~ August 2024 ~

Hello CVOA,

Greetings CVOA members,

The CVOA archives include pictures of some great memories, copies of past monthly Newsletters and other records. We keep these items because they tell the story of CVOA over the years.  

The primary reason for this retrospective is, however, to update posters that showcase CVOA for use at the welcoming table at Homecoming weekend in October. If you have a recent photo of CVOA members having fun in the outdoors and would be willing to share it for display at our table, please send it to me at cvoapresident@gmail.com. We may enlarge and print it, so please send a large jpeg file.

Recently Patti and I had supper with a gathering of CVOA members at Pat’s Pizza in Ellsworth. There were about fifteen of us who enjoyed beer and pizza. It’s fun to gather with winter friends in the summer, and hear about their summer adventures.

Continuing with profiles about our volunteers who help make CVOA run, this month’s subject is Membership Secretary, Patti Johnston. About 1,000 people are CVOA members and keeping track of all of you involves lots of time in front of the computer using software for data entry, checking information and communications with members. It also requires a frequent article for the Newsletter. And every year, each of our member files need to be updated. This detailed work is what Patti does for you, on an accurate and timely basis. So, when you see Patti or any of our officers and directors, please let them know that their volunteer work is appreciated.

Thom Johnston

August 2024

August 3 - 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

August 4 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

August 10 - Canoe/Kayak Trip

August 10- 5-Stand Shoot 9am-noon

August 11- Trap Shoot 9am-noon

August 17- 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

August 18 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

August 24 - 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

August 25 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

August 31 - 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

Check out the CVOA 2024 EVENTS CALENDAR

Click here: CVOA Calendar

New members keep rolling in! Welcome to all new CVOA and Range members. Homecoming Weekend is not far off. CVOA will again have an information table in the lower level of the Base Lodge. Please stop by and say hello, renew your membership for 2025 and see what the season ahead has to offer! It’s always fun to reconnect with members around the table. We will be asking for volunteers to be at the table Saturday and Sunday in shifts of just two hours. More information will be in the September Newsletter.

Patti Johnston, Membership Secretary

The CVOA activities committee is actively seeking ideas. The committee’s goals are as follows:

• Be a place for members to vet activities they would like to lead
• Provide coaching to members who have ideas and would like guidance on running an activity
• Come up with ideas for future activities
• Be a clearing house for ideas and conduit to help find leaders
• Maintain and manage an activities calendar to be incorporated into the overall CVOA calendar.

If you have ideas or are interested in being a trip or activity leader, please email CVOA.Secretary@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you and helping members run some great activities and trips.

  🛶 Canoe/Kayak Trip 🛶

Kennebec River

Solon to the Weston Homestead

AUGUST 10, 2024

It’s not too late to sign up for the canoe/kayak Kennebec River trip. We have many people signed up, and we can reserve a spot for anyone who contacts me by August 8. The $15 fee will be collected at put in time. We need prior notice for the lunch preparation. It will be a fun trip for all levels of paddlers. If you want to join the trip, email me at muffyw52@gmail.com

Trip Coordinators: Muffy Witham George Diplock

CVOA is sponsoring a canoe/kayak trip August 10, 2024 on the Kennebec River from the Evergreen Campground in Solon to the Weston Homestead in Madison. The trip begins at the Evergreen Campground located on the east side of the river by the bridge (the only bridge in Solon). For those who wish, we can meet at 7:30 am for a buffet breakfast ($$TBD) at the campground. Vehicles will be shuttled to Madison and the trip will head downriver at 9:00am.

Former trip leader, Pete Weston, has shared this description of the river as “absolutely beautiful with lots of wildlife, fishing, amazing scenery and historical landmarks”. The 9 mile trip has a good current requiring little paddling. Take out will be at the Weston Homestead. Those who don’t want to paddle can meet the group at the Homestead for lunch. This property was settled by Pete’s great-great-great grandfather, Deacon Ben Weston, in 1786.

Rumor has it that fishing is excellent in this section of the Kennebec River. The first portion of the river has numerous islands, is mostly shallow with a good current but not whitewater. Depending on water levels, canoes may need to be dragged a short distance. The upper portion of our trip is artificial lures only, and the lower part of the trip general fishing regulations. There are some length and bag limits so please check Maine Inland Fishing Laws to confirm and don’t forget your fishing licenses. The first stop be will across from the campground at a ledge with Indian petroglyphs. A stretch break will be included. Continuing down the river, time permitting, we hope to stop and explore Weston Island, ending at the Homestead between 1:00 and 1:30. Here we will have lunch, joining those who chose not to paddle. We will be on the east side of the river where vehicles were left from the morning. Lunch will be provided by CVOA.

