North Star Vol. 25, No. 4 (2006)

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Refocused and Ready to Move Ahead T if RAIL o understand the true needs of administrating our organization, your board began a stripping down process at last year's conference. During the process, we found inefficienciesin our operation. We were aided in this endeavor by great support from many of our staff members, but some hard decisionswere made in order for us to get a reasonableunderstanding of what needs to be done in our office.

At the August 10, 2006, board meeting, it was decided we had completed the process and voted to establish a committee to hire an Interim Executive Director (IED).

The Committee worked quickly and on September 1, I was pleased to announce to the Board that we had hired Irene Szabo as IED. Irene will bridge us between the stripping down process we have just completed and the hiring of a full time administrator to lead us forward.

Irene resigned her board position and her duties as Vice President East in order to join our staff. Dave Cornell has agreed to step up and assume the Executive Committee role of our new Vice President East. Welcome and thank you, Dave.

Irene's top priority and number one focus will be to develop a 2007 budget, which will include an Executive Director and continue our commitment to regional trail staff.

We plan to have a preliminary version of this budget prepared by the end of October so that Board action forming an Executive Director Search

c;J[3&0

JOHN LEINEN President

Committee can take place at the December 2nd Board of Directors meeting. Once this committee is formed we will be moving forward as quickly as possible to hire a full-time Executive Director.

I' cl like to thank Irene for her depth of commitment to the North Country Trail Association. Her willingness to set her life on hold to serve us now is above and beyond, and deserves everyone'sappreciation and support. I know I can count on all of our members to give Irene any and all support she needs to do this difficult job well.

Thanks to all in advance from both Irene and me for everyone's support.

As long as I'm announcing new members of our staff, I' cl like to tell you that Matt Davis has started as the new Minnesota-North Dakota Regional Trail Coordinator. Matt joined us the week of conference and has set up his home office in Detroit Lakes, Minn. (See article on page 20 for more information on Matt Davis.)

While wearing one of my other NCTA hats, that of Minnesota State Trail Coordinator, I'm already observing Matt hitting the ground running and doing a great job for us. Again I know I speak for all when extending a big

North Country welcome to Matt.

On another front, there is exciting news to report, too. This summer there was an announcement by new Interior Secretary,Dirk Kempthorne, of a new plan for the National Parks that will stress conserving natural and historic places as their predominant mission. This new policy reversesthe Administration's plan that shifted the park's priorities toward recreation with less emphasis on preservation.

The focus of the new plan seems to be apparent by the recent appointment of career National Park Service officer, Mary Bomar, as the new National Park Service Director. Let's hope Mary is successful at implementing the new plan and in securing the $600 million needed to complete the maintenance backlog in the National Parks. While the North Country National Scenic Trail is not an official "unit" of the Park Serviceand this new plan will not directly affect the NCT, it is good to know that the agency which administers our trail has this kind of focus.

I'll conclude by thanking all of our volunteers for the hard work they have contributed this year as 2006 draws towards the end. I'm sure you all know that your staff and Board work hard to complete this vision we call the North Country National Scenic Trail, but all that effort would yield very little without the gigantic effort given by all our wonderful volunteers.

We all want you to know how much it is appreciated.Through everyone's effortswe can seeyou on the Trail.

North Country Trail Association The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, preserves and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.

Our vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail is that of a premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience for hikers in a permanently protected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.

Come Visit Us! The Lowell office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 _pm.

229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 Phone (866) HikeNCT • 616-897-5987 • Fax (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org

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A Glance Inside

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Staff Andrew Bashaw,

Regional Trail Coordinator Ohio/Pennsylvania andrewbashaw@northcountr ytrail.org

Clare Caln, Director of Trail Management clarecain@northcounrrycrail.org

Matt Davis,

Regional Trail Coordinator Minnesota/North Dakota davis@northcountr ytrail.org

Bill Menke,

Regional Trail Coordinator Great Lakes bill_menke@parmer.nps.gov

Glory Meyer, Public Services Coordinator glorymeyer@northcountrytrail.org

Matt Rowbotham, GJS/!T Specialist mattrowbotham@northcountrytra il.org

Tiffany Stram, GIS Coordinator tiffanystram@norchcounrryrrail.org

Irene Szabo, Interim Executive Director ireneszabo@norrhcounrryrrail.org

Jennifer Tripp,

Director of Development and Communications jentripp@northcounrryrrai l.org

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2007 Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep., (724)526-5407

· joyceappel@arm-rek.net

Lyle Blalk Michigan Rep., (810)679-2401

· lylebialk@sbcglobal.ner

Carl Boesel, Ohio Rep., (740)385-0074

· gboesel@hocking.net

Bobby Koepplin, At Large Rep., (701)845-2251

· bkoepplin@kwh.com

John Leinen, President, At Large Rep., (651)433-4456

· foorparhpal@msn.com

Articles

Departments

Novices on the NCNST 11 NCTA Joins LNT 13 More Ways to Volunteer 14 SCA Crew Builds Trail..

16 Blind Campers Hike Trail 17 Outdoor Gourment 18 Conference Highlights 22 Association Honors Volunteers .. 27 Benchmark History ofNCNST .. 33 Trail Tale 38

Milestones Hiking Shorts Trail Shop Who's Who at the NCTA Trail Supporters

5 6 39 44 .46

Gaylord Yost, Great Lakes Rep., gaylyost@aol.com

· (414)354-8987

Terms Expiring 2008 Mary Coffin, New York Rep., (315)687-3589

· mcoffinl@rwcny.rr.com

Dave Cornell, VP East, At Large Rep., onesrep@mei.net

· (269)623-8659

Alicia Hoffarth, VP West, North Dakota Rep., (701)490-3889

· cahoffarrh@hotmail.com

Terry Serres, At Large Rep., (612)414-4116

· serresr@comcasr.net

Terms Expiring 2009 James Baldwin, At Large Rep., (269)382-3808

· jgbaldwin@earrhlink.com

Columns Trailhead Ruminations of an Old Cow Going for the Gold On the Trail...

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About the Cover Chief Noonday's Dave Cornell is honored with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Annual Conference in Clarion, Penn. Read more about this year's award winners on page 27. Photo by Aaron Phipps.

Sarah Julien, Secretary, At Large Rep., (616)676-0172

· sajulien@comcasr.net

North Star Staff

Christopher Kleln, VP Finance, Minnesota Rep.,

Irene Szabo, Associate Editor Jennifer Tripp, Associate Editor Aaron Phipps, Art Director

(218) 738-3988 · kleinll@midwesrinfo.com

Al Larmann, At Large Rep., (315)697-3387

· AFLarmann@msn.com

The North Star, Fall Issue, Vol. 25, Issue 4, is published by rhe North Country Trail Association, a private, nor-for-profit 50l(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational

purposes and as a benefit of membership in rhe Association.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may

be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

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Ruminations of an Old Cow, Upon Her Move to a New Stall

by Irene Szabo Interim Executive Director

T

he various twists and turns of my several "careers"have hardly been planned or prepared; rather, each has been "smartly styled by gravity and the prevailing winds," words stolen from a Jules Feiffer cartoon, circa 1960. (Egad, she's old!) Nonetheless, my abrupt change from self-employment selling heating and ventilating stuff to the management of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) is truly a natural progression, since it's the perfect culmination of twenty years' worth of accidental but persistent training in my volunteer life.

Little did I realize that I was growing into a future job when I was ecstatic to be invited to adopt my first section of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), and then learned to love trail care even more than hiking, or that my six years spent on the board of the Finger Lakes Land Trust among brilliant, talented, and experienced people were preparing me to understand land preservation issues, not-for-profit boards, organizational health and long life, and fund-

raising maxims.

Nor did I recognize a swing of the pendulum at the time, but when I met state forester Charlie Mowatt in 1990, a man who believes passionately in outreach and taking the time to explain things to his public, I was about to learn always to walk a mile in the other guy's shoes, that agency people do care about the places they manage, that they also must serve many masters and mandates, and that they deserve to be heard before we know-it-all civilians start blatting.

I learned from methodical patient FLT Conference Trail Vice President Howard Beye that I, too, must be patient with volunteers who agree to take on responsibilities, but fail to perform. We raging perfectionists aren't good at that, but Howard has reminded me over the years that we cannot fire them, beat them, or shoot them at will. And I was reminded by trail steward Pete Nye that we should always say something nice about a person's volunteer contribution, before we start to criticize or make suggestions.

It was only an accident, twentysome years ago, when I happened

upon a Finger Lakes Trail sign on a tree when I was doing something else, much like Tennyson's poetic horse scratching his rump on a tree while double-daring Icarus falls from the sky on melted wings. However, part of the "something else" was that I had begun to develop a walking habit, and I guess the rest is just history. Each thing has led neatly to another, even without design or plan, so I guess my life has been inexorably oozing like cooling lava toward this brief moment in our organization's progress.

While this arrangement might not last long, because, after all, my time as Executive Director is intended only as a bridge between our recent past with a volunteer manager and our future with a long-term professional, I am still pleased beyond repair at this opportunity, both for the NCTA and for myself. This is what I've been gearing up for, accidentally and unwittingly training for, and I am excited and challenged by the chance to put all those lessons to use.

Of course, since I've worked for myself for the last 16 years, a boss I've grown accustomed to and can work well with, I may have to be slapped around by the staff in Lowell should I have become rusty in my social skills. They are all invited to whack me when I forget who knows more, way more, about how this organization operates.

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Make a Bequest to the NCTA A bequest can take many forms.

You and your advisor may consider one of several types of bequest when preparing your will. Here are two generally accepted ways to make a bequest.

Specific Bequest. With a specific bequest, you designate that the North Country Trail Association is to receive a specific dollar amount or specific property. "I give and devise to North Country Trail Association, Lowell, Michigan, a Michigan nonprofit corporation, (% or $) to be held, administered, and used by the Board of Directors for support of North Country Trail Association in the area of greatest need and opportunity." (Or the designated interest area of your choice.)

Residuary Bequest. A residuary bequest is used to give North Country Trail Association

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all (or a potion thereof) of your property, after all debts, taxes, expenses, and all other bequests have been paid. "I give and devise to North Country Trail Association, Lowell, Michigan, a Michigan non-profit corporation, the remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be held, administered, and used by the Board of Directors for support of North Country Trail Association in the area of greatest need and opportunity." (Or the designated interest area of your choice.)

Let Us Know. We hope you'll tell us when you have named the Association in your will. We would very much like the opportunity to thank you for your generosity.

For detailed information and advice, please consult your attorney, insurance broker and finance manager.

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Most Volunteer Hours These are the NCTA volunteers who have recorded the highest number of volunteer hours.

Congratulations!

Along the way to building the longest continuous hiking trail in the country, we pass many milestones. This page marks some that show our progress.

Trail Building Progress on the North Country Trail The National Park Service certifies those completed miles that satisfy its certification standards. In addition, there are many more completed miles that may be enjoyable to hike but have not been certified for a variety of reasons.

State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Totals

Percent Done and Certified

Miles Certified

46.7% 29.4% 57.5% 54.4% 30.2% 50.0% 42.8% 43.2%

221.6 110.2 115 625.1 317.5 132.5 267.8 1,789.7

Change Other Since Last Off-Road Miles Issue

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1.3 313.4 2 124 39.6 38.6 82 600.9

Total Off Road Miles

Marked Road Miles*

222.9 423.6 117 749.1 357.1 171.1 349.8 2,390.6

0 0 4.9 9.0 4.8 4.9 0.6 24.2

"Marked Road Miles reflect those road miles that are both blazed and marked with NCT Connector signs.

State by State Membership Membership in the NCTA demonstrates public support for the trail. Membership dues help fund activities that benefit the trail. Here's how each state changed since the last issue of the North Star.

State North Dakota Minnesota

Members Last Issue

Current Members

Change Since Last Quarter

72 228 274 1,437 354 313 312 234 3 224

69 220 268 1,371 343 310 295 244 3,120

-3 -8 -6 -66 -11 -3 -17 10 -104

Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Other Total

Percent Change

-4.2% -3.5% -2.2% -3.1% -3.1% -1.0% -5.4% 4.3% -3.2%

Fastest Growing Chapters Highest percentage growth among our chapters since the last issue: Sheyenne River Valley Chief Baw Beese Chequamegon Butler County Harbor Springs

Partner Support We work closely with several organizations where the NCT coincides with other trails.

Many members generously support both the NCTA and these partners. Here is what we show for overlapping membership: Finger Lakes Trail Conference .. 143 Buckeye Trail Association 100 Superior Hiking Trail Assoc 71 NW Ohio Rails-to-TrailsAssoc 13 Parks & Trails Council of Minn 17 Kekekabic Trail Club 7 Butler Outdoor Club 9 Rachel Carson Trails Conserv 2 Keystone Trail Association 1

Volunteers on the Trail

Top recruitersduring the second quarter of 2006: 6 3 2 2 2

5,692 5,278 5,221 .4,478 4,054 3,836 3,481 3,332 3,284 3,247 3,157

Thanks to the following volunteers who have reported the most hours during the second quarter of 2006:

Recruiting Members

John Heiam John and Pat Leinen Garry Dill Jerry Keeney Marty Swank

Al Larmann Mary Kunzler-Larmann John Leinen Bill Coffin Joan Young Werner Veit Irene Szabo Derek Blount Gaylord Yost..

Ron Rice Arden Johnson

17.6% 11.3% 9.1% 8.2% 7.5%

James Baldwin Denise Herron Ron Rice John Leinen Al Larmann Marty Swank Joe Dabes Dave Cornell Carter Hedeen

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430 362 314 293 287 259 244 242 237

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New Festival Highlights Trail Crossroads

HIKING~ T

his September the North Country Trail Association sponsored and participated in the Junction Trail Festival in Milford, Ohio.

Milford is situated at a unique crossroads of America's Long Distance Trails. Six major trails all run though Milford: North Country National Scenic Trail, Buckeye Trail, American Discovery Trail, Underground Railroad Cycling Route, Ohio to Erie Cycling Route, and Little Miami Scenic Trail.

According to Brent Anslinger, the festival organizer, the first Junction Trail Festival at Milford, "Went great!

You never know how turn out will be at a first year event but we had 20 to 40 people at each presentation and around 25 people on every hike and bike throughout the weekend."

More than 200 people attended the festival; activities included Andy Skurka's program "2 Seas, 2 Feet," unveiling a "Junction" sign to mark the site of over 22,000 miles of hiking, biking, and paddling trails that converge in Milford, trail presentations and plenty of camping, food, hiking, biking, and canoeing. The North Country Trail Association Regional Trail Coordinator Andrew Bashaw gave a presentation on the North Country National Scenic Trail and answered a variety of questions from the audience and attendees.

"It was great to get people active and on the trail to raise awareness of these eight long distance trails. The trail organizations really took ownership of the event and combined their efforts like they share this trail corridor through Milford, Ohio."

Looking forward to next year,

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Scenic River in Ohio hosted the first Milford Junction Trail Festival in September. The Festival celebrated Milford as a crossroads for six major trails: North Country National Scenic Trail, Buckeye Trail, American Discovery Trail, Underground Railroad Cycling Route, Ohio to Erie Cycling Route, and Little Miami Scenic Trail.

Left: North Country Trail Association Regional Trail Coordinator Andrew Bashaw talks with a festival attendee.

Brent says that they "look to grow the event, continuing to draw local, regional and national interest from people who have hiked, biked and paddled long stretches to folks who are just interested, and raise awareness on trail building and maintaining along these trails."

- Andrew Bashaw

Additional Lands Secured For Trall Development The Central Region of New York Parks, also known as the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, has granted another five year revocable permit to NCTA via the Central New York Chapter. It includes the two segments of the for-

October-December 2006

mer Lehigh Valley Railroad previously permitted, plus three additional segments to be developed. All of these segments are between a point north of Cazenovia and Canastota. When totally completed, these five segments, plus another permitted by the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation and a short on-road connector will provide a pleasant route terminating at Canastota to the north at a junction with the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park. From that point, it is onward toward Rome via the canal towpath, with trail connections to Boonville, Forestport, and the Adirondack Park - another work in progress!

-Al Larmann, Central New York Chapter

Supporting NCT Landowner Dies Chief Noonday Chapter and the North Country Trail lost an ardent supporter with the death of Dr. John Sackett on August 13, 2006.

Dr. Sackett was one of the first property owners in Kalamazoo County, Mich., to allow the trail to pass Dr. John Sackett through his land.

