ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

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:  Diane J. 821-6707 (h) 955-1779 (cell)

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, 3:00 pm., PLANNING MEETING:  The activities listed in this newsletter are planned and organized by members of Sidetrackers; there is no planning committee. If there is something you want to do and want someone to do it with, check out the calendar, pick a date, fill out the Activity Write up sheet and bring it to the planning meeting. We will be planning for January, February and March. We will be doing an appetizer tasting at Stephanie’s house in Mandarin. Bring your favorite appetizer to share. Soft drinks or tea will be provided. Call Stephanie for directions and to let her know you are coming, hm. 268-5569, wk. 502-1005, cell 209-1742.

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 only 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, 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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