BUCKEYE TRAIL ASSOCIATION
HERB HULLS has served as President of the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) for five years, and previous to that he was on the board of directors. Essentially, Herb has been intensely involved in trail work since he first discovered the trail about 10 years ago. He and a friend came across a work party and asked where to find the trail. They were quickly given directions and more information by the omni-Ohio-present Jim Sprague . Almost immedediately, Herb and wife Susie joined the BTA and then the NCTA, seeing the vision for the national trail as well. Herb says, "I appreciate the primitive." He likes knowing that he is helping to preserve places where he can still find quiet in the woods. Having seen damage from motorized vehicles all over the country, he says that trails for muscle-powered sports are places to cherish. Herb acknowledges that he wants to get things done and sometimes pushes hard. He says that there is "a lot to do, but there is a lot that can be done." He describes himself as a loner who gets ideas of how to attain the Vision for the Trail. Then he tries to show people how those goals can be accomplished. "Membership is vital; we need to bring good people on board all the time," he added. He and Susie were awarded "Volunteer of the Year" for the BTA in 1996. In May of this year the first Ohio Trails Expo was held at Hocking College, and this trail extravaganza is one of Herb's ideas come to fruition. He would like to see more dialogue with other non-motor-powered user groups with the goals of reducing conflict and promoting understanding. He is continually striving to raise money to buy land in order to protect the trail. Getting more of the trail off-road is also high on Herb's to-do list. Seeing attitudes toward the trail change has been rewarding to Herb. He points American Electric Power company as an example. Ten years ago they reluctantly allowed the trail to cross their lands with no camping permitted. Now they welcome new miles of off-road trail, and have agreed to the building of several primitive campsites. Not to imply that Herb's only talents are in planning and leadership, he is retired as an expert taxidermist. Skill in working with his hands has recently resulted in the construction of an efficient chuck wagon which can be used by work crews. Jim Sprague has summed up Herb's character succinctly, "He is a serious trails enthusiast!"
SPIRIT OF THE WOODS CHAPTER
"Make a difference and a trail!" proclaims ANGIE ADDINGTON. As newsletter editor for her chapter, Angie is making a difference. Her degree in graphic design and learned computer skills result in a polished publication for the chapter. She donates her artistic and layout talents to several non-profit organizations, and has a few paying accounts, but most of her time is occupied by the chapter's youngest member, Forrest. The aptly named toddler has been hiking with the group since two weeks before making his public appearance in the world, and he loves to be in the woods! Angie says that she feels the newsletter is something she can really do to help the trail because it is hard to go out on work days with a baby. Nevertheless, she recalls her own childhood exposure to the rugged outdoors of Colorado where she grew up. Fond memories of family camping, backpacking and fly-fishing trips sustain her in the moments of living with the reality of struggling to plan for a day in the woods with a two-year-old! "If you're exposed as a youngster it sticks with you; he's the next generation for the trail," she predicts. The Addingtons were looking for ways to meet people with out-door interests when they moved to western Michigan. Angie found my personal website and e-mailed me. About the same time she saw a PBS show about the Appalachian Trail that piqued her interest, and then discovered that there was a National Scenic Trail right here in Michigan. Not long after that the Spirit of the Woods Chapter was organized, with Angie and husband Mark as charter members. Angie strongly believes in trails. She points out that as development increases, trails become an even more valuable resource. They provide people the opportunity to get away from the crazy-ness of regular life. Recently Angie poured her talents into publicity for the chapter's National Trails Day celebration, which was a great success as over 100 people showed up to play in the woods on a rainy day. "Without communication, people won't know the trail is there." Well said, Angie!
GRAND TRAVERSE CHAPTER
DICK NAPERALA first heard about the NCT from Arlen Matson. He and Arlen worked together to start the chapter in the Traverse City, Michigan area about seven years ago. Since then Dick has been on the local board and from 1998- 2000 served as Chapter President. He now shares the job of Trail Coordinator with Matson. He received the chapter Volunteer of the Year award in 1997. Under his leadership the chapter grew from 40 to 125 memberships with a two-pronged focus: to build trail, and to provide outdoor activities to use the trail. Dick sees one of his strengths in his enthusiasm and love for the Trail, and the ability to convey that enthusiasm to others. "If people get out and hike the trail then it is more likely they will get involved with the trail." Dick is a retired upper elementary school teacher, and you can almost hear that sub-theme: get your students involved and they will learn! The Grand Traverse Chapter collaborates with other local clubs to provide quality programs which draw people who love the outdoors. There are a variety of people who want various things;" Dick noted, "We need to tap into that." He expanded on the theme that trails give people the opportunity to get out and enjoy nature. "We get great feedback from people; they love the scenery. But as they get closer, it may even change their outlook on life." First of all people may become more sensitive to the fragile world we live in. Hikers can gain an appreciation of what northern Michigan has to offer. And also, they have the opportunity to slow down and collect their thoughts. Dick wanted to add that one real reward of being President has been to work with great people who are willing to give their time and energy for a common interest. He says that this has expanded his friendships and his horizons. Now his duties as Trail Coordinator take different forms. Tasks such as land acquisition and re-routing are Dick's focus, but all tasks are fueled by that love for the Trail.
Traverse City Record Eagle article, July 2000, with more about the Traverse City Chapter and Dick. Scroll down the page to find them.