Over time he become an ardent supporter of the Trail. An avid outdoorsman in his own right, he would come to award ceremonies, pose for pictures and serve as a reference source for other landowners who had questions about the Trail. In his quiet way he was always there giving support to our mission. He appeared in the NCT video "Joining a Legacy" where his support of the Trail was utilized to give confidence to prospective landowners who were thinking about allowing the Trail to cross their land. Dr. Sackett was one of those rare individuals who viewed his land as an asset to be shared with others. He will be missed.

-Dave Cornell

New Trail Affiliates The NCTA welcomes two new Trail Affiliates to the NCTA trail family, the Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery in Michigan and the Keystone Trails Association in Pennsylvania, both new supporting affiliates.

Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery is a non-profit group formed to provide support for projects and educational programs at the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery. Friends groups have been established at other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries and refuges.

In addition to adopting a section of the North Country Trail, the group raises public awareness, creates environmental learning opportunities, and financially backs some programs and projects through fund-raising activities. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/ midwest/] ordanRiver/friends .htrn.

The Keystone Trails Association

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Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter held a trail clean-up the first weekend In September. Left: NCTA Director of Trail Management and certified sawyer Clare Caln clears a fallen tree. Right: Cora Kiiiinger, visiting from the Tittabawassee Chapter, freshens area blazes.

(KTA) is an alliance of organizations and individuals who share a common interest in hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

In addition to trail work and outings, KTA keeps a watchful eye on actions of all levels of government that can have an impact on hiking or hiking trails.

Through the quarterly newsletter and web site, members and hikers are kept informed about hiking-related activities in and around Pennsylvania. More information on the KTA can be found at www.kta-hike.org.

National Scenic Trails Calendar Available Awesome photos taken along the National Scenic Trails demonstrate the beautiful and diverse landscapes present in our continental United States hiking trail system and are available for all to appreciate in the National Scenic Trails 2007 Calendar. The images and trail profiles featured in this 14xll-inch wall calendar offer a captivating taste of what hikers might experience along the eight trails that are included

in the National Scenic Trail system: the Appalachian, Continental Divide, Florida, Ice Age, Natchez Trace, North Country, Pacific Crest, and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trails. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this product benefits the American Hiking Society. To order go to www. americanhiking.org or call toll-free 1800-788-3350.

Trail Standards Card The NPS has prepared a 3"x5" reference card, patterned after the Leave No Trace pack tags, with all the basic standards for trail design. These cards are available from the NPS for the asking. They were distributed first at the annual conference in Clarion, Penn., but they are now available to any chapter or affiliate on request.

- Fred Szarka

Ongoing Work on the Black River Feeder Canal Towpath Central New York Chapter member Bob Covey continues to lead the effort to renovate the old towpath between Boonville and Forestportthis is a about a 10.2 mile tree lined route offering pleasant views and considerable birdlife.

Long neglected, the towpath has been cleared, graded as required, resur-

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faced in part, and gated. Snowmobiles are permitted in wintertime but no other motorized traffic; hence, this segment will be a permanent connector route. Community support for this project, as well as the construction of the historically correct wooden covered bridge at the Boonville terminus, is strong and growing.

Completion of this phase of work by month end September is the goal.

-Al Larmann, Central New York Chapter

Porcupine Lake Wilderness Update Most of the blow-down from last fall's September 13 early morning storm has been removed from the North Country Trail in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness Area by the U.S. Forest Service with a little help from two Chequamegon Chapter members of the NCTA who received Cross Cut Saw Training in the process. Blowdown on the connector trail from Two Lakes Campground to the Porcupine Lake Wilderness has also been removed from the trail. There are still just a few

Jay Cabik works to remove trees in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness Area.

trees on the eastern edge of the trail near County (Road) D across the trail.

Reclaiming trail lost to two beaver dams between Porcupine Lake and County D has been mostly completed and hikers/backpackers should have an easier time traversing this section of trail. Because of the ponds formed by the beaver dams and the fact that the Trail was actually underwater and

hard to follow around the pond areas, this section did not receive adequate maintenance for many years and has created the need for intensive trail rehabilitation that has been performed by a few very dedicated volunteers of the Chequamegon Chapter. Only hand tools can be used in this area because it is a Wilderness.

Because of our volunteers' dedi-

The Grand Traverse Hiking Club added a new section of Trail just south of Traverse City that goes through a beautiful valley by Twenty-Two Creek. John Heiam, chapter president, dubbed the area, "The Valley of the Giants" because of the numerous large old trees there.

Above: Along the newly constructed trail, the Club also built a bench overlooking the creek, the perfect spot for a lunch break!

Left: In the "Valley of the Giants" It took three hikers to get their arms around an oak tree.

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north, Canada, Beamsville, Ontario to be exact. Clinton comes to us by way of Grand Valley State University (GVSU) where he is completing his second bachelor's degree, this time in Geography, his first being in Spanish and from another West Michigan institution, Calvin College. The program Clinton is part of at GVSU is one that focuses heavily on geo-spatial technologies, such as computer mapping and GPS. Although Clinton grew up in Canada he does have family roots in Michigan, which might help to explain why summer is his favorite season, and that he doesn't know how to ski or ice skate (or curling!).

However, Clinton fits in well with our group, as he enjoys spending his free time hiking and camping.

After he gleans all the knowledge he can from us, he Clinton Klamer hopes to make a career for himself in natural resource management or outdoor recreation, and would ideally like to settle down somewhere in Western New York.

Congratulations to NCTA's GIS/IT Specialist Matt Rowbotham and his new wife Brigid!

They were married on June 30th in Jackson, Mich., and recently purchased a new house right on the North Country National Scenic Trail!

cation and the support of our new Regional Trail Coordinator Bill Menke, for the first time in many years there is actually continuous trail going through the entire Porcupine Lake Wilderness Area. Also, thanks to efforts on the part of Chequamegon Chapter members and Bill, the U.S. Forest Service has decided not to trap out the beavers and tear down the dams.

This has allowed us to use the beaver dams as actual North Country Trail and will allow hikers a chance to see the awesome achievement that these natural engineers have accomplished. There was

a family of geese living in the pond created by the larger beaver dam this spring.

What a great example of "Wilderness."

We can make a difference!

The entire section of Trail in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness Area has now been adopted by dedicated Chequamegon Chapter members.

-Marty Swank

Cartography Intern at HQ This fall the NCTA's mapping department has welcomed another international intern, Clinton Klamer.

Clinton hails from our neighbor to the

SPONSORED

MEMBERSHIP

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FORM

Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just $18.00. To qualify, Sponsored Members must be new to NCTA, or not have been members for at least two years. The $18.00 rate is good only for the first year of membership. To use the program,just fill your name in the "Sponsored by" box. Then, give the form to a friend to finish.

Please choose your Chapter affiliation:

D Member of a specific Chapter: D Member of my closest Chapter (If one exists) D At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

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â&#x20AC;˘ASSOCIATIONâ&#x20AC;˘ To begin your membership, complete this form and send it with your $18 payment to: 229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331

Sponsored by Name (Please Print) Address

Daytime Phone (Area Code First, Extension at End)

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City

State

Skills to Volunteer

E-mail Address

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Pennsylvania Receives New Certifications

GOING FOR FRED SZARKA NPS Trail Manager

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am pleased to announce that we have four new segments of certified trail to report. All are in Pennsylvania.

Our friends in Penn's Woods have been busy this year working with both private landowners and state agencies to certify trail. The Wampum Chapter generated four applications for certification. One is for lands owned

by Trailblazer Award winner Cemex Corp., another by a private farmer, and two for the Pennsylvania State Game Commission.

The Edwards, State Game Lands (SGL 148), and Cemex tracts are contiguous and together provide 2.7 miles of hiking. The Trail in this area passes through forested terrain. Hikers will have limited vistas but good opportunities to see wildlife. Slopes are generally moderate.

The Trail across SGL 285 encompasses 3.8 miles of trail. The Trail follows the edge of a forested ridge for most of the segment. It also crosses a reclaimed strip mine known as Booth Hill and a large area of clear cut forest that provides a wide vista of the Little Beaver Creek Valley. Near Booth Hill it follows the Ohio/Pennsylvania state line to Highway 251.

Isn't it time for your chapter to make sure that all of the Trail in your area is certified? We have received requests for certification from only a few chapters or affiliates in the last couple of years. With less than half of the Trail certified, there is ample opportunity for finding additional segments that could be built or even some that are already built and simply need to be submitted for certification.

Above: Newly certified trail in State Game Lands 285 looks over the Little Beaver Creek Valley.

Left: Wampum Chapter members build new trail on Cemex Property.

Gold Star We now have over 31 miles of Gold Star certified trail. Regional Trail Coordinator Bill Menke was quick to nominate the Trail the Brule-St. Croix Rovers Crew built over the last several years. In May, I went to inspect it with Bill. We hiked for three days in cool rainy weather to evaluate roughly 35 miles of trail. Bill promised that another 3+ miles of trail, which didn't quite meet all the standards, will be brought up to standards before the end of the year.

I have learned quite a bit from working with volunteer and staff evaluators since that first trip. First, Bill and I set up the trip in conjunction with other business at the Ottawa National Forest. As a result, we picked days to visit that were not compatible with Chapter volunteers. That meant that we were not able to share our observations with the Chapter. Since education is even more important than recognition in the Gold Star process that was a big mistake.

We have reviewed trail in three states so far. All of it was scenic. All of the volunteers were enthusiastic about

the trail. However, we were only able to recognize some of the Brule-St. Croix segments as being "built 100% to standards" or Gold Star.

Perhaps the most important factor that fell below the standard was the tread or walking surface. Most of the Trail we walked was within the standards, but in areas the tread was narrow, or uneven, or lacked proper outslope, or had become entrenched.

Again these areas were by no means the rule on the segments we evaluated, but the presence of narrow, uneven, angled, or entrenched tread meant that as a hiker, you had to watch your step more than you should.

We still have additional segments to evaluate. Our plan is that each team of evaluators has at least one experienced member so that when new evaluators go out, there is someone who can provide support and continuity. If you have already submitted segments for Gold Star review, we will be in contact with you. If you have not, go out and hike your trail, see if it meets the standards in the handbook, and if it does please consider nominating it for Gold Star review.

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Article by Maxine Hyndman Illustrations by Jim Dana

W

e were new to a lot of things. Our relationship was new.

Finding a common interest that we wanted to pursue together was new. Even my running shoes were relatively new ... and too small, which became painfully apparent by the end of the day. I guess there's no fun without some form of pain, but that's a topic for another article, I'm sure. This piece is about the beautiful North Country National Scenic Trail and why we, Jim and I, decided to embark on such an adventure in the first place.

It was already a given for us that we loved to walk. Walking was a way for us to carve out quality time together in the face of the hectic schedules of teenage kids, work that often took one of us on the road, and various ~//,,, other deadlines. But what spurred ,..,.,,, us to action was when a friend of /. 1 ours came back from a walking ~,--7 trip in Scotland. It sounded like so /J much fun, just perfect for us. Well, there was one little problem with that idea - MONEY! We decided to look for walking trips closer to home.

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Jim recalled having heard about a nature trail similar to the fabled Appalachian Trail that supposedly ran through Michigan. We went to the Internet, and that's how we discovered the North Country National Scenic Trail, a planned 4,600 mile trail stretching east-west from New York to North Dakota. It turns out that Michigan has the most miles of any of the seven states traversed by the Trail, the most "certified" off road miles, including a nearly 600-mile unbroken stretch from Croton Dam to the Wisconsin border, and a complete set of maps (which proved essential!). Problem solved!

Our next challenge: which piece of this long trail to tackle? For this first trip we decided it should be close to home (blame gas prices for that), it needed to have an interesting focal point, and the distance could not exceed our physical abilities. Even though Jim runs regularly and I practice yoga, we were not going to lie to ourselves: neither one of us is in our 20s, and we were absolute novices to this whole notion of long distance walking.

We eventually chose a 5-mile segment of the Trail beginning at Croton Dam. It was only about an hour from our home in Grand Haven, Mich., and it was near the city of Newaygo. We October-December

2006 *The

North Star

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would walk it out-and-back, since we didn't see a simple way to get back to our car if we walked point-to-point. The fact that it was the start of that 600-mile stretch of off-road trail, with the vision of possibilities and long vistas, had its appeal, too.

We parked at T ailwater Park on the north side of the Muskegon River, just below Croton Dam. This is a favorite access point for people setting out to canoe and tube down the river, and it was busy. During the salmon runs it draws hordes of people to fish the river below the dam. We set out in the other direction, hiking up the road about a tenth of a mile to the trailhead on the west side of the road.

We confidently (too confidently, it turned out) followed a well-worn path. Soon the road sounds gave way to a quiet accompanied by the hum of insects. Overcome by the beauty of the trail and excited to be engaged in a common vision we went blissfully along the trail, through scrub pines, then into young mixed forest. Soon the path dived down a long embankment to the edge of the river.

We paralleled the river, happily engaged in conversation with each other and some tubers who floated past, blissfully attached to each other and their beer coolers.

It wasn't until we were about 20 minutes into the trail that it dawned on us that we hadn't seen any trail markers. Truth is, it dawned on Jim, not on me; I was content to be led down any trail that was beautiful. (A little background: Jim is methodical whereas I'm impulsive. Jim uses a map, I improvise.)

At this juncture he pulled out his map for the first - but definitely not the last - time, and we had to agree that we were definitely off the NCT, which the map showed headed away from the river, whereas we had been walking about a yard from the river for some time.

We backtracked, wondering how we could have missed the turn. But these things happen when one stops looking for signs on a clearly marked U.S. National Forest trail.

We eventually walked back to about 75 yards from the trailhead! I can't believe we missed it, because once we got back on the trail there were clear, blue markings every fifty feet or so on the trees. One blue rectangle meant keep going straight, while two blue rectangles with the upper one offset right or left meant you needed to make a turn.

Other than a chipmunk, which I could see anywhere, and several deer, which I'd never before seen in the wild, there wasn't much wildlife to speak of. Perhaps it was the time of year we went - end of July - or the time of day- the sweltering, triple digit afternoon heat. (Yes, we were supposed to get up earlier and, yes, we slept in). Nor did the terrain change much; it was pretty flat for most of the five miles with very few steep grades. In fact, I'd been following Jim for

i:i·i-i,·~· N·~~th. st~~· ··0~~·~·b·~~~6~~~~ii~;·2006

the past two hours turning the question over and over in my head till finally I just blurted it out, "Jim," - "Yeeeesss," "Why would someone walk this trail for reasons other than to be in nature, I mean what else is there?"

He paused before answering for a moment. I knew enough about him that he was stunned and trying to answer patiently. "Well, for exactly that, nature." I gave it up. We were different enough that there were definitely going to be things we'd never agree on, like this: Me: Is this it?! Jim: Isn't this enough?!

But with every step I became more and more enveloped by the walk's beauty, a beauty that isn't easily accepted by my windme-up, turn-me-on generation. Slowly, I was seduced. At first it was the little things I could see, the wild black raspberries that speckled the borders of the path, the odd fungi, odd not only in colour - soft purples, deep oranges and yellows - but also in shape - some of them seemed like they actually belonged under water on a coral reef, not on land. Small things continued to whisper, like the mesmerizing base of a tree trunk that was also a basin filled with water surrounded by moss; the unusual moss covering some stumps that seemed edited with red ink; an enchanted log covered in moss that felt as though I had landed in one of J.R.R. Tolkein's novels; a wildflower meadow absolutely teeming with bees whose collective sound was unlike any other I had ever heard; to finally the sight of cacti in the middle of Michigan which left me stunned and perplexed. My eventual seduction was due to the silence, a silence that had a definite quality, character and energy. It was a silence that could not be ignored, that became real whenever we approached a busy road; a silence that amplified my appreciation for everything around me without need for a word.

We had a few moments of confusion on the trail, and made a few more wrong turns, but our early experience made us more aware, and with the help of our map and the trail markings (the trail really is well-marked), we quickly righted ourselves. Eventually we found ourselves zigzagging through a stand of poplar to come out on, imagine that, Poplar Road, our turn-around point. We were already a bit tired, but we took a short water break, and then set off on the return walk.

We walked more quickly this time. Even though we were covering familiar ground, it was an interesting walk, seeing it coming from the opposite direction, stopping to pay a little more attention to something we'd spotted on the way out, or catching sight of something we'd missed earlier, like the tall trunk of a dead pine, riddled with woodpecker holes.

