MOAC Monthly Meeting featuring Dan Kidd!
2022-10-05 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Please join us at the monthly general meeting IN PERSON to hear:
Tips on Running Longer Trips, Things I wish I hadn’t learned …
with Dan Kidd
Dan Kidd, a longtime almost founding member – and past 4X president — will speak on what he has learned not to do when running a longer trip. Many of you have been warned about these trips, many to no avail. And yet people continue to sign up so Dan must be doing something right.
Come see the why and the how to put the “A” for adventure into a trip! We will follow the thoughts and planning along with photos of canoe trips through the canyons of the Rio Grande River, one of his very favorite trips.
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Dan is almost a charter member of MOAC. He’s been around a long time. He has led many of the most ambitious adventures ever undertaken. The Amazon, the Everglades, the Rio Grande, the Mediterranean to just name a few. Dan is a master of all trades. A licensed pilot and boat captain, he is the club expert on long distant adventures. And no, despite rumors to the contrary, Dan has never lost anyone on a trip (that we know of).
We will try to zoom this meeting:
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MH&T’s Flagstaff Hut
2022-10-14 14:00 - 2022-10-16 14:00
Please be vaccinated to join this trip. Thanks!
Maine Huts & Trails operates four “Eco-Lodges” in northern Maine, and for the weekend of October 14-16, their Flagstaff Hut is all ours. The hut is located on the eastern shore of Flagstaff Lake, about a 2.5 hour drive from Portland.
This will be our 8th year leading this trip and each year it is an experience to remember. Good company, good food, and the Maine woods. How could it not be?
Flagstaff Hut (in name only) is an off-the-grid lodge (capacity of 44-48) with amenities. Electricity is provided by solar panels and a generator. Hot water via propane, and heat, if needed, via wood. The building has composting toilets, showers, and a full commercial kitchen with refrigeration.
The cost for this weekend is $65 per person.
Sleeping is bunk room style (earplugs) in two separate buildings apart from the main lodge (earplugs).
You need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow cover (recommended), clothes, and personal items (earplugs). You will need to provide your own food for Friday, Saturday morning, and Saturday lunch. You DO NOT need to bring anything to cook with or on. You will have full use of the commercial kitchen. In a process perfected by Tammy, you will be asked bring a small amount of food to contribute to the cause for Saturday dinner. More on that later. Sunday breakfast is a full spread paid for by part of your payment for the weekend.
Coffee/tea/hot chocolate will be provided at least in the mornings and for some reason, Happy Hours tend to materialize in the late afternoons. No obligation to participate but donations for those are welcome as well.
The hut is designed to be remote. You cannot drive to it. Gear can be dropped off at the service gate to shorten the distance but all must be carried in and out. We try to have as many carts and wagons as people are willing to bring to share to help move stuff. Your vehicle will be two miles from the hut when parked in the lot.
Activities can include hiking, mountain biking, paddling, navel gazing, reading, puzzles, drinking wine, staring at the fire. Music if the right people show up. Keep moving every second, or do nothing.
Please click HERE to sign up.
Checks can be made to Peter Mullen and mailed to 38 Lawrence Rd, Gray. $65 per person for the weekend,
We also accept Venmo. Pay to tammy-mullen-5. Please put “MOAC” in the comments.
We look forward to seeing old friends and new faces at Flagstaff this fall.

Take Pride in Acadia Day, 2022
2022-11-05 08:00 - 13:00
For 31 years, volunteers have gathered on the first Saturday of November to help ready the famous carriage roads for winter. Sponsored by Friends of Acadia, teams are assigned troublesome sections of carriage roads where erosion can cause damage over the winter. The task? Rake the leaves and debris off the shoulders and into the woods. MOAC has had members at this event for many years. We have a team that will work together.
If you follow the Friends of Acadia link above, there will be information about how to sign up for the event. PLEASE do not do that. Since we are working as a group, use the sign up link below so I can keep track. I will submit our roster of names to Friends.
Please click HERE to sign up. Your email is so we can communicate before the weekend. Your phone number so we can as well during the weekend.
Most who sign up make it a weekend, but that is not required. The actual commitment to the park is from roughly 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. If you choose to make it a weekend, the rest of the time is yours.
There is no cost to the event itself. If you choose to stay over, you will need to find your own lodging. Tam and I are staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, right in downtown and that has been the hotel of choice for the most part for a few years now. But, you can do as you wish in this regard. The Grand offers a free breakfast. Local restaurants for the rest.
Back for 2022, however, is the free lunch after the work Saturday. Discontinued during Covid, it’s back. After our work commitment is done, we can head over to the Park Headquarters on Eagle Lake Road for a “CCC” lunch. Chili, cornbread, and cider. At least that’s what it used to be. Aside from the ingredients, it’s named to honor the Civilian Conservation Corp, who did a lot of work in Acadia.

MOAC Monthly Meeting – Yellowstone in Winter
2022-12-07 18:30 - 20:30
MOAC member (and board member) Marianne Hill will share slides and stories from her December 23- 28, 2015 trip to Yellowstone. Yellowstone has an eerie beauty in the winter as steam from hot springs dots or even shrouds the landscape. Animals are easy to spot against the snow, which averages over 13 feet deep near Yellowstone Lake. Marianne visited Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone; Yellowstone Lake; West Thumb geyser basin and more. Also, there are some fascinating scientific discoveries associated with the park. If you have visited Yellowstone in the winter, please come and share your experience.
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In addition to the speaker, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.
We may try to record using Zoom.
MOAC Event is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: General Meeting
Time: Dec 7, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Portland Holiday Lights Stroll
2022-12-14 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for a festive holiday urban stroll around Portland to gaze upon the lights on Wednesday evening ~ December 14th. We’ll meet at the GLOBE sculpture in front of Casco Bay Lines Ferry terminal at 6pm – Wear comfortable walking shoes and plenty of layers. It is forecast to be windy! Walk for about 1.5 hours – we may stop during or after for a nosh and holiday toast! ~ Show and go – No limit. Text if you’re running late and I’ll let you know where we are ~ 207-712-5699

Tanzania Safari Adventure November 2023! Zanzibar!
2023-01-01 08:00 - 17:00
Please check the calendar for posted trip details in November of this new year for details!

November 2023 Tanzania Wildlife Safari Update
2023-01-07 08:00 - 17:00
Great to see everyone at the monthly meeting, and I hope you enjoyed the presentation on African Safari Adventure!
There were questions about other activities and hiking for the November 2023 trip I have posted. This is a wildlife safari, which is why it is listed as “other” for category of adventure. That said, there are a wide variety of activities that may be scheduled by our guide at the lodges, and that are listed, such as a flora and fauna walk, a visit to a Maasai Village, or a visit to the Cultural Center in Arusha, which is amazing! Our Guide can also arrange a day hike of Kilimanjaro for those who wish to add a day to their itinerary before or after the Safari. Some wildlife parks permit walking safari days as well!
This is a once in a lifetime outdoor, wilderness adventure, and space is limited! I have updated my notes on the posting. Please note, the cost of 4950.00 cannot be quantified without the full itinerary, so you may see what is included. There will be an internal flight as part of the journey, similar to those in my presentation. Please contact me for the complete itinerary and list of optional activities available. Thanks!
Updated Notes: “Join me for an experience and adventure of a lifetime in November 2023 with Herbivore Expeditions! Please note, this is a wildlife safari journey, and as such, this will be an extra-ordinary wildlife viewing adventure. The Serengeti is known as the land of the lions, and therefore all visitors must follow their guide’s instructions. For those who wish to go hiking in Africa, please see additional options below, and contact me for a guided itinerary with Herbivore Expeditions to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, or for a day hike on Kilimanjaro. Thank you!”

Monthly Meeting – Machu Picchu
2023-02-01 18:30 - 20:00
Join us for a tour of the Sacred Valley of Peru (Urubamba), where the Incas built temples to the sun and other deities.
Machu Picchu is the most famous of the archaeological sites, built by the Inca but there are many more. The stonework was tightly fitted together, using no visible mortar.
We will visit many important sites to the Inca culture, culminating with Machu Picchu. We will touch on modern day Peru as well, with its rich cultural history of blended indigenous, Spanish, and religious customs.

Marty Williams lives in Ellsworth and currently is club president. If you live in Northern Maine, the Bangor area, or Downeast, look for her outdoor adventures throughout the year in that part of the state. She can be reached at president@moac.org or bangor_area@moac.org.
A member for more than 15 years, this trip to Peru in 2016 was a MOAC trip. Just an example of where this club can take you.
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In addition to the speaker, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.
ZOOM!!
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Topic: Feb 1 General Meeting
Time: Feb 1, 2023 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
2023-02-10 19:00 - 22:00, 2023-02-11 19:00 - 22:00
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns to Portland for another year. Tom Widing of Chestnut Mountain Productions brings a selected group of films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, environment and adventure & exploration to the State Theater.
MOAC has a table in the lobby to spread the club’s mission and the board is looking for volunteers to help in that cause. Volunteering will get you free admission to the films as volunteer duties are only pre and post show as well as during the intermission. Please contact the Board to volunteer.
Tickets available at Eastern Mountain Sports, EVO Rock + Fitness, Nomads, and Salt Pump Climbing Company or ONLINE at http://www.statetheatreportland.com/

Winterfest Carpooling from Down East area
2023-02-11 08:00 - 17:00
I am planning to drive down and back to Winterfest. If you want to car pool, I will be leaving from Ellsworth. Depending on response, I can go either way, via Bangor, or via Belfast (please, no debate over which is better LOL ). This trip may include a stop at Trader Joe’s. Call or text 207-801-1488.

