January MOAC Newsletter

February 3rd - 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!

February General Meeting

What Walks, Hops, Leaps, Waddles & Bounds in the Forested Landscape

with Barbara Bald and more

Are you curious about what might be visiting your favorite spaces when you aren’t around? Then join us VIRTUALLY to learn about some of the animals that might be frequent visitors. We’ll look at some of the clues they might leave behind to tell you they’ve been there.

Through on-site photographs, we’ll examine animal signs, tracks, track patterns, and more from the winter landscape.Then, next time it snows, you can, socially distanced of course, head out into the forest to see what you can discover. Come share your knowledge of the woods and what lives there. No need for snowshoes this time around!

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Facilitator: Barbara Bald

Barbara taught science to sixthgrade students in Gilford, NH for 22 years, worked with NH-based Green Mountain Conservation Group's Volunteer Biological Assessment Program and helped facilitate the Sense of Place program for second graders in schools in Maine. She studied tracking with Paul Rezendes and his senior trackers, with members of the AMC and staff of the White Pines program in Maine. Barbara has been tracking animals for over 20 years, but with so much to learn about the land and the creatures that live in it, she still considers herself an intermediate tracker.

Visit her website at: https://www.barbarabald.com

First Aid Tips

With Tony Wilson

Whether you were a Scout or not, "Be Prepared" can never steer you wrong. Tony will briefly talk about first aid when out adventuring. Being cool, calm, and collected in the face of adversity is always good. But so is having an idea of what to do.

Last Month's Presentation

The Allagash-New England’s Wild River

with Tim Caverly

Tim Caverly, author and retired Maine Park Ranger, took us on an adventure through scenic and historic photos down the 92-mile Allagash River. Through the power point presentation, viewers heard the lore, legends and characters that Tim experienced during his 32 years as a Maine Park Ranger, which included 18 years as Ranger Supervisor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

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TIM CAVERLY is a Maine author who has written and published (10) books about Maine. He is a member of the Nollesemic Lodge # 205 of Mason’s, ‘Son of the American Legion’ Post 80 in Millinocket and an honorary member of the Board of Directors for Houlton’s Starbright Children’s Theatre. Tim and his wife Susan are graduates of the University of Maine at Machias. At the eastern most college in the U.S, they earned teaching certificates.

You can learn more about Tim and his adventures as well as order his books at https://allagashtails.com/.

Click HERE to visit the above URL at Chestnut Mountain Productions

President's Corner

Dan's Perspective Is Always Unique

Squirrelly! Yes, sums it up. 2020, what happened? Many seem to have been happy to discard that year. “Good” or “bad”, time is a gift not to be squandered I believe. Darwin taught us those who survive adapt best.

The world will never go back to the way it was completely. For myself, I found time to do things that I hadn’t fit in, perhaps never would have, and this is a good thing. I have a new appreciation for “essential workers”. How much my life, health and well being is dependent upon some “lowly laborer” on the other side of the world, the mechanic, Uber driver, bagger at the supermarket, you name it everywhere.

I shouldn’t say it but, this is the longest time I’ve gone without a cold since I can remember. I like that! Outdoor pursuits have been hammered. A new level of appreciation has risen and will undoubtedly, go to protect our wild lands and waters like never before. Say all you want about the president or the government but hear this, my hat's off to our civilization with all its flaws for developing a vaccine in 9 months. HATS OFF! This is a year we will remember, and history will remember and if you’re reading this, you will remember.

Dan Kidd, President

president@moac.org

Important Information From The Board

Fellow MOAC'ERS.

DUES INCREASE: The cost of membership in MOAC increased to $25 for individuals and $30 for families. This change went into affect on 1/1/21. It has been many years since dues were increased and it appears to be just the third time in our 32-year history.

CHANGE IN RENEWAL NOTIFICATION: We have officially changed how members are notified it is time to renew. We have discontinued the mailing of postcards and replaced that with emails. You will receive a 30-day notice followed by a 14-day and a 1-day reminder if applicable. We welcome feedback. Aside from just getting us more into the 21st Century, it is a significant savings over the cost of the cards, processing, and mailing. Not to mention the volunteer hours needed to make this happen.

