Connecting Northern Michigan by Trail
Dear Trail Supporters,
Most years I use this note to thank our members and supporters before highlighting some of the key accomplishments of the previous year and outlining plans for the year to come. But truth be told, I’ve been staring at my computer screen with a heavy heart because of the serious ice storm that hit Northern Michigan in late March 2025. Of course this report covers our work in 2024, but the ice storm is a lens that changes how we look at the past as well as the future.
While we’re still very much in response mode, here is the story so far:
● 919,550 acres of state forest affectedone-quarter of total state forest lands
● 1,114 miles of non-motorized trails and 3,400 miles of state forest roads impacted
● Damage to 19 state parks / recreation areas, 55 state forest campgrounds, and 169 boating access sites
● Emergency closure of the North Western, North Central, and North Eastern State Trails
● All 8 counties the Trails Council works in were part of the disaster declaration
Needless to say, our trail partners at the Department of Natural Resources have been very, very busy. The Trails Council has been doing what we can to help DNR and local governments but it will take years to recover from this unprecedented storm.
Switching gears to a happier story, here are the things your support made possible in 2024:
● The Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail made a huge comeback, with the major construction of Phase 3 and a commitment by Charlevoix County to move forward on Phases 4 and 5
● The Flyer – a new trail connecting Central Lake to Bellaire – received a $350,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to kickstart planning and engineering
● The Nakwema Trailway opened another segment, the Deepwater Connector, and the community planning process continues for the Torch to Bay segment near Eastport
● Continued progress on engineering work for rebuilding the Miracle Mile on the Little Traverse Wheelway, with results expected in 2025
Trail projects still take longer than we want them to, but we’ll be working on all this and more in the coming year to keep things moving forward.
In that vein, I’m going to tell you about two board members who are terming off in 2025 after each giving 20+ years to the Trails Council: Jim Conboy and Max Putters. You can’t tell the story of our trails without telling Jim and Max’s stories: We quite literally would not be where we are today without their dedication and service, and I have learned so much from each of them. I am very glad that both plan to stay engaged with the Trails Council, but both deserve their laurels as they formally exit the board.
A resident of Cheboygan since 1972, Jim Conboy is a long-time champion of that community and a dedicated advocate for creating a world-class trail system connecting Cheboygan to the rest of Northern Michigan. After 25 years of practicing law, in 1998 Jim joined Citizen’s National Bank where he served in various leadership positions before retiring as CEO in 2007. Jim has been connected to the Trails Council almost since our beginnings in the 1990s when he began advocating for the rail-to-trails project that would eventually become the North Central State Trail (NCST), which opened in 2008 as a 65-mile connection from Gaylord north to Cheboygan and Mackinaw City.
The push for the NCST, and ensuing partnership with the Michigan DNR, quickly led to the development of the North Eastern State Trail (opened 2012, 70 miles from Alpena to Cheboygan) and the North Western State Trail (opened in 2012 & 2015, 32 miles from Petoskey to Mackinaw City). Somehow, over the many years he guided the Trails Council and the development of our trail network, Jim managed to avoid serving as board president until 2023-24 and is currently wrapping up a year as immediate past president with the conclusion of his board term. Truly, I cannot say enough about everything Jim has contributed over the years and I am personally so appreciative of how he has helped me.
Now Jim may seem like a tough act to follow, but there are two things you should know about Max Putters if you don’t already: 1) he literally wrote the book on planning and zoning in Emmet County, and 2) his vision and persistence in developing our
trail network for over 50 years led the Trails Council to create the “Max Putters Trail Champion of the Year Award” in 2017. While working at a private planning firm in the late 1960s Max developed Emmet County’s first planning and zoning regulations, later becoming the first Director of Planning and Zoning for the county and serving from the department’s inception in 1972 until his retirement in 2005.
Plans to recreate the circa-1890s Little Traverse Wheelway started bubbling up in the early 1970s, and from his position as County Planner Max became one of the most important and dedicated visionaries among a team of many influential local leaders. This leadership group eventually became the founders of the Top of Michigan Trails Council in the mid-1990s. The first sections of the recreated Little Traverse Wheelway were opened in 1989 and the final sections were not completed until 2008, three years after Max retired from a 33-year career as Emmet County Planner. (We aren’t kidding when we say that trail projects can take a long time!)
