The latest from the Gang ... 

Helgard K, Beverly C, Patricia T, Alan U, Kenn S, Mary M, Dan Y, Mary W (Kimm S missing from picture as she was running to join group after setting camera timer - oops!)

Although I think almost any day is a great day for a bike ride, Patriots Day turned out to be spectacular!   Eight Gang members set out on a mild and sunny Spring day and biked about 9 miles round trip on the Londonderry Rail Trail. The trail is straight, flat and paved and we rode through woodland and marsh. There were an abundance of turtles sunning themselves in the ponds and wetlands and we passed a very large beaver lodge on our journey. Reaching the north western edge of the trail at Manchester Boston Regional Airport we watched a Southwest Airlines flight take off while we wondered in which direction the trail will be extended. Hoping it’s sooner rather than later!

Alan U

Daniel Y, Betsy B, Alan U, Gail E, Helgard K, Janet F

One couldn’t ask for a more beautiful Soring day as half a dozen TOHG members set out for a short bike ride on The Independence Greenway Rail Trail. 

This was about 6 miles including return on a paved trail that led us through woods, marsh, an active stone quarry and a lovely pond that included monuments to two accused Salem witchcraft victims. Turtles, ducks, Canada geese and a solitary white swan were spotted in the wetlands and pond on our route. 

And we managed to finish our ride in plenty of time for everyone to make it to their destinations to view the solar eclipse. 

Alan U

Patrick W, Kimm S, Mary McG, Kenn S, Patricia DR, Patricia T, Dan Y, Gayle A, Neal S, Alan U

Thirteen TOHG members and friends participated in the Refuge beach cleanup day.  The sun was out but a breeze made it feel cooler than the 50 degrees on the beach.  After meeting in Lot 1 we carpooled further down the refuge road to an area not open to the public to start picking up man-made debris on the beach.  The area we walked through to reach the beach was a former camp in the 50’s for children with polio.  Only a few cement blocks remain now.

When we reached the beach area we split up into small groups with some going north and some south.  We agreed to meet back at our access point after about an hour or so.  There was a considerable pile of trash bags left above the high tide mark that the Refuge crew picked up later.  The group then split up to go different ways with some going to Newburyport for lunch and shopping and others heading to the Clam Box in Ipswich.

When I checked out with the group running the cleanup operation they expressed their  appreciation; and reminded me that they also do another cleanup day in early September and would love to see us come back.

Meredith P.

Blue skies and lots of smiles—the 2024 Winter Western ski trip to Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Idaho went off without a hitch with six wonderful days of skiing and great Gang camaraderie!

For the most part, we stayed up on the mountain, taking full advantage of the fantastic conditions, weather and opportunity to explore a new resort, including finding the oldest tree on the mountain, the Schweitzer Grandfather Tree which is hundreds of years old. We met for happy hours and dinner every night and swapped stories of our day’s adventures. One night, we trekked down to the local hangout, The St. Bernard, for dinner and merriment.

On Saturday, Pete C, Robert R, and Meredith P took a snowmobile tour of the mountain, while others went into Sandpoint to shop, browse the art galleries and dine. Truly devoted skiers used the opportunity to have an additional day of skiing.

Keep an eye out for next winter’s Western trip. See you in 2025!

Nora McK

This year the Top of the Hill Gang again returned to Sunday River to celebrate Leap Day and enjoy five days at that beautiful mountain and the delightful Grand Summit Hotel.  Thirty-nine fearless skiers and hikers, including nine first-timers to TOHG, enjoyed great camaraderie, good food, and better than advertised skiing conditions. Although the forecast called for a week of cloudy weather, somehow four of the five days wound up with hours of bluebird skiing.  A brief mid-week warm-up and rain event benched all but the most intrepid skiers on Wednesday.  Apparently several gang members didn’t see (or chose to ignore) the weather report and racked up thousands of feet of drenched downhill skiing over terrain reminiscent of the previous evenings mashed potatoes.  One of our groups logged so many runs that day that they became known as “The Barker Six” in honor of their favorite new lift.   By Thursday the temperatures plunged and the groomers worked their magic to restore the mountain. Not to be outdone by the “Barker Six”, the fearless five “Warriors of Winter” lasted through Friday when the sparkling, frozen hardback (and some ice) made some of the trails “faster than a speeding bullet”.  Our hikers and snow shoe enthusiasts also found some engaging trails during the week.  

