October MOAC Newsletter

November 4th - 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!

October General Meeting

The Business of Land Trusts with Dick Jarrett

If there were no land trusts, where would you go for a quick hike or ski or snowshoe? If there were no land trusts, would there be as much woods as there is now. If there were no land trusts, how different would your life be? Land trusts are everywhere.

Join us as Dick Jarrett, Treasurer of the Francis Small Heritage Trust, talks about land trusts, how they work, how you can help, and how they have become a major conservation force in the community.

The Trust owns 1472 acres and holds easements on an additional 308 acres. The Trust holds land in northern York County, southern Oxford County and western Cumberland County in Maine.

Last Month's Presentation

Sailing the World with Kirsten Neuschafer

Kirsten talked about, and shared some images of work and life aboard “Pelagic”, working for famous, high-latitude sailor and mountaineer, Skip Novak, and some of the amazing and far-out destinations that this job has taken her to, like the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Patagonia.

She also talked about her upcoming participation in the Golden Globe Race 2022,

preparation for an ocean voyage of this calibre and some of the challenges to be

expected.

Kirsten Neuschafer was born and raised in South Africa, and has always loved the outdoors and adventure. After finishing school, she spent a few nomadic years in the North doing various different jobs in between travels such as working in ski-resorts, wilderness guide on Spitsbergen, training sled-dogs in Scandinavia and other jobs that allowed her to discover colder climates. She eventually returned from Europe overland to South Africa, on a bicycle.

In 2014 she crewed for the first time on the well-known, high latitude expedition sailboat, Pelagic, which belongs to high latitude sailor and adventurer, Skip Novak. She has been returning to Pelagic every season.

Over the years of working on Pelagic, Kirsten has skippered various trips to South Georgia, Falklands, Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula, with primarily film crews from BBC and National Geographic on Wildlife Documentary film shoots. In April 2019, she and her crew sailed Pelagic from the Falklands, via Bermuda to Maine, where she spent most of the summer doing refit work to Pelagic, and subsequently did a circumnavigation of Newfoundland, before returning to winterize Pelagic and putting her in storage in Thomaston, Maine. She returned to Pelagic in March 2020, to complete final refit work and re-commission the boat for the summer.

Her next big challenge in her sailing career is the Golden Globe Race 2022. See her race profile HERE.

Important Financial Information From The Board

Fellow MOAC'ERS.

DUES INCREASE: As of January 1, 2021 annual membership dues will increase $5 from $20 to $25 for individual and from $30 to $35 for family memberships. Per our exalted treasurer this will provide for many years of financial stability. Feel free to renew now if your membership will expire in 2020 or early 2021 at the old dues rate.

COST SAVINGS INITIATIVE: On a related note your board has also eliminated the MOAC phone number, saving $444 annually, changed credit card processors, saving $900 annually, and are working on more long-term savings. MOAC, the lean fighting machine!

Holiday Party 2021 Is Set

It's probably coming as no surprise we won't be gathering to watch Dan dance or Lorna to get onstage and sing this year due to COVID.

But the good news is that to have something to look forward to, and to show our support for the Robt Boyd AmVets Hall in Yarmouth (our holiday party home for more than a decade), the board has rolled over our 2020 deposit and booked Saturday, December 11, 2021.

Now that should be a fun evening.

Welcome New Members

Donna Andersen

Jonathan Baker

Davida Barter

Gladys Baudelot

Douglas Billard

Ian Blanchard

Roma Bonenfant

Victoria Boundy

Jodi Brewer

John Burr

Russ Clark

Sarah Conly

Virginia Cowan

Bret Crockett

Jane Davis

Danielle Dellaquila

Jennifer Dryden

Gretchen Evans

Leslie Ferguson

Steve Fielding

Bethany Fulton

Paul Garrido

Thomas Goodyear

Maria Hadjiyane

Megan Hall

Deborah Heath

Jodi Hill

Bethan Jones

Jessica Krol

Sandra Lary

Nancy Marshall

Jane Martin

Daphne Millay

Edward Nolde

Madeleine Pryor

Emily Reese

Janet Robinson

K. E.Smith

Susan Talon

Jay Town

Karie Wik

President's Corner

Sieze the Moment

It’s been a quiet month in Maine. The old computer, now with the imprint of a brick in the screen and lying in the recycle bin has long since been forgotten, the one that, after spending hours writing this President’s Corner and inadvertently deleting everything, had succumbed to an untimely end. I’m OK now.

I was reminiscing about the two weeks plan of isolation when the virus first hit. It’s looking more like two years now. The new normal, well, we got to ride with it. Snow in the forecast. The magic that transforms all overnight, like it or not, we all will have the snow, and ride with it too. And then too, the winter.

Waiting out a “better day” would be putting life on hold, wasting precious time that is becoming more finite exponentially as I age. Whoa!! I better use it wisely! I’m going to get my mask and keep six feet but, by golly, I’m going!

You go too?

