Now THIS is a slow agate night.

Agate was a bitch to fill with involving the MISL standings and briefs was no breeze either with an 8-page section and very little happening outside the major sports.

 

No Top 25 men's basketball playing tonight, so I repurposed the How They Fared as a Next Game deal.

Figured I'd do the same for the women ... but last night's had dropped out of the system. Before getting it from YourAp, I decided to call New York. "Sorry, no games today and it's not set up ..."

But, lo and behold, it moved about 10 minutes later. And, it turns out, there were two Top 25 games tonight.

 

What's better is when you start running the minor hockey league standings...for teams 3,000 miles away from you.

Oh sure, Joe Reader is on pins and needles waiting for his East Coast Hockey League standings. Well, here ya go.

Other favorites: Nationwide Tour schedule, ATP and WTA money leaders and, during the season, NHRA results. "Who came in 15th in the funny car last night? Oh, thank god, it's in the paper!"

But BOX--FIGHTSKED will always be No. 1 on the list.

 

If I ever were on agate full-time, I think I'd try to put together some locally-created "list" material to use as filler on light nights. Area football records ... list of 1,000-point basketball scorers ... coaching victory leaders in each sport ...

Doing agate once in a full moon, BOX--FIGHTSKED is my best friend. I'll pull anything off the wire ... except Sportslight. I have to REALLY be in trouble to use Sportslight.

 

How many of you still devote an entire page to agate? We're down to about 1/2 page on busy days, but only because we have a freakin' island ad that requires us to come up with enough agate to wrap around it.

We incorporate most of the agate with other parts of the paper, and on some days we could make do with less than 1/4 page.

 

That's a must run the night of Christmas Eve when there's usually no other agate moving.
A quick and easy way to fill 80-90% of the agate page. Just run it in full.

 

We still devote nearly a full page to agate. We have one rail on the page that's for our sports people/sports digest roundup and the TV listings. Most nights the rest of the page is for the non-NBA/NHL agate. Nights when its a tight section, the NBA and/or NHL agate and standings get dumped there.

 

In tabloid form, we go anywhere from 2 to 6 pages of agate, depending on the day. And that's WITH the big four sports' agate being packaged with the roundups.

 

we use the two left columns for local briefs and use the other four columns for agate with about a 12 inch story on the bottom.

 

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sax
AP-SKI SKI REPORT
Ski Report

LEBANON, N.H. (AP) - Latest skiing conditions, as supplied by SnoCountry Mountain Reports. Conditions are subject to change due to weather, skier/rider traffic and other factors. Be aware of changing conditions. For more information go to http://www.snocountry.com:

Thursday, Nov. 21

NORTHEAST

Connecticut

Mohawk Mountain _ Plan to Open 11/25

Mt Southington _ Plan to Open 12/09

Woodbury _ Wed 10:56p packed powder machine groomed 10 - 20 base 2 of 15 trails, 13% open, 2 of 5 lifts, Mon-Fri: 10a-10p; Sat/Sun: 10a-10p;

Maine

Big Rock _ Plan to Open 12/09

Black Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/26

Lost Valley _ Plan to Open 12/15

Mt Abram _ Plan to Open 12/16

Saddleback _ Plan to Open 12/16

Shawnee Peak _ Plan to Open 12/16

Sugarloaf/USA _ Thu 6:47a variable machine groomed 4 - 20 base 3 of 133 trails, 3 miles,

21 acres, 2% open, 1 of 15 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30a-3:45p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-3: 45p;

Sunday River _ Thu 6:30a variable machine groomed 6 - 24 base 7 of 131 trails, 3 miles, 28 acres, 4% open, 2 of 18 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun 8a-4p; Nov 23-24: 8a-4p;

