What’s been happening around NoVA? We all have seen those big yellow buses on the road and kiddies with backpacks and lunch boxes crowded on the corners. That’s because it’s September and school is back in session. Seems too early doesn’t it?
Even though the last few days have been the hottest of the year, Summer is quickly ending. We all know that the end of Summer turns into Autumn! Seasonal events & activities are happenings all around & geocachers who have been waiting for the green to fade away, can hit the trail soon.
Autumn is also an exciting time of the year for NoVAGO. The fall picnic is right around the corner; October 22, 2023. This year’s picnic will be located at Laurel Hill Park Central Green, Pavilion B, Lorton VA 11AM – 2PM. Event Cache – GCABN9Y; 2023 NoVAGO Fall Event: Laurel Hill Central Green. A big thanks to our lead Monica & all the NoVAGO officers & Directors who for months have been volunteering their time preparing these FREE events for local cachers to attend..
Speaking of FREE.. During the picnic we will also be having our Silent Auction & 50/50 raffle. NoVAGO is 100% funded by donations & these are our biggest supported events of the year. So come prepared. If you know what you’re bringing get your donation pre-registered by contacting officers@novago.org and letting us know what it is. Or just find something on the day of the picnic and throw it in the car to bring when you come. Don’t know what to donate? ANYTHING GEOCACHING RELATED!
Have you been saving geo-goods for a rainy day in hopes of doing something with them but haven’t yet? Well, we don’t want a rainy day but let’s flood the tables with those goods. What do I mean? Finally make good use of them and donate them to the silent auction. Clean out those closets of old containers, swag, zip ties, clips and log sheets, pens & pencils you’ve been hoarding. Maybe you have maker-materials like tape, magnets, glue and paint. How about goodies like path tags, geo books, unregistered trackables, bags, hats, stickers. Lay it all out on the table or make small surprise grab bags. Have items not mentioned here? Bring them too! Do you make something geo related? Lanyards, pen holders etc, those are unique and will help future events thrive. As you can see the more items we have the better. Mostly don’t forget to bring your cash b/c you’re going to want something on the table that you didn’t bring! Someones gotta buy all those great geo-goods that are coming, might as well be you. Plus you just emptied a bunch of boxes and shelves for fresh items. Not to mention of course you want to help the cause, like I said.
Speaking of cash, let’s talk about the other cache – there will be several new geocaches published in the park on event day. Need another FTF, these are for you! It’s like a game show, you get a FTF, you get a FTF. Is that right you say, YES – if you attend, and make the find, you’re getting the FTF! SWEET DOUBLE PRIZE RIGHT?
As if this isn’t enough action going on, we will also be having a CITO, Clean up the Green CITO BINGO with NoVAGO – GCACC6C. Thank you Awesnap for taking the lead on this one. If you usually miss those for one reason or another, this is a great time to join a group on a day you will already be in the area. This clean up has a game twist, as you can see by the title BINGO.. Come see what it’s all about. Clean up will start at 9:30 AM and run till we’re done. Just in time to bring those auction items over to the table for display. Yep, I’m pushing the action items, lets see who can bring the best and the most stuff this year.
But hold up.. We haven’t even gotten to the munchies yet! As always we will have a pot-luck. You know all those funds that come in through the amazing silent auction I spoke of, well that goes towards NoVAGOs portion of the pot luck. Hamburger, HotDogs, cheese, condiments, paper products like plates and napkins, plasticware are just part of it. We will have our amazing Chef Master Depho in the house and whoever else wants to help out. But that’s not enough food you say, well this is where you come in. Bring it on. Bring the good stuff. Side dishes, casseroles, veggies, meats & cheese trays, snacks, drinks, chips, deserts, your go-to bring along, something new you’ve never tried to make before – we will be guinea pigs, if not that then we will be human pigs with all the goods everyone is bringing!
Sound like somewhere you want to spend the day? I sure do and I will be there, so come join us for the day of fun, food and friendship b/c yep all your geo-buds will be hanging about!
~Gina ThompsonKickers~
