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.  Meetings through the Fourth Quarter of 2010 are October 13, November 10, and December 8.   For those who can join us, prior to the meeting, we will meet for dinner at 5:45 PM, at the Grove Street Café on the north side of Delton, located at 370 N. Grove Street (just across from intersection of Delton Road and M-43)         .

REMINDER: For updated information on chapter events, especially toward the end of the quarter, please visit our web site at the “Events Calendar” link.

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By September 30, if possible, please report your volunteer hours either on the NCTA website, or by mail, or by reporting them to a Chapter officer. 
 

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Upcoming events
(See details in following pages)

Oct 2:  Hike KBS to Kellogg Forest, Kalamazoo County Oct 23:  Work day at Fort Custer National Cemetery

Nov 6:  Hike Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Allegan County Nov 20:  Work day, trailer maint. and kiosk work

Dec 4:  Hike Marshall Riverwalk and Brooks Nature Center, Calhoun County

October 2:  Fall Color Hike – MSU Kellogg Biological Station to Kellogg Forest; Kalamazoo County

If you haven’t hiked the MSU Kellogg Biological section of our trail in the past two years, you will find quite a different look, as much of the trail has been rerouted, and an extension to the north has been added.  We will hike from KBS through the Cheff Center forest, and then on to MSU Kellogg Forest.  After lunch, we may continue on to the Hutchinson property parking area in Augusta. 

 Breakfast will be at Duda’s, at 113 W. Michigan in Augusta at 8:00 AM.  We will meet at the farm road off of 39^th Street at 9:00 AM to start the hike, after dropping cars at Kellogg Forest.  This hike is all North Country Trail, and qualifies for Hiker Challenge miles.  We are not sure about guaranteeing “Fall Color” at this time!

The Chief Noonday Chapter welcomes anyone to join us for any of our meetings, hikes, or workday events.   For more information, please contact Larry Hawkins by e-mail or at 269-945-5398, or see Web site for other contacts.

October 23:  Work Day at Fort Custer Cemetery

We will be doing a little work at the Armstrong Road entrance area to correct for a section of trail  that was inadvertently located just downstream from a road culvert.  Unfortunately, when the rains come, they travel right down the trail, and it has become unacceptable for walking.

We will meet for breakfast in Augusta, at Duda’s, at 113 W. Michigan at 8:00 AM, and travel to the work site at 9:00 AM.

November 6:  Hike at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Allegan County

The current plan is to meet for breakfast at 9:00 AM at the Burger King on Exit 41 off of I-196 (the Saugatuck exit to Blue Star Highway).  We will then begin our hike at about 10:00 AM, going north one mile on 64^th Street to 140^th Avenue, then left one mile to the Felt Mansion township park.  A post hike lunch is contemplated at a local restaurant.

As noted, this is the current plan, and it may change.  This is one for sure that you will want to let Mick Hawkins know you are coming ahead of time, to get the latest info, and to be sure the hike doesn’t leave without you.  Email Mick at:  webmaster.ncta-cnd2@comcast.net 

[Webmaster update:  The venue for this hike has been changed to the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.  Meet at the Kalico Kitchen at Ferry Street and Blue Star Highway for breakfast at 9:00.  Hike will start from the north end of the Oval Beach parking area.]

November 20:  Work Day

We are currently planning maintenance on our trailer equipment and perhaps some kiosk work for this work date.  Please check on our web site for more details as the date gets closer.

December 4:  Hike the Marshall Riverwalk, and the Brooks Nature Area

We will meet for breakfast at the Country Kitchen Restaurant, north of Marshall, just off I-94 at 8:00 AM.  More details soon on our web site.

