Greetings!
Maine Huts & Trails - its future is in jeopardy.
I just returned from a lovely CVOA hike to Stratton Brook Hut for lunch. There were seven of us who enjoyed a beautiful 3-mile walk up Newton’s Revenge, working up a sizable appetite. The lunch menu consisted of either a hearty beef stew or a grilled cheese sandwich, both yummy and all the better as we didn’t have to carry the food on our back! We chose the longer, winding Oak Knoll trail as our way down and were in awe of all the bikers navigating the steep and rocky switchbacks, but sharing the trail easily.
This was the second time this week that I was out enjoying what Maine Huts and Trails has brought to our area. Two days ago, I met up with 3 lady friends and we hiked the short 2 miles from Long Falls Dam Road into Flagstaff Hut to do some afternoon kayaking and explore the lakeside trails. We had a delicious dinner, spent the night, and consumed a huge breakfast before heading out again for some hikes the next morning. There were seven other guests at the hut, including both fellow Mainers and guests from as far away as California.
Over the years, CVOA has taken advantage of having this phenomenal recreational opportunity right in our backyard. Just last October seventeen CVOAers hiked to Poplar Hut for lunch, and in January six of us skied four days on the MHT trails and stayed at three of the huts. In past years, there have been numerous CVOA-sponsored events at MHT – moonlight snowshoe jaunts for dinner and winter hikes for lunch, to name a few.
But now the future of Maine Huts and Trails is uncertain. Just this past week, it was announced that MHT will not open this winter if it cannot raise $500,000 by Nov. 1 to pay staff and prepare the huts and trails for the season.
Maine Huts and Trails opened in 2008 with the Poplar Hut in Carrabassett Valley and 2.4 miles of trail. Its mission was to help people better experience Maine’s wild landscape and draw more eco-tourism to rural areas of the state. The original plan to build 12 huts along a 180-mile corridor of trails was put on hold after 4 huts and 80 miles of trail were completed in 2012. While MHT has attracted over 76,000 overnight visitors from 48 states and 18 countries, and earned national recognition, their current model is not producing adequate revenues to fund the organization for the long term, and thus the appeal to the public.
They are hoping that they can secure the necessary funding to remain open this winter and that their restructuring plan will ensure that MHT will be here for outdoor adventurers to enjoy for generations to come. We all benefit from this tremendous asset in our region! Please join me in spreading the word about this worthy cause and in giving what you can to make this happen. For more information, visit
www.mainehuts.org
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All the best,
Bonnie
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- CVOA Celebration ~ 20th in 2020
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- Italy / Val Gardena Ski Trip
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- West Branch Pond Camp X-C ski trip
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- Park City/ Deer Valley Ski Trip
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- Sky Lodge of Moose River
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Treasurer Mary Frank: 207.778.4695
: cvoa.treasurership@gmail.com
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Future Events & Adventures
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A note from Patti Johnston:
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Mary Berger reports that she has dates for Sky Lodge of Moose River for 2020. They are Monday, June 22 – Thursday, June 25. Mark your calendars now and plan to let me or Mary Berger know of your interest.
Mary Berger also has indicated that she would like to host a day in Bremen next summer in July. Keep that in mind as you make summer plans.
Sugarloaf Homecoming is Friday, October 11 – Monday, October 14. In the past there has been a hike on Monday. One year there was a group time to meet and ride up the Super Quad. If there is interest in either of these opportunities, and a willingness to be the leader, please let me know.
Interest in our Christmas Cookie Swap was brought up at our recent Board/Member meeting. A host/hostess out there? Also, please let me know!
Many wonderful adventures are in the works and in the planning stages! As always, please feel free to share your ideas, interest in being a leader or thoughts on possible adventures. I would be happy to share them with the membership.
Happy fall!!
~ Patti
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Homecoming Weekend at Sugarl0af
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.... at our booth in the base lodge
October 12th and 13th
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It is that time of year again, with Sugarloaf Homecoming on the horizon. Our CVOA booth in the base lodge is always hopping with members and visitors; it’s a fun place to be.
Range members should note that after 20 years, the range dues have increased from $20 to $30 per year; this increase applies only to an individual or to the first range member in a couple or family. The second, third, etc. range member in a couple or family is $20 each.
