August 5th - 7pm Virtual Meeting
|
|
MOAC will always make the health and well-being of our members and the community our top priority. Please stay tuned for updates and guidance regarding our meetings and activities. Thanks!
|
|
The Latest in Hiking Gear with
Sadye Clark
|
|
Join us as Sadye Clark, Manager of the
Eastern Mountain Sports store on Maine Mall Road, leads us through all the advances and innovations in hiking gear over the past decade or so.
From hydration, to packs, to stoves, to trekking poles, filtration, sleeping bags, and footwear.... everything is in constant change. And they are all items that can contribute to an enjoyable outing. Bring your questions.
Sadye has been with EMS for 20 years, as well as being a Maine Guide and a fishing boat captain. "My passion for the outdoors started in high school, dry land training for the nordic ski team in the mountains. My first climb was Old Speck and I fell in love. I have been an avid hiker, ice climber and cyclist most of my life. I also love helping to outfit folks for lifelong memories in the wilderness."
|
|
Last Month's Presentation
|
|
Zack Anchors, manager of
Portland Paddle, and Rose Weggler, president of
MASKGI (Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors) led a conversation about the basics of sea kayaking.
The presentation discussed the gear and skills that are needed to take up sea kayaking on the Maine coast. They talked about what makes our coast so ideal for sea kayaking, covered the main risks that paddlers face on the ocean and shared some resources that will help you plan a sea kayak trip and learn more about the sport.
In addition to the advice, there were discussions resulting from member questions and some photos they shared.
Zack has worked as a sea kayak guide in British Columbia, Alaska, Baja Mexico and throughout the Maine coast.
Rose has had her Maine Sea Kayak Guides License since 2011. Today Rose is the Manager of Maine Island Lodge on Gay Island in Muscongus Bay. The tent platforms on the property have recently joined the Maine Island Trail and she is always happy to have visitors in paddle crafts!
|
|
Nature Art * Jewelry * Quilts
Driftwood - Rocks - Shells - Glass - Seeds
www.naturecreationsmaine.com
|
|
Rebecca Bass
Denise Boynton
Jeff Bryan
Annette Cardullo
Gail Cloutier
William Cunningham
Katherine Doering
Keri Duffy
Mary Cay Harrington
Sandra Johnson
Joseph Loughran
Roberta Lynnworth
Elisabeth Madden
Rob Mains
Elmira Martin
Suzanne Mckechnie
Samantha Myers
Krista Nadeau
Mark Poirier
Gwen Wolf
|
|
Well here we are. Another month skating down the tubes with the Covid. I’ve often thought we had been in a golden age of travel. Unfortunately, I might have been “rite”. Damn. Tickets were cheap and we could go anywhere in the world just about. Now, nobody wants to see Americans, the worst carrier of the virus in the world. I don’t see how the price of travel will ever again be as cheap by a long shot. What did we learn? Nothin!
Well…maybe that we should have gone and done those things while we could have. I like to think this is the first day of the rest our lives. We’re lucky to be here in Maine. Before we can’t, let’s get out and explore what we have and what we can before that window closes.
Which brings me to the club dues you have let slide. My underground has caught wind of a number of people who have allowed friends they have met through the club to accompany them on excursions without showing proof of club currency. This is serious. Suppose they find out just what kind of person you really are and leave you? Think of the time delay to pay your dues, to be reinstated as a fully functioning member and find friendship again.
On a more serious note, not normally of my nature and I find difficult, the club has been hit too by the virus with dues down and fixed expenses. It’s a small amount and we really are short. The club is an important part of many of our lives which needs just a little financial support. Don’t make me have to call my cousin Vinny.
|
|
Posting Trips with COVID-19
|
|
The posting of trips can resume with the following guidelines:
- Do not post trips, or attend them if you feel it takes you out of your comfort zone. The board understands it will take time for things to ramp up to whatever "normal" will now be.
- Please try to avoid "Show and Go" trips as it can lead to unexpected numbers and tend to be less organized. It is more of a pain, but the board feels it is important. We do realize that it can depend on the kind of trip it is. Boats on the water social distance by design.
- Please post Member Only trips for the time being. Again, better control and few, if any surprises.
- Please limit trip size to reasonable numbers. Of course, that can vary from trip to trip.
- Know the rules of where you want to go. Research ahead of time to make sure the trail or land is open. Obey closed signs.
