Spotlight On: Spring Fishing Programs!

As spring moves forward, the Recreation Department is abuzz with planning for upcoming, outdoor programs.

On Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, the Department of Public Safety, Recreation Department & Pemi Chapter of Trout Unlimited unite to host our 5th Annual 'Youth Fishing Derby' - details, including flyer with registration form, are online at our website.

Be sure to check-in on our event on Facebook & like our page!

Youth Fishing Derby Wrap-Up | Winners, Trout Unlimited Supporter of the Year

On behalf of the Town of Waterville Valley Public Safety Department, Recreation Department & Trout Unlimited, congratulations to all of this year's fishing derby winners.  Some great prizes were awarded for some spectacular catches; thanks to all who came out to participate this past Memorial Day Weekend.

Despite the wind & rain, 125 brave anglers adorned the shores of Corcoran Pond (in fact, 64 of them registered that morning, in the rain) ~ a great turn-out for sure!  

Thank you to all our partners and event sponsors, including WVAIA, WV Foundation, The Margret & H.A. Rey Center, Town Square, WV Resort & others.  

This year, we awarded our first-ever "Supporter of the Year Award" to our dear friends at the Pemigewasset Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  Since the inception of the derby program in 2010, Trout Unlimited has been an integral partner, providing the service of measuring fish, aiding youth anglers (and their parents), and sharing their knowledge and passion for fishing with today's youth.  Thank you Trout Unlimited!

Photos courtesy of Trout Unlimited member, Lyn Vignola

The BIG Spring Update: Memorial Day Weekend, Youth Fishing Derby, Corcoran Pond Boat Rentals, Summer Program Guide & MORE!

It's been quite a while since our last blog entry...and we've been busy bees putting the finishing touches on Memorial Day Weekend & summer programming.  Whats the old adage?  When it rains....well, this update is going to be a big one, so make yourself comfortable & settle in for the long haul.

Summer is almost here ~ read all about it below!

Spring Climbing Schedule

Spring climbing is well under way, and that means more and more climbers are making their way outdoors to Rumney cliffs & surrounding areas.  This otherwise-quiet, 'climbing gym' time has been the perfect opportunity for us to re-work the routes on the indoor wall; a process that, albeit slow, is ongoing,  in preparation for a busy summer season .  Join us on Saturday afternoons & influence the routes you love to climb...in fact, if the day is right, we may even have you help us move holds!

Next on the list:  Community Clean-Up & After School Antics Zip-Line Field Trip

On Friday, May 11, 2012, the Recreation Department, in coordination with The Rey Center, Litter-Free NH & Roper Real Estate is proudly presenting our annual 'Community Clean-Up' (think spring cleaning for the Valley floor).  Volunteers (including our very own WVES students & staff) meet at the Recreation Department at 1 pm to pick-up a route, trash bags & rubber gloves; Return to the Rec at 3 pm for light refreshments & a 'clean-up' gift as a token of our appreciation.  We invite all community members, year-round or seasonal, young or old, to help us beautify our incredible mountain community.  In the event of inclement weather, we will re-schedule for Monday, May 14.

Community Clean-Up & Margret's Hat Garden Club

Margret's Hat Garden Club Re-Invented for Summer 2012!

The Town has 8 flower plots of varying size that are in particular need of some TLC and we are looking for volunteers with a green thumb:  responsibilities include weeding, planting, mulching and general maintenance of your plot throughout the summer & fall.  The Town & Rey Center will provide the plantings, mulch, tools & weekly watering.  Details can be found by clicking the link above or dropping us a line at 236-4695.

After School Antics Field Trip to Alpine Adventures Zip-Lines

Just in case any of our WVES students have energy left to spare following the Community Clean-Up, we are hosting our annual, spring Zip Lining Field Trip on the afternoon of Friday, May 11.  As a special "Thank You" to our area youth for their participation in the clean-up, we have teamed up with Alpine Adventures to zip at a deeply discounted rate ($60 includes transportation, supervision & pizza dinner).  Age & weight restrictions apply, as per Alpine Adventures policy; please see the flyer for more details.  THERE WILL BE NO OTHER AFTER SCHOOL ANTICS OFFERING ON FRIDAY, MAY 11; IF YOU RELYING ON ASA FOR CHILD CARE THIS DAY, PLEASE PRE-REGISTER FOR THE FIELD TRIP.

