Thursday, July 28, 2011

Pancake Brunch Huge Success



The weather this week hasn’t been great but that has not stopped us Maskwa members from having lots of fun. Today was our Pancake Brunch, which was a fundraiser for Nationals and we raised $270 for Nationals. Way to go everyone! And special thanks again to Jennifer Spalding for donating her time to this fundraiser.
Pictured above is Annie Savoie enjoying her pancakes and the girls, Jessica MacKay and Penelope Wensel also enjoying their pancakes.

I wanted to let the Maskwa community know that we still have lots of spots in Kiddie Kayak for next week and the Adventure Recreational Day Camp. We are open on Monday and there will be swimming lessons but no paddling for all groups including the high performance, except the special midget war canoe practice.

Matt Coutts at 835-8009 is selling the following:

Bracsa Children’s Kayak Paddle (adjustable) - $125
Turbo Bantam Paddle (adjustable) - $200
Nelo Ultra Low Seat with Rails and Screws - $70

Registration is open for the Tuesday Lasagna Dinner for 4 – it’s from 1-3pm and a great treat for parents. The children with Chef Jennifer Spalding will learn how to make lasagna with meat sauce, Caesar salad and garlic bread fingers and the best part is you get to eat it for supper. Price is $25 and the cap is 20 children.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Atom Triathlon Huge Success & Pancake Brunch Tomorrow




Well the first Maskwa Atom Triathlon was a huge success. The Atom boys ran, paddled and swam. They started at 10am and finished around 12noon. Special thanks to LA Dempster for organizing this and Atom coaches Nathan Mackinnon and Chris Haley for all their help. Pictured with the group are the two coaches in the back. The children especially enjoyed their treat bags as their rewards. We are hoping to do a 2nd Triathlon with the Atoms later in August. We also have planned a special Atom paddlers afternoon movie for them inside Heritage Hall.

I had to take a few pictures of my day campers - today they are making paper Hawaiian leis as their craft and on Friday they will be dressed up for their Hawaiian dance competition.

A reminder that tomorrow is our Pancake Brunch starting at 10am inside Heritage Hall. This is a fundraiser for Nationals.

Child's plate is $3.50 (2 pancakes, slice of fruit and juice pack)
Teen/Adult plate is $5.00 (3 pancakes, slice of fruit and juice pack)

Natal Day update:
There will be no paddling programs on Monday.
There will be swimming lessons as scheduled
The Adventure Day Camp is open
Kiddie Kayak will also take place.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Cookie Dough Class a huge hit & Fun Day Planned



Hi everyone:
Today Brian Dugie handed me two new plaques that will be placed inside Heritage Hall. The plaques show just how GREAT the Atom’s are doing this year. Special thanks to the Atom coaches, Brian Dugie, Ciara Jerrett, Chelsey Carr-Kinnear, Matt Clahane, Chris Haley and Nathan MacKinnon and of course LA Dempster for all her hard work with the Atom paddlers.

Maskwa placed 3rd in 2011 for the Atom Bomb for Most Overall points & 2nd place for Most Points Per Paddler.

The first Paddlers Cooking Dough Cooking Class is a huge hit. We had a cap of 20 children but have managed to fit a few extras into the program. We all can’t wait to try samples. (Pictured above is Chef Jennifer Spalding, owner of Sweet and Savory Catering Limited who is running our canteen. She is also pictured with paddler Nicholas Billard who is learning the fine art to packing brown sugar for his cookie recipe)

Mark Thursday, August 11 as Maskwa FUN DAY & FUN NIGHT!

All day starting at 10am we will begin our FUN Day. Sorry A, B & C paddlers still have early morning training but otherwise there will be no paddling lessons or swim lessons taught that day. Kiddie Kayak from 12-1pm is still on.

We will divide the children into at least four groups, keeping the day camp children as one solid group. The children will create a Maskwa cheer, do a sandcastle competition, cannon ball competition off the wharf, a swim relay and some other team sport event.

We are very fortunate to have Boston Pizza once again provide the cheese and pepperoni pizza – it will be one free slice per child. The watermelon and juice packs are on Maskwa.

After lunch will be the ever popular whipped cream pie toss - it’s a loonie to purchase a pie to toss at the coaches. At the end of the day is our candy toss.

Adding something special we will be doing FREE movies for the children.

4-6pm will be the PG-rated movie for children aged 8-11 years – I’m not sure what movie yet so suggestions are always welcome.
We plan to place garbage bags over the windows inside Heritage Hall to make it very dark.

Bags of Popcorn/pop/juice and candy bags will be sold at the movies.

