The latest from the Gang ... 

Twenty-one members participated in this trip! Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday offered four extremely well groomed slopes from both the Gondola and chair lift—great for the downhill skiers. Thursday was not so great—drizzle and rain in the a.m. with freezing conditions in the forecast for the afternoon.

Our Cross Country enthusiasts grabbed hiking poles and boots instead and enjoyed long walks on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We engaged in lots of good conversation and jigsaw puzzle playing. Luckily for us, Hyman provided background piano music. Thank you Hyman!

Some of us enjoyed a glass or two at the Mount Washington Hotel with its magnificent views later in the day.

All things considered, especially with no injuries, we managed a successful early season ski time. Now it’s on to Killington on January 2, 2022!

Carleen McO

 THANK YOU to almost 100 members who participated in and supported the Jingle Bell Brunch! Although the weather outside was dreary, the atmosphere inside was warm and joyful. Good people, good food, good fun! What could be better? Wishing everyone a HEALTHY and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

See you on the slopes,
Maryann

From left: Maryann C, Mary McG, Nancy C, Carol B, A, Joe M, Dawn M, Christine B, L.
Photo by Joy T.

We are sorry to see the Cribbage gatherings come to an end, but it would be a bit much for members to trek down to our winter location in Florida twice a month to join us for card games there!

We had a wonderful time meeting new members and catching up with expert teachers and each other throughout the fall as outdoor activities were winding down. Each time we met, there were between 9 and 12 players and we rotated the winners so everyone had a chance to compete with experts and “wannabees” alike.

Thanks to all who made the effort to join us, and best wishes to all for the coming New Year!

Dawn and Joe

From left: BeverlyC, PamK, NancyC, CaroleB, LisaS, JudyT, MaryannD, MaryW, MaryI,
JoeM, BarbaraM, Dawn M

Members of the North Mystery Group had the great pleasure last month to attend “A Merry Music Hall Christmas” at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall.
The Music Hall is home to the Great Organ which has a long history—it was built in 1863 for the Boston Music Hall where it remained for 21 years. The Great Organ was purchased in 1897 by a Methuen millionaire who then built the Serlo Organ Hall, today known as the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, to house the magnificent Great Organ. The extremely talented organist and two excellent trumpet players entertained the audience with a variety of Christmas songs.
After the concert a delicious meal, great company and conversation was enjoyed at the Copper Door Restaurant in Salem, NH.

Pam K.

Twenty members of the TOHG Walking/Hiking group met at 10:30 am at the Great Brook parking area in Carlisle.  We started off under clear blue skies, no wind and 40 degree temperature.  We walked through  a portion of the Great Brook State Park and then crossed into Chelmsford's Thanksgiving Forest, where the trails had all been swept clean.  The Chelmsford Boy Scouts take care of this area. 

We passed the River Meadow Brook and found the Thanksgiving Rock formation where a picture was taken of the whole group.  After walking back as far as the small bridge that crossed the brook we divided into two groups; one headed back through the corn field and then into the pine forest area finishing at the picnic area.  The other group crossed the brook and continued on the other side to view the abandoned cabin area as well as the old dam and mill site, eventually ending at the picnic area where the rest of the gang had arrived. 

Three new members joined us on this walk: Joanne H, Margaret L and Karla S. Welcome!

We all socialized and wished each other Happy Thanksgiving.  The total time walking was about 2 hours for about 3.5 miles, and the leaders were Chris B and Meredith P.

Meredith P.

Twenty members of the TOHG Walking and Hiking Group met at 10:30 a.m. at the Great Brook parking area in Carlisle. We had three new Top of the Hill Gang members on the walk they were Joanne H., Margaret L. and  Karla  S.

We started off under clear blue skies, no wind and 40 degree temperatures. After walking through a portion of Great Brook State Park, we then crossed into Chelmsford’s Thanksgiving Forest, where the trails had all been swept clean. The Chelmsford Boy Scouts take care of this area. We passed the River Meadow Brook and found the Thanksgiving Rock formation where a picture was taken of the whole group. After walking back as far as the small bridge that crossed the brook, we divided into two groups. One headed back through the corn field and then into the pine forest, finishing at the picnic area. The other group crossed the brook and continued on the other side to view the abandoned cabin area, as well as the old dam and mill site, eventually ending at the picnic area where the rest of the gang had arrived. We all socialized and wished each other a very Happy Thanksgiving.

The total time walking was about two hours and the distance was about 3.5 miles.

Chris B and Meredith P

Barbara H

Susan and Chuck H, Sue , Ines and Marco A, Nonie L,
Joe McG, Elaine M, Barbara H, and Elsie L

South Mystery Group met at the Fuller Craft Museum to admire the recently opened Glass Lifeforms Exhibit, contemporary artworks inspired by Harvard University’s plant and invertebrate models made by glass artist Blaschka. 

Ines and Marco

Chris B, Meredith P, Dori C, Jane P & Kathy W.  Not in photo Carol B. 

After having spent 2 hours in the Concord Museum, learning more than we were taught in school about the Revolutionary War in 1775, five Metro West members ate lunch at Helen's Restaurant in Concord Ctr, after which we walked to the Concord Cheese Shop and the Thoreauly Antique Emporium.  It was a delightfully touristy day for us. 

Dori C

Dori C, Jan G, Chris B, Jane P, Wendy R,  Meredith P, Jan U, Lainey O’C, Al G,
Ivanhoe the Alpaca, Carol B

Ten of us gathered on a bright, chilly, sunny day at the Harvard Alpaca Ranch. We learned about the 31 resident Alpacas who were just as curious about us as we were of them.  There are more female Alpacas than males at the ranch and Ivanhoe (pictured) has his harem.  We even met a blue eyed female. All of the animals have names as well.

The owner of the ranch gave us a very informative tour where he answered our many questions. We  learned among other things, what they eat, how they sleep, and the fact that they each instinctively know to take turns guarding the herd so the rest can sleep.

We then headed to the Ranch’s store to view and buy socks, hats, and wool. Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at the Harvard General Store.

Carol B