When we eventually came out of the woods I was interested in food but could wait. Our menu for the ten miles

NCTA Joins Leave No Trace

T

he NCTA recently joined Leave No Trace (LNT) as a non-profit partner. We're excited to embrace the LNT principles that promote smart backcountry practices along the North Country National Scenic Trail corridor.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. LNT builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wild lands.

For more information about LNT visit www.lnt.org .

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace are:

Plan Ahead and Prepare (closer to twelve with the addition of our delightful detour to the river) was: six trail bars, two bottles of water, two bananas, two apples and two pears.

That was enough, except for the water.

We were definitely dehydrated. We had taken two fifteen minute breaks on our 5 and a half hour hike, once on a bed of the softest moss, and again on a wet mossy log (ick).

When we got back to the car, we decided to drive around Croton Pond.

Within a half mile, Jim saw a sign at a trading post cum gas bar that read, "Come in and beat the heat with one of our ice cream treats." That was the only invitation that Jim needed, ice cream his epicurean weakness. We went in and devoured their delicious homemade pizza and Hudsonville ice cream, Jim's favourite.

We finished the trip, got home and walked the dog amidst a boisterous, tourist-packed downtown Grand Haven, and it was then that we noticed how much we were still wearing the silence of woods: every peal of laughter, every honking horn or acceleration in gas, sent jolts through our system. We needed to be quiet for a while until the quiet would let us go. Did this swear me off hiking trails? Quite the opposite, I had just become a firm believer in the beauty and the need of these trails in our lives as we hurl forward into evermore busy-ness. I hope they will always be treasured, not only for their obvious beauty but also for the healing quality that a day in their presence can bring.

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• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.

• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.

• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.

• Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4 to 6.

• Repackage food to minimize waste.

• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.

• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.

• Good campsites are found, not made.

Altering a site is not necessary.

Dispose of Waste Properly • Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.

• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails.

Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.

• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.

• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find • Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.

• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.

• Avoid introducing or transporting nonnative species.

• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts • Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.

• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.

• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife • Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.

• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.

• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.

• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.

• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.

• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.

• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.

• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.

• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

October-December

2006

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InvolvingMore Volunteers

By Fred Szarka NPS Trail Manager

I

t is time to review our accomplishments and begin planning for the 2007 season. As a volunteer, did you work with your local chapter to build or maintain trail, plan an outing, assist with orienting new members, plan a fun activity or recognition program, or at least attend a meeting? If not, you are not alone, but if you haven't done at least one of these things, why not? Were you asked to do a task that was beyond your ability or outside your interest? Or were you expected to figure out what was needed?

It would be great if each chapter had a membership coordinator as I mentioned in the last North Star, but some don't. In that case, it might be necessary for you to step forward and volunteer to assist by doing something that you particularly enjoy doing. This issue I will propose some key positions that make joining in easier, and I hope more enjoyable. Here are some additional position descriptions that every chapter should have, and remember for every position there should be room for at least one assistant.

New Member/Guest Welcomer When you have a Chapter activity or meeting, do the "regulars" stand around and talk to each other while the few new folks are left to fend for themselves? Do most of those new folks show up at only one event or meeting and never come back? If so, your Chapter really needs a "Welcomer."

The new member "welcomer" is a person who notices new faces and makes a point of going out of her/his way to talk to and get to know new members and/or guests who are always potential members. There is a fine line between making folks welcome and involved, and smothering them. A good volunteer welcomer sees to it that new folks are involved in discussions, learns a little about their interests, and without being pushy engages new folks into the group. The welcomer needs to recognize her/his limitations: if they work

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October-December

best with adults finding an assistant who relates well to teens or children is critical, and vice versa. A team of folks works well for this task.

On work projects, this volunteer makes sure that new folks get a chance to try several tools and jobs as part of the project, instead of leaving the worst, most boring tasks for the new folks. At social activities or outings, the welcomer sees to it that the new volunteers aren't ignored by everyone else.

Finally, not everyone has the same level of endurance, so if new volunteers fall behind or can only give part of a day to a project that is still more than would have been contributed without them.

Social Director/Planner Successful chapters have a social planners who arrange several activities each year just for fun. It is very important that volunteers do more than simply build and maintain the trail.

This volunteer plans hikes, winter programs, potlucks, and fun activities for the membership. They do not have to be good at any of the specific activities planned; rather they need to be able to attract "specialists" within the membership or friends outside the chapter to lead hikes, give programs, or teach skills. Celebrations of accomplishments are extremely important,

so be sure that those new miles are not only reported but hiked and celebrated.

Outing Leader Once an active social program is started or as a first step in starting one, finding a responsible outing leader is a boon for any chapter.

A good outing leader is a huge asset for building membership. The best outing leaders are those who know a bit about a lot of things in the area, and who can maintain a reasonable pace for hikes. Remember that the pace of a hike is determined by its slowest member. Having a hike leader who can make frequent short stops to discuss flora and fauna, keep an eye on those in the back of the group, and share their enthusiasm for the outdoors with all is a real asset. Too often hikes are led by the swift, who are impatient to "cover miles" and complete some real or imaginary objective in the shortest possible time. Those folks do not attract new members. A good leader can plan to engage a wide range of abilities: the Finger Lakes Trail Conference arranges to have a range of hike leader speeds on their big hikes to accommodate all hikers. A good leader also involves others who may have different fields of expertise to expand the value of the outing.

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Every chapter needs a good Outing Leader. Allegheny National Forest President Keith Klos (far left), a seasoned Outing Leader, was on-hand at the Annual Conference to lead members on a hike.

2006

Thank You to Our Conference Donors This year's silent auction and raffle raised more than $3,000 for the North Country Trail Land Trust Fund.

Thank you to all those who generously donated items.

Joyce Appel & Paul Henry Allegheny National Forest Chapter American Hiking Society Antigravity Gear Jim Baldwin the bathtub BearVault Sondra Beach Lyle Bialk Carl Boesel Brookville Wood Products Butler Chapter Butler Outdoor Club Campmor, Inc. Cascade Designs, Inc. Cheeseman Family of Breakneck Campground Clarion University Bookstore Columbia Sportswear Company Jan Cornell Country Ski & Sports Crooks Clothing Co. Daffin's Candy Store Dancersprite

Dave Galbreath Davis Hollow Outdoor Center Eagle Optics Eastern Mountain Sports Dan Estadt's Sports Forestedge Winery Globe-Pequot Itasca Moccasin Jansport Inc. Martha Jones Sarah Julien Florence & Carter Hedeen Ken Howell Chris Klein Bobby & Deb Koepplin The Koss Corporation Al Larmann Lee's Adventure Sports John & Pat Leinen Littlbug Enterprises Inc. Scott Meyer Minnetonka Moccasin Moosejaw Mountaineering Moraine Preservation Fund

Moraine State Park Cabin Rental Overland Equipment PA House of Representatives Fred Mcllhattan Patagonia Pennsylvania DCNR Quabaug Corporation REI Sage Meadows Harry Schneider Sharon Outdoor Army Store Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Slavens Country Cupboard Slippery Rock Chapter Linda Lou Steiner Robert & Elaine Sulaski Superior Hiking Trail Association Fred Szarka U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Wampum Chapter Bill Wesner Wilderness Press WR Case & Sons Cutlery Co. Zippo Manufacturing Co.

Thanks to the many local supporters who provided items to baskets or collections!

Thank You to the Generous Donors for the Free Conference Giveaways!

Chlopecki Foundation Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry Daffin'sCandy Store Embroidery House Gander Mountain ----------------··--···--····

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October-December 2006 *The North Star

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SCA Reflections on Trail Work Crew devotes 1,394 hours to NCNST in McConnell's Mill State Park She decided to serve "to take action and physically see the positive impact I've had and to meet a lot of like-mindn July 27, six high schoolers from ed, interesting people." around the country converged The crew put in upon the North Country National Scenic Trail for a month of volunteer over eight hours of hard physical labor trail work on a section along Slippery Rock Creek in Western Pennsylvania's six days a week, often McConnell's Mill State Park. Led by in grueling heat and two crew leaders, Bethany Humble and humidity, to complete Dan Shean, the group was just one of the work projects the Student Conservation Association's assigned to them.

(SCA) almost 100 summer conservation After constructing a half-mile section of work crews in scenic wilderness areas across the United States. Each crewmemnew trail as part of ber brought a unique background and a major reroute, the crew performed several perspective to the group, and each decidtechnical trail mainThe Student Conservation Association work crew coned to work for SCA for different reasons. structed a half-mile of new trail and completed several Molly Lyons, 16, of Ocracoke Island, tenance projects along technical trail maintenance projects along a 6.2-mile N.C., decided to do SCA because "it a 6.2-mile section. section of trail in Pennsylvania.

While all the crew sounded like a fun but challenging experience. I had never been hiking or campenjoyed the major rerouting project, Noel Sherrard, 18, conditions. Cyrus Dudgeon, 17, of ing in the woods and always wanted to of Seattle, Wash., enjoyed working in Cambridge, Mass., said his biggest but never got the chance." Lucia Cowles, 17, of St. Paul, Minn., saw the SCA crew a large washout area of the trail where initial challenge "was probably just adjusting to the flow of life of an SCA as a way to give back to the environment. he laid many large rocks and filled dirt crew." Lisa Zhang, 19, of Brooklyn, extensively to make the trail much more N.Y., said her biggest challenge was "adapting to the living conditions hiker friendly.

In addition to because I was not at all used to campthe major reroute, ing outdoors or hiking several miles deep into the woods to do trail work the crew built a like we did this summer." smaller reroute in the Walnut Flats Yet, despite the mud, the heat, the thunderstorms, the bugs, the lack of section of the trail, installed a turnpike, fresh laundry, and the time spent away a rock staircase, from family and friends, the entire waterbars, over 20 crew agrees that the SCA experience was an awesome one. As Jon Dudrey, log steps and sev17, of Seaside, Calif., said, "This whole eral major drainage ditches in the two experience has been more than worth washout areas. it." In addition to the satisfaction they receive for giving back to the environMembers of the SCA crew stop for a break with hikers.

While the ment and the lifelong friends they Front (left to right): Hiker Joan Young, Noel Sherrard, work was extremely make, the students on the crew are NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator Andrew Bashaw, and rewarding and fun, rewarded with a five day backpacking Park Ranger Don Kramer. Back (left to right): Hiker Marie it was also difficult excursion in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Altenau, Lisa Zhang, Molly Lyons, Cyrus Dudgeon, Dan to adjust to living Shean, Bethany Humble, Lucia Cowles, and Jonathan outside and working of West Virginia as part of the reward Dudrey. in hot and humid for all the hard work they've put in.

By Dan Shean and Bethany Humble Student Conservation Association Co-Crew Leaders

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October-December 2006

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GPS Allows the Blind to Hike the North Country Trail

By George Wurtzel Executive Di rector Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind

T

his August, Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) held its 2nd Annual GPS Event. A new element was added to the program, marking and hiking a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail, in Lowell, Mich., and the Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

This event was geared toward blind and visually impaired people who were interested in exploring how GPS technology could help them in navigating environments that they were familiar with as well as places that they have never been.

What is GPS for the blind?

GPS stands for global positioning systems, a technology developed by the military to accurately locate any place in the world. This is accomplished through the use of 24 satellites in synchronized orbit above the earth and a receiveron the ground that triangulates between the user and three Blind hikers from Camp T use traditional guide dogs as well as special GPS units.

A Braille NoteTaker is linked to a GPS receiver and is specially adapted for the blind; a hiker can query the device for directions and trail features.

Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind's Camp Tuhsmeheta's goal is to find ways to fully integrate blind people into society. One new camp program Is hiking on the North Country National Scenic Trail!

or more satellites.These receiversare approximatelyhalf the size of a cigarette pack. Through the use of a PDA or a Braille Note-Taker that is linked to these receiversand is speciallyadapted for the blind, a person can query the device and ask "Where am I?" Within a matter of seconds these devices, which are accurate to within twenty to thirty feet of your position, will tell you that you are at the corner of Grand and Main heading south. If you go to the "look around" mode the device will tell you that there is a barbershop on the right, a gas station on the left and the Flat River Grill is straight ahead.

For the first time in history, a blind person can know exactly where they are and what is immediately around them in a place that they have never been.

The workshops started in Lowell, Mich., at the headquarters of the North Country Trail Association and began what will be a long process of marking way points and points of interest into a national database so that anyone who is blind can independently travel the trail. They will be able to know trail conditions, exact places to watch out for (large drop offs, a stream that needs to be crossed on a log, etc.), where the next camp site is, whether the trail turns right or left at the road, how far before the trail picks up again, and will it be on the north or south side?This is truly a big step in creating access to places in the wilderness where a blind person can go with no assistance from a person with sight.

They also plotted Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park, in Grand Rapids, Mich., a task that was a little smaller in scope than the Trail, but the two areas were plotted for all the same reasons.

Camp T and OUB Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) has a small staff and a October-December 2006

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The North Star

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board of directors comprised of people who are blind, have children who are blind or work in the field of education for the blind. They rely on support from organizations and individuals such as Western Michigan University - Jim Leja and Paul Ponchilla, Leader Dog - Harold Abraham and Barry Stafford, the Lions Clubs of Michigan, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Commission for the Blind and the generosity of many individuals. Through the running of Camp T and special events like their GPS event they educate their participants and the public, break down the stereotypes and perhaps trample a little brush along the way. They also lead by example; over

fifty percent of their staff are confident and capable blind experts in the areas that they are teaching.

OUB's overall goal is to find as

many ways as possible to fully integrate blind people into society. Their programs are designed to give blind people a solid foundation for high expectations for themselves and their future.

People in society often wonder how a blind person navigates through everyday life. This program helps the sighted world to see how capable blind people really are. If you see a blind person out hiking on the North Country National Scenic Trail all by themselves and you are in a place in life where you hire, you will never have to ask your-

self if this person can get to work and return home safely.

Camp T is a place to learn about skills of blindness, personal growth, and how to have fun. To learn more about Camp T and their programming please visit them at www.campt.org or contact George Wurtzel, Executive Director, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind at strider@campt.org or at

(616) 754-5410.

Watch for them on the trail: they will be carrying a long white cane, trekker pole, or may be accompanied by a guide dog, plus they'll be carrying an electronic device that is talking to them. If you need directions stop and ask: they'll be happy to help!

A Trailside Fish Feast

OUTDOOR - ----@(00]~-

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Isle Royale Salmon From Edward Ronkowski At Home:

"\VJhile backpacking Isle Royale in W Lake Superior one summer, I chatted with a fishing boat captain's wife who told me this was her 20th summer fishing with her husband there.

I asked her what she ate, and she said lots of fish, and that she knows more ways to cook fish than anyone. When I asked her what her favorite fish recipe was, she described "Isle Royale Salmon."

My heart began to race. Everything was available at the store, inexpensive, extremely lightweight, and quick to prepare on the trail, in short, a perfect backpacking meal. This recipe won first place in the Titanium Chef 2002 backpacking cooking contest.

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Package in a quart or half-gallon ziplock bag the following:

0

7 ounces of foil pouched salmon, (or smoked salmon)

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By Edward Ronkowski Chequamegon Chapter

.

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In your first pint zip lock bag put:

1 package of Knorr Vegetable Soup, Dip & Recipe Mix 1 ounce dried, sliced potato taken from a scalloped potato box 1/2 cup dehydrated onions 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt (omit if using smoked salmon) In a second pint zip lock bag put:

1 cup powdered milk 2 tablespoons flour 3/4 cup dehydrated mashed potatoes Fill a third snack sized ziplock bag with small croutons.

On the Trail: Bring 6 cups of water to a low boil. Flake the fish and add to the boiling water with the first ziplock bag of potato, onion, soup, and spice mixture and cook at a low boil for another 10 minutes. Turn off heat, and slowly add contents of second ziplock bag of powdered milk/flour/potato mixture, stirring constantly. When the flour is mixed in without lumps, turn on stove to a low simmer, and heat for 2 minutes. Serve with small croutons.

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Regional Staff Hits the Trail "\VJhen I first took over the Director W of Trail Management position I was the sole staff member dedicated to the quality and protection of the trail.

Today, with tremendous support from the staff and our Board of Directors, the North Country Trail Association has a new and dynamic regional trail program. Currently we have three regional staff who are responsible for the following regions of the trail: Andrew Bashaw in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Bill Menke in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Matt Davis in Minnesota and North Dakota.

