|
Chapter Minutes followed by Board
Minutes 
Quarterly
Membership Meeting, Itasca Moraine
Chapter, North Country Trail Assoc.
Peppercorn
Restaurant and Lounge, Bemidji,
MN
Oct 19, 2007
Attending: Mary
Adams, Phoebe Alden, Frannie and Harvey Tjader, Florence and Carter Hedeen, Deanna
Johnson, Beth and Jerry Trout and guest Colleen Gill.
Carter called the meeting to order at 8:15PM to
celebrate the conclusion of a successful NCTA Annual Meeting and the
completion of the DNR EAW. The
conclusion of the EAW was that an Environmental Impact Statement is not
required. The chapter now has the
green light to resume new trail construction.
MCC started trail construction Tuesday, Oct. 16th.
Effective immediately, after the trail is flagged, the
trail must be inspected by the Regional Coordinator (Matt Davis) or Claire
Cain. This change is a quality
control measure.
The grant application for 2008 will be submitted in behalf of the
Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes Chapters. There was a brief report on the
successful 1st Annual NCT Fest at Itasca Park
on August 25th. The fest
included a chapter business meeting, a hike, a meal and music by the North
wind Crossing Band. The chapters
gained membership from the effort.
There several members of the North Dakota
chapters in attendance.
Matt asked that he be made aware of community activities
for the possible inclusion of a NCT booth.
The group was reminded of the Midwest Mountaineering
Expo where NCT booth workers are needed Nov. 16 – 18.
Matt reported the US Forest Service wishes to get 10
miles of trail adopted in the Chippewa
National Forest around Walker.
Darrell Rodekuhr and Carter Hedeen helped with National
Public Lands Day in late September.
Darrell & Carter demonstrated blazing and trail building
techniques. Twenty seven people
attended, many who were members of the NCTA.
Jerry Trout requested permission to use the chapter
mower to establish a snowshoe trail at Deep Portage Conservation
Preserve. Permission was granted by
the chapter. There are roughly
formulated long range plans to connect the Deep Portage Preserve with a
connector trail to the NCT in the Chippewa approximately 10 miles east of
Hackensack.
Carter asked Jerry to talk to the US Forest Service
about correcting the problems with the beaver dam crossing east of HWY 371
shortly before crossing the Wood Tick Trail.
Carter recognized Beth Trout, Darrin Miller, Harvey
Tjader, Florence Hedeen and Jerry Trout for their efforts toward 2007 NCTA
Annual Meeting in Bemidji. Carter also recognized Ray Vlasak for his
efforts toward the Rod MacRae memorial at the NCT kiosk at the South
Entrance of Itasca State Park.
Carter also recognized Phoebe Alden for her efforts toward the
chapter brochures and lake identification signs.
The group (should have) thanked Carter for his
considerable effort toward the convention.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Trout,
Itasca Moraine Chapter
Secretary
Board Meeting
ITASCA
MORAINE CHAPTER, NCTA, Feb 18, 2007
Lake
George Cafe
Present: Carter
& Florence Hedeen, Harvey & Frannie Tjader, Darin Miller, Phoebe
Alden, Jerry & Beth Trout, and quests Ray and Lynette Vlasak & Matt
Davis
Absent: Darrel
Rodekuhr
Part I, 2007 Annual Conference: Reference to Beth’s handout. Unless otherwise noted below,
Beth’s handout material was adopted.
There are references to Carter’s Jan 23rd
memo.
Florence
reported on 2 grants being prepared for the evening programs.
Moved, seconded and passed that
Florence
apply for a grant of $1250 from the Region II Arts Council for performances
at the concert.
M/S/P that Florence prepare a NCTA Field Grant for
$625 for a NCT Ballad to be written by Charlie Maquire. M/S/P that Florence prepare a NCTA Field
Grant for $625 in support of the performance of Charlie Maguire, with $200
to go toward his fee for composing a NCNST ballad.
Agreed to charge $5.00 for
admission for those not registered, $10.00 per family, that ticket good for
the Friday or Saturday evening programs, or both.
Jerry to check with Jennifer
for stipend for Barry Babcock.
Beth’s handout - Thursday
Airport shuttle – change
to Bemidji
6:00 PM Dinner – Beth to
confirm that Jennifer arranged for Native American food
Evening program time may change
to 7:00PM
Beth’s handout – Friday
8:00 AM day-long hike: Nelson Lake (DNR) Trail Head to Steamboat Pass, approx 7 miles.
