HOMECOMING 2011 ...

Something for everyone!

Hike, bike ride, BBQ, sharp-shooting demonstration

 The leaves and the temperatures are both dropping .. a sure sign it’s time for Sugarloaf’s annual homecoming weekend.

The Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Club is ready!

CVOA is got a loaded plate of fun activities planned for homecoming weekend .. from our social hub at the colorful booth we’ll be setting up at the base lodge to a hike up to Poplar Falls Hut to a bike ride to the Wire Ridge to a BBQ and sharp shooting demonstration at our range.

"This is all possible because of our unbelievable trip leaders and planners; their energy and enthusiasm as always, enhances the CVOA experience. Please thank them when you see them....Nancy Perry, Linda Trueworthy, Sandy Jamison, John McCatherin, Steph Rushton and all the volunteers at the booth. This is what makes CVOA...the best outdoor club there is anywhere," said Chris Rushton, presidentof CVOA and the man responsible for organizing this year’s agenda.

The action gets underway at 9 am Saturday in the base lodge, where our booth will be set up in its usual corner. CVOA volunteers, led by Peg Bickford, will be on hand to sign up new members, renew memberships and fill you in on all the adventures we have planned for 2012. It’s a great spot to socialize and catch up with old friends. Contact Peg if you want to help out (pbickford@msad54.org)

There will be cookbooks and logo wear clothing on sale .. and we’ll be unveiling CVOA’s new 2012 photo calendars .. a top-notch collection of all the best photos from this year’s trips to Vail, Megantic, Saddleback, Lubec, Campobello, Baxter, Moosehead, Acadia and other wonderful spots.

The calendars will be selling at the CVOA Homecoming booth for $15 apiece or two-fer-$25 ..plus the state 5 percent sales tax. If you are not going to be at Homecoming you can order early by contacting Linda (ltruew@yahoo.com) or Nancy (nperry24420@roadrunner.com) .. or you can pick one up later at Tranten’s. But hurry .. supplies are limited!

Sunday will be our annual homecoming hike, this year to Poplar Falls Hut. It’s a beautiful walk through the woods, along the river, past the falls and up to the first of the huts in the growing trail network. Sandy Jamison will be leading the outing and has asked hikers to gather at the Poplar Falls trailhead parking lot off the Carriage Road at 10 am for the hour-long hike.

Please contact Sandy if you plan to attend (secretary@carabassettvalleyoutdoorassociation.com).

This year, we have the chance to joining others for the Maine Huts & Trails 4th annual members’ BBQ. The impressive lunch is free of charge to members of the Mane Huts .. or just $10 to the public. Or .. you can join Maine Huts for just $35 and get the free lunch and other benefits of membership, such as the use of the kayaks and canoes at the Flagstaff Lake Hut.


Lunch will be served from 11 am to 3 pm .. and it’s a new and improved menu this year:  Home-made squash soup, corn bread, whole wheat bread, a special pulled pork sandwich, turkey sausage, baked beans, red potato salad, spinach salad, fresh corn on the cob, braised onions, bread & butter pickles and, for dessert, apple pie, pumpkin cake and ice cream.

Mulled hot wine, other wines and beer will be available for purchase. If you’re planning on attending, please sign up on line at the Hut’s web site:

www.mainehuts.org


In addition to the members BBQ, members will be invited to stay for the entire day and stay overnight on the 8th and 9th for half price! There will be a happy hour from 4-5 and there will even be live musical entertainment. Advanced reservations are required for the overnight stay but no reservations are needed to attend the BBQ.

Back in the valley, there will be trap shooting, a CVOA BBQ exravaganza and and a top-notch sharp shooting demonstration at our range, according to John McCatherin. See details on our home page.


The CVOA booth will also be open for business from 9 am to 3 pm Sunday.

Monday will feature a bike ride to the scenic Wire Bridge.

Bikers will meet at Chris & Rushton’s house on Riverside Street at 11:30 am. Steph will then lead the bikers on a 13-mile loop ride to the wire bridge with a stop and tour of the llama farm .. with the option for a 20-mile ride. The trek should take no more than 2 hours and will be followed by hot soup at the Rushtons.

Please contact Steph if you plan to attend (rushton.steph@gmail.com).

See you all there!!!