Newsletter
Chapter Meeting January 2002
A special welcome to
Roxanne Potter and Susan Bond who attended their first Chapter meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
Our treasurer was not able to be with us (still fishing in
Florida) however, we estimate it to be about $1,500.
Programs (Present & Future)
The results of a program planning session that was
held back in September was distributed to attendees. The purpose of this
comprehensive listing of member program suggestions is to provide a guide for
future activities and projects that the Chapter will consider in the months
ahead.
Trail Construction & Maintenance
Eight people diligently worked on January 5, 2002 on installing the certification signage (carsonite posts and blazing star North country trail emblem) and replacing blue blazes in the Northern Yankee Springs Recreation Area and the Northern Barry State Game Area. The easiest way to find this trail is from the trailhead on M-179 (Chief Noonday Road). It goes North and South from this trailhead. MDOT has installed “North Country National Scenic Trail” signs to identify the trailhead. The crew noted increase skiing on this portion.
The trail crew will continue marking the trail north of Peets Rd and M-37, to Middleville and thru the Middleville State Game Area during the next 2 months (see the events calendar for the schuduled Trail Work Day details). Painting blue blazes does not take a lot of strength and therefore would like to encourage more people to help. We will meet at Bailey’s Anchor Inn at 12505 Chief Noonday (M-179) in the Yankee Springs area.
Preparatory work is being pursued to start April trail, bridge and boardwalk
building East of Battle Creek in Kimball Pines and Harper Creek School property.
Trail Adopters
Work and planning is underway to begin our Trail Adopters
program. The call is out for those who either are now or would desire to be
considered as Trail Adopters. The role of a Trail Adopter is to accept a section
of trail that you feel you can effectively handle and to work with it at your
speed and according to your schedule. Trail Adopters will be asked to hike their
section of trail at least once each month and perform “easy to handle”
maintenance that can be done by one person, i.e. trimming brush, removing
branches from the trail, etc. They will also be asked to file a monthly report
on the condition of their section of trail and when necessary ask for a work
crew to visit that section to do more strenuous work that more one person could
perform. This would include trees that have fallen on the trail, erosion, etc.
It will also be the role of a trail adopter to be introduced to the owner
(private land) or land manager (public land). They will be the first person
called when there is any problem with the trail that the owner/land manager
needs to have remedied. This program will be clearly outlined in the next two
months and available for anyone to review who is interested.
Those who are presently trail adopters will be encouraged to continue and will
also be asked to agree to what is set forth in the Trail Agreement.
Trail Activities
Barb VanDyken, (Trail Name:“BVD”), the Chapter’s enthusiastic
trail hiking leader, will lead a hike for all interested persons (including
families) on February 9. The “Anti-Winter Blues Hike” is what she is calling her
hike this time and it promises to be most enjoyable. The hike will begin at
McDonald Lake off Chief Noonday Road and continue north to the trail head and
parking area located east off Chief Noonday Road. For those who are energetic
and want to keep going the hike will continue to Peets Road. The total hike is
about 5 miles with the shorter portion about 2-1/2 miles. Hikers should bring
appropriate clothing, cross country hiking boots, skis and/or snowshoes if
desired. Be sure to bring drinking water and snacks to keep the energy up during
the hike.
Trail Interpretation
A planning meeting is being arranged for later in February
at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute to begin the program of developing a trail
interpretation guide for hikers on the Trail in Barry, Calhoun and Kalamazoo
counties. The hope is to interest members of the Chapter that have a variety of
skills to participate in the research, preparation and presentation of the
material that will be included in the Trail Interpretation Guide. Skills
including, research, writing, photography, drawing/painting/illustration,
botanists, birders, cataloging and many others that will be identified.
This is an excellent opportunity for members of the Chapter who have not been
interested in working on trail maintenance, building trail, painting blazes,
etc. If you would like more information can call Tom Garnett at 616-382-2561.
Chapter Contacts
See our CONTACTS web page to see who is who and how to get in touch.
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Newsletter for November/December 2001
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