On Saturday, October 26th, ROC held our FIRST EVER Vampire-O meet and I think we can say that it was a BITING SUCCESS. We had over 80 Orienteers of all ages from near and far, participating in an incredibly fun meet that we believe will become a much anticipated annual event for the Rochester Orienteering Club. Linda Kohn and Rick Worner set a challenging course taking full advantage of Highland Park. And to add to the fun, there were even some “garlic” necklaces that were a part of the Vampire-O rules developed by the Worner/Kohns.I’m sure that anyone driving in that area that night certainly would have been wide eyed from the spectacle of watching dozens of flashlight carrying and headlight wearing people walking and running through the park in the dark with the added visual effect of costumes worn by multiple participants.

Speaking of costumes….. BIG KUDOS to all who added another element of fun to their evening by wearing some extra special Orienteering attire. There were some really unique costumes including the couple who wore these amazing orienteering themed shirts that were very worthy of the First Prize in the Adult Original Costume category. Costumes ranged from cute to scary, well known characters to creatively original. There were individual and group costumes. I think all spectators enjoyed seeing the variety of costumes during the judging contest. And just to motivate some of you for next year……. Every costume wearing participant received a bonus point which was added to their score card at the end of the event so be planning ahead for next year’s event.

We had some extra time for fun prior to the start of the actual 60 minute Vampire/Score-O. With many thanks to the Burgey clan of Nancy, Richard and Linda for all their help with the guessing games, word scramble, ring toss, decorating, counting safety pins and whistles etc. Thanks to Kameron and Bryn Holmes for assisting with the last minute decorating and preparations. I think that Madame O, Aka Laurie Hunt, was a very big hit as she had a steady group of eager participants who wanted to have their palms read and their fortunes told. Carol Moran was a busy all night multi-tasking with various activities all evening long. Don Winslow , Carol Moran and Patty Borden were very adept at handling the hordes of registrants.

The famished Vampire-O participants were provided with the ALWAYS delicious and plentiful baked goods and cider brought by Mary and Karl Kolva. The start of the meet and the end of the meet requires attention and effort as well as a welcoming smile and that was handled skillfully by Carol Moran, Rick Worner, Linda Kohn and Nancy Burgey. Once the event is completed those O controls have to be retrieved and this time it was handled by the Borden clan of Jim and Zak as well as the Worner/Kohns. If we forgot to mention anyone and their contribution to the success of the evening, then please accept our apologies.

Your Vampire Team of Sandi & Jim

Thanks to our volunteers:

Meet Director: Sandi Willsey, Jim Pamper
Course Setter: Rick Worner, Linda Kohn
Registration: Patty Borden, Carol Moran, Don Winslow
Start/Finish/E-Punch: Rick Worner, Linda Kohn, Tyler Borden, Nancy Burgey
Flag Pick-Up: Jim, Zak Borden, Rick Worner, Linda Kohn
Food: Mary & Karl Kolva

Results Vampire-O