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Mission Statement
To get together once a year to ski, socialize
and
celebrate skiing.
Provide a bonding event which is open to all Jim
Dandy Legends and JDSC members to come
and participate in all the activities. |
Membership
Constitutes anyone who was a member of the Jim Dandy Ski Club, and
joined prior to 20 years from the current year. That
person
would be
considered a legend. |
The Founders' Vision
"Without a Vision the People
Perish" - Bible
Renewing Our Vows To The Founders' Vision.
This profound reminder submitted by
Helen H. Gentry is a challenge to all.
Click here
to read article. |
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We Honor Our Founders |
| Frank
Blount |
William
Morgan |
Reginald Wilson |
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Charter Members |
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(First Membership Roster) |
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Lorraine Asby |
Gaye
Johnson |
Marilyn
Sanders |
| Leona
Baker |
Jackie
Johnson |
Delores
Stewart |
| Frank
Blount |
George
Lamb |
F.
Douglas Watts |
| Eugene
Bolden |
Conrad
L. Mallett |
Sylvia
Watts |
| Gloria
Davis |
Shirley
McQueen |
Robert
J. Williams |
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Jeanette Drew |
Maxine
Martin |
Reginald Wilson |
| Charles
A. Hill |
William
Morgan |
Floyd
Wylie |
| Mary
Hill |
Dorothy
Robinson |
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And Silver Members |
| Dennis M. Bailey |
Michael Grimes |
Fred
Lewis |
| Walter Bailey |
Clotilde Harris |
Patricia A. McClanahan |
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Gerald Bryson |
Charles Hightower
(Deceased) |
Levi Rodgers |
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Naomi Bryson |
Betty Jean Hill |
John Herter Smith
(Deceased) |
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Natalie Tanner-Cain |
Roderick Hill |
Abraham
Taylor, Jr |
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Samuel Dixon |
Joanne Hudson |
Alberta Trimble |
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Helen Gentry |
James Benett Jones (Deceased) |
Sylvia Watts |
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Anthony "Tony" Gilbert |
Ruby
Jones |
Alfred Williams |
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Honorary Members |
| Roy
Roberts |
Robert Tindell (Deceased) |
Calvin Vinson |
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Robert White (Deceased) |
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Naomi "Buffie" Bryson |
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Naomi Bryson was the first female
president of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. She attained this
position after participating in club organization and developmental
activities, becoming an advanced skier, and serving in various
capacities with ski organizations in Detroit, Michigan, the Midwest
Region, and nationally.
Detroit For The Beginning
Naomi and her friend, Earl Jones, wanted to learn to ski and
decided to enroll in the Detroit Free Press Ski School.
Before the ski lessons began, she met a handsome young man who invited
her to join his ski club, the Jim Dandy Ski Club in Detroit. She
became a member of the JDSC in 1973 and began a fun-filled journey of
skiing and volunteering and in 1976, she married the handsome young man,
Gerald Bryson. She served as Recording Secretary for the club in
1978, and served on all, and chaired most of the committees in the JDSC
prior to being elected president in 1984. She was awarded the top
honor of the club, the Dandy of the Year Award in 1982 and again in
1985.
Martin Luther King Ski-Lebration
The MLK Ski-lebration, a celebration on skis to pay tribute to
the slain civil rights leader, was conceived by JDSC President Naomi
Bryson. The first event, held at the Caberfae Ski Resort in
Cadillac, Michigan over 3 days, attracted over 500 skiers from 6
different states.
A special fun race was held with public and political dignitaries
participating. Through the support of legislators attending the
event coupled with the media coverage, the Governor of Michigan awarded
the JDSC the prestigious Embassy of Michigan Tourism Award in
1985.
JDSC Services
In her many presentations to the community, Naomi often speaks of the
JDSC as her ski club family. She served as Co-Chair of the JDSC
40th Anniversary Celebration in 1988. This year-long celebration,
including the gala, was designed to be a model for future anniversary
celebrations. Her Detroit ski organization participation extended
to the Metropolitan Detroit Ski Council where she was the JDSC
representative to the group and became first runner-up in the
organization's Ski Queen Contest in 1975.
