JANUARY 2019 Newsletter
~ January 2019 ~
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Hello

Happy New Year!

January 2020 will be the 20th anniversary of the organization known as CVOA - which resulted from a brainstorm at a meeting in December 1999. As we lead up to this milestone, I would like to highlight during the next year a bit of our history with snippets from various archived minutes. This month, the excerpt comes from the January 29, 2000 organizational meeting, the first official meeting of CVOA:

     The meeting was convened at 5:10pm in the Carrabassett Room of the Grand Summit Hotel, courtesy of John Diller and the Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation.
     John McCatherin moderated the meeting and George Abbott assisted.
     The meeting was called following a Dec. 29 meeting at which some 45 attendees agreed unanimously that such an organization should be formed. The purpose of the organization, among other things, will be to promote and encourage outdoor recreation and conservation, to assist major landowners in the region in the stewardship and protection of their lands and to foster safety and conservation education among adults and children in the region.
     A set of draft by-laws provided by Don Fowler was distributed to attendees and discussed.
     Nominations to be submitted to the next meeting include Paul Hoularis, president; Tom Spring, vice president; Annie Tuell, secretary; and Sherie McCatherin, treasurer. In addition to the officers, members of the board of directors nominated were John McCatherin, George Abbott, Don Fowler, Neal Trask, Bill Chase, Earl Morse, Jason Pardilla and Jason Clark.
     It was decided that dues should be assessed at levels that will encourage membership while providing basic revenues necessary to run the organization; individual memberships, $10; family memberships, $15; and corporate memberships, $25.

Our busy winter continues this month as you can see by the calendar. Please join us at the Ski Museum in Kingfield on Friday, January 11th from 5-7pm for a members-only viewing of their new exhibit, Maine Olympians. Please come out, enjoy some wine and cheese, and help support this worthwhile local organization. Saturday, January 12th is our annual Winter Social - read the article to see how to RSVP to this fun event. And Sunday, January 13th is our winter board/membership meeting at 12:30 at the Carrabassett Valley Town Office. We have changed the time to 12:30 so that we can all head to the SugarBowl for the weekly CVOA "Drop-In" bowling at 2:00 - everyone welcome!

A lot of skiing will take place in January as well! Cross-country skiers will head out on a four-day adventure with Maine Huts and Trails, January 21-24 - there is still space available to join us. The first CVOA ski trip of 2019 takes off for Big Sky on January 19th followed by the Sun Valley trip on January 26th ... best wishes for great snow conditions, everyone!

~ Bonnie Farrar ~ CVOA President
Calendar of Events

2019

January 6, 13, 20, 27
- Drop-in Bowling
January 11 - Ski Museum event with CVOA
January 12 - Annual Winter Social
January 13 - Board/Member meeting
January 21-24 - Hut to Hut XC ski adventure
Jan. 19 - Jan. 26 - Big Sky Ski Trip
Jan. 26 - Feb. 2 - Sun Valley Ski Trip
February 3, 10, 24
- Drop-in Bowling
February 21-24 - Quebec Ski Trip
Feb. 27 - March 6 - Steamboat Ski Trip
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Drop-in Bowling
March 30 - Annual Meeting and Dinner
June 17-20 - Sky Lodge



Range

Events
All Winter - Rifle and Pistol Ranges 'open'
Future Events & Adventures
Ski Museum of Maine hosts CVOA
Friday, January 11, 5 - 7 pm
 
Please join us at the Ski Museum of Maine in Kingfield for a members-only viewing of their new exhibit, "Maine Olympians", which recently opened to rave reviews. Please come out, enjoy some wine and cheese, and learn more about the history of skiing in Maine.
 
A number of CVOA members have been
instrumental in the preparation of the new exhibit, including Cooper Friend, Peter Weston, Bob Farrar, Gerry Thompson, and Drew Cota.
 
One of our members, Jean Luce, was involved in and present at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Jean was on the Organizing Committee for the Alpine events and spent 3 years organizing and training the volunteers. During the events she was the Alpine events administrator.
 
We hope you will join us at the museum.

  Check out Bill Green's video piece about the Ski Museum's new exhibit; bit parts by Pete Weston and Cooper Friend. 
Winter Social - Potluck Supper - Music for Dancing
Saturday, January 12, 5 - 9 pm
Stratton Community Center  

Begin 2019 with new and old CVOA friends at the Annual Winter Social on Saturday January 12, 2019!
 

The food will be excellent because everyone brings a contribution.
 
Where?:  Stratton Community Center  
When?:  5 pm Happy Hour, BYOB
             6 pm Pot Luck Dinner
             7 pm Dancing to your favorite Oldies from the 50's to 80's
Cost?: $10 per person plus food to share
 
Fun loving D.J. Bruce Martin has created a huge playlist and will also play requests for your favorite songs.
 
Text or call Jan Mildram at 207-491-6798 about what you would like to bring: appetizer, main dish, side or dessert. Or email Jan at [email protected], or reply to this newsletter.
 
Hope to see you there!
CVOA Board & Member Meeting
Sunday, January 13, 12:30 pm
Carrabassett Valley Town Office
 
All members are welcome to attend. Note time change to 12:30 so we can be done in time for bowling.
 