Bethel Inn XC _ Plan to Open 12/15

Massachusetts

Blandford _ Plan to Open 12/16

Catamount _ Plan to Open 12/01

Jiminy Peak _ Plan to Open 11/24 w/ 7 trails, 3 lifts

Pine Ridge _ Plan to Open 12/15

Ski Butternut _ Plan to Open 12/01

Canterbury Farm XC _ Plan to Open 12/15

Northfield Mtn XC _ Plan to Open 12/15

New Hampshire

Attitash _ Plan to Open 12/01

Bretton Woods _ Thu Plan to Open 11/24 w/Rosebrook Meadow trail, Learning Ctr quad 11:20a packed powder machine groomed 8 - 18 base 1 of 101 trails, 6 acres, 1% open, 1 of 9 lifts, Thu/Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p;

Cranmore _ Plan to Open 12/09

Dartmouth Skiway _ Plan to Open 12/09

Granite Gorge _ Plan to Open 11/25 w/ walk up terrain park

Gunstock _ Plan to Open 12/08

King Pine _ Plan to Open 12/16

Loon Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

Mount Sunapee _ Plan to Open 12/01

Ragged Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/02

Waterville Valley _ Plan to Open 12/02

Whaleback _ Plan to Open 12/16

Wildcat _ Plan to Open 12/01 w/ 2 lifts, 3 trails

Great Glen Trails XC _ Plan to Open 12/01

Jackson XC _ Plan to Open 12/10

Windblown XC _ Plan to Open 12/03

 

New Jersey

Campgaw Mtn _ Plan to Open 12/16

New York

Belleayre _ Plan to Open 11/24

Bristol Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

Gore Mountain _ Plan to Open 11/24 w/ Exp terrain on Topridge

Greek Peak _ Plan to Open 12/02

Holiday Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/18

Holiday Valley _ Plan to Open 11/24

Hunter Mountain _ Wed 8:30p packed powder machine groomed 1 - 10 base 3 of 54 trails, 6% open, 2 of 11 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Labrador Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

McCauley _ Plan to Open 12/16

Mt Peter _ Plan to Open 12/02

Plattekill _ Plan to Open 12/09

Snow Ridge _ Plan to Open 11/24

Swain _ Plan to Open 12/02

Thunder Ridge _ Plan to Open 12/15

Titus Mountain _ Plan to Open 11/24

Toggenburg _ Plan to Open 12/01

Whiteface _ Plan to Open 11/24 w/ 3 trails

Windham Mtn _ Plan to Open 11/24

Fahnestock Winter Park XC _ Plan to Open 12/01

Lapland Lake XC _ Plan to Open 11/24

Mohonk Mt House XC _ Plan to Open 12/15

Oak Hill Farms XC _ Plan to Open 12/17

Salmon Hills XC _ Plan to Open 11/25

Pennsylvania

Alpine Mountain _ Plan to Open 11/25

Blue Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

Elk Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/08

Shawnee Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/02

Ski Big Bear _ Plan to Open 12/16

Ski Sawmill _ Plan to Open 12/02

Sno Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/15

Spring Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/16

Rhode Island

Yawgoo Valley _ Plan to Open 12/01

Vermont

Bolton Valley _ Plan to Open 11/24

Bromley Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/02

Burke Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/09

Jay Peak _ Plan to Open 11/24 w/ Jet Trail, Jet Triple

Killington _ Thu 2:50p packed powder machine groomed 18 - 24 base 16 of 150 trails, 6 miles, 11% open, 6 of 27 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p; Nov 23-24: 8a-4p;, Nov 25: 17 trails, 7 lifts

Mount Snow _ Thu 6:42a packed powder machine groomed 12 - 14 base 6 of 106 trails, 2 miles, 27 acres, 6% open, 3 of 19 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p;

Okemo Mountain _ Thu 6:52a variable machine groomed 12 - 24 base 4 of 117 trails, 1 miles, 13 acres, 3% open, 2 of 18 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p;

