Members had so much fun at the club's first online trivia event that they demanded another trivia night.  As part of the winning team from the first event, Julie Millard graciously volunteered to host and provide the questions this time around.  Although many members struggled with their knowledge of Maine Olympians, Brian Morin, Amy Stabins, and Alicia Wilcox pulled out the win and earned themselves each a new Central Maine Striders pint glass.

We're not sure when, but we promise that there will be a third Striders trivia night.  You should join us!

Just a reminder that you can purchased Central Maine Striders shirts, singlets, and hats at Joseph's Sporting Goods in Waterville.  Click here to download the pricing sheet.

To order, you can call Joseph's at (207) 660-6676, or stop by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Central Maine Striders weren't able to have their annual year-end social this year.  As a way to foster some kind of social spirit amongst the members of the club, Club President Ryan Goebel hosted an online trivia night after the December 15th Striders monthly meeting.  The 25 questions were all running-related, with topics ranging from Striders history to movies about running to songs with running in them.  Although some may say that the random algorithm that Zoom used to divide the teams wasn't very fair, the "Running With The Dogs" team (Julie Millard, Ron Peck, Pat Guerette, and Rob Krickus) came out on top of "The Mainiacs" (Alicia Wilcox, Tom & Lynda McGuire, and Drew McCormick) and "Posterior Cross Bite" (Deb Violette, Sapan Bhatt, Shanon Delaney, Brian Morin, and Kate Scott).  Although Julie Millard proved to have some impressive Striders historical knowledge, no one could have guessed that it would be Ron Peck's knowledge of the song "Run" by Korean boy band superstars "BTS" that held onto the win on the final question of the night.

​Thanks to everyone who participated.  We already have plans for a second trivia night coming soon.

As many years do, 1990 started off with a quick summary of 1989.  Just think, these guys thought 1989 was a strange year.  Obviously, they hadn't experienced 2020 yet!  Also, Ron Paquette, Donnajean Pohlman, and Gene Roy got their photo taken with a guy that is almost Chuck Norris.

Throughout the year, there were several mentions of Maine running magazines and newsletters that were ceasing publication.  Maine Running and Outing Magazine seemed to be the biggest one to call it quits that year.  I'm not sure what's harder to believe:  That there were so many publications about Maine running back then or that so many were stopping circulation BEFORE the internet became widely available later that decade.

Although he's no longer a member of the Striders, David McIntyre still pays attention to the Central Maine running scene and recently showed up at our Fall Classic 10k and took some very nice videos of the leading pack.

I'm not sure which publication this "Town Line" was reprinted from, but it's a really nice article about Doc and Mardie Brown.  It's too bad that myself and many of our younger members never got a chance to meet them, since they seem like truly amazing people.  And personally, I was excited to read that they had a house rabbit. (For those of you that don't know, the current club president has two house rabbits).

Talking about legends, Joan Benoit Samuelson showed up multiple times in the 1990 Interval newsletters.  Below she is pictures with a couple Striders legends.

In 1990, the Striders issued their first "computer generated" newsletter.  We told you the Striders were a big deal back then!

Current members Anne-Marie and Rick Davee were featured in a "Meet Our Members" article in the July-August issue of the Interval in 1990.

The legendary Roy family were featured on the front page of the September 1990 Interval.

Some 1990 "updates" on a few guys that are still members today:

It was nice to see a little write up about some of the Striders ladies in the Interval.  Current Strider Linda Benn was amongst a group of them that took a trip to Boston to run in the Tufts 10k.

Gene Roy put together a pretty good group for a winter weekend run.  We can't wait for this Covid thing to finish so we can get back to some club group runs!

I told you the club was big back then!  For comparison, we currently have 75 memberships (which is up from 60 last year), and we hosted two races (the January Thaw and the Fall Classic 10k).  Check out the planned 1991 race calendar below.  Wowsers!  That's a lot of club races!  Also, look how many club members were willing to be race directors (hint, hint... anyone?).

