CENTRAL NEW YORK CHAPTER
TITTABAWASSEE CHAPTER HARBOR SPRINGS CHAPTER
KATHY DISQUE has had a long-time interest in hiking. When her son's Boy Scout troop needed a hiking merit badge counselor, Kathy rose to the occasion and soon learned of the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (now a partner of the NCTA). Kathy enthusiastically led the boys on their hikes but also insisted that they include a work day to give back to the trail before she would sign off on their badges! Since the Finger Lakes Trail and the Onondaga ADK are intertwined she attended the 1996 Fall FLTC Conference and there learned of the North Country Trail as well. She promptly signed up. So when the CNY Chapter began in her neck of the woods, Kathy's membership was already in place. She served as their Treasurer from 1997- 2000, and is now one of their Directors. She has also maintained her relationship with the Onondaga folks and is currently their Vice-Chair. Kathy actively supports open space and conservation efforts. "But I like to go visit sites that are being discussed," she explained. "I don't just believe what some e-mail message tells me I should think." Once she has an opinion on various issues she follows through, often writing letters to encourage appropriate actions. Kathy's not just a desktop hiker though. Her job as accountant gives her plenty of desk time. Rather, she loves to be outdoors: to listen to the birds; to smell the balsam. "I never wear a watch in the woods," Kathy confided. "I'm not out there to be constrained by time." Her favorite thing to do for the trail? She likes scouting out routes and actual trail building. She has an adopted piece of trail to maintain that she helped to build. Kathy's miles are just south of Canastota, New York. The soil there is clay... hard to work in when wet, but like concrete when dry. Nevertheless, they often work when it's wet in order to make the treadway what Kathy calls "sneaker friendly." She knows that many people who will use that section are not hard-core hikers. People from town just want to take a recreational stroll, perhaps even on their lunch hours, and she wants all walkers of the NCT to feel welcome there. Kathy's advice? "Don't just think of the trail as a linear experience. Take a look and see what's all around you."
It's often said that if you want something done you should look for someone who is already busy. That sure seemed to work in the case of JERRY ALLEN. Jerry is a Boy Scout Commissioner, a trail steward for the Midland to Mackinac Trail, a member of the American Legion Post, Music Director at his church, and a mentor with Community Mental Health. Yet, in 1996 when the District Boy Scout Executive asked Jerry about the North Country Trail, he went scouting for some of that information we've mentioned and decided to join the Traverse City Chapter although it was quite far from his home in the eastern part of Michigan. This seemed just too far to travel for meetings so he began to work with Stella Thelen to form a new chapter. It turned out that a core of people existed who might be able to join together and a section of trail north of Traverse City could be theirs for adoption. Jerry agreed to be the President and that's been his role in the Tittabawasee chapter ever since. Jerry is no newcomer to long-distance trails. He hiked for six months on the Appalachian Trail and believes that the "National Trail System is something really great." During his time on the trail he says he re-evaluated his life and knew that he wanted to give back something to trails. He says that trail work also helps to keep him healthy- fighting off the advance of several chronic health problems by staying fit. Jerry is one of the people who can say that they have hiked a little of the NCT in each of its seven states. He's been to all the National Conferences since he became involved. We might also recall that he met his wife, Connie, through the trail, and that they were married on the NCT just a few years ago. Yes, we do mean "on the trail!" Connie adds that he's very conscientious. "He takes great pains to be at all chapter events, and works like a beaver on work days." Jerry is a retired forester, and graduated from Michigan State with the current NCTA President Gaylord Yost. So Gaylord asked Jerry to help the new Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter, based in St. Ignace, Michigan, get started. This is right in line with Jerry's chosen priority, promotion of the trail. "I seldom meet someone who is a hiker, or who I suspect is a hiker, that I don't tell them about the trail. As long as I'm able, I'll continue to promote the NCT." Keep up the good work, Jerry!
All three chapters mentioned in this issue are about the same age. Four to five years ago the Association suddenly surged from just a few chapters to about a dozen. Harbor Springs Chapter was formed to maintain the miles just south of the Mackinac Bridge in lower Michigan. JERRY KEENEY has been their President for the past four years. He too is involved in lots of environmental causes including the Michigan Nature Association. Through that organization, he cares for sections of nature sanctuaries throughout the state. When Jerry retired from teaching history in the Grosse Pointe (near Detroit) school system he and his wife moved to northern Michigan to be closer to family. Their new home is actually near the Trail, but they didn't know it at the time. Somehow he got to know Arden Johnson who knew of his work with the Nature Association. Soon Arden had Jerry working on the NCT as well. "Trails are one of the great ways to protect nature," Jerry asserts. "It's a constructive way to show people how to enjoy the environment." Keeping people on trails protects the surrounding area. Jerry's says that his greatest accomplishment is the production of a local brochure and trail map. He was inspired for the project by a desire to let people know the trail exists. "So many people didn't know," Jerry sadly echoes the refrain so many of us sing. He believes that the maps, available at trailhead boxes, can help assure people who might be hesitant to go into the woods. He's also currently working on building 800 feet of puncheon through a wetland to improve the trail and protect the environment. Jerry's connection with Scouts? He's working with a local troop to complete trail through Wilderness State Park. Another chapter member says "Jerry's very persistent; he gets things done." Jerry insists "it's great fun. Nobody in the world has enough money to pay me for what I do. I do it because I just love it." He concluded, "You know, I'm approaching my 71st birthday. I get anxious about the future of the Trail. I know it won't be completed in my lifetime, but I hope for a clear vision of what the Trail will be."