7-9pm: Scary movie – the teens are helping me pick this out.
Teens are welcome to bring along a friend.
Parent volunteers greatly appreciated for this event (2 needed to
Donations of non-perishable food to the Food Bank would be greatly appreciated.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Canteen Cooking Classes

Canteen Events:

July 25, Monday – Mac & Cheese Day


July 26 – Tuesday – Cooking Class: Paddlers Dough

Join Chef Jennifer Spalding as she takes you through making three of her favorite cookies from one single dough. And the best part is you get to take 18 cookies you’ve made home with you. The rest of the cookies will be sold from the canteen.

Price $10/per child – cash or cheque made out to Sweet and Savory Catering.

Maximum 20 children

Time: 1-3pm inside Heritage Hall

See Renee Field, Club Manager to register



July 27, Wednesday – Pizza Day



July 28, Pancake Thursday – 10:30am-1pm

This is a Pancake Fundraiser for Nationals.

$3.50 – Child’s plate (includes 2 pancakes, slice of fruit and juice pak)

$5.00 – Teen/Adult plate (includes 3 pancakes, slice of fruit and juice pak)



July 29, Friday – BBQ day



August 1, Monday – Mac& Cheese Day



August 2, Tuesday – Little Italy: Join Chef Jennifer Spalding as she holds an interactive, creative cooking class for all ages. Tonight’s Dinner is ready to go. Learn how to make Lasagna Bolognaise, and Caesar Salad and Garlic Pizza Bread.

Time: 1-3pm

Maximum Registrants: 20

Price $25 cash or cheque made out to Sweet and Savory Catering.

Feeds a family of 4/5

See Renee Field, Club Manager to register





August 3, Wednesday – Pizza Day





August 4, Thursday: Sandwich Bar – Choose your own toppings and fixings the way you enjoy your sandwich.

$3.50 a sandwich or $5.00 combo (drink and cookie)





August 5, Friday – BBQ Day



August 22, Monday – Enjoy a Spaghetti Supper at Maskwa.

This is a fundraiser for Nationals.

Enjoy a homemade spaghetti supper with meatballs, Caesar salad, garlic bread, coffee or tea and or drink along with dessert all for a great cause.

Time: 4-6:30pm

Price $12 a child’s plate and $15 adult



Mark Tuesday, August 23 for the Canteen Special:

Take home a Maskwa Picnic

Join Chef Jennifer Spalding as she teaches your child how to create potato and pasta salads, and the art of wrap making, along with special caramel apple dip.

Time: 1-3pm

Maximum registrants: 20 children

$20/per child (all ages) cash or cheque made out to Sweet and Savory Catering.

Feeds a family of 4 (*if you need more sandwiches for that night please let Jennifer know and she attempt to accommodate your need)

See Renee Field, Club Manager to register

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Directions to Sack-a-wa for Atom Regatta and other issues

Here are directions and a link to the Sack-a-wa club in Lower Sackville http://sackawa.ca/?page_id=749

Dear Maskwa Members:

This is an important message to please remind your children and teens to pick up their garbage. Maskwa is having serious litter problems this year, in particular popcorn is spilled on a regular occurrence on the decks and it is attracting critters at night and pop cans are being left everywhere. Please place refundable bottles in the blue bins. We are also having issues with things being left behind daily – towels, shirts and lifebelts and buns and on Friday at 4pm all things left behind in the lost and found bin will be emptied into the dumpster.



A special thanks to all the parents who made or donated food items for the officials this past weekend. The officials loved it all. I do have a number of bowls, serving trays etc still needing to be picked up. They are currently in the front foyer to Heritage Hall but will soon be moved to the technical room.



The Atom racing shirts are in. The price is $45 (tax include).



This brings me to one final but important point. A number of parents have been wondering about “C” High Performance group for paddling. If your son or daughter is interested in joining a C group please email Chad Brooks, our Head Paddling Director to discuss (chadbrooks@gmail.com) as we are currently creating a list so we can create a C group. There is an extra cost for the HP group and it’s $75/per month during the summer. The C group would be meeting early in the morning – time has not been determined.


To all the Atom’s racing this weekend at Sack-a-wa – good luck!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hi everyone:
Here is the Canteen menu. The canteen is open Monday through Friday 9am-4pm and closed on the weekends. BBQ day is Friday and prices are below.

