The executive committee met at 6:25 pm at the Manistee Ranger Station with the following people present: Mary Soule, Angie Addingtion, Scott Hass (FS intern), Joan Young. Since only one additional person arrived for the general meeting- Stewart Wolf, the two meetings were basically merged into one. Counting Scott as a representative of the FS membership a quorum was established and business was conducted.

At 7:30 pm, a break from the business was taken for Trail Time which was presented by Jane Schneider of the Health Department. She gave an informative talk about hypothermia and directed us to a website http://www.worksafebc.com/pubs/brochures/howto/hypothrm.asp

Membership is at 63.

The minutes of the December 12 meeting were read, and a number of corrections made. With corrections they were approved. Treasurer Mary Soule reports a beginning balance of $1118.36 with one payment of $105 to Genesis Graphics for half of the boardwalk sign, leaving a balance of $1013.36.

Coming activities were noted.

There was discussion of ways to improve publicity. The copies of the North Star taken to libraries were well received and we will continue to do this. We considered the need to send some kind of mail notice quarterly rather than only twice a year. The "off" quarters might be a one-page update letter or perhaps a bookmark size calendar of activities. Angie suggested having refrigerator magnets made with our logo to remind people about the trail. She will check on prices. Joan is speaking to leaders of both the Boy and Girl Scouts in March. Other suggestions include seeing if we can give programs at the Lake Michigan Rec area and the Ludington State Park, and getting permission from the Forest Service to put flyers about National Trails Day at the trailheads.

Jane invited us to participate in the Fitness Fair at Manistee Catholic Central, Feb 1. Mary volunteered to staff our booth and Joan may help, but will at least get the informational items to Mary.

A sample of the routed signs is not yet available for us to see-- hopefully in February.

A letter from the Forest Service about the installation of toilets at Udell and Marilla was read, and the positive response from the NPS. No further action was needed. Similarly no action was needed in response to a FS letter about the Little Manistee watershed.

Scott Hass is the new intern with the Manistee District of the FS. Since he had just begun work he had no information to report. Topics of interest would have been the status of the Chicago Avenue land purchase and the Tribal land near High Bridge.

We have gotten no response from Gary Cole as to whether the FS will allow us to keep the new half-mile of trail north of Udell Hills Rd closed to bikes so that it can be certified.

We are waiting to hear from the NPS as to whether the grant money for bridges has been approved.

There is nothing new to report concerning the Heckman Memorial Fund.

Regarding National Trails Day, June 2, 2001 the Executive Committee reaffirmed the goals of attempting to attract new people, and especially young people to participate. The same general format of the day was approved. NTD Committee will be Angie Addington, Joan Young, Mary Soule, Ellen Lightle, Ramona Venegas.

There was discussion of ways to develop good relationships with bikers while standing firm on the vision of the NCT as a footpath. Angie suggested that we have lists of alternative bike trails in the area available at trailheads. This might be made into a flyer with the Desired Future Condition noted as well as trail locations. We know of no comprehensive list of such trails, and need to develop one ourselves. Scott will find list of trails in the Manistee NF. We can check bike shops and on the web.

Angie would like us to think about creative ways to improve publicity. We might think of some "teasers" for National Trails Day."

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. Minutes recorded by Joan Young in the absence of Ed Morse, Secretary.