- Practice social distancing
- Avoid carpooling
- Aprés trip gatherings. If it isn't outdoors with plenty of space, you might want to reconsider it.
- Be prepared to wear a mask and follow whatever rules are presented wherever the group ends up
If you don't feel well, STAY HOME.
Be safe, be well, and BE SMART!
|
|
AMC: Here's how to Return Outdoors Safely
|
|
The piece offers advice on how AMC is handling the restarting of activities as well has how to carry them off safely. You will also find important links for federal agencies like the National Park Service as well as resources by state.
Click
HERE to check out the resources offered.
|
|
Announcing the MOAC "Archives" Page
|
|
Milestone birthdays get people thinking don't they? In MOAC's case, our 30th last year did exactly that. Thinking about the club's rich history. So, projects were started to digitize photos and other club items to preserve and share for posterity.
Cathy Conroy, Marianne Hubert, and Dana Thurston began the process of digitizing the mountains of photos. Members reaped the benefits of this effort at the June meeting when slideshows were presented of the club's first 10 years (1989-1999).
In addition, former MOACer (and hopefully renewing again) and past president Sharon Fuerst has started digitizing old newsletters. She is currently up through 1999.
Where is this all leading? What's all this effort if no one can access it? Announcing an "Archive" page. This page contains the photo slideshows from the June meeting as well as all digitized newsletters to date.
You can access this page from the "For Members Only" menu. It will be updated whenever new material is ready to add.
In addition to letting you know it's there, we also need your help. For each year's newsletter entries, you will see listed what we are missing. If you can help fill these gaps, please email the
editor and let us know.
|
|
From the MOAC Vault #1
In the Year 1989
BY Eileen Whynot
|
|
The slide show in June was a great jaunt down memory lane. Thank you to the crew that put it together! As you could tell, Cathy Conroy was one of our early shutterbugs!
Tony Doman
(MOAC's first WinterFest organizer and all around funmeister) wanted to be with us from Chicago--the Zoom link email I sent him was deemed spam.
Keith Citrine
(MOAC's first Co-coordinator with me) also wanted to join but was quarantining with his older daughter before her return to Colorado. (He isn't sure when he'll see her next, given Covid-19.) I reached out to
Meade Swenson
through Q, and I'm not sure if he was on the call. Meade was a key member in the early days on the Board and with the books.
Carey Kish
(President for eight years) was presenting for AMC, ironically, because MOAC was formed as an alternative to the "old, slow" members of Maine's AMC with all their rules and regulations.
I want to give a shout-out to
Phil Poirier
for his vision that the club would be a community of people that supported each other with friendship. That vision couldn't be closer to the truth! Keith Citrine brought solid leadership skills and a passion for the outdoors along with his experience as President of the Casco Bay Bike Club.
Mike Morrison
was our first Treasurer and Membership Chair. I was looking for people to hike, bike, ski and camp with after most of my female friends coupled up and started families. I had organized some community events, so was willing to give MOAC a whirl, knowing it would be an effort to get it going. I introduced rock climbing to MOAC when 22 people signed up for an introductory class at Bear and Hawk mountains, and for years we climbed in Acadia, off Canco Road, at Fort Williams and there were trips to Joshua Tree and The Gunks. The Rock, Ice & Ale Society was an offshoot of these fun times on the “Rock.”
Keith Citrine and
Eileen Whynot
ran the early meetings at the People's Building on Brackett Street, until we turned the reins over to Carey Kish in September.
Dana Thurston
showed up by the first fall and by the next June he was dubbed "Dana the Maintainer," a role he continues to this day! We followed Dana as he hiked the AT in the early 1990s--not sure how we did that with no Internet or cell phones? Dana's roommate,
Barb Wolf
, jazzed up the mountains and river logo for the MOAC Newsletter and Phil Poirier drew several versions of the MOAC Moose, including the backpacking moose who graced many a MOAC T-shirt, newsletters and
moac.org
.
Dick Hall
was in charge of the hotline, membership and treasury for years. We joked that we'd need three people to replace him!
Tom Handcock
was our "Vannah" at the monthly meetings. He faithfully kept the flip charts with trips and leaders that would be printed in the Newsletter and spoken into a telephone answering machine, the Hotline. Phil Poirier did a lot! Newsletter, hotline, trip leading and was a role model and teacher of winter skills and backpacking. Phil pioneered MIAC, the Maine indoor adventure club, which consisted of massive amounts of food, adult beverages, music, Halloween parties and eventually Happy Hours with a few purely social indoor and outdoor gatherings of new and old friends.