Monthly Meeting – Hope in the Face of Climate Change
2023-03-01 18:30 - 20:30
March 1, 2023 General Meeting
Finding Hope in the Face of Climate Change

We are seeing the effects of climate change all around us—especially when we are enjoying the outdoors. But it’s hard to stay positive and motivated in the face of what we are seeing. Please join author Susan B Inches for a presentation on the good things happening in environmental policy, and what you can do to be a part of it. By working together, we can create a healthy future. This talk will show you how.

Since childhood, Susan Inches has envisioned a world that is compassionate, inclusive, and environmentally aware. This vision guided her through a 25-year career in public policy. As Deputy Director of the Maine State Planning Office she was an environmental lobbyist representing the Governor. Signature issues she’s worked on include fisheries, land use planning, smart growth, building and energy codes, renewable energy, working waterfront access, community finance, and rural broadband.
Sue now works as a speaker, educator, author and advocate with a focus on the environment and climate change. She holds a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught advocacy skills at Colby, Bates and Colorado Colleges. Her recent book is Advocating for the Environment, How to Gather Your Power and Take Action.

In addition to the speaker, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.
Zoom starts at 6:45. On a good day, if all goes well.
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Sunset Shores – Camping Piggyback Spring weekend
2023-04-28 17:00 - 2023-04-30 17:00
Hello MOACers,
Piggybacking on Marty’s post for the weekend of April 28-30th ~ I would like to invite you to join me on LOT 135 – Sunset Shores on Whitetail Road in Waltham, Maine – This is just about 10 miles north of Ellsworth on rt 179 – I will be up in the area all weekend and need a few extra hands to help me set up a 10×20 screened in canopy. Also looking for some help to walk/find a trail from my lot to Lot 90 (owned by my friend and MOACer Elaine V) There are about 130 acres between our back borders…
I walked my 4.5 acre lot last year with the Hancock County district forester and he said there are already existing old logging roads all throughout.
There is room on my lot to camp or we can stay at Marty’s. The restrooms in our common area pavilion should be operational by then but ya neva know! Let me know if you have any questions or need more information! We may head over Saturday afternoon after the Friends of Acadia event or on Sunday (weather dependent)
So please join me with your work gloves, navigational skills, rubber boots, compass & camping gear!
Looking forward to enjoying spring, the flora, fauna, lady slippers and a screened in hang-out!

Acadia Roadside Cleanup
2023-04-29 08:30 - 11:30
Friends of Acadia is once again sponsoring a roadside cleanup and I would like to have a MOAC team participate. The cleanup is from 8:30 – 11:30 leaving the rest of the day for Acadia adventures. The park loop road will be open so that will be a great time to bike it before it is loaded with tourists.
My backyard on Christian Ridge Road in Ellsworth is available for tenting and my house available for bathroom, etc. There is a fire pit, chairs and a couple of tables and we can have a pot luck Friday night or Saturday, or whatever folks want. My house is on Leonard Lake so baby ducks may be involved.
Please let me know if you want to be a member of the MOAC team so I can get our team registered.
Also let me know if you want to tent in the backyard.
Link to Friends of Acadia Roadside Cleanup:https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/earth-day-roadside-cleanup/
Please contact me via email using “Acadia Clean Up” in the subject line so I can get our MOAC team started.
Happy Spring !!

Book Swap for Fun Before Monthly Meeting
2023-05-03 18:00 - 19:00
Bring books you no longer need or don’t want to pack up and move again. Books are heavy, so swap for new books you haven’t read! Especially bring outdoor-related books, trail and map books, “How to” books (cook on a campfire, white water/sea kayaking, river maps and ocean charts, cycling-related, and any sports-related books or maps. Any and all books welcome! You’ll need some new books to read by headlamp on all the camping trips coming up this summer. There will be a donation jar and the membership will nominate an outdoor-related charity for a gift of funds.

Acadia Bike and Hike
2023-05-27 08:30 - 16:00
A tradition returns! Saturday May 27th at 8:30 AM we will meet at Bar Harbor Campground. Carpooling encouraged but tricky with bikes being transported. We will bike at a sightseeing pace on the carriage paths. I expect we will stop 3 times to get off the bikes for short hikes of 30-45 minutes. Helmets required. Suggest hybrid or mountain bikes. Please bring water, lunch, snacks, jacket, sunblock, spare tube. Expect to finish by 4:00 PM. Times are flexible to meet the wishes of our group. Please TEXT me, do not email, if you believe you can join at 207-450-4707. Weather report looks fantastic!

June 30 Katahdin Woods and Waters event at Portland Museum of Art
2023-06-30 18:00 - 19:00
Join Wabanaki artists, architect, and funder behind the stunning Visitor Contact Station under construction at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument for a conversation about ground-breaking collaborations. Free and open to the public, pre-registration recommended.

https://www.portlandmuseum.org/eventscalendar/visitor-contact-station-rises-in-katahdin-woods-and-waters

July 4th upta camp
2023-07-04 14:00 - 20:00
Paddle, swim, eat, drink and be merry…maybe nap in the hammock… So far, the weather looks good for the 4th and I plan on spending the day at camp on Little Sebago Lake. I’ll be there by 2:00 and you’re welcome to come anytime after that. Stay a couple of hours or the whole afternoon. The grill will get lit around 5:00 pm. BYO meat for the grill, drinks and a dish to share. I have several chairs, but bringing your own might be handy, depending on how many people show up.
Pleas RSVP if you plan on attending and I’ll send the address, parking is somewhat limited, so carpooling can be helpful.
I have a few paddle boards and kayaks (mostly sit on top, plus safety gear) and a canoe I can share or you can bring your own boat. There isn’t a real set time for paddling, it will depend on the group and people can go out any time. But we’ll shoot for a 3:30ish group start on the water. However, you also can just hang out at camp if you don’t want to paddle.

Motor Booty Scarborough
2023-07-13 18:00 - 20:00
This Thursday the 13th Motor Booty will be playing at Scarborough Memorial Park 6:00-8:00 PM. It’s free with free parking at either Scarborough High School or at an office park across Sawyer street. Unknown if the snack shack will be open. Restrooms will be open. No need to contact organizer just show up!

Picasso: Theater Night on the Saco River
2023-07-27 19:00 - 21:00
See founders of Saco River Theater, Jennifer Porter and Dana Packard, equity actors, in riveting roles as Picasso and a tough female Nazi Officer during WWII. $15 suggested donation OR pay what you would like. Either reserve your seat ahead with the box office, with me OR arrive early. All seats general admission. I plan to arrive at 7PM. Show starts at 7:30. Will save you a seat with advance notice! 25 Salmon Falls Rd, Bar Mills Village, Buxton, Maine. (Just before the bridge over the Saco River.
“A Picasso at Saco River Theatre is a highly engrossing, thought-provoking hour of theater.” – Steve Feeney, Portland Press Herald
“Artful, remarkable and genuinely dramatic, with impressive sensitivity and wit.” – New York Daily News
“Sex, art, Nazis, and a classy twentieth century icon, all wrapped up like a tasty cultural burrito. Expertly done.” – The Star-Ledger

MOAC Monthly Meeting
2023-08-02 18:30 - 20:30
A Walk in the Maine Woods Through the Seasons
with Amy Witt

What type of outdoor adventurer are you? Are you a person who is determined and likes to get to the top of the peak or the end of the trail as fast as you can? Or are you a person who likes to meander and discover Nature’s various displays along the way. What are you seeing? Most importantly, what aren’t you seeing?
Amy will take you on a virtual walk in the Maine woods through the seasons and highlight things to notice along the trails including wildflowers, trees, and the horse hiding in plain sight.

Amy Melissa Witt leads people on journeys with Nature that invigorates their heart and lets them fully experience Nature in more spiritual ways. Amy is a member of MOAC, a Nature photographer, and passionate about nature, plants and all things connected to Mother Earth. Officially she’s a Naturalist, Garden Coach, Horticulturist, Educator, and the enthusiastic, Nature Spirit guided, Director of Earth Walkers (www.earthwalkers.me).

In addition to the speaker, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.

Canceled/rescheduledCamp day!Come join me at my rental camps, 1 hour north of Portland
2023-08-10 14:00 - 21:00
Perhaps because the mailings aren’t going out to alert Moacer’s about new offerings, I received very few interested in my “Camp Day”. I will make other plans. Contact me if you’d like me to offer this Saturday and we’ll see what that brings. Likely another one in 2 weeks.Original offer was: Thursday Come up to camp and escape the heat. I will be up to my two rental camps and would love some company. Come to relax, swim, paddle, and if you have a sailboat or motorboat, there is a public launch nearby, and I have a buoy, and a dock. Dive off my swim float or just hang out, swim, float around. Grill available for very informal potluck, and if people linger it would be fun to watch the sunset, have a campfire, stargaze. RSVP Attending and for directions as well as for cancellations please. Email jean for specifics. GPS will get you to my camp road but not my camp on China lake, South China, Maine. Kayaks and SUP may be available for those without boats. No pets please. Jean, strongvoice12@yahoo.com Canceled for this Thursday.

MOAC Monthly Meeting
2023-09-06 18:30 - 20:30
Friends of the Presumpsot River
Join us as we welcome a close neighbor and kindred souls as the Friends of the Presumpscot River (FOPR) visit us to share their story, their mission, and their dreams.
The Presumpscot River is a major part of our world, providing scenic paddling, plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking, and more than its share of history. The river leaves Sebago Lake in Windham, and after reaching Westbrook, meanders around Portland and finds the sea in Falmouth.
The Presumpscot holds many treasures. From solitude walking its banks, or paddling various sections, as well as its importance in history. The towpath as part of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, the covered bridge in south Windham (one of only nine remaining in Maine), and the The Oriental Powder Company which built its plant at Gambo Falls and supplied nearly a quarter of the ammunition used by the Union Forces in the Civil War.
FOPR formed in 1992 as a neighborhood group dedicated to defending the Presumpscot River from further industrialization, its mission statement is to protect and improve the water quality, indigenous fisheries, recreational opportunities and natural character of the Presumpscot River.