In this article Bill and Andrew highlight some of the work they have been undertaking this season.

Ohio and Pennsylvania Has it really been six months already? Filling the role of Regional Trail Coordinator in Ohio and Pennsylvania has been a satisfying and whirlwind experience so far. With the help of members, chapters, staff and others I have been learning the ropes of what it is going to take to develop and maintain the North Country Trail in these states.

I just returned from promoting the trail at the 1st Annual Milford Junction Trail Fest and am out the door to GPS the entire trail through Wayne National Forest here in my back yard.

Last week I was in Napolean, Ohio, flagging new trail with Rick Adamson, the Buckeye Trail State Coordinator, and answering questions via phone, email, and rough maps. The week before that I was visiting the Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter with Brad Bosley in Lisbon, Ohio, and stopped in Sandy Beaver State Park to discuss and see the trail there. The day before I was in Marietta, Ohio, visiting Ryan Smith and the Ohio Valley Chapter for an update on their recent success in acquiring city green space and trail access as well as discussing certification, signage, and their plans for next year. Before that I visited Myrna Hixson and the Adams County Chapter to discuss their plans for the future and help set a Chapter meet-

ON THE

~[6

with Clare Cain Director of Trail Management

ing for the end of September. While in Adams County I stopped in to see folks at the Nature Conservancy's Edge of Appalachia Preserve and Brush Creek State Forest. Earlier in August I was helping to organize a trail building workshop at the NCTA Annual Conference in Clarion, Penn., interspersed with leading a Student Conservation Association Crew building new trail in McConnell's Mill State Park, and getting certified as a chain sawyer.

Each of these last six months has been very rewarding, but I'm getting the impression that if there is anything typical about them it is that they have all been busy. My favorite part has been meeting all of you, and doing what I can to serve you and make your jobs as volunteers easier, more effective, and hopefully more enjoyable.

-Andrew Bashaw

Wisconsin and Michigan's UP SCA Works in Iron County - In July and August, an eight-person Student Conservation Association (SCA) crew worked for 30 days in the Iron County Forest, Wisc., building over a mile of very nice trail that will qualify for Gold Star status. When designing this section of trail, I knew it was going to take some technical trail construction skills due to the rugged and rocky terrain. Crew leaders Holly and Jerret filled the bill and melded their crew into a group that was up to the task. Upon inspecting the final trail, I was truly impressed with the quality of work.

Long time friend of the trail, Copper Falls State Park Superintendent Kent Goeckermann, set up a special place for the crew to camp within the park that was free of charge.

Kent stated, "The crew was a plea-

sure to have and they helped us with several severe weather evacuations and on one search and rescue mission."

The National Park Service who applied for the money over two years ago funded this crew.

BSC Rovers Travel to Hiawatha Land - In late August, the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter hosted the Brule-St. Croix Roving Trail Crew.

Occasionally, the crew travels to share the crew "model" with other chapters and to help them complete some major project. Several NCTA members from Lower Michigan participated along with host chapter members. Not only were techniques shared and good fellowship enjoyed, but we also re-opened, through major maintenance, almost 12 miles of the NCT. Brule-St. Croix Tackles the Bog - Within Brule River State Forest, there is one place where the only feasible route for the trail is across a bog that is over 3500 feet in width (three different sections). Crossing it is being accomplished with a structure called Built Up Puncheon or board walk. In two work trips, the Roving Trail Crew, along with chapter members, built about 900 feet of this structure. Included in the area is a bridge across St. Croix Creek.

All who have been involved in this project, including Paul Cornelius, have reported their great satisfaction with learning new construction skills and in how nice the final project turned out. The structure is designed to meet accessibility requirements and even includes two resting and passing spots.

This project is funded via a CCS project and from funds provided by the Cornelius Memorial Fund.

=Bill Menke Andrew, Bill, Matt, and I are here as a resource for our chapters, partners, and landowners. I encourage everyone to work with the RTC in their region, or with me in Lowell, so the NCTA can maintain a consistent voice on trail issues across all seven states.

Take the time this fall to contact your RTC, enjoy a hike, and appreciate the changing of the season!

Ocrober-December 2006

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Conqueringthe North Woods and Dakota Prairie Matt Davis joins the NCTA as Regional Trail Coordinator for Minnesota and North Dakota Clare Cain NCTA Director of Trail Management

n the last North Star issue I had the pleasure of introducing Andrew Bashaw, the North Country Trail Association's (NCTA) Regional Trail Coordinator (RTC) in Pennsylvania and Ohio. I now get to introduce you to Matt Davis who will take responsibility for Minnesota and North Dakota. Matt and his wife Stacy recently moved to Detroit Lakes, Minn. Here's what I learned from Matt ...

I

Clare: Tell us about where you live?

Matt: I currently live in Detroit Lakes, Minn., - a small

city close to the edge of the prairie/forest transition zone.

Detroit Lakes is a very popular recreation area with 400+ lakes within a 25-mile radius. Hopefully, the North Country Trail will one day pass through or near the town.

Clare: What were you doing before you joined the NCTA? Matt: Before coming to work for the NCTA, I spent almost

three years with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Working at ATC's Southern Regional Office in Asheville, N.C., I worked with five maintaining clubs in GA, NC, and TN. I had several duties, including the volunteer training program, responding to agency projects, conducting trail assessments, managing three volunteer trail crews, and overseeing the regional Ridgerunner/ Caretaker program. A large percentage of my time was spent managing the trail section within Great Smoky Mountains National Park in conjunction with staff from the National Park Service.

Before working for ATC, I was a natural resources educator for 3+ years with the University of Wisconsin-Extension Service. My area was in the northwestern part of the state and I was responsible for educational programs for private landowners, local government officials, and citizen-based organizations.

Clare: Tell me about your previous experience with trails?

Matt Davis joined the North Country Trail Association In August after three years with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Matt Is pictured here on the Appalachlan Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

My wife (Stacy) and I were also very briefly volunteers with the Brule-St. Croix Chapter before moving to North Carolina.

Along with Stacy I have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (AT), having section-hiked it between 1998 and 2001. Hiking the trail was a remarkable "once in a lifetime" experience. We met and fell in love while hiking the AT so it has played an important role in our lives.

We have also done long-distance hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail, Mountains to Sea Trail in North Carolina, and Tunxis Trail in Connecticut. I grew up very close to the Tunxis Trail, which is where I developed my love for hiking as a child.

Matt: Besides my work for ATC, I was an Appalachian Trail

maintainer with the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club in Tennessee and have volunteered on three ATC trail crews.

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October-December

2006

Clare: What do you hope to achieve as a Regional Trail Coordinator with the NCTA?

function as well - albeit for different topics. Most of my work dealt with water quality and forest management issues.

Clare: What do you see as essential to trail management?

Matt: The most important piece for me is having a clear understanding of what you're trying to accomplish; i.e., what the hiking experience is you're trying to provide. The next piece is recruiting and motivating enough volunteers to continually improve the trail and thus the recreational experience available to trail users. Another is getting all of your agency partners and private landowners to buy into and support your goal. Finally, getting trail users to behave in a responsible manner while recreating will help protect the trait's natural resources and visitor experience.

Matt's first week on the Job was action packed. In August, he attended chain saw certificat ion, pictured above, and the NCTA's annual conference In Clarlon, Penn.

Since then, he has also traveled throughout Minnesota and North Dakota to meet with chapters and get acquainted with the Trail.

Matt: At this point I have two main

goals. The first is to increase awareness of the North Country National Scenic Trail within the region and to build the ranks of trail supporters, volunteers, and NCTA members. My other goal is to work with the Chapter volunteers to complete the trail in Minnesota and North Dakota.

When finished, I hope that the trail in Minnesota and North Dakota will be a premier hiking trail that takes full advantage of the wonderful diversity of unique geological, cultural, and environmental features of the two states. The diversity found here is a fabulous resource!

Clare: What is your favorite hike?

Matt: My favorite weekend hike would

have to be the northern half of the AT within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 30-mile route follows the rugged Tennessee/North Carolina state line, is the most remote stretch on the entire trail, and has very scenic views off into each state.

My favorite long-distance hike would be the Superior Hiking Trail.

Stacy and I really enjoy hiking by water, so the trail's route by numerous rivers and the views of the lake were great.

I guess I don't have a favorite day hike since any day spent out hiking on a trail is a good one!

Clare: You did some work providing training and technical assistance; tell me about it.

Matt: A big portion of my job with ATC was running the southern region's volunteer training program and coordinating the trail-wide sawyer training program. Annually, I organized about ten workshops including sawyer and medical certification training, basic trail maintenance, and special topics like rock work, trail rehabilitation, or new trail design.

My job with University of Wisconsin-Extension also afforded me the opportunity to fulfill this

Clare: What most excites you about joining the NCTA? Matt: Getting involved with the North Country Trail "on the ground floor" is very exciting for me. Right now, we're together building something that future generations will be very thankful for - much like the AT pioneers 80 years ago.

Clare: What do you see as one of the major challenges to the NCT? Matt: The biggest challenge I see is a lack of awareness of the Trail within the local community. Without the awareness, we don't have many trail users, supporters, volunteers, or NCTA members.

Clare: What is your favorite tool?

Matt: I'cl say the Pulaski is my favorite

tool because of its versatility. With it you can dig sidehill trail, clean out waterbars, chop out roots, pry out small rocks, and even take care of blowdowns in a pinch.

Clare: Matt will be an exceptional addition to the trail management staff. His leadership, technical trail skills, personable nature, and his knowledge of trail protection will be a tremendous asset. Welcome aboard, Matt!

October-December 2006

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The North Star

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2006 Annual Conference

"*- Clarion,

Pennsylvania

Experiencingthe Annual Conference Highlights from Clarion, Pennsylvania

By Tom Garnett Chief Noonday Chapter

I

t had been a long winter and spring with few breaks when I decided it would be possible for me to attend the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) Annual Conference in early August. My wife and I always plan our vacation to our property in northwestern Wisconsin for the last two weeks of August and some years my work precludes me from attending the conference the week prior to our annual pilgrimage.

This year was different and I made my reservation, checked to see who else would be attending, hoping I could share a ride with somebody. Besides saving on expenses, its always an excellent opportunity to get better acquainted with another "lover of the outdoors and the NCT." A couple of weeks had gone by when I received a phone call from Linda Warren, another member of the Chief Noonday Chapter. She wanted to attend the conference, but her husband couldn't get off work and she didn't want to drive to Pennsylvania alone. We both work in health care and have other interests in common to talk about during the trip. So, everything was set; we would leave Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. We compared the conference events selected when we registered and discovered we had both selected all but one hike the same. The canoe trip sounded especially exciting!

The ride to the conference took seven hours and as we left that seemed like a lot of miles and hours to spend talking to one person. Linda even brought a pillow as a back up to conversation: I would drive her car and she would sleep some of the way, at least. ·····-·

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To our amazement the trip to Clarion, Penn., flew by and we had lots of fun sharing stories about our families and camping and of course "work."

Arriving at Clarion University, we registered and got our room assignments, unpacked and set up our electric fans, since we were advised to bring them as the Dale Luthringer from the Cook Forest State Park highdorm rooms were not air conditioned. We lighted Pennsylvania's old-growth forest on a hike at the were glad we did; it Annual Conference. was quite warm, but cooled off nicely with the fan. course, they had worked up a sizeable After relaxing and visiting with appetite during the day's practice. At other folks who were arriving we went first, we were looking at each other in to the "silent auction" area and began dismay wondering if the NCTA had to scope out what items we would bid perhaps formed a new chapter, the Paul on in the next couple of days prior to Bunyan Chapter. Ir was very entertainthe final bidding on Saturday evening ing going through the food line in the at the annual banquet. Everyone has cafeteria watching how much food these "gentle giants" could get on all of a strategy on how to place bids and I always place a couple of early bids to the plates they were filling to the brim. get the juices flowing and to get an Fortunately, the cooks in the kitchen idea who else will be bidding. Not too knew how to prepare for the team as much action early on, so we relaxed, well as the 140 NCTA guests. We ate talked with others and made sure we very well, too! knew where dinner would be held this After breakfast, the next day we first evening and how to get there. We picked up our box lunch and a bottle were both hungry and weren't about to of water and headed for the designated miss the Pennsylvania cuisine. meeting place for car-pooling to the As we approached the dining hall canoe livery on the Clarion National at 6:00 p.m., we looked at each other in Wild and Scenic River. The weather amazement, wondering if there would for the day would be perfect, upper be food left when we got inside. About 70s with a light variable wind and a two human tons of Clarion University beautiful river that was not too deep football team was in line in front of and had some occasional small fast us! This was the first week of their rough water rapids to navigate to keep practice before the season began and of us from getting too comfortable in the .

October-December

2006

2006 Annual Conference

~ Clarion, Pennsylvania

During the Annual Conference everyone enjoyed the perfect August weather, especially at picnic dinner on Friday night!

Members from the Chief Noonday Chapter took a break from the busy Conference activities to pose for a photo with long-time member Martha Jones (second from left). From left, Tom Garnett, Martha Jones, Dave Cornell, Jan Cornell, Larry Hawkins, Linda Warren and Mick Hawkins.

canoe. We arrived at the boat livery on time, picked out our paddles and life preservers, and got on board the transportation for a ride to the launch site. It had been decided by the group that we would take the 13-mile trip on the river since it was such a beautiful day, and pass up the 8-mile trip. Linda and I wanted to remain in the rear of the pack of 26 canoes, so we tried to be near the last canoe in the river and then we paddled up stream so the others would launch and go down stream ahead of us. Of course, as always is the case with the NCTA, a canoe of more experienced canoeists would be the very last canoe in this river parade for safety purposes.

The canoe trip provided many

Adventurer Will Cross's presentation highlighted the motivational needs it takes to accomplish your dreams and conquer mountains.

A contingent from the Itasca Moraine Chapter, (from left) Carter and Flo Hedeen, and Beth and Jerry Trout, highlighted Bemidji, Minn., the location of next year's Annual Conference and gave a rousing musical invitation to all!

fun and memorable moments. The river was about 90 meters across and provided many beautiful scenic views of the Pennsylvania wilds and neither Linda nor I ended up sitting on the bottom of the river watching the canoe continue on its journey downstream!

Following another enjoyable and tasty dinner Friday evening, we enjoyed "NCT Jeopardy" thanks to the extensive planning of Joan Young of the Spirit of the Woods Chapter. We learned a lot about the NCT in a very interesting way.

The hike we both enjoyed the next morning took us about 3.8 long miles up and down the hills bordering the Clarion River. Along the way, we passed very old protectors of the for-

est, the giant oaks, and came upon a few "Indian Pipes" trying to avoid the sunlight in the soft damp soil along the trail. The blue blazes kept us on the correct path, although we occasionally had to stop and be sure somebody had seen one recently.

Saturday evening was the annual banquet and our final opportunity to bid in the silent auction. This is when things get serious. Those determined to go home with their chosen cache found ways to get in the way of others who also wanted to bid by distracting them with frivolous conversations or making pencils conveniently disappear so additional bids could not be easily made. It was all in fun and contributed to the NCTA Land Trust Fund for land and

October-December

2006

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2006 Annual Conference

*- Clarion,

Pennsylvania

If you didn't attend this year's Annual Conference, you missed out on the President's Photo! In its third year, this commemorative photo is always great fun and a great way to preserve the memory!

Hikers savor Pennsylvania's mature forests.

Below: Some Conference hikes covered sections of the Baker Trail/ North Country Trail maintained by our affiliate, the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.

While some Conference attendees headed to the hills for hiking, others headed to the Clarion River for a 13-mile canoe/kayak trip!

24 Th~-N~~th Star .-o~~~b~~:__i)~~~~ber 2006

Not one to miss adventure Al Larmann(front) scrambled through the narrow rock opening with the help of Dale Luthringer. Dale noted that Al was quite possibly the oldest human to squeezethrough the rock openings at Seneca Point in Cook Forest State Park.

The return of the live auction made for an entertaining Friday night event and raised over $1200 for the Land Trust Fund. Bobby Koepplin (left) modeled a buffalo hat while Chris Klein (right) took bids. Keith Klos, not pictured, also modeled auction items.

What's a celebration without cake?

NPSSuperintendent Tom Gilbert (left) and NCTAPresident John Leinen cut the 25th Anniversary cake at Saturday night's annual banquet.

