Hello. My name is John Devoti and I am chairing Snowball XXXVI. I thought I would write a short column about Snowball for this webpage. First, you should know a little about me. I have been a member of Central New Jersey Mensa for twenty-five years. I attended my first Snowball in 1987 in Princeton and was hooked. It was a wonderful party. The next Snowball Frank Zollner introduced me to Judy Matray and two years later I married her (Judy, not Frank). Frank likes to say he appreciates that we are still talking to him. Actually we will be forever grateful to him.
Sixteen years ago, in 1994, I volunteered to take the plunge and run Snowball XX. I made the usual rookie mistakes, but I did not blow up the hotel, no one was killed, and as far as I know, I am not wanted by Interpol. In fact, I was amazed when the CNJM board asked me to run it again. I think this is the sixth Snowball I have run, and I will keep doing it until I get it right. Actually Judy has promised to lock me in the basement and get a divorce if I try to do this again.
When I have spare time from my Mensa duties, I work as an adjunct professor at Philadelphia University, teaching American history. This is my ninth year at Philly U. Along with that I have written a book that nobodyhas read called, The Patriotic Business of Seeking Office: James K. Polk and the Patronage. It is currently 4,896,952nd on Amazon.com’s best seller list.
I would like to say something about the people who attend Snowball. The website mentions several times that we need volunteers to help, and we really do. But I want to talk about something else. When I first ran Snowball, I was told that all I would get was grief. Everyone would be coming up to me and complaining about this or that, and no one would appreciate my work. Were they wrong! Every time I run Snowball, people come up and thank me. The only criticisms are ones I deserve because of my own mistakes, and these comments are usually constructive.
Elsewhere in the website you will see a list of the Snowball Committee. These are wonderful people who make this all possible. They do not ask for anything, but they do appreciate appreciation. Please do not forget to thank them for their hard work. If you see them carrying a heavy case of water, offer to help. If you see some trash, pick it up. Above all, continue to be the most wonderful group of Mensans I have the pleasure of knowing.
