Otter Newsletter for Week of June 26, 2011

Thank you to all those who came out to swim and volunteer  in our meet against Latshmere on Saturday.  Although we did not win the meet, there were many exciting races.  Complete results are available on the Otter website, www.swimotters.org.

We have two meets this upcoming week, as well as sign ups for upcoming invitationals that must be completed this week.  So fasten your seatbelts…lots of details to follow.

1) Our dual meet this Saturday is away at Hummelstown. Swimmers should arrive on deck by 7:15  for warm ups; the meet starts at 8:00. You should have already indicated whether you plan to attend on your meet commitment form submitted previously, but if you haven’t done so, or if your plans have changed, email Jim immediately at maryjimgardner@verizon.net.  For meet day emergencies only, call Jim’s cell at 270-7012.

The Hummelstown Swim Club is located at the east end of Kokomo Avenue in Hummelstown.  From Annville, take 422 West towards Hershey.  Just after 422 becomes 322, take the Hummelstown/Middletown exit.  Turn right onto Quarry Rd.  At the stop sign, turn left onto Main St.  At the traffic light on the square, turn right onto Hanover St.  Go under the underpass and take the second right onto Kokomo.  The swim club is near the end of the road on the right.

As always, we need volunteers to help time, officiate, and corral our kids.  Please sign up to serve on this week’s online form at www.timetosignup.com/otterswimming.  Please note:  Sign up sheets for our remaining meets INCLUDING THE ALL-STAR MEET are now also visible.  Feel free to sign up for all remaining meets at this time, but be sure of your dates as you do so.

2) Our second meet this week is Monday evening, July 27, the Hummelstown Relay Invitational, for those that signed up previously with Jim.  If you signed up, PLEASE SHOW UP!  The coaches work very hard to put relays together, and when one swimmer fails to come, chaos ensues.  You will be asked to pay $2.50 for every relay in which your swimmer competes.  Arrive by 3:30 for our assigned warm up time.  The meet begins promptly at 5.   Follow the directions in section (1) to get to the meet.

3) And speaking of invitationals, Jim is accepting entries for two upcoming  ones: the Middletown Invitational (for swimmers ages 10 and under) on July 12 and the Willowood Invitational on July 13. Some of you may have indicated interest in these meets on your meet commitment form, but that was just for Jim to gauge team interest.  If you want to attend either or both of these meets, you must fill out an entry sheet indicating your events of choice by the end of practice on Wednesday.  For more information about either of these meets, go to the league website, www.swimmpsl.org, and click on the League Invitationals link on the left sidebar of the homepage.  Both meets have information sheets that can be viewed online.

4) Picture day is Wednesday, June 29.  Individual photos of 8:30 practice swimmers  will begin at 8 a.m.  The team photo will be taken at 8:30, followed by individual photos of the 7:30 practice group.  You will be able to view and order photos online directly from the photographer.

5) The MPSL All-Star Meet, which we host on Sunday, July 24 this year, is fast-approaching.  This meet is currently the ONLY fundraiser we do as a team each year.  We don’t sell frozen pizzas, coupon books, or expensive magazines. We DO host a meet, and its proceeds subsidize everything we do the rest of the year.  Without this meet, we would have to raise fees exponentially to fund our team.  So, with that in mind (and with your undying gratitude for not having to hit up your co-workers one more time to buy an over-priced, freezer-burnt pizza), let’s get ready for this meet! First, we need you to sign up to volunteer for one of the MANY, MANY jobs we have that day.  Every family, whether they have a child in the meet or not, is expected to help with the meet in some way.  Volunteers will receive a FREE meet t-shirt! Second, we are looking for people/businesses to sponsor both events and program ads.  Do you own a business?  Consider an advertisement with a coupon that brings new customers in your doors!  Are you a “regular” customer of a local business that would benefit from exposure in our program?  Ask them to advertise!  Information is available on the team bulletin board at every practice. Also available are program “shout outs” for $1 a line and event sponsor opportunities for $2 per event. Questions? Contact Mindy Nguyen at mindya70@comcast.net. Third, mark the evening of July 23 on your calendar now.  At least one member of every Otter family is expected to help set up the pool that evening for the meet the next day.    

6) Are your swimmers clamoring for swimming  t-shirts?  There are t-shirts available for both the Divisional championship meet on July 23 (proceeds go to the Latshmere swim team) and t-shirts and sweatshirts available for the All-Star meet (with proceeds going to US!) (NEW THIS YEAR: Our custom-designed All-Star sweatshirts are a full-zip hoodie with an EMBROIDERED left chest design, and both All-Star Meet items can be PERSONALIZED with your swimmer’s last (or first) name on the back!)  Forms for both divisional and all-star items can be downloaded off the Otter website.  Place your order and check in the appropriate envelope on the team bulletin board. Questions? Contact Karen Peachey at kpeachey@verizon.net.

7) Save the date: The team picnic/awards night is Wednesday night, July 27.

That’s all for now!  See you at the pool!

Kathy Wingert, Otters Secretary