Oh the weather outside is frightful but thoughts of the Pentathlon are delightful, and since it’s only 7 months to go, let it snow let it snow, let it snow!!! WHOOOAAAAA NELLIEEEE, what a 1997!!!! Let’s wrap it up before we tackle the 1998 Choey.

Another year of having to live with Helmut "I’m prematurely balding but I’m still the Champ" Bisl. Greenie’s in hell. Some how, some way Greenie will get a trophy this year.

The 1997 Choey was bigger and better than any of us could have imagined. There were a total of 59 teams entered in the Pentathlon. The break-out was 20 Men’s, 24 CoEd, and 15 Women’s teams. Unbelievable. Competition was stiff in all divisions. Helmut/Kuch nosed out Bob H./Chris O. for the Men’s title despite Bob H./Chris O.’s victory in Beer Pong. That win was the first time a non-original team has won the Beer Pong event. Yes folks, parity has come to the Pentathlon. For the first time since 1994 Jon Z. didn’t win the CoEd division. Jon Z. decided to play with the big boys and got SPANKED. SPANKED HARD, just like his New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. Kristine E. made her way back to the winner’s circle with new partner Craig. Welcome back Ken/Walt. You guys are still SISSIES. Well, last year I asked if we could possibly have more people staying over, and the answer is a resounding YES. The post office has issued us our own Zip Code for next year’s event. I never thought I would say this but "Can anyone bring blankets for next year’s Pentathlon?" man it was cold that night. Elvis has left the Pentathlon, No Elvis = less stress for Greenie. NEW RULE #1-No strip joints for Beaner, Art, and Helmut. NEW RULE #2- No pepper spray for Matt A. (Big Jerk). Mac, incredible float on Sunday, How do you keep doing it???? Even though this is a gimme, we have to go for it. Nice job Timmy and Jimmy in the Keg Throw. Let’s see, let’s see where are you in the standings. Boy we’re having trouble finding you guys. Oh, there you are. 11th place. Heh, heh. Have a nice day.

One final comment on the 1997 Choey Memorial. As you know, we have grown so large that we hired two local young people to help out. As everyone was witness, they worked their butts off. What most people don’t know is the following. On Sunday morning Eric and Alyssa came down and helped clean up the venue. When Greenie paid them for their weekend of work, they each immediately gave back 25% of their pay as a donation to the fund. They weren’t told to do it by their parents, it came from their hearts. The next time you say "Kids now a days just don’t...." think about these two young people who graced us with their presence that week-end.

O.K. Let’s Get Ready To Ruummmbbbbllllleeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All are welcome to come up anytime on Friday to help set up and of course with all that hard work we’ll have food and grog to quench that thirst and appetite!! Folks, get up there EARLY!! If the trend from the last few years continues, space will be of a premium. For those less than hearty souls, we had success with a local hotel right on the Delaware River. We will get you the number, just give us a call. Make your reservations early because rooms go quickly during that time of year.

There is a new event set for this year’s Pentathlon, Relay Race. The Relay Race will be staged during the late session, so now there are 4 events in the late session: Egg Throw, Keg Throw, Golf, and Relay Race. The early session will remain the same 5 events: Wiffleball, Badminton, Horseshoes, Foosball, and Darts.

Seniors Division. We would like to have a Seniors Division this year. The Seniors Division is for teams with both members over the age of 45. The Seniors Division teams will only play against each other in the following events: Either Badminton or Horseshoes (early events) and Egg Throw or Relay Race (late events). And of course, ALL teams MUST play Beer Pong! We must have 6 teams confirmed for the Seniors Division so we can plan accordingly. If you have any interest in participating in this division, please write, call, release carrier pigeons, or send up flares. We would like to get this division off the ground this year so please get in touch. Ken and Walt, what do you think?

We are proud to say that we will be donating to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley again in 1998. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the H.V. certainly seemed to appreciate our donation and we would like to thank them for 1) showing up, 2) helping out, 3) having a good time, and 4) making us feel like we made a difference. We see a long and fulfilling relationship with this fine organization and look forward to working with them in ‘98 and beyond.

Our goal for the 1997 Choey Memorial was to raise $1,000 for the Choey Memorial Scholarship Fund and $1,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley. Well, we BLEW IT AWAY!!!!! Through the generosity of all of you, we raised $1,600 for the Choey Memorial Scholarship Fund and $1,600 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the H.V.!!!!! This was an unbelievable accomplishment. SOOooooooooooo........................

Our goal for the 1998 Choey Memorial Pentathlon is to raise $1,850 for each charity. This would be a 16% increase over last year’s amount. Even though this is an aggressive goal, we know we can achieve it. However, the only way we will hit this goal is if 1) You compete, 2) You buy raffle tickets and win neat stuff, and 3) You bid on REALLY neat stuff at the auction. And the only way you can do the last two is if we have NEAT STUFF to raffle and auction off. So once again, if there is ANYTHING you can donate, let us know.

The entry fee this year will be $75.00/team pre-registered, $80.00/team day-of-registration. In addition to the cost savings of pre-registration, if you pre-register before July 1, you will be given priority placement in the events of your choice. Your entry fee includes all you can eat and drink from Friday morning to Sunday night, door prizes, the pig roast, and of course a Kuch original T-shirt. Since the raft trip has become so popular, we will need to charge everyone again this year for rafts. The charge will be the same as last year, 15.00/person for the cost of the raft.

The raffle this year should again be even better than last year’s. Raffle Tickets will be priced the same as last year: 1 Ticket-$5.00, 3 Tickets-$10.00, 7 Tickets-$20.00, or 10 Tickets-$25.00. If anyone has anything to raffle off, PLEASE LET US KNOW. Any and all gifts would be appreciated. Please remember, this week-end has grown to what it is now because people have contributed their time and efforts. We could use any and all help to continue to make this week-end even bigger and better than it has been.

We will try to do the auction again this year. Last year’s was a lot of fun and everyone certainly got into the spirit of it. PLEASE, we need things to auction off. If you can donate ANYTHING it would be greatly appreciated.

Kuch is hard at work on the T-shirts and he since he usually comes up with the design about 6 hours before printing don’t bother asking!!! We know that they will be the same great quality and we’re sure they will be as memorable as one’s in the past. As we did last year, every competitor will receive a shirt for entering, but we will sell extra shirts (while supplies last) for $5.00/each.

If you need to get in touch with us during the year, please write us or feel free to call. We are always looking for new ideas to make the Choey Memorial Week-end bigger and better. How you can reach us by mail:

Marc Greene

310 Prospect Hill Rd.

Cuddebackville, NY 12729

Bring your friends and we’ll see you July 17, 18, and 19!!!!!!!!!!

Greenie, Kuch, Melissa, Helmut, and MAC