In addition to the speaker, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.

Outdoor film festival
2023-09-07 19:30 - 21:00
Join the Maine Outdoor Film Festival and the Scarborough Land Trust, for an evening of outdoor adventure and conservation films shown under the stars in the field at Memorial Park. Bring chair or blanket, bug spray may be needed. Open at @1900 (7pm) and starts 1930 (730pm). Though free, a donation of $10-15 is suggested and this will go to the Scarborough Land Trust.

Portland Museum of Art Photography Exhibit Friday night
2023-09-08 18:00 - 19:30
Maine Media Workshops + College has drawn photographers to Rockport, Maine for half a century.
The remarkable impact of Rockport, Maine on the field of photography.
Let’s catch this exhibit before its ends on 9/10.
This page provides the details. https://www.portlandmuseum.org/drawn-to-the-light
Let’s meet in the main lobby at 6 pm on Friday, 9/8

Camp Day in Gray on Little Sebago
2023-10-01 15:00 - 20:00
It should be a lovely day to spend at the lake. I’ll be there by 3:00 and we’ll light up the grill at 5:30 ish, maybe have a campfire after. The water is probably a little chilly for swimming, but folks are welcome to go out on my boats or bring your own.
BYOB and protein for the grill and a dish to share. Email for directions if you don’t know where it is. If you do know already, please still let me know if you plan on attending. 🙂

MOAC Monthly Meeting – Africa
2023-10-04 18:30 - 20:30
We’ll be presenting the travelogue “Wild Africa”, by Bill Yeo, from L.L. Bean. This is a half-hour film we showed two years ago, when all of our meetings were only on Zoom. We thought it was worth watching again. According to the film’s description, it takes “an up-close look at some of Africa’s most amazing animals, including the first steps of a new-born Wildebeest, tree climbing lions and the hilarious and remarkable courting dance of the saddle-billed stork”.

Also, MOAC President Marty Williams became the cook on the recent Allagash canoe trip. She will talk briefly about food management on a multi-day event without refrigeration.

In addition to the featured presentations, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.

MOAC Board Meeting
2023-10-18 19:30 - 21:00
You’re invited to join the Board for the monthly board meeting. These are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month on Zoom.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83684200941?pwd=[REDACTED]

Festival Champlain du Film — French film festival, 3-5 and 5:45-8pm - Portland Museum of Art, Yep - with subtitles!
2023-10-20 15:00 - 20:00
Friday night movies at Portland Museum of Art — in French, with subtitles —

Au Revoir Le Bonheur. — 3pm to 5pm. Four brothers meet at childhood home after the death of their father and the reunion goes hilariously off the rails.
RISE! 5:45 – 8:00 pm A promising classical dancer has to find new direction after an injury — and looks to contemporary dance.

Sue S

Sorry, we are FULL - MH&T’s Flagstaff Hut
2023-10-27 14:00 - 2023-10-29 14:00
Maine Huts & Trails operates four “Eco-Lodges” in northern Maine, and for the weekend of October 27-29, their Flagstaff Hut is all ours. The hut is located on the eastern shore of Flagstaff Lake, about a 2.5 hour drive from Portland.
This will be our 10th year leading this trip and each year it is an experience to remember. Good company, good food, and the Maine woods. How could it not be?
Flagstaff Hut (in name only) is an off-the-grid lodge (capacity of 44-48) with amenities. Electricity is provided by solar panels and a generator. Hot water via propane, and heat, if needed, via wood. The building has composting toilets, showers, and a full commercial kitchen with refrigeration.
The cost for this weekend is $100 per person.
Sleeping is bunk room style (earplugs) in two separate buildings apart from the main lodge (earplugs).
You need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow cover (recommended), clothes, and personal items (earplugs). You will need to provide your own food for Friday, Saturday morning, and Saturday lunch. You DO NOT need to bring anything to cook with or on. You will have full use of the commercial kitchen. In a process perfected by Tammy, you will be asked bring a small amount of food to contribute to the cause for Saturday dinner. More on that later. Sunday breakfast is a full spread paid for by part of your payment for the weekend.
Coffee/tea/hot chocolate will be provided at least in the mornings and for some reason, Happy Hours tend to materialize in the late afternoons. No obligation to participate but donations for those are welcome as well.
The hut is designed to be remote. You cannot drive to it. Gear can be dropped off at the service gate to shorten the distance but all must be carried in and out. We try to have as many carts and wagons as people are willing to bring to share to help move stuff. Your vehicle will be two miles from the hut when parked in the lot. Please keep this in mind as you plan on what you are bringing.
Activities can include hiking, mountain biking, paddling, navel gazing, reading, puzzles, drinking wine, staring at the fire. Music if the right people show up. Keep moving every second, or do nothing.
Please click HERE to sign up.
Checks can be made to Peter Mullen and mailed to 38 Lawrence Rd, Gray, 04039. $100 per person for the weekend,
We also accept Venmo. Pay to tammy-mullen-5. Please put “MOAC” in the comments.
We look forward to seeing old friends and new faces at Flagstaff this fall.

Scarborough Marsh Cleanup
2023-10-28 09:00 - 12:00
Register at scarboroughmarsh.org to join others cleaning up the marsh. (For more about the event, see https://www.scarboroughmarsh.org/news ) We meet at 9:00 Saturday October 28 at the Scarborough Maine Audubon Center. If there is interest, I would love to have MOAC members and guests join me after at my house for chili. Email me at seagirl81@gmail.com to get my home address in Scarborough.

2023 Holiday Party Tickets NOW on Sale through Eventbrite
2023-11-03 - 2023-12-06
HOT DEAL now available! Get your tickets at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/737358538237?aff=oddtdtcreator
BARGAIN at $12.00 for prepurchase through Eventbrite (member pays for eventbrite fee)
Another MOAC Party not to be missed. December 9, 2023 from 5:30 to 11:00.
Sale price available only through December 6. Price at the door is $15.00.

Sorry, we are FULL – Take Pride in Acadia Day, 2023
2023-11-04 08:00 - 13:00
For 32 years, volunteers have gathered on the first Saturday of November to help ready the famous carriage roads for winter. Sponsored by Friends of Acadia, teams are assigned troublesome sections of carriage roads where erosion can cause damage over the winter. The task? Rake the leaves and debris off the shoulders and into the woods. MOAC has had members at this event for many years. We have a team that will work together.
If you follow the Friends of Acadia link above, there will be information about how to sign up for the event. PLEASE do not do that. Since we are working as a group, use the sign up link below so I can keep track. I will submit our roster of names to Friends.
Please click HERE to sign up. Your email is so we can communicate before the weekend. Your phone number so we can as well during the weekend.
Most who sign up make it a weekend, but that is not required. The actual commitment to the park is from roughly 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. If you choose to make it a weekend, the rest of the time is yours.
There is no cost to the event itself. If you choose to stay over, you will need to find your own lodging. Tam and I are staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, right in downtown and that has been the hotel of choice for the most part for a few years now. But, you can do as you wish in this regard. The Grand offers a free breakfast. Local restaurants for the rest.
Except for the provided lunch after the work Saturday. Discontinued during Covid, it resumed last year. After our work commitment is done, we can head over to the Park Headquarters on Eagle Lake Road for a “CCC” lunch. Chili, cornbread, and cider. Aside from the ingredients, it’s named to honor the Civilian Conservation Corp, who did a lot of work in Acadia.

Walk to fair-trade Coffee Plantation for a tour, lunch, and discovery!
2023-11-08 02:00 - 08:00
Fun activity for Moacers traveling to Arusha Tanzania in November! See how the world’s favorite drink is grown and manufactured when you experience this private tour of a coffee farm near Arusha. Take a tour of the organic, Fairtrade farm to see how many people make their livelihood and learn about the long journey of coffee, from bean to cup. Then, sit down to a delicious lunch of authentic Tanzanian made by the local villagers.

Tanzania Safari Adventure 2023! Departs soon!
2023-11-09 08:00 - 2023-11-17 17:00
Join me for an experience and adventure of a lifetime in November 2023 with Herbivore Expeditions! Please note, this is a wildlife safari journey, and as such, this will be an extra-ordinary wildlife viewing adventure. In addition, there are optional activities that may be arranged at your request, such a a visit to a Maasai Village, a local flora and fauna walk at some of the lodges we will be visiting, or a visit to the Cultural Center in Arusha, which is amazing!
The Serengeti is known as the land of the lions, and therefore all visitors must follow their guide’s instructions. For those who wish to go hiking in Africa, please see options below, and contact me for a guided itinerary with Herbivore Expeditions to do a day hike, or to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
Please note: Space for this trip is limited.
Thank you!
OVERVIEW
The 8 Day Wildlife Encounter Tanzania Safari will take you to four Tanzania National Parks and luxurious lodge properties in the Northern circuit. This is our most popular safari itinerary in the Northern circuit. Majestic Tanzania is home to many of nature’s most spectacular creations. Among them The Ngorongoro Crater, the largest crater in the world and a vast amphitheater teeming with game. The Serengeti Plains are home to an estimated 3 million animals covering an area of 12,950 square kilometers. ( 5,000 sq. miles)
I would like to welcome you to visit Tanzania to witness it’s wilderness, beauty and wildlife! This carefully planned trip will take place from November 10 to November 17 /2023. The price of the trip is based on the duration of the trip and the service that will be provided according to the itinerary. Contact me for details on the booking terms and conditions that will enable you to make your trip a success. We would like to set the deadline for making the initial payment for February 2023. Your initial payment will enable us to secure your hotel accommodations in advance, as required.
The hotel accommodations the night before the 8 day safari departs is also included in the price, and for those who wish to arrive in advance for a climbing adventure, an itinerary for a guided tour on Mt. Kilimanjaro is also available and may be scheduled. In addition, for those wishing to extend their stay after the Safari to visit beautiful Zanzibar Island, those arrangements may also be scheduled and will be priced accordingly per request.

