May 5th - 7pm Virtual Meeting |
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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! |
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Be Ready for Action with
Dr. Philip Finemore, PT, DPT, and more
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Between winter in general, and a pandemic that might have kept you close to home for over a year, do those hiking boots bring unease? Do those kayak paddles make your shoulders hurt just looking at them? Are you convinced your bike is sneering at you?
Join us as Dr. Philip Finemore, PT, DPT presents injury prevention techniques for the outdoor enthusiast. He will discuss common injuries that could occur as we start new spring and summer activities that we were unable to do through the winter.
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with their loved ones. He is passionate about helping people ensure their number one asset in life (their body and health) gives them the biggest return on investment: an abundant life doing what they love with who they love.
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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.
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Last Month's Presentation |
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Trail Angels on the AT with Chloë Rowse |
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In February of 2018 Chloë set out on her most challenging and rewarding adventure yet - solo thru-hiking the entire 2,191 mile Appalachian Trail. When 24 year-old Chloë started her solo hike, she was prepared for the tough days. What she didn’t expect was the incredible kindness from the strangers that would make the difference between reaching the top of Mt. Katahdin or surrendering to the trials and tribulations of the trail.
Chloë let us see the experience through her eyes and told stories about the generosity of “trail angels” - the good samaritans who support hikers year after year along the Appalachian Trail, helping them persevere through the physical and emotional challenges of their journey.
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Chloë Rowse grew up in Maine and has traveled and hiked extensively throughout the world, starting with her first solo trip overseas at age 12. Chloë is a Licensed Maine Guide, a Wilderness First Responder, and Yoga teacher. At age 12, Chloë started her own summer camp for girls, which is now in its 15th year and includes an overnight camp. Chloë is currently the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization she founded called Growing Routes, which offers summer and year round programs for youth (www.growingroutes.org).
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By: PETER MULLEN
Chloë’s presentation in April did a good job of putting one in the mindset for accepting Trail Magic. For that warm, too-soft, beat-up Clementine. You’re exhausted. You’re soaking wet either from rain or sweat (or both). You’re in pain. You’re filthy. You feel you can’t take another step. Then someone does something nice for you. No cost, no obligation. It might happen to you in your daily “normal” life but do you notice it as much? Home pressures. Work pressures, Time pressures. It might go unnoticed.
For many years Tammy and I had the pleasure of seeing that transformation as hikers entered our circle to find what they were craving free for the taking. The warmth of a fire, the food, the companionship. True, those out there are there voluntarily, but we all have the same needs. We want to be warm, fed, and noticed.
So our mission on these September weekends for over a decade, was to always have a fire going, always have coffee on, always have a way for hikers to recharge batteries, and always have food. Did I mention food? Then we’d sit back and watch.
Watch reunions as people they hadn’t seen in weeks or months re-connect. Watch the relief on someone’s face as they settled into a chair, hands wrapped around a hot coffee, feet almost into the fire. Watch the waves of appreciation. Something you don’t necessarily see enough of these days.
We were also there to help. Someone needs new boots in Greenville, or they need to see a Doctor. Someone else might need to go home and needs to get to Bangor to catch a bus or plane. Whatever was needed, someone took care of it.
MOAC played a role in many of these weekends. Once we became members of the club, we posted these weekends on the calendar and many years we had members join us. If you need your own personal battery recharged, I cannot think of a better way.
But MOAC played a much larger role in another round of Trail Magic. Warrior Expeditions is a non-profit who’s mission is to help combat veterans “walk off the war” to get back to their lives. They do this by outfitting and supporting veterans on long treks on foot, on bike, or by paddle all over the country.
For a few years we had tried to offer support for their AT hikers but it never worked out. Then, in 2015 we got the offer we could not refuse. To provide the group’s celebratory dinner after they submitted Katahdin.
Thanks to the generosity of MOAC’ers, we did. We raised enough that for 2015 and 2016 we served lobster, steak, chicken, all the fixings, and desert pies donated by Cole Farms in Gray. To spend that time with these veterans was irreplaceable. We used the facilities of the American Legion Post 80 in Millinocket.