She went on to become an avid skier and received numerous medals
and trophies in Alpine and Nordic races and competitions within the
MDSC, NBS and JDSC.Midwest Region Opportunities
Naomi began her involvement with the NBS Midwest Region as Regional
Secretary (1978) and was elected Regional Director (1981) for a term of
2 years before accepting the challenge as Vice President of the Midwest
Region (1983). Both were positions on the NBS (founded in 1973)
Board of Directors.
During her leadership, the Midwest Region grew to 20 clubs becoming the
largest region in the NBS.
National Brotherhood of Skiers
Naomi was appointed NBS Membership Director in 1986 and
served in that capacity until 1994. She helped to develop new
clubs throughout the country. The number of NBS member clubs
increased from a total of 64 to 80 clubs and 15 at-large members.
In 1985, she shared her experiences in obtaining and retaining ski
members as the luncheon speaker for the National Ski Convention held in
Salszburg, Germany. Other national contributions include serving
as NBS Annual Meeting Challenge Cup (Mini Summit) Chairperson at
Steamboat Ski Resort in 1982, and again in 1988 at the Purgatory Ski
Resort in Durango, Colorado.
The 1988 event attracted over 1800 registered participants. A fun
ski race between the National Football League players and the NBS Board
was held during the week representing on of many outreach activities
characteristic of Naomi's leadership style.
She was the Co-Chairperson with Arthur Clay (on of NBS founders)
of the Midwest Region Winterfest at the Keystone Ski Resort in 1984.
Female Presidency
In 1994 Naomi became the first female president of the NBS. Her
leadership would bring the organization to improve with several changes.
A spiritual service, Gospelfest, was implemented to begin
the week long ski conventions.
The annual ski conventions was held in another country, Innsbruck,
Austria, for the first time in 1984. A major sponsorship, General
Motors Corporation (later GMC-Pontiac) was piloted and later became the
title sponsor providing hundreds of thousands of dollars for the NBS
Olympic Scholarship Fund.
In addition, the first NBS Executive Director was named by the
organization.
Becoming a Legend
After working tirelessly for skiing and ski organizations, Naomi
embraced the "Legends" concept and is an active participant with this
group of skiers. She looks forward to the annual Legend's event to
ski and renew acquaintances, and visit with old friends.
Naomi has been decisive where others have hesitated, reached goals and
attained top successes locally, regionally, and nationally and is
recognized as a leader. She speaks fondly of the Legends as those
who helped her to get there. |
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Dr. Natalia M.
Tanner |
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Urban League honoree praised for facing adversity.
Her dedication led to changes.
Writer Valerie D. Lockhart says she was the first
black woman accepted in pediatrics academy.
Dr. Tanner defied the odds and overcame obstacles when she became the
first African-American pediatrician at Children's Hospital in 1953.
Her endurance helped pave the way for other black doctors at the
institution.
She also was the first black woman admitted to the American Academy of
Pediatrics, later becoming its Michigan Chapter President in 1983.
In addition to practicing medicine at the hospital and also at an
office in Southfield, where she lives, Tanner is a professor at Wayne
State University Medical School.
"Although I had the qualifications, many doors were closed to me," said
Tanner, who graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville.
"I've always believed that nothing is impossible, no matter what the
odds."
As Dr. Natalia M. Tanner treats patients, she often exceeds medical
duties by adding a prescription for what she calls the Three R's
"I tell young people to follow the Three R's: Right
qualifications, Right place and Right connections," said the 80-year old
pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Michigan. This will help them
achieve their goals.
"Ninety-eight percent of the kids I take care of go to
college."
Tanner is among four notables being added this week to the Detroit Urban
League's list of "distinguished warriors" for contributions to civil and
human rights.
Other honorees are William G. Milliken, Lucius Theus,
Beulah Draper Carter, who is recognized posthumously.
League board members and several past recipients selected the honorees,
whom will be awarded Thursday (March 20, 2003) night during the 24th Salute
to Distinguished Warriors fund-raising dinner, expected to draw about 1500
people to the Detroit Marriot Hotel.
"This is a special group of honorees who have made
significant commitments to civil rights," said N.Charles Anderson, league
president. "This is a chance for us to take a moment to reflect on
people who went before us and stood tall to make our community better."
"I hope those who attend will be inspired and feel strengthened knowing
that there is nothing wrong with being a standout.