MOAC Trail Maintenance Day
2023-11-12 09:00 - 15:00
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s time fooooooor…. RAKEFEST !! Please join us for a day of trail maintenance on MOAC’s adopted trails on Pleasant Mountain – the Bald Peak and Sue’s Way trails. By mid-November, most of the leaves have fallen from their perch on high. So this is our chance to rake them off of the trails. Hikers know the challenge of wet leaves covering wet roots and slippery rocks. Trail maintainers know the importance of keeping the waterbars free of leaves and debris so that rainwater can be diverted from the trail. Less rainwater running down the trail equals less erosion of the trail! We start at 9am and meet at the Bald Peak trailhead parking lot; which is on Mountain Road, Bridgton, about 1 mile past the ski area. We usually end around 3 or 4 pm. But you can join us for just the morning, or just the afternoon, or spend the whole day volunteering and giving back to the trails we love. If you’ve never done trail maintenance before, not to worry – there’s no experience needed. Although you’ll probably want to know how to operate a leaf rake. 😉 MOAC owns a great collection of trail tools but with only a couple of rakes. So, we need more cowbell, err… I mean, rakes! Bring yours if you have one.
Also, you’ll want to bring a day pack for your water and lunch. Wear sturdy footwear, work clothes, and bring a pair of work gloves. Watch the weather forecast and bring appropriate warm and dry layers if necessary. Please let me know if you plan to join us – email, text, phone call, carrier pigeon, whatever works for you. Although the latter may cause a delay in my response. 🙂
This will be our last maintenance day of the year, so if you’ve wanted to volunteer to help our trails, this is your chance!
Thanks,
Dana the Maintain-ah!

Portland Thanksgiving Day 4 miler
2023-11-23 09:00 - 10:00
A great start to your Thanksgiving Day. 42nd annual Portland Thanksgiving Day 4 miler 2 loop course around Portland Old Port & Historic District, with complimentary beer at Shipyard Brewery after the race! See link for me info! I hope some of you will join me!!

Band Concert – “A Little Americana”
2023-12-09 14:00 - 16:00
The concert band I play clarinet in is performing a concert at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland this Saturday.
It will be finished in plenty of time to make it to the Holiday Party. But, if you’d like to help with the party setup, do that, don’t come to the concert!
We’re calling the concert theme “A Little Americana” as we have some medleys of recognizable tunes, a couple of railroad themed songs, and a couple of holiday pieces.
Also, we’re having a bake sale!

Portland Trails Holiday Dash 5K
2023-12-10 11:00 - 14:00
Let’s get together and burn off a few calories from the previous night’s MOAC Holiday Party! And help out an allied trails organization with their biggest fundraising event of the year! Whether you’re planning to run, jog or walk, join us and ring in the holiday season in MOAC outdoor-active style! Less of a race (although there’s always a few confused souls who utterly miss the point and actually compete) and more of a 3.1 mile long pedestrian holiday parade. Participants are encouraged to dress up in festive garb and just have a blast. And why not? Race route will be alongside Portland’s iconic Polar Express Narrow Gauge Railroad. With a special extension to take in the scenic East End water treatment plant, always an olfactory delight! Your MOAC event organizer will be walking most of the course, although pride and vanity might compel him to push his creaky knees and jog the last 200 yards – for the all important cow-bell enhanced, race volunteer-cheered, finish line photo-op! Entry fee is a spendy $40, but remember this is for a good cause. And it includes a free gift (often a Portland Trails embroidered winter hat) and hot chocolate at the end. I’ll be springing for the extra $15 meal ticket for the post race brunch and complimentary pint at nearby Ri Ra’s. Come join us!

WINTER SOLSTICE CONCERT
2023-12-21 19:00 - 20:30
(I’ll be reading Vivaldi’s Winter text with the music 🎶)
First Parish UU Church, 114 Main St, Kennebunk, ME

Galapagos Island trip!
2023-12-31 08:00 - 17:00
Cheapo trip to the Galapagos Islands! Best, turtle soup on the planet! Rent an Airbnb for a couple of weeks and do day trips! Swim with creatures – bicycle and hike around. Cost : air $600, share of Airbnb around 200. Hunter/gatherer median strip etc. Contact Dan @478 sixxx835. Still in the planning stage but we’re going to leave in a couple weeks or so.

2024 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
2024-02-09 19:00 - 22:00, 2024-02-10 19:00 - 22:00
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, held every November in Banff, Canada, is the largest and most prestigious mountain festival in the world.
The 2024 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hit the road hot on its heels and is coming soon to Portland. Featuring award-winning and audience-favorite films selected from over 400 submissions, the World Tour screens different films each night.
Where: State Theatre (609 Congress St., Portland)
When: Fri. and Sat., Feb. 9 and 10, at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Buy in person at EMS (87 Marginal Way, Portland) , EVO Rock and Fitness (65 Warren Ave., Portland), Nomads Adventure and Active Wear (100 Commercial St #110, Portland) and Salt Pump Climbing Company (36 Haigis Pkwy, Scarborough) or online at www.statetheatreportland.com.

See the Northern Lights!
2024-02-29 - 2024-03-03
Great opportunity this winter to see the aurora borealis! The Van Allen belt is the most active it’s been in 20 years. Abisko, Sweden; Yellowknife, NWT,Canada ; and Churchill, Manitoba, Canada are possibilities, with odds of about 90% of seeing the lights IF the night is clear (something the ads didn’t always mention). I plan to go in March. I have been monitoring the weather in several cities, as well as the level of aurora activity. Get in touch if you’re interested – I’ll make plans depending on how many folks get in touch. Marianne Hill hillmarros@aol.com

Eclipse Viewing at Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Area
2024-04-08 08:30 - 19:30
I have reserved a parking space to view the eclipse in Rangeley and can take 3 passengers. I have also purchased a lunch so will be going early, leaving the Portland area around 8:45. There may be an opportunity to snowshoe before the eclipse and the website also recommends that we bring camp chairs. Contact me to work out meeting spots and other details like what is needed if you want to purchase lunch. 207-838-0437

Music Jam – Thursday!
2024-04-18 18:00 - 20:30
Come on over! Let’s play some music together Thursday night at 9 Ballard Street in South Portland, 6:00 p.m.

Clean Up East End Beach
2024-04-22 17:00 - 18:00
Join me and others celebrating Earth Day, Monday, April 22 from 5:00. -6:00 pm. Do your part and help clean up East End beach. Show and go, for more info about the event, see https://www.facebook.com/share/p/BQ8udgSugB9ejRg5/?

Volunteer – Plant seedlings for NE Cottontail Habitat Restoration
2024-04-24 12:00 - 16:00
Volunteer opportunities with Rachel Carson WildLife Refuge during the week of Earth Day. This activity, over two days, involves planting native shrub seedlings into pots which will be later used for New England cottontail habitat restoration projects.
Dates/Time and Location:

Day 1: Wednesday April 24th @12noon – 4:00pm
Day 2: Thursday April 25th @9 am – 3:00pm
Location: Rachel Carson WildLife Refuge Greenhouse, 429 Post Road (Rt 1), Wells (enter via small drive located just down Route 1 from Saltwater Farm)

Confirm attendance to one or both days, or portion of day(s) to: Colin McKevitt colin_mckevitt@fws.gov
Per Colin:
“Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is holding its annual shrub potting volunteer event, just a few days after Earth Day 2024. We will be receiving a large order of bareroot native shrub seedlings and will get to work potting nearly 1500 shrubs as fast as we can get to them. This is great opportunity to get your hands dirty, learn about growing container stock, and check out our greenhouse in Wells! We have selected specific native shrubs with habitat goals in mind for the New England cottontail- many of these shrubs will be outplanted for early successional/young forest habitat restoration projects.

Wednesday, 4/24/24
The plants will be picked up in Dover, NH in the morning, so we should be ready to start planting at the greenhouse at 12:00 PM.
Thursday, 4/25/24
There will still be plenty of plants to get potted, so we will start at the greenhouse at 09:00 AM and go until we run out.
Garden gloves, sunscreen and hats are recommended, and we will have extra gloves and sunscreen for those who need them.
Please let me (Colin) know if and when you are interested in coming to help, even for just an hour or two. I will be sending a follow up email to anyone interested to firm up the details.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out! “

This a a fun and worthwhile volunteer activity. Work is in close proximity to others – a good socializing opportunity as well. In the fall, Rachel Carson will again seek volunteers for “Rabitat Planting Parties” where these pots established in April are planted in designated NE Cottontail habitats located between Cape Elizabeth and Kittery.

