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Post by fred on Dec 25, 2018 16:21:54 GMT -5
I didn't know if anyone was aware of this, but I thought I'd inform the MaCKRO readership that this past June, 2018, MaCKRO celebrated its 30th year of existence. Back in 1988, all the info was passed on through a newsletter that was published three or so times a year. I was looking through some old papers today and found Issue #1 of MaCKRO News--the good 'ol days, as "they" say . . . Two-plus years prior to MaCKRO's forming, Jim Chute, a kayaker from the Freeport area, had started a kayaker-only race-result publication ("Curved Blades"), that also included some other tidbits of info interesting to kayakers. There were about 15 kayakers who raced around the state somewhat regularly, so it was relatively easy to keep track of results. As some of the canoers were hearing about this publication, they thought it would be nice to have something that included canoe results as well; so Curved Blades was put to rest as MaCKRO was born. Jim Chute became the first MaCKRO president. So for anyone who may have wondered when and how MaCKRO started, there you go.
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ailij
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by ailij on Dec 28, 2018 6:18:35 GMT -5
Very cool, Fred! Thanks for the history.
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Post by stewart on Jan 1, 2019 9:05:36 GMT -5
If memory serves me right and (that is questionable) MaCKRO was started in 1988 to have a group to organize the national WWOC race to be held on the Dead river in 1989. At the time there was not as much participation by kayaks then as now but it was also noted that the kayak community contributed a lot to the local WW races. Because the race was WW open canoe kayaks couldn't compete so a New England kayak race was added to run in conjunction with the canoe race. It was a successful race for both canoes and kayaks and MaCKRO has stayed the coarse through the years.
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Post by fred on Jan 1, 2019 19:56:08 GMT -5
Good memory, Stewart! I was in charge of boat jigging at that race. I think we only had one boat that didn't measure up--can't remember how it was dealt with! I had never jigged any boats before (other than my own kayaks) so it was a quick learn. A box of materials showed up at my house one day, and I went about learning how to use everything. Fortunately, when I got to the race, I had good helpers!
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Post by stewart on Jan 2, 2019 20:36:47 GMT -5
I was working on the new bridge at the Forks that summer and managed get the contractor Reed & Reed to kick in $500.00 bucks and a few of the crew helped me after work bushwhacking the trail into Poplar Hill Falls for the watchers. It was a fun time. Wish I had won something.
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lunt
New Member
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Post by lunt on Jan 5, 2019 8:49:57 GMT -5
Does MaCKRO still do news letters? I used to love writing the Paddler Profiles.
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Post by Ray Wirth on Jan 5, 2019 20:54:58 GMT -5
Does MaCKRO still do news letters? I used to love writing the Paddler Profiles. MaCKRO does still send out newsletters to annual and lifetime members. Last year, the newsletters were sent out only via email. And, yes, a number of veteran paddlers were featured in profile articles. Are you up for writing a few more?
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