Pico _ Plan to Open 12/15

Smugglers' Notch _ Plan to Open 12/01

Stowe _ Thu Plan to Open 11/24 1:00p variable machine groomed 6 - 36 base 2 of 48 trails, 2 miles, 24 acres, 5% open, 1 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8a-4p; Sat/Sun: 7:30a-4p;

Stratton Mountain _ Plan to Open 11/25

Sugarbush _ Thu 6:45a packed powder machine groomed 6 - 24 base 2 of 111 trails, 2% open, 2 of 16 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p;

Craftsbury Outdoor Center XC _ Plan to Open 12/15

Trapp Family Lodge XC _ Plan to Open 12/01

SOUTHEAST

North Carolina

Appalachian _ Thu 4:11a packed powder machine groomed 10 - 15 base 2 of 9 trails, 22% open, 2 of 5 lifts, sm

Cataloochee _ Thu 5:00p wet packed snow 12 - 40 base 4 of 10 trails, 40% open, 3 of 5 lifts, Wed-Fri: 1p-10P; Sat-Sun 8:30a-4:30p; Nov 24: 8:30a-10p;

Sugar Mountain _ Wed 9:00p frozen granular machine groomed 6 - 24 base 5 of 20 trails, 25% open, 1 of 8 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4:30p/6p-10p; Mon-Fri: 9a-4:30p/6p-10p;

Virginia

Bryce Resort _ Plan to Open 12/09

The Homestead _ Plan to Open 12/15

Wintergreen _ Opening Soon for Snow Sports

West Virginia

Canaan Valley _ Plan to Open 12/01

Snowshoe Mountain _ Thu 4:30p variable machine groomed 20 - 24 base 5 of 57 trails, 9% open, 3 of 14 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-9p; Sat/Sun: 9a-9p;

Timberline Four Seasons _ Plan to Open 12/07

Winterplace _ Plan to Open 12/08

MIDWEST

Illinois

Chestnut Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

Ski Snowstar _ Plan to Open 12/09

Iowa

Fun Valley _ Plan to Open 12/02

Seven Oaks _ Plan to Open 12/09

Sundown Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

Michigan

Big Powderhorn _ Plan to Open 12/08

Blackjack _ Plan to Open 12/16

Hickory Hills _ Plan to Open 12/22

Indianhead _ Plan to Open 12/01

Mont Ripley _ Plan to Open 12/01

Norway Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/01

Nub's Nob _ Plan to Open 12/02

Ski Brule _ Thu 5:00a packed powder machine groomed 2 - 36 base 4 of 17 trails, 24% open, 3 of 11 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p;

Skyline _ Plan to Open 12/26

The Homestead _ Plan to Open 12/22

Treetops _ Plan to Open 12/15

Minnesota

Afton Alps _ Not Open 11/23

Andes Tower Hills _ Plan to Open 11/25

Buena Vista _ Plan to Open 12/02

Giants Ridge _ Plan to Open 12/02

Hyland Ski Snowboard _ Thu Plan to Open 11/24 w/ 2 runs and the beginner terrain open, 10a-10p 9:52a variable machine groomed 6 - 18 base 3 of 14 trails, 21% open, 3 of 8 lifts, Fri: 10a-10p; Sat: 9a-10p; Sun: 9a-9p;

Lutsen Mountains _ Wed 7:15p w packed powder machine groomed 12 - 12 base 5 of 90 trails, 6% open, 3 of 9 lifts, Thu-Fri: 9a-4:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4:30p; Open 11/23-11/26;

Mount Kato _ Plan to Open 11/24

Powder Ridge _ Reopen 11/24 w/ Single Cedar, 9a-10p

Spirit Mountain _ Plan to Open 12/02

Welch Village _ Plan to Open 11/24 w/ 2 runs, 1 lift

Wild Mountain _ Thu 4:35p w very good 15 - 40 base 6 of 25 trails, 24% open, 3 of 7 lifts, Mon-Fri: 10a-9p; Sat: 9:30a-9p; Sun: 9:30a-8p; Nov 23: 9:30a-10p; Nov 25: 9:30a-1a;

