This is the part of the letter that we say something funny about the weather. It’s cold. Ha ha.

Congratulations to the three champions at the 1998 Choey Memorial Pentathlon. In the mixed division, Heidi and Mike Cummings ran away with the title after their big win in the Keg Throw event. Tara R. and Vivi captured the Women’s Division barely sneaking by Neila and Kristen 36.5 points vs. 35.5 points. Finally, there will be NO three-peat! Helmut and Kuch were de-throned by Fugg and Shitbird (John Faggione and Jim Card) in the most closely contested Men’s Division Championship EVER. A mere 2 points kept Helmut and Kuch from retaining bragging rights for another year. It all came down to BeerPong where Art S. (Helmut’s roommate) and Don H. beat Helmut and Kuch to clinch the title for Fugg and Shitbird. That has got to hurt, we sure wouldn’t want to live with that for a year. Just one more BeerPong win and the title would have been yours………tsk, tsk…..For the record, no team has ever three-peated in the history of the Choey Memorial Pentathlon. Only two teams have ever repeated, Ken Mallison and Walt Lederhaas won in 1991 and 1992, while Helmut Bisl and Mike Kucher repeated in ’96 and ’97. Jon Zanger also repeated with different partners in ’95 and ’96. Ken Mallison and Walt Lederhaas are the only team that has one THREE Choey Memorial Pentathlon Championships, ’91, ‘92, and 1995. One thing is certain, there will be no three-peat champions until the next millennium.

The 1998 Choey Memorial Pentathlon once again lived up to expectations. There were 59 teams this year, exactly the same number as the 1997 Choey Memorial Pentathlon. The break-out was 26 Men, 14 Mixed, and 19 Women’s teams. The float was again a rockin’ success. People, People, Work with me People!!!!! Only 45 signed up for rafting yet 63 people showed up!!! This adds stress to Mac and Judie’s lives. Which of course adds stress to mine (the proverbial ___ running down hill). Please remember to sign up next year so we can make sure we have enough rafts. Hey, how about the sandwiches on the river instead of the grills. I think we have a winner!!!

A few disjointed thoughts about the 1998 Choey. What was worse-Dan, Beaner, and Keith on their way to see friends they haven’t seen in 364 days having to stop at a strip joint 20 miles from Cuddebackville…..OR this same trio bumping into Quinno leaving the same strip joint alone?

Uh Manatee boy, MANTATEE BOY!!! Quick, roll Dan back into the river or he’ll die! Chris P. and Beaner, thanks again for flying in for the Pentathlon, it wouldn’t be the same without you both. Hey, Karen Harris, get your butt down here next year. So you have to ride in a van with three idiots and watch pornos for four hours, WE ARE WORTH IT!!

MAY WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE. HELMUT AND CHRISTINE ARE ENGAGED!!!!! For all of you who thought Peter Pan would never grow, well, pay up!!! The official date is August 20^th. Also making the march down the aisle, the perennial Mixed Division favorites, Jeff and Laura. Their BIG day is on Labor Day weekend. Finally, Matt and Kim will exchange vows April 17^th. On behalf of all of us, GOD BLESS YOU CHRISTINE, LAURA, and Kim!!!!! (even though you are getting married, you can still wear those HOT bathing suits on the river. NO guys, NOT you) I LOVE YOU JEN!!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Kucher (Mike and Keri not Joseph and Hannilora!!!) are expecting their first baby!! Congrats to both!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Nied are expecting their second little bundle of joy!!

Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are also expecting their first visit from the stork!!

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 adult beverages to quench that thirst and appetite!! Folks, get up there EARLY!! Space is ALWAYS of a premium. For those less than hearty souls, there are several local hotels in the area. We will get you the number, just give us a call. Make your reservations early because rooms go VERY QUICKLY during that time of year.

It seems that last year’s new event, the Relay Race, was a BIG hit. It and all the other favorites will back again this year. QUIZ TIME - What are the only Pentathlon Events to be played every year since 1991? The answer is at the end of the letter.

We are proud to say that we will be donating to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley again in 1999. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was once again great. It’s been a great 2 years and we look forward to many more in the future.

Our goal for the 1998 Choey Memorial was to raise $1,850 for the Choey Memorial Scholarship Fund and $1,850 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley. Once again, WE BLEW IT AWAY!!!!! Through the generosity of all of you, we raised $2,000 for the Choey Memorial Scholarship Fund and $2,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the H.V.!!!!!

Our goal for the 1999 Choey Memorial Pentathlon is to raise $2,200 for each charity. This would be a 10% 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. Of course their will be rafting on Sunday. The charge will be the same as last year, 15.00/person for the cost of the raft and life jackets.

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 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 (apparently he took 33 seconds off!!) and promises another great shirt. 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. We say this every year but nobody ever buys one.

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. 

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

Greenie, Kuch, Melissa, Helmut, and MAC

The answer is: THE KEG THROW and HORSESHOES!!! Beer Pong was canceled in 1992 and all other events have changed or were dropped and added.

The following people have not been heard from in a while. Please call or write us ASAP or you will be dropped from future mailings!!!!

Marco Salazar Mike Mahoney

Julie Barnett Lorie Javino

Charles DiVuolo John DiVuolo

Alison McMullen Julie Yoo

Debra Ehrenberg Edgar Correa

Caroline Mason Melanie Berger

Kris Moore Anthoney Howley

Donna Bergin Christine Farnung

Joe Pagiarulo Steve Heft

Scott Leslie