Bill Shouse
was secretly, humbly one of the founders. He left when
Scott Fuller's
door was locked, before Phil, Keith, Mike, Jessie, Barbara and I went to Green Mountain Coffee Roaster to agree that we wanted a way to meet people who loved outdoor adventure. We chose Maine Adventure Club first and then decided on MOAC. Little did we know that thousands of people would pay dues and join. Really? Bill is, to this day, one of the most sincere members of MOAC. Bill is responsible for writing the music and lyrics to the MOAC theme song, and he has added new verses and jazzed it up musically over the years.
Dan Kidd
rode into the club with his giant dog Action and held the first Gunfest and hot dog roasting that drew MOAC members, way out of town to a gravel pit. There were documented potato cannons later combined with more hot dogs and watermelon. Action was on hand to hump dogs that were brought on hikes or to the gravel pit. Dan initially caused us to worry about liability. (No problem, we're covered.) Plus, it was eventually discovered his sense of humor is a little twisted--no tires were burned, ever!
Paul Drinan
and
Rocco Pizzo
, both ski patrollers and river guides, came on the scene and their teaching style was both funny and reassuring. They took a MOACer in shock with a broken wrist off a trail in Evans Notch to get a bright pink cast in North Conway. Any member who saw their "Cutting the clothes off the injured demonstration" did not forget it.
Dail Martin
, not to be outdone by two buff men in their prime, stood on a chair to announce her availability; and, as a nurse practitioner with many years of EMT and wilderness medicine training, led a certified wilderness rescue course for members at least three or four times for a modest fee, volunteering her time.
Peter Cyr
led an annual summer camping and hiking trip to Gulf Hagus and winter trips to East Millinocket. Dick and Andy Hall led winter trips to Rangeley and that tradition continues.
To be continued…
Open to thoughts or corrections. Click
HERE to email or call
207-749-0211.
|
|
This newsletter is for you, and by definition BY you. After all, YOU are MOAC. Without MOAC, there would be no newsletter. We can alway use:
- Pictures
- News
- Letters to the Editor
- Trip Stories
- Poetry
- Celebrate friends' milestones (birthdays, achievements, celebrations, condolences)
Email the
editor to submit. By the end of the meeting week to ensure enough time to process.
Thank you!
|
|
The MOAC Newsletter is excellent! Nice job. Well written, thoughtful and succinct! I will start contributing and soon will submit an article for August. MOAC is a special social and recreational network. Who knew MOAC would have lasting magic that hasn't quit! Friends for life! Humans are inherently good and most do their best if rested and well fed. No shortage of nourishment in MOAC evah!
New MOAC slogan. "Just imagine what you can do in the outdoors with friends for life!" Your choice, lay on the couch or enjoy natural beauty and be happy and healthy.
Eileen Whynot
|
|
Advertise in the Newsletter
|
|
Do you own a small business? Work for one? Have a side hustle? Do you have a garage/attic/basement full of gear to thin out? Do you want to get the word out about it? If so, advertise in the newsletter!
Your message will be in the inbox of the MOAC faithful every month. click
HERE for more information or contact Maryann McLaughlin.
|
|
This entry is from July, 1993
Machias Canoe Trip
By PHIL POTENZIANO
(A vignette of a new MOAC member's first trip)
(Editor's Note (2020): I wonder who the trip leader was? Maybe some things never change?)
The trip began two hours late. We ate, so I am told, in traditional MOAC style-McDonalds.
Arriving in Bangor at 11:30 pm was a mistake-there are no 24 hour Shop-n-Saves. NO FOOD!
A flat tire caused us to camp overnight not quite near our original destination. We began canoeing at around 12 noon Saturday after a long and lengthy trip to find a new tire.
The weather was great, the flies were non-existent, the water was fun. We saw a lot of wildlife: moose, ducks, loons, ospreys, beavers and others.
Sunday began uneventfully and ended in near disaster. A canoe went downstream broadside which was rather difficult, considering the width of the chute. With dry clothes on we decided to abort the rest of the rapids. Two people took off in search of the car we had left downstream.
We arrived in Portland Monday morning at exactly 8:00 am-just in time for some to work that day.
By the way-did I tell you about the second flat tire, and the blisters we got from portaging the canoes?