Noted that trail from Nelson
Lake Trailhead to the NCT bordering Nelson Lake
needed to be reestablished before the convention. Harvey
to confirm with camp manager relative to trail location and
campground. MCC may be involved
through Harvey or Carter.
8;00 AM half-day hike: Carter’s memo, page 2 of 2,
#6. Hwy91 to Steamboat pass or
reverse. 4.7 miles (6 mile drive
between). BSU to 91 or Steamboat Pass
= 28 miles.
12:30 or 1:00PM Half-day hike: Itasca State Park. This hiking group will go the park
separately from the full day Itasca
outing. Hike leader and hiking route
not established.
Evening program – Florence reported that
Charlie Maquire and Barry Babcock will be “working together.”
Beth’s handout – Saturday
8:00 AM day long canoe ride
– Star Island Long Hike, see handout.
Harvey
to have pontoon backup in case of windy weather.
1:00 PM Half-day hike: Carter’s memo, page 2 of 2,
#4. Refuge Road to Nelson Lake (DNR)
Trail Head = 2.5 miles (3.5 mile drive between). BSU to hike start = 31.5 miles.
8:00 AM Half-day hike: See Carter’s Jan 23rd
memo, page 1 of 2, #2. Three Island Lake
County Park
– Turtle
River hike = 2 miles,
loops can be added to increase distance, rain may force this also. A talk on the history of this ski trail
would probably be available. BSU to
trail = 14 miles.
Darin to confirm history talk.
6:00PM Dinner – Debbie
Miller has arranged for Bemidji musicians, Luke and Amy Rutten, " The
Lonely Bog Stompers" to volunteer for dinner music.
Beth’s handout – Sunday
Airport Shuttle – Bemidji
Pre and/or Post-Workshop
– Possible chain saw training or trail building – NCT Staff
responsibility
Remainder of meeting – Carter’s Meeting
Agenda
Laurentian Lakes
Chapter Progress Report.
Two organizational meetings
have been held. The charter has been
submitted and approved per Matt Davis.
Ray has 35-40 people on his roster but is not certain how many have
signed up as members. Clearwater County has been flagged and 5 or 6
miles in Becker have been flagged.
White Earth Indian Reservation officials must approve the
flagging. The trail is near
the Laurentian Divide in Becker Co.
Boundary Location between the ITM and LL Chapters. M/S/P that the divide be at the point
where the Nicollet Tail intersects the Eagle Scout Trial in Itasca State Park. Both charters need to be corrected. Ray and Jerry will see that their
respective charters are changed.
Fred Szarka wants the charters to retain the language relative to
celebrating the trail in the Chip and Itasca State Park.
EAW – Matt and Harvey gave an update on the
requirements. It is important to get
the remaining trail flagged so the process can begin.
Nelson
Lake Kiosk. Florence
is preparing a field grant for the kiosk.
Harvey
is in communication with the Bass Lake Campground Manager relative to the
kiosk.
ITM Chapter Brochures.
Matt urged the ITM chapter go get a brochure published. We can apply for a field grant for this
purpose. The NCTA will supply the
map. It was reported that the
Northwest Foundation can assist in brochure publication. Phoebe volunteered to pursue this project.
The Re-route.
Matt urged those in attendance who live in Oberstar’s district
to contact Oberstar. The handout and
the re-route button on the NCTA web site have talking points for the
letter.
Signage. Matt reviewed
his signage proposal. Fred Szarka
has the ball for the State
Highway signs.
Phoebe reported she received a router with two alphabetic sets and
is willing to prepare the more rustic and local signs.
Calendar Fund Raiser.
Harvey
agreed to pursue more detail on this publicity/money raising possibility.
Chapter Fund Raising.
Alicia Hoffarth has challenged all chapters to accept the challenge
of raising $500 for the NCTA as the Cheyenne River Valley Chapter has
done. This idea is to be discussed with
the membership at its next meeting.
Membership Drive.
Florence
passed out brochures to all in attendance and challenged all to convert the
brochure to a new membership.
Honoring Rod MacRae.
Ray is to check with Itasca
State Park to see if
we could put a plaque on the south entrance kiosk honoring Rod.
Student Conservation Association. Matt reported on his success in getting a
NPS grant approved that will result in 6 high school students and two paid
supervisors for _____ weeks in July.