Directions to the Homestead

In Madison, turn north on Weston Ave at the traffic light. Go to the end of the road (approx. 1 mile). The large white house is the Homestead.

Cost for the trip is $15.00 per person to cover parking and lunch, to be collected on the morning of the trip. Trip will be held rain or shine.

This trip is canoes and kayaks only. No motors please. As a large turnout is expected, please leave pets at home.

What to Bring:

• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Appropriate water footwear
• Life vest
• Sun Glasses
• Rain Gear
• Swimwear and towel
• Water and other liquid refreshments

Please RSVP to

Muffy Witham 207-751-9242

muffyw52@gmail.com

NEOC OUTING

September 10 and 11 2024  

3 days...2 nights

CVOA has filled three Premium Lodges with all the amenities. Each has 2 full bathrooms, full kitchens and open living room concepts. Approximate cost is $233.00 per person for 2 nights.

There are lots of things to do including biking, hiking, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, campfires and just relaxing. NEOC is located near the entrance to Baxter State Park, Knife's Edge Brewery and Goldenroad Crossing restaurant. Canoes and kayaks with life jackets are free to guests. Bike and paddle boards can be rented.

This trip is currently full. If you would like to be added to a cancellation list contact Margie Roberts at mjaneroberts56@gmail.com or 207 991 0667

Pickleball Anyone??

October date TBD

Do you want to get a “leg up” on Ski Season conditioning? How about a rousing game of Pickleball? We will plan a weekend day toward the end of October for a CVOA Pickleball meetup. This event will be open to any CVOA member whether you are a novice or a seasoned pickleball player. 

Please contact Candy Andrle at cfontaine3@yahoo.com if you are interested to ensure a good count of attendees.

View the VBT itinerary here: https://www.vbt.com/tours/germany-france-alsace-black-forest-guided-bike-tour/ This is an all inclusive package of air fare, ground transportation, hotels, most meals, bikes, helmets, two guides, sag wagon, and side trips. Ray and I have taken other VBT trips and they have all be excellent. After July 8th, this trip will be opened to non-CVOA guests which will not count toward a group discount. So if you are thinking about joining us, put your deposit in now!

If we fill this trip, our group earns the cash equivalent of two free trips! That savings, divided equally, is expected to be around $600 per person. If more than 22 people are interested, other trips or dates can be set up. Contact Leslie to reserve a spot! ~ Diane Stone dpstone32@gmail.com

Hello Range and CVOA Members, 

Just look at that view!

Weekly Five Stand every Saturday from 9am to noon and weekly Trap Shoots every Sunday, 9am-noon. These shoots are non-competitive and designed for all shooting levels. Also, open to the public. $6/round for the clays. Come meet your fellow range members and have some fun! Range Safety Officers are present and can help you navigate the games if it is your first time.

New and repaired metal targets set up on Pistol and Rifle Ranges. Thank you to range member and welder extraordinaire, Bill O'Brian for his efforts to keep up the metal targets. Please respect his hard work and shoot responsibly!

As a range member, your guests are welcome. Shooting guests should sign the green Day Use waiver form and pay $10/day. Non shooting guests need not sign in, but it is the responsibility of the member to ensure all posted rules are followed. Any questions, please contact me.

Range Safety Officer Training to be announced. This is an all day course that will be held at our range. Range Safety Officers (RSOs) are an important part of any range insuring the safe use of facility. This certified course will make you a valuable member of any range to which you belong! The date is not yet set, but expect late summer or early fall.

We have had some users shoot up range distance markers, trash cans, and other non-targets. This increases costs at the range and is very disrespectful of our members and those of us working hard to keep the range in good working order. If you see anything and feel uncomfortable talking to the folks misusing the range, please contact me.

Enjoy your Summer and our beautiful Range and be safe!

Diane Stone

Range Secretary

CVOA.range@gmail.com

207-240-4752

To foster and promote the conservation of our natural resources

and the creation of recreational opportunities in our region.