The latest from the Gang ... 

From left to right: (red paddle: Kathy W), Barbara B, Anne W, Dan Y, Ann Marie S, Karen L, Ann Marie D, Robert R, Dennis D’A, Mary McG, Cathy P, Nancy Q, Paul W, Ellen W, Meredith P

Wow! 16 Gang members met at Foote Brothers Canoe and Kayak Rental in Ipswich on a cool, cloudy day for the TOHG paddle finale, and what a great day it turned out to be! The sun never came out, but there was plenty of sunshine on our faces. It was an easy, peaceful, 1-hour paddle to what we thought was the end of the river where we came across a barricade of fallen trees and debris. We were about to turn around when Dan, Robert, and Meredith adventured through a small opening to the other side for a brief peek. Didn’t take long for them to return, (I guess it was “spooky” back there), so we turned around and floated downstream to the landing to pack up and head to the Clam Box for a delicious lunch where long time members, Sue Rogers  and Dick and Millie Clark, met us for lunch and camaraderie.

A perfect ending for a perfect season. We are planning a great season for next year—so far we have commitments for 8 kayak trips: 2 in the south, 2 north, 2 west, 2 central. If you think you’d like to join us, be sure to update your profile to include Kayaking as one of your interests. See you in the spring!

Pat G

Meredith P, Marco A, Ann Marie S, Pat G, Mary McG, Karen L, Joel S, Nancy B, Ines A, Cathleen R, Joe McG, Maureen D, Elaine M

Thirteen  members of the gang finished off the Cape Weekend with a 2 mile walk along the marshes, dunes and ocean.  Despite predictions of rain, the skies cleared and temps were in the mid 70s with a breeze making for a very enjoyable walk.  
The group started into the marsh area where we encountered a state conservation officer and a scientist who were collecting diamondback terrapin eggs that were hatching to protect them from predators until they were  little older; and would then be released back into the marsh.  After we all got a chance to ask questions, and take a few pictures of a few of the babies that had hatched we continued on.
Joel pointed out a few beach plums along the side of the trail.  We managed to gather enough so everyone could have a taste.  The dunes were beautiful and we ended up on the beach.   
Marco found a rock that looked like it was smiling and when we were done we had created “Sandy Hill”, our new mascot.  At one point Pat Giarrusso exclaimed “this is the highlight of The Weekend ”.
A quick stop for a few of us at the Shipwreck ice cream stand in Sandwich where we decided it was a perfect ending.

Submitted by Meredith P

Organized by Karen L, with Paul and Kathleen W, Mary McG, Jerry G, Pat G, Marina K, Maureen D, Barbara B, and Anne W. 

It all started with golf.  When Karen heard people talking about a golf excursion while at lunch following a Mystery trip, she decided she would have to find something else to do.  She mentioned to Ines that she’d rent a kayak when everyone was golfing.  Little did she know that she was now the leader of a kayak excursion during the Cape Cod Weekend. 
Lesson 1 – Be careful what you say around Ines; she will haul you in. 
Lesson 2 – Leading the kayak trip was fun so it was great that Karen was glad she got hauled in. 
Lesson 3 – She’d do it again.  

We had 10 people on the trip, managed to avoid a torrential downfall, and captured the tide on our 2-hour trip through the marsh, out to the ocean, and back to the dock.  The outfitter’s knowledge of the tides meant we travelled with the current all the way.  It may have been the least strenuous paddle ever.  

Our leader Karen found this outfitter, Cape Cod Waterways, for us.  He was efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly.  A good pick.  And we all agreed we would recommend them to anyone else who wants to kayak on the Cape.  On our way to the ocean, we checked out families of ducks, many mussel and clams, and a very strange crab, no longer than an inch with a yellow streak down its claw which it held over head as it scurried rapidly sideways away and then into the mud.  When we reached the ocean we pull up at a sandy beach with the help of the boy scouts.  Next year, if the tides are reversed, we can go in the other direction and explore Swan Pond.

Submitted by Karen L and Anne W

Ten members of the North Mystery Group enjoyed a lovely autumn day at the Canterbury Shaker Village in Concord, New Hampshire. Our guide, Lois, painted a vivid picture of the life of the Shakers. They were originally Quakers, but because of their love of ecstatic dancing they became known as Shakers! They were celibate, believed in gender equality and “pursued perfection in every aspect of their lives.”
We toured several buildings, including the meeting house, the church, and the laundry! Shakers were known for their inventiveness and creativity, as displayed in the laundry. Afterwards some of us enjoyed lunch at Uno’s, while others hurried to Dawn and Joe’s for cribbage!

Linda and Paul McH

Dori C, David R, Jan G, Carol B & Jane P

An overcast sky greeted our group as we met at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. We joined a garden club group for a guided tour with a very knowledgeable volunteer who has been doing these tours for many years. We learned the history of the Garden area and how native plants can be used in home gardens and yards. Various flowering plants were identified along with an explanation of the type of soil in which they grow. 

We saw a number of turtles on logs in the vernal pool including a tiny baby turtle.  A sense of playfulness was exhibited in the play area with sculptures and butterfly paintings. 

Although the sky remained gray, it was an interesting and informative walk through the gardens and woods followed by some of the group having lunch at a local restaurant. 

Submitted Jan G 

Marco A, Elsie L, Chuck H, Maggi and Joe C, Ines A, Joan S.
Missing on the photo Sue H.

Seven members of the HUB Mystery Group met in Arlington for an informative tour of the Cyrus Dallin Museum, followed by lunch nearby with an enjoyable, wide-ranging conversation. Attendees were:  Nancy B, Ruth G, Barbara H, Cathleen R, Jan U, Merle W, Merle's guest Scott M from Cincinnati, father of her granddaughter's betrothed, and new member Jeanine YM.

Cyrus Dallin was an interesting American sculptor, originally from Utah. He lived in Arlington from 1900 until his death in 1944. He studied sculpture in Boston and Paris, and was a member of the faculty of the Massachusetts College of Art. He is especially well known for his work, "Appeal to the Great Spirit," installed in 1912 in front of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts on Huntington Avenue. 

Submitted by Ruth G

The storms held off and 38 Gang members were able to sail out of Portsmouth Harbor on a recreation of a traditional coastal New England work-boat, called a gundalow. There was enough breeze to fill the sails and we could enjoy the peace and quiet and perhaps put ourselves back imaginatively to earlier days. This was helped by an interesting talk about the development of the gundalow in colonial times, and how it became like a minivan for farms, families, and businesses along the Gulf of Maine.  

Portsmouth Harbor is an active industrial port, so scenic beauty was not a highlight of the trip, but Portsmouth itself is an atmospheric and tourist-friendly town, and many members enjoyed a pre- or post-sail stroll. Especially noteworthy were the gorgeous gardens adjacent to the gundalow's dock.

 Submitted by Susan L

Jeanine YM, Nancy B, Peg T, Judith D, Barbara H , Merle W, Janice U.  
Cathleen R took the photo, Jackie A had already left.

Nine Members met at Demos in Watertown renewing friendships, planning mysteries for the year and enjoying a yummy Greek lunch.  It’s been a year since we met so much sharing and laughter.  My guest , Jeanine, was very well received and immediately joined the Gang and Mystery group.  We have events planned for some of the year but need more volunteers.    Hear ye, hear ye!

Submitted by Cathleen R