Those fortunate enough to know Max will surely agree that he has hardly slowed down at all in the 20 years since he retired, serving on the Trails Council board and actively working on numerous trail projects through this very day. While Max’s time on our board may be coming to an end (for now), and he has certainly more than earned an actual retirement, I fully expect him to stay engaged with our trails until at least 2038 which would mark a matching 33 years of service as a community volunteer.
Reflecting on everything accomplished by Jim and Max I am reminded of a famous quote by Sir Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” The trails you know and love exist because of their commitment to “Connecting Northern Michigan by Trail.”
Thank you for being part of our story and see you on the trails!
Brent
Trail Programs
Festival of Races, Biathlon, Tap Into the Trails
On Memorial Day weekend, the Trails Council’s largest fundraiser, the Top of Michigan Festival of Races, saw a great turnout as hundreds of runners and walkers descended on Petoskey’s Bayfront Park to participate in this beloved Memorial Day weekend tradition. People come from all over the U.S. and Canada for the Festival of Races, one of the most beautiful run/walk events in the Midwest, making a round trip from Petoskey to just outside of Harbor Springs along Little Traverse Bay. For the first time in its 17-year history, the Indian River KayakBike Biathlon sold out, filling each of its 100 participant slots. DeVoe Beach on Burt Lake was an intriguing site as the athletes sprinted to their colorful kayaks and paddled up the Inland Waterway’s crystalline waters. After a 2.24 mile paddle, they mount their bicycles and set out on an 11.68 mile ride along the North Central State Trail.
In 2024, Cheboygan held the inaugural Tap Into the Trails The new event drew dozens of runners, walkers, and hikers to area trails and nature preserves. This event, which showcases the extraordinary trails and preserves in northeast Michigan, will continue in 2025 and has a bright and promising future for regional trail promotion and renewed enthusiasm.
Trail/Trail Center Ambassadors
The Trails Council fielded a great team of selfless volunteers who served our community in a variety of ways last year. Trail Ambassadors roam the Little Traverse Wheelway helping visiting trail users find their destinations and answering questions about our area.
2024 Max Putters Trail Champion Award
Earl and Sherry Bash of Petoskey were presented with the annual Max Putters Trail Champion Award for their generous volunteer service. Pictured (l-r) are Earl Bash, Max and Mary Putters, and Sherry Bash. The Bashes received the award at the June annual meeting. They are longtime enthusiastic Trails Council volunteers, serving in a variety of ways.
Safety & Maintenance
Trails Council Safety & Maintenance Director Bill Prall had a particularly productive 2024, engaging volunteers in some important safety work along the Little Traverse Wheelway. Using a line painting machine, a variety of signage, and other tools, Bill and company labored to improve trail safety in the so-called Toski Sands section on M-119. That busy stretch of the Wheelway segment presents some unique safety challenges. Residential and commercial drives cross the mile-long stretch and the trail merges with the road shoulder. Bill has regularly consulted and worked with businesses, residents, and local government officials to enhance safety there, creating high-visibility pavement markings and paint lining that clearly defines the trail/road division. He has employed all practical methods to increase both trail user and motorist awareness. Additionally, Bill collaborated with Bay View Association to improve safety in the narrow, mile-long red sidewalk segment. At his behest, Bay View developed a plan that saw installation of new, uniform signage at the various stub street intersections, a major improvement.
Pedaling with a Purpose/Kids’ Bike Fest
Both programs are successful at getting kids on bikes! Pedaling with a Purpose is very popular and involves hundreds of area fourth graders and a growing group of dedicated volunteers. Now in its ninth year, this program is led by Trails Council Youth Programs Coordinator Cindy Okerlund. Pedaling with a Purpose is designed to get kids outside while moving their bodies and using their minds. Combining science, geography, history, and most importantly, health, students spend the day reading maps, taking nature walks, discovering local history, and learning the life cycle of fish, as well as basic bicycle mechanics and group bicycling etiquette. Students’ cycling skills are evaluated and improved during winter sessions in school gymnasiums prior to eight mile rides in the spring with students visiting Oden State Fish Hatchery on the North Western State Trail. Last year the program served 406 fourth graders, the most ever.
In early June, the second annual Lynn Duse Memorial Kids’ Bike Fest took place at the Little Traverse History Museum in Petoskey’s Bayfront Park amid smiles and colorfully decorated bikes. Prizes were awarded in a variety of categories and kids rode their bikes on the Little Traverse Wheelway. A variety of informational booths accompany this event, and the museum offers free admission. We’re so proud to be part of this fun and growing tradition!