How can you help? It doesn’t take that much planning and commitment to make an AT hiker’s day. Take a cooler full of goodies and a camp chair or two to an AT road crossing and enjoy the day. It’s kind of like going fishing. You never know how it will turn out. You won’t be disappointed by the reception you get. Soak up the appreciation. In Maine, August and September is a good time as hikers who started in March and April make their way north.
The MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club) has spent the last 85 years maintaining the AT in Maine from Grafton Notch to Baxter State Park. They are always looking for volunteers. MOAC has a history of helping Dana Thurston and Carey Kish maintain their sections of trail. Other MOACers are also trail maintainers. Michelle and Stan Moody come to mind. I maintain a campsite in the Andover area near South Arm. When I visit it to check it out, I am doing behind the scenes Trail Magic and often see no one. But, I make sure to carry fresh brownies just in case. I never get tired of the smiles in return.
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By: BILL BRIGGS
MOAC General Meeting
via ZOOM
April 7, 2021
Up to 39 in attendance
President Dan Kidd started the meeting at 7:02.
The meeting opened with general announcements. The new-member meeting will be posted on the calendar soon. Three people talked about up-coming trips: a bike ride, a campfire get together, and a hike. Dan said he’d been hoping to talk about the June BBQ, but the planning meeting had been canceled due to the Spectrum internet outage on Monday. Plans will be announced soon.
Ann Hitzrot showed recent trip pictures. The tally of March events was presented, and there were more events in March than there have been for quite a while.
The featured speaker was Chloe Rowse, talking about Appalachian Trail Magic. Chloe is the founder and Executive Director of Growing Routes (www.growingroutes.org). Chloe through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018. She gave a very entertaining description of aspects of her hike - the hardships and the heart-warming acts of kindness (Trail Magic) performed by “Trail Angels”. A few interesting tidbits from her talk: she went through 5 pairs of shoes on her hike, and her feet enlarged a full shoe size; at the beginning of her hike she averaged 10-12 miles a day, but gradually increased it to 25-35 miles a day because there wasn’t anything else to do; Maine was her favorite state of the 14 she hiked through. Her tales of Trail Magic were very heart-warming and moving. Her take away lesson: You don’t need to be hiking the AT to perform “trail magic”; we all have something (tangible or intangible) that would mean more to give away than to keep.
The meeting concluded at about 8:20.
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If you’re reading this, it’s probably (almost) May. You’re probably a MOAC member. I’ll venture you’re well on your way to being vaccinated – or have at least thought about it (last year this time, it wasn’t an option) and thinking the coming summer will be WAY better than last. That’s where I am. My root canal trip to Mexico went well – tested negative upon return. I bought some paint for my sailboat and started seedlings in the greenhouse. I can see I’ll likely be able to run a Memorial Day canoe trip this year. Indeed! Way better than last.
So….what have we learned having gone through this last year? Frailty of our species? Vulnerability? Strength maybe? Resilience? Interdependence? Reassessment of values?
Importance of toilet paper?
Anyway you cut it, we have all come out of this (I hope we’re on the other side now) a slightly different person. Regarding our club and the outdoors, there’s a tremendous increase in awareness and use of our natural environment. Who’d have thought?
But such a price to pay.
Dan Kidd, President
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MOAC has a need. Do you have an urge to help?
The club has a need for someone to work on marketing the club to businesses and interests that are beneficial to both us and them.
- Look for, confirm, and keep updated the list of discounts and perks we get as members
- Look for new opportunities for that list
- Combine it possibly with advertising in the newsletter
- Or bringing MOAC into their space
Please email the Board if you are interested or have questions. The club only works when its members make it work. |
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Teens To Trails Gear Drive |
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By: JEANNE CHRISTIE
Teens to Trails is dedicated to connecting high school students with life-changing outdoor experiences. We do this primarily by supporting high school outing clubs. And when clubs head outdoors, they need gear to keep the students warm and comfortable. Most clubs have a volunteer leader and a very limited budget, so gear donations make a big difference.
Outing club activities include hiking, camping, geocaching, shelter building, cooking outdoors, and other fun adventures.