Questions? Contact Bonnie Farrar at [email protected].
MHT Hut-to-Hut Cross-Country Skiing Adventure
January 21 - 24

As of January 1st there are 7 CVOAers signed up for our January Hut-to-Hut adventure. Those waxing their skis are Bill Cunningham, Valerie Hudspath, Peter and Judy Weston, Katherine Lawson and Fred Trask, and me, Bonnie Farrar. Janice Tandy reports there are still spots available. You can make reservations with her directly at MHT (207)265-2400. Cost for food and lodging is $258 for members and $288 for non-members plus applicable taxes (You can become a member for an annual CVOA-discounted $40 fee).
 
We will plan to park at either the Airport Trailhead or the Stratton Brook Trailhead and get shuttled to Big Eddy (we have 2 volunteers so far who will drive us) where we'll begin our ski to Flagstaff Hut. The MHT does offer a gear shuttle that must be booked at least 7 days ahead and costs $35 per bag (up to 25 lbs.) per leg. And there was an error in the previous notice as MHT does NOT provide blankets, just pillows (you'll need a pillowcase). They do recommend a 40 degree sleeping bag. Here is a link to a helpful MHT Hut-to-Hut site for a suggested packing list: https://mainehuts.org/prepare/ive-booked-now-what .
 
Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate and give us a few nice Maine winter days. If you have further questions you may contact me at (207)735-3984 or [email protected] or call Janice at the above number.

Happy Trails,
Bonnie
CVOA "Drop-In" Bowling
Gerry Thompson is one of our regular bowlers.
Most Every Sunday at 2:00
January 6, 13, 20, 27

On our way to bowling on Sunday afternoon, while following a caravan of homeward bound folks heading out of Redington, Tom turned to me and said, "That used to be us." Our first full-time winter in C.V. is a wonderful thing! Even if you are a commuter to the Valley, the CVOA bowling opportunity on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00 is a great option to end the weekend with a smile on your face.

CVOA reserves the lanes for our group so you don't need to pre-plan your visit to the SugarBowl, just show up! And there is no commitment to attend weekly...come as you wish for just a $10 fee that includes shoe rental. All skill levels are welcome. Good fun with awesome folks is a great way to wrap up any weekend at Sugarloaf.

~ Jill Wallace
Annual Dinner Meeting
March 30 at the Sugarloaf Hotel
 
Mark your calendars for this annual event, which will includes dinner, our annual meeting and election of officers, and a program presented by LE Hughes, Sugarloaf ski instructor and author of "Maine Stories", a collection of award-winning true tales of life, family, the people, places, and lifestyle of rural Maine.
 
This year's event will be held in the Sugarloaf Hotel Carrabassett Room, with a fixed price dinner of no more than $25. Complete information and reservation information will be published in the March newsletter.
 
~ Bonnie and Cindy
Ski Trips in 2019
Big Sky - Cindy Foster - 829-6110
Steamboat - Bonnie Farrar - 735-3984
Quebec City - Peter Weston - 831-8565
Sun Valley - Joe Loughran - 650-3099
Range News
The shooting ranges are open, the driveway is plowed.
Past Events and Adventures
X-C Ski and Cookie Swap
December 15
 
Bonnie reports that the cross-country skiers took off in a flash before she could get a photo! The photo would have included: Bonnie Farrar, Sandy and Jim Osterrieder, Val Hudspath, Barbara Luke, Tammy Mulligan, Judy Weston and Pinky Slagle. They all skied down the Narrow Gauge trail to Mike and Jeannette Parker's lovely home.

A nice turnout of about 25 members for the cookie swap made for a fun  and delicious time. Afterwards, Bonnie delivered the leftover cookies, along with a jug of milk, to the snowmakers and groomers - they always appreciate any food delivered to their work space in the Sugarloaf garage behind Admin. What a great way to say Thank You to these hard workers!

Two boxes of donated food stuffs were donated to the food pantry in Stratton; thank you to all who contributed.

Other News
Historian sought for CVOA . . . 
"Are you a history buff? Wouldn't it be fun to have a monthly article in the newsletter chronicling the founding and growth of CVOA. In our files we have meeting minutes back to the original meeting of local folks who were exploring some options to address use of local lands. Also, many of the founders are still active, and probably have some stories to tell.   

If you have any interest in contributing to CVOA in this way, please give a call or email to Bonnie Farrar at 735-3984 or [email protected].
Community News
Sugarloaf Charity Summit
January 26, 2019

Sugarloaf's premier fundraising event will return to the mountain for its nineteenth year on Saturday, January 26, 2019. The event provides an opportunity for Sugarloafers, old and new, to join forces in the fight against cancer with fun and commemorative activities like the Climb for a Cure and Amos' Army, as well as a raffle, and silent and live auctions. The funds raised will go to support three organizations that help Mainers facing cancer: Maine Cancer Foundation, the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center, and the Dempsey Center.

For complete details, click on the logo or go to sugarloafcharitysummit.org.
Member Discounts
To Download this coupon to print or save, CLICK on the coupon; a new window will open with a pdf, and from there you can print or download the coupon.

Alternately, open this email newsletter on your device and scroll down to the coupon on your device.

There is no limit to how many times you can use this coupon, which expires January 31, 2019.
Photo of the Month
"Good Morning Sugarloaf!"
Taken December 16 by Peter Weston
from the snowshoe trail behind his house in Redington.
Do you have a photo suitable for "Photo of the Month"? Are you a CVOA member? If so, send your photo to: Cindy Foster, Newsletter Editor -  [email protected].
Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association
Valley Crossing #6
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
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