Club News

Mid-Maine Mystery Tour and Barbeque - August 16,2008

After nearly three solid weeks of rain, members and friends of the Mid-Maine Sports Car Club were ready for a drive – any drive!  Fifteen cars gathered at the appointed hour in mid-coast Jefferson, Maine near the shore of beautiful Damariscotta Lake with great expectations for a fun day.  As it turned out no one was disappointed.  Members came from as far as Bangor and Blue Hill.  Many left their coastal homes in heavy rain, but arrived to sunny skies in Jefferson which is located a few miles inland.  Passersby were treated to a variety of cars lining the driveway including  a Hillman, TR250, Triumph Renown, BMW Z3, TR6, MGB V8,  to name a few.  Because of local publicity we were also joined by a classic Thunderbird, a 1970 Corvette and a Honda S2000 with Maryland plates!

Following the informational meeting each car left in timed intervals and began its journey with a driver and a navigator armed with a set of directions and twenty-nine questions to test their powers of observation.  It was a challenge for the three cars without working odometers!  Each car carried a dish of food to be shared by all at the picnic following the successful completion of the ride.  At least we wouldn’t go hungry!  The intrepid travelers also carried an emergency envelope bearing the message:

IF YOU ARE HOPELESSLY LOST AND HAVE GIVEN UP ALL HOPE OF COMPLETING THE RIDE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, OPEN THIS ENVELOPE.

In the end, only one team consisting of a former club president and a charter member, no less, felt it necessary to open the envelope for the assistance of the maps inside.  These two certainly deserved the “Empty Plate, Opened Envelope Award” and the friendly scolding that accompanied it at the picnic. 

Traveling over back roads, up high hills and along picturesque shorelines, the participants learned about local history and culture, met up with a “cool” blue moose, “Prepared” to meet thy God and discovered a Maine mineral as they successfully uncovered the answers to the varied questions.

In an hour and a half everyone had arrived at the destination; it was a mystery no more.  Our host member opened her ocean front cottage in Cushing for the enjoyment of everyone.  The band of intrepid travelers set the table with their delicious dishes that always just seem to appear when a group of Maine folks get together and the grill supplied the “special burgers”.  There were new faces along with the regulars but everyone joined in as if they had known each other for years.  Some explored the shoreline; some just gazed at the amazing ocean view and we all circled round a 1926 Bugatti when it was started to everyone’s delight.

There was a lively discussion when it came time to reveal the answers to the questions.  Even the organizers learned a little bit about a “Rowan” tree and that it has nothing to do with Mr. Rowan!  One exceptionally competitive couple sought out the Union Historical Society to verify a bonus question answer.  The four teams scoring the highest number of questions correctly took home automotive detailing products as their reward.
The sun shone brightly on us all and everyone expressed how much fun they had.  We parted company and headed for home with full stomachs and memories of a great day.

Next month we journey to the observation deck on the new Penobscot River Bridge.  Once again fun, food and drink will be in supply, so sign up on the MMSCC website and join us!\

Jim and Sue Barker