Dan Kidd, President

president@moac.org

Attention: Renewing Members Take Note

Two items Membership would like to pass on:

RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP - For the best and most timely service, please consider renewing online. Many factors can cause an interruption in your membership if you mail in a check. How close to your membership expiration did you mail it? And the process on our end involves a volunteer trekking into Portland to get the mail, then sending the payment to a volunteer to process that, and also another volunteer to update your membership. Doing it online does all of this automatically and instantaneously. It is safe and secure.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS - With the Board decision to eliminate the MOAC phone service, new membership cards were needed without the phone number. While we wait for these to arrive, there might be a delay in you receiving new card(s).

If you have any questions about your membership, please contact membership@moac.org.

Freedom Boat Club of Maine

$1000 off one-time membership fee for MOAC members

207-331-5374

FreedomBoatClubMaine.com

Four locations in Maine!

On Casco Bay - Fore Points Marina | 58 Fore St, Portland

Yarmouth Boat Yard | 72 Lafayette St, Yarmouth

Sunset Marina | 231 Front St, South Portland

Sebago Lakes Region - Moose Landing Marina | 32 Moose Landing Trail, Naples

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Take Pride In Acadia Day - 2020 Style

There Is Still Time To Sign Up!!!

For years, MOAC has been represented at the annual Take Pride in Acadia Day (TPIAD) on the first Saturday of November. The annual event gathers volunteers from near and far to help prepare the famous carriage roads for winter by raking leaves to ensure proper drainage. In the past, the event has had as many as 400 people gather. Not so for 2020.

This year's event will be held on Saturday, November 7.

Due to COVID19 restrictions, Friends of Acadia, the organization that sponsors the event, has released details on how the day will work this year.

As in the past, registration will be online and in advance. But this year people will sign up as a team. Anyone want to be part of the MOAC team?
A team representative will need to be able to visit the outdoor supply station the day before to get safety supplies, information, and volunteer appreciation items.
On the day of the event, the team will meet at a predetermined location somewhere along the carriage road system. We will be assigned to a parking area ahead of time.
Tools and tarps will have been placed by Acadia for our use when we arrive.
There will be no gathering for lunch after at park headquarters.

Outside of the TPIAD event, you are on your own for meals, lodging, etc. Over the years people meet up to eat. This can also be just a day event.

Look for this to be on the calendar soon. Questions? Email Peter Mullen at pcm25me@gmail.com

Trip Stories

Hurricane Teddy Beachwalk

BY NANCY DORRANS

Samantha Brown, host of several Travel Channel shows, said this recently on a Facebook live broadcast, “What I miss the most is spontaneous moments with strangers. None of us have had that. That spontaneous moment of just meeting someone who you have never met before and you will never see again in your life but you have a moment together.”

I agree with Samantha for the most part, however, these spontaneous moments happen all the time with MOAC. We do meet strangers that often become friends! Tis true on the day that Hurricane Teddy blew into Maine and churned up the surf up and down our coast.

I wanted to meet and greet Teddy and see what He/She was sending us. So, I posted a last minute beach walk from Pine Point to OOB. Four people showed up who had never been on a MOAC adventure…Audrey, Betsy, Alice, Karen and Nicole(?) Four others that have or had been members of MOAC for many years (Tom Handcock, Marianne Hubert, Hildegarde Heary and myself) welcomed them. They were excited to join us and we were all smiles. Hildegarde got her new shoes wet when we were busy talking and not paying attention to the surf. She didn't care. She was "Kissed by Odin" she exclaimed with a huge smile on her face! We shared the beach both distant and socially with surfers, gulls and plovers!

T'was a fine evening adventure! Thank you MOAC!

Cutler Mountain, Hiram

BY NANCY DORRANS

I recently jumped onto the MOAC New Member ZOOM meeting along with board members Lianne Mitchell and Dan Kidd. It was nice to virtually see so many new faces! Sensing a lot of interest in hiking and questions about the club’s style, I decided to post a “New Members” welcome hike for that following weekend.

I wanted to choose a trail that was easy to find, not too far away from Portland with a moderate level of difficulty and a sauntering pace.

After consulting with a few other members I decided on Cutler Mountain in Hiram. According to Pat Johnson, “Cutler Mountain is a lot of bang for your buck especially at this time of year.”

Long time members intermingled with our new friends, Steve, Pat, Mark, Vivian, Kerie and Barbara. We totaled a few more than a baker’s dozen, spread out along the trail to be safe and social.

We parked at the “New” parking area on Hiram Hill road and started on the Blue blaze trail through blazing colors, looping around through to Red and finally White blazes. Our hike offered stunningly distant views of the snow covered White Mountains against the fall foliage!

Fallen leaves, several pitches, rock scrambles and recent rains made our 5 mile loop a bit more challenging than anticipated. The sun shone and snacks were enjoyed on several dramatic view points. The view of Mt. Washington covered in snow added icing on the cake to this amazing day! It literally took my breath away!

A sauntering we did go at a leisurely pace, not “faster than book pace” but more like John Muir:

“I don't like either the word [hike] or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not 'hike!' Do you know the origin of that word saunter? It's a beautiful word. Away back in the middle ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going they would reply, 'A la sainte terre', 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them.” ― John Muir

So, go ahead, pick a trail and post! We will come a sauntering!

