Hello CVOA members,

     CVOA is like the little engine that could... and did.

Nancy Perry

It started 15 years ago when a rather rag tag bunch of locals and weekend ski bums responded to a need to clean up litter and help keep our community's lands open and accessible.

     The two dozen folks who started it all formed a club and, after the usual amount of dickering, decided to name it the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association ... which, being way too much of a mouthful, quickly became CVOA.

     And it was off.

     Over the next 15 years, the club grew and grew ... up to an astounding 678 members today! It never strayed far from its mission to preserve, protect and promote the natural resources in our area. And despite its amazing growth, it did so without ever hiring a single paid staff. It did so because its members believed in the cause and volunteered their time to keep it alive.

     Oh ... and they had fun doing it.

     The "fun factor," as it's known in CVOA circles, is part of what makes this group unique. We do good things, sure. But we also have fun doing them.

Consider what we ... collectively ... have accomplished:

•      We have built an amazing shooting range that now boasts 298 members. We have published a cookbook, and a hiking guide that is now in its fourth printing. We have created a web site crammed with news, a Facebook page and an online photo album of all our adventures. We have built and positioned picnic tables along the Narrow Gauge and at Crommett Overlook for everyone to enjoy.
•      We have donated to local causes and lent our sweat labor to local projects.
•      And we have been traipsing all over Maine and beyond, biking, canoeing, skiing, camping, hiking, dancing and, of course, eating, all in the great outdoors.
•      In 15 years, we have skied in three countries and on almost a dozen mountains: Trois Valley in France; Fernie, Whistler, Mont Saint Anne and Le Massif in Canada; Aspen/Snowmass and Vail in Colorado, Big Sky in Montana, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Sun Valley in Idaho, Park City in Utah.
•      We have hiked mountains all over Maine ... from the towering Bigelow Range in our backyard (Sugarloaf, Spaulding, Abraham, Burnt, Cranberry) to nearby Tumbledown and Little Jackson in Mount Blue State Park to just about every peak in Acadia National Park and most of the major mountains in Baxter State Park ... the mighty Katahdin, the Brothers, South Turner, the Travellers, Black Cat, the Owl, Doubletop. We've hiked the Bold Coast, the trails of Isle Au Haut, Monhegan and Campobello, Borestone and Kineo. We hiked from The Forks back to Carrabassett Valley. We've hiked the Grand Canyon of the East.
•      We have biked ... from the paved trails in Quebec City to the carriage roads in Acadia to the Eastern Trail along the coast of Southern Maine ... to Isleboro and the dirt roads around Moosehead and rail trails from Solon to Bingham and Shirley to Greenville.
•      We have canoed and kayaked ... on the ocean in Lubec and Scarborough and Stonington, on rivers like the Dead, the Kennebec, the Moose and the Allagash ... on lakes like Flagstaff and Moosehead.
•      And we have made friends. Many of us did not know each other when we joined CVOA. But over the years we've shared tents, lean-tos, swimming holes and outhouses ... trail mix, headlamps and bars of soap ... airline flights, chairlift rides and bike lanes.

     Today, we're like a large and rambunctious family. And in the next year we hope to grow even larger, do even more good things and share even more good times.

In this year ahead, and the years to come, that's what will keep CVOA strong and flourishing: our willingness to put our time into our cause ... and to have a grand old time doing it.

     I look forward to serving as your president during the next year!

~ Nancy Perry, CVOA President 

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How about planning an Adventure? Or becoming an Adventure Coordinator?

CVOA is looking for a new activity coordinator as Linda & Jan are both stepping down. Anyone interested in helping out with this important position can contact Linda at [email protected] for details. She would be more than happy to talk to folks and explain what's involved, and is happy to work with folks to bring them up to speed.

The Adventure Coordinator does not bear the job of being a trip leader, but rather oversee and coordinate the adventures for the year, and communicate with the newsletter editor. Our trips and adventures are a big part of what CVOA is all about; it is critical that we fill this position by June 1st.

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The CVOA Range Committee will be issuing its members I.D. cards the first week of June. The laminated cards are to be distributed to range members of record as of May 15. If you haven't yet paid your 2015 dues, make sure you get them in prior to the 15th to receive your card.

The range I.D. cards are to be worn conspicuously by members at all times while at the range.

If you have not renewed your range membership, go online: JOIN NOW! 

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 Interested? Let us know!

Look for information further down in the newsletter. Our trip leaders need to know there is interest before they make further plans.