LIGHTER FARE…
• Yogurt Crunch Parfait $3.50
(Granola, Yogurt and Fresh Berries Drizzle of Honey)
• Oatmeal with Brown Sugar $2.50
• Toasted Bagel (plain, whole wheat,) with Becel $2.00
• English Muffin with Becel $1.50
• Cream Cheese $0.50

The Wave Breaker~ $2.50
• (Fried Egg on a Biscuit with Cheddar Cheese)
• Add Smoked Bacon or Back Bacon $1.00

BLT on Multigrain Flatbread~ $4.00
• Smoked or Back Bacon with Lettuce ,Tomato, Mayo…Add Cheese $.75

The Classic Western Sandwich~ $4.00
• Scrambled Eggs with Sautéed Peppers, Onions, Tomato and Ham
• Add Cheese $.75

HOT BEVERAGES…..
• Coffee $1.75
• Tea $1.50
• Hot Chocolate $2.00
• Hot Apple Cider $2.00







COLD BEVERAGES…
• Fresh Fruit Smoothies made with Juice $5.00
o Add Protein $1.50
• Bottled Water $1.50
• Gatorade $3.00
• Chocolate Milk $3.00
• Assorted Juice Boxes $1.00
• Assorted Pop- $1.50
(Pepsi/Coke/DietCoke/Orange/Sprite/ Grape/Rootbeer/Gingerale, 7-Up)
• Homemade Lemonade/Limeade $3.00
• Iced Coffee $2.50
• Iced Mocha $2.50
• Chocolate Ice $2.50

JUST SNACK’N….
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies $1.00
Freshly Baked Chocolate Brownies $1.50
Freshly Baked Banana Loaf $2.00
Candy Bags $1.00
Carrot Cake $1.50 (Contains Walnuts)
Microwave Popcorn $1.50
Pink Popcorn $3.00
Caramel Popcorn $3.00
Bagged Chips $1.00
Whole Fruit $1.00
Rice Crispy Squares $1.00
Granola Bars $.75
Chocolate Bars $1.25
Caramel Dip with Apples $2.25
Ring Pops $1.75
Fruit Roll Ups $1.00
Twizzlers $.50
Lolly Pops $.25

BETWEEN FRIENDS…
The Regatta Cookie $13.00
Cinnamon Pizza Bread $2.00
Cinnamon Pita Crisps Brown Sugar Cream $2.50
Seasoned Pita Frites $1.25…better than chips

JUST CHILLIN…
Jumbo Freezies $1.00
Popsicles $1.00
Fudgesicles $2.00
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Bars $2.00
Caramel Ice Cream Bars $2.00



MACARONI MONDAYS !!!!! $3.00
Our Signature Mac and Cheese…

COMBO~
add a cookie and a juice box for $4.25


PIZZA WEDNESDAYS!!!!! $4.00
Pepperoni or Cheese…

COMBO~
add a cookie and juice box for $5.00

BBQ FRIDAYS!!!!!






DOIN THE LUNCH THANG….


Caesar Salad with Croutons & Bacon Bits $4.00
Add Chicken $2.00
Homemade Mac & Cheese $3.00
Chicken Ceasar Wrap $4.25
Maskwa Wrap $4.25
(chicken, lettuce, cheese, bacon, ranch)
Grilled Cheese with Kraft Slices $3.00
The Infamous Hot Dog $1.50
Mac & Cheese Dog $2.00
PB & J…Sandwich $2.00
Nutella & Banana Sandwich $2.00

NOTE…This is NOT a nut free environment

Although we do our very best not to cross contaminate food product please inform us of any allergy concerns

BBQ


HOTDOG $1.50
With cheese $2.25 No Cheese
With pop $3.50 $2.75
With juice box $3.25 $2.50


HAMBURGER $3.00
With cheese $3.75 No Cheese
With pop $5.00 $4.25
With juice box $4.75 $4.00

Monday, July 18, 2011






It was a busy two days at Maskwa this past weekend with two tremendously exciting and successful regattas - the Peewee regatta on Saturday and the Bantam regatta on Sunday – in total about 1,100 people were here at the club over the two-day span.

The kids had a terrific time and Maskwa is certainly looking like a serious contender for top spot at this year's Peewee Bantam Champs with an impressive number of top five finishes. A shout out to Chris Haley who coxed our new War Canoe to Bantam mixed victory in its inaugural race.

I would like to say a very special 'Thank you' to all the volunteers who made it possible to host the regattas this year. Maskwa is a volunteer run, not-for-profit athletic club and relies on its members to support the activities of the children involved in our many paddling and swimming programs.

Thanks so much to Mike Haley who helped out in the parking lot and then pulled double-duty flipping burgers at the BBQ. Jody Pace was terrifically helpful in the parking lot, as was Geoff Morse and Bruce Piercey. Sean Gibson pulled two long shifts both days in the parking lot as well. And he deserves danger pay for dealing with a couple of unruly parkers!

