The latest from the Gang ... 

Seven hardy members of the West Suburban Mystery Group braved the wet November elements to spend time at the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, MA. With two docents leading us throughout we learned of the museum's history and how icons are created. We then visited specific icons and heard about their history and meaning. Out tour ended at the new exhibit "From Corncobs to Cosmonauts" where the center of the gallery was adorned with multiple decorated holiday trees. Cases around the walls featured Russian holiday cards, ornaments and toys.

A leisurely and delicious lunch at Clintons Bar and Grille rounded out our outing.
Photo L.to R.:: Dave and Wendy R., Meredith P., Jane P., Dori C., Chris B., Jan G.
Jan G.

On this day in 1946, an airplane flew over Mount Greylock in western Massachusetts and seeded the clouds with super-cooled ice crystals. The first-ever artificially-produced snow melted before it hit the slopes below, but the event created a national sensation. It marked the first field test of scientist Vincent Schaefer's laboratory experiments in which he produced precipitation by adding dry ice to lower the temperature of a chilled chamber. Although some people protested that tampering with nature might not be safe or proper, within three years ski resorts in the U.S. were experimenting with snowmaking. By 1952 the first snowmaking machinery was in regular use at a Catskill ski resort. Today, virtually every American ski area produces artificial snow, and snowmaking is a multi-million dollar global business.

Courtesy of Joan Stafford

It was sunny! the only criteria that mattered in order to start our ride. 10 well bundled-up riders enjoyed a great 20 mile pre-veterans day ride with Carleen.  The route was tactfully chosen by our leader to avoid cold winds and clearly marked the previous night.
After the ride we enjoyed a wonderful potluck back at the house, tasty hot soup and roast plus salads, appetizers, snacks and desserts, accompanied by wine and limoncello.

Thank you Carleen

The North Mystery Group arrived at the Crane Estate, Castle Hill, Ipswich, MA as “Guests of the Cranes”. We were transported back in time to 1929 and treated to a tour of the Great House.
Our knowledgeable tour guide was dressed in period costume as a footman and each of us role played as visitors of the era. Our tour was mostly upstairs where each room had breathtaking views of Crane’s beach and sea and salt marshes. Each of the bedrooms upstairs have a bath with silver fixtures and state of the art Crane plumbing designs.
Unfortunately the house was finished in 1928 and then came 1929 and luxury living came to an end. The house remained in the Crane family until Mrs. Crane died in 1949, when she bequeathed the house and land to The Trustees.
There are 2100 acres on the Crane estate and there are many trails and many interesting observations to be made. Anne H., Bobbie M., Barbara M., Carole B., Nancy C., Judy T. and Polly M. all agreed we enjoyed it.
Polly M.

“Tempus fugit” or ‘time flew by’ is what happened to the 9 members of the Southwest Mystery group when we took a fascinating tour of the Willard House and Clock Museum in Grafton, MA. The homestead became the workshop of the four Willard brothers: Benjamin, Simon, Ephraim, and Aron, all of whom made extraordinary ‘tall case’ or grandfather clocks and decorative shelf clocks starting in 1766. The most famous timepiece, the “banjo” clock, was invented by Simon Willard who received a patent signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. Another of his patents, the Alarm Timepiece or ‘Lighthouse’ clock is considered the first alarm clock produced in America (we can thank Simon for making the time we get up in the am much too accurate!!). A delicious lunch followed at the Grafton Grill. Despite the chill in the air, the sunshine warmed us making for a wonderful day.

Ellen W.

Wild weather struck Rhode Island on the scheduled day of the East Bay Bike Path ride, but seven members of the Gang gathered on the next day for the ride and picnic. It was windy and chilly so we did not tarry much on the way to Colt State Park. Upon arrival at the Park, we agreed that returning to Warren for warm food and drink in a local restaurants was a good idea. After lunch strong winds and a few showers met us toward the end of the ride. When we reached the end we all agreed that the challenge of inclement weather made the ride even more fun.

Sue B.

Six members of the West Suburban Mystery Group had a tour of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, including Author’s Ridge, in Concord, Massachusetts. Despite the damp, cloudy day we all enjoyed our tour very much with a delicious lunch that followed at the historical Colonial Inn. We learned about the family connections between the Concord Author’s Alcott, Hawthorne, and Emerson; their families, spouses and connections to Daniel Chester French the famous sculptor. One of our members even found historical grave stones of family ancestors.
Alida, our very capable, charming tour guide gave us a good insight into these families’ lives with historical and sometimes very funny anecdotes. Al G., Carol B., Christine B., Meredith P., Jane P. and Jan G. all agreed they enjoyed the tour.
Carol B.

On Wednesday October 17th six members of the Southwest Mystery Group met for a private tour of the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum. A very knowledgeable museum guide walked us through the exhibit sections of the building from the beginning of Attleboro's textile production in the late 18th century through it's heyday in the 20th century as a hub of jewelry making. After the tour we made our way to the Canova Italian Bar and Grill for lunch. The food and service was quite good and the company was excellent as usual!
Photo: Chuck H., Linda McN., Diane B., Susan H., Leonora L. and Catherine P.

Diane B.

It was off to Salem NH on Wednesday October 10 to visit "America's Stonehenge”, an archaeological site with nature trails representative of those found in England. A half-mile walk provided interesting views of rock formations including wells, chambers, a Sacrificial Table which has a carved channel on its top and an astronomical viewing platform from which one can view the summer and winter solstice sunrise and sunset. So many rocks!! A perfect October 85 degree day. Then to lunch at Jasmines which was quite a delight.
Anne H., Judy T., Dawn M., Ann K., Carole B., Linda MacH., Joy T., Bobbie MacC., Nancy C., Polly M.

Barbara M.

25 of us toured this Grand Dame of ball parks yesterday and heard the stories of its start, fame, misfortune (ugh, 86 years) and why everyone loves the oldest park in baseball history. We sat in the only wooden seats left in US ballparks (bring on the butt butter) and the new ones on the green monsta (the New Yorkers in the crowd were corrected . . . monster?), and gently brushed those in the upper luxury boxes. We saw what else happens at Fenway . . . who knew Irish Hurling is played there, or speed skating, or ski jumping or hockey? The sun was shining, the rooftop garden was in bloom, off to lunch at Boston Beerworks, and all was right with the Bosox world!