Ponshewaing/Mullet Lake Village Projects
Trailside enhancement projects were completed at Ponshewaing on the North Western State Trail and Mullet Lake Village on the North Central State Trail. Both projects were driven by community members eager to commemorate their area’s history, and partnering with the Trails Council helped both projects happen. At Ponshewaing, volunteers raised money for, and constructed, a reproduction of the area’s original railroad flag stop, giving trail users a shelter and rest area while also providing a local history lesson via interpretive signage. Mullet Lake Village community members produced and installed their own interpretive signs that share the area’s history, along with wayfinding in the village.
Trail Updates
BOYNE CITY TO CHARLEVOIX TRAIL
Phase 3 of the Boyne City-Charlevoix Trail was nearly completed in 2024, adding 2.86 miles of paved trail northward to Horton Bay from the Young State Park area. That leaves only two remaining phases (about six miles) to connect the two communities. Charlevoix County is combining Phases 4 and 5 to speed things up, with help from the Charlevoix County Trail Team.
LITTLE TRAVERSE WHEELWAY WASHOUT
Engineers contracted by the City of Petoskey shed light on an issue that’s been on just about everyone’s mind when they revealed a plan to repair the Little Traverse Wheelway’s beloved “Miracle Mile” section between Petoskey and Bay Harbor. Trails Council staff members were on hand to absorb details and advocate for repairs. Two sections along that Lake Michigan bluff collapsed in 2020, forcing trail users onto a short U.S. 31 detour. While the repair timeline is still uncertain, the repair design update was very illuminating for many trail supporters, and we look forward to pursuing a fix for the Wheelway’s most popular section. Stay tuned!
HARBOR WAY & CHARLEVOIX TRAILWAY
The Harbor Way and Charlevoix Trailway projects are the Little Traverse Wheelway’s final connections into those communities’ downtown areas. In each town, community members are working with the Trails Council to complete these vital connections that will ensure trail users reach the respective business districts. The City of Charlevoix plans to put their project out for bid in 2025, while the Trails Council continues to partner with the City of Harbor Springs and Harbor Inc. to raise funds for construction of the Harbor Way and creation of a safe crossing of M-119 into downtown.
NAKWEMA UPDATEDEEPWATER CONNECTOR & TORCH TO BAY
In 2024, our Nakwema Trailway partners at TART Trails opened the new Deepwater Connector, extending the trail north from Acme. Work continues on the US-31/M-72 intersection crossing. Further north in Torch Lake Township, design development continues on the Torch to Bay trail segment. This project received a major boost last year when donations from local trail advocates and other Nakwema supporters enabled purchase of a property in Eastport to serve as a future trailhead.
THE FLYER: CENTRAL LAKE TO BELLAIRE
The concept for a non-motorized trail that connects the villages of Central Lake and Bellaire began back in 2020, driven by a community desire for better connectivity in the area. In 2022, a feasibility study was completed, emphasizing the project’s viability and the positive impact it could have on the region. A dedicated stakeholder group has since been established, which includes members from all municipalities, local businesses, and community organizations, all working collaboratively to realize this vision. The non-motorized trail project (named “The Flyer” in honor of the historic train service that once traversed the area) connects communities and enhances regional transportation. The project team is moving forward with survey and pre-engineering work this year, thanks to a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
2024 Donors
FOUNDATIONS
Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund
Rob and Janet Carr Family Foundation
The Hire Family Foundation
The Offield Family Foundation
The Peco Foundation
The WMR Family Foundation
CORPORATE AND ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS
4Front Credit Union
Andy Blair Group - Northern Mortgage
Animal Medical Clinic
Bay Pines Veterinary Clinic
Bayside Family and Sports Medicine
Bearcub Outfitters
Big Canoe
Burt Lake Preservation Association
Center City Gym
Cheboygan Coffee Roasters
Citizens National Bank of Cheboygan
Crooked Tree Breadworks
Crooked Tree Capital Advisors
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, LLC
Dentistry by the Bay
EJ USA, Inc.
Elder Piper Beer and Cider
Evening Star Joinery, Inc.
