ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

OCTOBER 14th, SATURDAY, 1:00 PM – BE AMAZED AT THE AMAZING CORN MAIZE:  Get lost in Maize.  Imagine being plunked into a field of cornstalks towering 12 feet high (hopefully!).   Everywhere you turn; it’s a sea of green and down right corn-fusing.  Some paths take 20 minutes; some take an hour. Come out and enjoy a fall day in the country with us.  We will meet at 1:00 PM at the Hardees on Merrill Road near 9A.  Details and directions to the Maze at the following link: http://www.cornfieldmaze.com/sites.php?ID=&username=flhilliard
Leader Heike Messer 998-2312.

OCTOBER 15^th, SUNDAY, 12:00 – BIKE RIDE AT THE BALDWIN TRAIL:  We are going to bike on the Jacksonville to Baldwin bike trail. It is a 30 miles round trip but you can ride as far as you like and turn around. It is an easy ride and any type bike can be used on the ride. We will meet at Everybody’s Restaurant in Baldwin for lunch and then do the trail. Bring water, a bike and lunch money. Leaders: John G. 910-1469 and Richard B. 249-2714.

OCTOBER 21st, SATURDAY – OPEN

OCTOBER 22nd, SUNDAY, 6:00 AM – SEAFOOD FESTIVAL AT CEDAR KEY:  The Annual Seafood Festival at Cedar Key will be October 21-22 this year.  A large number of craftsmen will be showing their wares and the food promises to be something to partake of with relish.  This is all in the great outdoors where we will get exercise in the form of walking.  Also, there are boat rides over to the Seahorse Key Lighthouse which is open only a couple of times a year due to the massive collection of birds roosting on the island.  The meeting place will be Hardees on Lane Avenue at 7:00 a.m.  The early hour is to allow time to drive over to Cedar Key and be there for the opening of the festival.  Should anyone wish to go over the day before, we can meet those via cell phone in Cedar Key.  Trip Leader:  Marta Winters, 904-725-9521.

OCTOBER 28th, SATURDAY – HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR CAMP OUT:  We will be camping in Jeff’s beautiful backyard. Wear a costume or not. Decorate your tent, prizes will be awarded. Pitch your tent in the afternoon, enjoy a potluck dinner and then we will sit around the fire and tell ghost stories. Bring a dish to share, meat will be provided (no horses, dogs or cats only fresh road kill). Bring your tent and gear, costumes and decorations. Watch next month’s newsletter for directions and meting spot time and place. Leader: Jeff and Sandy 955-4550.

NOVEMBER 1st, WEDNESDAY, 6:30 MONTHLY MEETING:  We will meet at the Southeast Regional Public Library at Gate Parkway off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. for a report on last month’s events and highlights next month’s events.  All members and prospective members are invited to attend. At 5:00 pm, prior to the meeting, some members meet at Bono’s restaurant on Gate Parkway, for dinner. After the meeting, we move to a local Restaurant for socializing, coffee, dessert, late dinner or a snack

NOVEMBER 2nd thru the 5th, THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, CAMPING TRIP TO DAVIDSON RIVER NEAR BREVARD, N.C.:  Back by popular demand, this is a fun-filled action packed camping trip right in the middle of glorious fall foliage. There are several beautiful hiking trails, falls, and many things to see right in Pisgah National Forest.  We'll have plenty of activities to choose from including visits to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, the fish hatchery, Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center, Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and the Biltmore House.  The Saturday (Nov. 4th) we are there will be the first weekend that the Biltmore House is decorated for Christmas. There is a charge to explore the house so you will need to make reservations (www.biltmore.com).  There are also hiking trails right inside the campground and we always have a good time around the campfire.  Enjoy 3 nights on prime camping sites for the low, low price of $32.50 per tent.  Find a warm buddy to share your tent and save $$$!  I have 18 spots reserved and already have them filled so contact me to make arrangements for more. All money must be turned in by the August 2nd Sidetracker meeting or you will forfeit your site.  If anyone wants to come after this date you will have to make your own reservations.  Don't delay - the campground fills up fast.  More info to follow... Diane K. (904) 545-5087 or email dianekolpacki (at) bellsouth.net.

NOVEMBER 9^TH, THURSDAY, 6:30 – GREATER JACKSONVILLE FAIR: We will meet as a group and attend the fair. We will meet at the Chart House and carpool over.  Leader: John G. 910-1469.

NOVEMBER 11th, SATURDAY, 9:00 AM – VISIT THE JACKSONVILLE ZOO, THEN TOUR ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY:  It is a happening place at the zoo. We will tour the zoo, ride the train and look at the animals. http://www.jaxzoo.org/ Then we will tour the brewery up the road. http://www.budweisertours.com/docs/JACKDetails.htm  After all the tours we will have lunch at the Pub. Cost is $11.00 to get in the zoo and the tour of the brewery is free. Leader: Stephanie M. 268-5569.

NOVEMBER 12th, SUNDAY, 2:30 PM – HIKE TO HAMBURGERS:  We will meet at Sandy’s house (call for directions) and walk to Town Center to eat hamburgers at Five Guys (near Total Wine). It is about a 3 mile round trip hike. We will eat delicious hamburgers and fries and then walk off the calories walking back to Sandy’s. Bring money for burgers and good walking shoes. Leader: Sandy 955-4550. 

