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North Star Volunteers at Cities of Lakes Loppet, February, 2009 (Photo Courtesy Gerry M)

Skiing at Maplelag, January 2009 (Photo Courtesy Maplelag)

WW Outing with Norm O, January 2009 (Photo Courtesy Sally R)

NSSTC Annual Summer Picnic Turns Green! WHEN: Tuesday, August 11, 6 p.m.—9 p.m. WHERE: Wabun Picnic Area  A, Minnehaha  Park From Hiawatha (Hwy 55) go east on 46th Avenue and enter   Minnehaha Park. Continue south; the Wabun Picnic Area A will be on your left.  Parking is 50 cents per hour.  Do your part and save more, ride your bike to this years picnic. WHY: Why Not? There will be great food, friends, trip mates, people interested in the club and even more food. WHAT: Bring your favorite dish to share such as salads, desserts or a true Minnesota hotdish.  This year to help make a smaller carbon foot print on our environment the board asks that you please bring your own plate and utensils. The club will have iced tea, lemonade and water.  Invite family and friends interested in the North Stars. About Us Overview of member benefits Open letter to potential members Club History Trail development opportunities Schedule of year-round events Club constitution Club policies Try Us Before Joining Attend a meeting or event, click here for a schedule. Participate in a Day Trip (overnight trips are reserved for members), click here for a schedule. Check out the New Member page to see how the club works and what services are available to members. To Join Complete and return a Membership Form or better yet, sign up at one of our meetings. it will be your best investment of $20 ever. For questions about membership, e-mail Membership@north-stars.org. Top Tips Layer clothes to keep warm and dry Creative safety equipment Winter recreation safety Waxing for classical (diagonal stride) skis (NOTE: This page looks better in print than it appears here.) From MasterSkier.com: Tips On Staying Healthy From MasterSkier.com: Spread the Love of XC Skiing From MasterSkier.com: Ski For The Joy of Skiing From MidwestWeekends.com: Candlelight Skiing Events in the Upper Midwest

