1. Trail Mix - A Year of Change
Welcome to Trail Mix, a Zip-lock bagful of VO-related
fun facts, links and puzzlers, served up fresh with
every issue of Contours. Look for helpful information
on everything outdoors along with other interesting
tidbits that enhance your awareness and well-being (and
your funny bone too).
Check out the NEW Venture Outdoors Blog!
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It's the end of the year and time to look back on 2006. It was a great year for Venture
Outdoors...with a lot of change and growth. The staff and board of Venture
Outdoors thank each of our volunteers, members, donors, partners and
participants for their help in bettering VO and the Pittsburgh Region. Reminisce
with us and look forward to an even better 2007!
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Pine-y Puzzler...
(Scroll down for the answer.)
Where and when did the tradition
of the Christmas tree begin?
2.
Call for Volunteers
We need a little
help here!
Calling volunteers for First Night
Going to the First Night celebration downtown on New Year's Eve?
Looking for a fun way to spend New Year's Eve outside, meeting new people and promoting Venture Outdoors?
Can you help us serve cider and fit snowshoes? Then give us a call and we will add you to the growing list of volunteers.
The more volunteers, the more fun things we can do. Several shifts and positions are available.
Don't be left out in the cold - contact Allison today, aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org before all of the spaces are filled up.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park
Venture Outdoors is in need of volunteer support for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park on Monday, January 15, 2007
at Schenley Park Ice Rink. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a joint effort undertaken by numerous local partners.
Our co-sponsor for this event is the Student Conservation Association. Supporting partners include: Citiparks, Dominion,
and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Volunteer duties would include registration, ice skating, sledding, set-up,
and art activities. Lunch will be provided and volunteer shifts begin at 11AM. To sign up,
please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26 or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org by January 12, 2007.
Calling all Database Dynamos and Office Oficianos
Do you have some time to spare during the week?
If so, we would be happy to include you in our ever-growing
family of volunteers. Venture Outdoors staff is in need
of volunteers for data entry, mailings and premium shipments
as well as various office assistance during regular business
hours
(9 – 5 PM, Monday – Friday). Shifts are flexible.
Please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26
or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
today.
3.
Venture Outdoors Membership Corner
Special Holiday Offer!
Adventure in a Bottle
For just $70, you'll receive 2 free 2 hour passes to Kayak Pittsburgh, 2 tickets to the Banff Mountain
Film Festival, invitations to member appreciation events and member-only events, priority seating on Venture Outdoors activity waiting lists,
and much more! Find out more about
the Adventure in a Bottle and other great gift ideas.
This offer is ONLY available until December 31, 2006. We cannot guarantee delivery
for orders made after December 19th and unless picked up from our office, are
subject to extra shipping charges due to the customer. For more information please call us at
412-255-0564 or click here.
Member
Discounts
Sign up for Membership today and pledge your support to
outdoor recreation!
Put yourself in the center of the action! We make it easy
for you to become a member with Venture Outdoors TODAY.
Members receive discounts on the hundreds of activities
with Venture Outdoors throughout the year, discounts
from local merchants, priority listing on activity waiting
lists and subscriptions to Contours and Adventure Times
as well as providing support for the organization that means
so much to you. Read on for some of the great things that
come along with Venture Outdoors membership, and to join,
click here!
Become
a V.O. Member!
Discover the advantages of a Venture Outdoors membership...call
today!
412-255-0564, ext. 26
Or, click here.
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4.
Outdoor Announcements & Events
Get
out your planners folks...
Fly Tying Nights
by Wilderness Voyageurs
What?: Join Dale Kotowski for Fly Tying Nights. We have some supplies,
but feel free to bring your own. Share patterns and tips or learn new ones.
When?: Beginning November 1st, every other Wednesday
night at 6:30 PM
Where?: Falls City Restaurant and Pub
For more information: Contact Wilderness Voyageurs at
724-329-8336.
Environment/Health/Community
Venture Outdoors Member Joins Climb For Hope
Laura Willumsen of Pittsburgh has joined the Climb for Hope expedition which is
raising money for breast cancer research by climbing Cotopaxi, the highest active
volcano in Ecuador (19,500'), to raise funds that will be directed toward a vaccine being
developed at Johns Hopkins University.
The Climb for Hope was created by Andrew Buerger of Baltimore
whose sister has late-stage cancer. He and twenty other
climbers are raising a minimum of $5,000 each by the end
of December. The climb takes place from January 4 - 13, 2007 and will
be led by Chris Warner, a veteran mountaineer who has summited
Mt. Everest and K2 among many others.
To find out more about Climb for Hope and to make a donation, go to
www.climbforhope.org.
Changes in Fall Musky Stocking
Waterways around PA will see an increase in musky stockings in the near future. The PA Fish and Boating
Commission would like input from anglers about the changes. You can take the survey
here, or for more information, please visit
www.fishandboat.com.