October-December

2006

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2006 Annual Conference

*

Clarion, Pennsylvania

Above: Doniele Andrus, Associate Planner for Butler County (right) discussed the proposed North County Scenic Byway at the Building Green Communities Workshop.

Timber! NCTA Director of Trail Management Clare Cain demonstrates her chainsaw skills for instructor Jerry Dixon.

Left: Peter Greninger from the Pittsburgh REI store led the Leave No Trace workshop and gave an overview on how to get REI involved in your local trail projects.

For the first time, a sawyer certification workshop was held in conjunction with the Annual Conference. Back row, left to right: NCTA's Andrew Bashaw, U.S.F.S. Instructor Robert Wetherell, Dewayne Beard, Jerry Dixon, Rick Adamson. Front row, left to right: Jon Semco, NCTA's Matt Davis, Mark Hittle.

A big thanks to the U.S. Forest Service for leading this valuable workshop!

easement acquisition. And, not to leave you questioning my success, I won all but one of the items I bid on.

The annual dinner is always a highlight of the conference, excellent food, enjoyable conversations with others from up and down the trail, and the opportunity to recognize many great volunteers who contribute so much of themselves to the work of developing, maintaining, protecting, and promoting the trail. We Chief Noonday members were especially proud of the selection of Dave Cornell for the Lifetime Achievement Award, well-deserved recognition for a man who has given so much to the trail locally and nationally. Many other

The passing of the Conference Torch! Clarion Chapter member Dave Galbreath, (left) passes the Torch with help from Irene Szabo to Carter Hedeen of the Itasca Moraine Chapter.

deserving folks were recognized, too, and each deserves a huge "thank you" from us all!

There are many reasons to attend the NCTA Annual Conference, not least among them getting to know others who share the same dream of a 4,600 mile trail through American's Heartland, seven states with seven stories to tell, all uniquely different and exciting to learn about. It is energizing to attend the conferences as they are all in different locations offering new and interesting outdoor experiences on and around the NCT in that locale. Next year we will be in Bemidji, Minn., and the folks from Minnesota made an enthusiastic presentation for

us at the conference. Be sure to clear your calendar for August 2-5, 2007.

One final note: there were many other opportunities to experience the NCT through hikes, workshops on many different subjects of trail development and maintenance as well as other stories of challenge and adventure particularly those of Joni Phelps, a blind women and her twin sons Marty and Mike, who successfully climbed Mt. McKinley, and Will Cross who has scaled Mt. Everest. Each left us with inspirational messages about climbing your own mountains of life.

And, yes, Linda and I made it successfully back to Michigan talking all the way. Who'd a thunk!

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1

And the Winner Is

• • •

Volunteers honored for their work and support of the Trail

"I

'rn available, just tell me what you want me to do," says Dave Cornell, a long-time North Country Trail Association member of the Chief Noonday Chapter from Delton, Mich.

With this credo, Dave has served the NCTA in many capacities over the years and, as a result, was awarded this year's Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is presented annually "in recognition of more than a decade of true dedication, exceptional service and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST)."

The Lifetime Achievement Award was one of nine major awards presented at this year's Annual Conference in Clarion, Penn. Each year, the Association recognizes its volunteers and partners. The Board's Awards Committee accepts nominations throughout the year, this year composed of Chair Pat Leinen of Minnesota, Joyce Appel of Pennsylvania, Derek Blount and Sarah

•

Dave Cornell (center) proudly displays his Lifetime Achievement Award with fellow Chief Noonday Chapter members Larry Hawkins (left) and Tom Garnett (right).

Julien of Michigan, and Terry Serres of Minnesota.

Former Chief Noonday President Tom Garnett nominated Dave and wrote, "He methodically moves through the hierarchy of government offices, NCTA trail leaders and comes comfortably along side private landowners to influence decisions favoring the further development and protection

2006 NCTA Award Winners Lifetime Achievement Dave Cornell

Communicator of the Year Joan Young

Distinguished Service Garry Dill, Dick Lightcap, Ron Rice

Sweep Peter Edmunds

Trail Builder of the Year Rick Adamson

Bump in the Road Keith Klos

Trail Maintainer of the Year Keith Klos

Friend of the Trail Wally Chappel, Ron Kantola

Leadership Greg TXTisnieUJski

Vanguard Robert Hoffman, Ray Vlasak

Outreach Bob McCajferty

Trailblazer Cemex, Inc.

of the Trail.

"Following his retirement he immediately challenged himself by through-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

He then chose to make a contribution to another nail's future, so in 1995 he accepted a role on the NCTA Board, and was elected Treasurer soon after.

During these important years in the life of the NCTA, he influenced the decision to hire a full-time executive director. The NCTA owes much to Dave for the many contributions he has made over the past dozen years.

"The Chief Noonday Chapter also owes him its very existence, as it was through his leadership that the chapter was founded in 1996. He accepted the appointment as its first president serving for four years. The Chapter has successfully built approximately 40 miles of trail off-road, approximately half of that on private property.

Through his gentle yet persistent way, he has developed a very successful approach to achieving private owners' support of the Trail. A few years back he presented a workshop at the annual conference on gaining permissions from private owners.

October-December

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27

"He is also responsible for the Chief Noonday Chapter's Trail Adopters program, watching over the work of 22 individuals who are responsible for all of the off-road trail miles in the Chapter's area of responsibility. ''Approximately three miles of the NCNST pass through the National Cemetery property in Augusta, Mich.

He made all the contacts with the local Veterans Administration and led them along the path to total acceptance of hosting perhaps the only National Scenic Trail that passes through a veterans' cemetery.

"Although he spends most of the winter in Florida he is still actively helping the work of the Chapter and the NCTA by email and telephone.

He is always available whenever he is needed. When nobody else can seem to do it, his response always is, Tm available, just tell me what you want me to do.'"

Each year, the Association also chooses Distinguished Service Award recipients to recognize their exceptional volunteer service.

This year one was presented to Dick Lightcap of New York, who was nominated by Mary Coffin.

"Dick preceded me as the first Adirondack Mountain Club North Country Trail Team Leader and has done much of the NCNST route negotiations and flagging with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on state land in New York, designed to extend the Onondaga Trail portion of the Finger Lakes Trail/NCNST twenty miles eastward to join the Link Trail segment being constructed by the Central New York Chapter. His contributions include scouting new routes, constructing new and maintaining existing trail, painting blazes, and promoting NCNST awareness in the region. ''As a frequent hike leader, Dick has introduced members to new hiking venues and is known for leading hikes with historic themes. A recent objective of Dick's has been to research locations where disabled persons can enjoy the outdoors.

"Retired educators never stop teaching, and Dick is no exception. He has introduced many people to hiking through courses he has taught at local

)>

"'a

.,,"

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;;路 -e

"'

Longtime NCTA member Garry Dill of Ohio, left, was honored with a Distinguished Service Award by Awards Committee Chair Pat Leinen, center, and Committee member Sarah Julien, left.

Pennsylvania State Trail Coordinator Ron Rice received a Distinguished Service Award for his volunteer service.

Years of numerous outreach and trali building activities earned Dick Lightcap an NCTA Distinguished Service Award.

adult education programs.

"Dick often writes letters to public officials, speaks at public hearings and has appeared in video and on television to promote the NCNST and Finger Lakes Trail, to speak on behalf of single use foot trails and to support other environmental issues that help preserve trails."

Garry Dill, a member from Ohio since 2000, was also honored with a Distinguished Service Award. "Garry is a retired veterinary pathologist who has contributed eagerly to the leader-

ship, building, and maintenance of the NCNST. Garry served on the NCTA Board for several years. He has hosted the Ohio State Trail Council meetings at his home and been instrumental in encouraging the Northwestern Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association's and the Buckeye Trail Association's (BTA) increased involvement," wrote Bob Pond who nominated Garry.

"Garry is a dedicated volunteer, present at most BTA work parties, which are also usually involved with maintaining the NCNST. For example,

"Rick Adamson planned and implemented a 25-mile off-road relocation on the NCNST," Bob Pond explained in nominating Rick for Trall Builder of the Year.

Joan Young (left), a volunteer who has been promoting the NCNST through her book "North Country Cache," was presented with the Communicator Award

by Irene Szabo.

' NCTA Director of Trail Management Clare Caln (left) and Pat Leinen (right) presented Keith Klos with the Trail Maintainer of the Year Award for his "unrelenting dedication" for the Trail.

he spent many hours rebuilding trail in the Shawnee State Forest after the forest suffered devastating ice storm damage in the spring of 2003. Another example is the blazing of many miles of NCNST connectors to the BT in Ohio. Additionally, in the winter of 2005, Garry took personal responsibility for recruiting and housing trail builders for the off-road section of the NCNST and BT in Pike State Forest."

The third Distinguished Service Award was presented to Pennsylvania's Ron Rice.

Fellow member Joe Smith wrote, "For some years now Ron has laid out plans to lead Pennsylvania Chapters to extend and improve the NCNST. His emphasis is private landowner contact development and trail extension, carried out by arranging training sessions in working with private landown-

ers, and by working with Wampum Chapter to build some three of six miles on Cemex Corp. private property.

Ron leads many long days of trail work, some of them 8 or 9 hours long, plus always spends one Saturday a month on work with Butler Chapter. Ron drives himself leading others to make our NCNST a fine natural hiking trail."

Greg Wisniewski from Ohio was honored with the Leadership Award for "demonstrating exceptional leadership leading to significant local achievements or highly successful events."

"The basis for this award is Greg's leadership in arousing interest in his hometown of Napoleon, Ohio, in the idea of converting the old towpath of the Miami/Erie Canal into a viable trail. As a result of his enthusiasm and leadership, over 25 miles of new 'offroad' certifiable NCNST will be a reality in the next three years," wrote Jack Watkins in his nomination.

"Greg is a maintainer for the Buckeye Trail on a segment of the BT/ NCNST that presently runs on the berm of SR-424, and hoped someday to relocate that segment to the towpath. In spring 2003, Greg expressed this hope to his next-door neighbor, Jim Hoops, a State Representative for the Northwest Ohio District. Jim agreed, and soon a few meetings had interested a host of government and conservation groups in reclaiming the overgrown state-owned corridor. ''After Greg presented the idea to Rick Adamson, the BTA State Trail Coordinator, the first work party was held in 2005, with only 3/4 mile of towpath cleared, leading everyone to realize that more help was needed.

Greg and Rick met with Lorraine Andrews, a BTA board member of the Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor, who helped spread the word of the weeklong work party that was held in May 2006.

Local newspapers and the BTA and NCTA newsletters spread the word.

Over 125 volunteers showed up for the 2006 work party! Because of the large enthusiastic group, over six more miles of the new trail were cleared, while a donated backhoe was a big help in removing some of the larger trees on the overgrown towpath.

"This new 25 mile 'off-road' certifiable trail would not have been pos-

October-December

2006 *The

North Star

29

sible without the vision, dedication and leadership of Greg Wisniewski."

A volunteer whose work in "NCNST construction, planning, or negotiations which have resulted in the development of outstanding new trail or facilities over the past year" receives the Trailbuilder of the Year award. This year, Ohio's Rick Adamson was presented with a Pulaski as the symbol of this honor.

"Rick Adamson is State Trail Coordinator for the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA). Rick personally took responsibility for the planning and implementation of a 25-mile offroad relocation on the BT as well as the NCNST," Bob Pond explained in his nomination.

"The reroute was built along the combined Miami-Erie and Wabash Erie Canals, and his planning enabled over 100 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, some of them inexperienced, to work efficiently together on the trail and relax at the campground in the evening. Organizing such a diverse group of people to tackle thickets of honeysuckle and hawthorn, coordinating the transportation of the machinery, as well as obtaining the cooperation of Ohio Department of Natural Resources staff, local park officials, and local businesses may be credited to the superb management skills of Rick Adamson.

Keith Klos, President of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest Chapter, was honored as the Trail Maintainer of the Year. Keith was nominated by his wife Karen as a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication in maintaining the NCNST. Karen wrote, "My husband's unrelenting dedication goes beyond normal hobby enthusiasm! He is the Chapter President, with 96 miles of Trail, much of which he maintains by himself.

For example, his idea of celebrating my birthday was to take me to survey some of the trail and document what work was needed. For a needed shelter replacement, he did the design, milled the lumber, tore down the old, and built the new. I cannot explain everything he has done; if I did, I could write a book. I had a hard time picking out which award, because he has done . ...----....

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The North Star

Our uniformed friends from the National Park Service, (from left) Ken Howell, Fred Szarka and Tom Gilbert, along with North Dakota Board member Bobby Koepplin (right) were on hand to present the awards for hourly volunteer service. All awards presented by the NCTA are made possible thanks to the National Park Service Volunteer in Parks funding.

it all and has excelled in all the categories. I am very proud of him."

Minnesota's Ray Vlasak and Robert Hoffman received this year's Vanguard Awards for being "elected officials whose leadership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefited the NCNST." Ray, a Supervisor in Forest Township, Becker County, Minn., was nominated by Jerry Trout.

"Ray has met with numerous officials on behalf of the NCNST, from county commissioners to the manager of the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, the latter to negotiate the possibilities of a route for the trail through the Refuge. He often meets with the county land manager and the county road department relative to land ownership, signage, and other issues.

"The Itasca Moraine Chapter Charter states that the Chapter will celebrate the existence of the NCNST in Itasca State Park. It soon became

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Ocrober-December

2006

â&#x20AC;˘ Had a rough year? You might be the recipient of the "Bump in the Road" Award like the 2006 winner Keith Klos.

The traveling award rock is presented for overcoming unforeseen "bumps in the road" in furthering the NCTA.

apparent to Ray that the state was unable to maintain the NCNST in the western part of the Park, approximately 6.5 miles, so Ray took it upon himself to recruit a cadre of workers from the Bad Medicine/White Earth areas to do that maintenance, all with the agreement of the Park Manager.

"Ray is also successfully negotiat-

National Park Service Superintendent Tom Gilbert (left) is known throughoutthe trail community for always wearing his "Ranger Hat." In honor of his dedication and commitment to the North Country National Scenic Trail for the last 25 years, Tom was presented with a custom-made hat holder by NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator Bill Menke. The hat holder was handmade by North Dakota volunteer Scott Tichy.

ing with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Bemidji, relative to trail signage on state highways."

From the same region of Minnesota, Carter Hedeen nominated Bob Hoffman.

"Bob Hoff man, in his position as Land Commissioner of Hubbard County, has been a supporter of the NCNST for many years. When I accompanied Jerry Trout to Bob's office a few years ago to assess his willingness to partner with us as we crossed county land, it was evident that he didn't need convincing. He assigned a county forester to be a contact person for us, as issues such as trail location, logging, etc., would arise.

"Last year we approached him in regard to recommending to Hubbard County Commissioners the approval of $5,000 from county timber sales in 2005 as money to secure a 2006 grant; Bob not only agreed, but recommended asking for another $5,000 for 2007, and finally persuaded the Commissioners to approve them both!

We use this money to hire Minnesota Conservation Corps Crews to help with trail construction, without whom we would be many miles behind in the completion of the Trail."

Each year, employees of a unit of government or an organization whose leadership and active collaboration have substantially benefited the NCNST receive the Association's Friend of the Trail Award. Wally Chappel and Ron

Kantola, both from Michigan, received this honor.

Grand Traverse Hiking Club President John Heiam nominated Wally Chappel from the Grand Traverse County Conservation District.

"Wally has made most of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club routed signs for information and trailheads.

He has transported these signs to trailheads, and has even delivered telephone poles for some of our bridges, all at no cost."

Bill Menke stated in his nomination of Ron Kantola, "Since 2001, Ron has been responsible for all maintenance of the approximately 85 miles of the NCNST within the Ottawa National Forest (ONF)."

"Operating with limited funding and almost no help, Ron has gradually improved the overall condition of the trail so that it is in much better condition than it was prior to his arrival.

While not a perfect solution, Ron has divided the trail into manageable sections, with a rotation in place to visit the entire trail every five years. In 2005, Ron and his crew of one cleared a little over 25 miles of the NCNST. Ron also fields questions about problems on the trail, and eliminates hazards as they are identified. In addition, Ron has personally championed the search for economic routes across the East and West Branches of the Ontonagon River, and has proposed solutions to the age-old dilemma of

river crossings. In the words of several of the ONF staff, Ron IS 'the North Country Trail' on the Ottawa."