Stop by to pick up one of our new brochures, as well as CVOA stickers.
Mark Curtis has
a few open time slots for volunteers to staff the table:
On Saturday 2:00 - 4:00 and 4:00 to 5:00
On Sunday: 9:00 - 11:00, 11:00 to 1:00, 1:00 - 2:30, and 2:30 to 4:00
- if you are willing to volunteer a couple hours to chat with people about your experiences with CVOA, please contact Mark Curtis at
cvoa.vicepresident@gmail.com
or call him at 207-441-9532. It is a fun time to be involved, catch up with your CVOA friends and promote our great organization!
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GOOD FOOD**FUN**MUSIC**ENTERTAINMENT
SAVE THE DATE . . . MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
Celebrate CVOA ~ 20th in 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
King Pine Room
RSVP in the November newsletter
*TRIVIA**CELEBRATING**PROGRAM**PRIZES*
In case you missed last month’s newsletter -
The event is still in the planning stages but will be a full evening of dinner, a program, music and lots and lots of celebrating. More details will be included in the November newsletter along with the RSVP information. We would love to have a huge turnout to pay tribute to our founders of this great organization and all that it has accomplished in the past twenty years. I hope you will plan to join us!
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NEW! West Branch Pond Camps
Cross Country Ski Trip
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Established in the late 1800’s, these family-run sporting camps. 28 miles north east of Greenville, have cozy, wood stove heated, winterized log cabins on a small lake with mountain views. Their own groomed trail system through the woods and around the lake connects to the extensive groomed AMC trail system. Back country xc skiing, snow-shoeing trails and a cleared ice skating rink on the pond are also offered. This quiet, relaxing place is also well known for its hearty breakfasts, superb bag lunches and gourmet full suppers. It is BYOB and has a new comfortable, heated "gathering cabin" for pre and post supper group social activities.So bring an instrument to play or a song or poem to share!
Four log cabins with a total of 10 beds have been set aside for our group and a small group of adult skiers from the Penobscot Valley Ski Club in Bangor. CVOA members must book their stay directly with Camp owner Eric Sterling , who can be reached at 207- 695-2561 or at
ecstirling@hughes.net
The total cost including taxes for this two night stay is $ 545 per couple or $275.50 for a single. A deposit of $50 must be received by Eric by November 1 to reserve your bed. Full payment is expected when you arrive at the Camps on Jan. 25. Space is limited to 10 members total from both groups so contact Eric as soon as possible to reserve your stay. You must be a current member of the CVOA with your membership dues paid up to go on this trip.
For more more information about the Camps, please see the following website:
Contact me, the trip leader, if you have any questions. Let me know when you make your deposit.
Bill Cunningham, CVOA Member
Cell 207-416-8957
Landline 207-487-3140
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Val Gardena, Italy, January 22 – February 1 – The trip has been filled; if you would like to be on a waiting list, let us know.
Park City/Deer Valley, February 1 – 8 - Cancelled
Due to minimal response, we cancelled this trip. When we planned this trip, we anticipated the Italy trip would be much more expensive, and weren’t even sure we could fill 25 spots; and it wouldn’t matter that the two trips overlapped. Perhaps we’ll try again in 2021.
Jackson Hole, February 26 to March 4
Trip Leader: Bonnie Farrar
The trip has been filled; if you would like to be on a waiting list, let us know.
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3 days of skiing, and Quebec Winter Carnival!
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CVOA…Quebec City, Canada!
February 10 – 14, 2020
Trip Includes
- 4 night’s lodging at
the Hotel Manoir Victoria****
(4-star)
- 3 adult day lift tickets (1 Mont Sainte Anne, 1 Le Massif, 1 Stoneham)
- Full American breakfast included, 4 mornings
- Baggage handling
- All current taxes
- Standard rooms, offering choice of one queen bed or two doubles
- Hospitality Suite each night where we can gather, BYOB appetizers and drinks.
$700 p/p double occupancy
,
$645 p/p triple occupancy, $615 p/p quad occupancy
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We continue to hold our weekly shooting venues.
Please come support your Range and have fun by trying any of the following:
Five Stand Shoot - Saturdays
9am - noon. Rain or shine - covered venue
Trap Shoots - Sundays
9am - noon and
Wednesdays
9:30am - noon weather permitting
We are happy and eager to offer basic instruction to help you get started with any of our shooting sports.