The gang enjoyed an opening night road trip for gourmet pizzas and salad (thanks to Marge) at the Jordan Hotel.  On Tuesday we were treated to an elegant group banquet right at our hotel.Several of our rock enthusiasts raved about their visit to he Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in nearby Bethel on Wednesday.   We also found lots of time during the week for hot tubs, apres ski by the fireplace, a couple of game nights, and intimate dinners with friends new and old.  Folks left looking forward to our annual “week after school vacation” pilgrimage to Sunday River next year.  

Tom J
Sunday River Trip Leader

Herta B, Joan M, Dibba and  Anker L, Renee K, Judith D, Maureen D

Twenty six members of the GANG ventured north to Craftsbury, Vt. The weather and trail conditions were great for the beginning of the week. We were able to Cross country ski and  Snow Shoe and took full advantage of the mild weather we were blessed with.

Paula B. led an Essentrics Class every morning to stretch out our muscles and joints and got us warmed up for the day.  

Rain on Tuesday night caused many of the trails to be closed on Wednesday but we were not deterred from making the best of it. 

Craftsbury offered a yoga class Wednesday morning and another Wednesday evening. We also ran our Book Club Wednesday with the help of Polly T. Some of the more adventurous in the group put on their micro spikes and hiked Mt. Hosmer.

Our evenings were spent socializing and playing games.5 Crowns was the most popular but we also played cribbage and rummy cube. We also set up a small sided pickleball court in the basement and played a few games of pickleball. 

Maureen D.

The South Mystery Group met for lunch meeting in a private room at Stoneforge Grill in South Easton, MA.  Nine members attended:  Marco and Ines A, Chuck and Susan H, Joe and Maggie C, Joe M and Elaine M and Joan S.

The group organizers decided that instead of having individual discussions among the lunch attendees, it would be fun to ask them to speak individually to the group, to make the meeting more interesting, cohesive and inclusive for everyone.  

So, prior to the meeting, an email was sent to them asking, “How well do you know your fellow Mystery Group members? We as a group have been together for a long time, but, mostly what we know about each other is through our connection with TOHG.  We all have lived rich and full lives above and beyond our Gang connections…so share some “mysteries” about our lives that our fellow members may not already know.” 

We were each given the task of preparing a talk about ourselves that would be positive, interesting and fun to listen to - that shaped who we are today.  It could include acts that we are proud of ourselves for accomplishing or for being a part of.  

And, boy did that make the meeting extremely interesting and riveting!!  We heard astounding stories about members’ family histories, political, military, work related, and volunteering accomplishments - what is was like growing up and living in different parts of our country and in other countries and how we each assimilated into being the New Englanders we proudly are today - (except for Joe M who was the only native and proud of it!). 

Now, we agree that we know each other more wholly and completely and are happier for having shared our individual mysteries."

Elaine M & Joe M

Great day with bright sun and reasonable temps were enjoyed by those that took advantage of the Impromptu Ski Mount Sunapee Day Trip.

Dick R

“A perfect day of skiing!” and “Conditions were terrific!” were some of the comments heard from our skiers at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort.  The weather cooperated with good temps in the 20s except for Wednesday when frigid temps and strong winds accosted us.  Despite the weather conditions that day, skiers still said they had a wonderful time while “dressed for the weather”.  

Meals at the hotel were good, especially for the Super Bowl and Trivia nights.  Some members enjoyed the restaurant at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, and some went for an Italian night at Trujillo’s Restaurant 20 minutes down the road, but for a next visit, a reservation is recommended. 

Some of us found the Chronology game provided by Karen Schreiber fascinating and a challenge to our knowledge of history. 

Some even stayed for extra skiing on Friday when conditions were excellent again due to a snowfall on Thursday night. All in all, members are looking forward to more skiing on New England’s Best Mountain!

Ellen W