Newsletter January 2003

Chapter Meetings

Our monthly chapter meetings are at 7:00 PM at the Barry Township Hall in Delton on the second Wednesday each month, and are open to the public:

• The next meeting is Feb 12.  Larry Hawkins, the "Trail Hiker’s Gourmet Chef" will share recipes, and perhaps will provide samples of his trailside delicacies.

• Coming at our March 12 meeting, Jim Heaton will share his experience studying the wolf population on Isle Royale, and will have slides and interesting information to present.

• On April 9 we will have a presenters sharing their knowledge and experience exploring the wildflowers of Michigan. This will be a great lead in to our Spring Hike. More info later. 

Work Day Sessions

A work session is scheduled for January 18 north of Augusta. We are having breakfast between 8 and 9 am at the McDonalds in Richland, just north of the M89 and M43 intersection, on M43.   We will then leaving for our work session at 9 am.  If you come later, look for us at EF Avenue north of Augusta at the trail crossing.

Those who are considering working should let Tom Garnett know via email at least a day ahead, so he can contact everyone to cancel if he determines weather conditions are not acceptable.  Tom’s email address is GARNETTT@trinity-health.org  or by phone at 269/382-2561.

Work days for the next few months have also been scheduled for the following dates: February 22, March 15, April 12, and May 17. Details later.

Work Crew Leader Needed

The Chapter is looking for a person who would take on the responsibilities of Work Crew Leader.

Generally, this involves:

• finalizing the work day plans,

• assuring materials and tools are at the work site as needed,

• and supervising the work crew to accomplish the plans

This is an important position for us, and is not as easy as it sounds. Contact Tom Garnett if you are interested (see email address/phone above). 

National North Country Trail Annual Meeting

July 31 to August 3 in Marquette, Michigan at Northern Michigan University.  (Mark your calendar!)

Winter Hike February 8

Our winter hike is on Saturday February 8, in the Barry State Game and Yankee Springs Recreation Areas, and is hosted by Jerry Pattok and Larry Hawkins.  We will meet at the Long Lake Lodge at the Outdoor Center on Gun Lake Road (look for sign about 2 miles west of Yankee Springs Road) at 9:00 a.m. to make arrangements to shuttle to the Chief Noonday Road Trailhead. The hike starts at 9:30 a.m. along the NCTA Trail about 5 miles back to the lodge for a complimentary lunch of soup, hot dogs, cookies, and hot beverages.  After lunch, we will continue hiking to the Norris Road Trailhead for about 3 miles.  Please RSVP to help us plan for lunch, or if you have any questions, call Jerry Pattok at 269/945-5443.  Anyone is welcome to join us.

After the hike, there are groomed ski trails nearby for those who want further exercise. Primitive cabins are available for staying the night before the hike, or the night after (or for a nap!). The small ones rent for $45 per night and sleep four. There are cabins that will sleep up to 20. Overnighters need to furnish their own bedding and cooking equipment.  For cabin reservations, contact Dee Lowell at 269/795-3856.

Volunteer Recognition Page at Chapter Web Site

Gail Speer has put together two new pages at our web site. The first is a Volunteer Recognition page by clicking here,  listing our volunteers who have received awards for cumulative hours of service.  We look at this as a way to show our appreciation for volunteer efforts that will last far longer than the award itself.  Thanks again volunteers for your efforts.  It may not be complete; please help us get it up to date.  Instructions for this are at the bottom of the Volunteer Recognition page.

Survey Page at Chapter Web Site

Yahoo Group Sign Up at Our Web Site

Gail Speer also notes that 36 folks are currently getting updated messages by signing up for the yahoo group on our web site. This is a good way to get the latest breaking chapter news via email.  Give it a try!  The link for this can be found on our chapter's home page (part way down, with a yellow background)...  click here for the home page.

Spring Hike April 26

Barb VanDyken is leading our spring flower / bird watching hike on April 26.  The Kalamazoo Valley Sierra Club has been invited to join us on this hike.  Other groups and nonmembers are also welcome to join us.  More details in February.

Trail Adopters

Dave Cornell reports the following new adopters:

• Portion of Kellogg Forest: Jeff Fleming

• Sackett property: Mike and Ann Sanders

• Hutchinson property: Steve Chapman

Thanks for volunteering folks!  I believe we still have the following segments needing adopters, although Dave Cornell knows for sure:

• North Barry County Line near Wood School Road, and south towards Middleville (several segments)

• Paul Henry Bike Trail; south of Middleville

• Kellogg Biological area; 39th St. to C Ave

In any case we will need more adopters for trail as we plan to build this year, so please continue to contact Dave Cornell at onestep@mei.net, if you have an interest in adopting a section of the North Country Trail.  Note Dave’s new email address.

Trail Adopters Workshop May 10

Dave Cornell is planning a trail adopters workshop on May 10 from 8 am to 10 am.  This is open to adopters, and anyone who would like to know more about adopting trail. More details coming.

Sierra Club Presentation April 10

A presentation on the North Country Trail and the work of our Chapter will be made to the local Sierra Club on Thursday April 10 at 7pm at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Sierra Club is interested in learning more about us, and Brad Parsons, who is a member of both organizations, has set up this excellent opportunity for us to tell our story.

For those who are interested in having a presentation to their group, or giving a presentation, Tom Garnett has available a 30 minute presentation with video, on the North Country Trial and the Chief Noonday Chapter story.

Trail Interpretive Project Leader Needed

LaVerne BeBeau has been leading our Trail Interpretive Project, and is now relinquishing the leadership aspects of this project.  Thanks, LaVerne, for bringing this project along. LaVerne plans to continue with some research and writing aspects of this project.  We will need a new leader however, and please let Tom Garnett know if you are interested.

Newsletter Email delivery

 40 folks are now receiving the newsletter via email only.  Thanks for helping us save postage.  Write me at: nalcoman1@aol.com to receive your newsletter by email instead of 'snail mail' (U.S. Post Office).

New Members

The following are new members of our Chapter;  please join me in extending a welcome to all of them:

• Jim and Deanne Draze; Kalamazoo

• Colleen Frens; Plainwell

• Jim Gratz; Holt

• Myron Hawkins; Lansing

• Jeffrey O’Boyle; Lansing

• Chris Majchrowicz; Miller Beach, IN

Newsletter Editor:  Larry Pio   nalcoman1@aol.com