Your extra outdoor gear can become a tax-deductible donation and Teens to Trails redistributes items directly to high school outing clubs. Items that are not appropriate for a club may be consigned with Brunswick-based Woods & Waters Gear Exchange, where the revenue supports Teens to Trails student programs. Items must be in good condition and ready to use. Please wash clothing and sleeping bags prior to donation.
Items that Outing Clubs need most:
CAMPING & BACKPACKING GEAR - camp stoves, tents, backpacks, trekking poles, clean sleeping bags, headlamps, lanterns, cookware, guidebooks, binoculars, and duffle bags for storage.
OUTDOOR CLOTHING – base-layers, mid-layers, outerwear, rainwear, hats and gloves, socks and boots.
Four drop-off locations.
Look for the tub with our poster at the main entrance of:
You can also mail your gear to Teens to Trails. We’ll include the cost of postage as part of your tax-deductible gift.
Ready to make a donation? You can simply drop off your gear at one of the four locations between April 26 and May 31. If you would like to receive documentation of a charitable donation fill out the donation form here https://www.teenstotrails.org/donate-gear and identify yourself as a MOAC member on the form where it asks you to “Tell us a little about yourself….” After we receive the gear; we will send you documentation of your donation.
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I’ve recently had my attention called to the 52 With a View (52 WAV) hiking list in New Hampshire, so I’ve started to focus on hiking those mountains. My three MOAC hikes in March were all on this list. On Sunday March 7th, a beautiful warm day, a group of eight of us hiked Hedgehog Mountain, off the Kancamagus Highway. This early in the month, there was still lots of snow on the trails. We did a counter-clockwise loop and had lunch on the west peak and enjoyed the views from there. We then continued on to the main summit and eastern ledges, with the great views from there. At the beginning of our hike we ran into a group of students and leaders from Gould Academy, who were starting out on their 10 day winter camping experience. |
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On Tuesday the 16th, three of us decided to go for the spectacular, and hiked Mount Chocorua on the Champney Brook Trail. We’d been warned that the summit could be pretty icy and treacherous this time of year, so we were prepared to not make it to the summit. There was still hard-packed snow on the ridge, but the last steep climb to the summit was snow free, so we had no difficulty. At the summit, we enjoyed lunch in the warm sun with the spectacular panoramic view. Another bonus was that there was almost no wind. |
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My last hike of March was the more moderate Doublehead Mountain, in Jackson. On Tuesday the 30th, three of us hiked up the Ski Trail to the cabin on North Doublehead, and enjoyed the small but beautiful view window to the snow-covered Presidentials. We then hiked down into the col and up South Doublehead, where we had lunch on the ledges with great 180 degree views to the west. While relaxing in the sun of another warm March day, we heard a couple of Juncos singing and hopping around under the trees, and a calling Raven flew over. |
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In what could very well have been the first posted MOAC bike ride since 2019, 21 MOACers welcomed in spring with a traditional club ride on the most perfect of Saturdays (April 10). The route is a great one for working the kinks out after a long Maine winter. That's code for "NO HILLS"!
The gang met at Jimmy The Greeks in Saco and rode Temple Ave into Ocean Park. Then West on Route 9 to Camp Ellis and a deserved break. We then reversed direction, taking 9 back through OP, Old Orchard Beach, and to Pine Point. We retraced our route back to our starting point.
About a dozen souls needed rehydration on the outside deck of Jimmy's after. Thank you to the handful of new members who braved the unknown and joined the group.
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Resumption of In-Person Happy Hours |
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In a recent Board decision, the Friday night virtual Happy Hours have been discontinued. We've all had enough Zoom, attendance was minimal, and overall, COVID conditions are trending in the right direction.
With this in mind, we will be transitioning back to our traditional, in-person gatherings on Friday nights. If attending, please respect all CDC guidelines as well as any rules or restrictions set forth by the establishment you are visiting.
If you wish to help get this small step toward normality on the road, please email the Happy Hour committee HERE. |
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While maybe it was understood, the board realized it had never been spelled out:
If you learn you are positive with COVID-19 and had been on a recent MOAC trip, possibly exposing fellow MOACers, PLEASE e-mail the board with this information. Thank you.