More Chief Noonday Hikes coming in 2011

The following additional hikes are scheduled for 2011:
January 8, 2011:  Rogue River State Game Area, Kent County
February 5, 2011:  Battle Creek Linear Trail, Calhoun County
March 5, 2011:  Yankee Springs Recreation Area, Norris Road to M-179, Barry County
April 2, 2011:  Paul Henry Thornapple Trail, Middleville to Irving to Whispering Pines, Barry County
May 7, 2011:  Ionia State Recreation Area, Sessions Lake, Ionia County

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NCTA 2012 Conference Updates

As reported earlier, Chief Noonday Chapter is hosting the NCTA Annual Conference in 2012, and the work has already begun.  We have checked out several sites for the conference location, and are making progress on that front.  We have designated several Conference Committees, and have begun taking volunteers for those committees.  So far:

Workshop / Hikes Committee Steve Hicks Ron Sootsman Mike and Linda Wilkey Publicity Committee Eric Longman Mary Fleming

Entertainment Committee Larry Pio Mary Fleming Grants / Sponsors / Auction / Silent Auction Committee Dave Cornell Larry Pio

Volunteers / Transportation Committee Mary Rebert Jeff Fleming Lodging / Food Committee Dave Cornell Mike and Linda Wilkey

Our conference chairman is Dave Cornell, at onestep@mei.net, and if you are interested in offering help or ideas, please contact Dave.

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REGISTER LOG – Kellogg Forest

Our register at Kellogg Forest is probably our Chapter’s first register.  Our first register log was taken by someone who needed it more.  We are looking at identifying this more clearly so more folks know it’s there.  Below are all of the entries we do have, interpreted as best as I can.  Please forgive the errors. 

We look forward to your comments as we work to expand this program.  Mike Wilkey has spruced up the register at the Hutchinson parking lot, so check that out, too.  Last names, street addresses, and phone numbers will not be included in the newsletter unless they are CND Chapter contacts or nationally known hikers.

The register at Kellogg Forest is mounted on the kiosk just before crossing the bridge.