Citizen Public Safety Academy Spring 2012

Ok, so this next one comes to you, courtesy of our friends at Public Safety.  Chris, Dave & the team are offering up another session of the Citizen Public Safety Academy, Wednesday evenings at 6 pm, from May 16 thru June 13.  Learn all about police, fire & EMS operations in the Valley, from our very own hard-working professionals.  Admission is FREE!  Please contact Carina at Town Office, 236-4730, to sign-up!

Up next:  Memorial Day Weekend Programs

3rd Annual 'Casting for Kirby' Youth Fishing Derby, Saturday, May 26

Memorial Day Weekend is the gateway to summer programs in the Valley.  Corcroan Pond Boat Rentals open for the 2012 season (see below) & the waterfront is bustling with young anglers trying to catch their glimpse of 'Kirby', the legendary lunker living deep within waters of Corcoran Pond.  We'll have great prizes across 3 age brackets, including our grand prize package:  Kayak & Paddle (you provide the PFD)!  Find a registration form on our website at www.watervillevalley.org/Recreation.html & sign-up today.  Free event t-shirt to the first 100 registrants; what are you waiting for!

Corcoran Pond Waterfront 2012 Boat Rental Schedule

Memorial Day Weekend also celebrates the season opening of Corcoran Pond Boat Rentals.  We'll have our entire fleet on-hand, Saturday, May 26, 2012, including brand-new kayaks & canoes, plus the tandem kayaks & peddle boats you love!  Rentals are scheduled to open directly following the conclusion of the youth fishing derby (approximately 12 pm), & will operate on weekends only until June 23, 2012, when they begin operating 7 days a week thru the summer season (weather permitting).  Grab a copy of the flyer for all the details.

American Red Cross Summer Swim Lessons with our WSI Liz

Speaking of water...did someone say Summer Swim Lessons (try saying that 3 times fast)?  Join our very own Water Safety Instructor, Liz, for this 6-week, comprehensive, American Red Cross Swim Lesson course.  Liz will be offering lessons on Tuesdays & Thursdays, by prior appointment.  Please check out the flyer above & feel free to give her a shout at 236-4695 or online at gps@watervillevalley.org with any questions or to sign up.

NEW FOR SUMMER 2012 ~ PAPERMILL CHILDREN'S THEATRE PERFORMANCES!

Papermill Children's Theatre comes to the Recreation Department for Summer 2012!

Papermill Children's Theatre returns to the Valley for Summer 2012 & we are excited to announce that the weekly offerings will be held at the Recreation Department, on the indoor stage, in our multi-purpose room, rain-or-shine!  Join us for weekly shows on Thursdays, at 10:30 am.  Grab a cop copy of the flyer (above) for details about each week's performance; we hope to see you there!

AND NOW FOR THE NEWS EVERYONE'S BEEN WAITING FOR...

(ladies & gentlemen, drumroll please)

SUMMER 2012 PROGRAM GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE!

Summer 2012 Program Guide Now Available ~ Download & Print your copy here!

Summer is quickly approaching & we are excited to unveil our Summer 2012 Program Guide.  This issue is PACKED full of summer camp info, day trips, daily programs, specialty clinics/camp, special events & so much more!  Visit our website (from the link above) & get an e-copy now, even before the guide goes to print!  We hope you are as excited as we are for the upcoming summer season ~ here's to an awesome, fun-filled summer!

Yours in recreation,

Tom

Jugtown Country Store Home to Only-Alleged Photographic Evidence of Kirby?

Is this the only existing photo of famed fish Kirby?

