Just past a collection of old oars, sheets of ¾” plywood, milk crates and several skill saws and there was a room. Only someone looking for it would find it and, given what was in front of it, there was no reason to expect anything particularly wonderful behind it. Past that door, though, was Chic. He was holding court with a collection of blue collars unwinding at the end of the day, drinking water glasses of red wine, somewhat cool Bud Lights and eating Sturgis pretzels from a brown paper bag. He’s there every day from 4-6p, delivered by one of his friends and then returned to his space of somewhat-assisted-living.
Chic Schaeffer is, and will forever be, the consummate Jay Peaker. He spent his working years on the floor of the NYSE helping money grow and spent the better part of 40 years spending what free time he had access to, right here at Jay Peak. He bought several properties here, and anchored our Ambassador team where he could be spotted giving directions, sometime correct ones, to folks who’d lost their way, or who were way past lost. He began most of his Ambassador days, way back when, with a half cup of coffee that he’d bring into my office and top off with just enough something to keep his toes warm against the Jay Peak cold. Properly tuned, he’d head out into the elements and do his best to show people the Jay Way in both act and action.
Chic tuned 90 a few weeks ago and while he’d turned into his Ambassador jacket for golf shirts down the Jersey Shore, I stopped in to see him to let him know that while Jay Peakers might have short attention spans, our memory’s, of winter’s past and cups of coffee and hours served, are long. I told him that we missed him and that we hear from guests, all the time, asking for him. About that short older Ambassador who seemed to always have an answer for anything and was happy to let you know what you should be doing. That’s Chic. Many of you know Chic and many more have talked with him, were directed by him, or simply shared a fast smile on your way up and about the mountain.
He wanted me to pass on that he misses everyone and that we should all be grateful for what we have here. I told him that I agreed, and that I definitely would.
-Steve