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KELLOGG FOREST 2009- Welcome to Kellogg Forest.  This is the halfway point of the North Country Scenic Trail that extends from North Dakota to New York State.  Kellogg Forest is a research forest owned by Michigan State University.  They have generously allowed NCT to route its trail here.  Please feel free to write comments in this book.  Trail adopters for Kellogg Forest segment of NCT are Jeff and Mary Fleming of Augusta, MI.  Trails in Kellogg Forest are multi-purpose but only KF personnel may operate motor vehicles here. 6/22/06  Just passing through “Onestep”  6/26/06  Nordic Walkers – Kalamazoo, MI   Lynda P  Jan R   Deanna B    Barb L 6/28/06  Kalamazoo Nature Center   Nature Up Close Camp – Geocaching 7/10/06  All Green Lawn and Tree Care Corp   Gary L   Bill J 7/12/06  Amy S – Hopkins, MI   Love the trail. 8/12/06  TAT & PH B III – Holt, MI  -  took a wrong turn and ended up here!  Fabulous!  TJ (the mutt) loved the walk too!   Tanks!! 8/29/06  Jessie and Wade P  We love this place. 9/3/06  Kim & Shirley  GR, MI   Go Green 9/4/06  Peter, Melissa, Autumn & Brooke of Kalamazoo   Went looking for a hike & found this.  The perfect distance for our hike.  Thanks for such a nice place.  We’ll be back. 9/13/06  “Just passing through”  Onestep 9/25/06  Every time I come here I am still at awe with everything here, and with fall & the leaves changing it just takes my breath away.  Aneisha F 9/29/06  First time here, lived in Augusta for 2 years.  Leave Footprints, take only photos.  Death-on-impact   www.geocaching.com 11/16/06  Paul, Will, and TJ from New Jersey  Saw many deer tracks and droppings.  Beautiful place. 11/23/06  Charlie and Toni M from Glen Ellen, IL  One of our favorite walks of all time!  Duke and Sam (goldens) loved it. 11/24/06  Beautiful!  It’s a great idea to preserve such a scenic planting.  C_s  Fulton, MI 1/31/07  Came to ski.  Forgot the boots.  Came to ski.  Forgot the skis.  But walked a lot among the trees!   Mary and daughter 4/1/07  Amy, April & Gabi  K from Battle Creek  First time on trail.  Had fun!  Gabriella K 4/15/07  Caitlin, Rick, Matt   There’s leprechaun on the north east side.  Sorry not Irish… 4/15/07  I had run on the K___ walk. 4/28/07  Great Hike!!  Maude P Good Day.  Good Hike.  Marsh Marigolds  Patt & Nancy  Dale & Doug  Yorkville Church  Bedford 6/22/07  Beautiful day for a hike.  The trails were very naturally preserved as for the scenic view.  May the Lord continue to bless their trials with natural beauty to captivate the eyes that see.  With thanks!  Christa 7/13/07  I loved to walk this beautiful trail again.  Very peaceful!  Emily H 7/13/07  This was a very nice walk.  I mostly liked the mushrooms.  Levi C 7/13/07  I thought the hike was an intriguing and a learning experience.  It was a long but beautiful walk.  I liked the log stick houses and the elephant ears.  Billy  H July 18  Last time I picked wild flowers for my wife with my now 3 year old.  This time my wife came and had just as much fun.  Love  The W_s 8/16/07  Jake and Craig L 8/18/07  Garrison H 8/27/07  Galesburg – Augusta Girls Cross Country Team  Great place to train.  Thanks. Deb H   Stacy L  Robert L  Seleina (6 yrs)  Breanica (3 years)  Just took a family walk together.  You can’t beat quality kid time 9/14/07  Kathy S 9 Winham handery  Danulson Connecticutt    Virginia P   Mass  01570 9/26/07  Izzy   P family  Vicksburg, MI  May you enjoy the beauty 9/26/07  Jessica L  Dylan L  Austin L   Stephanie L  Niles, MI  49120 9/30/07  Jeanna P & family   BC  MI  49014   Wonderful sites 9/30/07  Marcus 10/22/07  Dave and Denice! 10/25/07  Best to walk this trail in the fall.  It’s amazing!  While walking, stop and just breathe it all in.  It’s unbelievable.  Nichelle 11/3/07   Steven G   Christy Y  Beautiful!  It’s great to be out in God’s creation! 11/10/07  Troop 291  Lovely trail.  Keep it up plz! 11/10/07  Back so soon?  I guess they should advertise this notebook more.  I didn’t break the tree, I swear.  Steven G  Christy Y 12/2/07  Fred Szarka and Tom Gilbert, National Park Service North Country Trail Staff.  We looked at signs and kiosks on a mixed rain/snow afternoon.  Saw Emblem @ Kellogg Bird Sanctuary crossing.  Great local maps.  Wish weather was better. 2/28/08  First time thru the forest in winter.  So different.  So quiet.  John Rudnicki 3/15/10  Augusta to Kellogg  Fritz, Todd, Deborah  Good spring conditions.  Lots of deer tracks.  Day hike. 5/18/08  Augusta to Kellogg   Because we love you!  I love the woods.  Justin & Matt 4/13/08  Alexis & Mother  Great walk!