Per the CDC, a close contact is:
Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
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680 Members
Janis Albright
Gail Aloisio
Jacqueline Barnicoat
Sarah Bauer
Holly Bean
Andrea Berlin
Elizabeth Borishansky
Anne Coughlin
David Crooks
Emily Cushing
Kristy Cyr
Catherine Davis
Carol Despres
Denise Desrochers
Virginia Doss
Ron Dovich
Jeremy Drews
Chloe Dyer
Emily Elswick
Jackie Gillis
Tara Greenberg
Jessica Grey
Sarah Griffin
Gray Harris
Kahren Hayward
Mary Hebert
Helen Hemminger
Aaron Key
Bradley Krueger
Ari Leach
Raven Sierra Lian
Dana Mastroianni
Jane Mount
Grace Mueller
Bethany Mulkern
Marlene Oliver
Moira OToole
Sharon Portelance
Lynn Rutter
Holly Seibert
Joseph Simard
Kelly Slechta
Karin Tilberg
Beth Ann Turnquist
Tom Waddell
Heather Wagner
Jack Whitsitt
Susan Woodward
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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 20 trips posted in March, 16 walking/hiking, 2 nordic skiing, 1 downhill skiing and 1 international
Anne Geisler - 3
Paul Louis- 4
Bill Briggs - 3
Kathie McCatherin - 1
Dan Kidd - 1
Nancy Dorrans - 1
The 20 includes the 7 club trips posted.
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Kansas City-Style Ribs
(You gotta be thinking about grilling, right?)
Ingredients:
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons each garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika
1-1/4 teaspoons each ground cumin, coarsely ground pepper and cayenne pepper
12 bone-in country-style pork ribs (about 7 pounds)
Sauce:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions:
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and seasonings; sprinkle over ribs. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour.
- For sauce, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5-6 minutes or until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil; seal edges of foil. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours or until ribs are tender.
- Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place ribs over direct medium heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, 8-10 minutes or until browned, turning and basting occasionally with remaining sauce.
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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!
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Advertise in the Newsletter |
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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. |
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This entry is from April, 1992
April 25 Earth Day Tree Planting
By: CAREY KISH
MOAC will celebrate Earth Day 1992 by assisting the Soil Conservation Service in planting trees along the Pleasant River in Windham.
We'll be helping to fix erosion problems and improve wildlife habitat. Let's hope for a nice day and a big MOAC turnout. Volunteers should bring gloves and work boots, and small shovels or garden trowels if you have them. And wear your MOAC T-shirt! Bring a daypack with lunch and water and we'll go hike Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton in the afternoon.
Plan to meet at Back Cove Shop n' Save at 8:00 AM (Rain or shine unless it's really pouring) and we'll caravan from there.
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Posting Trips with COVID-19 |
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- 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.
- 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!
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By: EMILY DICKINSON
The moon was but a chin of gold
A night or two ago,
And now she turns her perfect face
Upon the world below.
Her forehead is of amplest blond;
Her cheek like beryl stone;
Her eye unto the summer dew
The likest I have known.
Her lips of amber never part;
But what must be the smile
Upon her friend she could bestow
Were such her silver will!
And what a privilege to be
But the remotest star!
For certainly her way might pass
Beside your twinkling door.
Her bonnet is the firmament,
The universe her shoe,
The stars the trinkets at her belt,
Her dimities of blue.
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The Overstory: A Novel. By Richard Powers. W. W. Norton & Company; Reprint edition, 2019, 512 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0393356687. Price $9.99 (paperback)
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Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future. By Elizabeth Kolbert. Crown, 2021, 256 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0593136270. Price $21.49 (hardcover)
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Parable of the Sower (Parable, 1). By Octavia E. Butler. Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition, 2019, 368 pages. ISBN: 978-1538732182. Price $11.26 (paperback)
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- 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.
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Kearsarge
North Conway, NH
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Pleasant Mountain
Bridgton, Maine
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Member Benefits and Discounts |
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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:
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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. |
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Every day is an Adventure
Join us to find yours!
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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 |
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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
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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
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