Next Chapter Meetings

Our next meeting is March 10, with no program scheduled so far. Check our web site for the latest news on a possible program. The following meeting is April 14 with no program yet scheduled. In another revision, the presentation on spring plantings, and ways to add to the beauty of the North Country Trail (for example, via erosion control) will be given by Jodie Romzek on May 12. 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.

Winter Hike February 21 near Middleville

Our winter hike will be held February 21 on a section of trail we are scouting northeast of Middleville. This section is about 2.8 miles, and will take about 1.5 hours depending on snow depth. We will hold it snow, rain, or shine. We will meet at 9 a.m. for the hike on Crane road near the little league fields (which are hidden from view) and then position cars. To get there, go east from M-37 on Main Street (the stop light) in Middleville to Grand Rapids Street, go north 0.8 miles on Grand Rapids Street, which changes to Whitneyville Road, and then turn east on Crane Road and go about 0.7 miles to starting point. For those wishing to join us for breakfast, we will meet at 8 a.m. at the Thornapple Kitchen, which is 0.3 miles north of the light in Middleville on M-37. For any questions, call Larry Pio at 269-327-3589, or email at nalcoman1@aol.com.

Work Day February 28 (Gull Lake area)

We have some trees down between 40th Street and M-89, and will work on them on February 28. Bring your bow saw or chain saw. We will meet at the Hickory Cafe; 14576 S. Kellogg School Road in downtown Hickory Corners for breakfast at 8 a.m., and head to the trail crossing on C Avenue east of 40th Street at 9 a.m. Contact Tom Garnett with any questions at 269-382-2561, or GarnettT@trinityhealth.org.

Mark your calendars

• NCTA Annual Conference, Marietta, Ohio, August 5-8, 2004

• National Trails Day is June 5.

Work Day March 20 (Augusta area)

On March 20 we will check out the Fort Custer Cemetery trail in preparation for the May 1 dedication. Meet at 8 am for breakfast at the Lakeside Café, located at 209 S. Webster Street in Augusta. We will leave for the trail just before 9 am. Contact Tom Garnett with any questions at 269-382- 2561, or GarnettT@trinity-health.org

Fort Custer Cemetery Trail Dedication on May 1

On May 1, we will have a dedication ceremony for our new section of trail in the Fort Custer Cemetery located between Battle Creek and Augusta followed by a hike. Essentially, we are planning a ceremony with a couple of short speeches in the pines at the east end of the trail off of Armstrong Road at 10 am, followed by a ribbon cutting, and a hike. More details later.

Hiking Trails in Barry County Michigan

Jerry Pattok has compiled a listing of hiking trails in Barry County, and has generously given permission for me to include it in our email newsletter so others can use it too. (It is 7 pages long.) The guide provides driving directions to each trail from a starting point in Hastings, and in most cases lists trails where parking is available. It is available on our web site by clicking here!  Thanks Jerry for another accomplishment which benefits many.

Volunteer T-Shirts

The NCTA in Lowell now has a great looking “Volunteer” T-shirt. These blaze blue, long sleeve 50/50 blend shirts are exclusively for NCTA members and sell for the unbelievable low price of $8.00. The front says ”NCT Volunteer – Ask me about the Trail” with the 7-state logo. To order directly, contact: (glorymeyer@northcountrytrail.org). We are also looking at a group discount for our Chapter (saves shipping costs), so if a small delay is OK, let Tom Garnett know your interest.

Volunteer Hours Need to be Submitted

I would like to remind everyone to submit their volunteer hours, either on the NCTA web site (just click here!) or via mail. Check with Tom Garnett for more info.

New Kiosk Installations Completed

Cory Lowry has taken as his Eagle Scout project the design, construction, and installation of 5 kiosks for our Chapter. He and his troop have completed kiosks at Fort Custer Cemetery (2), the Hutchinson parking lot (2), and the Hall Lake parking lot. (See pictures in the email version of the newsletter.) His crew worked a total of 524 ½ hours and included: Cody Dotts, Terry Lowery (a member of our Chapter), Mary Lou Lowery, Derek Lowery, Ryne Lowery, Larry Morrison, Chase Morrison, Chance Morrison, Tim Shetenhelm, Mike Stahl, Alana Stahl, and Adam Stahl, with Cory working 276 hours himself in the planning and executing of this project. Thanks also to Larry Hawkins and perhaps others from our chapter for providing their assistance. Cory is member of Boy Scout Troop 46 from Charlotte, Michigan, and more information about his troop, and photos of their activities, can be seen at their web site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/8461/.  We have added some photos to our web site... click here!

New Members

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

• Lorence Bower – Kalamazoo

• Tom and Maggie Momenee – Delton

• Paul Panacella – Kalamazoo

Christy Stewart moves to Wisconsin

New Interpretive Project Co-Chair Named Christy Stewart, who has co-chaired our Interpretive Project and been very active on our trail building and maintenance crew, is taking a new job with USDA in Madison, WI. Thanks, Christy, for all your contributions, and we wish you the best in your new endeavors. We are sorry to see you leave our area. Sheryl Drenth has agreed to step into her place as the co-chair of the interpretive project, joining Barb VanDyken.

Upcoming events at Kellogg Biological

Winter Tree Identification Workshop on Feb 28, at Kellogg Forest is located at 7060 N. 42nd St., north of Augusta, MI. Cost $15. Tree ID book included. From 9 am to noon. Call 269-671-2263 to reserve and get more info.

Shamrock Tea on March 16

At W. K. Kellogg Manor House on Gull Lake.  Prepaid reservation required.  Cost $18 includes tour. Begins at 3 pm. Call 269-671-2416.

Maple Syrup Open House on March 20 and 21

At Kellogg Forest is located at 7060 N. 42nd St., north of Augusta, MI. Cost $1. Noon to 4 pm each day. More info on these events, and volunteer opportunities at www.kbs.msu.edu

Newsletter Editor:  Larry Pio   nalcoman1@aol.com