The Loppet

Well, the Loppet is tomorrow......you know, the Loppet!!!! Now what exactly does THAT mean....Loppet. It reminds me of Easter and bunnies and Lop-eared rabbits. But it has nothing to do with that. It is apparently, according to the website CCCski... this:
"The term “Loppet” originated in Scandinavia where you have such great events as the Mora Vasaloppet in Sweden and the Birke Beinerrennet in Norway.
In the Vasaloppet in Sweden, the skiers ski from Berga to Mora (90Km) to commemorate the same trail the king of Sweden (at the time it was Gustav Vasa….hence the name Vasaloppet) skied about 500 years ago. About 15000 people take part in the Vasaloppet and approximately 1.7 million people watch it on TV.
So you are wondering, “What is a Loppet”. It is a great gathering of skiers who ski on a specifically groomed trail either classic (diagonal stride) or free (skating technique) of various distances. Enormous amounts of food and drink are consumed during the event. After there’s a party and celebratory banquet with awards and prizes and usually a time (dance).
The Loppet means different things to participants. For some it’s intense competition, for others it’s a relaxing way to spend a day outside, taking in the pristine beauty of the country side or wilderness, and enjoying the home grown entertainment and great food and drink at the rest stops along the trail.
In Canada, there are some great Loppets like the Canadian Birkebeiner in Alberta; the Keskinada Loppet in Gatineau Quebec; the Mont-Ste-Anne Loppet in Quebec; the Don Allen Saskaloppet in LaRonge Saskatchewan; and the Great Labrador Loppet in Newfoundland and Labrador to name a few. In the USA, you can ski the famous American Birkebiener in Wisconsin; the Minnesota Finlandia in Bemidji, Minnesota; Great Glen to Bretton Woods Adventures, in New York ; or the Royal Gorge’s California Gold Rush, Soda Springs, California.

Loppets in Newfoundland and Labrador are becoming more popular each year. Some events that are of a Loppet nature are the Snowy Owl Classic, Stephenville; the Newfoundland Marathon (various locations); the Big Land Loppet in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador; the Newworld Island Challenge, Summerford; the Butterpot Open, Avalon Nordic, St. John’s; The Don’t Hang Up Your Skis at Mount St. Margaret, the Northern Peninsula; the PAL Great Labrador Loppet at the Menihek Nordic Ski Club in Labrador City and Blow Me Down Loppet, Corner Brook."

So there you have it...the LOPPET....ours is being held on Sunday, Feb 27th at Whaleback Nordic Ski club....come one, come all, come for fun, have a ball.........hey, I should have entered in the slogan contest for Winter Carnival.
Mandogrl
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To Sculpture or Not to Sculpture?

I had to include this in the Blogosphere, I thought it was really cute.
and once again.....in the words of GOTo Sculpture or Not to Sculpture?
 
Frank Gust-of-Wind asked me if Whaleback was building a sculpture for the carnival ... at first I said no .. then I said well maybe .. then I phoned Faron ... and while Faron said he'd take it on,  I later felt it was unfair to have Faron shoulder the load.  Poor Faron wants to ski the loppet so he does not want to break his back all by himself  building a sculpture and of course Faron always thinks BIG ... like building a dragon or a whale ... If you have have ever seen Faron at work you know what I mean.   But we can't put the pressure on Faron to deliver and my plate is FULL for the next week 'cause Howard is right on my heels in the BIG BREAD BAKEOFF contest.   But if anyone wants to take on the initiave and start carving then go right ahead ... it would be wonderful to have a snow sculpture up for the marathon event if we didn't make the judging deadline for the carnival .. the judging for carnival is on Monday.   Any takers to help Faron?  The BR250 is at your disposal to move snow ... if someone says they'll take it on, I'll send out an email to rally the  troops ...we will however have to cut the Sculpture roster off at 111.   Otherwise we'll be tripping over one another."
 

Any Breadmakers Out there Gathering Dust?

Sorry if some of these posts are old news but I was preoccupied the first couple of weeks in Feb.....so I'm trying to catch up on all the news and gossip. Even though some of the news is old....some of these stories are soooooo funny. I really think that GO should take all of these anecdotes and write a book.
In the words of GO on Feb 9th
"Now there's nothing worse than a perfectly good breadmaker sitting out there in a lonesome corner of the storage room gathering dust.   It's utter abuse to incarcerate such a wonderful machine in such an ignoble place.   So what am I up to?   Whaleback is looking for a bread maker ... not one of those that got cast away and is incapable of producing a fair loaf.  No ... we want one that works and can deliver a flavourful loaf.    We're even willing to buy it if the price is right.   Here's the plan ...  if the club is able to pick one up, we can mix up a batch On Friday and Saturday night  ... then hit start at 8:30 the next morning and by noon time everyone coming it the chalet will be running up to the counter screaming for soup and a piece of fresh bread.  So if you have one that you want to unload, or sell,  drop me a note and we'll make a deal.  Maybe you have one that you don't use and you wouldn't mind lending it to the club for a trial run ... That'll work too.  Just drop me a note!  I can see it now .. "Whaleback Nordic Bakery ... first stop on the Cold Brook Road!"     