This year's Trailblazer Award was given to Cemex, Inc., as "a business or foundation for far-sighted vision and assistance, demonstrated by one or more acts of considerable support for the NCT or to the NCTA." Nominated by the Wampum Chapter, "Cemex is the largest readymix concrete producer in the world with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. The NCNST crosses more than six miles of their property in Pennsylvania. They support local community programs, including the Wampum Chapter, in many ways.

They have even agreed to our construction of three bridges on the trail we are building on their property."

Bob McCafferty, owner of North Country Brewing Company in Slippery Rock, Penn., was given the Outreach Award. Joyce Appel nominated Bob as a volunteer "whose efforts to build coalitions, partnerships or other forms of local support have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the NCNST." Joyce wrote, "Bob was past president of the Slippery Rock Chapter of Penn., has built a micro-brewery and restaurant which he named after the NCNST, got the Slippery Rock Chapter up and running again after it almost dissolved, promotes the trail constantly to his customers through posters and talking to them about the trail, and he did a lot for the Pennsylvania conference this year."

This year the Communicator of the Year honor was awarded to Joan Young. Joan, a volunteer who has been promoting the NCNST through her book "North Country Cache," was nominated by Fred Szarka and Irene Szabo.

Fred wrote, "The book, with its friendly, rambling style, has given a face to the Trail. Joan has traveled around the country promoting both the trail and her book over the last year. Both her presence and the unique book have won friends for the Trail across the region."

Irene Szabo added, "Not only has Joan written a book about hiking our particular trail, which is entertain-

October-December

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31

ing and eminently readable in its own right, but she has been criss-crossing our trail states for the last year, promoting the book. In effect, she is providing public programs all over the place, simultaneously promoting the Trail! She has even invented popular little laminated hike tickets, which give a thumbnail map for a local sample hike."

And finally, the Sweep Award is given annually to a volunteer "for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes on behalf of the NCNST or the NCTA." Bill Menke wrote, "In any successful chapter, there are some people who perform significant tasks behind the scenes, which allow the rest of the chapter membership to function more effectively. Peter Edmunds is one of these people."

"Throughout the history of the Brule-St. Croix Chapter Peter has stored the chapter tool trailer at his home and more significantly has maintained all of the tools. Specifically, Peter has been responsible to keep the power equipment such as the chapter's two DR brush mowers in good condition through routine maintenance or arranging repairs.

"Most recently, Peter took on the

significant task of pre-cutting all of the materials for Phase I of the eventual 3,500 foot boardwalk that the chapter is constructing across the Brule Bog. This work allowed the trail crew to build boardwalk, rather than having to spend time cutting."

Congratulations to all our winners!

Hourly Awards Volunteers who submitted their hours working on the trail were also honored. Trail maintenance and construction, resource management, leading hikes, promoting the trail, recruiting members, talking to landowners, and leading meetings are just a few of the ways people donate hundreds of hours every year. The Association and National Park Service recognized 100-hour volunteers with a personalized name badge, NPS Volunteer-inParks pin and certificate, 200-hour volunteers with a Nalgene bottle, and 400-hour recipients with a personalized embroidered shirt. For the first time volunteers devoting more than 1,000 hours to the Trail received a personalized fleece vest! For a complete list of honorees, see the list at right.

The NCTA thanks the National Park Service for making these awards possible.

*

Attention Volunteers: Don't miss your chance to be recognized & help the NCTA! If you are a volunteer and don't report your hours, you are missing out! And so is the NCTA! As a volunteer, you contribute invaluable time to the North Country National Scenic Trail. Whether you lead activities, participate in planning, produce a newsletter or lead a work crew, you are the soul of the Trail.

In fact, volunteer service is the best measure we have to demonstrate public support for the Trail. However, if you aren't letting us know about the hours you put in, you're weakening our stance when we approach legislators, foundations, and potential sponsors to ask for their help.

So please, report your hours to us, if not for your own recognition, then for the good of the Trail itself.

To submit your hours, visit: www.northcountrytrail.org or call us at 866-HIKE-NCT to request forms.

2006 Hourly Volunteer Awards 1,000 Hour 路 Len Baron, Lyle Bialk, Gail Blakeley, Derek Blount, Joe Burton, Char Chandler, Bill Coffin, Dave Cornell, Joe Dabes, Garry Dill, Kathleen Eisele, Gene Elzinga, Elwood Ensor, Tom Garnett, Bob Gould, Paul Haan, Carter Hedeen, Denise Herron, Susie Hulls, Herb Hulls, Jerry Keeney, Cora Killinger, Charles Krammin, Deb Krieger, Richard Krieger, Richard Kroener, Mary Kunzler-Larmann, Al Larmann, Tom Learmont, John Leinen, Richard Lutz, Arlen Matson, Roger Meyer, Ed Morse, Dick Naperala, Peter Nordgren, Bob Norlin, Kaye Pfeiffer, Rich Pfeiffer, Larry Pio, Ron Rice, Ed Scurry, Richard Seibert, James Sprague, Rolf Swanson, Irene Szabo, Jerry Trout, Werner Veit, Doug Welker, Gaylord Yost, Joan Young

400 Hours 路 Rick Adamson, John Andersson, Joyce Appel, Jim Baldwin, Gail Blakeley Anne Brosseau, Bill Brosseau, Joe Dabes, John Dreher, Dave Goodman, Larry Hawkins, Alicia Hoffarth, Rich Holmes, Peggy Jones, Bill Lane, Bill Majernik, Linda Matchett, Glory Meyer, David Myers, Ryan Smith, Marty Swank, Mark VanHornweder, Ray Vlasak 100 Hours 路 Joyce Ables, Gregory Anikeeff, Nathan Arnold, Anne Billiard, Scott Bowen, Chet Buquo, Dorothy Buquo, Tim Calloway, Peter Cann, Charles Caster, Betsy Duede, John Edwards, Judy Ellison, Jake Erhardt, John Forslin, Tom Garnett, Dave Haas, Mick Hawkins, Patrick Hayes, Jerry Heiman, Rich Holmes, Victoria Kelly, Keith Klos, Deb Koepplin, Bill Lane, Mona Liska, Joan Majewski, Jerry Marek, Wayne Marvin, Linda Matchett, Arlene Matson, Nancy McCain, Larry Meyer, John Morgan, Roger Morrison, Peter Nsason, Darrel Rodekuhr, Ryan Smith, Drew Smithberger, JoEllen Sokoloski, Clifford Stammer, Tiffany Stram, Robert Sulaski, Marty Swank, June Thaden, Bud Ward, Linda Warren, Chris Wheil, Kathryn Woodruff, George Zacharek

A Benchmark History of the North Country National Scenic Trail

by Tom Gilbert NPS Superintendent,

"

North Country NST

"\V,7hile 2006 is the 25th anniversary of the North Country Trail Association and the 26th anniversary of Congress' authorizaW tion of the North Country National Scenic Trail, the actual history of the trail goes back at least 42 years. Records indicate that the idea for the trail emerged in 1964, but exactly who came up with the idea is still unknown. I hope to solve that mystery before year's end and report the result in a future article in the North Star. The following moments along the timeline of our short history were printed onto posters on the "history wall" at the annual meeting in Clarion, Penn., along with occasional pictures and graphics. Even the best informed of us learned something new while reading along "the wall."

For those who love history, here is a compilation of important events in the life of the North Country Trail and North Country Trail Association.

1962 ~

Gaylord Nelson is elected to the U.S. Senate from Wisconsin. An avowed environmentalist, the Appalachian Trail community turns to him to sponsor federal legislation to protect their trail.

1963 ~

Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission recommends federal action to create nationwide systems of trails and scenic rivers.

produce a slide show about the proposed trail to use at the public meetings.

1973 -

The draft feasibility study of the NCNST is completed and goes out for public review. In large numbers, snowmobilers turn out or write in to oppose the trail because it would not allow motorized use.

1974 1964 -

The Department of the Interior initiates a study to examine options for creating a nationwide system of trails. The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation is lead agency to coordinate federal agency input.

Vermont Governor Thomas P. Salmon writes to Secretary of the Interior, Rogers C. B. Morton, asking that the Vermont portion be deleted from the route of the NCNST.

1974 1965 -

The U.S. Forest Service completes its report providing input to the study. Among its recommendations is creation of a trail to be known as the Northern Country Trunk Trail.

Bureau of Outdoor Recreation leaders ponder whether to issue a final report recommending against the trail, due to the opposition of snowmobilers and the Governor of Vermont.

1975 1965 -

Senator Gaylord Nelson introduces legislation to establish a system of National Scenic Trails.

The final feasibility study is published. In deference to the snowmobilers, it proposes a trail composed of both "scenic" segments, and "recreation" segments where snowmobiling could be allowed.

1966 -

The Department of the Interior publishes the final study report, "Trails for America." It proposes a further study of a potential North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST).

1968 -

Congress passes the National Trails System Act. The NCNST is included in a list of 14 trail routes to be studied as potential National Scenic Trails.

1976~1979-

Several bills to authorize the NCNST with scenic and recreation segments are introduced.

None of them is acted upon.

1978 -

The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation becomes the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

1978 1971 -

The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation initiates the feasibility study of the NCNST. It is led first by Dave Shonk and later Bob Martin, Chief, Division of Resource Area Studies.

1973 -

Tom Gilbert, staff of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation in Ann Arbor, Mich., begins working on the NCNST. His first assignment: work with Bob Martin to

Carolyn Hoffman of Pennsylvania hikes (and bikes in Ohio) the entire route of the proposed NCNST, the first person to do so. Lou Ann Fellows of California accompanies her, except for two months due to an injury.

1979 -

President Carter's annual Environmental Message to Congress calls on them to enact legislation authorizing the NCNST.

*

-...--...-.. ..-...-......-. ...-............

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•

THERE'S A LONG, LONG TRAIL AWAITING... ~ As the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation regional office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was completing the North Country Trail feasibility study in late 1974 and early 1975, BOR cartographer and graphic artist Madge Patterson created this illustration representing the future of the trail and some pertinent details.

Beginning at the right, the "Detour" sign at the NY-VT state line repre-

sents Vermont Governor Salmon's request that the trail not enter his state. The man contemplating what to do about the trail is then-Assistant Secretary of the Interior Nathaniel Reed. He was from Florida; thus the alligator and waterfowl. The Federal expense of creating such a long trail might not be acceptable to the President's Office of Management and Budget; they might say "No" and

1979 -

Lance Feild, president of International Backpackers Association, persuades Sen. William Cohen (Maine) and Rep. William Whitehurst (Virigina) to introduce a bill authorizing a NCNST.

trim it from the budget.' Congress would have to pass the necessary legislation , so the decision trail leads through the Capitol. Finally, if Congress authorized the trail there would be seemingly endless work

by Federal, State, local, and private partners to actually establish the trail, extending westward to the Lewis and Clark Trail in North Dakota.

dent; Ken Gackler is elected treasurer.

1981 -

The NCTA accepts donation of a historic school house near White Cloud, Mich., to serve as its national headquarters.

1980 -

The Cohen-Whitehurst bill is amended into another parks and recreation bill and passes. On March 5, President Carter signs Public Law 96-199 authorizing the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Administration is assigned to the NPS.

Winter1981~1982 -

First issue of "The North Country Trailblazer" newsletter. Dr. John Hipps, an NCTA board member from Pennsylvania, is editor.

1982 1981 -

Interior Secretary James Watt abolishes Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, transferring its staff and functions to the NPS. Bob Martin and Tom Gilbert are relocated to Omaha, Nebraska.

Tom begins writing the plan for the NCNST under the direction of Bob.

1981 -

Lance Feild organizes the NCTA. The first meeting is held in March in White Cloud, Mich. Lance is elected president; Ginny Wunsch is elected vice presi-

*

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The NCNST Advisory Council, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, holds its first meeting in Bloomington, Minn. Don Carlson of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is chair.

1982 -

The NCNST Advisory Council adopts the official trail emblem.

1982 -

The NPS completes and publishes the "Comprehensive Plan for Management and Use of the North Country National Scenic Trail."

•

1982 -

Annual meeting of the NCTA held in November in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Larry Lemanski of Lansing, Mich., is elected president of the NCTA. Joyce Harlukowicz of Detroit American Youth Hosteling becomes secretary.

and Lewis and Clark National Trails.

1990 -

Legendary Peter Wolfe, who turned from alcoholism to backpacking, hiking the Appalachian Trail and then the NCNST over seven summers (19741980), dies.

1983 -

"The North Country Trailblazer" becomes simply "The Newsletter" since the Buckeye Trail Association already calls its periodical the "Trail Blazer."

1983 -

The first 673 miles of the NCNST are certified as official segments, entitling them to be marked with the official trail emblem.

1983 -

Bob Dreis of Spooner, Wisc., is elected president of the NCTA at its fall meeting.

1990 -

Martha Jones of Detroit, Mich., is elected president of the NCTA.

1990 -

Pat Allen, on behalf of NCTA, succeeds in getting a special one-time federal appropriation of $90,000 for the NCNST. Tom Gilbert works to get $60,000 of that granted to the NCTA to hire an Executive Director.

1990 1984 -

The NCTA adopts its first organizational logo - a round emblem with the seven states and the line of the trail.

1984 -

The NPS produces the first batch of official trail emblems and distributes them to the managers of "certified" segments of the trail.

The NPS publishes the first official NCNST brochure, written and designed by Tom Gilbert and Pat Allen. Its "debut" is at tenth anniversary events, including the annual Mackinac Bridge walk.

1991 -

Byron and Margaret Hutchins publish their first guide "Certified Sections of the North Country Trail."

Fall1991 Mid~1980s-

Art Holland designs, and Tom Gilbert produces, the first North Country Trail T-shirts, selling them at cost. The Association took over this function in 1988.

1985 -

NCNST "slide show" produced by Tom Gilbert and Pat Allen is completed. In 1989, it was converted to videotape format.

1987 -

Tom Reimers of Ithaca, N.Y., is elected president of the NCTA.

1987 -

First suggestion and discussion of re-routing the NCNST in Northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead Region.

The NCTA holds its first-ever Association meeting in North Dakota.

1992 -

Legendary NCTA trailbuilder, Vince Smith, dies.

While sometimes controversial in his views and methods, he left a huge mark on the trail in Michigan and elsewhere.

1992 -

The NPS requests and succeeds in getting a $50,000 recurring base budget for the NCNST. This enables the NPS to hire Bill Menke as the first fulltime Trail Manager.

1992 -

April Scholtz is hired as NCTA's first Executive Director with funds provided by the NPS.

1992 1989 -

The annual May meeting is held at "The Shack" Country Inn in Michigan for the first time.

(Remember the huge, nightly banana splits?)

Derek Blount of Royal Oak, Mich., president of the NCTA.

1992 -

The number of "certified" the 1,000-mile threshold.

is elected

miles of trail crosses

1989 -

Wes Boyd, an NCTA Board member from Michigan and staff of the Hudson Gazette newspaper, becomes editor of "The Newsletter," adding new features and standardized formatting.

1989 -

NCTA publishes Wes Boyd's "Following the North Country National Scenic Trail," the first book giving information about hiking the entire Trail. A revised second edition is issued in 1992, a third revised edition in 1999.

1993 -

Pat Allen, long-time NCTA Board member and NCNST Advisory Council member, is hired as NCTA's Executive Director.

1993 -

Three years of meetings and retreats of committees and the Board of Directors leads to a major restructuring of the Association, the Board of Directors, and its leadership.

1994 1990 -

NPS moves administration of the NCNST from Omaha to Madison, Wisc. Tom Gilbert is selected to head the new office for the Ice Age, North Country,

Congress sets aside one-third of the NPS "Challenge Cost Share" program for projects benefiting National Scenic and Historic Trails. This provides relatively stable annual funding for trail projects.

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35

1998 -

1994 - Senator Carl Levin of Michigan introduces amendments to the National Trails System Act that would provide authority for federal agencies to spend funds to buy lands from willing sellers for the NCNST and other trails.

Larry Lemanski, one of the original incorporators of the NCTA and its second president, dies of a heart attack while leading a group on a mountain trip in Utah.

1998 1994 -

The NCTA moves to one major annual conference, holding the first one at Maplelag Lodge, near Calloway, Minn.

The NPS and U.S. Forest Service agree on a "Desired Future Condition" statement concerning trail management, primarily on National Forest lands. NCTA joins in signing a Memorandum of Understanding in

1999.

Jan. 1995 - "The Newsletter" is renamed the "North

1999 -

Star."

