Ride or Hike & Hanukkah/Ken Birthday Party - December 28, 2016

HIKE/RIDE/PARTY REPORTS

Wednesday, 28 December 2016, Hanukkah Hike/Ride & party 

Ride Leader:  Ken Hablow

Hike Leader & party hostess:  Marie Keutmann

33 mile ride, 10:30 am start from 68 Birchwood Lane, Lincoln, MA

4 mile hike, 11:00 am start from 68 Birchwood Lane, Lincoln, MA

Riders (18):  Ken, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, Dom Jorge, Francie Sparks, Gene Ho, Greg Stathis, Linda Nelson, Lindy King, Marc Baskin, Rich Taylor, Rick Carlson, Rick Lawrence, Russ Keene, Stan Kay, and Wing Chow.

Hikers (26):  Marie, Adena Schutzberg, Barbara Jacobs, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Chuck McWilliams, Don Mannes, Ilkka Suvanto, Janet Miller, Joanne Samuels, Joel Covitz, Judi Burten, Julie Dodd, Margie Lee, Mike Hanauer, Robyn Maislin, Romaine Randall, Roy Westerberg, Sander Nydick, Sandi Hartwell, Susan Sabin, Ted Nyder, Tony Lee, Winslow Green, and first-timers Mark Levine and Marsha Westerberg

Present at lunch (10):  Betty Hoffman, Bob Sawyer, Eli Post, Jack Mroczkowski, Jan Hablow, Jerry Green, Joan Laxson, John Allen, Judy Kanigel, Kathy Halmi, Kaz Zelny, and Sumner Kagan.

Kitchen crew (2):  Helen Greitzer & Richard Vignoni (assisted by Barbara Jacobs, Betty Hoffman, Joan Laxson, Judi Burten, and Sandi Hartwell).

The good news was that the roads were dry and the temperature was always above freezing, barely.  It was mostly cloudy and there was a slight wind, but – hey! – it was December 28th. 

Eighteen of us ventured out on seventeen bikes for my shortened “birthday ride.”  We pretty much stayed together for the entire 33 miles, so arrowing was not necessary, although we did place arrows on two occasions.  The ride was rather uneventful which, at this time of year, is a good thing, and we didn’t have to wait for any mechanical problems. 

We arrived back at Marie’s for a major feast, although only about half the riders stayed for lunch.  When I walked into Marie’s kitchen, Richard had his hands deep in turkey fat as he pulled the bird apart.  There was plenty of food and more than enough beer and wine.  After lunch, the Yankee Swap went off very well.

I would like to thank Marie, Richard, and Helen for their work planning the day, as well as those who brought food.  Special thanks also to Marie for opening her home to us. 

Thanks to Linda Nelson for sweeping.  Barry volunteered to sweep, but, since Linda was always behind him, she deserves the credit.  Thanks also to Russ Keene for taking photos which may be seen at

      https://goo.gl/photos/jFfzinafnKWDnVGm7 .

Ride report by Ken Hablow.

Twenty-six hikers headed into the woods from my backyard for a four mile hike around Farrar Pond.  Along the way we saw evidence of very recent beaver activity, including an enormous new beaver dam and freshly cut tree stumps.  A new fence, across the route where we usually bushwhack, required us to go over or under the fence, but did not deter us from our route.  We all returned to the house on schedule, just before 1:00 pm.  Thanks to Adena for sweeping.

There were about fifty people at the party, nearly equaling last year's Hanukkah party attendance record!  It was great to see Bob Sawyer, Jerry Green, and Kathy Halmi who came early for the party and to visit with the cooks before the hordes arrived.  It was also very nice to see some WWs whom we have not seen for a long while, including Judy Kanigel and Sumner Kagan (who came for lunch), as well as Joel Covitz and Sandi Hartwell (who hiked with us).  While the bikers and hikers were out on the road and the trail, the cooks were very active, with Richard cooking two turkeys, one on the gas grill outside and one in the oven.  Helen and Richard made applesauce and a delicious cranberry sauce.  Betty Hoffman came early and helped with the cooking and set up.  Barbara and Judi had prepared dozens of delicious latkes (the day before) which were reheated in the oven after the hike.  With the many appetizers, side dishes, and desserts brought by others, there was plenty of food for all to enjoy.

After everyone had eaten, Sander lit the Hanukkah candles in the menorah and recited the blessing.  This was followed by the Yankee Swap (supervised by Joanne Samuels), with a wide selection of gifts including wine and chocolate turtles (both of which were swapped many times), as well as bike books and socks, to name a few.  

Thanks to Ken Hablow for leading the ride, to Richard and Helen for cooking, to Betty, Joan, and Sandi for helping in the kitchen, to Barbara and Judi for making the delicious latkes, and to all those who contributed and participated to make the party such a great success.  Happy Birthday, Ken!!

Hike & party reports by Marie Keutmann.

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Coordinator's note:  I wish to thank Marie, again, for opening her home to us.  Thanks also to Richard for his many efforts on our behalf, without which our Hanukkah party would not have happened.  He always makes it look so easy!

At the rest stop