Food For Thought

PUMPKIN CRUNCH GRANOLA

This quick and easy pumpkin recipe makes use of the pumpkin seeds so nothing goes to waste. Have this for breakfast with some fresh yogurt, or as a snack to take while hiking during your camping trip.

INGREDIENTS

For the Spice Mix

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¹/₂ ground nutmeg

¹/₂ teaspoon ground ginger

¹/₄ teaspoon allspice

For the Candied Pumpkin Seeds

2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon butter
¹/₄ cup honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon spice mix (see Spice Mix ingredients)
Pinch of salt

For the Granola

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups of candied pumpkin seeds (see Candied Pumpkins seeds ingredients)
Remaining spice mix
1 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice together. Set aside.

2. Melt the butter in a skillet on medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and 1 teaspoon of the spice mix. Stir the pumpkin seeds until they are golden brown.

3. Add the honey and brown sugar. Stir for another two minutes.

4. Transfer the pumpkin seeds onto a large sheet tray, and allow this to cool. Break the seeds with a spatula every now and then to keep them from sticking to each other. Set aside.

5. In a Dutch oven, add the maple syrup and coconut oil. Bring this to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for two more minutes.

6. Add the oats, salt, and remaining spice mix. Stir until the oats are fully coated.

7. Add the candied pumpkin seeds. Cover the Dutch oven. Bake for 25 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (that's equivalent to 6 coals under the Dutch oven and 18 coals on top of the cover of the Dutch oven).

8. Remove the granola and transfer this onto the large sheet tray to cool.

Serves: 6/Preparation time: 5 minutes/Cooking time: 1 hour

From www.campingroadtrip.com

A Newsletter Plea!!

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!

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.

Flashback!

This entry is from October, 1996

Chocorua - South

By DOUG McALLISTER

Vowing that the south (approach) would rise again, rebel MOACers, who were loyal to the Union at back cove S&S (August 18), had had enough by the time they reached two-trails in Standish and broke from the ranks by heading across Route 25, leaving the Northerners eating dust on Rt. 113. The race to the summit of Chocorua was on!

The rebels' strategy was to approach the summit via the little-used Hammond Trail located on a gravel road just off Rt. 16 outside of Chocorua Village. Jeff, our forward scout, was already waiting for us at the trailhead. Part of our strategy was to overwhelm the opposition with talent. Jean could identify most of the flora we encountered on the hike. He even pointed out sphagnum moss which could be used to aseptically treat wounds. Greg was able to peer above the tree tops to survey the trail while Connie, Luanne, and I applied our taste-testing skills to confirm that the blueberries were edible.

After passing the Weetamoo Trail we stopped at the first major ledgy overlook for lunch (+blueberries). Chocorua loomed above us. Soon our trail merged with the Liberty Trail as we proceeded up to the Jim Liberty Shelter (nice!). At this point the trail broke out of the tree-line and we began the steep & open summit approach. Jeff shot ahead to announce our arrival to the Northerners. Our arrival ceremony was great with offerings of watermelon and a candy buffet (MOAC tradition?). Instead of a skirmish, both sides accepted the views and an uneasy truce was established when the South reluctantly adopted two Northern castaways for the trip back down.

However, soon discovered their hidden motives. Dan Kidd (trail name "slow learner") had really joined us to learn the name of the trail. Suzette (the joker) just wanted a new audience to practice her routines on. Thus, on the way down, we all took turns teaching Dan while Suzette had us laughing until our knees hurt.

Back in Conway, Ulysses S. Thurston accepted the peace beer in a great show of reconciliation as the Union was made whole again over pizza. To add to the celebration, Cora Ellen, et al. presented a Broadway Review and Dan Kidd gave us his rendition of the H A M M O N D Trail.

By the way, Suzette said that our trail was the hardest and that the Northerners were a bunch of wimps!

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

Please check out the Appalachian Mountain Club's guide to "getting back to normal" when it comes to the Great Outdoors and COVID-19.

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.

Theme in Yellow

By CARL SANDBURG

I spot the hills

With yellow balls in autumn.

I light the prairie cornfields

Orange and tawny gold clusters

And I am called pumpkins.

On the last of October

When dusk is fallen

Children join hands

And circle round me

Singing ghost songs

And love to the harvest moon;

I am a jack-o'-lantern

With terrible teeth

And the children know

I am fooling.

For Time At The Wood Stove

A Year In The Maine Woods. By Bernd Heinrich. Da Capo Press, 1995, 272 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0201489392. Price $17.47 (paperback)

Not Without Peril: 150 Years of Misadventure on the Presidential Range of New Hampshire, by Nicholas Howe. Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 2009, 344 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1934028322. Price $18.95 (paperback)

Seven Summits. By Dick Bass & Frank Wells with Rick Ridgeway. Grand Central Publishing, 1988, 384 pages. ISBN: 978-0446385169. Price $13.29 (paperback)

Remember the Leave No Trace Principles

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.

Cutler Mountain

Hiram, ME

Live music responsibly

The Conant Homestead, Westbrook, ME

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.

Click here for ongoing events.

Click here for discounts.