Cadets Chip in With Sterling Performance

Cadets Chip in With Sterling Performance
(Feb 6th, 7th) 
The 708 Air Cadets (Stephenville) competed in the Provinical Biathlon Championships this past weekend posting the following results: Individual race (Jr. Girls) Hannah Stokes placed 1st, Rita Jane St. Croix placed 2nd, (Sr. Girls) Sabrina Muise placed 1st and Jessie Byrne placed 3rd in the (Jr. Boys) event.  In the team relay event the 708 female team consisting of  Hannah Stokes, Sabrina Muise and Rita Jane St. Croix placed 1st.  The girl's overall results of the two day competition has earned them the right to represent the province at the nationals in Quebec next month.   GOOD LUCK!!!!!
 

Trail Etiquette

For those of you who don't know there is something called: "trail etiquette" ... Apparently there is such a thing...I will include a link below.....in the words of GO....."hmmm how do we treat this ... okay here goes ... if you are having difficulty with climbing a hill, and must take off your skis to ascend the hill, then try to stay off to one side of the rail and out of the skating and classic track.   Simialrly, if you are snowshoeing and you notcie that your snowshoes are digging into the trail base then move over to the side ... there's room for us all.   And don't forget to say hi to people.   It will brighten your day."
I thought that was put very well. Some people, may just not know this stuff.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6061_practice-cross-country.html

How a Big Man Like Ralph Payne Was Brought to His Knees by a Wee Shrew

In the words of GO on Feb 20th, 2011:
"Everyone knows Ralph Payne to be a man of might ... this guy can bench press our new 800 lbs Scandic before he has a piece of poppy seed bread. No doubt he's strong, but according to Diane Hanratty, the man can be brought to his knees by a wee shrew. On Saturday, Ralph and Jim cleaned out all the shrews that had taken up residence in the trail lights on the Foxtrot and Ralph has been beside himself ever since. In fact, the man didn't get a wink of sleep the night before. Judy said he tossed and turned all night and three or four times he sat straight up like a poker in bed and screeched ... "He's crawlin' up my leg!" Fortunately Judy, the good nurse, calmed him down and got him back to ... No!..... Not to sleep! ... But back into a state of mild agitation! That's the best she could do. Finally, Ralph could take it no more and just after daylight he jumped up and yelled out to Judy: "Do we have a mop!!! Judy I want to know!!! DO WE HAVE A MOP!!!! Once again Judy was stunned by his state of alarm and vexation. But she calmly replied, "Pray tell honey, but why do you need a mop at 6:00 a.m.?" "I need one to clean out the shrew's nest!!!!" said Ralph."

"Fast forward to a little later in the day. Ralph arrives at the chalet with mop in hand ... yes a grey yacht map ... apparently already to do business with the shrews. I thought he had come to do the floors, but then he jumped aboard the skidoo with Jim Chassion and headed off to make the assault on the little critters atop the light poles ..... before they left, I could see that Ralph looked .... welll ... He looked pitiful ... eyes were darting left and right ... and he just wasn't himself. Of course, I knew nothing of the restless sleep Mr. Payne had endured ... a night of terror during which he envisioned shrews tearing his muscular body apart sinew by sinew. No I was privvy to none of that until today when Judy enlightened us at the chalet."

"Fast forward to the scene of the assault .... Diane Hanratty arrives on the scene with camera in hand and here was the every-ready Jim Chaisson up the pole disconnecting the light fixture and lowering it down to Mr. Shrew Evictor Extraordinaire. Diane said it was quite the operation .. Here was Ralph standing off in the distance like a fencer ... jabbing the mop at the fixture trying to dislodge the tenants who were snuggled in ever so nicely .... And when they would come out of their nest Ralph would scurry across the trail in the opposite direction ... Poor Jim taking all this in from above, almost fell off the pole! This story has been embellished, but it is 43% accurate and has been stitched together from reliable hearsay ... but as far as I'm concerned it can all be summed up by saying: Thanks Jim and Ralph for working on your days off to mantanin the lights for our night skiers .... Light and Power are shrew(d) operators and always there for us. Thanks on behalf of the members especially our noctoral brothers and sisters. Hmmmm ... Ralph ... how are you with bats? ... cause we .... ooops better not go any further."