Federal Highway Recreation Trail Grant. MCC efforts the past 4 years are a result
of this granting process. Matt is
preparing the grant this year. The
grant application is due at the end of February. We are not certain if we will have local
funds from Clearwater
and Becker counties. We have funding
lined up from Hubbard Co., the NPS and the NCTA. We expect a decision from Becker before
the grant application is due. Matt
reports that it is possible to apply with local funds pending. Some believe the concept of one in hand
vs. two in the bush is applicable. A
decision will be made by Matt, Carter, Ray and Jerry once we have final
word from Clearwater
and Becker counties.
Brower
Visitor Center
at ISP has offered NCT display space in the visitor center.
Darrin advised the group that we must pick up some
bridge planking donated by the DNR.
Carter is to check with the Sauers about a possible storage
location.
Wednesday, March 28th was a Red Letter
Day. Carter, Florence
and Jerry completed the flagging of the trail and the GPS track in the Schoolcraft River area. With that effort, the entire trail from
the western border of the Chippewa
National Forest to Itasca State Park is built or flagged with
GPS tracking. This finalization was
possible when Carter received approval from Potlatch Corp. to use a corner
of their property to avoid a wetland.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Trout, Secretary
BOARD MEETING
ITASCA
MORAINE CHAPTER, NCTA, Feb 18, 2007
Lake
George Cafe
Present: Carter
& Florence Hedeen, Harvey & Frannie Tjader, Darin Miller, Phoebe
Alden, Jerry & Beth Trout, and quests Ray and Lynette Vlasak & Matt
Davis
Absent: Darrel
Rodekuhr
Part I, 2007 Annual Conference: Reference to Beth’s handout. Unless otherwise noted below,
Beth’s handout material was adopted.
There are references to Carter’s Jan 23rd
memo.
Florence
reported on 2 grants being prepared for the evening programs.
Moved, seconded and passed that
Florence
apply for a grant of $1250 from the Region II Arts Council for performances
at the concert.
M/S/P that Florence prepare a NCTA Field Grant for
$625 for a NCT Ballad to be written by Charlie Maquire. M/S/P that Florence prepare a NCTA Field
Grant for $625 in support of the performance of Charlie Maguire, with $200
to go toward his fee for composing a NCNST ballad.
Agreed to charge $5.00 for
admission for those not registered, $10.00 per family, that ticket good for
the Friday or Saturday evening programs, or both.
Jerry to check with Jennifer
for stipend for Barry Babcock.
Beth’s handout - Thursday
Airport shuttle – change
to Bemidji
6:00 PM Dinner – Beth to
confirm that Jennifer arranged for Native American food
Evening program time may change
to 7:00PM
Beth’s handout – Friday
8:00 AM day-long hike: Nelson Lake (DNR) Trail Head to Steamboat Pass, approx 7 miles.
Noted that trail from Nelson
Lake Trailhead to the NCT bordering Nelson Lake
needed to be reestablished before the convention. Harvey
to confirm with camp manager relative to trail location and
campground. MCC may be involved
through Harvey or Carter.
8;00 AM half-day hike: Carter’s memo, page 2 of 2,
#6. Hwy91 to Steamboat pass or
reverse. 4.7 miles (6 mile drive
between). BSU to 91 or Steamboat Pass
= 28 miles.
12:30 or 1:00PM Half-day hike: Itasca State Park. This hiking group will go the park
separately from the full day Itasca
outing. Hike leader and hiking route
not established.
Evening program – Florence reported that
Charlie Maquire and Barry Babcock will be “working together.”
Beth’s handout – Saturday
8:00 AM day long canoe ride
– Star Island Long Hike, see handout.
Harvey
to have pontoon backup in case of windy weather.
1:00 PM Half-day hike: Carter’s memo, page 2 of 2,
#4. Refuge Road to Nelson Lake (DNR)
Trail Head = 2.5 miles (3.5 mile drive between). BSU to hike start = 31.5 miles.
8:00 AM Half-day hike: See Carter’s Jan 23rd
memo, page 1 of 2, #2. Three Island Lake
County Park
– Turtle
River hike = 2 miles,
loops can be added to increase distance, rain may force this also. A talk on the history of this ski trail
would probably be available. BSU to
trail = 14 miles.
Darin to confirm history talk.
6:00PM Dinner – Debbie
Miller has arranged for Bemidji musicians, Luke and Amy Rutten, " The
Lonely Bog Stompers" to volunteer for dinner music.
Beth’s handout – Sunday
Airport Shuttle – Bemidji
Pre and/or Post-Workshop
– Possible chain saw training or trail building – NCT Staff
responsibility
Remainder of meeting – Carter’s Meeting
Agenda
Laurentian Lakes
Chapter Progress Report.