 

ROCKIES

Colorado

Arapahoe Basin _ Thu 5:20a packed powder machine groomed 22 - 22 base 30 of 69 trails, 331 acres, 68% open, 4 of 6 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat-Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Aspen Highlands _ Plan to Open 12/09; Nov 13-14: 10 inches new snow

Aspen Mountain _ Thu 5:00a packed powder machine groomed 13 - 16 base 20 of 76 trails, 185 acres, 25% open, 3 of 8 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 9:00a-3:30p;

Beaver Creek _ Thu 5:30a packed powder machine groomed 18 - 18 base 19 of 146 trails, 320 acres, 20% open, 4 of 16 lifts,

Breckenridge _ Thu 5:30a packed powder machine groomed 20 - 30 base 72 of 147 trails, 881 acres, 40% open, 16 of 28 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Buttermilk _ Plan to Open 12/09; Nov 13-14: 10 inches new snow

Copper Mountain _ Thu 5:16a packed powder machine groomed 28 - 32 base 53 of 125 trails, 586 acres, 24% open, 9 of 22 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Crested Butte _ Thu 5:55a packed powder machine groomed 26 - 26 base 22 of 113 trails, 155 acres, 25% open, 5 of 16 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p;

Eldora _ Thu 6a csr packed powder machine groomed 24 - 24 base 9 of 53 trails, 140 acres, 20% open, 4 of 12 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Keystone _ Thu 5:30a packed powder machine groomed 21 - 21 base 44 of 117 trails, 930 acres, 30% open, 17 of 20 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Nov 22-26: 9a-9p;

Loveland _ Thu 5:00a packed powder machine groomed 26 - 26 base 67 of 77 trails, 863 acres, 63% open, 6 of 9 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat-Sun 8:30a-4p;

Monarch _ Thu 2:15a packed powder machine groomed 24 - 30 base 27 of 54 trails, 85% open, 3 of 6 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p;

Powderhorn _ Plan to Open 12/07; Nov 13: 10 inches-20 inches new snow

Purgatory at Durango _ Plan to Open 12/03

Silverton Mountain _ Thu 6a csr powder 24 - 24 base 40% open, 1 of 1 lifts,

Ski Cooper _ Plan to Open 12/01

Snowmass _ Thu 5:00a packed powder machine groomed 14 - 20 base 9 of 88 trails, 117 acres, 4% open, 6 of 22 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p;

SolVista Basin _ Plan to Open 12/13

Steamboat _ Thu 8:30a packed powder machine groomed 18 - 23 base 24 of 164 trails, 7% open, 5 of 20 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Sunlight _ Plan to Open 12/01; Nov 14: 16 inches new snow

Telluride _ Thu 5:40a variable 22 - 25 base 3 of 84 trails, 5% open, 6 of 16 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p;

Vail _ Thu 5:30a packed powder machine groomed 11 - 11 base 72 of 193 trails, 1038 acres, 20% open, 13 of 34 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p;

Winter Park _ Thu 5:45a packed powder machine groomed 21 - 25 base 30 of 134 trails, 318 acres, 12% open, 13 of 24 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat-Sun 8:30a-4p; Nov 23: 8: 30a-4p;

Wolf Creek _ Thu 6:30a packed powder machine groomed 28 - 33 base 73 of 77 trails, 1520 acres, 95% open, 5 of 7 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p;

Crested Butte XC _ Thu 8:40a variable machine groomed 8 - 15 base 5 of 19 trails, 12 miles, 20% open Mon-Fri: 8:30a-5p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-5p; Nov 23: 8:30a-3p;

Howelsen Hill XC _ Plan to Open 12/02

Snow Mountain XC _ Thu 8:00a variable machine groomed 3 - 6 base 4 of 30 trails, 15 miles, 5% open