Northfield Nordic Patroller Jonathan Shefftz was recognized at this weekend's Spring Officers Meeting of the Eastern Division as the 2013 Outstanding Nordic Patroller.

Jonathan is an NSP Avalanche Safety and Mountain Travel & Rescue instructor. He is also a Governing Board Member of the American Avalanche Association, a PSIA Alpine and Nordic Instructor, and a reviewer of avalanche gear for leading journals.

Patrol members Don Rickson, Bob Presutti, and Bill Schweikert staffed a table at Saturday's Pioneer Valley Outdoors Fair, where they explained ski patrolling and answered questions.

The Pioneer Valley Outdoors Fair, held at Westfield State University, provided a venue for over 40 outdoor recreation and nature clubs to exhibit and explain their activities and to recruit new members.

This month’s issue of The Sweep! brings news of elections and urges involvement. The OEC Cycle C Refresher Workbook will be mailed with the Ski Patrol Magazine in June. The Instructor's Guide will be available online at the end of May. Posters and scenario cards (new this year) will be available the middle of June. You’ll find other NSP news and offers from supporting sponsors.

Until the end of May, you can read this month’s edition or download it for archiving or for portable devices by clicking here.

Eastern Mountain Sports in Hadley will hold its semi-annual Club Days on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4. This event gives recreational and environmental groups an opportunity to publicize their missions and activities. We participated in October and found that it was a great way to meet interesting and like-minded folks. If you can staff a table and promote our patrol, particularly on Saturday, contact Bill S. at admin@nmnsp.org.

Members of outdoors organizations receive a 25% discount on all EMS brand items and 20% off almost everything else. Bring your NSP registration card to qualify.

From the Daily Trail Report, April 23, 2013:

“The trails are open for hiking, walking, and running. The trails will remain closed to mountain bikes and horses until the ground is dry enough to prevent trail damage, typically in early May.”

Be sure to check the latest update before you come to use the trails. We can now be found on Facebook.

Your patrol will staff information tables at these events:

Saturday, April 27: Pioneer Valley Outdoor Fair, Westfield State Univ.
Friday & Saturday, May 3 & 4: Club Day EMS Hadley

This month’s issue of The Sweep! brings us news of Burt Mitchell’s resignation as Chair of NSP’s Board of Directors. Burt was no stranger to Northfield Mountain, having attended the AMN seminars here as an MTR Instructor.

You’ll find other NSP news, offers from supporting sponsors, and an invitation to visit NSP’s YouTube Channel.

Until the end of April, you can read this month’s edition or download it for archiving or portable devices by clicking here.

Wearing bib 1443, patrol member Brett Marquard charges up and over the hill in the Birkebeiner Skate Race in Cable, Wisconsin.

He finished the 50 km (31 mi.) event in a time of 2:55:06.4, a pace of 5 min 38 seconds per mile or 10.65 miles per hour. Brett placed number 398 of 3955 entrants, faster than 90% of his competitors. This is his eleventh year racing in the grueling event.

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The Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center has a presence on social media. For several months the mountain has been connected on Facebook. Fans can post their own photos, leave comments, and "like" the site. To get in on the action, visit the Mountain on Facebook.

This week the national office delivered the February 2013 issue of The Sweep! to your e-mail box. This monthly online bulletin keeps NSP members informed about national news.

You’ll find an announcement about the dues increase for the 2013–2014 year. Check out the offers from supporting sponsors; take advantage of special deals in the catalog.

Until the end of March, you can read this month’s edition or download it for archiving or portable devices by clicking here.

On Saturday, patrol member Brett Marquard will compete in the American Birkebeiner XC race in Wisconsin. This will be his eleventh race in the 50 km (31 mi.) event. Last year, he placed in the top 8% of competitors. Let’s wish him the right wax and fast times.

The current issue of Fitness Digest features Patroller Joannie Duris’s article, “Skiing Slow, Skiing Easy.” She writes about patrolling the mountain, while taking in nature and wildlife tracks.

Visit the Fitness Digest website for more information about the publication.

Click image to enlarge.