(Editor's Note (1993): Even the best laid plans go awry. A good trip leader decides on an event he or she wants to lead, makes plans and time schedules, and then, due to unforeseen events or circumstances beyond his or her control, the adventure portion of the trip begins. A good leader needs to make decisions and new plans at this time and does so with the safety of those concerned in mind. Without the unexpected-both good and bad-adventures would become a bit dull.)
|
|
The Sun Went Down in Beauty
|
|
By GEORGE MARION McCLELLAN
The sun went down in beauty
Beyond the Mississippi side,
As I stood on the banks of the river
And watched its waters glide;
Its swelling currents resembling
The longing restless soul,
Surging, swelling, and pursuing
Its ever receding goal.
The sun went down in beauty,
But the restless tide flowed on,
And the phantom of absent loved ones
Danced on the waves and were gone;
Fleeting phantoms of loved ones,
Their faces jubilant with glee,
In the spray seemed to rise and beckon,
And then rush on to the sea.
The sun went down in beauty,
While I stood musing alone,
Stood watching the rushing river
And heard its restless moan;
Longings, vague, untenable,
So far from speech apart,
Like the endless rush of the river,
Went surging through my heart.
The sun went down in beauty,
Peacefully sank to rest,
Leaving its golden reflection
On the great Mississpi’s breast;
Gleaming on the turbulent river,
In the coming gray twilight,
Soothing its restless surging,
And kissing its waters goodnight.
|
|
Where Cool Waters Flow: Four Seasons with a Master Maine Guide, by Randy Spencer.
Islandport Press, 2009, 316 pages. ISBN-13:
978-1934031285. Price: $15.95 (paperback)
|
|
Walkin' on the Happy Side of Misery: A Slice of Life on the Appalachian Trail, by J.R. "Model-T" Tate.
Stackpole Books, 2013, 432 pages. ISBN-13:
978-0811712842
. Price $15.87 (paperback)
|
|
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident (Historical Nonfiction Bestseller, True Story Book of Survival). By
Donnie Eichar.
Chronicle Books,
2014,
288 pages. ISBN-13:
978-1452140032. Price $14.30 (paperback)
|
|
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
|
|
Alpine Garden
Mount Washington, NH
|
|
View from the Alpine Garden
Mount Washington, NH
|
|
Member Benefits and Discounts
|
|
Your annual dues do much more than just plug you into the greatest group of people Maine has to offer. Please check out the links below to see what else your membership does. The Board is always looking for new discounts and opportunities for members as well as to make sure the list is accurate. Please let the Board know if you find an error or want to suggest a possible addition.
Please login to MOAC first.
Other links of importance:
|
|
While MOAC no longer has an official chapter in Bangor, that doesn't change the fact MOAC is there. It would be great to have an official active group to serve Down East, and if you are interested in starting one back up, please email the Board.
The chapter in Bangor had monthly meetings just like Portland, held at Epic Sports.
Short of that, there is an email address and Message Board category to serve that purpose. The email address is:
bangor_area@moac.org. Please use both options to organize events in that area of the state.
|
|
Every day is an Adventure
Join us to find yours!
|
|
We are fortunate to be part of this organization MOAC. A diverse outdoors club that's been around since 1989 and welcomes newcomers of all ages and experience. If you're new or thinking about joining, please do. As an ALL-VOLUNTEER Club, our members organize and voluntarily lead all trips and activities from beginner to expert. From strenuous mountain hikes, or as part of the MOAC Trek Across Maine Team, to casual conversational-pace bike rides along the Eastern Trail, after-work city or beach walks or a gentle sail in Casco Bay, to overnight ocean kayaking paddle trips, weekend camping outings to Acadia, Baxter and one of the Maine Huts, MOAC members post their outdoor adventure ideas on their online calendar. “Join MOAC to challenge yourself, share your outdoor skills and meet other outdoor adventurers!” www.moac.org
|
|
|
|
Get photos of your trip
in the newsletter or shown on the big screen at the
General Meeting
Email photos to
photos@moac.org
Email your trip
stories to
editor@moac.org
|
|
Contacting MOAC
info@moac.org
MOAC is a non-profit 501c7 organization serving the outdoor community in the state of Maine. As such the organization is governed by the following set of Bylaws.
Mission Statement
- To facilitate the pursuit of amateur outdoor activities of all types for persons of all skill levels.
- To provide a structure for public awareness (i.e. safety, conservation, and environmental awareness).
- To provide an outlet for public service activities.
- To provide a structure for social networking and community building. MOAC is and shall remain a non-affiliated organization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