" Make your
convictions known and stand up despite adversity." |
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2006 MLK
Achievement Award
Recipient |
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Our own Natalia
M. Tanner, M.D.,
FAAP, of
Southfield, MI,
was one of four
recipients of
the Wayne State
University
School of
Medicine 's
"Pathfinders in
Medicine Awards"
on May
22, 2004. The
Pathfinders in
Medicine Awards
dinner was
established to
recognize the
outstanding
vision and
leadership of
community
members who have
promoted the
advancement of
medicine,
scientific
research and the
availability of
quality health
care
within the
community.
In March
2003, she was one of four recipients of the Detroit Urban League's 2003
Distinguished Warrior Awards which honors pioneers who have
made significant
contributions to the community in civil rights. She was selected for
"dedication to
educational excellence, equality, and cultural diversity.
Dr.
Tanner, who is
thought to be the
first black female
Fellow of the
American of
Pediatrics
Academy, is
clinical professor
of pediatrics in
the Division of
Adolescent
Medicine, Wayne
State University
School of
Medicine. She was
the first black
person in Michigan
to become
certified by the
American Board of
Pediatrics
Dr.
Tanner received
from The
Southfield City
Council a
resolution on
February 11, 2002
for
her many awards
and recognition as
a specialist in
adolescent
medicine and
clinical
Professor of
Pediatrics, School
of Medicine, Wayne
State University.
In
2001, she received
the Outstanding
Achievement in
Adolescent
Medicine Award
from the Society
for Adolescent
Medicine, as well
as the
Distinguished
Service Award from
the
National Medical
Association. In
May 2003, Dr.
Tanner received
the Children's
Hospital of
Michigan Alumnus
Award for her
achievements as a
pioneer and role
model.
Natalia is also
included in the
National Institute
of Health/National
Library of
Medicine (NLM)
Exhibition titled
"Changing the Face
of Medicine: The
Rise of America's
Women Physicians."
The exhibit opened
at the NLM
in September 2003
and
will travel to
major cities in
the USA.
Dr.
Tanner has been a
loyal member of
JDSC for over 30
years.
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Helen H. Gentry |
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SKI RESUME |
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Service, Achievements, Awards
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1st skiing experience:
1950 Mt Rainier, Washington |
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(1956-1958 Shared discussions with Frank Blount
and Reginald Wilson on their thoughts of forming a Black ski club) |
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HELEN H. GENTRY –
Participated-Joined Jim Dandy Ski Club 1959 |
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JDSC CLUB SERVICES
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1960’s 2x’s Corresponding
Secretary
1962 Trip Captain –
Laurentian Mt. Quebec (train)
1962-1963 Chairperson –
Trip Committee
1960’s Chairperson –
Special Projects
1964-1965 Executive Board
Member-at-large
1968-1969 Recording
Secretary
1969 Co-chairperson, 10th
Anniversary, Initiator/Presenter-founder’s Lifetime membership award
1969-1970 Vice President
1970 Trip Captain – Boyne
Mt. Mich (bus)
1975-1976 Chairperson (co)
– Ski Better Committee
1977 Trip Captain – Vail,
Colorado (air) (Ski Jets)
1979 Established JDSC
History Collection at Burton Historical Collection
- Detroit Public Library – Main Branch
1979-1981 Chairperson,
History Committee - Historian
1982 Established 25th
Anniversary Committee
1983 (Aug) Chaperon, NBS
(National Brotherhood of Skiers) Youth Ski Camp, -Chile, South
America
1987-1988 Chairperson,
Publication Committee
1987 Initiated Silver
Membership Award – (co-founder)
1990-1992 MDSC
(Metropolitan Ski Council) Alternate Representative
1991-1993 Chairperson,
Public Relations
1992-1993 Chairperson,
History Committee - Historian
5/95-8/95 Trip Captain –
Spain (air)
1997-1998 40th
Anniversary Committee – History Chairperson
1998 Placed 40 year JDSC
History on website – nbs.org
1998-2001 Chairperson,
History Committee - Historian
OTHER SKI
SERVICES
1984-1985 Lift ticket
Seller, Keystone, Colo Ski Area
1984-1985 Gate Keeper, US
Alpine Championship, Copper Mt. Colo
1985-1986 Lift ticket
Seller, Park City Utah, Ski Area
