(The flyway of the
Kirtland's Warblers out of the Jack Pines of Michigan leads to the
eternal warmth of the Caribbean climes, and harbingers the dark cold
winters at 43 degrees North latitude)
JIM DANDY SKI CLUB of
Detroit
Established 1958
(JDSC Historical
Records (1959 to present) are located in the Burton Historical
Collection, Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue. Detroit,
Michigan, U.S.A. 48202. Library inquiries: E-Mail:jwhitso@
cms.cc.Wayne.Edu)
THE DECADE OF THE 1950'S
Three energetic and daring young men: Frank Blount, William Morgan
and Reginald Wilson founded the Jim Dandy Ski Club in Detroit,
Michigan, U.S.A. in 1958, establishing the 1st African-American ski
club in the United States.
All the pieces that necessitated such an event had fallen into
place: their earlier introduction into skiing, new local ski areas
opening, and small pockets of local African-Americans skiing. And with
their participation in a local college ski club where they felt
somewhat left out of after- ski activities, that prompted them to
interest other African-Americans in forming a ski club. It would serve
to provide a friendlier environment in which to travel, ski and enjoy
after-ski activities.
Upon completing their constitution, they decided to name the club,
the JIM DANDY SKI CLUB OF DETROIT, after a musical hit recording, "Jim
Dandy to the Rescue" song by rhythm and blues singer, Lavern Baker.
About 23 skiers harken the call to form the first year Jim Dandy Ski
Club of Detroit during the 1958-1959 ski season.
THE DECADE OF THE 1960'S
(Whose woods these
are, I think I know, Her house is in the village though, She will not
see me stopping here - To watch her woods fill up with snow) Frost
These Dandies immediately took off in car caravans to ski areas in
Michigan and Canada. In Michigan where accommodations were refused
African-Americans a decision was made to secure accommodations in
Idlewild, Michigan, a major Black resort area. "Bill and Bess Morton's
Motel" was the club's destination while skiing Caberfae and other
distant Michigan ski areas. "Hot soul food" and "wild game dinners"
greeted these hungry Dandy skiers at day's end.
In Canada, the Laurentian Mountains ski resorts, north of
Montreal, were also a prime destination. The club's Christmas trip to
Madame Ouelette's, New Mt. Rolland Hotel in Quebec each year was a
classic. She served home cooked "French cuisine". Her French meat and
sugar pies served with dry French wines invigorated tired but happy
Dandies.
When Ebony Magazine featured the Jim Dandy Ski Club in its
March 1962 issue, inquiry letters were received from across the
nation. A new world of skiing and fellowship opened for the Dandies.
The Jim Dandies received an invitation from Floyd Cole of Denver,
Colorado to ski with a group of African-American skiers residing in
Denver, Colorado.
By train, the Dandies arrived in Denver, Colorado on December 26,
1964. This became the first documented organized gathering of
African-American skiers in the United States. There were 40 to 50
participants who skied at newly opened Vail, Winter Park, Loveland and
Berthoud Pass ski areas. Continuous social activities consumed the
evenings. These Dandies initiated action to train an aspiring youth
for Olympic competition. These gatherings continued throughout the
mid-1960.
As the decade ended, the club founders were voted lifetime members
of the Jim Dandy Ski Club during the 10th Anniversary celebration in
1969.
THE DECADE OF THE 1970'S
(Between the woods
and frozen lake, the Darkest evening of the year)Frost
The 1970's were greeted with the excitement of expansion and
change. Car caravans gave way to ski trips by bus and airline. All
major Western and Eastern ski areas from Lake Tahoe, California to
Stowe, Vermont and Mt. Ste. Anne, Quebec, Canada found the Dandies
tracks left in the snow. Also, individual Dandies had ventured
overseas.
In 1970, the JDSC joined the Detroit Metropolitan Ski Council to
share ski information with local ski clubs and take advantage of their
sponsored trips and inter-club alpine racing competition. In
1971-1972, the JDSC Race Committee formed the first club Alpine Racing
Team. This program continues until today.
The club's focus on organized youth activities began in the
1971-72 ski season, with emphasis on introducing minority youth to
skiing activities and challenging them to maintain high academic
standards for participation.
In 1972, the JDSC heeded the call of organizing African-American
skiers nation wide and became a charter member of the National
Brotherhood of Skiers. A Jim Dandy member suggested that this odd year
gathering be called "the Black Summit". (See NBS History) The
JDSC flew out to Aspen, Colorado in its own charter airplane and
sponsored a Hawaiian Luau Night at the first "Summit" in 1973.