For years, the above photograph has graced the walls of Jugtown Country Store in Waterville Valley’s Town Square. During that time, the photo has all but been forgotten. Until now. Recent word of the upcoming “Casting for Kirby” Youth Fishing Derby has brought the spotlight back to this vintage photo. 

According to Valley photographer Andrew Tyler, capturing this evidence was totally coincidental. “I was taking shots of the Ski Area at sunset. It’s just one of many pictures I took that evening. It wasn't until later, during my post-shoot processing, that I discovered that I had captured something truly amazing”, said Andrew. It’s clear, however, that a large fish (of some sort), does in-fact call Corcoran Pond home.

Join the search for Kirby, Waterville Valley’s own lunker, living in Corcoran Pond, on Saturday, May 29.

The Waterville Valley Recreation Department and the Department of Public Safety in association with the Waterville Valley Resort are sponsoring the first annual Youth Fishing Derby, “Casting for Kirby” on Saturday, May 29th. We hope all children and their families will participate to try to catch the elusive Kirby of Corcoran’s Pond. Contact the Waterville Valley Recreation Department atwvrd@watervillevalley.org to pre-register or call 603-236-4695. Pre-registration is $5 per participant ages 16 and under, and $7 on the day of the event. Event T-shirt included with registration. Great Prizes! 

Kirby's Cousin Jumps into Lap of Assistant Recreation Director & Director of Public Safety

Could this be the cousin of the famed giant said to be living in Corcoran's Pond?

From the Department of Public Safety

***For Immediate Release***

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Corcoran’s Pond, Waterville Valley, NH


While inspecting the Corcoran’s Pond Dam yesterday, Director of Public Safety, Chris Hodges and Assistant Recreation Director, Tom Quackenbush had quite the surprise while at the water’s edge. “Tom and I were commenting in how nice of a day it was at Town Square when all of a sudden the water began to ripple as this large object came towards us through the water.” said Director Hodges. “We all know that the fish in Corcoran’s Pond were big and that the elusive trout named Kirby lived in there. But, I had never seen Kirby before.” said Quackenbush.

The duo explained that this object appeared to be an extremely large fish swimming towards them. “He was huge! Probably attracted to the reflection of my wrist watch.” explained Hodges. As the fish came closer it jumped out of the water in their direction. The fish flopped on shore with a great splash. Both wet and covered in mud the duo’s first instinct was to grab the fish. They discovered it already had a lure hanging from his lip, perhaps from a previous angler’s attempt to land this behemoth of a trout.

“We thought this was Kirby! The elusive trout that everybody has been talking about but has been unable to catch!” said Tom.

“Look there is another one!” said Hodges. “As we were admiring this fish, another hulking mass of a trout came swimming nearby.” Both men agreed that the fish in the water was larger and more impressive fish than the one that they had in their hands.

“The other fish surfaced for a moment, looking at us as if to say goodbye to his relative that lay in our arms.” Tom explained.

“It was Kirby. I know it was.” Hodges explained that the fish that they had in their hands must be a cousin or close relative. “Kirby must have wanted us to know that he was still alive and well in Corcoran’s Pond” said Hodges.

The pair, with the help of some citizen’s passing by, was able to return Kirby’s cousin back to the pond unharmed but, not before a quick photo. “The legend of Kirby came true for me today. I had heard the rumors and the stories but, until this day I had not seen him for myself.” said Hodges. “Kirby is out there, I saw him, I know he is real.” said Quackenbush.

The Waterville Valley Recreation Department and the Department of Public Safety in association with the Waterville Valley Resort are sponsoring the first annual Youth Fishing Derby, “Casting for Kirby” on Saturday, May 29th. We hope all children and their families will participate to try to catch the elusive Kirby of Corcoran’s Pond. Contact the Waterville Valley Recreation Department at wvrd@watervillevalley.org to pre-register or call 603-236-4695. Pre-registration is $5 per participant ages 16 and under, and $7 on the day of the event. Event T-shirt included with registration. Great Prizes!