K.B.S. has a busy workday:   Saturday was great day to be outside.  Steve Hicks (left) was so excited that he started in the wee hours when the dew was still heavy.  He was the first to start and the last to leave, mowing the entire length of the trail through the Kellogg Biological Station.  Part of his reward was getting stung behind the ear by a ground bee!!!

Larry and Mick Hawkins, Jerry Pattok and Ron Sootsman started the morning on a less healthy note packing in the calories and cholesterol at the Hickory Timber Inn — only to feel more guilty when Jeff Fleming arrived at KBS having biked five miles from Augusta to the work site.  Mary Armitage,a newbie on the work crew, came up from Kalamazoo.  Larry Pio joined us as well (Notre Dame having an away game at East Lansing). 

(From left) Larry Pio, Ron Sootsman, Mary Armitage, Larry Hawkins and Jeff Fleming in front of the brand spanking new kiosk along the Trail at KBS.

As I mentioned, Steve did a whole lot of mowing.  Mick and Mary were in charge of lopping and trimming, working north from C Avenue to the Bio-Fuels field.  Jerry Pattok pulled the old Jeff Fleming signs from the former trail route and replanted them where the trail, newly re-routed, now crosses 40th Street just north of C Avenue.

Ron Sootsman had spent last week building the new kiosk to go along the trail at the Bio-Fuels field.  Ron, Larry Hawkins, Jeff, and later Jerry, and still later Larry Pio worked on finishing construction and installing the kiosk where the trail up from C Avenue comes out at the Bio-Fuels site (and where the new re-route toward the Bird Sanctuary begins). 

We won't comment on who forgot to bring the paper stuff that was supposed to be displayed on the new kiosk.... 

We will be sharing that kiosk with KBS as part of our Interpretive Program.

We had hoped to get the new section of the trail blazed and to rehabilitate the old blazing, but were unable to accomplish that this time.

Thanks to all who turned out for the workday. As always, we so appreciate the donation of your time and talents to the trail effort.

Larry Hawkins
Chapter President - Chief Noonday Chapter
 

Chief Noonday Chapter members and workers and their families from Kashi got together on August 26th to whip the Trail in the Middleville State Game Area into shape and to revise the emplacement of an informational kiosk at one of the trailheads on Robertson Road.

Bear Naked Comes to the North Country Trail:   For those of you who are unfamiliar with the product, Bear Naked Granola is produced by Kashi, a division of the Kellogg Corporation in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Yes, they make more than corn flakes! 

In keeping with the natural, unprocessed character of their cereals, Bear Naked has also been promoting National Scenic Trails, having named two of their products after the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.
 

"Charlie's Contraption" is readied for re-setting a trailhead kiosk.

On the Friday before Labor Day, several employees and their families began their holiday weekend by volunteering their
time working on the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The workday was organized by Chris Sweeney, a member of the Chief Noonday Chapter, who recruited his fellow workers, had the Chief Noonday trailer pulled to the work site, and spent quite a bit of time on his cell phone guiding people to an out-of-the-way trailhead in the Middleville State Game Area in Barry County. 

Chief Noonday trail workers Jim Heaton, Charlie Krammin and MIck Hawkins joined the group to provide support and supervision.  After a brief introduction and instruction by Larry Hawkins, Chapter president, the group divided up and set to work.

A large, very heavy informational kiosk that had been the victim of many frustrated guys with guns was pulled from the ground using a home made crane designed and built by the “straw boss”, Charlie Krammin, who is better known to some as “Hiker Killer”.  The kiosk was shifted in such a way as to make it a less inviting target for those who are unable to hit moving targets.

The rest of the crew worked the trail east and west of the Robinson Road trailhead doing pruning, blazing the trail, and picking up litter.  Chris reported that the trail was generally in good condition and now is even better thanks to the efforts of the Bear Naked team.  In the early afternoon, a hot and tired group of trail workers returned to the trailhead for a much appreciated lunch provided by Kellogg's.
 

Before-and-after pictures of the kiosk repositioning.  Have trouble seeing the one on the right?  That's the whole point — making it a less conspicuous target for small arms fire from the parking lot.  The trail enters the woods just to the right.  (Click here to see the damage that had been done to the kiosk.)

The Chief Noonday Chapter extends their thanks to the employees of Bear Naked for their hard work on the trail, and to Kellogg's for releasing them to work on the trail as well as providing food and much needed electrolyte drinks. 