Two organizational meetings
have been held. The charter has been
submitted and approved per Matt Davis.
Ray has 35-40 people on his roster but is not certain how many have
signed up as members. Clearwater County has been flagged and 5 or 6
miles in Becker have been flagged.
White Earth Indian Reservation officials must approve the
flagging. The trail is near the Laurentian Divide in Becker Co.
Boundary Location between the ITM and LL Chapters. M/S/P that the divide be at the point
where the Nicollet Tail intersects the Eagle Scout Trial in Itasca State Park. Both charters need to be corrected. Ray and Jerry will see that their
respective charters are changed.
Fred Szarka wants the charters to retain the language relative to
celebrating the trail in the Chip and Itasca State Park.
EAW – Matt and Harvey gave an update on the
requirements. It is important to get
the remaining trail flagged so the process can begin.
Nelson
Lake Kiosk. Florence
is preparing a field grant for the kiosk.
Harvey
is in communication with the Bass Lake Campground Manager relative to the
kiosk.
ITM Chapter Brochures.
Matt urged the ITM chapter go get a brochure published. We can apply for a field grant for this
purpose. The NCTA will supply the
map. It was reported that the
Northwest Foundation can assist in brochure publication. Phoebe volunteered to pursue this
project.
The Re-route.
Matt urged those in attendance who live in Oberstar’s district
to contact Oberstar. The handout and
the re-route button on the NCTA web site have talking points for the
letter.
Signage. Matt
reviewed his signage proposal. Fred
Szarka has the ball for the State
Highway signs.
Phoebe reported she received a router with two alphabetic sets and
is willing to prepare the more rustic and local signs.
Calendar Fund Raiser.
Harvey
agreed to pursue more detail on this publicity/money raising possibility.
Chapter Fund Raising.
Alicia Hoffarth has challenged all chapters to accept the challenge
of raising $500 for the NCTA as the Cheyenne River Valley Chapter has
done. This idea is to be discussed
with the membership at its next meeting.
Membership Drive.
Florence
passed out brochures to all in attendance and challenged all to convert the
brochure to a new membership.
Honoring Rod MacRae.
Ray is to check with Itasca
State Park to see if
we could put a plaque on the south entrance kiosk honoring Rod.
Student Conservation Association. Matt reported on his success in getting a
NPS grant approved that will result in 6 high school students and two paid
supervisors for _____ weeks in July.
Federal Highway Recreation Trail Grant. MCC efforts the past 4 years are a result
of this granting process. Matt is
preparing the grant this year. The
grant application is due at the end of February. We are not certain if we will have local
funds from Clearwater
and Becker counties. We have funding
lined up from Hubbard Co., the NPS and the NCTA. We expect a decision from Becker before
the grant application is due. Matt
reports that it is possible to apply with local funds pending. Some believe the concept of one in hand
vs. two in the bush is applicable. A
decision will be made by Matt, Carter, Ray and Jerry once we have final
word from Clearwater
and Becker counties.
Brower
Visitor Center
at ISP has offered NCT display space in the visitor center.
North Country Trail Association
Itasca Moraine Chapter
Quarterly Meeting – February 25,
2006
The Ranch House, Walker MN
|
Past Secretary
Harvey Tjader
H
|
|
|
In attendance: Don Schutte,
Tom and Holly Somrak, Sue and Ken Keller, Jan and Lee Yarger, Phoebe Alden,
Carter and Florence Hedeen, Deb and Darin Miller, Jerry and Beth Trout,
Barb and Ken Zimmer, Frannie and Harvey Tjader, Harold and Susan Cotant,
Lynette and Ray Vlasak, Darrell Rodekuhr, Deanna Johnson, Kent and Ashanti
Hering.
President Jerry Trout called the meeting
to order after dinner. Don Schutte was introduced as a member of the
Bad Medicine community that has been active in trail building and in the
Lake Country Scenic Byway project. Tom Somrak was introduced as
Walker District Ranger for the Chippewa
National Forest.
Secretary Harvey Tjader read highlights
from the minutes from the last meeting.
Treasurer Darin Miller gave a treasurer
report. The chapter has 37 members.
Florence gave a report on One River Mississippi.
It consists of simultaneous programs in seven locations on the Mississippi River on June 24. We will be
involved in the program at Itasca
State Park.
Other locations are Minneapolis, Quad Cities,
St. Louis, Memphis,
New Orleans
and Plaquemines Parish. The theme is celebrating the river and
recognizing our role in keeping it healthy. Visit the website at www.onerivermississippi.org.