4/15/08  Go taxes!  Matt 4/15/08  Ben T 4/18/08  Hiked south about 1.6 miles – started back – lost my notes – had to go back looking for them – so it turned into a 4.11 mile hike.  Great day for it!  Mick Hawkins, Chief Noonday Chapter, NCTA 5/25/08  Day Hike   Fritz, Todd & Deb  Kalamazoo  11:14 am   north toward Bird Sanctuary  2:12 pm return – trail good – dry soil.  3 deer, 2 turkey, multiple chipmunks, 1 feral cat.  Lots of wildflowers, poison ivy  and garlic mustard & 1 hedgehog.   10 miles 6/1/08  Happy June!  Beautiful Day – love the trail.  Ruth & Andre de SL 6/14/08  Lucinda Good  Me and my significant other & children came out here to enjoy the nature.  Very beautiful.  Thanks 6/24/08  Just passing through!!!   Onestep    Crazylady   PS they should put a swimming place out here  See Eagle Lake in Ft. Custer Rec. Area  or take a dip in Augusta Creek (brrrrr!!)- Jeff 8/28/08  Lotsa deer here.  Found some grouse feathers too!  NCT rocks – Matt   PS  Ants putting eggs in this box. 9/28  Running out of food… 10/3/08  enjoying the walk& the day together.  Morgan, Aluua, Tia & Maureen T 11/27/08  HAPPY THANKSGIVING & HAPPY TRAILS  from Lynnie M  Toni M  Sue M  Paula S 11/30  Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.  M. W 1/1/09  Happy New Year   Mike and Karla L  BC  Thank you for your beautiful woods. * Lynn   Happy Birthday Honey   Love, Toni * Nice to be with my friends   Mike & Karla Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt. 5/31/09  Pete C   Portage, MI  Augusta Road to M-89 & back   very sunny, breezy day 6/7/09  Thanks for your work on the trail.  We enjoyed it.  We are having a quality kid time. Lauren – This was a beautiful trail 6/20/09   Day 091   Mile 2500+   Thru-hiking the NCT ND -> NY  EB EBERHART www.nimblewillnomad.com  Thanks friends – for the great trail.  EB 7/14/09  E7N Backpackers and friends dayhike Augusta to Kellogg and return.  2 adults Todd F / Eric M 7/20/09  Day hike Mom / Dad / Doughton / Card / Gary / Ragh 8/20/09  “Dirtroad Dave” S solo fr Edgerton to Ohio line.  Kent / Barry and Kalamazoo have been beautiful.  (A little damp till this a.m.)  I highly recommend the pizza shop in Prairieville!!  Keep Hiking.  Dave S  Davison, MI 9/14/09  Mary Rebert CNC of NCT Watch out for Fonz Pond  Josh Troop 344 hiking merit badge.  Halfway point of our 20 miles.  Zach N  John B  Matt W  Braden S 10/19/09  Onestep – Just passing through. Watch out for buzzing electric lines.  Laceen  Eliot Check out the steep hill!  The pine trees are fun for games too.  Washburn Where are the maps?  On the web site?  No come on map your stuff – please! 11/27/09  Got lost, need maps.  The C_s  Please 12/5/09  Gorgeous trail.  Distance markers would be helpful.  Thanks,  Shelley N  Battle Creek 12/29/09  11:40 am   I’m TMAN on my winter hike – nice day  http://sites.google.com/site/isawtman   TODD 1/16/10  We come here often.  Hi! Nice forest!  There aren’t a lot of people, seriously!  It is getting warmer.  From the ham dog and cat. 3/19/10  The trail between M-89 and C Avenue is open to hikers only.  The No Trespassing signs are targeted at hunters because of the horse trails there.  But we’ve checked with property owners and they confirmed that they are Okay with hikers.  Jeff Fleming NCTA 4/10/10  Augusta -> 39th St.  Beautiful day to be hiking.  Jim, Red, Doug Had a great hike with my brother but no mushrooms.  Where are all the morels?  I’d like to do some pinchin. The three miles we have walked so far have been beautiful!!!  T J G   Edwin M 5/16/10  Lovely time of year to walk this trail.  2 people Mother’s Day 2010  Mother / Daughter nature walk  Anna / Vicki C 5/10/10  Looking great today.  Thanks Jeff and Mary.  Larry Pio 7/18/10  A lot of beauty on the trail!  Dave and Bonnie 7/31/10  Rocket executive   Mike Mike Mike …  went lose before Mike!

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Web Site Trail Log Reports

Mick Hawkins has included detailed reports, with pictures, at the TRAIL LOG page on our web site on some of our recent activities.  Please take the time to look at these reports, and the great photography that Mick includes in his reports.  In the last quarter he has included reports on:
•   The million gallon oil spill on a tributary of the Kalamazoo River, just downstream from Marshall.  See also our web site PHOTOS section for more on this disaster.
·    Our August hike in Allegan State game area, with Charles Krammin, Larry Hawkins, and Don Krause the only participants.  A photo is included showing what happens when wearing shorts in the woods.
·    The Chief Noonday Chapter picnic in August, where awards from the NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland were shared.  From our Chapter: 

•   Ron Sootsman was given the Chapter Honor Award for loyalty, commitment, and hard work for the Chapter.
•   Ron Sootsman was honored for passing the 1000 volunteer hour mark, lifetime.
•   Linda Sootsman was honored for passing the 200 volunteer hour mark, lifetime.
•   Jim Martin was honored for passing the 100 volunteer hour mark, lifetime.
•   Tom Garnett was honored for contributing over 500 hours in the NPS fiscal year.
•   Dave Cornell was honored for contributing over 500 hours in the NPS fiscal year.
•   Former CND member (now a member of one of our northern chapters) Maggie Momenee was honored for both her 100 and 200 volunteer hour marks, lifetime.

