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Ten members of the Gang met at Lot 1 of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Newburyport. We walked the beach and returned on the road for about 3 miles total. The beach area closes April 1 for the nesting season for Piping Plovers and Least Terns. Despite the wind the temperature was reasonable. Some of us enjoyed a lunch and conversation afterward at the local Park Lunch. Not all of us made it into the picture above.
We had 10 enthusiastic members who traveled to Portsmouth, NH to attend the March Mystery. After a few unsuccessful guesses, we carpooled to the West End Studio Theatre. We attended an original play that was written, directed and performed by a very talented and funny George Hosker-Bouley. It was called - On The Couch. It was a very funny play that led to a lot of giggles and laughter amongst us. It felt so good to have such a lighthearted afternoon with a great group of fellow members. Jane B.
Twenty-three Gang members enjoyed deep snow, delicious food, well groomed trails, renovated rooms, and most of all, great company on this year’s Craftsbury Adventure. Warnings of extreme weather did not deter us from arriving at the Craftsbury Center on Sunday. Face Card introductions on our first evening together got the week off to a great start. New members who joined us added good energy to all our activities. Thanks to everyone who introduced them to the Gang. Everyone braved bracing cold to make the most of the best snow conditions in several years. As a bonus we were treated to a demonstration of a technique to quickly and easily recover from a face plant in deep snow. Some unexpectedly used this new skill the next day in real time on the trail. Sadly, this was not as easily accomplished in deep snow as Lynn T. demonstrated in the community room. Thanks to Susan McG. for convening a book group during her years as coordinator and to Dawn M. for creating the book list which is now online. Let’s think snow next August for early signs of a brisk and snowy winter to ensure we have another year like 2019!
Thirty-one members of the Gang recently completed the annual ski week at Sunday River in Newry Maine. The week was unique in many ways. Snow conditions were well above expectations. However, high winds on Monday and Tuesday were challenging, shutting down the top of the peaks until Wednesday. Also, the distribution of the gang across three wings of the hotel presented issues trying to socialize with other gang members but also had the advantage of being nearer to the ski locker and pool/hot tub. Skiing through Thursday was quite good and most of the gang raved about the conditions. Unfortunately, we did have one injury and had to leave one member of the group in a Maine hospital with pelvis and shoulder injuries. The Sunday evening pizza party was a hit and everyone had their fill of pizza and salad. The Tuesday evening buffet, in the River Room, received great reviews by all, especially for the decadent desert. We anticipate a return visit to Sunday River in February 2020, so mark your calendar and look for details in the August Downhill ski flyer. After five years being your trip coordinator, I will be passing this task on to Ray G. Thank you all for your participation, patience and cooperation.
Record Crowd at Intervale, NH!
Twenty-five enthusiastic members enjoyed the recent XC/snowshoe trip to the Old Field House the weekend of Feb. 8-10. This was the largest group ever on this trip! Frigid temperatures and gusty winds were forecast, but that wasn’t enough to hold back this tough gang!!
Friday night found us socializing during Happy Hour, then knoshing on pizza, salad, wine (of course!) and cookies, followed by games in the breakfast room. On Saturday, many of the group headed over to Bear Notch for XC skiing and snowshoeing while a few went to Jackson. Others skied locally right out the back door of the Inn.
Everyone enjoyed local cuisine on Saturday night and many, who still had energy after the day’s activities, played games again. Both mornings we enjoyed the Inn’s super, full breakfasts, especially the owner’s legendary blueberry waffles!
My apologies, but the trip leader was having such a great time, she forgot to take group photos!!
Judy T.
Six TOHG members went out for lunch at Filhos Great Road restaurant in Acton. We had the waitress take our picture but she moved the camera and it came out so blurry that it’s not worth including it! Our group included Meredith P., Dori C., Carol B., Allan G., Linda McN. and Jane P.. After lunch, Meredith & Jane went walking for a little over three miles on the Bruce Freeman trail across the street. It was good to get out in the fresh air, even if the trail consisted of mushy snow (so we used our Stabilicers on our hiking boots). Jane P.
What a fantastic week!! 22 “Loonies” experienced some great skiing at Loon Mountain and Bretton woods. We welcomed several new members to this trip and got to know them at our Happy Hours and during dinner at some of the great restaurants in Lincoln.
Tuesday’s skiing was a bit challenging for some on the scratched surface, but with 8-10 inches of new snow Tuesday night, the skiing Wed and Thursday was a perfect “10”. Several Loonies opted to ski Bretton Woods while others went cross-country skiing or stayed at Loon. The weather cooperated and each day was filled with fun, laughter, new adventures and experiences. Overheard during the many conversations that flowed throughout the week:
Susan R. and Mary W.
<Photo pending> The trip had twenty-two members and started out on a high note when our Welcome Party doubled as a Super Bowl party with the happy result of a win for the Patriots! All looked promising for the ski conditions also as Stowe had gotten a foot of snow the week prior to our arrival. But, alas, the conditions changed rapidly when warm temperatures, rain (only during the night), sleet and fog moved in creating a difficult situation as they couldn't make snow under those conditions.
Undeterred, each morning our intrepid group of downhill skiers went up to the mountain on a "personal reconnaissance ski condition mission" to try out the conditions to see if we wanted to spend the day on the slopes. Much to our surprise, each day the skiing was better than expected and most managed to experience several days of pretty good skiing and were grateful to get as much skiing as we did under the circumstances. The cross-country skiers/snowshoers/hikers were as resourceful as ever and had some good outings too on the trails of the Trapp Family Ski Center, Smuggler's Notch Road, the recreation path and visited places of interest around town and nearby. We welcomed recent new members Priscilla R. and Suzanne S. who enjoyed their first ski trip with the Gang.
Happily, the always congenial group, lively conversation, laughter and fun, along with the soothing hot tub and pool, delicious meals, and cozy gathering spaces of the Stowe Mountaineer Inn highlighted our week to reinforce our enjoyment. Here's to abundant snow and great conditions next year! Nancy B.
Fourteen gang members dined on delicious Italian foods, salads and drinks, at Corfinio Restaurant in Easton.Between courses we were given the task of telling the group personal stories on a choice of three topics: Christmas, New Year, or a Gang memory. The incentive was a cash prize for the best tale, decided by silent ballot. The stories were entertaining and humorous. The winning story was hilariously told by Ann C. about her try at becoming a “biker b**ch” by begging a motorcycle ride from a Gang member. (Ask her to tell it to you the next time you see her, ‘cause we’re not telling!)
Judith D., Merle W., Theresa L., Jan U., Linda L., Peg T. and Cathleen R. had a delicious light lunch at the Clover Food Lab in the Science Museum at Harvard. We then walked over to the Museum of Natural History and had a docent tour of Sea Creatures in Glass and Glass Flowers. Several of us stayed on to wander through the rest of the exhibits in this museum and the attached Peabody Museum of Ethnology. What a wonderful way to spend a cold, snowless day in January!
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