Upcoming Events Tuesday, June 23 - Thursday, June 25 {WW} Midweek Getaway. Destination will be Walker, MN to bicycle the Heartland Trail and more. Make reservations at Country Inn and Suites (1-218-547-1400) in Walker. Rates are $94/night with 2 double beds; if you are a member of AAA or AARP it is $84.60. Rooms are being held until May 23 and are listed under Wednesday Wanderers. FFI: Ella M or Jeanne P Saturday, June 27 {A} Bike Minneapolis-St. Paul-Ft. Snelling. "Three bridges, a cemetery, and a state park". 35-mile ”B/B-“ ride. Meet at 9:30 a.m. (ride at 9:45) at parking lot north of the Minnehaha Falls pavilion and south of Minnehaha Pkwy. Park in lot for $.50/hour or free on neighborhood streets. Route will follow the Mississippi River on both sides, historic Summit Ave, and go into Mendota Heights via the High Bridge. Rest stop in Mendota Heights. We’ll also bike across the 494 bridge and into Ft Snelling State Park. Route map available on message board at www.north-stars.org/phpbb under "Maps". FFI: John S. (EDITOR NOTE: THIS SHOULD BE AN EXCEPTIONAL RIDE!) Monday, June 29 {A} Monday Easy Social Ride. Easygoing ride in the 15-25 mile range with the rides getting longer and hillier as the season progresses. Riders meet at 5:00 p.m. and begin to ride at 5:15. Since these rides start at a different location each week, an e-mail is sent out with directions to the starting place several days before the ride. If you are not on the Wednesday Wanderers e-mail list and wish to participate in these rides, please contact Joan C with your e-mail address. These are “no map” rides and are conducted at a leisurely pace while riding as a group. A major rest stop is built into each ride. FFI: Al M, or Diane M Wednesday, July 1 {WW} Bike Cannon Falls-Red Wing. Meet 9:30 a.m. at the Cannon Valley Trail access parking lot on Hwy 19 in downtown Cannon Falls. Start riding at 9:45. On this 45-mile round trip we will bike along country roads, eat lunch at the Bierstube in Red Wing and return to Cannon Falls via the scenic Cannon Valley Trail. A $3 trail pass, which can be purchased at the trailhead, is required. FFI: Kem P. Sunday, July 5 {S} BIKE RIDE AND POTLUCK. Yes, it's on again!  The 6th (?) annual July 4th weekend bike ride around the Minneapolis bike trails, along rivers, creeks and lakes.  The scenery is wonderful.  Meet at Pat L's house, Edina, at 9:30am for coffee and rolls, and then we'll start riding promptly at 10:00am sharp.   The ride is approximately 32 miles of wonderful scenery, with a stop at Minnehaha Falls and then St Anthony on Maine where we'll have a refreshing beer (or a cool drink of your choice) at  Tuggs.  Once back to Pat's, we'll begin a leisurely pot luck and afternoon of socializing.  Pat will provide brats and chips.  Bring a salad or dessert to share and your favorite beverage.  Coolers will be available to keep your drinks cold.  RSVP by email or phone to Pat by Friday, July 3rd.  Hope to see you July 5th! Don't forget your helmet! (Editor note: This should be the "Singles" event of the summer!) Monday, July 6 {A} Monday Easy Social Ride. Easygoing ride in the 15-25 mile range with the rides getting longer and hillier as the season progresses. Riders meet at 5:00 p.m. and begin to ride at 5:15. Since these rides start at a different location each week, an e-mail is sent out with directions to the starting place several days before the ride. If you are not on the Wednesday Wanderers e-mail list and wish to participate in these rides, please contact Joan C with your e-mail address. These are “no map” rides and are conducted at a leisurely pace while riding as a group. A major rest stop is built into each ride. FFI: Al M, or Diane M Wednesday,  July 8 {WW} Julie’s Lakes, Parks & Trails Ride. Meet at Julie H’s house at 9:15 a.m. and begin biking at 9:30. This lovely 33-mile ride will take us north past hidden lakes in Roseville and Shoreview and into White Bear Lake. We’ll return on the Bruce Vento, Gateway, Trout Brook and Lake McCarron trails. Potluck at Julie’s after the ride. Salads, fruit and vegies/dips would be much appreciated (desserts, too!). Cold beer and mineral water provided. Directions: Julie lives  just east of Como Lake in St. Paul. FFI: Julie H. Friday, July 10 {A} Surprise Breakfast Ride. This "B" ride covers approximately 30 miles. Meet at 6:45 a.m. and ride at 7:00 sharp, leaving from the Marriott Inn, northwest corner of US 169 and 394 in St. Louis Park. Breakfast will be at a surprise location at about 9:00. FFI: Al M Monday, July 13 {A} Monday Easy Social Ride. Easygoing ride in the 15-25 mile range with the rides getting longer and hillier as the season progresses. Riders meet at 5:00 p.m. and begin to ride at 5:15. Since these rides start at a different location each week, an e-mail is sent out with directions to the starting place several days before the ride. If you are not on the Wednesday Wanderers e-mail list and wish to participate in these rides, please contact Joan C with your e-mail address. These are “no map” rides and are conducted at a leisurely pace while riding as a group. A major rest stop is built into each ride. FFI: Al M, or Diane M Wednesday, July 15 {WW} Forest Lake Bike Ride & BBQ. Meet at 9:15 a.m. (begin biking at 9:30) at the Ann M's family home on Forest Lake. There will be 30- or 40-mile options with a snack stop. BBQ after the ride with swimming available. Burgers, beer and potato salad provided; bring other beverages plus an appetizer, salad or dessert to share (also coolers and lawn chairs). Carpool if possible due to limited parking space; park by the garage at the brick house. FFI: Ann M or Former President Bruce J. Wednesday, July 15 {A} Lotsa Lakes Ride. "B" ride, 24 miles. Explore some of the scenic north metro lake country. We'll roll past Lake Phalen, Vadnais Lake, and Snail Lake. Generally rolling terrain. Meet at 6 PM at the Phalen Park Beach House parking lot on the west side of Lake Phalen in St. Paul just North of Wheelock Parkway. FFI: Dick or Denise S. Friday, July 17 {S} Join Francine C for the 1930's play, "Room Service" ("snappy banter, sight gags, throwaway lines") in production at Theatre in the Round at 245 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, show time 8:00. Join us for optional dinner at Town Hall Brewery (first 15 reservations) at 5:45ish. Unlimited reservations for theatre. Optional seamy underbelly backstage tour after the show includes Adult Supervision. Theatregoers only - meet at 7:30ish in the lobby. Please RSVP by JULY 14 to Francine C.  Prefer pre-payment for theatre ($18 discount ticket- payable to Theatre in the Round) to Francine C Sunday, July 19 {A} Mel’s “Kind of Laid-Back” Hot Ride. The heat is on and ol’ Mel is feeling more mortal than ever. So he requests your company on a 35- to 40-mile “kind of laid-back” bike ride through the hills and dales of northern Washington County. “B” ride with an average speed of 13-14 MPH. Meet at Sal’s Angus Grill in Withrow; be ready to ride at 9:30 a.m. Directions to Withrow: Hwy 36 east to Manning Ave (Cty Rd 15); north on Manning for 6+ miles to Cty Rd 7; left (west) on 7 for one mile to Cty Rd 9, then left (south) on 9 for two blocks to Sal’s. Please park in the large lot behind Sal’s. There will be a rest stop in Marine-on-St. Croix (followed by the only real tough hill of the ride) and lunch at Sal’s when we are done riding. FFI: Mel P!  Monday, July 20 {A} Monday Easy Social Ride. Easygoing ride in the 15-25 mile range with the rides getting longer and hillier as the season progresses. Riders meet at 5:00 p.m. and begin to ride at 5:15. Since these rides start at a different location each week, an e-mail is sent out with directions to the starting place several days before the ride. If you are not on the Wednesday Wanderers e-mail list and wish to participate in these rides, please contact Joan C with your e-mail address. These are “no map” rides and are conducted at a leisurely pace while riding as a group. A major rest stop is built into each ride. FFI: Al M, or Diane M   Hot News Items 2010 EXTENDED TRIPS Valdavid, Quebec February 12 - February 23, 2010 Trip leaders are Jane N and Pat McN. Click here for more information. Silverstar, British Columbia Feb 27 - March 6, 2010 Trip leaders are Former President Kathy K and Former President John D. Click here for more information. Canmore, Alberta     March 6 - March 14, 2010 Trip leaders are Janet J and Maureen S. Click here for more information. Sjusjoen, Norway March 13 - 21,2010 (and optional March 21 - 28 ) Leader is Solveig O. Click here for more information.