Spring Work Weekend 2022 - is ON!!

[Russ Nelson]

I'm hoping that there will be a work weekend in the spring next year. It was nice to come and do a bit of work with a few people. There were friends I missed seeing, though.

If it's the last full weekend in April, then it's the 22nd to the 24th. If it's the last weekend that begins in April, then it's the 29th, 30th, and May 1st.

There will always be a COVID variant, just like there are always flu variants. Get vaccinated (no, it's not perfectly safe, so use your judgment if you're young), take Vitamin D (at least 5000 IU in the summer, 8-10K IU in winter), and you'll be as fine as anybody can be. If you're really worried, stay outdoors -- the risk there is minimal.

[James Patten]

SWW is the weekend prior to the Annual Meeting, which is the first Saturday of May. 

At last night's meeting, we decided to plan on having it, with the caveat that we reserve the right to cancel as it gets closer, based on current events.

Personally, I'm being pessimistic and thinking it's not going to happen - Maine's having it's highest numbers of infections and hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic.  I'm hoping that I'm wrong about the need to cancel.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

 Same out here. A few months ago I believed we begun to see daylight but Mike  Fox said in a reply we are not out of the woods and he was right. In French we say out of the inn, Unfortunately out of the woods or of the inn everybody on earth is still in trouble for sure  and for long I'm afraid. We'll learn to make do with. Keep safe and healthy you guys.

[Mike Fox]

And our guys have done very well making do with the current conditions. Adapt and overcome..

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Wise words Mike.

[Ed Lecuyer]

If held, the 2022 SWW will be April 29, 30, and May 1st.

Note that while the decision to hold the work weekend has not been finalized, the BOD did vote on 1/8/2022 that all attendees at the 2022 Spring Work Weekend should be vaccinated against COVID-19, with proof available upon request. This only applies to the Spring Work Weekend; other work dates/volunteer sessions do not (currently) include a vaccination requirement.

[Kevin Kierstead]

Does anyone know which lodgings will be open at that time? I see by their website, that the Wiscasset Woods Lodge is opening in mid May.

[Bill Piche]

I drove by the Pioneer recently and they have rooms open already. I remember in the past they used to keep a few open over the winter to keep their heating bill paid so by April they'd probably have more going on.

Most of the places in Bath\Brunswick are open year round pretty much.

Lots of competitive prices on homeaway\airbnb\vrbo when I looked a few months ago. Might not be there now but that's always an option and often gives you extra amenities you're not getting at the motels.

[Dwight Winkley]

Bath has a few large motel/hotels. On the south side of the river (before you cross the river. One is up river out of view.

[John Kokas]

I have stayed at the Hampton Inn in Bath several times and always had a good experience.  It also has the advantage of being within walking distance of some darned good restaurants and shops.

[John McNamara]

I second the recommendation of the Hampton Inn. As John K noted, the location is excellent. Pricey in season, but excellent.

[Ed Lecuyer]

As announced in the March/April Newsletter, the 2022 Spring Work Weekend is a GO!!!

The only thing that the WW&F leadership team requested (during the March BOD meeting) is that everyone - yes EVERYONE - please sign up so that we have a rough idea of who is coming, so that we can best utilize crews. We absolutely must get the trackwork completed at Trout Brook Station this weekend so to meet the Aug 6, 2022 Grand Opening of the Mountain Extension (and subsequent celebration during the Annual Picnic on Aug 13th.)

So please sign up by using THIS LINK.

Thanks! We'll be seeing you (finally) at Sheepscot!

[Joe Fox]

I am hoping to be there at least one day, but will not sign up as I can’t commit to a particular day. But when I am there I’ll be there to lend a hand with track work and assist in any way I can.

[Ed Lecuyer]

To be clear, walk-ups will of course be welcomed. The crew leaders just want to get an idea of who is definitely coming for the purposes of planning.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

I'm really happy about the comeback of the Spring Work Weekend that in my opnion strengthens the ties, no pun intended, between the local volunteers and the faraway ones that can't afford to drive to Alna for a single day. Over such long  work weekends not only things come along faster but the atmosphere is much more festive. Moreover the return of long work weekends at the WW&F means the end of an uncertain and gloomy  period of time.