~ July 2023 ~

Hello CVOA,

Greetings CVOA members,

Sometime this summer, take a spin up the West Mountain Road. Sugarloaf is going after it full bore. Machines, workers, and materials are creating a new ski area. You gotta pay attention because this progress won’t give way to sightseers. I’m impressed. I don’t think I have ever seen the Mountain this engaged since the install of the SuperQuad. It’s a tall order to get this area open for 2023-24, but it won’t be for a lack of effort. Thank you Sugarloaf!

The CVOA Board of Directors meets 4 to 6 times each year. Thanks to Val and Sam Hudspath for graciously hosting this meeting. This past Sunday, the Board met to consider Association business including:

• The upgrade to the gate at the Range and other ADA improvements
• Setting up a capital reserve plan for the Range facility
• The status of trips for 2024. Skiing the Dolomites in Italy, Whistler in Canada, Heavenly Valley at Lake Tahoe, Quebec City in Canada, prossibly a trip to Chile in Summer 2024 and an Alaska adventure cruise in June 2024
• CVOA’s budget vs actual performance – it looks like we’ll be on-target for year end with some accounts over and other accounts under the budgeted amounts.
• The rising cost of goods and services for almost everything we need and do, and the need to consider increasing dues
• The activities and social events calendar for the remainder of 2023 and winter 2024
• Our excellent Newsletter and our less-than-excellent social media presence (Range excluded)
• Succession planning for our Officers and Board
• The next Board meeting is scheduled for Sunday October 8 at 3pm at the Range. Members are welcomed to attend all Board meetings.

• Did you know about half of the CVOA members are Range members? When they are combined with the Day-use non-members, you begin to realize the level of interest in shooting in Carrabassett Valley. Our Range also supports the qualification and training needs for the US Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol officers based in Rangeley and Coburn Gore, as well as the Franklin County Sheriff and local police departments. Courses are offered in the safe handling of firearms, and friendly competitions are held. The hard-working volunteers, including the CVOA Range Committee, make all of this possible. If you’re interested in doing more to support our efforts, please contact Diane Stone or Ray Stone at cvoa.range@gmail.com.

 Looking to the fall (I know, we haven’t had summer yet), I hope you’ll plan to be in Carrabassett Valley for the annual Sugarloaf Homecoming weekend. Mark your calendar for October 6-9, 2023. It’s a great opportunity to volunteer for a two-hour shift at the CVOA table greeting old and new members. If you want to meet your old and new friends at our Table, please send an email to Steve Smith Vice President at cvoa.vicepresident@gmail.com. Also, CVOA will be having a BBQ at the Range Sunday afternoon.

Have a wonderful summer and take advantage of the planned CVOA activities.

Thom Johnston

Photos from Board Meeting

July 2023

July 1 - Range 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 2 - Range Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 8 - Range 5-Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 9 - Range Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 11 - Range Women's Shooting Group - Archery 4-6pm

July 15 - Range 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 16 - Range Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 22 - Range 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 23 - Range Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 25 - Range Women's Shooting Group - Pistols 4-6pm

July 29 - Range 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 30 - Range Trap Shoot 9am-noon

Check out the CVOA 2023-24 EVENTS CALENDAR

Click here: CVOA Calendar

Membership is going strong as more new members are joining each month. Many are Range members as well as CVOA members as summer activity in the Valley ramps up. As of June 25 we had 470 memberships of which 89 are new memberships for 2023. Those memberships represent 900 people of which 446 are Range members. Please remember to let me know if your mailing address and/or your email address changes. We communicate with members through the Newsletter using your email address. You don’t want to miss any announcements regarding events!! 

Patti Johnston

Membership Secretary

🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️ Diadema Golf Outing 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

June 14, 2023

28 golfers 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️joined in the fun and 4 others came for lunch.

The Diadema course was in tip top shape… plus the rain held off - finally!!

Four $25 Diadema gift cards were awarded. Congratulations to the winners.

Closet to the Pin on #8

Men - Rich Anderson

Women - Helen Poulin

Longest Drive on #9

Men - Sam Hudspath 

Women - Diane Stone

A raffle was held~ 10 Diadema ball markers (actually only 8 were raffled off). 2 markers made their way to golfers bags prior to the raffle ~ an inside joke for all in attendance. 😂

CVOA’s own ‘Secret Santa’ surprised all with a gift bag ~Thank You Mrs.Claus.

Bonnie and the Diadema crew served a wonderful buffet luncheon in Diadema’s lovely function room.

It was agreed by all attending that the golf outing become an annual event…tentative date Wednesday June 12, 2024. This was a fantastic outing and hope many more CVOA members will participate next year.

Nancy Makin 🏌️‍♀️

CVOA board member and fellow golfer

🚴‍♂️ Coastal Bike Ride - Brunswick 🚴‍♀️

The Saturday, June 3rd coastal bike ride with the Trueworthys was canceled because of inclement weather and will be rescheduled in September with a date TBD.