Also see poster contained within image attached to this calendar entry
Additional NE Cottontail restoration info: https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/10/02/new-england-cottontail-rabbit-habitat

Acadia Trash Clean Up
2024-04-27
Saturday, April 27, is Friends of Acadia annual clean up day. Pick up trash in the morning, hike or bike in the afternoon.
Get a head of the crowds by visiting Acadia National Park and do a good deed as well.
As an added incentive, you can tent at my place in Ellsworth or park your camper in my driveway. There will be a pot luck dinner Saturday night and a campfire with smores.
Please let me know if you will attend by calling or texting 207-801-1488 or send an email to marty@donnellpond.com

Call for volunteers! Phoning in for Baxter State Park group site reservations.
2024-04-30 08:00 - 11:30
We are looking for an “A Team” to help get a MOAC weekend reserved at Baxter State Park this year!
Please email me your contact information if you’re interested.
This is for the big Labor Day weekend, so game faces! It’ll be a highly competitive reservation to go for so any help is appreciated.
Phone lines open on April 30th (Tuesday) at 8:00 am sharp.
I’ll coordinate which sites/dates we are going for once I have the team together.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks,
Josh Soucy

MOAC National Trails Day Annual Trail Maintenance
2024-06-01 09:00 - 15:30
Join the MOAC trail crew as we celebrate National Trails Day by volunteering to help maintain MOAC’s adopted hiking trails. The Bald Peak and Sue’s Way trails on Pleasant Mountain have been under our care for a few years now. The Loon Echo Land Trust manages all the trails on Pleasant Mountain and we work with them to keep the trails clear, safe, and fun for everyone. A day of trail maintenance involves clipping back the limbs and brush, raking twigs, sticks, leaves, cleaning water bars, and removing smaller blowdowns. MOAC has a collection of trail tools, so unless you have a favorite rake or pair of clippers, all you need to being is enthusiasm and elbow grease. Of course you’ll also want to wear sturdy footwear, work gloves, bring plenty of water, lunch, bug dope, and a day pack for it all. Watch the weather and be sure to have a warm and/or dry layer as necessary. We start at 9am and end around 3:30pm-ish. Please meet at the Bald Peak trailhead parking lot on Mountain Road Bridgton, which is off Route 302. The trailhead is about a mile past the ski area. Most members will volunteer for the whole day. But you can join the fun for just the morning, or just the afternoon. All help is welcome! Just please let me know. If you have any questions about the day, give me a call or email. We’d love to have you as part of the MOAC Trail Crew 2024!
Dana-the-Maintain-ah 650-5197 trails@moac.org

MOAC June BBQ and Volunteer Recognition & Gear Swap
2024-06-05 17:30 - 20:30
Rain or Shine! If it rains, we’ll be in the church.
The grilling season has started and it’s time for the traditional MOAC pot luck and BBQ. Bring a dish and something for the grill. It’s also time to recognize volunteers and board members who have helped MOAC during the year. We will set up starting at 5:30 (we always need help) and then start grilling and eating at 6.

Please bring something to grill for yourself.
Please bring something to share (appetizers, salads, deserts, etc).
Bring camp chairs if desired.
Please do not bring alcohol as we are at a church.

Also, please clean out your closets/attics/garages and contribute to our gear swap. And who knows what you might find to take home.

Volunteer with Scarborough Land Trust at Broadturn farm preserve
2024-06-08 09:00 - 14:00
Join MOAC for a volunteer day in partnership with Scarborough Land Trust! This post is for coordination. Stephen “Zam” Zameriowski will be the lead that day! He’s a skilled trail builder and fun outdoorsman to work with. SLT will provide tools snacks and extra water for anyone who needs some. Volunteers should bring their own work gloves, extra water, and a bag lunch.
Parking at this pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mzUsqnhwhow6XcNQ9?g_st=ic
Projects will include
-spreading wood chips
-Moving lumber
-Constructing bridges

-Clearing drainage ditches

Let me know if you are planning to join!

Baxter State Park Carpool
2024-08-30 - 2024-09-02
The link below will be a directory for members who want to carpool up to Baxter State Park.
Carpool list
If you are driving please list yourself.
It’s participants responsibility to reach out to drivers and figure the details! Also note that your carpool buddy may be driving on another day you need.
Please stay punctual and reliable for the benefit of everyone!

Community Connections Fair – Volunteer wanted
2024-09-14 13:00 - 16:00
MOAC is staffing a table at the Community Connections Fair at HopeGateWay, to promote the club’s visibility and reach out to increase our membership.
We are not selling memberships there. We are handing out cards and info. about the club, answering questions and speaking to people when they drop by our table.
I will be volunteering and I would love to have one or two more people with me. That way we can have an opportunity to take a break and check out the fair ourselves.
If you are attending the fair, drop by, say hi and introduce yourself.
HopeGateWay
515 Woodford St, Portland, ME
(diagonally across from Rosemont Bakery on Brighton)
Description of the event from the flyer:
Enjoy food, activities, and performances by local music groups while connecting with clubs, classes, and volunteer opportunities in your community!
Find places to make friends, learn, volunteer, create or donate.
If you would like to volunteer, please email me at melanieslawlor@smccme.edu or phone 207, two-hundred nineteen – 9622.

Greenville Fall Foliage Seniors Getaway
2024-09-24 15:00 - 2024-09-27 11:00
We would like to invite fellow active MOAC seniors to join us for our Thursday Hikers Fall Getaway to Greenville.
Update – It looks like the place is sold out at this time for rooms. There is camping available at the same location in a grassy area behind the resort. This can depend on weather. I can also keep a wait-list in case someone cancels from our group. Room rate of $120/night, Sept. 24-27. The rooms have full kitchens and 2 double beds. Be sure to tell them you are with Thursday Hikers/Michell Moody group. Be sure to check out their website for more info about the property. They also offer camping behind the resort. Call the resort at 800-726-2302 to book one of the rooms we are holding (the rooms are not on their website until after July 1). Book ASAP if you want to come. Please verify their cancellation policy when booking. 7 days for this time of year would be appreciated.
https://www.leisureliferesort.com/
Please let me know if you book. Also let me know if you would be willing to share a room and I can let others know. Please include your phone number and email so I can add you to our rooming list and send more info later.
This is a wonderful area with a great variety of hikes and paddling opportunities. Some biking as well. The colors should be starting while temperatures usually aren’t too cold yet.

MOAC Trail Maintenance Day
2024-10-19 09:00 - 16:00
It’s time for another MOAC trail maintenance day on our adopted trails on Pleasant Mountain. Please consider joining us Saturday October 19th as we work on the Bald Peak and Sue’s Way trails, which are under the stewardship of the Loon Echo Land Trust. Come fall, there’s always plenty of leaves to rake and waterbars to clean out. If we get a big enough crew, we’ll start work on rebuilding the rock causeway on the Bald Peak Trail that’s just before the junction for the Sue’s Way trail. If you’ve never joined a trail crew to help maintain a trail, not to worry – there’s no experience necessary! Just be sure to wear work clothes that will probably get a bit dirty, bring good sturdy footwear, work gloves, plenty of water, your lunch, and a day pack to carry it all! Watch the weather forecast bring appropriate outerwear. If it’s a really rainy day, I’ll reschedule. But I’ve emailed Mother Nature asking for a sunny day. So, we’ll see what we get! 🙂
Meet us at the Bald Peak trailhead parking lot at 9am. The trailhead is on Mountain Road, Bridgton, about a mile after the ski area. We usually call it a day about 3 or 4pm. If you have any questions about the day, or just want to sign up, shoot me an email, send me a text, give me a call, or send a carrier pigeon, whatever work for you!

Back yard indoor camping – Take Pride in Acadia Weekend
2024-11-01 17:00 - 2024-11-03 12:00
Join the Take Pride in Acadia Weekend crowd but stay at my place in Ellsworth. I have room for 4 or 5 folks at my place in Ellsworth, about 20 miles from Acadia. If more are interested, bring your camping gear and stay in my back yard, or in your van in my driveway. You are welcome for 2 nights so you can join Saturday night dinner plans with the group.
Bring your sleeping bag, pillow, towel, and toothbrush, plus what ever. I will supply coffee in the morning.
Be sure to sign up using Peter Mullen’s form for the Take Pride in Acadia MOAC Team on the event calendar . Signing up to stay at my place does NOT get you signed up for the MOAC Team.
Contact me at 207-801-1488 or marty@donnellpond.com to let me know you are coming. I will send more details and directions.

Take Pride in Acadia Day, 2024 - Registration is closed
2024-11-02 08:00 - 13:00
For 33 years, volunteers have gathered on the first Saturday of November to help ready the famous carriage roads for winter. Sponsored by Friends of Acadia, teams are assigned troublesome sections of carriage roads where erosion can cause damage over the winter. The task? Rake the leaves and debris off the shoulders and into the woods. MOAC has had members at this event for many years. We have a team that will work together.
If you follow the Friends of Acadia link above, there will be information about how to sign up for the event. PLEASE do not do that. Since we are working as a group, use the sign up link below so I can keep track. I will submit our roster of names to Friends.
Please click HERE to sign up. Your email is so we can communicate before the weekend. Your phone number so we can as well during the weekend.
Most who sign up make it a weekend, but that is not required. The actual commitment to the park is from roughly 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. If you choose to make it a weekend, the rest of the time is yours.
There is no cost to the event itself. If you choose to stay over, you will need to find your own lodging. Tam and I are staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, right in downtown and that has been the hotel of choice for the most part for a few years now. But, you can do as you wish in this regard. The Grand offers a free breakfast. Local restaurants for the rest.
Except for the provided lunch after the work Saturday. After our work commitment is done, we can head over to the Hulls Cove Visitors Center for a “CCC” lunch. Chili, cornbread, and cider. Aside from the ingredients, it’s named to honor the Civilian Conservation Corp, who did a lot of work in Acadia.