BOARD MEETINGS: The Board is striving to do better at posting meeting dates and publishing the Zoom link on the calendar for those interested. Our next meeting is slated for Tuesday, February 9th, at 7:30 pm. Look for this notification when it is added to the calendar.

Election Season Approaches

At the January General Meeting, it was announced that Eileen Whynot is our 2021 Election Officer. Her primary job is to submit a slate of nominees for the February meeting.

The Board consists of seven positions (President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary, and three At-Large) for one-year terms.

If there are any contested seats, voting will take place electronically in the two weeks leading up to the March meeting with results announced that evening. If there are no contested seats, the nominated slate will be accepted that evening.

If you are interested in serving on the board, please contact Eileen HERE. You can also notify the BOARD and it will be passed on.

MOAC is a 100% volunteer organization. Please consider giving back to the best club in Maine!

Welcome New Members

Diana Anderson

Amber Andrews

Susan Bosco

Christopher Burnett

Lara Butera

Cheryl Carmichael-Lefebvre

Craig Chekan

Terence Cronin

Mary Daley

Deb DeLea

Wendie Demuth

Michelle Fairfield

Jeffrey Farnham

Michael Ferioli

Joan Fetsko

Mark Fuller

Henry Gilman

Anne Goodhue

Susan Green

Lisa Greenlaw

Sonja Haag-Ducharme

Whitney Hess

Sarah Hopkins

Joy Intriago

Khusro Kidwai

Michelle Kruger

Brenda Laverdiere

Guy Marshall

Heather Martin

Mike Moody

Sarah Paton

Susan Perry

Alice Peterson

Erik Quick

Jahna Romano

Carolyn Shattuck

John Shipman

Nancy Silverman

Kate Solomon

William Sprusnsky

Alison Stark

John Stoyak

Michelle VanDeven

Rachel Vondenhuevel

Marion Walsh

Linda Welch

Mary Wicklund

Kelly Woltornist

Guest Column

A Thank-Full Job

BY: ANNE GEISLER

Friends, have you thought about leading a trip for MOAC? Well, let me tell ya, it's one of the easiest, most fun and most thank-full things you'll ever do. I tend to lead a lot of trips, because I like to climb approximately one mountain a week, and no one else seems to have that particular compulsion. But plenty of people like to get outside and do something - whether it's a beach walk, a city walk, a snowshoe or cross country ski trip, a preserve hike, a lake or ocean paddle, a bike ride, a downhill ski trip - whatever! If you enjoy a certain activity, you can be sure that other people do too.

And the best thing about MOAC? Anyone can lead a trip! That's right, folks - no special license or education is required, other than a desire to do something fun outside. Call us crazy, but you won't find other outdoor organizations that welcome amateur organizers as warmly as we do. In fact, my very first MOAC trip was one that I led, because I used to live a long ways from Portland and no one was doing trips near me. So even a rank newbie can do it!

What does it take to be a MOAC trip leader? Very little, apparently, if Dan Kidd and I can do it so often ... Just kidding - I'm a huge Dan fan! All you have to do is pick a day, time and place, and post it to our somewhat-user friendly website, and you're good to go. During the pandemic, we're trying to keep our groups small so we appreciate limits on group size and limiting trips to members only for now. Contact information is important in case of tracing needs, so requiring RSVP's helps with all those issues.

And the best part? All the folks who come will sincerely thank you for doing it. We're all really busy and we all want to do stuff outside with fun people, but finding the time to set up a plan in advance just doesn't come easily to a lot of us. But it really doesn't take much time, and people are endlessly thankful when someone does post a trip they can join. I've basked in the appreciation every time I've put together a trip, and it's a great motivator to do more. Kinda the same principle as "better to give than receive" - making something amazing possible for a bunch of people who might otherwise have spent their Saturday at Home Depot or doing laundry is a great reward. Far from being a thankless job, it's exactly the opposite.

Worried that you're not strong enough/fast enough/skilled enough to be a leader of a group? That's another marvelous thing about MOAC - no one cares! Anyone who has hiked with me knows my motto is, "I lead from behind." I'm usually the last or next to last hiker on the trail, because I love to hike, but I'm not fast. Truly, the most important thing is that you took a few minutes to put together a plan and put it on the calendar. No one will judge your cycling speed, paddling technique, skiing prowess or hiking skills - assuming, of course, everyone gets home safely. And even there, we're pretty flexible. Our rule is to return with no more than 5% fewer people than we set out with. (JK...!)