See you at the Range!
Diane Stone
Range Secretary
CVOA.range@gmail.com
207-240-4752
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CVOA Board of Directors Open Position
to fill with a range member
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With Jim Heichel’s departure from the area, he has left his position on our board of directors. we would like very much to have his position filled by a range member. Could you help the Range and CVOA by stepping up to the board?
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October 6th
Maine Trapshooting Association Official Trap Shoot
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The Maine Trapshooting Association is holding an official trap shoot at our range on October 6th. New participants will receive a free one-year membership to MTA.
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At the last Range Committee Meeting:
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August 31, 2019. In attendance: Ray Stone, Diane Stone, Harvey Packard, Cindy Foster, Alan Burnell
Official Maine Trap Association Shoot scheduled for October 6th. Jim Montz came to certify the Range. The shoot will include 2, 100 round matches. Food will be sold. Burgers and dogs, or deli Sandwiches to be determined.
New gate lock is almost finished and should be installed before winter. This will help prevent the frozen lock of years past. Pete Weston is working with the metal fabricator on this.
Increase rate for Range this year. This will be our first increase from $20 to $30 for first membership. $20 for each additional family member. Also, we have negotiated increases for each law enforcement agency that contracts with us.
-Project list for the remainder of 2019 into 2020.
-50 yard Range completion: berms, ground, firing stands
-Archery Range: increase length and groundwork. New targets.
-Improve trap field by adding handicap levels from 16 yards to 27 yards.
-Distance markers for Rifle and Pistol Ranges
-Complete sign in process.
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Past Events and Adventures
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Burnt Mountain Trail Work
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Dave Cota reports:
We had ten people show up Saturday, I believe seven of whom were CVOA members. Wow, very successful!
Brushed out the entire first two miles up to the top alpine area.
Huge improvement. Thanks again.
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Stratton Brook Hut Hike and Lunch
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A fun day for the seven lucky people who made it to the trail head. They had nice weather, a great meal, and were home before the rain began.
from left to right:
Val Hudspath, Bonnie Farrar, Bob Farrar, Judy Fitzpatrick-Weston, Jill Wallace, Barb Luke, Russ Dreschel.
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Quarterly Board/Member Meeting & Lunch
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With chilly temperatures, we had lunch and the meeting in the town office, rather than outside. Good call. A jovial group lunched on sandwich makings brought in by Bonnie, Jeannette’s yummy pumpkin cookies, and
Patti Johnston brought chocolate chip cookies that were devoured early on
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We had a great turnout with 17 people present, including several members-at-large, which we like to see. Their questions and input are valuable. Here is a summary of the meeting.
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Our membership numbers are consistent with the last two years at this time of year – 950 members, of whom 480 are range member.
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Mary Frank suggested we add a line item/account into which Range funds could accumulate for unanticipated or capital expenses. The Finance Committee will take action on that,
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Ray Stone reported for the Range: they put on a great Masons shoot on Saturday; the range committee voted to raise the annual range fee from $20 to $30 per person; they have a camera security system in place; First Aid kits are at key locations; an AED defibrillator has been purchased.
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Ski Trips (see more above): Italy full, Jackson Hole full, Park City cancelled, Quebec City ready to take reservations.
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Deb Sanford has created a brand new CVOA brochure, it will be at the Homecoming booth.
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Val will make one more attempt to get apparel interest, check at the Homecoming booth.
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The By-Laws committee is looking at possible revisions.
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CVOA’s 20
th
Anniversary Celebration will be on January 18, 2020 in the King Pine Room.
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There was discussion of a trip signup policy. It was agreed that the postmarked date of the reservation is the first priority; there was general agreement that trip registrants must be CVOA members 60 days prior to the date of registration in order to be given equal opportunity in a drawing if the number of registrants exceeds the number of positions available.
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It was generally agreed that beginning in 2020, ski trip deposits to CVOA are non-refundable; exceptions: trip cancellation or there is not room for a wait-listed person to be included.
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Newsletter content is welcomed - Community news, Member news, Discounts for members.
Any suggestions, email Cindy or reply to this newsletter.
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Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association
Valley Crossing #6
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
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