Winter seemed like it would never end, but Gateway Council Board, staff, and volunteers put their time to good use. Our organizational planning resulted in an activity season of low budget travel by hiking, biking, canoeing, and hostelling. Here is a re-cap of what we have done along with what we hope and plan to do.

Jason Oetting, student at Washington University; Ryan Beach, Fat Tire Beer Ranger; and Jen McDowell, lawyer; were elected to the Board of Directors. The Board had its annual retreat. In February, Jason Fultz, Tetra Tech, was appointed to the Board. The energy brought to the Board by these new members is contagious. The Board considered four office sites ranging from Belleville, IL, to Ferguson, MO, to Old North St Louis. Trivia Night, March 28, was a success at Maryland Heights Community Center.

The Bicycle Committee, the Moonlight Ramble® Committee, and Hostel Development Committee all met several times. You can see their results in this Gateway issue: the 2008 Featured Rides Calendar is enclosed; “Early Bird” prices of $20/adult ticket for Moonlight Ramble® will run through May 15; and Cycle Across Missouri: The Heartland Tour, has an extra overnight in Columbia, MO. Paid advertising has been restored to the Gateway Newsletter (thanks to Tim Almstedt, Communications Director).

Colin Maag has put together another excellent canoe season on some great rivers—-cut it out and post it on your refrigerator! Canoe season will end with a Meramec River float the day after the Fall Rally at Camp Mihaska. Tour-de-Stooges begins in Lindendale Park, Highland, IL, with some of the same great routes and a new catering company for lunch. The Turbos, Turtles, and BABES rides return. The Recreational Ride Series added “Strawberry Fields Forever” (Beatles theme) and “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” (old cars/Route 66 theme). The 5 Star Century Series is back with standardized route markings and a commemorative jersey as a premium.

Finally, I will be traveling to Michigan in April for the Midwest Region Meeting of HI-USA, hosted by the Detroit Council. Training will also be offered by National staff. Remember that buying a HI-USA membership, www.hiusa.org/membership not only gets you discounts at hostels world-wide and travel insurance, but also gets you free or discounted admission to the events and activities of the Gateway Council. I will return with fresh ideas and new energy to carry us into the activity season we have promised you. Winter is over, now let the low-budget travel begin!