Excutive Director Report
June 23, 2008

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Many of you received the message below from Kathy Conner, the tournament chairperson of the Blairfoot Bananza. She writes about the end of the event due to “Banana” George Blair's decision to retire from his sport. I
have met this man once as he was touring the office and museum around a month ago. He is a pretty impressive character. He is impressive as an athlete due to his late start in life in that capacity. Believe me, even at the relatively
young age of 61, I cannot believe the aches and pains that accompany athletic performances. When we were young, we never visualized that happening. Mr. Blair at 93 was still skiing up until about a month ago. The steel to keep at it is the most amazing attribute to me displayed by Mr. Blair.

Blairfooters:
The 2007 Twenty Year Anniversary of the Blairfoot was a GREAT success! Thanks to all who participated: volunteers, spectators, Blairfooters and committee members. What great personal memories we all have to share
with our families and friends! To hang out and watch our friend and ambassador, The "Banana Man," foot at the age of 92 was an unforgettable experience.

Recently, at the young age of 93, Banana decided to retire from skiing and barefooting. All great things must come to an end. Banana, the true professional, is retiring at the Top!

Along with Banana's skiing retirement, the "Blairfoot Tournament" also will retire. Banana wants to remind his Blairfooting friends of his motto, not just for skiing, but for all worthwhile things in life: "DO IT!"

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Kathy Conner
Blairfoot Chair

Our collective best is extended to Mr. Blair. I don't know what project he intends to invest his time with now. But, whatever it is, I bet he does it well.
Most of you know that Bobbie Razor has been in the hospital and an assisted living facility for the past four weeks. Her illness has been quite painful to her literally with the pain of her affliction and her unhappiness in not being consistently at work. We had been shuttling work to her in Winter Haven, and below is the Profit/Loss Statement Year to Date (YTD) Through May. Bobbie has officially returned to the office as of Monday, June 23.
Whew!! We are so glad she is back.

There may be some questions that you have after reading the P/L Statement (please feel free to contact me at slocke@usawaterski.org), however, overall, we are doing well as an organization in trying economic times. Bottom
line, we show net profit revenue YTD of $346,798.29. This compares to $68,792.71 in 2007 YTD, and $225,427.15 in 2006 YTD. In 2008, our revenue has increased comparing 2007 (but, not 2006), and our expenses have decreased substantially comparing both 2006 and 2007. Bear in mind that we had a membership fee change in 2008, so the revenue production is not an apples to apples comparison to prior years.

The early months of the year are our income-earning months. It is critical for this organization to operate as frugally as possible and still provide good service with our existing programs. Earning will virtually cease toward the end of the year, however, spending will continue. So, my admonition is to proceed cautiously in our spending behavior in light of the very difficult economic- and weather-related environment we are living in today.

Wow, time is moving quickly. We are practically through June. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Steven M. Locke
Executive Director
slocke@usawaterski.org

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