Fernelius Auto Group
Harbor/Brenn Insurance Agencies
High Gear Sports
Indian River Family Dentistry
Irish Boat Shop
Long Point Property
Owners Association
Michigan Mountain Mayhem
Northbound Outfitters
Northern MI Mountain Bike Assn
Northern Michigan Sports Medicine
Nub’s Nob Ski Area
Oleson’s Food Store
Pellston 5th Graders
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Petoskey Harbor Wear
Petoskey Plastics
Ponshewaing Depot
Project Committee
Prime Buchholz LLC
Rotary Club of Petoskey
Stafford’s Hospitality
Straits Area Printing
Sturgeon River Paddlesports
The Grain Train
The Outfitter
Tillie’s Tafel
Tom and Dick’s
W.W. Fairbairn & Sons
Wheeler Motors, Inc
SUSTAINER
(Gifts of $1,000 or more)
Anthony and Elizabeth Abbattista
Brian Nicholas Bachynski and Mrs. Elizabeth Angus Bachynski
Ron and Sandy Baldwin
Paul and Lisa Blanchard
Barbara Darnell
Patricia Duffy
Mark and Margaret Eustis
Jerry and Eileen Fhaner
Dr. Michael Florek
Jeff and Karen Ford
Brenda Frey
Patrick and Joyce Garrett
George and Phyllis Googasian
Ann Irish
Carl and Vicki Janssens
Deborah Joslin
Mike and Nancy Kota
Kathryn Krecke
Mary Jane Kuschinski
Paul and Barb Malloure
Frederick and Barbara Malpass
Paul Abbott McCartney
Harriet and Vaughn McGraw
Donor Advised Fund
David and Amanda Meyers
David and Suzu Neithercut
Mark and Helen Neithercut from the Elizabeth Koegel Fund
Sean O’Shea
Dennis and Margaret Paull
Ronald and Colleen Rapson
Craig and Theresa Reynolds
James and Kathy Schroeder
Kim L. Sonnen
Rick and Michelle Tromble
Steve and Jean Van Dam
Brian and Dawn Wagner
Nick and Betsy White
Vincent and Antoinette WinklerPrins
William and Amy Wolff Family
Charitable Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
Pamela and William Yates
Trail User Spotlight
Bettina and Sean of Norfolk, Va., stopped by the Trail Center on their cross-country bikepacking trip. The cyclists began their journey in Eugene, Oreg., and had been making their way east. Bettina said this was their 10th week en route, which includes both roads and trails. “Your trail system up here is fantastic,” she said.
PATRON
(Gifts from $500 to $999)
Howard Beck and Peggy Brazones
Steve and Kathy Biggs
Annie Bobilya
Douglas and Sue Bouwense
James and Debbie Bradford
William and Shannon Brower
Bonnie and Michael Brunett
Douglas and Linda Busk
Greg and Becky Carpenter
Kara Cockfield
Allen and Jane Damschroder
James and Linda Demmer
Cliff and Jane Denay
James and Maureen Doull
Michael and Rhea Dow
Griffith Family
Jim and Laurie Ford
John Fuelling and Andrea Brault Fuelling
Pete Garrett
Herbert B. Gedge
Net Gingras and Bruce Barget
John and Tracy Gravlin
Paul Hagan
Terry and Michelle Harmala
Margo Hodder
Deanne L Irwin
John Jordan
John and Deborah Joslin
Dennis and Karen Joy
Victor and Caroline Knowlton
Phyllis Ledyard
Ron and Tricia Leng
Eric and Lisa Loyd
Patrick and Martha Maloney
Karen McCue
John and Tamara Miller
Al and Jean Moberly
Bradley and Susan Moffatt
Rob and Debra Monroe
Jim and Susan Monton
Beth and Joe Moran
Howard and Marcia Newkirk
Holly and Jim Rader
Linda and William Rehor
Mary Anne Reilly
John and Deborah Rohe
Paulina Ryan
Skip and Anne Simms
Stafford and Janice Smith
Matthew Trecha
Todd Twichel
Peter Uhlich
Deborah J. Wagner
Tim and Peggy Wilcox
Jeff and Julie Winegard
Gregory and Diana Young
TRAILBLAZER
(Gifts from $250 to $499)
Patrick and Susan Affholter
Michael and Holly Angileri
Robert and Cherri Anthony
Richard Baldwin, MD
Lenny and Rose Mary Barrette
Larry Bell
Neil and Marsha Bidwell
Dick and Verne Binder
Ronn Blodgett and Gordon Masters
Curt and Diane Bolin
Mary Campbell
Richard and Margaret Clary
Jeff and Peggy Cyphert
Pamela Davis-Kean
John and Sue Esser
Michael and Kathryn Farrimond
Barbara Fosmire
George and Gail Foster
Mark and Patricia Fralick
Giving level reflects total amount given in 2024.
