Work Sessions

At the March 15 work session, we will be working on the western end of the Fort Custer Cemetery property at 9 am. Meet for breakfast at Lakeside Cafe at 209 S. Webster Street in Augusta for breakfast at 8 am.

Our plans for the April 12 work session will also be to meet at the Lakeside Café, and do further work in that same area. Our next scheduled work session is scheduled for May 17.

At our work session on February 22 we scouted for trail in the Middleville State Game Area for over 3 hours.  Charles Krammin was not too sure we would make it without getting lost, and hiked the entire trip just months after heart surgery.  Looking good, Charles.  Tom Garnett, Steve Hicks, Jerry Pattok, Larry Hawkins, Larry Pio, James Heaton, and Sheila Mutschler also hiked, and Tom Momenee helped to shuttle vehicles.

Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team Invites Hikers, Promotes NCTA

Larry Pio, our newsletter editor,  joined the Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team for a couple segments of their hike of the Michigan section of the North Country Trail. Their plan is to hike the lower peninsula and kayak to St. Ignace by August 31. They will complete the segments in our chapter within the next week or so, but you are welcome to join them on any portion of their hikes. To view their schedule, click here:  Fortune Bay Company Expedition Timeline.  If you join their Yahoo group on the main page, a meeting place and time email will be sent to you.

The next trip is 13.5 miles through Yankee Springs on March 15, with the next 13 miles to Freeport planned within the next week.  Also, take advantage of this chance to look at trail north of our chapter later on, with opportunities to spot cars etc., which is tough to do without a group.

Sierra Club Presentation April 17

A presentation on the North Country Trail Association and the work of our Chief Noonday Chapter will be made to the local Sierra Club on Thursday April 17 at 7pm at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College.  Everyone is welcome.

Spring Hike April 26

Trail Adopters Workshop May 10

Dave Cornell is leading a trail adopters workshop on May 10 from 8 am to 10 am at the Kellogg Forest.  This is open to adopters, and anyone who would like to know more about adopting trail.

Work Crew Leader and Trail Interpretive Project Leaders Needed

Contact Tom Garnett if you are interested at GARNETTT@trinity-health.org

National Trails Day June 7

June 7 is National Trails day, and we do not yet have a program / hike planned. We are looking for a good idea to help us get more public involvement. Please let Tom Garnett know if you have an idea to share.

Trail Adopters

We need an adopter for the segments from

National meeting

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

"Moose & Wolves of Isle Royale"

Jim Heaton presented "Moose & Wolves of Isle Royale" at our March chapter meeting, and told of his trips looking for moose bones as a field study volunteer in an ongoing population dynamics study, originally through EARTHWATCH, since the late '80's.  He also reviewed study results, and a lot of interesting tidbits of information. It was a great presentation, and was well attended.  Thanks, Jim.

New Members

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

• Beth Gibson; Portage

• Alice Holwerda; Kalamazoo

• Jim and Linda Warren; Battle Creek

Andrew Leat platelet donations

I found this link on the North Country Trail web site, recognizing our active member Andrew Leat for his platelet donations, and wanted to pass it on. The story also highlights the need for more donations.  You can read the story by clicking here: Andrew Leat Platelet Donation Story

Kellogg Forest Maple Syrup Open House

The admission fee is $1 per person. For more information call 269-671-2263 or e-mail fyevents@kbs.msu.edu. On the day of the event, please call the Kellogg Forest at 269-731-4597.  The Kellogg Experimental Forest also hosts a portion of our Chapter’s trail. Here is a chance to check them out, and do a little hiking.

Encore Magazine Article

The March 2003 issue of Encore Magazine includes a nice article on the North Country Trail written by our member Robert Weir.  Bob accompanied us on a work day and hike last fall, and included information on several local members.  We certainly appreciate the chance to reach another audience with information on our trail.  Encore Magazine is distributed to the Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium patrons.

Follow-up on Boy Scout Trail Location

The trail that Charles Krammin, Jerry Pattock and Steve Hicks helped build as part of an Eagle Scout Project is located 2 miles Northwest of Hastings, on the very NW city limits and exactly South of Carter Lake. Directions: M-43 north, West State Road West, Hammond Rd North.

Newsletter Editor:  Larry Pio   nalcoman1@aol.com