A Ride to Father Rasle's

Kennebec River near Old Point, Madison

We have a special tour on tap for this Saturday in Smithfield, partly in keeping with our Halloween tradition of cemetery rides. On this last ride of the year during Daylight Savings Time, we will visit the site of the Battle of Norridgewock, the climax of Father Rasle's War in 1724.  We hope to time our arrival to coincide with a site tour and interpretation led by Colby History Professor Daniel Tortora.  The ride will also explore some back roads in Smithfield and some quiet riverside roads in Norridgewock and Madison - there may be some short stretches of gravel to contend with, but we expect to bypass the Rt. 8 construction project.  If you plan to attend please let me know, as I'd like to get a rough head count for our hosts.  Hope you can join us!

 

Saturday, November 2 - SMITHFIELD

"Monuments, Missions, and Massacres" - a scenic and historic river tour through Smithfield, Norridgewock, and Madison.

START:  9:00 AM, at the new Smithfield Fire Station on Rt. 8 in Smithfield, about a quarter-mile north of the junction of Rt. 8 and Rt. 137.

DISTANCE:  approx. 27 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  a tour of the Norridgewock Village Historic Site, an eighteenth century Abenaki Indian settlement and a French Catholic Mission wiped out by British soldiers in 1724.  Now a tranquil spot on the riverside, we will explore the site and its history, as interpreted by professional historians.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

 

Also, don't forget there will also be a special fundraising event for Leeann Smith in Palermo on Sunday.  Please note that these times below are Eastern Standard Time - don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour on Sunday AM or you'll be an hour late for the rides:

 

Fundraiser for Leeann Smith.
Sunday November 3, 2013.
VFW, Turner Ridge Rd., Palermo, Me.
2 pm - Benefit Bike Ride (three separate speed rides). $20 donation to ride (all funds go directly to Leeann).
4:30 to 6:00 pm - $10 Spaghetti Dinner - Open to Public.
4:00 to 5:30 pm - Silent Auction.

Additional donations welcome!  For more info, call Richard Golden, 485-4088.