Rick Davis, Connie Wright, Keith Billard, Perry and Mary Boudreau, Sally Campbell, Janet Steele, Tracy MacKay, Denis Chasse, Scott Conrad, and Peter Hope, helped raise more than $1,000 for Maskwa at the regattas by running the BBQ while Jesse Scott and Nathan MacKinnon helped out by selling 50/50 tickets. We raised $83 for Nationals.

A heartfelt thanks to 'The Man with The Golden Larynx' - John Moore - who's dulcet tones provided race results and commentary and who played at DJ both days as well. Renee Field did a terrific job supervising the regatta and keeping everything moving. Special thanks to our Custodian, Alex Hope for keeping the place so clean – especially the washrooms.

A special thanks to all the officials and coaches. Without your help there would be no regattas. We are very grateful to all the parents who volunteered their time to help as well as the parents who donated food and drink for the officials and for sale at the BBQ. Your help was massively important to the overall success of the regattas.

The food from the canteen was very well received and a shout out to Jennifer Spalding from Sweet and Savory Catering Limited for all the hard word and iced coffees on Sunday.

And, of course, a tremendous vote of thanks to the ubiquitous Gord MacLeod who supervised parking, set up all the signage, fixed broken faucets, and generally made sure that everything worked well throughout both days.

Maskwa is run by a Board of volunteer members who meet regularly throughout the year. A new Board of Directors is elected each fall.
Our club depends on the work of many volunteers and we welcome any member to join in. We are currently seeking new members to support the Board by providing help and direction for Maskwa’s paddling programs and for helping coordinate the various volunteer activities that are critical to the success of Maskwa. If you think you would be interested in helping out in either of these roles (or in any other
way) I encourage you to contact myself (maskwa.commodore@gmail.com) or Club Manager Renee Field (manager.maskwa@gmail.com).

‘Go Maskwa’
Ian Scott, Commodore

Friday, July 15, 2011

Spryfield Boys and Girls Club Enjoying Maskwa



Yesterday Maskwa hosted for the first time the Spryfield Boys and Girls Club at the club and we had close to 20 children aged (8-12 years) participate in our new Dragon Boat & Recreational Swim program. This program came about thanks to the generous financial support of West Bedford Holdings Limited ( a joint venture of Clayton Developments and Cresco). It was a cold, windy day but the children had lots of fun and are looking forward to returning next week. Spryfield Boys and Girls Club will be coming regularly to Maskwa on Thursdays from 2pm-4pm. The children will experience the Dragon Boat, under Chris Haley’s coaching from 2-3pm and then enjoy swimming in our supervised beach area from 3-4pm.

On Friday, August 5 from 2-4pm the Sackville Boys and Girls Club will have the chance to experience Maskwa’s Dragon Boat and Recreational Swim program. We are hopeful that we can offer more programs to introduce children all over the municipality to the joys of paddling.

A reminder this coming weekend we are hosting two regattas - Peewee on Saturday and Bantam on Sunday at the club. Lifebelts are in and singlets are required for racing. I am hoping to have the Atom racing shirts in next week before the first Atom regatta at Sack-a-wa next Saturday in Lower Sackville.

The day camp children have been having a great time this week and I'm going over shortly to take pictures of their dyed shirts! The kids loved the craft and are enjoying boating twice a day and the hikes are wearing them out - in a good way.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Maskwa Update - Great Time for Day Campers




Hi everyone:
Today is our first day of rain but that has not deterred us Maskwa paddlers or swimmers. I've got about 50 children keen for paddling and swimming lessons and they all love the rain. This is a reminder that all programs are open in the rain. We only pull the children off water if their is lightning.

Last week I had a chance to pop in a lot to see how things were going with our new Adventure Recreational Day Camp. It seemed to me, and the children that I asked that they were having lots of fun. The children are paddling either in the dragon boat or small boats in the mornings and then switching it up in the afternoon. Last week the theme of the week was Super Hero and they spent the week getting ready by decorating their caps. On Friday (with our unusual raccoon spoiling our water fun) that didn't stop the children in the camps from claiming the beach. They held a sand castle contest and trust me, being the judge was hard. I've posted a few pic so you can see what fun they are having. This week's theme is "light bright" and on Thursday they will be dying t-shirts. This morning I walked into the dark room (they have black garbage bags over the windows and all the kids are wearing glow in the dark stuff).

There are still camp spots open in August. Session 5, 6, 8 and 9 still have spots.

This coming Saturday and Sunday Maskwa is hosting two regattas. I am still in need of volunteers to help with parking and the BBQ on Saturday and Sunday. If you can only commit to one day that would be greatly appreciated. I am also hoping more parents will volunteer to bring pop/juice for the BBQ and we still are looking for cookies or muffins for the 25 officials for both days. Please email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com if you can help.