Another great thing about MOACers is their tolerance for last minute plans. It's Friday night and you haven't made a plan for the weekend yet? Rest assured that most MOACers haven't either. Go ahead and throw something on the calendar for Saturday morning at 9, and I guarantee you'll get people who are happy to join you. Outdoor activities are weather-dependent, so I often wait to get a reliable forecast before picking a day and time, or end up having to change the date due to weather. No worries - our members understand that and are super flexible. Again, people just appreciate someone putting together a plan, and don't gripe about a change because of weather. Now, some people gripe about starting too early in the morning (you know who you are...) but that's the joy of being the organizer. Put together the trip you want to do, and people who want to do it too will join you.

This is the time of year we all have a bit of cabin fever, and we're all looking for an escape from current events. Outdoor activities done in small groups and with appropriate precautions are the best way to stay healthy and happy this winter. Because we have to keep our groups small, that means more people need to put them together. It's really easy once you figure out the event posting section of the website, and if you have any questions, just ask. We're considering doing a MOAC leader training session on zoom so if that sounds interesting, send the board a note at board@moac.org. Your fellow MOACers will be eternally grateful!

Thank You Trip Leaders

The Club extends its thanks and gratitude to the following MOACers for leading trips since the last newsletter. MOAC has always been driven by its members. Will you please consider leading a trip?

We had 18 trips posted, all hiking or walking.

Anne Geisler - 5

Nancy Dorrans - 2

Paul Louis- 2

Bill Briggs - 2

Sharon Ross and Dan Kidd - 1 each

The 18 includes the 5 club trips posted.

Website Changes

The Board has been working with our web developer to address the concerns of members and would like to announce the following changes:

When you log in now, you will go directly to the calendar. Since that page is the heart of the club, it should be the first destination.
If you want to create an event, you will now find a button to do so right on the top of the calendar page. No more drilling down through your profile to create a MOAC event.
Email notifications of trips will now include all the details on the calendar. No need to jump onto the website to learn details of a new trip.

Now see trip detail information in the notification email!

Create a new event right from the Calendar page!

Happy New Year MOAC!

SUBMITTED BY: NANCY DORRANS

MOACer since 2000

The story below was shared to me in another group and I thought it important to share it with YOU, my MOAC family (a group that has been like a large extended family to me for over 20 years!).

“A man, who regularly attended group meetings suddenly without any notice stopped participating.

After a few weeks, one very cold night the leader of that group decided to visit him. He found the man at home, alone, sitting in front of a fireplace where a bright fire burned.

The man welcomed the leader. There was a great silence. The two men only watched the dancing flames around the logs that crackled in the fireplace.

After a few minutes the leader, without saying a word, examined the woods that formed the fire and selected one of them, glowing most brightly of all, removing it to the side with a pair of tongs. Then he sat down again.

The host was paying attention to everything, fascinated. Before long, the lone member flame subsided, until there was only a momentary glow & the fire soon went out.

In a short time what was previously bright light and heat had become nothing more than a black & dead piece of wood. Very few words had been spoken since the greeting.

Before preparing to leave, the leader with the tongs picked up the useless piece of wood & placed it again in the middle of the fire. Immediately, the member piece of wood was rekindled, fueled by the light & heat of the burning coals around him.

When the leader reached the door to leave, the host said: Thank you for your visit and for your beautiful lesson. I'll return to the group soon.

Why is a group important? Very simple:

Because each member that withdraws takes fire & heat from the rest.

It's worth reminding group members that they are a part of the flame.

It's also good to remind us that we are all responsible for keeping each other's flame burning

And we must promote the union among us so that the fire is really strong, effective and lasting.”

*THE* *GROUP* *IS* *ALSO* *A* *FAMILY*

*It doesn't matter if sometimes we are bothered by so many messages, quarrels, misunderstanding etc*.

What matters is to be connected. We are here to meet, learn, exchange ideas or simply to know that we are not alone.

*Let's keep the flame alive.*

Life is beautiful with good friends, colleagues & family like you!