Graham's Poppy Seed Bread In Big Demand- Dunphy and Mac Innes Go at It in the Kitchen! ... Fowlow Expected to Give out Suspensions

In the words of GO
"Can you believe it!  I was just offered a 4 figure deal to sign on with Danny's bakery.   Apparently buddy at Danny's heard about my Poppy seed bread and he wants it!   Yes ... he's offered me this deal I can't refuse, but guess what!   I refused it ... I'd rather bake for Whaleback for nothing than be stuck indoors at Danny's all day.  Sure ya can throw in a batch at the chalet and then go for a ski.   Danny would be out of busiess if he let his bakers go for a ski!  Since the bread started coming out of the oven at Whaleback, soup and chili has been flying out of the crock pot at an alarming rate.   In fact, a fight occurred at the counter the other day ... honest ... apparently Brian Dunphy had spoken for the heel of the loaf and big, tall Ed Mac Innis from the Highlands said it was his 'cause he was closest to the counter.   The next think ya know they were at it ... fortunately Don Cormier saw the comotion and heaved the two of 'em out in the snow bank.  Ed is about 6'4" and Brian ... well he's not much taller than a jackrabbits skating skis ...  but his shorter length proved to be a bonus 'cause Ed's big round house haymakers were about a foot over his head, so none of them struck home and no damage was done.  Brian gave Ed a good shot in the knee though and Ed wasn't too happy with the low blow.  Fortunately, I had another loaf close by which I passed on to Ed who ran off with it to his car ... he reminded me of my old dog Gandalf when he got a bone ... Brian on the other hand went back into the chalet and claimed the heel, so after the molasses was spread he too was pleased."   
PS
"President Fowlow just rang me up and said he has brought down a ruling on the Poppy Seed Bread case ... Brian Dunphy is to be confined to Braveheart for one, but will be allowed in the loppet ... meanwhile Ed, who is a visitor to our club may only tour  the Bunny Hop ... civility is expected from both.   Dunphy who is a crafty lawyer is expected to appeal.   Meanwhile Ed Mac Innis said, he doesn't care 'cause he's got the Poppy seed recipe and he'll make his own bread from now on."
 

Gatineau Loppet

Anne Marie Bourgeois was on top of her game today in the hills of Gatineau Que. Just a few hours ago she got off the 51 km course and is probably now taking a well deserved nap.   The Gatineau is a prestigious World Cup Loppet event that gathers participants from all over the world. A number of Whaklebackers have participated in it in the past, but Anne Marie carried the Whaleback flag proudly today finishing with an illustrious time.  Just check out her note below ... to be fair I edited it slightly 'cause Anne Marie sometimes gets excited and I therefore scaled it down to the bare bones.    Yippeee for Anne Marie ... I remember when she was a little jackrabbit racing around at WB.   Those were the days ... oh how quickly they race by.   But I digress! Thanks Kathy and Francis for forwarding the note.
Anne marie said: "Just finished the Loppet! It was sooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful!  I finished the 51 km in 3 hours 23minutes." (feb 23rd, 2011)

SCOUT SKI

Scouts SkiOn saturday, Jan 29th, the 2nd Stephenville scouts took to the trails, at Whaleback Nordic ski club to do some skiing and also to place the very first geocache on the trails. The day actually started with a presentation on the GPS. They then left the school to locate a geocache in the Stephenville. Led by Scouter Mike, Scouter Don and Scouter John they found the first cache and were very excited about the event. They continued on to the ski club where hot dogs and drinks awaited them for fuel on the next leg or their journey. Scouter Craig joined them on their journey.
They then hit the trails....some on classic and some skating. They headed for the Pentagon for a Mugup. There they had hot chocolate made ready on the Peak 1 stove, cookies, and some even roasted wieners over the stove inside the Pentagon. They headed out on the trails again to place their geocache and headed back to the chalet. It was a great day had by all. We are so lucky that we have this great ski club who welcomes this type of stuff with open arms.

Chicks on sticks

I heard a rumor about this chicks on sticks thing...... I heard that there may be some men showing up in skirts just to try and get this deal and get with this lovely group of skiers. Good luck men......they will know who you are. They can sort the pretty ones from the...well...I don't know, I've seen some cute men in kilts before. But guys, it's cold up there, don't be following that example. Now you didn't hear it from me....here it is.....in quotes.....

" so here's the deal .., Whaleback will provide free rentals for our FIRST  Ladies Ski, we will meet next Saturday
 
morning at 10  a.m at the chalet. All are welcome (and yes even Don Dunphy if he shows up in a skirt or dress!) and
 
you can ski classic or  skate. We will determine a route and probably some will go further and faster than others. I
 
will give a quick lesson for  newbies on classic skis and perhaps we can meet back at the chalet for tea, hot chocolate,
 
coffee or lunch if you want. The  chalet sells all of these goodies at their canteen/kitchen or if you would like to bring along
 
a snack for yourself or to share  with others feel free. Maybe from this meeting we can set up some other dates to get out
 
there. Spread the word, bring  along a friend. See you then and there!"
 
mandogrl
 

Skiing at whaleback

Just wanted you all to know that this blog will get hot over the next weeks ahead as I have finally remembered my password....amazing what happens when you have a lot of time on your hands and a new iPad in hand.....so I will attempt to scan through my emails to find some twisted tales.......Anchors away.....

ps. Very sad to sad I can't be a "chicks on sticks" girl for awhile. Hopefully spring sking will be great.