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  • Friday, March 03, 2023 3:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The A team in every color:  Charlie, Kent, Bill, Dave, Nancy, Jane, Shelly and  Marty.

    Thirty members of our gang enjoyed a great week of skiing, hiking, and camaraderie on our annual Sunday River trip.  As Kent S noted......five days and five different sets of conditions: hard packed, powder, powder turned to moguls, powder on groomed, and then groomed packed powder with perfect temps and crystal blue skies on Friday.  There's nothing like a bluebird day on the slopes and Sunday River gave us a few of those.  

    For skiers, Sunday River offers a bit of everything ranging from steeps, moguls and natural snow to groomed cruising trails. Our gang members tried all of the above and found skiing companions compatible with whatever their personal level of desire for thrill and challenge was.  Those who made it over to the Jordan Bowl were treated to a state-of-the-art bubble chair lift (with heated seats!) that literally flies up the mountain. The best part of the experience for our skiers was that no one left the mountain on a stretcher.  

    We welcomed several new skiers into our ranks (Marty and Shelly G, Jane H, Judy H, and Joan G) and celebrated the return of some of our veterans (former trip leader Ray G and Abby A who makes an annual pilgrimage from North Carolina to visit family and get in some skiing).  The suites we stayed in with kitchen facilities provided several nights of impromptu banquets and sharing of favorite recipes.  

    We also had a wonderful banquet at the Grand Summit and a road trip to the Jordan Hotel for a welcome night pizza party. 

    The pool and hot tub offered many of us relief from the sore muscles a day of skiing gave as well as a chance to visit with our Canadian friends who were also staying at our hotel.   The fireplace in the south lobby offered a great setting for our happy hour apres ski rendezvous as well as a setting for a couple of game nights.  Bruce W  showed his history acumen winning again at the game of Chronology (a new club favorite thanks to Karen S) while Marge C demonstrated her creative vocabulary skills winning a boisterous game of Balderdash (an old TOHG standby).  

    We did have a few folks who needed to drop out at the last minute due to various health complications.  We hope to welcome them back next year.

    Tom J and Marge C

  • Friday, March 03, 2023 8:41 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Once again the non-skier found skiers to take a snowy walk with.  On Tuesday afternoon Johanna and Helgard joined me after their morning of skiing to enjoy the snow and a walk around the Summit Hotel roads and woods.  We found a snow covered swing set and took advantage. 
    Wednesday consisted of exploring a new 2.5 mile snowshoe trail in Newry at the Valentine Farm.
    On Thursday Ray G, Tina L and I took an approximately one mile walk  along the Androscoggin River on a very snow covered path.  And, of course there was the mandatory lunch on Wednesday at the main lodge area to meet the gang skiers as they came in for a break.

    I had a great time. 
    Meredith Perry


  • Thursday, March 02, 2023 2:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    The West Mystery Group (Cathleen R, Chris B, Jan U, Karen L and Kathleen W) enjoyed an outing at the Worcester Art Museum on March 2nd, viewing the beautiful flower arrangements which correlated with a work of art. It was a welcome respite from the long winter. We then walked to a Thai restaurant nearby and had a delicious lunch. 

    Janice U

  • Thursday, March 02, 2023 12:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Maureen, Joe, Elsie, Cathy, Chuck, Sue, Maggie, Joan 

    A delightful and special Sunday brunch was enjoyed by eight members of the South Mystery Group at the Union Straw restaurant in Foxboro, MA.

    What some of the members may not have been aware of was the historical background of this location. The Union Straw Works was the largest straw hat manufacturer started in 1884 and employed 6,000 people. Many women were drawn to Foxborough for employment. In addition to those who worked in the factory, there was a large “cottage industry” where women braided and sewed straw at home. The women in the factory were socially active, raising money to purchase the gates at Rock Hill Cemetery. They also put notes of support and encouragement in hats being made for the troops during the Civil War. 

    Joan S.

  • Sunday, February 19, 2023 12:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Fourteen enthusiastic members of the North Mystery Group attended a get-together in Portsmouth on February 19th. Lunch was at Café Espresso before the big event. The restaurant buzzed with lively conversation. It was a great opportunity to get to know those who were new to the group and to catch up with the old.

    Just up the road was our destination, the New Hampshire Theatre Project where we were treated to the play “Gobsmacked”. It was written, produced and performed by the lead actor, George Hoskey Bouley, and a very talented cast of characters. They say laughing helps digest your food, and we sure had our share of belly laughs at this production!

    Jane B and Judy T

  • Friday, February 17, 2023 2:52 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Sugarloaf has been so sweet for us skiers, and not just for Valentines Day! When we arrived on Sunday, Feb. 12, we had a 'meet and greet' during which everyone made plans for different level ski groups. The sun blessed us on Monday with lovely warm weather and the snowpack was lose enough for great skiing. Tuesday was even better for there was a snow dump Monday night giving everyone the experience of 'Eastern' powder skiing (3" snowfall). The message must have gone out for a good many people showed up to the slopes for a weekday.
    The wind picked up for the end of our week, but all skiers made the best of it as we felt the wind on the chairlifts but not on the slopes where we were protected by trees.