Thank you to those that do so much for the club, much from behind the scenes!

Is this the year to continue or start to give back to your club/family that has given you so much? Elections are coming up! Consider joining the board so you can help out where your skills and passions can be shared!

Let's look forward to the new year with more safe, social and outdoor adventures!

Hope to see you soon, virtually and out there on the trails...

All the best for a bright and healthy 2021,

New Member Meeting

We are now a couple of months into our revived "New Member Meeting". Before the pandemic, we would invite new members, or anyone with questions to gather off to the side at our general meetings at the church.

We are now doing this via Zoom on the Wednesday after the general meeting. Look for the posting on the calendar as well as the link to join. The meeting is open to anyone with questions about the club, and existing members are welcome to stop in and help answer questions.

Look for the posting. The next meeting should be on February 10th.

Food For Thought

Slow-Cooker Short Ribs

Ingredients:

3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon canola oil

4 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup beef broth

4 fresh thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

2 large onions, cut into 1/2-inch wedges

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups dry red wine or beef broth

4 teaspoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons cold water

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. In batches, brown ribs on all sides; transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Add carrots, broth, thyme and bay leaf to ribs.
Add onions to the same skillet; cook and stir over medium heat 8-9 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook 8-10 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Add to slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove ribs and vegetables; keep warm. Transfer cooking juices to a small saucepan; skim fat. Discard thyme and bay leaf. Bring juices to a boil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Return to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened; press cancel. If desired, sprinkle with additional salt and pepper. Serve with ribs and vegetables.

From "Taste Of Home"

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 January, 1994

Top Ten Reasons You Should Not Have Missed The Second Annual Boston North End Outing

BY: CHARLIE MYERS

1. Sunny, 60° weather.

2. Fourteen most excellent MOAC'ians including our own private tour guides, the Boston

native, Sicilian speaking Cynthia and her Irish expert and Bunker Hill consultant, Beth.

3. It was one MOAC trip where Gore-Tex was not posh, and a Fall outfit did not have to

include day-glow orange.

4. Hour long conversations on 95 south on what Italian delicacy you were going to have

for dinner and which red wine should accompany it.

5. Listening to a 91 year old man (the last person to have been born in Paul Revere's house!) tell the story of the "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere from the Old North Church".

6. A chance to shop at Crate & Barrel.

7. A dollar boat ride in Boston Harbor.

8. Witnessing "MOAC - 93'" being inscribed on the wall of the Graffiti Cafe while sipping

on your decaffeinated double hazelnut cappucino.

9. Conquering the 294 steps of the Bunker Hill monument after polishing off 4 loaves of

Italian bread, a pound of mouth watering Gouda cheese, the finest prosciutto, six

varieties of olives, a half gallon of chianti and some delicately light, yet crispy,

almond cookies.

10. Feeling the contentment of your stomach after having dined on tortellinis in cream sauce and anti-pasta for appetizers, and then sharing dishes of veal sorrentino, eggplant

parmesan, pasta prima vera over a few bottles of good red wine.

P.S. - Cynthia's already planning our next urban outing for Cambridge/Harvard Square in

search of good folk music and the next Tracey Chapman... Be there or be square.

Posting Trips with COVID-19

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.

"Nature" Is What We See

BY: EMILY DICKINSON

"Nature" is what we see—

The Hill—the Afternoon—

Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee—

Nay—Nature is Heaven—

Nature is what we hear—

The Bobolink—the Sea—

Thunder—the Cricket—

Nay—Nature is Harmony—

Nature is what we know—

Yet have no art to say—

So impotent Our Wisdom is

To her Simplicity.

For Time At The Wood Stove

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. By Florence Williams. W. W. Norton & Company; Illustrated edition, 2018, 304 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0393355574. Price $13.99 (paperback)

Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival. By Joe Simpson. Perennial; Revised edition, 2004, 218 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0060730550. Price $12.89 (paperback)

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

. By Cheryl Strayed. Vintage; 1st edition, 2013, 315 pages. ISBN: 978-0307476074. Price $14.29 (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.

Pleasant Mountain

Bridgton/Denmark, ME

Bald Pate

Bridgton, 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.