1995 -

NCTA opens first office in Grand Rapids, Mich.

NCTA publishes the first of new series of hiking maps for the Trail. The first set covers the northern segment of the Manistee National Forest.

1995 -

2000 -

1996 -

2000 -

NPS arranges and financially sponsors a 4-day Student Conservation Association "Work Skills" training course for Ice Age and North Country Trail volunteers, in northern Wisconsin.

"North Star" editor Wes Boyd writes an article proposing "a northern coast-to-coast national scenic trail" in the January-March issue.

The NCNST is named one of 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. The only other National Scenic Trail to be so honored is the Appalachian Trail.

Congress appropriates $500,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund granted to and matched by the State of Wisconsin to purchase lands for the NCNST.

1996 -

NCTA and the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation hold a joint annual conference in northern Wisconsin. End-to-End Trail Marking a major workshop subject and discussion.

2000 - NCTA membership crosses the 2,000 threshold.

2000 -

After 12 years and 50 issues, Wes Boyd hands off the editorship of the "North Star" to NCTA President Werner Veit, retired President of Booth Newspapers.

1996 -

Bob Papp is hired as NCTA's Executive Director.

1996 -

The NCTA Board adopts a new logo for the Association designed by Annette Papp, wife of Executive Director Bob Papp.

â&#x20AC;˘ASSOCIATIONâ&#x20AC;˘

*

North Dakota * Minnesota *Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York

*

*

2001 -

Bill Menke retires as NPS Trail Manager.

2001 1996 -

The NPS publishes "A Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance", authored by Bill Menke, to standardize the work done by all trail partners and create the "thread of continuity."

Emily Gregor, who served for many years on the Boards of and in leadership positions in the Buckeye Trail, NCTA, and American Hiking Society, dies.

2001 -

1997 -

2001 -

1997 -

2001 -

Werner Veit of Grand Rapids, Mich., is elected president of the NCTA.

The "North Star" goes "color" beginning with the August-September issue, and becomes "The Magazine of the North Country Trail Association."

Gaylord Yost of River Hills, Wisc., is elected President of the NCTA.

Ken Howell is hired as NPS Land Protection Coordinator.

2002 1998 -

The number of "certified" the 1,500-mile threshold.

NCTA office moves to Lowell, Mich.

Fred Szarka is hired as NPS Trail Manager.

miles of trail crosses

2002 -

The Finger Lakes Trail Conference, an NCTA Affiliate, celebrates its fortieth anniversary.

1998 -

NPS and NCTA begin a planning process to evaluate the option of changing the trail route in Northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, utilizing the Superior Hiking, Border Route, and Kekekabic Trails.

2002 -

Arden Johnson, long-time NCTA volunteer, Board member, Michigan state trail coordinator, and prolific trail builder, dies.

New NCTA Regional Field Coordinator Matt Davis studies the "Wall of History" at the 2006 Annual Conference in Clarion, Penn.

This article contains the events that were included on the Wall.

2003 -

John Leinen of Stillwater, Minn., is elected President of the Association.

2003 -

NCTA Founder and first President, dies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

member, state coordinator, chapter president, trail builder, and all-around bedrock of NCNST activities in Minnesota, dies.

Lance Feild,

2003 -

Olive Anderson, one of the earliest NCTA members and author "Guide to the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail," published by NCTA, dies.

2004 -

Rob Corbett is hired as Executive Director of the Association. Rob had been NCTA Director of Trail Management since 2002.

2005 -

Gaylord Nelson, author and sponsor of the National Trails System Act, and co-sponosr of the amendment authorizing the NCNST, dies.

2005 -

Adirondack Park advocate, author, and historian Barbara McMartin dies. She was integrally involved in the reinvigoration of efforts to find a route for the NCNST through the park.

2006 2004 -

The Buckeye Trail Association, an NCTA Affiliate, celebrates its 45th Anniversary.

2004 -

NCTA membership crosses the 3,000 thresh-

Tom Gilbert, Fred Szarka, and NCTA Direcotr of Trail Management Clare Cain spend ten days in May exploring possible routes for a connection from the western terminus of the NCNST to the Continental Divide NST.

old.

2006 2004 -

NCTA publishes new book, "Hikeable Segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail."

2004 -

The NPS completes "Northeastern Minnesota Route Assessment" study and recommends changing the route to follow the Superior Hiking, Border Route, and Kekekabic Trails and other new routes.

Planning documents for routing decisions in Adirondack Park, N.Y., and the Dayton, Ohio, area are completed.

2006 -

The Northeastern Minnesota Arrowhead Region reroute languishes for lack of a Congressional sponsor of legislation to approve the routing change.

2006 2005 -

The NCTA, NPS, and New York Department of Environmental Conservation initiate planning and alternatives study to select a route through Adirondack Park. NCTA leads the work and mapping.

2005 -

The NPS holds meetings with key stakeholders to work toward changing the trail route to go through the center of Dayton, Ohio.

2005 -

NCTA adds two Regional Trail Coordinator positions to support local volunteer efforts and improve coordination and trail building.

2007 -

The NCTA will host the Partnership for the National Trails System's biennial National Scenic and Historic Trails Conference in Duluth, Minn.

*

???? -

The number of "certified" the 2,000-mile threshold.

Rod MacRae, long-time NCTA member, Board Ocrober-December

miles of trail crosses

2006 *The

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37

Encounter in the Woods This is a true story from on the trail in Wisconsin

TRAIL uBilOO

By Marty Swank Chequamegon Chapter

O

ne of my most frequently walked segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail would be in the Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area.

Usually I would reach this section of trail by a connector trail called the Anderson Grade, which used to be a logging railroad grade. The trail starts the Delta/ Drummond Road where there is parking provided for access to Clay Lake.

This is in the Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area within the Chequamegon National Forest and no motorized vehicles or anything with wheels is allowed. The trail is also not far from Perch Lake Campground, one of my frequent camping spots. On this occasion, I was camping at Perch Lake and decided to investigate fishing in some of the small lakes past Clay Lake, including Rainbow Lake. I had packed a lunch and put a few of my favorite lures in a day pack and started the hike, fishing rod in hand.

So begins this story of an encounter that defines the meaning of "enjoying nature" for me.

The sun was shimmering through the trees providing a mosaic of dark and glimmering white on the forest floor below. A very slight breeze provided an ever so slight symphony of natural sounds that my ears were pleasantly attuned to. I had made my way to about the halfway point between Bufo Lake and Rainbow Lake when I heard something approaching in the forest ahead and stopped to listen.

The source of the noise went by me on my right side, just out of eyesight.

I remained and kept listening as the hushed walking noise faded.

I was just about to start walking again when to my amazement, the sound returned from behind me on the trail that I had just walked. Realizing that I may have to hold this position for a time, I quickly and as quietly as possible, adjusted my position facing the now closer sound and rested the butt end of the fishing pole on the ground.

Shortly after this, two deer walked out of the woods just a short space from me. Both were looking my way curiously. One of the deer cautiously edged to within four or five feet of me and tilted its head, first to the right and then to the left, as if it was trying to figure out what kind of strange object stood on the trail. This deer slowly walked past me and stopped a short distance away. Then the second

Above: Marty Swank is president of the Chequamegon Chapter and has more than 800 volunteer hours on the North Country Trail.

Right: Hikers will find signs at both the Rainbow Lake Wilderness and the Porcupine Lake Wilderness Areas like these.

deer cautiously approached my position until it was within about the same range the last deer had just held.

I am not sure exactly what happened next. What I do remember is the deer closest to me suddenly jumped up in the air, actually turned in midair, and hit the ground running, back to the woods away from me. The companion deer did the same thing. I also jumped as my heart, I am sure, skipped a few beats, and jumped into my throat! I am not sure if I moved ever so slightly or if a changing breeze waved my scent in the direction of the nearby deer. In a matter of seconds, the scene had totally reverted to me standing alone on the trail.

For sure, this was a memory that I would not soon forget. This is the closest I have ever been to a deer in its natural habitat and it was fascinating watching them try to figure out what manner of object I was! The woods have always provided a renewing experience for me and encounters with wildlife make the experience even more rewarding. I have often used the memory of this encounter to help me endure less pleasant times. I am sure that an unknowing observer would wonder what I was smiling at!

*

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e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

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$7.50 Hiking Minnesota

by John Pukite

Hiking

Minnesota

This edition has descriptions, maps, and basic elevation profiles for 87 hikes in Minnesota.

273 pages (l132)

Hikeable Segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail

Follow the Blue Blazes

by Robert J Pond

This guide lists all the hikeable segments of the trail and presents accurate mileages along and between segments. Each trail segment on the map is numbered and corresponds to a description of that segment. 112 pages (L133) $5.95

A guide to hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Beginning with startling rock formations and graceful waterfalls, this 1200 mile loop provides a captivating look at each section of the trail.

300 pages. (l130) $19.95

Porcupine Mountains

by Jim DuFresne

The authors provide first-hand information for trails in every corner of the state - from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to Newport State Park. (l129)

Describes the Porkies for hikers, campers, skiers, and backpackers. Includes history, cabins, camping areas, day hikes, and waterfalls.

160 pages (l108) $11.95

$19.95 Dayhiker's Handbook~----~

By J Long and M. Hodgson

Edible Wild Plants

by James Kavanagh

Comprehensive guide for beginning wanderers and those exploring new country. Many short features, fun tips and anecdotes. 216 pages(L107) $14.95

This pocket-size guide is perfect for identifying the various plants you see while out walking. (l127) $5.95

First Aid and Family Emergency Handbook This compact book tells you what to do in emergency and then how to protect a victim.

252 pages (l125) $6.00

50 Hikes in Michigan

by Jim DuFresne

Lightweight Backpacking & Camping Edited by Ryan Jordan

Describes the best trails in the Lower Peninsula.

Includes access, parking, hiking times, contour maps, and explicit trail directions.

252 pages (l109) $17.95

A book full of ideas and tips for hiking with all you need to survive without breaking your back. 434 pages (l135) $24.95

Atlas of Michigan

by Dennis R. Hansen This third edition has descriptions and maps for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan.

789 pages (l102A)

.:~AID ..!:"-

'IlAYHIKER'S HANDBOOK

~===~~"-.J

---:'a.~=

Introduce your children to the wonders of hiking.

This answers any questions and gives valuable tips. 70 pages (L123) $6.95

Babes in the Woods

by Bobbi Hoadley The women's guide to eating well, sleeping well, and having fun in the backcountry.

125 pages (l131) $12.95

The Appalachian Trail Food Planner

by Lou Adsmond Proven food tips for a short backpack to a six-month thru-hike, Includes recipes for easy trailside cooking. 128 pages (l126)

$34.95

The N~~th Star

Backpacking Wisconsin by jack P. Hai/man & Elizabeth D. Hai/man

Hiking with Kids

by Robin Tawney

$14.95

40

www.northcountrytrail.org

*

Octob.er-Dece~ber

2006

~'"'路"-~"'--路路

$16.95

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

ORDER TOLLFREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT

www.northcountrytrail.org

Lipsmackin ' Backpackin'

by Tim and Christine Connors Dine on spaghetti, chicken salad, and cheesecake in the backcountry instead of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky.

232 pages (L118) $15.95

rw•••.-J

The Well-Fed Backpacker

by June Fleming Make ahead meals as well as on the trail. It is packed with tons of recipes and food tips for the outdoors. 181 pages (L128)

HATS

C. Navy Cap (C212)

A. Sun Protection (C210)

Solid navy with cream trim and NCTA silhouette logo with adjustable buckle $14.95

Wide bill, Supplex" tan nylon, soft and breathable. Adjustable clip back $18.50

B. The Aussie Hat

(C209)

Natural color, cotton canvas with full brim and rope cord with adjustable slider $24.50

D. Khaki Cap (C211) Stone washed cotton khaki hat with North Country National Scenic Trail emblem with adjustable buckle $14.95

$12.95

CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NCT

North Country National Scenic Trail Vinyl Sticker

By Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed information and maps highlighting the off-road segments of the Trail. In easy to use looseleaf form.

(P-2006)

Decorate your favorite water bottle with this North Country National Scenic Trail sticket!

PENNSYLVANIA NCT in Pennsylvania, 37 pages (M201) ... $6.00

OHIO Wayne N.F., 14 pages (M301) $3.00 Burr Oak S.P. to Milford on the Buckeye Trail, 38 pages (M3032) $14.00 Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42 pages (M304A) $7.00 Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie S.P. to Napoleon, 30 pages (M305A) $5.00

New York Pennsylvania Ohio · Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota North Dakota

50¢ each or 12 for $5.00

(P126) (P127) (P128) (P129) (P130) (P131) (P132)

MICHIGAN NCT in Lower Michigan, 81 pages (M401) .........

$14.00 NCT in Upper Michigan, 88 pages (M402) ........

$14.00 WISCONSIN Iron County Forests; Chequamegon N.F., Brule River S.F., 27 pages (M501B) $5.00

MINNESOTA Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24 pages (M601) $4.00

NORTH DAKOTA NCT in North Dakota, 15 pages (M701) .. $5.50

MEDALLIONS, PINS, & PATCHES Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick, jacket, or backpack.

A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 C. Patch of Trail Emblem (P125) $3.50 B. Brass (P104) $4.00 D. Trail Emblem cloisonne pin (P102) $3.00 E. NCTA Ballpoint Pen (P106) $5.00 October-December 2006

*

The North Star

41

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT

www.northcountrytrail .org

NCT TRAIL MAPS 1:100,000 SCALE

1:63,360 SCALE

$4.50 per map

$4.50 per map

One inch to 1.578 miles. This full-color pocket size map unfolds to a full 11" x 17", double sided and are now being printed on "Dural'aper," waterproof, tear-resistant, soil resistant and extremely durable because it is an extra heavyweight, specially coated with 4 mil polyester.

One inch to a mile. This full-color pocket size map unfolds to a full 11" x 17", double sided and are now being printed on "DuraPaper," waterproof, tear-resistant, soil resistant and extremely durable because it is an extra heavyweight, specially coated with 4 mil polyester.

PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest (PA-01) Allegheny National Forest to State Game Land 95 (PA-02) State Game Land 95 to Pennsylvania/Ohio Stateline (PA-03)

WISCONSIN Together these maps cover the Chequamegon National Forest Ironwood to Long Mile Lookout Long Mile Lookout to Solon Springs

(Wl-01) (Wl-02)

OHIO Ohio State Line to Minerva Wayne National Forest-Marietta Unit

(OH-101) (OH-105)

MINNESOTA MICHIGAN Marshall to 76th Street (Ml-02) 76th Street to M-37 (Ml-03) M-37 to Freesoil Trailhead (Ml-04) Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Rd (Ml-05) Cedar Creek Rd to Charlevoix County (Ml-06) Charlevoix County to Mackinac Bridge .. (Ml-07) Mackinac Bridge to Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway (Ml-08) Curley Lewis Road to Grand Marais (Ml-09) Grand Marais to Au Train Lake (Ml-10) Au Train Lake to Little Garlic Falls (Ml-11) Little Garlic Falls to Alberta (Ml-12) Alberta to Cascade Falls (Ml-13) Cascade Falls to Ironwood (Ml-14)

Chippewa N.F. to Paul Bunyan S.F. ...... (MN-09) State Highway 64 to Many Point Lake .. (MN-10)

NORTH DAKOTA 44 St. to State Highway 26

(ND-104)

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e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE

NCT

www.northcountrytrail.org

LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL MAPS? Several Affiliates sell maps covering parts of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Check out their web sites for maps!

Finger Lakes Trail Conference

www.fingerlakestrail.org

(Now thru 12/31/06)

Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy

www.rachelcarsontrails.org

VOLUNTEER PATCHES Sale Price $1.00 (RegularPrice:

Buckeye Trail Association

www.buckeyetrail.org Superior Hiking Trail Association

www.shta.org

Volunteer 2004 Volunteer 2005 Volunteer 2006

Kekekablc Trail Club

www.kek.org

Be TRAIL

MEMBERSHIP

(P141) (P142) (P143)

SHOP

$2.00) (P136) (P137)

Trail Crew Hike Leader

ORDER

(P138) (P139)

Trail Mapper Organizer

FORM

The top form maybe used for new and renewing members.

The lower portion of the form is for Trail Shop Merchandise.

