~ December 2023 ~

Hello CVOA,

Greetings CVOA members,

The transition from fall to winter is upon us. The winter population of the Valley starts to grow and with it, an active CVOA calendar springs to life. You’ll see Third Thursday Socials, Cookie Swap and Ugly Sweater Party on the December calendar. Read further in this Newsletter and you’ll discover the dates, times and locations for these favorite events. If you’re going on one of ski trips this winter, Val Gardena, Heavenly Valley and Quebec City, check your email for updates, reminders and deadlines. And make sure your passport is up-to-date.

Best wishes for this Holiday Season and I look forward to meeting many of you on the snow covered slopes!



 Thom

Thanks to everyone who has renewed membership for 2024. If you are reading this and haven’t renewed, you can do it right now by clicking here and entering your information. CLICK HERE TO RENEW. Remember, if you are going on a CVOA trip this winter, you must have your membership renewed prior to the trip, preferably by January 1, 2024. We have many fun events scheduled for December and we hope to see you there. Please introduce yourself when you attend an event. We all look forward to meeting you.  

Membership Secretary

Patti Johnston

December 2 5:00 – 8:00 Ugly Sweater Party at CV Library

December 3 2:00 - 4:00 Bowling at Sugarbowl

December 7 5:00 - 8:00 Holiday Cheer & Cookie Swap

Hosts: Candy & Tom Anderle

December 10 2:00 - 4:00 Bowling at Sugarbowl

December 16 4:00 Board/Member CV Library

December 17 2:00 - 4:00 Bowling at Sugarbowl

December 21 4:30 - 6:00 3rd Thursday Social at the Sugarbowl

Click here: CVOA Calendar of Events

CVOA Sunday Afternoon Bowling …

The SugarBowl is reserving two lanes for CVOA members.

2:00 - 4:00 – $10 includes shoes

Come join the fun Sunday afternoons!

December dates: 3,10,17

**Reminder: Tufulio’s Sunday Twofers starts at 4:00.

Crystal Gareau bowled a 161 on her first day at Sunday bowling.

Ugly Sweater Party

CV Library, Saturday December 2 at 5-8pm

It’s About To Get Ugly!

 Saturday, December 2nd, 5:00 ~ 8:00 @ CV Library

Ho Ho Holy Crap That’s Ugly…..The Uglier, The Better

Eat, Drink & Be Ugly

Prizes Awarded For Ugliest, Funniest, Vintage & Couple 

Winners Determined By Ballot Vote……Trophy Awarded!

 $150 Holiday Gift Basket Awarded in Each Category

Annual Cookie Swap

December 7, 5-8pm

Candy and Tom Anderle look forward to hosting the Annual Cookie Swap at their home 1011 Little Bigelow Road in Carrabassett Village. They will have some appetizers and wine, but BYOB is suggested.

Plan to bring 3 dozen cookies to swap and share and a container to take home your sampling of other goodies.

Directions: Take Carriage Rd. (road near Town Office) then left onto Huston Brook Rd. Little Bigelow Rd. is the fourth road on the left - go straight directly into our driveway - dead end. Gray house and garage. Park anywhere.

An RSVP to Candy would be appreciated. 

Cfontaine3@yahoo.com or 235-2535.

3rd Thursday Social, Food & Trivia

December 21st at the SugarBowl

4:30-6:00pm

Join us at the CVOA mid-week Socials on the third Thursday of each month December through March 4:30 – 6:00 pm.

Appetizers provided by CVOA. Jean, the SugarBowl cook, provides a GREAT selection of pizza, appetizers and desserts.

Trivia & Prizes! Doorprize: $25 SugarBowl Gift Card. Come join the fun!

  MARK YOUR CALENDAR….CVOA Winter Social

Saturday January 13, 2024

At the AOEC Yurt 5:00 - 8:00

😎JIMMY BUFFETT TRIBUTE DANCE🍹

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

When you think of Margaritaville, you're most likely not thinking of the YURT!! Come see how the Yurt transforms to PARADISE…

Palm Trees, Beach Balls, Flamingos and more..🦩🦩

DRESS TO IMPRESS ….. in your best beach attire, Hawaiian Shirts, Board Shorts, Sundresses and Flip Flops.

WHO NEEDS WARM WEATHER TO PARTY?!!!

Dance To Island Vibes with Sugarloafer & DJ Steve Kolenda!!.

Party Favors ~ Gift Cards ~ Doorprize

No admission fee - Donations accepted for AOEC (jar on site)

BYOB and an bring an appetizer to share

RSVP to Jeannette Parker jparker16seabreeze@gmail.com

Due to the limited space at the Yurt, RSVP’s are required.

** PLEASE PARK AT THE OUTDOOR CENTER**

The parking lot at the Yurt is expected to be full to accommodate overnight guests participating in AOEC programs. Due to the limited parking, a shuttle is available for transport to and from your vehicle upon arrival and departure

Val Gardena Italy

January 24-February 3, 2024

The Val Gardena trip is full, and there are six couples on the wait list. If you want to find out how to add your name to the wait list please contact:

Trip Leader Mike Parker for details

golfski33@gmail.com

Heavenly, Lake Tahoe

February 27-March 5, 2024

The CVOA Heavenly Ski Trip has just one spot available for a single male traveler. If you are interested or wish to be added to the wait list, email trip leader, Bonnie Farrar at bfarrar7@aol.com.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE TRIP BROCHURE

Quebec 2023 Trip



The trip is currently Full with 29 members signed up. However, if you would like to join the Quebec trip, a waiting list is being established. If you’re interested, read through the brochure (click on it) and send in a reservation form. The trip leader, Thom Johnston, will then get in touch with you. If you have questions, you can contact him at 207-852-3595 or tandpjohnston@gmail.com .

