Warren Cook Featured Speaker at CVOA Annual Meeting
New Officers Elected
By Dan Cassidy
The Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association (CVOA), held their annual meeting and dinner, Saturday, March 28 at the Sugarloaf Golf Club. Officers and Board members were elected.
Officers for one year include:
Peter B. Weston, President
Nancy Perry, Vice President
Sandy Jamison, Secretary
Sherie Packard, Treasurer
Don Fowler, Clerk.
The officers and the immediate past president, Neal Trask, are all included as members of the Board of Directors for the duration of their term. Other members of the board elected at the meeting include:
John McCatherin and Barbara Briggs, one year
Harvey Packard and Cynthia Pernice, two years
Kathy Gagne and Bonnie Stagers, three years.
Neal Trask was presented the organization’s first lifetime membership in recognition for his efforts in establishing and developing the shooting range and for his significant financial support to CVOA.
John McCatherin was also presented a lifetime membership for his eight years as secretary, secretary of the range committee, leader of multiple trips and events and helping to increase the size of CVOA to over 500 members.
Don Fowler, clerk of CVOA introduced Warren Cook, General Manager of Saddleback Mountain as keynote speaker. Fowler told the large gathering that Cook was very instrumental in Sugarloaf’s growth. “Warren was directly responsible for getting the SuperQuad built, along with many other trail developments,” Fowler said.
Cook spoke about his several years as owner/general manager at Sugarloaf/USA. He left Sugarloaf after 11 years at the helm to pursue a career change, but his passion lured him back to the ski industry last year.
As general manager of Saddleback, Cook is spearheading the purchase of Oquossoc Cove on Rangeley Lake that will make the mountain and the town of Rangeley, a true four season resort area.
The expansion includes increased real estate activity with plans to pre-sell an 80 rook condominium hotel near the base lodge of Saddleback, replacing the Rangeley double chair with a new quad; planning the installation of a new quad chair in the Megalloway area of the mountain.
“We’re out to dazzle and amaze our guests,” Cook said. “We’re building bridges in Rangeley. Saddleback’s business this year is up over 25 percent in skier visits.”
Cook has a sign in his office that echoes his passion about Saddleback and the Rangeley area, that reads, “Come ski for the winter and stay for the summer.”
The dinner marked the 9th year anniversary for CVOA, which was created by a handful of local residents concerned about the posting of local lands.
The group has grown to more than 500 members but still remains commited to its goals of protecting, preserving and promoting natural resources and recreational opportunities in the Carrabassett Valley region.
The organization also maintains a trap, pistol and skeet shooting range. It has published a cookbook, Potluck in Paradise, and is working on its second edition of a local hiking guide.
CVOA has a full slate of activities planned for the next year, including ski, hiking, biking, canoe and camping trips, dinners and socials and community projects.