MOAC Holiday Party 2024 – Tickets on Sale
2024-11-06 - 2024-12-04
2024 Holiday Party Tickets NOW on Sale through Eventbrite

November 6, 2024 – December 4, 2024

HOT DEAL now available! Get your tickets at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moac-holiday-party-2024-members-only-tickets-1074692055869
BARGAIN at $12.00 for prepurchase through Eventbrite (member pays for Eventbrite fee)
Another MOAC Party not to be missed. December 7, 2024 from 5:30 to 11:00.
Sale price available only through December 4th. Price at the door is $15.00.
Once again we will party at the Robert W Boyd, AMVETS Post 2, 48 North Road, Yarmouth, ME.

MOAC Monthly Meeting and Presentation - Changed
2024-11-06 18:30 - 20:30
Kindness: The Superpower for the 21st Century
Jeff Edelstein has had epic adventures in his life, from the remote Southwest deserts to the high peaks of the Rockies to the barrenlands of arctic Canada. But he’ll be talking about a different type of adventuring, highly relevant in these times: his work resolving environmental conflict around the U.S., helping members of Congress work together across party lines and – most recently – launching Acts of Kindness Maine, helping individuals, businesses, public entities and communities cultivate the kindness that exists in all of us, in these challenging times.
In just two years, AOK Maine has touched the lives of Mainers throughout the state and attracted national interest. At the meeting, folks will get to “Spin the Wheel of Kindness,” hear and share stories of acts of kindness – in the outdoors or anywhere – and learn about AOK Maine’s activities. Everyone will receive a small kindness gift that can be used to create a kindness ripple effect.
Jeff’s life has followed a fulfilling winding path. After dropping out of college, he commercial fished in Alaska, lived in a Buddhist monastery, ran a farm and logged in the Northwest, roamed around Central America, and hitchhiked all around the US. He returned to school and got an engineering degree, but his true calling turned out to be working as an environmental mediator, resolving conflict on federal forest management policy, fracking in the Yellowstone region, hazardous waste cleanup on NYC’s Gowanus Canal, resolving the South Portland “Tar Sands Pipeline” controversy, and much more. Jeff is now devoting himself to the adventure of exploring the depths and breadth of what kindness actually means, and planting seeds of kindness everywhere. Kindness: The Way Life Should Be!
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In addition to the presentations, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.

MOAC Monthly Meeting and Presentation
2024-12-04 18:30 - 20:30
Injury Prevention and Muscle Balance Techniques for Rebelling Knees and Hips
Our December MOAC presentation welcomes Physical Therapist Joe Legere and his talk will revolve around preventing injuries via effective stretches for the hips and knees, before AND after rigorous activity outdoors. In addition, Joe will be providing manual self-treatment ideas for attendees to use in the future.
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Joe Legere, PT, is a native of Windham, Maine and a graduate of The University of New England, where he earned his physical therapy degree in 1992. He is the owner of JPL Manual Physical Therapy, located in Portland. Throughout his career, he has spent the majority of his efforts treating orthopedic injuries incurred from sports activities, the workplace, and as a result of musculoskeletal and joint dysfunction. He is an active guy, who relates well to high level athletes, people battling postural issues, and the weekend warrior. He is an outdoor enthusiast and conservationist. Joe resides in Falmouth, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Vicki, and their two daughters, Blair and Grace.

2024 Holiday Party Set Up
2024-12-07 12:00 - 14:00 | Amvets, 148 North Rd, Yarmouth, 04096, United States
December 7, 2024 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join the Party before the Party!!
We need help with transporting supplies and decorations from the storage unit to our venue and we will need help to return them the next day.
We will be setting up the hall with tables, chairs and decorations (trees, lights, tables) for the evening.
There will be plenty of time to get home and change before the festivities begin.
Lots of volunteers are needed in the early afternoon (as well as during the party). Come join the fun!
Contact this years organizer or email board@moac.org to sign up.

Bike Travel Film Festival One Longfellow Sq Thu Dec 12th 7pm
2024-12-12 19:00 - 22:00 | One Longfellow Square, 181 State St, Portland, M, 04101, United States
15th Annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7pm
One Longfellow Square, Portland, Maine https://onelongfellowsquare.com/event/the-15th-annual-ciclismo/
Adventure is for everyone – you don’t have to be a cyclist to enjoy these journeys featuring people young and old, in the USA and abroad! We’ll be sharing an evening of short films and good company that will delight and inspire any attendee.

This show is a benefit for One Longfellow Square. A portion of festival proceeds also goes to the nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association. Thank you to our show sponsors Cyclemania www.cyclemania1.com and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
6:00 PM Social Hour
7:00 PM Films begin

ADVANCE PURCHASE: $20
AT THE DOOR: $25
All tickets will incur an additional $4.50 surcharge.
OLS MEMBERS:Please click here to ensure you are logged in so your discount is reflected above and applied at checkout.
All surcharges and member discounts will be calculated at checkout.

Holiday lights in Portland
2024-12-18 18:00 - 20:00
Happy Holidays!
Let’s walk the streets of Portland to admire the lights. We meet in front of the Art Museum at 6:00 and will consider some refreshments afterwards. Show and go!

MOAC Monthly Meeting and Presentation
2025-02-05 18:30 - 20:30
MOACer Andi Bartlett takes us to Africa.
Longtime MOAC member, Past VP, Past President and current Vice President is your guest speaker. Andi is on the right in this picture.
After hiking in every state, Andi Bartlett has expanded her adventures and travels to 55 other countries. She and MOACer Mary Ann Mclaughlin (their 15th travel adventure together) along with twelve other people joined Overseas Adventure Travel’s November 11th to December 2nd trip “Ultimate Africa: Botswana,Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari. Seven of us also chose to do the offered Pre-Trip to Safari in South Africa where we saw the”Big Five”!

Come to the meeting to learn more about this fantastic trip.
The experience was so interesting, Andi will return to her fourth trip to Africa this Fall. This time it will be Overseas Adventure Travels, “Namibia & Skeleton Coast: Africa’s Last Wilderness” with a Post-trip to Madagascar.

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In addition to the presentations, the meeting is a chance to hear about recent outings, hear about upcoming outings, and socialize with other MOACers. It’s also a chance for new or prospective members to ask questions. Meeting begins at 7:00, but come at 6:30 to socialize and meet people.
Location: the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland (near Northgate Shopping Plaza). Here’s a Google Map link.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
2025-02-07 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-02-08 19:00 - 22:00
Banff returns to the State Theatre in Portland for a slate of films focusing on the outdoors and mountain culture. This is the 24th year of the festival coming to Portland. The festival will be shown on Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8. A different slate of films each night.
See list of where tickets are available or click HERE for the State Theater calendar.

Wolfe’s Neck Volunteer Opportunity
2025-04-18 08:00 - 17:00
Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport and MOAC have a long history. We have done trail maintanence for them, we have held Winterfest there, and we had our 20th anniversary celebration there as well.
They are holding a volunteer work day on Friday, April 18. One can either sign up for morning or afternoon times, or all day. Lunch is provided. This is the first time since before the pandemic that they have offered this opportunity. Tasks will involve cleaning up the campground and other spring-time chores.
This is not a “MOAC event” per se. This is just a way to get word out to people that might be interested. If interested, please register by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to check the YES box at the bottom of the form for this Earth Day opportunity.

Volunteer at Rachel Carson Reserve – Native shrub potting for wildlife habitat
2025-04-24 09:00 - 15:00 | Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Greenhouse, 429 Post Road, Wells, 04054, United States
Volunteer opportunities with Rachel Carson WildLife Refuge during the week of Earth Day. This activity involves planting native shrub bare root seedlings into pots which will be later used for wildlife habitats.
Dates/Time and Location:

Location: Rachel Carson WildLife Refuge Greenhouse, 429 Post Road (Rt 1), Wells (enter via small drive located just down Route 1 from Saltwater Farm)
David D

What: Potting native shrub bare root seedlings
Where: 429 Post Road in Wells – the Rachel Carson WildLife Refuge Greenhouse
(enter via small drive located just down Route 1 from Saltwater Farm)
When: Thursday April 24th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (or any portion of this day which is day 2 of this 2 day event)
PLEASE RSVP: Confirm attendance for day or portion of day to Elena at: elena_chagnovich@fws.gov
David D. (MOAC organizer) will be at Congdon’s Donuts (https://congdons.com/) at 8:30am, then proceeding to Rachel Carson Greenhouse
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is holding its annual shrub potting volunteer event a day or two after Earth Day 2025. RCNWR will be receiving a large order of bareroot native shrub seedlings and will get to work potting nearly 1500 shrubs. This is great opportunity to get your hands dirty, learn about growing container stock, and check out our greenhouse in Wells! We have selected specific native shrubs with habitat goals in mind. Many of these shrubs will be outplanted for early successional/young forest habitat restoration projects.
Bring water. Garden gloves are recommended but can be provided if need be.

Friends Of Acadia - Earth Day Roadside Cleanup Registration
2025-04-26 08:00 - 17:00
Please join us on Saturday, April 26 for the 24th annual island-wide Earth Day Roadside Cleanup. Local community members and visitors from around the state will gather to pick up a “winter’s worth of trash” from the roadsides of Mount Desert Island and Trenton.
Please click here for more information or contact Stewardship Manager Nikki Burtis at nikki@friendsofacadia.org or 207-288-3934.

Memorial Day Weekend Camping in Bar Harbor
2025-05-23 13:00 - 2025-05-26 12:00
Let’s keep a long-standing MOAC tradition alive by welcoming summer with a group campout on Mt. Desert Island. It’s getting harder to do but I think this will work.
For those wondering, Bonnie has family obligations and said she isn’t going to post this trip this year.
A check of both Seawall and Blackwoods in Acadia National Park show pretty much sold out already.
As of 3/22/25, Hadley’s Point Campground has 29 tent sites and 28 water/electric sites available. This is according to their website. Hadley’s Point is just off Route 3 as you head to Bar Harbor. It is 2.5 miles before Bar Harbor Campground.