Trip Leader: Thom Johnston

tandpjohnston@gmail.com

Alaskan Cruise 2024

May 31-June 7

There are now 24 CVOA members signed up for the “top-rated” Alaskan Dream Cruise trip May 31-June 7^th, 2024, and most of them have made their flight and hotel reservations as well. There are five AA cabins (double occupancy) still available for anyone wishing to go on this adventure. Full cruise details have been in the last few newsletters. If you would like additional information, visit the website at https://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/cruises/2024-last-frontier-adventure/ or email Bonnie Farrar, trip coordinator at bfarrar7@aol.com. Reservations cannot be made online, but by calling (815)345-4113 and mentioning CVOA to get discounts. Because this is not a CVOA-sponsored trip (just CVOA friends traveling together), it is the responsibility of each member to make their own reservations for the cruise/hotel/flight. It is sure to be a great adventure!

Winter

Hello Range Members, 

2023 was a very successful year for new memberships! Welcome to all our new and returning shooters.

The Range hosted a Basic Handgun course followed by a Concealed Carry course run by CVOA member Tammy Acker and co-educator Debby Shilling. Both long time trainers at Howell's Gun Shop in Windham. We hope to add more courses next Spring, so keep an eye out for announcements. The Range also hosted a Trap Shoot for CVA students and a 5 Stand Shoot as an appreciation day for Sugarloaf employees. Ideas for next year are welcome.

New Membership Applications are available for 2024. Any new member that signs up will get the rest of 2023 as well as all of 2024 included with their membership.

Remember, Pistol and Rifle Ranges will remain open throughout the winter. Steel targets have been reinstalled on the 100yd Rifle Range. The "plink" from hitting the target is very satisfying! Remember to follow all posted safety rules and maintain at least 25 foot distance while shooting at metal targets. For paper targets, you may move as close as you like.

Folks are getting used to the new electric gate. Please do not try to drive around the gate. Boulders will be moved to both sides and you may damage your car if you do so. Also, when exiting, the gate will remain open while multiple cars exit. The same is not true of cars entering. The gate will close after 12 seconds and may damage your car and/or break the gate. Only one car at a time should enter.

Finally, I would like to thank all the volunteers who help make the operation of the Range possible. So many of you have stepped in to help when we ask, and often just jump in and help out without a special invitation. It shows the dedication of CVOA members. Thank you to Lou Alfieri for running our Wednesday 5 Stand Shoots. Thank you to Chuck Gerry and Chris Norton for donating their time and big equipment to Range projects. Thanks to Harvey Packard for his guidance and help with the Trap project. Thanks to Bill Karn for his technical expertise for our security system. Also, a special thank you to Bill O'Brian for his outstanding work on keeping the Range operational, clean, and the grounds looking great all year. If you having any interest in becoming part of the Range Committee or would like to help out with projects or learning how to run an event or weekly shoot, just drop me a message.

Diane Stone

Range Secretary

CVOA.range@gmail.com

207-240-4752

Join fellow Sugarloafers in celebrating long time Sugarloafer Don Fowler as he crests 75 million vertical feet of skiing on the slopes of Sugarloaf, a testament to perseverance and his love for the sport. We'll gather to share stories, enjoy good food and drink in the King Pine Room on Saturday, December 9th. 

Click here to purchase tickets

Proceeds benefit the Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum.

Don is one of the founders of CVOA. Over the years he has consistently contributed his time, expertise and energy to CVOA including extensive pro bono legal assistance. He has been an active participant in the organization’s many activities. His involvement has been significant in making CVOA the vibrant active organization it is today.

Recently, the Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum asked CVOA if it would make a donation to the event honoring Don. The Board considered the request and concluded it does not fit within the CVOA Mission. Board members indicated very strong support for this special event and considered how to support it. They decided to ask members to show CVOA’s by making a contribution to the event beneficiary, The Ski & Snowboard Museum of Maine. CVOA member's contributions will be presented to the Museum on behalf of CVOA in honor of Don.

To support CVOA honoring Don, please make out a check payable to the Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum and send by November 30 to:

Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association

Valley Crossing #6

Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947

Soup Social

Saturday, November 11

SO, HOW MUCH FUN WAS THAT!? Mingle, Meet, Chat and Eat…….we do it well at CVOA gatherings!

Twenty-five members gathered together at the CV Library on Saturday, November 11th for 2 1/2 hours and enjoyed conversations, laughs and 11 yummy soups and chowders, an assortment of breads, rolls, biscuits and desserts. 

Thank you for coming! Thank you for cooking! Thank you for helping with clean up! Many helping hands ……greatly appreciated 😁👏👍

CONGRATS to Chris Paradis, winner of the Fall Doorprize Basket.

To view more pictures of this fun "tasteful" event, CLICK HERE



Jeannette Parker