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Lift ticket Seller,
Squaw Valley, Calif Ski Area
Skied 131
different downhill ski areas in United States, Canada, Europe and
South America, and numerous cross-country and snow shoeing areas
2003
Page 2 Ski
Resume – Helen H. Gentry
ACHIEVEMENTS and AWARDS
1970’s on NASTAR ski races
(4 silver) (4 bronze)
1973 2nd Place,
Advanced Intermediate – NBS Black Summit, Aspen, Colo
1973-1974 Advance
Intermediate Skier award
1973-1974 2nd
Place Fun Race, Sno-gophers Carnival
1973-1974 1st
Place, Downhill, Sno-gophers Carnival
1973 Racing Proficiency
Award
1974-1975 2nd
Place, Free Style, Sno-gophers Carnival
1974-1975 2nd
Place, (MDSC) Metropolitan Detroit Ski Council, Class C
1974-1975 Outstanding Team
Racer Award
1975 Advance Club Skier
1975-1976 1st
Place, Sno-gophers Carnival
1978-1979 1st
Place, Fun Race (NBS) National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit Sun
Valley, Idaho
1979-1980 Expert Club
Skier – Special Award
1980-1981 Club Service
Award - Historian
1981-1982 Jim Dandy Cross
Country Award
1981-1982 Cross Country
Wind-chill –45 degrees Jan 82
1983 25-Year Member Award
1982-1983 International
Skier Award 1983
1985-1986 Park City Ski
Area – Employee of the Month Award (12/85)
1987 JDSC Silver
Membership Award
1989 2nd Place,
Gang Ski Party - Intermediate
1989 1st Place,
JDSC MLK Women’s Master
1990 2nd Place,
NBS AM-CC Grandmaster Advance
1996-1997 JDSC – Dandy of
the Year Award
1998-1999 President
History Appreciation Award
Jan 2003 JDSC – Martin
Luther King Achievement Award
This resume does not
reveal the untold hours of club services rendered as a committee
member,
30 years of services to our youth, 19 years of ski racing activities
and voluminous ad hoc services rendered to
the JDSC for 44 years.
Contact: E-mail:
Snowbunny88@hotmail.com
2003
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Renewing Our
Vows To The Founders' Vision |
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"Without a Vision the People Perish" – Bible
During the Jim Dandy Ski Club 45 year history, a
dozen Black Ski Clubs were founded in the Detroit Metro area. None
exist today but the Jim Dandy Ski Club.
The Jim Dandy Ski Club founders, founded the club upon a vision –
that of being an instrument of public service. And committed its
membership to pursue the vision:
"The purpose of . . .(the JDSC) shall be:
To encourage and promote the sport of skiing with a sincere
emphasis toward minority youth. . .(and). . among minorities."
(JDSC Constitution Article I Section II)
This vision is as fresh today as when it was first penned 45
years ago by the JDSC founders. Their vision is open ended and so
far reaching that each generation must pursue the vision for the
succeeding generation.
How do we pursue this vision? The JDSC founders wrote – by
leadership of:
"…those persons, sincerely interested in promoting the
sport of skiing. . ."
(JDSC Constitution Article I Section II)
Have you volunteered your skills to render club services to the
JDSC? Fresh ideas, vitality and vigorous pursuit of the vision
necessitate a turn over in leadership positions.
How do we obtain the goals of the vision? Our founders wrote:
". . .enhance the sport of skiing through community involvement,
group participation and educational seminars.
(JDSC Constitution Article I Section II)
Dandies, we are challenged to commit ourselves to public service.
A mandate upon which our club was founded.
Will the Fry children, the Chillis children, Hunter Grimes,
Brittany Foster (others) be able to take the reins of the JDSC in
their time? Or will the Jim Dandy Ski Club be just another Legend?
Dandies, as we are skiing into our one half century (50th
anniversary), let us dedicate these years to:
RENEWING OUR VOWS TO THE FOUNDER’S VISION
Why?
"Without a Vision the People Perish" – Bible
Helen Gentry, Silver
Member (Ski Resume of Club Service)
9/2003
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Reginald Wilson |
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(As submitted by one of
our three (3) Original Founder.)
I have wanted to be a skier as long as I can remember. From the
time in elementary school of reading
Dick Diver and his Electrical Machine, about skiing in
Europe, to reading in high school Hemingway's short stories, about
skiing in Austria, I always fantisized about skiing. But I didn't
know any African Americans who skied or how one could get started.