•   At our picnic meeting, Cal and Jean Lamoreaux also discussed a hiking trail project in Middleville, with which our Chapter did assist.  See our PHOTOS section for pictures taken on September 11 on this project.  Thanks to Ron Sootsman, Larry Hawkins, Mick Hawkins, Steve Hicks, Eric Longman, Mike Wilkey, Larry Pio, Cal Lamoreaux, Jean Lamoreaux, and Phil VanNoord for helping on this project with our partners in Middleville.

•   The unveiling of the new statue of Chief Noonday at Grand Valley State University in August.

•   Also, in our PHOTOS section, see photos with descriptions of:

•   the North Country Trail Annual Conference held in Ashland, WI. Ten members of CND attended this conference, along with Cassie, who is in training for the Read-to-a-Dog program.
•   a trail building day in Lake County hosted by the Spirit of the Woods Chapter, as a Volunteer Adventure Week, with our Jim Heaton helping to build a long section of boardwalk.
•   Bring on the Bridge II, hosted by the Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter, which included a Labor Day walk across the Mackinaw Bridge. Nine members of Chief Noonday joined the event.

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More News

July 3 Hike in Fort Custer Recreation Area
Jeff Fleming led a hike in the FCRA on a hot Saturday in July, and we had some new folks participating.  Thanks, Mick.

July 24: Work Day at Fort Custer
The project for this work day involved weed-whacking, lopping and trimming along the Ft. Custer trail section.  Quite a bit of work was done, but an electrical storm and equipment failures prevented a total success.  Thanks to Bob Cooley, Jeff Fleming, Mary Rebert, Bob Sulaski, Mick Hawkins, Eric Longman, and Jim Heaton for your help on this.

Mark Bishop retires from Michigan DNR
Mark Bishop, who has been our liaison with the trail going through the Barry State Game Area, and the Middleville State Game Area, has retired at the end of July.  Mark has been a solid supporter of our Trail, while also maintaining his advocacy for hunters, and we will miss him.  Thanks for all your help, Mark.

August 21:  Work Day for Blazing
A new wrinkle for our often postponed road-way blazing project:  everyone showed up to work, and then it rained.  So, we distributed paint and assignments, and we each painted as individual schedules permitted on later dates.  Thanks to Jim Mackey, Jason Buckner, Mick Hawkins, Mike Wilkey, Linda Wilkey, Larry Hawkins, Larry Pio, Jeff Fleming, and Ron Sootsman for helping to show the way for through hikers.

September 6:  Middleville non-competitive Volksmarch Bridge and Trail Walk
86 walkers participated in this year’s Labor Day Bridge Walk in Middleville.  Cal and Jean Lamoreaux lead this event, which was helped by Jean’s work to gain exposure on Channel 8, and 3 times in the Grand Rapids Press.  Jean noted one walker asked for a signed acknowledgement of her walk, so she could get a pretty nice discount on her health insurance.  Check that out on your policy!

September 18 Work Day in Barry County
We had a great turnout for our work day in the Peets Road to M-179 section for mowing and general trail maintenance.  Thanks to Tom Warner, Steve Hicks, Jeff Fleming, Jason Buckner, Bob Sulaski, Mick Hawkins, and Larry Hawkins for taking care of this project.
 

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MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

One of our partners on the trail, Michigan State’s W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, hosts a variety of programs throughout the year.   Additional information on KBS special events and membership information can be found on the web at www.kbs.msu.edu.

In addition, the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is open to visitors year round.  For more information, contact the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary at 269-671-2510 or email: birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu.

