April 9, 2009 Ranch
House,
Attending: Tom and Donna Shackman; Katie Blau; Tony McKeown; Harold and Susan Cotant; Jerry and Beth Trout; Mary and Mike Becker; Darrel Rodekuhr; Don and Heidi Hoppe; Curt and Betty McCabe; Paul Nordeen; Phoebe Alden; Carter and Florence Hedeen; Jennifer Therkildsen and Duane Gebhard; Nancy Horn; and Joe and Bev Jorland
Jerry Trout, President, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
In absence of the Treasurer, Jerry reported that the chapter has about $3000 in funds. Darin is looking into opening a locally held chapter account so that funds will be more readily available.
The Secretary was absent. Jerry referred the membership to the inter-net to see the chapter minutes.
Darrel reported on the progress of the NCT through-hiker
E.J. Eberhard, a 70-year old who has completed hiking six national scenic
trails. He's been side-lined by a knee
injury suffered while hiking on the Kekekabic Trail in March, though he
continued hiking, off and on through
Phoebe distributed copies of the updated chapter brochure and map. She is ready to do more routered information signs for the trail.
Trail Adopters:
Jerry and Matt Davis met with Tom Shackman regarding trail issues in the Chippewa.
Adopters are:
Tom Shackman has trail club coming for one week in August to maintain FS section of the NCT, to reduce it to a hiking standard.
May 15, 9:30-3:00, Shingobee Chalet in the Chippewa NF,
there will be training for trail adopters.
The chapter has a smaller DR trimmer mower, on wheels, stored at FS
office is
May 16, 9:30-3:00,
Carter reported on trail building. There are four-plus miles, plus puncheon to
be completed in the
Jerry showed the registration boxes/brochure holders that
have been made by the Star of the North Chapter for ITM kiosks. Tom Shackman said that the STS crew from
Jerry has been working with government entities regarding
the placement of NCNST signs at trail crossings on Hwy 64 and at
Katie Jo Blau has agreed to be the person to nurture new members and keep in touch with members who haven't renewed.
Google Mail system is being developed for ITM.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tony McKeown uses his personal Toro lawnmower to do trail maintenance and highly recommends it. Trout's will check into the possibility of Toro being an official sponsor of the NCNST and perhaps give discounts on the mower's purchase for trail use.
Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
The DVD, The Greatest Silent Sport, by the MSU Communications Class, is available for viewing. Phoebe Alden has the copy.
Florence Hedeen and Beth Trout sang live accompanying Charlie Maguire’s recorded “Ballad of the North Country Trail.”
Florence Hedeen, Sec. Pro-tem
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ITM Board Meeting December 5, 2008
Park Rapids, MN 2:30 PM
Members Present:
Jerry, Darrel, Phoebe, Carter, Bruce and guests
Membership Profile-Jerry
Compare Laurentian Lakes and
The ITM Chapter.
Treasurer’s Report- Darin M. (not in attendance)
Jerry figures we have between $1000-$2000, but we don’t know how much we have.
(Data 2007 to Nov. 2008) All agreed that we should check into opening a checking
account for the chapter.
Plans for the Chip for next year.
Darrel is “point” man for the Chip.
The forest service has our mower in their garage.
Highway 4 Complex
Carter is going to contact the County concerning signage.
Carter is going
to contact Peter Burroughs,
Re: Eagle Scouts doing project – kiosk
construction for the new parking area at
And
Kiosks
Additional needed??
Jerry is going to put a kiosk at HWY 12 and HWY 34. Jerry is going to talk to Tom
concerning “Chips” effort to put this up as it is in their jurisdiction. Jerry declared
that for practical purposes ITM is now extended to HWY 12 rather that Chip W.
boundary.
Kiosk at Shingobee on HWY 34.
As previously discussed HWY 4.
Parking lot at Douglas Lodge? A good idea as there is very heavy traffic at this
location.
We need to paint the kiosk along 64, additions (box and Plexiglas map cover must be done prior to painting)
Trail Planning Meeting – Bruce gave the Reader’s Digest version of the vision.
Toilet for PBSF:
We identified 3 campsites where we are to locate:
l. Tent sites
2. Fire ring
3. Toilet site
Campsites
include
We agreed to explore areas for other sites as recommended at the Trail
Planning Meeting. Before exploring areas for new campsites we will check flagging
Between
Removed in places.
Wetlands Projects update:
Bruce stated that it would be GREAT to get sleepers and stringers in place this winter
It would be much easier than in deep mud, summer flies and mosquitoes.
Jerry recommended that Bruce be the “point” person on this project.
Registration Boxes:
These are boxes with notebooks and pencils in them.
Hikers can sign in and comment on their experiences.
Put them on all kiosks, NCT and Nelson Lake Loop intersection.
Other locations will be determined.
Ten boxes are to be built.
Adopters:
It was recommended that we have an adopter’s training session so potential adopters
can determine their level of comfort, i.e. are they able to mow, lop, use the DR brush
cutter, or chainsaw?
Also we should make every attempt to coordinate between the adopters who are in
Place and the DR brush cutter/chainsaw team who come through each area.
It would be best if adopters and DR/chainsaw team could work together.
Chapter Brochure:
Change brochure to add where trailheads are to help potential hikers figure out “Where are we?”
Activities Schedule:
1. Darrel will come up with a date for January’s Winter Trail X-ski, snowshoe hike.
2. It was suggested that we coordinate another hike with the Mushroom Club. Flo
is the “point” person on this activity and it is suggested that it be in September 2009.
3. Carter suggested that we plan a hike each month of the year.
4. Board
meeting set for
to be announced.
5. May 9, 2009, is penciled in for a Chapter Meeting.
Submitted by Bruce Johnson, Secretary, Itasca Moraine Chapter