After coming
out of the Air Force in World War II, I immediately went down to
the Army-Navy store and bought surplus 10th Mountain Division skis
that were 7": long (they only came in one size). The salesman
asked, "Don't you think you ought to rent first?" I said, "No, I
know I'll like it." I also bought hob-nail boots and bamboo poles
with a wide basket on the end. I was ready!
I started
skiing with Frank Blount at Teeple Hill near Pontiac,MI. in
1950 They hill had one rope tow that was powered by a gasoline car
engine. If too many people got on the tow, the engine would stop.
There were three trails cut out between the trees. We sailed
recklessly between the trees often crashing and tumbling in a heap
at the bottom of the hill. We were in heaven! Finally, an
instructor took pity on us and gave us a few pointers to keep us
from killing ourselves.
We got a few
others, including William Morgan - a former athlete at Wayne State
University - interested. Maxine Blount was the first woman to ski
with us. We took mostly trips to local ski areas in the Detroit
area for a few years. Then we met Skip (?), an experienced skier
from New Jersey who introduced us to more advanced techniques.
We took our first trip overnight to the Caberfae Ski area near
Cadillac, MI where we skied a real mountain ( or so we thought).
When we returned to Caberfae, we were refused accomodations even
though we had confirmed reservations. All the other local motels
were booked, so the six of us curled up in my car and kept
each other warm that night. The next day we changed our clothes in
the lavatory at the ski area and went skiing all day. We were not
to be stopped, but we learned that racism was alive and well in
northern Michigan.
After that experience, we stayed at Bill and Belle Morton's Motel
in the black resort area of Idlewild, MI, even though it required
driving 40 additional miles to Caberfae. We had some of our best
times at Idlewild. Since Idlewild was a summer resort, we were the
only guests in the winter.
After dinner we would move the tables back and dance nearly all
night and get up to go skiing t he next day! We returned to the
Morton's for several years after that and were joined by several
friends from Chicago as well.
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We joined the Wayne State University
Ski
Club in 1955,
Although we were already graduates, a few of us
were graduate students. This enabled us to take part in their
trips to Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada and the Laurentian
Mountains in Quebec. But again the white members would go off by
themselves to party. So we were determined to get more African
Americans interested in skiing and perhaps form a ski club.
In 1958, Frank
Blount, William Morgan and I, with several others, gathered in
William Morgan's basement and laid out the plans for the Jim Dandy
Ski Club. We chose the name from the popular record Jim Dandy
to the Rescue, sung by Laverne Baker. I was selected as the
first president. The Dandies were formed and skied and partied
together in most of the ski areas of Michigan and Canada.
Maxine Blount
in 1962 wrote to Ebony magazine to interest them in doing a
feature on our club and it's uniqueness as the only black ski
club. Ebony was intrigued and sent a photographer to record our
escapades for three days in the Laurentian mountains. The feature
appeared in March, 1962, and generated correspondence from African
Americans all over the country inquiring about how they could
start ski clubs in their area. The story also generated an
invitation to come to Colorado to ski from Floyd Cole and Bryce
Parks, who were the only black members of the National Ski Patrol.
In 1964, the
Dandies took the train to Denver and for the first time saw
real mountians! The Dandies partied all the way to Denver
and, upon disembarking, were met with a large group of Denver
skiers with a banner and martinis! We partied and skied for four
days. It is said that this was the first interegional gathering of
African American skiers and the Dandies became a charter member in
1973 of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, the gathering of
nearly 50 African American ski clubs
In 1970 Maxine Blount, the late
Charles Hightower and I were certified as Ski Cliub Instructors at
Wilmot Mountain, WI. Later Fred Douglas Watts was certified as a
Ski Instructor. Since then other Dandies have been certified as
ski club instructor and the Dandies have won many races and won
numerous awards. The Dandies have skied all over the world - in
Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. The
club has grown to over 400 members. I am pleased and proud to have
been with the club since its beginning.
Skiing opened up a whole new world to African Americans. Not
only to skiers, who were among the most helpful and friendliest people (in
spite of the general racism in society) but to travel as well. You
have to travel to ski and the Dandies traveled all over the world where they
may not have traveled otherwise. And finally the Dandies made lifelong
friends and a few marriages as well.
Again, I am pleased and proud to have been involved in African
American Skiing from the very beginning.
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Patricia A. McClanahan |
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