Field tent sites are $36.08 per night
Wooded tent sites are $38.08 per night
Sites with water/electric are $53.08 per night

There appears to be a $3.25 campground fee, plus tax of course.
Tammy and I have reserved site C-39 (water and electric) and it is near to a pod of tent sites (13-20, 30-36, 40-42).
If you choose to go, please drop us a line at pcm25me@gmail.com so we know who to expect.
You do have to make your own reservations. Deposit amounts vary. For 1-2 nights, it is the full balance. For 3 or more it is $100. Unfortunately, they state there are no refunds for a holiday weekend.
It might be best to grab a site as soon as you can if you are interested.
We will continue the traditional experience of group happy hours and pot luck dinners on Saturday and Sunday evenings in one area to be determined to be the group hangout. Activities during the day will be up to the group. Hiking, biking, paddling, etc.

Monthly Meeting - Scotland: The Great Glen Way and Beyond!
2025-08-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Ave, Portland, 04103, United States
Get ready to be transported to the green vistas, blue waters and windswept landscapes of Scotland’s Highlands and the Shetland and Orkney Islands! Reconnecting with cherished friends from Australia and Switzerland, MOACers Kevin Huber and Cathy Getchell traversed the 75-mile Great Glen Way, tasting whiskeys and Scottish cuisine along the way.
Then, picture dramatic coastlines and ancient history as they explored the mystical Shetland and Orkney Islands. From dramatic, exposed landscapes to island mysteries, their journey was packed with unforgettable moments.

Trail Magic for AT Thru Hikers
2025-09-03 - 2025-09-05
Join Us in Spreading Kindness on the Trail! Are you looking for a meaningful way to support AT thru hikers on their epic journey? Join our Trail Magic event and help make a difference! You too may earn your wings as a Trail Angel. Wed., Sept 3- Thurs., Sept 4 and possibly Sept 5th.
What Is Trail Magic? Trail Magic is a cherished tradition along the Appalachian Trail—unexpected acts of kindness that provide hikers with nourishment, encouragement, and a sense of community. Our event aims to offer a welcoming respite for hikers, featuring delicious food, coffee, and friendly faces.
Where? We’ll be stationed at Lake Nahmakanta, where there are several campsites, picnic tables, fire rings, and latrines. Bring you kayak or canoe to explore the lake and extend your stay at one of the lake campsites. More details to follow.
How You Can Help?
We need helping hands with the following tasks:

Preparing and Serving Food: Cook, assemble, and serve snacks and meals to hungry hikers as they pass through. No culinary expertise required—just a willingness to pitch in!
Gathering Trash: Help keep the trail and our staging area pristine by collecting litter and properly disposing of waste. This small act leaves a big impact on the trail environment.

Please contact Julie Sells to sign up and for more information. jksinmaine@gmail.com
Come be a part of the magic—see you on the trail!

France: Robert Louis Stevenson Trail trek with donkey [FULL!]
2025-09-22 - 2025-09-29
Walking trip in France from Langogne to Pont de Montvert along the trail known as the GR70. Short daily walks (under 20km per day) with stays in hotels and B&Bs with breakfast and dinner. We will walk at the pace of the 2 donkeys who accompany us. Price for lodging and rental is around 980 Euros for those who want a single room. Does not include flights to and from US or travel within France to and from the trail. Deposit to be paid in advance. Limit 10 participants. Contact Maria Snyder for details: mariahsnyder501@gmail.com Event has filled! Sign up is closed.

MOAC Trail Maintenance Day
2025-09-27 09:00 - 16:00 | Bald Peak Trail on Pleasant Mountain, Mountain Road, Bridgton, M, 04015, United States
Join the MOAC trail crew on Saturday September 27th for a day of trail maintenance on our 2 adopted trails on Pleasant Mountain, the Bald Peak Trail and the Sue’s Way Trail. As summer fades into fall, our focus will simply be cleaning out waterbars, removing debris from the trail, clipping back limbs and brush, and raking some of the early leaves.
We’ll start our day at 9am at the Bald Peak trailhead parking lot. The parking lot is on Mountain Road, Bridgton – about a mile past the ski area. We usually end around 3 or 4 pm.
There’s no experience needed to volunteer for trail maintenance. Just a desire to give back to all the trails we love and enjoy hiking. That said, I will tell you it is a somewhat steep trail. But it doesn’t really feel like it, as we are always stopping to work, then hike a little more, then work a little, then hike, then work, … you get the idea. Before you know it, we’ve cleared the trail and we’re sitting at the top having lunch!
I’ve submitted my request to Mother Nature for good weather. But you should be prepared if it is a cool or damp day. If it turns out to be a rainy day, I’ll reschedule. Please wear sturdy footwear, work/hiking clothes, and bring work gloves. You will also need to bring plenty of water, your lunch, and a day pack. Most members will volunteer for the whole day. But you’re welcome to join us for the morning or just the afternoon. All volunteers are good volunteers ! Please let me know if you plan to join us. An email or text is great.
Dana-ah the Maintain-ah
danathurston1@gmail.com or 207-650-5197

MOAC Trail Maintenance Day
2025-10-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Bald Peak Trail on Pleasant Mountain, Mountain Road, Bridgton, M, 04015, United States
Join the MOAC trail maintenance crew for the last work trip of the year. We will be working on our adopted trails on Pleasant Mountain – the Bald Peak trail and the Sue’s Way trail. This time of year, we will be focused on raking the leaves from the trail to better define the path. Besides, who wants to hike on wet slippery leaves?! Of course we’ll clear the waterbars, and remove fallen limbs and debris from the trails. We start our day by meeting at the Bald Peak trailhead parking lot at 9am. It’s on Mountain Road, Bridgton, Maine, about a mile past the ski area. We usually call it a day around 3pm. If, no, when, you sign up, please be sure to wear sturdy footwear, bring work gloves, water, lunch, and a day pack. Watch the weather and bring appropriate outerwear. Please let me know if you want to volunteer for the day, and I’ll add you to my list. Also, please note that this is a Sunday, not the usual Saturday worktrip. I’ve had to work around all the other fun stuff happening in October!
I’ll keep my fingers crossedd for good weather and hope to see you there !!
Dana-ah the Maintain-ah !
trails@moac.org
207-650-5197

Take Pride in Acadia Day, 2025 - Rescheduled to 11/9
2025-10-31 08:00 - 2025-11-02 13:00
Due to the government shutdown, TPIAD has been moved to Sunday, November 9. If the government is still shutdown on November 3rd, the event will be cancelled.
Tammy and I cannot attend on the 9th, so there will be no official MOAC group this year. If you would like to participate as an individual, please sign up here:
Take Pride in Acadia Day

You will be assigned to random groups.
I have left the original information from the event below.
————————
For 34 years, volunteers have gathered on the first Saturday of November to help ready the famous carriage roads for winter. Sponsored by Friends of Acadia, teams are assigned troublesome sections of carriage roads where erosion can cause damage over the winter. The task? Rake the leaves and debris off the shoulders and into the woods. MOAC has had members at this event for many years. We have a team that will work together.
Most who sign up make it a weekend, but that is not required. The actual commitment to the park is from roughly 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. If you choose to make it a weekend, the rest of the time is yours.
There is no cost to the event itself. If you choose to stay over, you will need to find your own lodging. Tam and I are staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, right in downtown and that has been the hotel of choice for the most part for a few years now. But, you can do as you wish in this regard. The Grand offers a free breakfast. Local restaurants for the rest.
Except for the provided lunch after the work Saturday. After our work commitment is done, we can head over to the Hulls Cove Visitors Center for a “CCC” lunch. Chili, cornbread, and cider. Aside from the ingredients, it’s named to honor the Civilian Conservation Corp, who did a lot of work in Acadia.

MOAC Holiday Party 2025 – Tickets on Sale
2025-11-05 - 2025-12-03
2025 Holiday Party Tickets NOW on Sale through Eventbrite
November 5, 2025 – December 3, 2025
Get your tickets at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moac-holiday-party-2025-members-only-tickets-1962507020327?aff=oddtdtcreator
$17.00 plus fees for prepurchase through Eventbrite (member pays for Eventbrite fee)
Online sales available only through December 3rd. $17 cash or check at the monthly meeting. Price at the door is $20.00.
Another MOAC Party not to be missed. December 6, 2025 from 5:30 to 10:30.
Once again we will party at the Robert W Boyd, AMVETS Post 2, 48 North Road, Yarmouth, ME.

Portland Museum of Art -Free Friday Evening Admission
2025-11-07 17:30 - 19:00
Let’s enjoy the Museum’s collection Friday night when admission is free. Meet inside in the main lobby at 5:30. The museum’s three floors will provide a modest workout as we train for the start of ski season. Show and go.

Winter Giveaway Drawings – tickets to Saddleback, Sugarloaf, BrettonWoods; lodging at MH&T, LAAX Switzerland - and More
2025-11-16
Best of Snowbound Expo: Winter Drawing Giveaways!
Below is a curated list of some of the top drawing prizes and adventure giveaways straight from the exhibition floor of Snowbound Expo that I attended. Enter for a chance to win lift tickets, lodging, and combination of both lift and lodging.
Have a look! Act today (Sunday) as some of these drawings may close today 11/16, the last day of Snowbound Expo in Boston.
The links to each of the drawing listed below will bring you to the MOAC Bulleting Board where the QR codes to enter each drawing has been posted. So, either follow the individual links below, or hop directly onto the MOAC Bulletin Board and choose from there.

