June 2016 Newsletter
~ June 2016 ~
Your membership is valid through December 31, 2016.
Hello

Message from our President, John Morey:

Sunday June 26 is your next opportunity to participate in the future of CVOA.  The day is full of meetings and food.   The Adventure Committee will meet at 10:30 to continue organizing ideas and building on the "Show & Go" series.  A bit of time to prep for the Noon BBQ will follow.  The board meeting is at 1:00.  Plan to join us at the Carrabassett town office conference room.
 
"Show & Go" is sharing your favorite activity.  We're developing contact lists of who to notify when you decide a hike (or fish, bike, kayak, ski, .......) is the perfect activity to draw a few friends, particularly when it is on short notice.  CVOA will have an email list set up for you to send your plans to.  Others find out about it and all of a sudden you have partners in the adventure.  The more notice, the better chance for gathering, but the idea is to have a shared day without a great deal of organization.  This is one of the topics for the 10:30 Adventure committee discussion.  Join us.  If you can't make it but have an adventure or concept to share send it to [email protected].  We'll add it to the agenda.
 
Think good weather for the Noon BBQ and if time is your friend plan to give us a hand at 11:30 to set up.  We'll be in the outside community area by the Carrabassett Town Office.  Burgers on the grille supplemented by pot luck dishes will fill our bellies ..... more to come.
 
The board meeting is your chance to hear of the progress of our organization.  Reports from each committee.  Requests from the community.  New plans for discussion.  It's all there for us to shape into tomorrow's guidance.  Your voice at the meeting is best, but if it just can't happen send comments to me at  [email protected].
 
See you in June!
 
~ John
Calendar of Events
June 25 - Golf at Lac Megantic
June 26 - Board, Member, Activities Meetings, BBQ
July 16 - South Bristol Cove Day
August 20-21 - Maine Huts Weekend
August 23-27 - Victory Chimes Cruise
September 10 - Paddling on Saco River
October 8 - 10 - Homecoming Weekend
October 21-23 - Bar Harbor
Any Interest?


July, Aug., Sept. - Deep Sea Fishing?
2017


Jan. 26 - Feb. 3 - Telluride Ski Trip
Range Events


All Season
- Sunday Trap Shoots every Sunday
June 4 - Saturday Trap Shoots begin, 2X a month
July 2 - Saturday Trap Shoots now weekly
September 4 - Trap Shoot Fundraiser - Animal Shelter
September 25 - Turkey Trap Shoot
Future Events & Adventures
Board/Member Meeting and more
Sunday, June 26

All members are welcome.
  • 10:30 am - Activity Committee Meeting
  • Noon - BBQ - Joe Loughran will be grilling a variety of marinated pork and chicken; please bring something (such as salad, side, dessert) to share, and BYOB.
  • 1 p.m. - Quarterly Board/Member meeting.
Carrabassett Valley Town Office and Town Park
 
~ John Morey, President
Maine Huts & Trails Overnight
Grand Falls Hut is GRAND!
Saturday-Sunday, August 20-21

IT'S A GRAND ADVENTURE AT GRAND FALLS!!
 
RESERVE YOUR  BUNK AND BOAT NOW FOR SOME SUMMER FUN!!

We are half full and need commitments from anyone else who is interested ... SIGN UP NOW TO SAVE YOUR BED. 

The guest list for our summer "staycation" at the gorgeous Grand Falls "Hut" is growing. If you don't want to miss out on our overnight adventure in the most remote lodge in Maine Huts and Trails back-country network, sign up now. Space is limited to 30 adventurers and we're already half full!
 
Think kayaking and canoeing, fishing, hiking and the chance to see the majestic falls. Think of a cozy lodge with hot showers, indoor plumbing and family style meals. Think of good friends and good times and a great price .. just about $80 for food and lodging!
 
You can read more about our plans on our web site. Then save the date ... AUGUST 20-21 ... and email Nancy ( [email protected]) to reserve a slot. A $40 deposit is due by June 18 and the balance due July 16.
 
JOIN THE ADVENTURE!


