FINGER LAKES TRAIL CONFERENCE

If you know the Finger Lakes Trail (and its 300 plus miles which are concurrent with the North Country Trail), you know ED SIDOTE. He was described to me as a "tireless supporter and educator about the trail." Ed joined the FLTC in 1977 and has been an officer (pick one or more): president, v-p, trail coordinator, publicity chairman, member of board of managers for the past 12 years. Ed set one major goal for his tenure as president from 1987-89 to close the six gaps which existed in the FLT. To his dismay, not even one of the gaps was eliminated! So, when he left office he decided to concentrate on that one goal. He created the popular Alley-Cat work weeks and by 1992 the trail was complete, just in time for the 30th anniversary of its founding. Ed is also the third person (of 96 total) to hike the entire Finger Lakes Trail. This inspired him to start what is known as the Cross Country Series which are planned hikes to complete a region of the trail in one season. As publicity chairman Ed often speaks and presents slide programs about the trail. Ed has received several major awards: the Wallace D. Wood award in 1993 from FLTC, the Oscar from the Cayuga Trails Club also in 1993, and the Chenango Land Trust recently awarded him its Land Stewardship award recognizing him as a leader of walking activities in the county. Ed claims to not be able to help himself, that building trails is in his genes. That genetic programming also drives him to maintain five miles of trail. Another of his valuable activities is helping other people on their hikes. He keeps a list of 76 people who are willing to help others spot cars. One fellow walker calls Ed the "holiest of trail angels."

CHIEF NOONDAY CHAPTER

TOM GARNETT gulped and wished we'd pat someone else on the back instead of him when I called to tell him he'd been nominated. So many great volunteers are also great at pointing to the accomplishments of others! (But another member calls Tom's dedication and excitement for the trail "truly awesome.") Tom and his wife own a graphic design business and use these talents to lay out the Trail Shop pages in this magazine [North Star]. He is currently serving as VP of administration for his chapter. Tom's been on trails all his life. His grandfather home-built what Tom describes as "the first RV," and took his grandsons camping. Scouting was also a factor in Tom's love for trails. While hiking the Appalachian Trail in 1987 he sat down on a rock to rest, looked ahead, and realized that the trail before him was groomed- and that someone had to have done that. The trail was mowed and clear. "The easier the trail is to hike, the better I like it," Tom realized. He knew then that he wanted to do that someday. When he saw a NCT brochure at a sports store he knew he had found a trail near home on which he could work. He loves to be out on a crew early in the morning. "The mad, mad world slips away. The birds and trees become real. I love trees," Tom shared. The physical work is healthy and invigorating for the mind too, he added. He planned Chief Noonday Chapter's National Trails Day event. Tom also created the chapter's web site. He likes being able to plan something for people to enjoy. "So many people can benefit from using this trail, but they don't know about it." Tom sees his enthusiasm as his greatest contribution and wants to urge people, especially families, to become involved in using and working on the trail. "The rewards are immense," Tom promises.

SPIRIT OF THE WOODS CHAPTER

This young chapter has taken on a huge project: building a 600-foot boardwalk, and HOWARD HOPKINS is the project coordinator. Howard is a construction contractor in real life, and so he wasn't fazed at the enormity of the task. "It's my trade," he said matter-of-factly. "I know how to divide a job up into sections, and how to utilize help." He is happy to know he has skills that can be used for the trail, and he is pleased with how the boardwalk is nearing completion. He would love to be able to contribute financially toward the trail effort, but like many of us, does not have the means. What he does have is expertise, time and interest. He knew the North Country Trail passed near his home (a log home in the woods that he built himself) and when he was told that a local chapter of the NCTA might form he and his family attended the organizational meeting. Walking in the woods is a healthy family activity, Howard acknowledged. He likes to see the scenery and explore new sights and sounds. "I never vacation in the city," he explained. His wife Candy elaborated with a smile, "Howard doesn't mind being lost in the woods!" He's happy to live in Michigan, and close to so much of the North Country Trail. "Michigan is like a cross-section of the whole country," Howard said. It has city, mountains, shores, forests and deserts. Howard believes trails are a good way for the public to be able to access National Forests- to allow people to use their own land. He has a strong desire to continue to work for the trail in the future and has taken the NFS chain saw certification training so that he can work within the forest on some of the heftier projects. Next time you walk high and dry across some bridge or boardwalk, think of folks like Howard and all the hours they have spent to make your walk easier.