As the end of July is on the near horizon I thought I might report on the success of CVOA activities and events at mid-year. Membership continues to grow at manageable levels with a total of 460 memberships encompassing 865 members. Our financial health is excellent, which has allowed us to increase the number of no-cost or very low cost events to our members over the past six months.

 

The addition of our new Membership and Social Media Coordinators has strengthened our ability to manage growth and communicate more effectively with current members, possible future members and other communities of interest.

 

To date all of 2017's recreational events have been exceptionally well attended. The western ski trip to Telluride, Colorado, the Sky Lodge Trip to Jackman and the group camping trip to Schoodic Woods were all in effect "sold out". Other well attended events included the Victory Chimes Sail, the Route 27 Cleanup Day, Fly Casting Clinics at several locations, and the St. Patrick's Day Bowling Party.

 

The CVOA Range, under the continued leadership of Neal Trask, has had a great first half year. Attendance at the Sunday Trap Shoots is at its highest levels ever and we expect a banner Autumn season. The Five Stand Range is nearing completion and at that time CVOA will have the most advanced range facility in Western Maine.

 

One common denominator to the success of the above events is the leadership commitment shown by a small group of dedicated CVOA'ers. Trip leaders hold a special place in CVOA. These are the people who dedicate their time and energy to identify, plan and manage the recreational and community activities we are so well known for in our Western Maine area. Whether their efforts result in a major national or international travel event, a two or three hour hike, or a half day paddle, our Trip Leaders are what make CVOA GO !

 

My observation over the past 12 years is that Trip Leaders are amongst the most well respected and best thought of members of CVOA. These are the people "who make things happen" not just for themselves but for our entire recreational community.  I know we have more members that would find being a trip leader a very satisfying and personally rewarding experience. I would encourage you to consider becoming one of CVOA's "special people".

 

One of our 'special people' searches is for an enthusiastic hiker to help update the CVOA Hiking Guide; check out the article in the News section of this newsletter.

 

I fully expect the second half of 2017 to be as active and successful as the last six months. The Dead River Paddle and Barbecue, CVOA Skydiving Adventure, Homecoming Weekend, the Five Stand Range Opening and of course the three western ski trips are all awaiting us. Great times ahead!

 

Best to all,  Joe Loughran

As I am filling in activities for next year, it will be helpful to get your ideas.

Do you have an idea of an activity you wish someone would organize?  Please let me know and we will see if we can't make it happen.

~ Betsy Chapman, Adventure Coordinator

cvoa.adventures@gmail.com or 207-944-3264

On Sunday, August 13th CVOA will once again be kayaking and canoeing the North Branch of the Dead River in Eustis.

This will be the third time CVOA has sponsored this event and the participation continues to grow each time. In 2015 we had 40+ paddlers cruising one of the western mountains least known, but most beautiful, flat water paddles.

 

Paddlers will be meeting at the put-in ramp on King and Bartlett Rd. in Eustis at 10:00 AM. King and Bartlett Rd. is about 3 miles north of Pines Market on Route 27 North. The actual put-in is just beyond the wooden bridge about 100 yards off Route 27. Directional signs will be put up for first time attendees. There is ample parking and there will be folks to show you where the parking spaces are located.

 

Once launched, the trip is about 2 hours with one very short 200 foot portage. Assistance with the portage will be available for anyone needing a helping hand.

 

Spectacular views of the Bigelow Mountain Range and beautiful Flagstaff Lake await you on this trip.

 

Canoeists' and kayakers' will take out at the Wing Community landing in Eustis where Gail Miller and Joe Loughran will host the now famous post-paddling barbecue and gathering. Provisions will be made for transportation back to King & Bartlett Rd. to retrieve vehicles.

 

	High Flying Joe

 

Mark your calendars, all are welcome. The meeting will be held at September 17 at 1:00 pm at the Carrabassett Valley Town Park - outside if the weather is nice, inside the town office otherwise.

It is not too early to mark your calendar to help at our booth at Homecoming. It's a great way to meet people, and promote CVOA. Questions? Want to Help? Send me an email at cvoa.vicepresident@gmail.com.

 

~ Bonnie Farrar, Vice President

Have you been to Acadia Park and Bar Harbor this year?  Each year a million people travel from all over the world to visit this beautiful place.  Now it's your turn! 

 

We've got the whole Mt. Desert Island reserved for the weekend of October 20 - 22 (well not really, but it kind of feels that way) and you won't want to miss this popular CVOA event.  You already know how special the Park is, especially with the fall foliage.  Add to that a nice motel to stay at, lots of good eats in Bar Harbor, the infamous COVA happy hours, and to top it off, you get to enjoy all this with your CVOA friends.  Feel free to bring guests with you as well. 

 

We will be staying at the Cromwell Harbor Motel once again, and it is not too early to make your reservations. It is in easy walking distance to downtown Bar Harbor.  The rooms are $88 or $98 per night, subject to availability.  We have not pre-booked any rooms, so it is recommended you make your reservation with the Cromwell Motel ASAP.  You can cancel the reservation up to 7 days in advance, with a $20 cancellation fee.  First night deposit is required at the time of booking. Be sure to tell them you are part of the CVOA group.