NOVEMBER 18^TH, SATURDAY, 8:00 AM - PADDLE SILVER RIVER:  This will be a DAY TRIP on the beautiful Silver River. Come see monkeys, gators and maybe some otters too if we’re lucky.  This is a hard paddle upriver to Silver Springs. We can’t get out in that area, but it’s fun to paddle there and see the springs and the people and listen to the music.  Then it will be an easy paddle back to the put-in. This is an all day trip. Bring your lunch and we’ll “dine” on the riverbank.  This paddle is not for beginners. We’ll LEAVE McDonald’s on US 17 across from dog track at 8:00 AM.  I will check before the trip to see if I can find an outfitter for boat rentals.  Leader:  Earline V 998.4244 home 614.8629 cell e.veltman 'at' comcast.net.

NOVEMBER 23rd, THURSDAY, 2:00 PM - THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER:  Come on over to my house for Thanksgiving Dinner. The turkey and gravy will be ready.   You bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish to share. Please contact me no later than Sunday, November 19th to make reservations because seating is limited.  We’ll eat a hearty dinner then go for a walk. This is always a good time with lots of good food and friends. Leader – Earline V   998-4244 Home   614-8629 Cell   e.veltman 'at' comcast.net. 

NOVEMBER 25TH, SATURDAY, 6:00 PM – JACKSONVILLE LIGHT PARADE:  Watch the annual Jacksonville boat light parade.  Meet at 6:00 PM on the high deck behind the River City Brewing Company on the South bank.  This is a great viewing spot for the show and the fireworks afterwards.  There is no cost and if you need directions, call Leader:  Judy M 398-2750 home or 630-1212 x3897 work.

DECEMBER 2nd, SATURDAY -  8:00 AM PADDLE ALEXANDER, CAMP AT JUNIPER AND PADDLE JUNIPER SPRINGS:  We’ll leave McDonald’s on Roosevelt across from the Dog Track at 8 AM sharp.  Bring your lunch and drinks for the day.  Alexander is a beautiful river and the last trip rewarded paddlers with a wide variety of wildlife viewing.  Both rivers are beginner level of difficulty.  Then we’ll go to Juniper Springs Park and camp overnight.  We’ll paddle Juniper Springs on Sunday.  You can do both rivers and camp, or just one of them.  Canoe rentals are available for both rivers.   Call for canoe partner and/or to let me know you are coming. Leader:  Earline V   998-4244 H  614-8629 Cell e.veltman 'at' comcast.net.

DECEMBER 6th, WEDNESDAY, 6:30 MONTHLY MEETING:  We will meet at the Southeast Regional Public Library at Gate Parkway off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. for a report on last month’s events and highlights next month’s events.  All members and prospective members are invited to attend. At 5:00 pm, prior to the meeting, some members meet at Bono’s restaurant on Gate Parkway, for dinner. After the meeting, we move to a local Restaurant for socializing, coffee, dessert, late dinner or a snack. 

DECEMBER 9th, SATURDAY, 8:00 AM, BIKE RIDE ON JEKYLL ISLAND:  We will ride the perimeter of the beautiful island, approx. 14 miles trip. We will eat lunch on St. Simons Island after the ride. Any bike to do for the ride, bring water and snacks. We will meet at the Denny’s restaurant at the airport exit. If you want breakfast get there earlier. Leader: John G. 910-1469.

DECEMBER 10th, SUNDAY, PLANNING MEETING

DECEMBER 16th, SATURDAY, PM, SIDETRACKER CHRISTMAS PARTY

DECEMBER 17th, SUNDAY, 5:00 PM – LUMINARIES IN AVONDALE:  Join us for a leisurely and unique walk around Avondale.  We will see Christmas lights, music and displays, including the “Living Manger Scene” put on by a local church.  We usually cover a lot of ground, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. We will be meeting at European Street at Park and King Street (just south of Walgreens) at 5:00 P.M. for a bite to eat (Show up early if you plan to eat).  We plan on leaving the café at 6:00 PM for the walking tour. This nice event is guaranteed to put you in to the Christmas spirit. Leader Heike Messer 998-2312 Home (leave message)

DECEMBER 31st, NEW YEARS EVE, SUNDAY, ANNUAL NEW YEARS EVE AT HANNA PARK:
Join us for our annual New Year’s Eve camping trip to Hanna Park for a potluck dinner plus the traditional fried turkey. We will have a campfire, hike along the nature trail by moonlight and be on the beach at midnight, where we will be able to view the fireworks. Camping is free at the group site for those who do not wish to drive home that night. Come out early Sunday afternoon, help Diane J. pick up trash, set up your tent, enjoy hiking, a campfire and have dinner around 6:30 PM. We will be at the primitive group camping site at the north end. You can park at the camping site to unload, and then park in the parking lot. Facilities are within walking distance. Bring a homemade specialty that goes with fried turkey. For more information, call Ray at 610-9400. Hanna Park is near the entrance to Mayport Naval Station and at the end of Wonderwood Drive. At the gate tell them you are with Sidetrackers and get directions to the group primitive camping area. Leaders: Ray and Sheila 610-9400 (cell) 220-4480 (home). This is a members or member’s guest only event.
 

There are no long-range activities on the calendar at this time.
Keep an eye on this space for future announcements.

Additional information about these activities and events may be
announced at monthly meetings and on our YahooGroups Email list.

2006 Monthly Meeting Schedule
MONTHLY MEETINGS are always on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
at the Jacksonville Public Library, Southeast Regional Branch, at the Gate Parkway exit off
J. Turner Butler Boulevard.  Subscribers to our free YahooGroups email list service
receive an automatic reminder message in their email two days before the meeting.

WEDNESDAY, November 1, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 6, 2006 – 6:30 PM

2007 Monthly Meeting Schedule
WEDNESDAY, January 3, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, February 7, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, March 7, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, September 5, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 3, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, November 7, 2006 – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, December 5, 2006 – 6:30 PM

The SIDETRACKERS Newsletter
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The SIDETRACKERS Web Site
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