    The breakfast at the Inn was delicious as were the dinners. Wednesday night we were treated to karaoke but, while none of this group sang, we did have dancers!

    Consensus was we had a great week!

    Ellen W

  • Thursday, February 09, 2023 3:17 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    This was a trip to remember! The weather was perfect, the snow ideal, and the company stimulating. Trip participants x-country skied and snowshoed at ski centers and free trail systems in the area, BUT, this trip had more than its share of excitement and unexpected events.

    The first night, while enjoying the “fruit of the grape” and appetizers, we were suddenly plunged into darkness. Paul McHugh, one of our gracious hosts at the Club, flashlight in hand, checked the fuse box. No problem there he reported. We soon learned that a car had hit a telephone pole and knocked out service in the area. The gang members, being who they are, took it in stride and, by the light of the propane fireplace and a few emergency lights, carried on with happy hour! We took that opportunity to tell a bit about ourselves since there were quite a few new members present.

    Instead of the planned potluck that night, with no electricity, we quickly shifted to “Plan B”—pizza, the meal planned for the second night! After calling in the order, a small group headed to the kitchen to make salad with light from flashlights and cell phones! Without heat, everyone went to bed fairly early just to stay warm. The radiators started heating up again around 11:00 p.m.

    But the excitement wasn’t over! One guest came down with a mild case of COVID the next day. Eight of the 18 members left, but 10 stayed, enjoying the postponed potluck supper. Paul did a great job of sanitizing and cleaning to make sure the Club was safe, and no one else has reported a positive test. The Lawrencian also generously refunded the charge for the second night’s stay to those who left early.

    Problems like these could spell disaster, but not with TOHG members who “go with the flow” and “roll with the punches!” Thanks to everyone who took everything in stride. You make planning events easy!

    Judy T

  • Friday, February 03, 2023 5:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Those who did not abandon hope were rewarded by the arrival of snow just in time to ensure that we had the best skiing conditions in years at Craftsbury.  The trails and slopes were well groomed so we sailed along on our skis and snow shoes every sunny day. The hardiest among us made the annual cross country ski trip to Craftsbury Commons and returned in just time for lunch.  Good friends enjoyed good food in the newly redesigned dining room.  

    Paula B’s stretch sessions early each morning attracted a good sized crowd that returned each day to get ready for our adventures.  She kept us hopping.  Our annual book club meeting, led by Toby B, was lively again this year.  A greater variety of topics provided enough suggestions to keep us in good reading company until we meet again next year.  A complete list was compiled by Laurie W and will be available on the TOHG website soon.

    We took a vote.  We decided to return.  Save the last week in February, 2024.

    Sue B


  • Friday, February 03, 2023 1:13 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    We returned to the Silver Fox Inn for the second year and weren’t disappointed. Thirty-three folks traveled from near and far to share in the fun. We kicked off the week with our welcome pizza party. Among the group were recent and long-time members reconnecting with the gang. We welcomed the new members with our usual flair…starting with lots of introductions, sharing the history of the gang, and ensuring they
    enjoyed plenty of snacks and refreshments.

    Every day, people chose their preferred winter activity…some outdoors such as x-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or downhill. And for those who wanted to stay warm, there was the Waterville Valley Athletic Club with a swimming pool, hot tub, and workout equipment. Reading a book by the roaring fireplace was also an option. No excuse to stay in the hotel room!

    The downhill skiers enjoyed well-groomed trails and even some fresh snow. The snow was even better if you were the brave (or crazy) few who took the T-bar to the top of the mountain. Reports were also favorable for the x-country and hiking trails. Seems like everyone took good advantage of their ski passes and gear.

    We shared stories over the ample buffet breakfasts and dinners at the Inn. After indulging in the delicious dessert selections, no one went to bed hungry. While playing the game Chronology, a hard-core group exercised their brainpower to remember the dates of obscure world events. There was keen competition, and a few rematches occurred throughout the week. Thanks, Karen Sch, for bringing the game with you and thanks to Tom J. for emceeing!

    By the end of the week, everyone agreed we should make the Silver Fox Inn an annual destination!

    Unfortunately, Bob G. couldn’t join the trip due to a family emergency. We send his family our best wishes and hope to see him soon. And Bob would like to thank Elizabeth B. for taking over and running the trip in his absence.

    Elizabeth B and Bob G

  • Thursday, January 26, 2023 2:46 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Dottie A, Joan S, Cyndy T, Joe C, Ines A, Maggi C, Maureen D, and taking photo Marco A.
    Not in the photo: Elaine M and Joe M and Carol H.

    A delightful lunch was enjoyed by 12 members of the South Mystery Group at One Bistro in Norwood, MA. The restaurant is aptly described as "Upscale Yet Casual.” Best of all, was seeing and catching up with some friends over drinks and delicious food. We look forward to our next lunch in February.

    Joan S


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