The crew consisted of Tamila Williams, Larry Williams, Ben Williams, Rachael Williams, Jon Warner, Monjur Hossen, Hway-Seen Yeoung, Diana Seevers, Maria Ruhlman, and Roger Wenk.

Hopefully, we will see more support from Bear Naked and maybe someday a “North Country Trail Mix” in their product line — given that our Trail goes right through their hometown.  I encourage you to try their products.  I have, and it’s good stuff.

Larry Hawkins
 

DNR acting on Chronic Wasting Disease case:   In case you missed Monday 8/25/08's announcement from the Department of Natural Resources in the wake of a case of chronic wasting disease in a white-tail deer located in Kent County, you can read it on the DNR Web site.

Among other things the article stated,

Among the provisions is an immediate ban on all baiting and feeding of deer and elk in the Lower Peninsula. DNR conservation officers will step up surveillance and enforcement efforts on baiting. Baiting and feeding unnaturally congregate deer into close contact, thus increasing the transmission of contagious diseases such as CWD and bovine tuberculosis. Bait and feed sites increase the likelihood that those areas will become contaminated with the feces of infected animals, making them a source of CWD infection for years to come. ...

DNR restrictions will affect hunters and anyone transporting live or harvested deer or elk this fall.

DNR officials reminded citizens that, to date, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk to humans, nor has there been verified evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. Most cases of the disease have been in western states, but in the past several years, it has spread to Midwestern and eastern states.

Summerfest 2008:   Chief Noonday's presence at the Hastings Summerfest once again helped promote awareness and use of the North Country National Scenic Trail as it passes through Hastings' own back yard.  This year conditions started out a bit damp, but from mid-afternoon on Friday things picked up weather-wise. 

Having learned a lesson from last year's flood conditions, this year we employed floating leak-proof containers for our literature stock.  This year's lesson was that the tarp over the booth is overdue for retirement!

Tom Warner and Larry Hawkins talk with visitors to the Chief Noonday booth on Saturday afternoon.  (Chris Sweeney was hidden from view in this picture.)

Location arrangements were a bit different this year — and a bit challenging.  Non-profit exhibits were sited along Court Street this time, and Chief Noonday's booth was just two doors down from the entertainment stage. 

Mick Hawkins joked with visitors on Saturday that he'd be glad to answer their questions if they submitted them in writing —  because the decibels emanating from the stage a few feet away were totally overwhelming his hearing aids.

Jerry Pattok, Larry Hawkins, and Joe Higdon were responsible for setting the booth up and taking it down, and Jerry handled transportation.

Taking turns staffing the booth (in some cases for more than one shift!) were Jerry Pattok and his family (Sandy, Laura and Anna), the Hawkins brothers Larry and Mick, Jean Lamoreaux, Tom Garnett, Jeff Fleming, Josephine Miller, Steve Hicks, Tom Warner, Chris Sweeney, and Joe Higdon. 

Thanks to all who helped with the booth this year.  And thanks to our visitors as well.
 

Help needed!   Two upcoming work projections on the Trail could use your help.  One is this week in Chief Noonday's section.  One is toward the end of September further north in the Lower Peninsula:

1.  In Chief Noonday's section:  This Friday, August 29, Chris Sweeney is bringing a group of volunteers from Kashi/Kellogg's to work in the Middleville State Game Area.  These will all be newcomers to trail work. If any of you are available to help supervise, we could really use the help. We are planning on meeting at the south Robertson Road trailhead at 10:30 AM and will probably send a crew in each direction to do pruning, tread repair, and blazing.

If we can figure out a way to do it, we would also like to pull the kiosk in the south parking lot and swing it around 90° to make it a less inviting target to those who find it an irresistible target for their heavy caliber weapons — not to mention we'd like to reduce small arms fire directed toward the Trail!

Most of our members work on Fridays, but if you are available, we could sure use the help.

2.   In northern Lower Michigan:   On Saturday, September 27, at 9:00 AM the Tittabawassee Chapter of the NCTA will be working on the Boor Conservancy re-route, south of Petoskey, to move the North Country Trail off of Krause Road into the woods and onto the side of a 200-foot hill.  They really need all the help they can get to bench this trail into the side of the hill.