Job/Volunteer
Postings
Venture Outdoors is exploring the establishment of a Venture Crew to provide programming & experiences for youth ages 14-20.
There is a gathering planned on the early evening of Friday, December 29th to flesh out the idea and determine how to proceed...
If you know of any young men or women who might be interested, please have them contact VO Executive Director Erik Lingren at elingren@ventureoutdoors.org
or by calling 412-255-0564 x22 for more details on the exact time and location. Adults who might be interested in volunteering are also encouraged to attend.
Clean-Up/Trails
Great Allegheny Passage
The trail from Pittsburgh to DC is now complete!
Click here for the Pop City article.
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I.
The Venture Outdoors
Activity Spotlight
Here are some trips that you'll really enjoy.
Check out the new Winter/Spring 2007 schedule!
Featuring: Lower Member Prices!
Wednesday, January 3
Full Moon Snowshoeing
Join us for an evening of snowshoeing and exploration under a full moon.
Location: North Park
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: Member $15, Non-Member $25
Saturday, January 6
Day Trek: Lite
Beginners looking for an easy, rejuvenating experience outdoors will spend a day in a nearby park
exploring a new trail getting some exercise and discovering something new about the natural world.
Location: Montour Trail, South Hills
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Member $3, Non-Member $10
Saturday, January 13
Cross Country Skiing
These outings are designed for folks with some prior experience cross country skiing.
We'll head out into the snow to enjoy the beauty of the Laurel Highlands while gliding through the mountain laurel and hemlocks.
Location: Laurel Ridge State Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: Member $15, Non-Member $25
II.
Support VO
Thanks for being a part of the Venture Outdoors community! Today we're asking you to support Venture Outdoors directly
with a tax-deductible contribution during these final weeks of 2006.
Please click here to donate on our secure pledge
page – and to lock in an additional end of year deduction for yourself. It's a win/win – for the outdoor community and for you!
Do
your online shopping
through iGive
and support Venture Outdoors!
That's right, go head and buy something for yourself
or a friend – a new CD, the latest bestseller, essentials like
toothpaste or vitamins, even a computer. But first join at www.iGive.com/VentureOutdoors.
Every time you shop at one of the over 600 name-brand stores
in the Mall at iGive.com, we'll receive a donation of up
to 26% of each purchase you make, at no cost to you.
Membership is free and your privacy is guaranteed.
Contact Allison with any questions about this great program:
aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
Thanks for supporting Venture Outdoors!
III.
V.O. in the News
Check
out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news. See more press on our website.
First night will get the ball rolling - er, rising
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
December 1, 2006
Venture Outdoors on WQED
Check out our Executive Director, Erik Lingren, and Nancy Furbee!
WQED Multimedia, Farmland Preservation, Part 2
Venture Outdoors on KDKA
Check out our recent spot on KDKA's Pittsburgh TODAY Live!
IV. Venture
Outdoors Activities
For more information
on any of our activities visit our website
www.ventureoutdoors.org.
Thursday, December 21
Winter Solstice Hike
Location:North Park
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member/$12.00 non-member
Thursday, December 28
All Terrain Evening Hikes - NEW Fall Series!
Location: City Loop
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member/$12.00 non-member
Wednesday, January 3
Full Moon Snowshoeing
Location: North Park
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: Member $15, Non-Member $25
Saturday, January 6
Day Trek: Lite
Location: Montour Trail, South Hills
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Member $3, Non-Member $10
Sunday, January 7
Snowshoeing
Location: Bear Run
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: Member $20, Non-Member $35
V.
Words of Inspiration
Things that make you go, "Hmmmm..."
"Snowmen fall from heaven... unassembled."
~ Author Unknown
VI.
What's Goin' On?
More action-packed activities from groups all around the region.
If you or your organization wants to contribute an event to this section of Contours, email
tchicka@ventureoutdoors.org for more information.
Friday, December 29
Camping
Contact Patrick Roberts, 412-596-3566 or pdroberts19@hotmail.com.
Location: Canaan Valley State Park
Time: 7:00 PM -
Cost: Free
Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group
Saturday, December 30
Ski-Touring
Call Sandy Coffer, 412-374-0947.
Location: Laurel Ridge State Park, Rt. 653
Time: 10:00 AM - Late afternoon
Cost: Free
Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group
Complete Listings at www.ventureoutdoors.org
Questions?
Call us 412-255-0564
Contours is an e-newsletter of
Venture Outdoors and is published every two
weeks.
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PUZZLER ANSWERS: Germany in the early 16th century. The tradition
can be traced back to the Ancient Egyptians, who filled their homes with green palms leaves
during the winter solstice, and the early Romans, who decorated their homes and temples with
evergreen boughs and feasted during the winter solstice. However, it is believed that Martin
Luther, the 16th century Protestant reformer, first added lights to a tree and began the
Christams tree tradition as we know it today.
(
The History of Christmas - HistoryChannel.com)
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