These new ventures resulted in a rapid expanding membership and
the government of the JDSC was changed from a direct democracy to a
representative democracy to accommodate this expansion in 1972-1973.
But precious historical General Membership and Executive Board Minutes
(i.e.1959 to 1974) were destroyed in 1974. The need to secure a
place for the club's historical documents resulted in the JDSC gifting
them to the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
during the club's 20th Anniversary in 1978.
The enjoyment of a western cross country ski trip by a Dandy bore
fruit with the organizing of cross country skiing within the club in
1979. Summer activities accelerated into comprehensive recreational
programs for Dandies and the general public as the decade closed.
THE DECADE OF THE 1980'S
(The only other
sound's the sweep of easy wind and downy flake) Frost
Each decade witnessed a continuous infusion of new blood enriching
the club with new ideas and activities. Dandies and regional clubs
anxiously looked forward to the annual "Martin Luther King Ski-Lebration
Trip". The invitations by the JDSC in bringing skiers to Michigan 45
ski areas resulted in the club being awarded by the Governor "The
Ambassador of Michigan Tourism" award. The JDSC was the first ski club
in Michigan to be presented this honor.
With continuous new technology in ski equipment coupled with new
skiing techniques, a revitalization of the Alpine Race Team started in
1985 with a new group of dedicated alpine racing Dandies winning many
individual and team awards.
The 30th Anniversary had now arrived. A Silver Membership was
established to recognize those members achieving 25 years of club
membership and services. Samuel Dixon, Helen Gentry, John Smith (dec'd)
and Sylvia Watts were first to be awarded Silver Memberships. Many
will soon follow.
THE DECADE OF THE 1990'S
(The woods are
lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep) Frost
JDSC membership presently average from 300 to 500 members
annually. This has resulted in a diverse ski schedule. Overseas trips
to European ski areas of Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain, plus a
Southern Hemisphere ski trip to New Zealand have been realized by the
club during the 1990's.
The JDSC Alpine Race Team peaked with the capturing of the NBS
Club Trophy Award at the 1997 Black Summit held at Vail, Colorado.
This honor was gained in the year the NBS Elite Race was named and
dedicated to honor a JDSC member, Charles L. Thomas, who posthumously
received our nations' highest award for valor in World War II, "The
Congressional Medal of Honor".
Those Dandies who now find snowboarding more exciting than
standard skiing have organized snowboarding as a formal activity of
the club in July 1997. To keep the membership and general public
abreast of all activities, the club has added to its telephone hotline
a voice mail, (313) 345-8997), component. The club's newsletters,
The Dandgram and Dandy Flash, are
distributed to members and other ski clubs. Now with this home page on
the NBS internet website, the JDSC has worldwide distribution of its
activities.
The names of Dandies who have played influential or leadership
roles in these narrative events are recorded in the JDSC Historical
Records located in the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public
Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.U.S.A.48202. Library
inquiries: E-mail:jwhitso@ cms.cc.Wayne.Edu.
POST SCRIPT
Over the many years many Dandies have past on to heavenly
slopes where everyday is a "Blue Bird Day" of sun and snow. The
following poem is the JDSC dedication poem to its deceased members.
"Highflight" (as adapted
to skiing) by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
"Oh, I have slipped
the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered skis
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling
mirth of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -wheeled and soared
and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager skis through footless halls of air
Up, up the long, delirious, biting blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of snow and space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
~In Memory of all
deceased Dandies and those who Glory
in the coming of the winter snow ~
(The Kirtland's
Warblers have returned to the Jack Pines of Michigan, the earth's
warmth has returned and winter fades. A new cycle has begun)
Helen Gentry JDSC, 40TH
Anniversary Committee Historian, 1997-1998
*************************************************************************
P.P.S.
Jim Dandy Legends (those who joined prior to the mid-seventies)
gathered for a reunion at Big Sky, Montana
April
5-12, 1998. Joined later by Jim Dandy Club members, this ski trip
became the celebration of the 40th anniversary.
Founding
member, Reginald Wilson shared in the week's activities.
*******************************************************************************************
Your comments and inquiries would be appreciated.
They will be added to our club's history files.
E-mail: Snowbunny88@hotmail.com
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