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Saturday, May 16th

CARRABASSETT VALLEY - It's time to start thinking about joining in on the annual clean-up of Route 27 in the Valley.

The Town of Carrabassett Valley is once again sponsoring the annual roadside litter pickup on May 16, the day before the popular Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K race.

Each year dozens of residents and guests and members of organizations provide the manpower to patrol the 13 miles of highway, cleaning up hundreds of pounds of unsightly refuse in preparation for the summer season.

Volunteers will be gathering the morning of the 16th at the Town Office starting at 9 a.m. to pick up litter bags and get their mileage assignments. Those who wish to get their assignments in advance may contact John McCatherin at [email protected] or at 235-2121.

Following the clean-up, the volunteers will return to the Town Office at noon for a barbecue.  Anyone wishing to bring a salad, dessert or side dish is encouraged to do so.

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Cascade Stream in Rangeley - Sunday, May 17

Don't miss this beautiful hike and BBQ - Sign up NOW!

Join us for a short hike along Cascade Stream, which has waterfall after waterfall.  This is one of the most scenic hikes in the area. It is an easy to moderate hike, but not very long, and at the top you are overlooking a gorge that is over 150 feet deep.

We will meet at 10:30 at the Stratton Hotel, on May 17th, to carpool to Rangeley. After the hike we will drive up Quill Hill for a 360 degree view of the Rangeley area.

We will then make our way to Joe & Gail's camp by

Flagstaff Lake. Hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken will be served - with Joe at the grill - ($5 donation suggested) along with CVOA famous pot luck dishes. This hike got rave reviews last year, you won't want to miss it.

Sign up with Gail at [email protected].

~  Gail Miller and Joe Loughran, Trip Leaders

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June 13 - along the rocky coast in Biddeford 

Join us on Saturday, June 13, for a leisurely ride along the rocky coast in Biddeford. 

We will meet at the upper parking lot of the Biddeford boat launch on Rte. 9, (Pool Rd.) at 10:30 to wind our way to the campus of UNE, then along the shore of Hills Beach Rd.  From there we will make our way to Biddeford Pool where we will stop for a scenic picnic on the point at the land owned by the Nature Conservancy.

After lunch we will make our way down to Fortune Rocks beach (optional) to watch the waves and check out some of the beautiful homes in the area.

This is a very easy 13-18 mile ride at a nice gentle pace. Reserve the date now.  Pack your lunch and join us for a fun adventure. Contact Gail Miller for further information at [email protected].

Saturday, June 20 - 4pm at the Range - then Cookout

We'll be holding our "summer" membership meeting on Saturday, June 20 ... a chance to meet your new board members and officers, catch up with friends and plan some great adventures for the summer season. There will be a vote on an amendment to the bylaws; find information at the end of the newsletter.

The 4 pm meeting at the CVOA shooting range will be followed by a cookout.

Hope to see you there, Nancy Perry

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Arrive Thursday, June 25 - Depart Sunday, June 28

July 31 - August 2 - Somes Sound Campground

CVOA is heading to a new destination for a camping weekend. Located on Mount Desert Island, this campground is on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for attracting nature-loving campers and enjoying everything Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor have to offer. It has tent sites, cabins, camper RV & platform sites for quiet family camping as well as kayak and canoe rentals. There are boat mooring rentals and a heated swimming pool.

We have tent sites w/electricity. The site price is normally $40. per night but the owner is a Sugarloafer and has offered us a discounted price of $32.40 per night, includes tax. To reserve your site, contact Linda Trueworthy at [email protected], then mail full payment. Make check out to 'CVOA' and mail to Linda Trueworthy, 6 Murch Rd, Freeport, ME 04032. 

For more info on the campground, amenities, campground map, rates for cabins and other sites, CLICK HERE. Any further questions, please contact Linda. More details on this trip will be forthcoming as we get closer to the date.

~ Linda Trueworthy

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It is Time to COMMIT! for September 18-20 trip

We had a big show of hands last year from those interested in joining us for ourSeptember 18th - 20th weekend outing at the AMC's Little Lyford camps in the 100 Mile Wilderness.

Now it's time to solidify that commitment. We had close to 60 sign up for this trip when we announced it last year but we need a definite commitment as we swing into the summer season.

If you signed up for the trip ... or think you did ... you need to contact Nancy by May 15 to confirm your reservation. And you need to send a deposit into Little Lyford ... or call in a credit card payment ... by June 1.

