Bulletin for the Week of Feb. 1, 2010

1. Attention Charlotte fencers: there is supposed to be a basketball game until 7:30 Tuesday, so we will probably need to start practice a little late this week. Since the game might end before 7:30, let's meet in the hallway at 7:15 so we are ready to start as soon as they are done. The basketball coach tells me this is their last weeknight game of the season.

Practice schedule for February:
This week: all classes and practices as usual (and in the usual locations)
Next week:
Mon 2/8 and Tues 2/9: Practices as usual (including Junior Team)
Wed 2/10: No Level 3 class. Open fencing and individual lessons in Middlebury 6:30-8:30 for Junior Olympians and any Level 3 fencers who want to drop in for some bouting.
Thurs 2/11: No fencing (I am at Junior Olympics in Memphis)
The following week:
Mon 2/15: Level 1/2 class in Middlebury with guest instructors Deb Hogan and Gretchen Richer. I will still be in Memphis, but Deb and Gretchen will have lesson plans and rental equipment, and will be there to run practice.
Tues 2/16: Level 1/2 class in Charlotte with guest instructors Ray Schuppe and Tim Dartt. Like Monday, I will still be away, but Ray and Tim will hold down the fort.
Wed 2/17 and Thurs 2/18: Normal Level 3 classes (I will be back).
Last week in Feb:
Classes and practice schedule continues as usual through the school vacation, except Monday practice will be at the Bridge School.
March 2 (Town Meeting Day): No practice in Charlotte. Custodial staff is short-handed this year and wants evening activities cancelled so they can clean up from Town Meeting. This class will be made up later in the month.

2. Middlebury Open/Champlain Cup t-shirts need to be submitted to the printer before I leave for JOs. Therefore, only 1 week remains to get sponsor's names on the back of the shirt. Please remind all of your potential sponsors to either give you their ads or to contact me directly this week! As the t-shirt is actually better exposure and advertising for businesses than the Middlebury Open program, I don't want to leave anyone out

3. Champlain Cup tournament this Sunday, Feb. 7 in Essex Junction! Groundhog Open event schedule (revised to include sabre!):
9 a.m. Open Epee
9:30 a.m. Y12 Foil. Just for kids age 12 and younger, does not require USFA membership, great for beginners.
12 p.m. Open Foil
1 p.m. Y14 Epee. For kids age 14 and younger, USFA membership not required for those under 13 (note: you may not enter both Y14 epee and open foil)
3 p.m. Open Sabre

Preregistration deadline if you want to use club equipment and/or want a $10 discount on your entry fees is this Tuesday, 2/2 (Groundhog Day-how appropriate) at midnight. It's shaping up to be an exciting and well-attended tournament. Don't miss out on this, whether you are a first-time competitor or a battle-hardened veteran. If you are new to competition, see last week's bulletin for advice and information about signing up.