~ Nancy Perry, Trip Leader
Victory Chimes - a special opportunity
CLICK the image to go to the Victory Chimes website.
August 23-27

Last Call to insure availability! The remaining empty beds are available to the general public, as well, at the regular rate.

The coast of Maine is one of the 10 greatest cruising grounds in the world. The jewel of the Maine coast is Penobscot Bay. Come cruise with CVOA on the Victory Chimes, owned and operated by Sugarloafer/WSKI reporter Kip Files. The magnificent Victory Chimes is the only original three-masted schooner in the famed Maine Windjammer fleet.
 
There is room for up to 20 CVOA members for a four day cruise around Penobscot Bay from August 23 to 27.  Kip is offering us a discounted price to CVOA members of $645 per person , and $75 single supplement (they will match singles with another guest to avoid the fee). Additional expenses include $20 for parking, and a gratuity for the crew.
 
All meals are included. Beverages served are tap water, tea, coffee, lemonade, and ice tea. BYOB any other beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
 
Victory Chimes has an excellent website, full of great information, at www.victorychimes.com .
 
We will board the schooner in Rockland on Tuesday, August 23rd , between 6 and 8 p.m. (no meal served), and sail Wednesday morning after breakfast. We return to Rockland and disembark on Saturday, August 27th before noon.
 
A deposit of $350 will confirm your reservation; call the Victory Chimes office at 800-745-5651. Your b alance is due July 23rd. You must say you are with CVOA to get our special rate.
 
Please contact Betsy Chapman when you make your reservation so she can keep a list of who's going, or if you have any questions. Contact Betsy at [email protected] OR 207-944-3264.
 
~ Betsy Chapman, Cruise Director
South Bristol Cove Day
View out of McFarland's Cove to John's Bay
Saturday, July 16

Greg and Cindy Foster's McFarland's Cove home in South Bristol offers:
  • easy water access for kayakers into John's Bay
  • a beach for swimming
  • nearby conservation land hikes
  • a look at the new South Bristol draw bridge
  • a nearby Ice House Museum
  • an easy drive to Pemaquid Light House
  • a place to simply relax and visit
  • a day of activity, lunch, and friendships
Planning to join the fun? An email to Cindy would be appreciated for a preliminary head count. [email protected]
 
~ Cindy Foster
Deep Sea Fishing?
??? Any Interest ???

Contact Betsy Chapman, Adventure Coordinator, at [email protected].
Telluride in 2017
January 26 - February 3

 

As of May 30, we have 53 spots taken; if you want to join us, don't delay!

~ Cindy Foster, Trip Leader
Range News
Memorial Day Shoot and Fundraiser
Local Food Bank Benefits .... 

Our CVOA Range Memorial Weekend Shoot and Fundraiser brought in $153 for the Stratton and Eustis Food Bank along with a variety of foodstuffs.  The shoot started at 9am and went beyond our scheduled end time to accommodate all the shooters!  There were many familiar faces and some new members and guests.  Though the weather was overcast, the temps were very comfortable and made for good shooting conditions.
 
We continue our organized Sunday morning shoots through November and will start Saturday morning shoots on specified days in July.  The range is open to the public any time for use of the rifle and pistol range. Guests are welcome, and it is only $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.  The registration and guest passes 
Faithful volunteers Neal Trask and Diana Anderson
are  located at the kiosk just inside the  range.  We hope to see you all there!

~ Diane Stone, Range Secretary

Ready for the Stratton and Eustis Food Bank
CVOA News
Welcome Pat McBrien!
Patrick and Tiffany
Our new Webmaster....

After three years of diligent attention to our web site, Cliff George has moved on to other projects. We are very fortunate to have found a talented and enthusiastic webmaster to continue what Cliff has developed.

Pat McBrien joined CVOA and the Range last year, and although he lives in Winthrop, Massachusetts, he gets to Carrabassett Valley often - particularly to Sugarloaf in the winter for skiing and riding. And in the summer, he loves to visit the range on occasion for target practice.

Patrick works  full time in the insurance business. He has a wonderful girlfriend Tiffany of five years and lots of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to enjoying time in Maine, he is in the middle of building a cabin in the woods of Vermont. Pat and Tiffany work hard and play hard, and are avid outdoor enthusiasts.