 

Cromwell Harbor Motel,  359 Main Street,  Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Reservations:  1-800-544-3201 --   Information:  207-288-3201

   info@cromwellharbor.com --    www.cromwellharbor.com

 

Our weekend goes like this:  Arrive Friday, hopefully early enough to get in a bike ride, a hike, or just a stroll through town.  Friday is the traditional Al Diamon Memorial pub-crawl.  We will meet up for happy hour around 5 pm at a local watering hole, or maybe we will do our own happy hour at the hotel.  After happy hour, people head out on their own to find that perfect meal in one of the 40 area restaurants (see www.barharborinfo.com/dining for a list of restaurants).  The motel does not have a restaurant so you will want to head into town for breakfast and lunch, or bring your own.  Some of the rooms have kitchenettes; so inquire when booking your reservation.  Saturday night plans are up in the air at this point, but we will have some sort of group get together for sure.

 

There are literally hundreds of miles of hiking trails, some more challenging than others, but all are spectacular.  The Carriage Trails are great for walking or biking and pass through some of the more beautiful sections of the Park.  Biking the Park Loop is a great experience, probably one of the most scenic rides in the state.  Kayaking around the many islands in the harbor is also a fun activity.  And don't forget your golf clubs!  There are several outstanding golf courses on the Island including Kebo Valley and Northeast Harbor Golf Club.  This is a good time to shop in the town of Bar Harbor as the stores are offering end of season deals.  Sunday morning there is a farmer's market just down the street, with lots of great local produce.  Acadia National Park is beautiful this time of year.  And don't forget to get up early and catch the sunrise on top of Cadillac - it is worth the effort!

 

So, make your reservation at the Cromwell Harbor Motel, and let Pete Weston know you are going to attend.  It is that easy!

 

~ Pete Weston

Email cvoa.adventures@gmail.com or call 207-831-8565

Copper Mountain - January 21-28

Click here for brochure or go to our website page

 

Banff/Lake Louise - February 6-13

Click here for brochure or go to our website page.

We have room for 2 more.

 

Schweitzer Mountain - March 6-13

Click here for brochure or go to our website page

Plenty of room for more!

 

One of our 'special people' searches is for an enthusiastic hiker to help update the CVOA Hiking Guide; we have voted to discontinue printing the first edition as it needs to be updated.

Or even if you are just an occasional or non-hiker, you could help - we need someone to oversee the process of updating the book. And we will campaign for added and updated content to our Hiking Guide.

Please call or message for more info.  207-650-3099 or email me at cvoa.president@gmail.com.

 

~ Joe Loughran 

Thanking a Fly Fisher for going trout fishing may seem a bit superfluous, but in this case it's appropriate. Since to publication of our article in the CVOA June Newsletter, the number of fly fishers visiting the Outdoor Center Pond increased significantly. Based on the survey cards left in the box, the majority of fishers identified themselves as CVOA members.

The catch and release rates reported were good to very good with the majority of trout caught in the 5" to 7" size range. That would be consistent with Sonny Pierce's recent trout s tocking. Sonny has been working on a spread sheet showing results and I will summarize his findings later this fall.

As the Outdoor Center Pond water warms in late summer, the fishing will, as usual, slow down.  Let's look to a good September/October season and keep the survey cards coming. Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to fish the pond, and if you have not yet participated but would like to, please fish the pond and fill out the survey card each time you go. And let Joe know of your interest so he can keep in touch with you.

~ Joe Loughran

 

There were 10 of us on the Victory Chimes this year, and t o our surprise we found that there was also a Sugarloaf management retreat aboard, so it was like old home week.  

We had flawless weather mixed with some rain, and a few hours of fog.  As always, Capt. Files was a gracious host and the crew fun to sail with.  The food was terrific as always and a good time was had by all.  

It was to some extent a Chapman family event, as evidenced by the caption: From left to right - Pete and Judy Weston, John's granddaughter Jade Chapman, new member Sheila Pechinski, Sandy and Jay Osterrieder, John and Betsy Chapman, John's grandson Range Chapman, and John's son David Chapman. And as we later realized, the Westons are also relations of the Chapmans, somehow.

~ Betsy Chapman, Cruise Organizer

 

Greg and Cindy Foster opened their beautiful home on McFarland's Cove in South Bristol to CVOA members on Saturday, July 22nd. 16 members attended, some arriving by land, and some by sea!

Local blueberry stands were spotted along Route 1, and of course, a long line of people waiting for lobster rolls at Red's Eats in Wiscasset!

The weather cooperated, and the group enjoyed an onshore breeze while admiring the oceanfront views from the deck at the Foster's home. Lobster arrived from the local seafood coop promptly at one o'clock, it was supplemented by sides provided by everyone who came. The meal was followed by the Fosters' well-known and well-loved ice cream sundaes, and of course lots of friendly conversation!

It seemed to be a day of relaxation for most of the group, who opted to enjoy time in the screen porch, visiting and enjoying the company. And never quite making it out onto the water. Early in the morning, Bill Callahan took his Hobie pedal (yes, 'pedal', not 'paddle') kayak out in the cove, and he received recognition for being the only one feeling ambitious enough to actually get out on the water. Good work, Bill!

Thank you, Greg & Cindy!!

~ Jane Marden, visitor to the Cove

 

We couldn't have asked for any better weather on our