Bring any dirt moving tools you have, such as grub hoe, shovel and metal dirt rake.  The chapter will provide mattocks, pulaskis, fire rakes, and McLeods. The chapter will also provide some snacks and beverages for breaks, but feel free to bring more.  They plan on providing lunch and a supper meal for the workers at the end of the day.

Please let them know if you plan to come so they can prepare enough food. Please RSVP to tbwchapter@northcountrytrail.org.

Meet at Krause Road south of Brubaker Road by the communication towers (the Google Maps location shown here is only approximate!).  There are a group of towers at that location that are visible from miles around.  Consult your county map of Emmet County because unless you are familiar with the area it is confusing.  (The Google Map link here shows the preferred route to the work area if you were coming up from the south via US-131 from the direction of Point A on the map.  You want to end up at Point B.)

Camping is available on private land if you want to stay overnight and help the next day too.  Help eat up the leftovers!   Any questions other than the RSVP, call Gary at 989-842-3478 or Jerry at 231-526-9597.
 

HIKER MISSING ON NCNST IN UPPER PENINSULA:
Joseph Robert Clewley, a 73-year-old white male, has not been seen since Saturday, July 12, 2008. 

He was staying at his cabin located south-southwest of Paradise, Michigan, which is located in Chippewa County's Whitefish Township. 

His van was found parked along the north side of Tahqua Trail, about 5.1 miles west of M-123, at the trailhead for the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST).  Tahqua Trail runs along the north bank of the Tahquamenon River and is within the boundaries of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Initially the missing man's dog Chip was also missing but later turned up unharmed near the Clewleys' cabin on August 1.

Click here for a Web site set up for the search for Joe Clewley. 

More details are available in an article published August 24, 2008, in The Mining Journal of Marquette, MI, and in an earlier article from The Evening News of Sault Ste. Marie.
 

Larry Hawkins (back to camera) gets everybody lined up for this year's annual President's Photo.  Jan and Dave Cornell (in brown and blue shirts respectively) are in the front row -- not quite center.  (Click here for the "good" version of this year's President's Photo.)

Cazenovia — NCTA National Conference 2008:  Dave and Jan Cornell and the Hawkins brothers made their way to the beautiful rolling hills and gorges of Central New York for the 2008 National Conference of the NCTA hosted by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference.  The conference was held on the tiny campus of Cazenovia College in the Village of Cazenovia.  The college went out of their way to make us welcome.  The Cazenovia Police Department was not so gracious as they ticketed some participants who parked on the streets overnight.  Fortunately, the CNC reps went unscathed.

Dave and Larry attended the Summer Board Meeting on Thursday while Mick and Jan did more fun things. Thursday evening, after a wonderful meal, we had the Annual Membership Meeting of the NCTA.  Bruce Matthews, Fred Szarka, Matt Davis and Andrew Bashaw gave us a whirlwind state of the trail report from North Dakota to New York.

After that, Tom Gilbert, our NPS representative, unveiled and reported of three exciting new ventures:
●  significant progress toward the completion of the trail through the Adirondack Mountains,
●  the extension of the trail east from Lake Champlain to the Long Trail in Vermont and ultimately connecting to the Appalachian Trail, and
●  Westward Ho, the program exploring the possible extension of the NCNST west from Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota to meet the Continental Divide Trail, opening the way to the possibility of a Sea to Sea (C2C) Trail.

The National Park Service Volunteer Recognition followed the Membership Meeting.  Our own Mick Hawkins (left) was honored with the 1000 hour Volunteer Vest.  The evening closed with a fascinating program, The Erie Canal — NY’s Miracle Miles, presented by our good friend Irene Szabo, providing yet another reason to go back to Central New York.

Friday greeted us with rain, rain and more rain.  Fortunately, with great foresight, the CNC contingent had signed up for driving tours; so we stayed reasonably dry and had a great day viewing falls and gorges in the Finger Lakes area (right), along with the Cornell University campus.

The Annual Banquet, silent and live auctions, and a wonderful concert by folk singers Dan Berggren and Peggy Lynn celebrating the Adirondacks completed the evening.

Saturday dawned gorgeously and actually sustained it through the day making our hikes very enjoyable. 

As Mick had become the unofficial "official" photographer for the NCTA, he took the President’s photo of the assembly on the quad before supper.  Dave was most grateful that someone in Lowell had misplaced the ugly “Blue Blaze President’s Shirt” that is traditionally worn by the president for this picture. One wonders whether Dave’s proximity and frequent visits to the office in Lowell might have had something to do with the missing shirt....