Home Phone with Area Code

Name (Please Print)

I

Address

I

I

1-1

I

I

1-1

I

I

E-mail

I

City

Membership: Please mark one of the boxes below if joining or rejoining the North Country Trail Association

D $30 Regular D $50 Trail Leader D $100 Pathfinder

Please choose your Chapter affiliation:

D Member of a specific Chapter :

SHOP

I

Item Description

_

D Member of my closest Chapter (If one exists) D At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

D $45 Organization D $150 Business D $250 NCT Patron TRAIL

I ZIP

State

PURCHASES

Item Number

Size

Quantity

Price Each

Total

Merchandise total:

[II] [ w~]

I n·c=l

D Check or money order enclosed to D Please charge my credit card (Made payable

"NCTA")

*Y>coUNTJ?y r<:

•

t.. ~ •ASSOCIATION•

NCTA Members deduct 10%: Subtotal after discount:

r.

Ml Residents add 6% sales tax: + Shipping and handling: + (See shipping Info below)

Membership dues (if included): + GRAND TOTAL:

Charge Card Number

Expiration Date

Name on Card

Signature (We cannot process your order without a signature and the expiration date.)

Please mail, fax or phone your order to: 229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331 Toll free telephone: 866-HlkeNCT (445-3628) If ordering by credit card, you may fax your order to: 616-897-6605

Shipping and Handling Charges Amount of Order Charge

$00.00 to $10.00 $10.01 to $25.00 $25.01 to $50.00 $50.01 to $100 Over $100

October-December 2006

*

$2.50 $5.00 $6.00 $8.00 $10.00

The North Star

43

If you have questions about the North Country Trail, there are many different places to go for information.

This directory provides you with key contacts.

When in Doubt, Try NCTA Headquarters: If you're not sure whom to contact, or prefer to talk with our office instead of contacting a volunteer at home, your best bet is to connect with the NCTA's National Office. If we can't help you, we'll be able to put you in touch with someone who can. Staff members are listed on page 3 (table of contents page).

NORTH DAKOTA Trail Council Chair:

North Country Trail Association

229 E Main St, Lowell, Ml 49331 Toll-free: (866) HikeNCT Fax: (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org HQ@northcountrytrail.org Visit our web site; it's a sure bet that you'll find most of what you need.

Here you can join or contribute to the NCTA, browse the events calendar, explore NCTA Chapter pages, purchase maps and trail-related products, follow links to Partner organizations, read up-to-date news items, report volunteer hours, and, of course, learn more about the trail itself!

National Park Service: The NPS office in Madison is an excellent technical resource for volunteers, agencies, partner organizations, and the media. As our official trail administrator, the NPS sets trail standards, determines the trail route, and provides the overall vision for the trail.

Curtis Vanek • go4rrails@ideaone.net

State Trail Coordinator: Bobby Koepplin • bkoepplin@kwh.com

1. Lonetree Chapter Elden Ehrman • (701)465-3387

2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Alicia Hoffarth • (701)490-3889 • cahoffarth@hotmail.com

3. North Dakota Prairie GrasslandsChapter Curtis Vanek> (701)282-0339 • go4rrails@ideaone.net

MINNESOTA Trail Council Chair: Chris Klein· kleinll@midwestinfo.com

State Trail Coordinator: John Leinen • footpathpal@msn.com

700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 Fax: (608) 441-5606 Tom Gilbert, Superintendent: tom_gilbert@nps.gov Fred Szarka, Trail Manager: fredrick_szarka@nps.gov Ken Howell, Land Protection Specialist: ken_howell@nps.gov

NCTA Chapters:

Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota (Affiliate) Dorian Grilley· (651)726-2457 • dgrilley@parksandtrails.org

4. Star of the North Chapter Gerald Johnson• (612)789-7965 • johns018@umn.edu

5. Itasca Moraine Chapter Carter Hedeen • (218)732-9226 • hedeencf@wcta.net

For information about local activities or volunteering, contact the Chapter representative for your area of interest. We have more than two dozen local volunteer trail clubs scattered along the trail that are Chapters of the NCTA. NCTA members can affiliate themselves with any Chapter they'd like. Whether or not the member volunteers, a portion of their dues will help support Chapter activities. Chapters build and maintain trail, host hikes and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas.

6. Kekekabic Trail Club (Affiliate)

Affiliate Organizations:

Trail Council Chair: Vacant

The NCTA enters into affiliate agreements with other organizations who envision the completed trail. Trail Maintaining Affiliates are independent organizations who also work to build, maintain, and promote sections of the trail. Supporting Affiliates are independent organizations who work with us to help fulfill our Mission, but are not responsible for a specific section of trail. Each has its own membership program, so we encourage NCTA members to support them as well. If you have questions about a section of trail that is managed by one of these organizations, your best bet is to contact our Affiliates directly.

Trail Council Officers:

Our Chapters and Affiliates work together to achieve common goals through statewide Trail Councils. Each state has its own Trail Council, though Wisconsin and Upper Michigan share the "Great Lakes Trail Council." Trail Councils have one or more officers, typically including a Chair and a State Trail Coordinator.

Terry Bernhardt• (800)818-4453 • info@kek.org

7. Border Trail Route Association John Elliott• (612)829-5142 • info@borderroutetrail.org

8. Superior Hiking Trail Association (Affiliate) Gayle Coyer• (218)834-2700 • suphike@mr.ner

GREAT LAKES State Trail Coordinator: Doug Welker • dwelker@up.ner 9. Brule-St.Croix Chapter David Zosel • zosel@centuryrel.net

10. ChequamegonChapter Marry Swank• (715)682-2254 • marry808@centuryrel.net

11. Heritage Chapter Kevin Steffens· (262)878-0220 • steffens@wi.net

12. Peter Wolfe Chapter Doug Welker • (906)338-2680 • dwelker@up.net

13. North Country Trail Hikers Chapter Denise Herron • (906)225-1030 • dherron906@sbcglobal.net

14. Grand Marais Chapter: Vacant 15. Hiawatha Shore-to-ShoreChapter Roger Morrison • (906)322-0993 • rmorrison@sault.com

.>

LEGEND -chapters 11111 Partners =Not YetAdopted

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34

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27 \~t_32 LOWER MICHIGAN Trail Council Chair: Lyle Bialk • lylebialk@sbcglobal.net

~ 24

24

State Trail Coordinator:

, ..- 26

Jerry Keeney· (231)526-9597 • keeneylO@charrer.net

Trail Council Chair: Bob Tait· wanderrwo@comcast.net State Trail Coordinator: Ron Rice • ricel@nauticom.ner Butler Outdoor Club (Affiliate): Joyce Appel • (724)526-5407 • joyceappel@arm-rek.net

17. Tittabawassee Chapter Gary Johnson • (989)842-3478 • gwj2@charrer.net

Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (Affiliate) (231)584-2461• www.fws.gov/midwest/jordanriver/friends

18. Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter John Heiam • (231)938-9655 • johnheiam@charter.net

19. Spirit of the Woods Chapter Joan Young• (231)757-2205 • jhy@t-one.net

20. Western Michigan Chapter >

30

>,,, ,,

. A._,., /

Joan Young• jhy@t-one.net

16. Harbor Springs Chapter

Charles Vannette

.y/28

(616)456-9725 • cvann30643@aol.com

21. Chief NoondayChapter Larry Hawkins· (269)945-5398 • hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com

22. Chief Baw Beese Chapter Steve Vear• (517)439-5485 • steve@vear.com

Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy(Affiliate): Patty Brunner• (412)366-3339 • info@rachelcarsonrrails.org

28. WampumChapter Richard Lurz « (724)652-8185 • lurzncr ljelosch.ner

29. Butler Chapter Jerry Hoffman• (714)625-2056 • jhof27027l@hormail.com

30. Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Vacant

31. Rock Chapter Vacant

32. Clarion County Chapter Ed Scurry• (814)437-1168 • edsdc85@yahoo.com

33. Allegheny National Forest Chapter Keith Klos• (814)484-7420 • klos@wesrpa.net

OHIO Trail Council Chair: Garry Dill • gdill@columbus.rr.com State Trail Coordinator: Rick Adamson • rmadamson@earrhlink.net 23. NW Ohio Rails-to-TrailsAssociation (Affiliate) Tom Duvendack • (419)822-4788 • tduvendack@earrhlink.net

24. Buckeye Trail Association (Affiliate) Garry Dill• (614)451-0223 • gdill@columbus.rr.com

25. Adams County Chapter Myrna Hixson • (937)544-4808 • myrna@brighr.net

26. Ohio Valley Chapter Ryan Smirh

v

(740)374-5666 • rsmith365@hotmail.com

27. Great Trail-SandyBeaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley• (330)227-2432 • bbosley@cceng.org

NEW YORK Trail Council Chair and State Trail Coordinator: Howard Beye • flrc@frontiernet.net

34. Finger Lakes Trail Conference (Affiliate): Gene Bavis • 585-658-9320 • information@fingerlakestrail.org Additional Maintaining Organizations Coordinated by FLTC:

Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), ADK-Genesee Valley Chapter, ADKOnondaga Chapter, ADK-Niagara Frontier Chapter, Adventure Recreation Club at Ithaca College, Cayuga Trails Club, Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 748, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley Hiking Club, Hammondsport Boy Scour Troop 18, and Town & Country Bushwhackers

35. Central New York Chapter: Kathy Eisele• (315)492-2273 • eiselek@dreamscape.com

October-December 2006

*

The North Star

45

Trail Supporters

Thanks to all of our supporters for their donations and membership renewals!

Businesses, Foundations, and Agencies $10.000 or more

Lowell Area Community Fund National Park Service $1,000 to $9,999

Booth Newspapers • The Conservation Fund ExxonMobil Foundation • Frey Foundation Minnesota DNR • North Country Trail Relay Universal Forest Products $250 to $999 Eastern Mountain Sports • T & C Markets IM, Inc.

$150 to $249 AT&T • Campmor, Inc. • Lee's Sports and Sportswear

• North Country Brewing • Villaume Industries Inc.

Organization Members Adirondack Mountain Club - Onondaga Chapter • Allegheny Outdoor Club • Barnes County Wildlife Federation • Boy Scout Troop 35 • Buckeye Trail Association • Bureau of Reclamation • Butler Outdoor Club • Finger Lakes Trail Conference • Foothills Trail Club • Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery • Kent County Parks • Michigan Mountain Bike Association • Moraine Sailing Club FS 80 • North Dakota Forest Service • North Dakota Game and Fish Dept. • Northwestern Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association • Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota • Scoutmaster Troop 60 • Superior Hiking Trail Association • Valley City Convention/Visitors Bureau • W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest

Matching Gift Companies ExxonMobile Foundation Kimberly-Clark Foundation GE Foundation

46 The North Star

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October-December

Harris Bank Foundation 3M Foundation

2006

Trail Supporters

Individuals $1.000 or more James Baldwin Sonja & Andy Buertsch Dave & Jan Cornell James Darabi Bobby & Deborah Koepplin William Lynch & Barbara Manger Margaret MacRae Atley Oswald Derrick Passe Frederick & Eleanor Winston

$250 to $999 David & Jean Adams Jerry Allen & Connie Pausits Allen Betty Benson Lyle Bialk LeRoy Bliven Carl Boesel Kristen & Glen Bruxvoort Jonathan & Erin Bush John Diephouse Loyal & Bonnie Eldridge Tom Garnett Tom & Janis Gilbert Daniel Gold Alicia & Chris Hoffarth Peggy Jones Sarah Julien Hans Kappus Lou & Sandy Kasischke Chris Klein John & Pat Leinen James & Elizabeth Mackey Guyer & Kimberly McCracken Linda O'Donnel Martin O'Toole Aaron & Sharon Phipps John J. H. Schwarz Harmon Strong Rolf Swanson Irene Szabo Fredrick Szarka David Tattan David Tennies Jerry & Beth Trout

$100 to $249 Walt Alexander John Allen & Edith Maynard Jack Amelar Michael & Holly Angileri George Apostolou Daniel & Constance Arnold Brian & Elizabeth Bachynski Craig Balog Frances C. Barnes John Barrows Eugene Bavis Brian Becker Mitzi Beckman Lewis & Mary Bender

Dawn Bennett Howard Beye Anne Billiard Bert Bleke David Blewett Brad Bosley Ren & Carol Brander Doug & Kathy Brehm David Briggs Joshua Buchman Robert Burpee Brian Burt James Byrne Clare Cain Joe & Sharon Callahan Benjamin Carlson Richard Causley Fred Chadwick Rose Clack Bill & Mary Coffin Pearl Compann Tim & Christine Conners Robert & Romayne Corbett Gene Cornelius Wil iam Currie Carl Daiker Mary & Bill Davis Robert Davis Dale DeGirolamo Jeffrey Dennis Garrett Dill Jack & Karen Dixon Joe & Stephanie Dixon William Dixon James & Maureen Doull Erich & Alex Drescher Steve & Betsy Duede Kathleen Eisele William Eisenman Duane Elenbaas Gerard Engler Paul Erisman Randal Eshuis Alan Fark Joan Filla Herb Finke William Fletcher Richard Flinn Kathleen Foyle Eric Frick & Pam Salaway Sue Funk & Wood Kidner David Galbreath George Girod James Glockner Donald Gore Richard Gray Paul Haan & Julie Nietling Scott & Gail Haebich William Hamilton John Haugen Myron Hawkins Larry Hawkins Carter & Flo Hedeen

Phyllis Heinze Denise Herron Gail Hill & Jim Overzet Bobbie Hineline Carolyn Hoffman James & Mariah Hope Tom & Mary Hord Keith & Katherine Horngren Ken Howell Anne Hoyt Lucy Hulme Noel Jackson Richard Jester Thomas Kaiser Jerry Keeney Shawn Kelly L. Bill Kick Stephen Kobylarz Joyce Krause Kay & Stanley Kujawa Ray Kuzia Kurt Landauer Paul Lane Al Larmann & Mary Kunzler-Larmann Terrence Larrimer John Lawther Robert Leedle Jacqueline A. Lindskoog Carl Linna John & Marianne Ludwick Mary W. Lunt Gary & Barbara Lyall George & Patricia Maas Tom Mack Ann Maddox Raymond & Kristen Majkrzak John Malcolm Rick Marek Henrietta Mark Stephen L. McKenney Laurie McMurray Bill & Donna Menke Larry Meyer Bernie Miner Mike Minium Diane Morand Roger Morrison David Moscatello Joan Newberry John Norlund Anthony & Kim Notario Glenn Bing Olbum Chris Olson Timothy O'Rourke Bob & Laura Otwell Roberta Padur Bob & Annette Papp Fred Peachman Thomas Pflueger Thomas & Diane Piquet Chris Puehler Holly Puk Jett Craig & Sue Quimby

October-December

William & Avis Rambo Joseph Raught John Regenhardt Paul & Evelyn Reid Douglas & Kathleen Rhine Ron Rice Neil Rinne John & D'Arcy Robertson Michael Rochowiak Robert & Grace Rudd Christine Rundblad & John Brander Michael & Erica SanDretto Edward Scanlan Merl & Pat Schlaack William & Linda Schmidt Peter & Emily Schmitz John Schroeder Mary & Carl Schroeder Fred & Susan Schultz Richard Schwaab Perry Severance David & Elvera Shappirio Jeffrey & Frances Shepard Tim Shepardson Kevin Smith Nick Smith Donald Snowdon & Lynn Moon James Sprague Wayne & Nancy Steger John & Nancy Strom Nancy Sussex David Swanson Betty Tableman Robert Tafel Brian Taggart John & Mary Lou Tanton Dick & Linda Taylor Stella Thelen Mike Thompson Bruce Thompson Roger Tuuk Betty Van der Smissen John & Diane Vanderveen Gail VanHaren Verlan VanRheenen Jim & Kathleen Vanvliet Steve Vear Michael & Diane Veen Raymond Vlasak William Wagner Jim & Linda Warren Peter Wester F.T. Weyerhaeuser Neil Whitbeck Donald Wickstra Kevin & Robin Wilson Rodger & Denise Wolf Gary Wright Michael Yff Gaylord Yost David Young

2006 *The North

Star

47

Happy trails to you. Our eight newspapers across Michigan cover the great outdoors, including the best nature walks, day hikes and overnight backpacking trips. Read us, then find a slice of heaven of your own on foot. Booth Newspapers: The Ann Arbor News, The Bay City Times, The Flint Journal, The Grand Rapids Press, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, The Kalamazoo Gazette, The Muskegon Chronicle and The Saginaw News.

LV19892

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID North Country Trail Association 229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331

Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340