And to end this edition of Running Backwards, here's proof that our membership fees are still a great value.  In 1990, a membership cost $12 and stamps were 25 cents.  Here in 2020/2021, club membership is $20 and stamps are 55 cents.  In case you are rusty on your math, club memberships have risen only 67% in the last 30 years, while stamps have risen by 120%.

Are you interested in purchasing some Central Maine Striders gear?  

We've partnered with Joseph's Sporting Goods in Waterville for some exciting new Striders apparel.  They'll have Striders short and long sleeve tech tees, singlets, hoodies, and hats available for ordering.  Click here to download the pricing sheet.

To order, you can call Joseph's at (207)660-6676, or stop by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.

It's getting to be that time of year again.  The temperatures are dropping and 2021 is approaching.  That also means that it's time to renew your membership for 2021.  Also, memberships for anyone who joins now will be valid through December 31, 2021.

Keep in mind that membership benefits include:
- Membership for your entire household
- Being part of the oldest, active running club in Maine
- Subscription to our e-newsletter, The Interval
- Discount on entry to local road races, including the January Thaw 4.5-Mile Road Race, Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k, Doc & Mardie 5k, Quarry Road Summer Race Series, and Save Your Breath 5k.
- Discounted or free Central Maine Striders gear
- And more benefits coming soon!

Go to www.centralmainestriders.com/join for more info and the link to join.

Hi, my name is Deb Violette and I am Board Secretary and member of Central Maine Striders.  I am not your typical member as I do not run.  You are probably thinking, “How did you become a Board Secretary and Member?”  Here is a bit of my story and how I came to Central Maine Strider’s annual social December 2018.
I started a foundation called Free ME from Lung Cancer in 2012 to help researchers find a cure for lung cancer, help Maine high risk patients get access to early lung cancer screening and low income home owners get access to radon air abatement systems. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.  In fact the Environmental Protection Agency states that one in every three homes has radon high enough to warrant mitigation. 

I started Free ME from Lung Cancer because I am a  22 year lung cancer survivor.  I was given a 10% chance of living two years.  During my treatment I knew that I wanted to help others diagnosed with this disease.  A disease that often leaves the patient isolated, shamed and blamed for their disease because so often it is linked to smoking.  Through research we now know that this is not the case at all.  If you have lungs you can get lung cancer. 

I host two events annually. A themed auction and a "Save Your Breath" 5k.  You may have seen my post on the 5k [on the Central Maine Striders facebook group].  In December 2018 I saw a post about Central Maine Strider’s annual social.  I asked if anyone could come to the social and I was told yes.  So I joined the group that night with the intentions of introduce myself and talk a bit about my foundation, my passion to improve the lives of lung cancer patients and make a donation to the club.  The club members was so very gracious to let me post my event on their FaceBook page and never once complained about my obsession in doing so. The group introduced themselves and then allowed me a few minutes to talk.  

As the evening unfolded the group began their year end election of officers.  They didn’t have a social media/webmaster lined up so I volunteered to take the social media piece for them.  I was a social media director for another nonprofit plus my own and thought, “What’s one more FaceBook page to support?”  I paid my dues for the upcoming year and returned home.  A few days later my phone rings and it was [Club President] Ryan Goebel.  Ryan asked if I  would mind holding the Secretary’s position.  He wasn’t able to find anyone to hold that seat. I said any way that I can help was fine with me and that is how a non runner became a Board Secretary and member for the oldest active running club in the State of Maine.

If you are reading this and not a member yet I encourage you to come to one of our meetings on ZOOM.  I have enjoyed serving as Board Secretary these last several months.  The members are really fun, creative and friendly. I know you will enjoy the group as much as I have.

If you are interested in learning more about Free ME from Lung Cancer  and our upcoming virtual Save Your Breath and virtual online auction please visit us at freemefromlungcancer.org or call me at 207-215-9035.  I hope to see you at our next board meeting scheduled for November 10th at 7pm.

Deb Violette, Board Secretary for Central Maine Striders