Enter These Snowbound Expo Drawings:
Saddleback — Free Lift Tickets👉 Link to Saddleback Drawing Entry QR code posting on the Bulletin Board
Sugarloaf — Free Lift Tickets👉 Link to Sugarloaf Drawing Entry QR code posting on the Bulletin Board
Mont-Sainte-Anne (Québec) — Complimentary Ski and Lodging Package👉 Link to Mt Sainte-Anne Drawing Entry QR code on the Bulletin Board
BrettonWoods drawing for Ski&Stay OR Season Pass👉 Link to BrettonWoods Drawing for Ski&Stay OR Season Pass
Maine Huts & Trails — Adventure Overnight Stay👉 Link to Maine Huts and Trails Drawing
LAAX, Switzerland — Alpine Lodging Package 👉 Drawing for Five days of lodging at LAAX Ski Resorts in Switzerland

Discounts:
👉 Sunday River Lift and Lodging discounts deals – valid thu Monday 11/17

Dean McCrillis Artist Talk - Cove Street Gallery 6 PM Thursday & Rising Tide Aftah
2026-01-07 08:00 - 17:00
The artist of a current Cove Street exhibit speak Thursday at 6 pm. Rising Tide tour pours until 8 PM. Meet inside the gallery at 5:45.
Artist Statement of his current exhibit at the Cove Street Gallery in Portland. When you see his work, you can tell his “gets” western Maine.
The woods and waters of Western Maine serve as a backdrop for this group of pictures, as it holds the deepest love and connection of any area I have known. However, with the passing of time, and an ever-growing distance between my present station in life and the tributaries of my youth, I feel a sense of yearning for this place that shaped me.
I connect to these foundational spaces through my process, paying homage to a way of life lived slightly closer to the earth, and to the awe-inspiring natural beauty of a geographic region of personal and ancestral significance. Through the act of painting, real memories and imagined spaces can coalesce. Earth tones and fluorescent paint can entwine, holding space for one another at the same time.
Invoked throughout is an acknowledgment of Jim Harrison’s poetic insights on how we spend our lives immersed in the richness and immediacy of living, barely aware of the passage of time and the constant state of flux in which we and everything around us exist. These works lean into the paradox of how our memories and sense of self are eternally bound to, though continuously flung further from, an ever-expanding chain of ephemeral experiences.
~ Dean McCrillis

Cove Street Gallery Artist talk followed by optional Rising Tide Brewery Visit
2026-01-08 17:45 - 19:00
Dean McCrillis, the artist of a current Cove Street Gallery exhibit, speaks Thursday, January 8, at 6 pm. Rising Tide tour pours until 8 PM. Meet inside the gallery at 5:45. Here is the Artist Statement of his exhibit:
The woods and waters of Western Maine serve as a backdrop for this group of pictures, as it holds the deepest love and connection of any area I have known. However, with the passing of time, and an ever-growing distance between my present station in life and the tributaries of my youth, I feel a sense of yearning for this place that shaped me. I connect to these foundational spaces through my process, paying homage to a way of life lived slightly closer to the earth, and to the awe-inspiring natural beauty of a geographic region of personal and ancestral significance. Through the act of painting, real memories and imagined spaces can coalesce. Earth tones and fluorescent paint can entwine, holding space for one another at the same time. Invoked throughout is an acknowledgment of Jim Harrison’s poetic insights on how we spend our lives immersed in the richness and immediacy of living, barely aware of the passage of time and the constant state of flux in which we and everything around us exist. These works lean into the paradox of how our memories and sense of self are eternally bound to, though continuously flung further from, an ever-expanding chain of ephemeral experiences.
~ Dean McCrillis

American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Course
2026-02-07 09:00 - 16:30 | Nine Tigers Kung Fu, 366 Elm St., Biddeford, ME, 04005, United States
Learn life saving skills including CPR, defibrillator (AED) use, bleeding control, fractures, shock, poisonings, burns, scene safety, and calling for help! Be prepared to respond to medical emergencies.
The course includes classroom learning along with scenario based, hands-on training.
This program is taught by Sgt. John Mulloy (Ret.). John was a 35 year police officer and supervisor. He is a 40 year certified Emergency Medical Technician in Massachusetts and Maine, Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor, and CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid Instructor.

“From Rails to Trails” event
2026-02-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Wescustogo Hall & Community Center, 120 Memorial Highway (Route 9), North Yarmouth, ME, 04097, United States
I’m a longtime MOAC member and also a volunteer town rail trail builder with the Casco Bay Trail Alliance (CBT).
Join me at a free CBT film screening event I’m co-hosting in my hometown of North Yarmouth. The film highlights the story of how abandoned railroads have been transformed into trails for biking and walking, all across the country is nothing short of inspiring. Mark your calendar and join us for this great PBS film! Refreshments and Q&A to follow.
(Since I’m co-hosting the event, I will be there to greet you when you arrive but am not leading you.)
February 19, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wescustogo Hall & Community Center
120 Memorial Highway (Route 9), North Yarmouth
RSVP:
RSVP to join “From Rails to Trails” screening

Winterfest 2026
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-01
It is time to put the winter back in Winterfest! This year it will be held at Bretton woods NH! , in the heart of the White Mountains. Expect plenty of snow!
We have already booked 25 bunks at the center for Saturday night February 28th as a start, we expect more. The price is $120 and it includes dinner and breakfast Sunday morning.. The rooms are bunk style, either 4 or 2 per room. Nordic, Alpine skiing and snowshoeing all nearby! We are exploring different ticket discounts
This will be a big event not to be missed, details forthcoming.
To secure your spot email Arthur Cornell: acornell@maine.rr.com
Payment options:
I prefer Venmo to: @CascoBayIT
A check to Arthur Cornell , 666 East Bridge St. , Westbrook ME 04092
Please submit payment before December 28th

American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
2026-03-07 08:00 - 2026-03-08 16:00 | Nine Tigers Kung Fu, 366 Elm St., Biddeford, ME, 04005, United States
American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Saturday and Sunday March 7 and 8, 2025 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
$200.00 per person.
Be prepared to respond to medical emergencies in the great outdoors! The primary purpose of the ARC-WRFA course is to provide individuals a foundation of first aid knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies and give care in areas that do not have access to immediate emergency medical services (EMS) response. In this course you will also develop leadership skills and learn how to help
The course includes classroom learning along with scenario based, hands-on training.
The American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid Course meets the requirements for Scouting USA High Adventure Camps and is recommended for wilderness guides, campers, backpackers, rafters and anyone who enjoys the outdoors!

This course is presented by Sgt. John Mulloy (Ret.). John was a 35 year police officer and supervisor, police firearms and active shooter response instructor. He is a 40 year certified Emergency Medical Technician in Massachusetts and Maine, Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor, and CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid Instructor. John Works hard to make his classes informative, useful and fun!

Wolfe's Neck Center annual Spring Cleanup
2026-04-17 09:00 - 15:00
This is not a MOAC-led event.
MOAC has a long history with Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport. We’ve had multiple Winterfests there, done trail maintenance, and had camping events there as well.
Join other volunteers for their annual clean up day to ready the farm/campground for another season. Options can include cleaning up the campground, or doing work on the farm itself.
A BBQ lunch will be provided.
Click HERE to sign up.

Friends of Acadia Roadside Cleanup
2026-04-25 08:30 - 11:30
This is not a MOAC-led event.
Join other volunteers for the annual roadside cleanup sponsored by Friends of Acadia. People will work to collect trash along roadsides to help keep Mt. Desert Island looking beautiful. MOACers have been involved in this tradition for years and the club enjoys Acadia and the island throughout the year.
For more information, click HERE.
Click HERE to register.

Memorial Day Weekend Camping in Bar Harbor - UPDATE!!
2026-05-22 13:00 - 2026-05-25 12:00
As of 3/25/26, Hadley’s lists 9 tent sites available and “plenty” of RV sites (water/electric/some with sewer). If you are interested in this trip, please don’t wait too long. You also do NOT need to stay at Hadley’s. You are welcome to outdoor adventure with us and hang out for the evening/whenever festivities.
Let’s keep a long-standing MOAC tradition alive by welcoming summer with a group campout on Mt. Desert Island.
We camped at Hadley’s Point CG last year and had a great time. Hadley’s Point is just off Route 3 as you head to Bar Harbor. It is 2.5 miles before Bar Harbor Campground. Holiday weekend prices appear to be:

Field tent sites are $37.00 per night
Wooded tent sites are $39.00 per night
Sites with water/electric are $54.00 per night
They even have cabins if you want to check those out

There appears to be a $3.25 campground fee, plus tax of course.
https://www.hadleyspoint.com/
Tammy and I will reserve site C-37 (water and electric) and it is near to a pod of tent sites (13-20, 30-36, 40-42). We will also reserve C-36 to use as a home base for the group. We will ask attendees to help pay for this community site. If we get 25 people, that will mean about $5 per person for the weekend.
If you choose to go, please drop us a line at pcm25me@gmail.com so we know who to expect and what site you are in. You can also stay anywhere you like and come visit as well.
You do have to make your own reservations. Deposit amounts vary. For 1-2 nights, it is the full balance. For 3 or more it is $100. Unfortunately, they state there are no refunds for a holiday weekend.
It might be best to grab a site as soon as you can if you are interested.
We will continue the traditional experience of group happy hours and pot luck dinners in the evenings. Restaurants are also on the table. Activities during the day will be up to the group. Hiking, biking, paddling, etc.