Pat has been a pleasure to work with, and if you ever have questions, comments, or additions to the web site, don't hesitate to give him a shout at [email protected].

~ Cindy Foster, Secretary
CVOA 'Take a Hike' Guide Book


Ever popular.....

We have guides on hand at the range; members can purchase them at a discounted price: $10.00 plus tax. 

They are also available at many local businesses for $15.00 plus tax.

~ Peg Bickford
Past Events and Adventures
Pre-Marathon Cleanup, Spurred by CVOA
May 14th
Lunch and cold beverages after a morning on litter patrol.

Like they have for over 15 years now, members of CVOA bent their backs and lent their time to help clean up the 13 miles of Rt. 27 in Carrabassett Valley that is part of the Sugarloaf Marathon route.  It's estimated that the combined efforts of all those involved removed an estimated six pickup truck loads of discarded waste.
 
 "It's a great tribute to those from CVOA and others who volunteer that they would give half a day of real labor to help our community present a good face to the 1,500 or so people who run the race and to the thousands of visitors who visit our beautiful area," according to John McCatherin, a CVOA member who organized this year's cleanup.
 
He estimated that at least a third or more of the volunteers came from CVOA, joining Carrabassett Valley students and residents of the town.  "We had enough volunteers this year to assign teams each to just one side of a mile-long stretch of the highway, as opposed to both sides like we've done in the past."
 
In addition, several volunteers who completed their section early moved down to Kingfield to help the effort on the cleanup there. 
 
The annual project started in Carrabassett about 25 years ago and when one of the volunteers from those days moved to Eustis, they started a similar project starting at the Marathon starting line to the Carrabassett Valley Town Line.  In recent years, McCatherin worked with community leaders in Kingfield who took on the cleanup route from the south end of Carrabassett to the finish line near downtown Kingfield.
 
"It's so gratifying to see so many people who take pride in our region out there working hard to keep the main artery through the whole area presentable," McCatherin added.
 
Following the project, Town Clerk Wendy Russell ran a cookout that included lots of pot luck contributions from the volunteers, providing a nice social ending to a very productive day. 
 
~ John McCatherin
Montreal Bike Trip Gets Rave Reviews!
May 19-21

The twenty nine members who ventured to Montreal last weekend were blessed with amazingly warm sunny weather all four days. We explored the city by bike on curbed bike trails right along busy streets, and paved bike paths along canals, bridges, city parks, and onto islands in the Saint Lawrence.

Lachine Canal, Atwater Market, The Botanical Gardens, Olympic Stadium, a bike only bridge across the St. Lawrence, the historic waterfront, and even riding on a Formula One race track were venues explored. Locals were welcoming and helpful as we sometimes needed directions. A dozen cyclists toured the city with an enthusiastic guide from Fitz & Folwell Bike Tours. Most of us pedaled long and hard, trying to take in at least some of all Montreal has to offer.

HAPPY HOUR!
Our hotel, Auberge de la Fontaine, was bike friendly, offered a variety of baked and fresh foods for breakfast, and even housed a snack kitchen at all hours with hot beverages, and yummy cookies. We enjoyed happy hour on roof top decks, and had our own bike room.

Evenings found us trolling in large and small groups the very metropolitan Rue Rachel and Mont Royal avenues for local cuisine, which included food of many cultures. Would you believe, even Mac 'n Cheese for 4.95?! Who needs Poutine!

Our Canadian neighbors embrace biking, and it was fun to be part of that experience. CVOA will likely venture across the border many more times to answer the 'Bienvenue Cyclistes!' welcome.

~ Peg and Glenn Bickford, Trip Leaders

Photo of the Month
Linda Trueworthy took this photo while on the Montreal bike trip, and writes: "I took this photo from the Botanical Gardens, across the street from the Olympic Stadium, looking at the Funicular which rises above the Olympic swimming pool/info building.  At the top of the Funicular is a large viewing area to see all of Montreal and the Olympic Stadium."
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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