Thunder Rocks

NO-TALENT NEW YEAR’S WEEKEND!
Friday, December 30, 2005 - Monday, January 2, 2006

The talented Carol Z. and Jon hosted the best no-talent contest at their New Year's Eve weekend in Allegany State Park, with a surprise appearance by Elvis ("The King") as Master of Ceremonies (MC). I don’t know if any Huggers event could top the laughs shared. Trudy, Gary and Peter in particular were gonged and dragged offstage. Trudy yodeled and clucked. Gary D. actually began a talented stand-up routine that quickly went downhill with a ladybug in the bathroom story. Newcomer Peter loved the attention he received after chatting about beer and wouldn’t get offstage. Steve and Teddy showed too much talent with a creative, risqué version of Old MacDonald (ask a party attendant for details). Our 49-year old virgin Hugger, Russ M, also showed too much talent with his jokes at his first-time Hugger event.

New Year's was rang in every hour beginning at 6:00 pm to facilitate maximum party time and give people the chance to retire early after full days of skiing, hiking and snowshoeing. The hourly countdown was led by volunteers who lowered the Bruce doll, complete with diaper and garland, from the ceiling sitting atop a shiny, silver ball. Later in the evening there was a men’s tacky tie and ladies gaudy jewelry contest. Mike’s blue and white polka dot tie won, however Larry’s topless attire came in at a close second. Alice’s tiara won her the ladies award. Marcia won $18 "screwing her neighbors" in cards.

Newbie cross country skier Chuck H. rarely fell as he bombed the hills straight down (ala Mike R.) without having first learned to snowplow. Dave K. led a hike that traveled all the way from NY State to Pennsylvania. There was lots of great food, per usual, with lasagna for Friday night’s dinner, spiral ham and yams on Saturday and chicken casserole and potatoes on Sunday. There were big breakfasts and lunches complete with homemade chilis, soups and Mary Z’s yummy pumpkin corn bisque. We feel bad for those who missed attending this event because we had good snow conditions and such a great time.

Now, upon special request, we’re delivering Karen and Ed's no-talent jingle for your amusement:

JINGLE BELLS By Karen F.
Dashing through the snow, with damn boards on our feet,
O’er the fields we go, puffing all the way.
Keeping up with Bruce, ain’t an easy task,
We whiz by oak and spruce; Now where’d I put my flask?

(refrain)
Jingle bells, hills and dells, puffing all the day.
Oh what pain it is to glide when a Hugger leads the wa-ay.(repeat refrain)

A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a glide,
Just my luck I found a Hugger by my side.
His bod was lean and lank, his stride and glide just right,
He led me up a huge big hill and gave me such a fright!
(repeat refrain twice)