Newsletter August 2003

Next Chapter Meetings

Our next meeting is September 10, and Dave Cornell will give a presentation on his May hike in the Adirondack Mountains in NY.   On October 8 we will have Chuck Hayden of the Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team, who will give an update on their hike of the entire lower peninsula portion of the North Country Trail.   Meetings are at 7:00 PM at the Barry Township Hall on Orchard Street in Delton on the second Wednesday each month, and are open to the public.  For directions and a map, click here.

Work Session August 16

On July 19 Steve Hicks, Jeff Fleming, D'Arcy Kelley, John Robertson, Christy Stewart, Larry Hawkins, Tom McCarty and Tom Garnett worked to install the last major puncheon, pulled stumps and mowed in Fort Custer Cemetery.

At the August 16 work session, we will be working on the west section of the Fort Custer Cemetery property at 9am.  Meet at  8am for breakfast at the Lakeside Cafe at 209 S. Webster Street in Augusta. 

A work date is also scheduled for September 13.  We will meet for breakfast at the same location, but work location is to be determined.

Hastings Summerfest August 22, 23, 24

Jerry Pattok has led the efforts for our promotional booth at the Hastings Summerfest in late August.  The booth will be located on Church Street in Hastings by the Hastings City Bank. We still have a couple slots to fill at the booth. The Summerfest was a great promotional event for us last year, and Jerry’s leadership and time on this is greatly appreciated.  Thanks as well to all who have signed up to participate at the booth.

Late Summer Hike and Interpretive Hike September 6 (Barry County)

Joe Higdon is planning a hike for Saturday September 6 from Norris Road to Keller Road, which we will be promoting at the Hastings Summerfest.  The hike will begin at 9:00 am. Additionally, Christy Stewart and Barb VanDyken will be doing their seasonal trail interpretive hike starting at the same time and location, and you are welcome to join them at a slower pace.  See the next article for more information.

To get to the trailhead, head west from Delton to Prairieville, and then head north on Norris Road. The trail head is on the east side of the road, just past the big brown North Country Trail road sign.

Trail Interpretive Project

Volunteers are still needed / future exploratory hikes!  The goal of the trail interpretive project is to accumulate enough information about points of interest along the trail that we can compile a trail interpretive guide. The guide would be available to anyone hiking the trail who would like to learn about and enjoy unique aspects and other items of interest along the trail that he or she might not have otherwise been aware.

We have chosen the trail from McKibben Road to Norris Road as the first section to interpret.  Potential areas of interest along this section of the trail that we would like to include in the guide are: trees, wildflowers, birds and other animal life, ecosystems such as forests and meadows, geology, and a historical account of the land.  Photographs, illustrations, or paintings would be a welcome addition to the guide.

If you are knowledgeable in any of these areas, know someone who is, or just have the enthusiasm to research something interesting you may see, come join us on a future hike or explore the trail on your own.  In the upcoming year, we plan to do at least one hike during each season along this segment of trail.  Information you gather can be given to Christy Stewart (CStewart@kbs.msu.edu) or Barb VanDyken (jbvandyken@att.net).  Where applicable, it would be helpful to include the distance to the point of interest from either end of the trail. Contact Christy or Barb to discuss your potential contribution to the guide.

Fall Color Hike October 11

Joe Higdon has also scheduled a Fall Color Hike for October 11 (location to be announced, but looking at Kellogg Biological).  Also in the works is a late fall Night Hike.  Anyone who is willing to be an organizer for one of these hikes should let Joe know.

Recognition at NCTA National Conference

Dave Cornell received the NCTA Leadership Award, a new award that is well deserved.  Dave served as our Chapter President for its first 6 years, and is on our National Board of Directors.  Dave Cornell, Barb VanDyken, Tom Garnett, and Larry Pio were also recognized for reporting over 400 volunteer hours.  Thanks to all for your contributions, and congratulations on these awards.

Hutchinson Parking Lot Update

An inner gate has been purchased to separate the parking lot from the fields beyond at the Hutchinson parking lot, and we will be installing it soon.  This site was the location of an interurban rail station, and Ron Hutchinson has items from that era for an interpretive display, which will be an outstanding addition to our trail. Thanks again Ron for your generous support, and also Dave Cornell and Steve Chapman for your efforts.  D’Arcy Kelley will be working on organizing the interpretive display.  The City of Augusta has also offered support. 

New Members

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

• David Flagler – Kalamazoo

• Michael Howell – Kalamazoo

• Harold Lane – Three Rivers

• Dan Layman – East Lansing

• G. A. McConney – Kalamazoo

• Alan and Diane Wilkie – Jackson

• John Diephouse – Lansing

Bridge Park Hike July 12

About a dozen hikers joined Tom Garnett on the hike in Battle Creek, including Todd Hibbs, a reporter with the Battle Creek Enquirer.  Todd published a nice story about the hike, and our trail shortly after, which can be seen by clicking here.

Red Hat Tea at W.K. Kellogg Manor House September 23

Ladies (I suppose), put on your finest red hat and purple dress and come for Tea on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. at the MSU Kellogg Biological Station’s historic W. K. Kellogg Manor House, located on Gull Lake in Hickory Corners, Mich.  For those not yet fortunate enough to have reached the fine age of fifty, you can practice by wearing a pink hat and a lavender dress.  Treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon of tea, sandwiches, scones and other traditional treats while seated in the Manor House living room at tables set with vintage linens, china and silver.

Guests may choose to tour the Manor House following the tea. Cost for the Manor House Tea and tour is $18 for adults and $12 for children two through 12 years. Pre-paid reservations are requested. To reserve a table for you and your friends, please call 269/671-2416 or e-mail: manorhouse@msu.kbs.edu.

Upcoming Teas: October 28 (Mystery Tea), December 2 (Dickens Tea), December 16 (Poinsettia Tea). Additional information about special events held at the Manor House may be found on their web site: www.kbs.msu.edu/Manor_House.  Editor’s Note: KBS hosts a portion of our trail.