of fun was had over that, wondering if he would make even 10 shoes. But he did against both of them, even earning a single point in both games! Lots of laughs over those.. But, so true to the sport - Ronnie could only get one point against Tamara himself!!

WHAT A MIND GAME AND WHAT A LOT OF FUN.!

Of the “Snowball Soup”, there was none left over! Our thanks to Jessicca Matsko and mom Pam for manning the score boards and helping with food concessions.

Kevin