Saturday evening, the NCTA awards were presented.  Many of our friends from the conferences received well deserved awards. 

We were particularly delighted when Bill Meinke (middle right) received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Long associated with the Trail before he retired from the NPS, Bill is now the Great Lakes Trail Coordinator for the NCTA.

Deb and Bobby Koepplin (left), from the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter in North Dakota, extended an warm invitation to all of us to join them for the Annual Conference in 2009. 

John Morris from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, a writer and biology teacher, presented the program Seasons along the Trail with great humor, great pictures, and a whole lot of knowledge.

The rain returned Sunday morning as we packed for the trip home and said our good-byes to all our friends from east to west on the NCNST. 

The Annual Conference is a time of great fellowship and sharing.  We meet new friends, reacquaint ourselves with old friends that we have made at previous conference, and gain a whole new vision and energy for this 4600 mile trail that we all love.  For those of you who have never made it to an Annual Conference, I strongly urge you to consider the trip to North Dakota in 2009.  It’s a long ways, but it will be well worth it.

Larry Hawkins

Recent weekend tales:   The rain gods have not looked benignly upon us the past couple of weekends.

Two weekends ago on Saturday, July 12, admittedly on short notice we scheduled a hike in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area in lieu of a hike we'd scheduled earlier on the Gun Lake Tract south of Gun Lake. 

The GLT trail turned out not to be user-friendly when Charles Krammin (left) inspected it a few days before the scheduled hike.  So Charlie suggested an alternative hike on the proposed re-route he'd flagged for the Trail south from Hall Lake, which a few of us had hiked on June 14 with the Yankee Springs Recreation Area Supervisor Andru Jevicks (see below). 

The rainy morning of July 12 arrived, and, true to Chief Noonday traditions, the stalwart amongst us gathered for breakfast at the Hastings Big Boy: Charlie K, Larry and Mick Hawkins, Jerry Pattok and two of his grandchildren, and Jim Studt, member of West Michigan Chapter from Sparta.  The more we ate and the longer we tarried, the harder it rained.  By 9:00 stalwart for the most part yielded to practical, as Jerry and the kids caved, followed by Mick — and Larry hadn't planned to hike anyway, still nursing a tender calf from the fall he'd taken the first time we'd hiked the re-route in June.

Charlie dismissed us as "pantywaists" and took off for Yankee Springs with Jim.  The two of them completed the hike as planned and put the rest of us to shame.  Jim especially appreciated the running commentary provided by Charlie throughout the hike and felt he'd gained a valuable wilderness education on the trek.  His education included boot issues, because his apparently were not equal to the task, so Charlie pointed him in a good direction to resolve that issue for the future.  Jim says that a big feature the rest of us stay-at-homes missed was "10,000 hungry mosquitoes!  Too many bugs to take off our long sleeves, it was a sweatfest!"

Our luck was somewhat better a week later on July 19 when we gathered at Augusta for a morning of work on the Trail north and south of E-F Avenue.  Larry, Mick, Dave Cornell, Ron Sootsman, Tom Garnett, Jeff Fleming and Jim Heaton were joined by a new Trail Adopter, Chris Vreeland, and Chris's son for a hearty breakfast at Duda's Deli & Pizzeria.  Mike Wilkey and Terry Meden joined us at the work site.

Chris and his family had recently enlisted as Trail Adopters for the Dr. Sackett property section of the Trail between Kellogg Forest and E-F Avenue.

After breakfast we convoyed up to E-F Avenue and embarked upon a mowing and trail clean-up project on the Trail north from E-F Avenue.  The mosquitoes were memorable, to put it mildly, but the rain was very light, and within a bit over an hour we'd done a creditable job of getting the Sackett section mowed, sawed, lopped, and trimmed back so that Chris and his family could take over the care of the now decently-groomed section for the future.

Ron and Jeff, having finished their work with the DR mower on the north side of E-F Avenue, had moved to the south side and continued on while we wrapped up where we were.  But by the time the rest of had lugged our tools and gear back to the vehicles parked on E-F Avenue, the rain had become decidedly more forthright, and around 10:30 we voted unanimously to call it a day — and give custody of the area back over to the mosquitoes.

Thanks to all who took part on both Saturdays.

Mick Hawkins