The latest from the Gang ... 

The TOHG Flags were a-flappin’ as 16 hardy souls braved the cold and often windy weather. It was a winter week like we used to have many years ago, including some beautiful blue-bird skies.

The week started with the Super Bowl and continued with the Winter Olympics. We almost reached “sensory overload!” Some skiers went to the “top of the hill.” Others went to the top of the Super Quad, about eighty- percent of the way. Slope conditions included hard-packed, groomed, and powder. Skiers included those with healthy joints, artificial joints, painful joints, and rubber joints. Gang members skied down green, blue, and black slopes.

It was a wonderful week, and even with all those variables, we were still able to be, as Marge Cohen stated, “Dancing with the Mountain.”

Pete C

Shortly after noon on February 9th, TOHG descended on the Lawrencian Ski Club in Bartlett, New Hampshire for a fourth visit despite the predicted freezing temps!  Most were returning friends with a few newcomers mixed in. By the time we sat down to a potluck dinner that evening, we were all one big group!  

Luckily the arctic temps warmed up enough Tuesday to allow everyone a chance to enjoy Cross Country skiing at nearby Great Glen, Snow shoeing at Thorne Pond Conservation Area and Bear Notch Cross Country. While some even snowmobiled! All returned for Happy Hour and a typical LSC dinner.

Wednesday arrived too quickly with everyone heading out for a repeat of Tuesday activities, after goodbyes and “See you next year”!

Linda McH

It was a bright, sunny day at Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire for those few TOHG members that enjoyed a last minute downhill ski day on the mountain with trip leader Dick R.

The West mystery group had its annual planning meeting on January 31 at the Tavern in the Square in Littleton, Massachusetts. Twelve of us braved the cold winter day to gather for a delicious lunch, storytelling, and catching up with each other.

Carol B

Fifty seven members signed up for this trip which included everything from breakfast, dinner, and Après ski to gift certificates for use at several locations in and around Waterville Valley. On the first day, the area experienced the biggest snowstorm in years.

Many people arrived early (as in hours prior to check in) to beat the worst part of the storm, some showed up a day or two later, and a few didn’t make it at all, but those who were there had a wonderful time.

Excellent snow conditions, well-groomed slopes and trails, and cold temperatures made for great skiing.

The main activities that members engaged in were snowshoeing, hiking, and x-country and downhill skiing, and a couple tried snowmobiling, and most mornings, Kim T led a chair yoga class, with as many as 25 enthusiastic members in attendance!

Après ski was enjoyed by all before dinner each evening. In addition to the usual games of Balderdash after dinner, there were new card games as well as tile games. A rowdy but fun indoor golf putting contest was organized one evening by Paul McH and Marco A, with Ines A and Jodi R tying for first place. Another night, a large crowd participated in an indoor game of Cornhole.

New members showed up on this trip, and others joined us who were new to the Waterville trip. All reported having a great time with intentions to return next year.

Bob G and Helgard K

One thing is for sure, you can pretty much count on frigid weather at Prospect Mountain in mid-January! We didn’t mind as long as there was snow. We had all been checking forecasts hoping things would improve, and they did. Several inches fell just before we arrived. Conditions were amazing. Several of us opted for lessons which proved invaluable. We were able to do some climbing and experience some thrilling descents. Others opted to snowshoe and explore the wooded landscape. 

Meals were the highlight of the trip! Great soups at the lodge, breakfast at the Blue Benn, and dinners at tap houses in downtown Bennington all received top marks. Unfortunately the accommodations at Best Western left much to be desired (don’t ask). I hear there are lovely B&Bs in the area if we choose to return next year.

Kimm S

Twenty-nine members of the Top of the Hill Gang gathered at The Black Bear Lodge for four days of skiing. Our time together started the first evening with a welcome dinner served in the living room which was also available every evening for après ski. A hot breakfast was served each morning at the Table 43.1 restaurant in our lodge. 

We appreciated the convenient, dedicated shuttle service provided by the lodge which transported us to and from the lifts. The wide variety of terrainat Stratton Mountain, from beginner to expert, ensured enjoyable skiing for all. Some members chose x-country skiing or snowshoeing for their daily activity. No matter what we did during the day, there were plenty of lively conversations in the evening with new and longtime friends.

Robert R

Despite the hometown team losing a close one 1-0, eight members of the 128 North Mystery Group  had fun rooting them on! Believe it or not, some TOHG members had never heard of women’s college hockey. The group met up at the iconic Red’s Sandwich Shop in Salem, MA before heading over to the O’Keefe Center at Salem State University for the face-off between the home team, Vikings and UMass Boston, Beacons. Our group wishes to thank Beverly C for her past service as our coordinator and to welcome Lisa S as she takes over the helm. Many more mysteries await.

Kimm S

Eleven members tackled the “Beast of the  East” (a.k.a. Killington) the first week of the new year. The Mountain Inn welcomed us back for the five-night stay, with breakfast each morning, a warm pool for soaking the aches, a common room for après ski and an inviting restaurant. If anyone had made food-related New Year resolutions, it wasn’t evident! Chips and chocolate were abundant.  

Although the Inn runs a convenient shuttle, there were enough Subaru owners in the gang to take advantage of the first row parking privilege at the base lodge, reserved just for Subarus, and without fail we were on the first chairs.  Several days we were joined by Nancy B and Margaret K who were staying at Okemo. Our blue TOHG flags were prevalent flying down the slopes! 

Trip leader Anne D is happy to report there were no injuries, no one got (too far) lost in the fog we encountered, and all agreed we enjoyed superb January east coast skiing. 

Anne D

Although it was a miserable windy and rainy day, six brave souls met at the Vintage Tea and Cake House in Lexington for our December mystery event.  In attendance were Camilla, Joy, Gayle, Patricia, Linda and Nancy.  The Tea House was charming, with lovely place settings and china teapots for each of us with our individually chosen teas.  The treats were varied and delectable, the conversation flowed, and a good time was had by all.

Camilla M