Florence also reminded us to mark our calendars for the Hike
for Hope on October 1.
Jerry reported on the 2007 annual trail
conference, to be held in Bemidji.
Jennifer Tripp (from the Lowell Michigan office) will be in Bemidji
in late March to sign a contract with Bemidji State
University and will
want to meet with some of us.
Jerry circulated a petition asking
Senator Oberstar to work on the Minnesota Reroute legislation. The
reroute will send the trail from the Grand
Rapids vicinity northward toward Ely, then
incorporate the Kekakabic, Border
Route, and Superior Hiking Trails. The
mileage of trail to be built is similar to the original route across
Savanah Portage, but the opportunity to keep the trail on high ground would
save a great amount of effort and expense over building boardwalk in the
swamp. It would also add diversity to the trail, taking it into the
Laurentian Shield and BWCAW country and add spectacular scenery along the North Shore. Additionally, it would
bring in affiliate hiking clubs that are already organized, making the NCTA
a more vibrant and diverse organization. Let Senator Oberstar know
your interests in this matter.
Ray has submitted a grant request for a
second trailer and mower. If received, we will put tool racks in both
trailers at the same time. He ordered two chainsaws from Tool Crib of
the North. They will cost about $600 with chaps. Ray mentioned
that donations can be earmarked for the chapter when making them to
NCTA. Ray said MNDOT’s response to inquiries about signs on
highways is “you can have a sign erected that it perpendicular to the
roadway, only if you have a parking lot.” Mike Kovacovich,
manager of Itasca State Park, said we can add a NCT sign to Itasca State Park signs.
Jerry reported that an Americorps crew of
9-12 people may be assigned to trail construction from April 24 to May
26. If they come, they will stay at Vlasak’s High Pines Resort
and work east from Itasca
State Park. We
will want local members working with them.
Peter Burroughs is an Eagle Scout
candidate who wants to build one or two kiosks for the trail. Jerry said
he will talk with Fred Szarka about matching grants for materials. A
motion was made by Florence
and seconded by Carter to offer Peter $50/kiosk for materials. The
motion carried without dissent.
Jerry announced that he intends to
promote Adopt a Trail, encouraging people to adopt a mile or more of
trail. Currently Harold Cotant is maintaining the trail from Highway
64 to Waboose Lake, Jack Gustafson and Barry Babcock have been doing
maintenance from the Chippewa National Forest boundary to Highway 64, and
Harvey Tjader has pledged to do maintenance on the most recently
constructed section between County Road 91 and Steamboat Forest Road.
There is a gap from Steamboat to Waboose. All these sections are
rather large and more volunteers taking smaller segments may promote
greater efficiency.
Webmaster Don Scouten has moved to Washington State and we are still looking for a
volunteer to replace him.
Jerry and Harvey showed a PowerPoint
presentation that they worked on. It is available for presentations
at meetings at service clubs, government and non-profit
organizations. During the presentation, Carter informed us on trail
scouting accomplishments this winter. Jerry talked about current
grant requests. Combining funds from the NCTA and Hubbard County,
we have $10,000 that we could use to match $10,000 of national recreation
trail fund (NRTF) grant money. The money would be used to hire
Minnesota Conservation Corps crews for trail construction. One of the
organizations that is involved in approving NRTF grants is Minnesota
Recreational Trail Users Association. The MRTUA currently has no
hiking representative. If you would like to serve in that capacity,
contact Jerry or Carter.
Election of officers:
The nominating committee submitted the
following slate of candidates:
President: Carter Hedeen,
Vice
president: Harvey Tjader
Secretary: Jerry
Trout
Treasurer: Darin Miller
Director: Phoebe
Alden
Director: Darrell Rodekuhr
A motion was made by Darin and seconded
by Florence
to appoint this slate of candidates to office. The motion carried
with no dissent. Offices become effective April 1, 2006
In other business, Florence reported that a $200 field grant
to assist with the costs of kiosks for the Lake Country Scenic Byway had
been disbursed. Carter presented accolades to Jerry Trout, our
charter president. Harvey announced
that he intends to promote the NCT and the Headwaters Canoe Club at the
Earth Day fair on April 22 at Bemidji
State University.
Jerry suggested using the PowerPoint presentation. Having a laptop
computer in the display would require continuous supervision, so at least
two people would be required. If you’re interested in helping,
contact Harvey.
The next meeting, to be held in the
April-June period, will be announced. Bemidji
and Dorset were suggested as possible
locations.
Respectfully submitted,
Harvey Tjader, (my last act as secretary)
|
