Again, many new faces were present as our chapter announced to Calhoun County our intentions to create more trail. Special guests included Dan Skean and Doug Sophia of the Ott Preserve, Dennis Randolf, Manager of Calhoun County Community Development, and Greg Edwards who recently finished the Appalachian Trail.

September 23: Meet at Ott Preserve Parking Lot at 8:30. Carpool from Prarieville Inn at 8:00. Hike potential new segments through the Ott Preserve, Kimball Pines, Riverside, and Bridge Park.

Next Meeting: October 11, 7:00 p.m.

The NCTA has hired a cartographer, Tiffany Halfmann, who will bring herself and maps to our next meeting.

Several meetings will take place over the next year. The annual conference will take place August 9 –12, 2001, in Casanova NY.

Triad meeting October 11 and 12. Contact Dave Cornell for information on both of these meetings.

The 2000 Mackinac Bridge Walk was a resounding success! American Express sponsored the event allowing NCTA members to promote the trail. Commemorative scarves were distributed to those attending (see, don’t you wish you were there?).

Due to the increasing costs of providing quality services to our members, the infamous $15 introductory membership will rise to $18 shortly. Take advantage of signing up new members while this opportunity lasts.

You too, are welcome at all our meetings. In no way boring or stuffy, come and meet interesting volunteers such as:

Gail Speer, our new website administrator, reports our site is up and running. President Dave Cornell says he has received several emails inquiring about our chapter.

Janet Wolfe, Trails Day 2001 Coordinator. Janet is a new member and will be organizing our annual event that promotes the North Country Trail and hiking in southwest Michigan.

Charles Krammin and Tom Funke described the future of the North Country Trail in Calhoun County. Working with Calhoun County Community Development, we would like to "piggyback" with Calhoun County’s proposed network of non-motorized trails.

Dave Cornell indicated he would like to see a separate trail crew who would like to step forward to scout, blaze, create, promote, and maintain trail in Calhoun County.

To make this official, Amy South made a motion and Nancy Benham seconded the motion, and it was passed by a voice vote.

Currently, there is a Calhoun County Steering Committee, composed of members Annette Chapman (who also represents Calhoun County Community Development), Charles Krammin, Tom Funke, Lynn Waldron, and Bob Benham. We would like to encourage members residing in Calhoun County to step forward, recruit new members, and stay tuned!

See our CONTACTS web page to see who is who and how to get in touch.

Postage continues to be one of our leading expenses. We would like to offer:

1. to receive the newsletter as an email attachment, or
2. to view newsletter on line

If interested, email Tom Funke

If you wish to continue to receive via surface mail, do nothing!

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Trecs Inc.

Lee’s Sporting Goods

Prairieville Family Inn

Sharp Park Campground