Spirit of the Woods minutes of meeting of July 10, 2001

This was a brief and informal meeting held at the Magoon Creek Nature Area.

Members present were Joan Young, Ed Morse, Gordon & Betty Wilkes, Ed Chappel, Stuart Wolf, Angie Addington and Ramona Venegas. Visitors were Debbie Radecky (brought by Angie) and Tim & Cinda Locker of Reed City.

Ed C. discussed the recent work day. The trail coordinator from the USFS Baldwin office had several prison workers to help the labor intensive project. He also was teaching skills that would be needed in areas too far from roads to use power equipment. There were not enough volunteers for the work to be done. Several people did not find the work site, for various reasons. Ed asked that future workdays start at 9 AM rather that 10. This was accepted by all. Ed also explained that Kurt Schindler has passed information on to us from the road commission that where the trail runs along a road that it should be blazed on both sides to make it easier to follow and that people should walk facing traffic.

Joan reported that Chapter membership is now 67. Treasury report is not available since the sales profits from Trails Day are not final yet.

USFS report by Joan - They have the paper work for the extension of the Udell Trailhead. Also there is to be a timberstand improvement project that involves both cutting and planting. One or two of the areas will be near our trail.

The routed signs project is on temporary hold. The router bits for 1" letters which were located will not fit Brook's router, and he has returned our $235. We will find another way to get this done.

The deadline is past to register for the Annual Trail Conference that will be held in New York. Joan commented that the Trail Council should have a representative from each chapter.

Joan asked Ed C. about the Trail Council meeting that he had attended. Ed did not have much to say about the meeting, but did comment that they want someone to go to Lansing and knock on doors. His view of a State Trail Coordinator is someone who knows what needs to be done on the trail and gets it done. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan does not have a State Coordinator at the present time due to the resignation of Lynn Waldron.

Joan introduced Tim Locker of Reed City. Tim is working on the BSA Wood Badge training. He wants to get the boy Scouts involved in trail work. He also spoke about combining their hikes with trail work days.

Ed C. spoke about locations that need small bridges built and corduroy installed, generally in the Baldwin area.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45.

There was a short hike to the beach by several people after the meeting.