If you signed up, you should have already received an email from Nancy with the amount you owe and instructions for making the payment. If you did not get that email and think you are signed up please contact her ASAP at [email protected].

If you would like to join us for the trip and did not sign up last year, please contact Nancy. She has started a waiting list.

Any beds not confirmed and paid for by June 1 will be given to those on the waiting list.

For more information on our website about the Little Lyford trip, CLICK HERE, or about Little Lyford Lodge, CLICK HERE.

~ Nancy Perry

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Sign up now to get the flights and accommodations you want!

The ski season is barely over, and we are already making plans for CVOA's 2016 Ski Trip to Whistler-Blackcomb. Here are the basics:

CVOA invites you:

Feb. 25 - Mar. 3, 2016

To Whistler Blackcomb, B. C.

www.whistler.com

Trip Includes:

• - Round trip air from Boston to Vancouver via United
• - Round trip air Montreal to Vancouver available (add $175)
• - Round trip airport / hotel transfers Vancouver to Whistler
• - 7 nights accommodations at Delta Whistler Suites or Listel Hotel
• - Continental breakfast daily for guests staying at Listel Hotel
• - 5-day dual mountain lift pass, including "First Tracks" one day
• - Baggage handling at both hotels
• - All current taxes

With United Airlines flights:

• $1,680 per person in a 4-person 2BR/2Bath Delta Whistler Village Suite
• $1,750 per person in a 2-person 1K/2Q beds Listel Hotel Room
• Prices include $100 for CVOA

For complete and current information, brochures, and the reservation form, click here to go to the CVOA website.

To download the 6-page package of information and the reservation form, click here.

~ Cindy Foster, Trip Leader

p.s. - if you are in CV before May 6th, you can drop off your reservation form at Cindy's house. Call 237-3711 for directions.

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Let Jim know so he can begin plans.

Are you interested in a golf outing on a Saturday in late August? Jim and Sandy Osterrieder, along

with Jay and Elise Gebhardt, would like to plan this event, but need to get a feel for the interest.

Options include:

• A course in Lac-Megantic or somewhere in the area
• An after-golf dinner
• A nearby bike or hike for non-golfers

Please let Jim know if you are interested in participating; if there is enough interest, Jim will move forward with plans. Contact Jim at [email protected].

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Let Dick know so he can include you in the plans.

Dick Parker, a CVOA member, is offering to teach this class that would offer all that you would want to know about navigation. The level of GPS knowledge would start with the basics and take you as far as any professional use of GPS in Maine.

What would be Covered: 

• All that you want to know about maps, targeting the 1/24,000 topographical map used by most outdoor adventurers, including the use of grid readers for those that want pinpoint accuracy. The Maine Gazeteer will also be featured. 
• The use of the compass with the GPS, covering the value of different types of compasses for navigation and map use. 
• How the GPS works and how it would be used to best meet your navigation needs.
• Looking at different types and brands of GPS's for the one that best meets your needs. 
• Note: A pre-class meeting will demonstrate the types of tools needed for accurate navigation.

To do the course justice, it will be a 2-day class. It will take place in the Carrabassett Valley area, location to be determined.

Dick would like to gauge interest for this course. Anyone interested is asked to: "Let him know of your interest....."

• When you would like to have this course take place...Spring, Summer, Fall
• One weekend (Saturday and Sunday)
• OR 1 day on each of 2 consecutive weekends

Please express your interest by contacting Dick Parker at: [email protected].

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At our General Meeting on June 20, 2015, the CVOA membership will be asked to vote on a proposed change to our bylaws. The proposal will change the membership year from beginning on October 1st to beginning on January 1st. (Current memberships will now be valid through December 31, 2015.) The Bylaws change may be adopted by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the Members present and voting, and will be an agenda item at the June 20 General meeting.

This change will have a positive impact on the membership process and the Range record keeping and system for tags.

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Maine Huts and Trails offers a $10 discount on the cost of an annual Maine Huts & Trails membership to all CVOA members. Use the code "CVOA" online, or contact MH&T.

A large gathering of handmade Grand Lake Stream canoes await Registered Maine Guides and fishermen on Big Lake in Washington County.

Is a trip to Grand Lake Stream in CVOA's future?  Photo by Steve Schaefer.

Do you have a photo suitable for "Photo of the Month" in our next newsletter? It must be taken by a CVOA member, and somehow relative to CVOA. Send your photo to: Cindy Foster, Newsletter Editor - [email protected].