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Joan Young has her DAY

Joan Young (pictured right with NCTA President Bobby Koepplin and Dave Cornell) finished the North Country Trail this summer, after hiking it in sections over the past several years.  At our Annual Conference, Bruce Matthews proclaimed Joan Young Day, as he listed many of the things Joan has done for the North Country Trail.  Joan has been extremely active at all levels on our trail, and did the NCTA web site for many years. 

She now writes a blog, http://www.northcountrytrailnews.blogspot.com , which features a lot of news about the North Country Trail and issues that affect the trail.  Joan has been a past speaker at the Chief Noonday Chapter, but these days requests for her talks are more frequent, and usually include book signings of her “North Country Cache: Adventures on a National Scenic Trail”.

Joan is not often speaking in our area, but will be in Holland on November 5 presenting ”High Hopes Wearing Sweaty Socks”, her slide program on hiking the North Country Trail.  For more information on the Holland visit, and other Joan presentations, see http://www.booksleavingfootprints.com/meetauthor.htm .

New Members

We want to welcome new members to the Chief Noonday Chapter in the 3rd Quarter:
•   Meghan and Darin Luchies – Kalamazoo

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Thank you to those businesses that support our chapter:
Lee’s Adventure Sports 311 W. Kilgore Portage, MI 49002 www.leesports.com (269) 381-7700 Sandhill Marketing Communications 1715 Glendale Blvd. Kalamazoo (269) 382-2561	Yankee Springs Outdoor Center Long Lake and Chief Noonday Outdoor Centers (269) 795-3856 Provides use of lodge for scheduled Chapter winter hikes Mid-Lakes Mini Storage 11235 S. Wall Lake Rd., Delton (269) 623-5005 Provides storage for the Chief Noonday Tool Crib.
Katie & Christy’s.  Midlakes Screen-Printing, Monogramming Active Wear ~ Tanning Salon ~ Lake Rentals, Delton, MI. Can add Chief Noonday logo to your clothing. http://www.mid-lakes.net/  http://www.michiganlakerentals.net/  For sample of their product line click here.

 

CND Hiker Challenge 2010:  774.71 miles hiked by CND in 2010

Competition is well underway for the Chief Noonday Chapter Hiker Challenge Cup, version 2010.  The basic challenge is to see who can hike the most miles on the North Country Trail in 2010.  The complete rules can be seen on our web site, but here is a summary: 

1.    You must be a member of the Chief Noonday Chapter at some point during the year. 

2.    Only North Country Trail miles can be counted.  A segment can be counted only once during the year.

3.    Cross country skiing is a legitimate mode of hiking.  After all, our goal is to get people on the trail.

4.    If you can find someone to push your wheelchair, that will count for both of you.  See goal in item 3.

5.    Report your miles, and segment ID, to me in person, or via email to nalcoman1@aol.com with the subject CND Hiker Challenge mileage, or by mail to:  Larry Pio; 2409 Woody Noll; Portage, MI  49002.

Our top 10 leaders as of 9/28/10 are:

Ron Sootsman – 258.69 Bob Sulaski – 109.9 Jim Burgess – 73.15 Mick Hawkins – 57.6

Mary Rebert – 36.5 Mike Wilkey – 30.0 Linda Sootsman – 27.77

Larry Hawkins – 27.1 Jason Buckner – 26.5 Larry Pio – 21.0

We have 26 hikers with mileage noted so far in 2010; its not too late for you to start too.  As noted in the title, we have 774.71 miles so far in 2010; I think 1200 miles for our group would be a great goal.

Our TRAIL DEPUTY REPORT project, where our hikers can report trail conditions, signage, blazing, etc., has gotten off to a slow start.  I would like to thank Bob Sulaski for his efforts as a Trail Deputy.

These reports are useful to us to keep up on where our trail needs extra work, and gives hikers filling them out extra volunteer hours.  A link to this form is found on our HIKER CHALLENGE web page, in the VOLUNTEER HOURS box at the bottom of the page.   Send your completed form to Larry Pio.  Please note:  this form is not required for your report.  It is useful as a list of items to evaluate, which can be summarized in an email if you wish.  Thanks for your help in keeping our trail as good as it can be.

Past newsletters are available on our web site.