Newsletter September 2005
 

CHAPTER MEETINGS

Meetings are at 7:00 PM at the Barry Township Hall on Orchard Street in Delton the second Wednesday of each month, and are open to the public. Next meeting Oct 12.

At our November 9 meeting, Larry Pio will present a video of his recent backpacking trip in the Beartooth Mountains of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in Montana.

BIRDING HIKE OCTOBER 8:

On Saturday, October 8 the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo are joining us on a ‘birding’ hike through the Ft. Custer National Cemetery section. The hike will start on Armstrong Rd. at 8:00 a.m. This is a change in time from the earlier notice, so please change your calendar. 
From Augusta, from the corner of Augusta Drive and M96, head east on M96 (Dickman Road) for about 2.5 miles, past the main Cemetery entrance, and turn left on Armstrong Road. Proceed north on Armstrong Road about 0.7 miles. The trail enters the woods to the west of Armstrong Road.
From Battle Creek, take Dickman Road west to Armstrong Road, and proceed as noted above. Dickman Road is several miles north of I-94, and can be accessed in the Battle Creek area from the downtown penetrator (194 from exit 98), Helmer Road (exit 95), and the I-94 Business Loop (exit 91).  

TRAIL WORK DAYS in October and November:

On October 15, we will be installing a kiosk in Middleville. We are meeting at the Hastings Big Boy at 8:00 am for breakfast, proceeding to pick up the kiosk at 9:00 am, and then traveling to Middleville for the installation. We may do some repairs on other kiosks if time permits.

On November 9, we will be doing trail maintenance in the Augusta area. Please join us for breakfast at the Lakeview Inn in Augusta at 8:00 am, and we will head to the trail at 9:00 am.

TRIVIA QUESTION: 
What area of our country that is home to over 200 wildlife species and 135 species of birds needs our protection?

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

NCAA National Conference Report
by Dave Cornell
This year’s conference offered great hikes, great workshops and great programs. Ron Strickland showed a sea-to-sea route for the NCTA. Lou Kasischke, a team member on the Mt. Everest climb in 1996 that resulted in the deaths of 5 and the book "Into Thin Air” gave one of the most inspirational talks I have ever heard - no one took a breath through the entire presentation. The best part as always, was meeting and greeting other people building the NCT, sharing lots of new ideas and our love of the NCT.
I hope we can get a great turnout for the next annual conference in Clarion, PA on August 10-13, 2006.

Presentation to Middleville Village Council
I gave a presentation with the Middleville Village Council introducing the NCT, the work of the Chief Noonday Chapter, our vision for Middleville. I presented the request for the kiosk in Stagecoach Park and the continuation of our blazes and /or trail markers through town to Crane Rd.  I offered our assistance to the village in any efforts they might make to develop walking trails in the village. The Council unanimously approved both requests. They are sending the picture of the kiosk to the Department of Public Works to see if they have any desire to dress up the kiosk to blend better with the rest of the decor in the park. If they want to propose changes, they will be made by the village of Middleville.
Hike happily,  
Larry Hawkins

Hastings Summerfest:
We had another successful CNC/NCTA public relations effort at the Hastings Summerfest. We talked to a lot of people, handed out a lot of Craisins (courtesy of Ocean Spray) and generated some interest in the trail and the Association. Thanks to Larry Pio for driving up Friday evening to put up our booth. Our thanks also go out to John Morgan, Eileen Oehler, and Dave Cornell for volunteering their time in the booth. A very special thank you goes out to Jerry Pattok who helped put up the booth, did a "double" in the booth today and then helped tear the display down and take it back out to Charlie Krammin's for storage. That is that kind of spirit which makes our chapter so special!
Happy Hiking!
Larry Hawkins

Kiosk Installation in Middleville State Game Area September 10. 
Thanks to Josh Richie, Tom Garnett, Jerry Pattok, Don Ulsh, Charles Krammin, and Larry Pio for the work installing the Crane Road kiosk in Middleville. The workers had a special treat when we were joined by LaVerne BeBeau at breakfast.

The Earth is our Mother from her we get our life...It is our responsibility to care for our Mother and in caring for our Mother we care for ourselves… .
Winona Ladue.

Answer to Trivia: The Artic Refuge needs the protection and care of all people.

Web sites:

The web site for the North Country Trail Association is:
http://www.northcountrytrail.org/index.htm.

The web site for the Chief Noonday Chapter is:
http://www.northcountrytrail.org/cnd/

Have you looked at our web site recently??
Jerry Pattok has contributed a large section on hiking opportunities in Barry County.
Larry Hawkins has contributed a listing of camping opportunities near the NCT in Barry County.
Perhaps you can make a contribution as well in an area of your expertise.

Events of Interest:

W.K. Kellogg Manor House Training Sept. 28, Oct.5 and Oct. 12, 9-11 am.  For more information contact 269-671-2265 or e-mail volunteer@kbs.msu.edu

Specialty Dinners offered at W.K Manor House Oct 29, Dec. 1,8,15 and 22. For more information contact 269-6712400 or e-mail conference@kbs.msu.edu.

Newsletter Editor: Linda Warren at linblessed54@aol.com

Receive the Chief Noonday Chapter newsletter on-line.  Contact Larry Pio at nalcoman1@aol.com

Last modified: Saturday, May 27, 2006
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