Whistler British Columbia

March 2-March 9

CURRENTLY THIS SKI TRIP IS THE ONLY ONE WITH SPACE AVAILABLE

The Whistler Ski Trip is to a wonderful diverse ski area and large Village complex. There is plenty of space available so join other CVOA members for a memorable trip to British Columbia. More participants are needed to assure we can run this trip as planned. An update on the trip status will be available in the August Newsletter.

Click on the brochure to the right for details and the application. Be sure to scroll thru the multipage brochure.

We encourage you to send in your deposits and registration forms asap.

For questions please contact:

Trip Leaders Lee & John Goss

clgossamer@gmail.com

‭(207) 542-9361‬

Quebec

March 18-March 22, 2024

We’re looking forward to offering a ski trip to Quebec City in March. Some final details (like price) are in process of being finalized. Stay tuned for the detailed announcement in an upcoming Newsletter.

If you have any questions, contact Thom Johnston at: tandpjohnston@gmail.com

Alaskan Cruise 2024

May 31-June 7

CVOA is headed to Alaska and member interest is growing! There are now 18 CVOA members booked through Alaskan Dream Cruises for the Last Frontier Adventure aboard the Chicagof leaving Juneau, Alaska on May 31, 2024 and arriving in Sitka, Alaska on June 7, 2024. This is a 76-passenger cruise ship once captained by CVOA’s very own Kip Files!

“The Last Frontier Adventure is designed for guests seeking more time in wilderness areas and a higher level of activity. The dynamic itinerary features daily adventures like hiking rainforest trails, kayaking in a glacial fjord, exploring Baranof Island’s “Waterfall Coast” and more. Sailing between Sitka and Juneau, you’ll spend the majority of your time in remote locations, including Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The offering also includes the company’s exclusive Orca Point Lodge”.  

Cabins are available for anyone who wishes to join us…we could fill the ship with CVOA travelers! A 15% deposit holds your reservation until final payment 60 days before departure. There is a 10% early booking discount (before Sept 30th as well as a 10% group discount. Additionally, there is a 5% discount (and free alcohol!) for military personnel or 5% discount if you pay in full.

The group will make plans for flights and hotels in July, as soon as the flight schedule becomes available.

Visit the website at https://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/cruises/2024-last-frontier-adventure/ to learn more about this trip. Reservations can be made by calling “Donna” at (815)345-4113 and mentioning CVOA to get the group discount.

Email Bonnie, trip coordinator at bfarrar7@aol.com for more information.

Hello Range and CVOA Members, 

Weekly 5 Stand Shoots every Saturday 9am to noon, rain or shine. Trap Shoots every Sunday 9am to noon, weather permitting. I will post Trap cancelations due to weather on our Facebook page, CVOA Shooting Range, and our website, cvoarange.com. Come early to get a spot! The public and guests are welcome. These are a non-competitive shoots for fun and practice. If you are new to these sports, this is a perfect way to learn!

The new Women's Shooting Group will meet on Tuesday, July 11th and 25th from 4pm to 6pm. We will explore a different shooting sport at each meeting. Trap, Archery, Pistol, and Rifle. Even if you don't have the equipment, we'll share. The June 27th Archery was cancelled due to rain. July 11th we will explore Archery. We'll start with close,10yard shots and work our way back to the 30 yard shots. There is no additional fee for the archery. The Range has some youth bows and arrows that can be loaned out if you do not have your own. Drop me an email if you'd like to attend, but don't have the right equipment so I can make sure we have enough to share. July 25th we'll try out the Pistol Range. Bring a friend. Guests welcome for a $10/day fee. (remember: is it only $40 to join, or $30 if your guest is already a member of CVOA, but not the range)

The concrete pads and electrical work is complete and we are just awaiting the installation of the new electric gate! We'll send out details on its use shortly. Accessing the Range will be much easier!

Range Member Lou Alfieri is looking to restart the Wednesday 5 Stand Shoots. He is interested in trying an afternoon shoot starting at 4pm to 7pm or until sundown. Please send me a quick email if that might interest you, too. dpstone32@gmail.com. Lou would like to start by July 12th.

The Introduction to Handgun and USCCA Concealed Carry courses were a big success!

"That was an A+ absolutely awesome class. Two incredible instructors, balancing extreme safety with politeness. Balancing directness with good listening. Excellent teaching skills because it went step-by-step, progressively, moving, slowly, mastering each level before going onto the next!" -GM

"I would like to relate to you how much I appreciated this training. Both days were stupendous!!The instructors were articulate, relatable, poised, obviously highly qualified, and above all, safety comes first!!

I wish every person using a firearm took these courses!" -CP

I've gotten very positive feedback from the participants and the instructors. So much so, we are looking to bring more education courses to the Range. Some options include repeat of the Intro to Handgun, a first aid course Stop the Bleed, and a Range Safety Officer course. We'll keep you informed and please let me know if you might be interested in any of these options.

As always, your help and participation is greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Diane Stone

Range Secretary

CVOA.range@gmail.com

207-240-4752

To foster and promote the conservation of our natural resources

and the creation of recreational opportunities in our region.