The meeting was called to order at 8:20 pm by President Joan Young following Trail Time. Trail Time focused on stretching exercises and was presented by fitness trainer Trish Petrus. Everyone participated in trying the various exercises.

Membership stands at 64. Treasurer Mary Soule reported a beginning balance of $1185.86 with $110.07 paid as the balance on the boardwalk sign, leaving a balance of $1075.79.

Coming activities were noted.

Publicity reports:

• Mary Soule hosted an information table at the Manistee Fitness Fair. There was not a large turnout, but several people showed an interest and signed up for e-mail notices.
• The January issue of North Star was given to those who will place in Wellston, Baldwin, Manistee and Scottville libraries.
• Postcards of coming events were sent to all members and extra ones distributed for handing out.
• Samples of refrigerator magnets were displayed by Angie Addington. She reported that these would be easy and cheap to make and could be used as teasers for National Trails Day.
• Joan will speak to Girl Scout leaders March 7, and Boy Scout leaders March 8.
• Ramona will check to see if we can do a program at Lake Michigan Rec Area.

Trail Work:
Sample routed signs were displayed made by Brook Shafer. The lettering is larger than the NPS standard, so we need to find out if Brook can get templates in the correct sizes. Ramona will check on a set the Forest Service owns. The general consensus was that the lettering needs to be closer to the standards recommended. Bill Menke has been on vacation, so his comments were not available.

Forest Service Issues:
Joan has talked with Gary Cole about the following:

• Where the trail now crosses Tribal Land near Blacksmith Bayou (due to purchase from Consumers Energy) we will need to secure an easement. We should contact Bill _______, tribal representative.
• There is no likelihood of the NFS purchasing land near Chicago Avenue to access Sylvan Creek. Ramona adds that the parcel has been split into fourths and purchased. We will have to seek an easement with one of the new owners.
• Our request to close the new half-mile of trail off Udell Hills Rd to bikes will be denied. However, a special use permit to allow regular use of the trail by a bike group will be denied.

The Challenge Cost Share Grant of $750 for construction of small bridges north of 76th St has been approved by the National Park Service.

Beth Heckman has contacted us concerning the memorial fund for Randall. She very much likes the prospect of improving the trail near Sterling Marsh. We talked about the possibility of including some benches in Randall's memory. We will keep her involved in the planning process.

We need to contact Seth Hopkins to get the chapter Library and equipment since Seth has dropped his membership.

Guests Matt Samsel and Chris Johnson talked about a plan the Manistee school system plans to use for at-risk 7th and 8th graders. They will take one group of boys and one of girls on backpacking trips on the North Country Trail. They are looking for suggestions of places to do this, and want to help with some sort of service project as well. Dates will be June 13-19 and June 22-28.

National Trails Day:
The Committee will meet February 17 to begin planning. Ramona will check to see if we can put flyers in trailhead boxes. It may be same weekend as Kids' Fishing Day.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Members present were Char Holly, Ramona Venegas, Joan Young, Mary Soule, Ed & Nan Chappel, Angie Addington. Guests were Trish Petrus, Chris Johnson, Matt Samsel, Russ Malburg, Pat Fisher.

minutes taken by Joan Young in the absense of Ed Morse, secretary