2024 Donors
... Continued from previous page
Trail User Spotlight
Trail Ambassador Jane Stewart met some interesting folks on the Little Traverse Wheelway in 2024: Bogdan Vladu from Bucharest, Romania (right), and Liesebet Tausch from Roanoke, Va. They were on a riding and camping adventure throughout northern Michigan.
Reed and Janet Freidinger
Nathan Fry
Tom and Edna Gattle
Jeffrey and Ann Gerow
Fred and Kay Geuder
Patti and Balky Grannis
Robert C. Grove
Ada Hall
James and Jesseca Haslock
Charles Huebner and Melanie Manary
Jack & Susan Hufford
Marty and Ellen Jones
Sarah and Mike Kelly
William and Maryanna Klatt
Douglas and Carol Klein
Roger and Barbara Kromm
James and KC Leh
John Lehman and Maureen Delaney-Lehman
Thomas and Mary Ling
John and Linda Linnenberg
Leonard and Carrie Lohman
Mr and Mrs David McBride
Robert and Barbara McCue
Tamara McGovern
Tom McHugh and Jeannie Hylant
Tracy and Jeff McMath
Connie Mendyk
Emily Meyerson and Harry Kitchen
Peggy and Phil Millard
Mary Jo Monte-Kaser
Fred Mulhauser and Paula Welmers
Melanie Myers
Alice Nasif
Bruce Nichols
Tom and Linda O’Neil
Dennis and Mona Oneil
John and Mary Jo Parker
Katie Parker and Bert Ebbers
Peter Patrick
Roy Pulaski
Dana Randall
Marilyn Randall
Thomas and Nancy Rea
Margery and Steve Reh
Paul Revard
Gerald and Joan Rogers
Kenneth Rudman
William and Nancy Rybolt
Molly and Tom Saeli
Jane E. Schneider
Alan Scott
Christina Shanti
Gary and Colleen Shaw
David Shepard
Jim and Laura Shirilla
Brian Slater
Scott and Dibby Smith
Ronald and Donna Snyder
Carolyn and William Stark
Tim Steuwe
Gary and Mary Street
Nancy and Bruce Turner
Amy Tweeten
James and Rachel Votruba
Helen Wolfgang
Joseph and Kendra Zielinski
Tom and Cindy Zipp
PATHFINDER
(Gifts from $100 to $249)
William and Bonnie Ahrenberg
Bruce Alexander
Renee Allen
Mark and Denise Antonishen
Susan Aspinall
Dick and Annette Babcock
Douglas and Linda Bacon
Charles and Jennifer Badgero
Steve and Susan Baker
Nancy and Paul Barker
Steven Barney and Gretchen Olsen
Devra and Mark Barrett
Arlene Barton
Earl and Sherry Bash
Peter and Diane Basso
Sally and Steve Bataran
Harry and Roberta Begley
Theodore Beidler
David and Cathy Beier
Robert and Sharon Bence
Norman and Kathryn Bennett
Dr. Jeffrey A. and Mrs. Laura L. Bennett
Joe and Lyn Bianco
David and Martha Birkhold
Jeffrey and Katherine Bischoff
John Blair
Matthew and Nancy Blandford
Ann Blue
Kerry Bogataj
Barbara Bohls-Graham and James Graham
Richard Bollinger
Bruce and Connie Booth
Michael Bourassa and Ann Wagar
Janet Brautigam
Mrs. Norma K. Brown
Noel Bufe and Mary Tyson
Walter and Nancy Byers
Tom and Gloria Cadwalader
Vincent Call
Leslie Carothers
Russell and Christine Carpenter
Jeffrey Carroll
Daniel and Linda CasaSanta
Kathleen Charboneau
Polly Cheney
Pete and Judi Chimner
Charles Clark
John Clifford
James and Susan Conboy
Hugh and Susan Conklin
Nicholas Craw and Lisa Blocklinger
Rick and Cathy Cunningham
James Cusenza
Ken Dawson
Deborah and David Deal
Teresa DeLisle
Nancy St Onge Demeuse
Matt Denninger
Linda Denton
Michelle DeRees
Alan Dika and Cynthia Rutherford
Thomas and Trisha Dobias
Josie and Bill Doherty
James and Susan Douglas
Marty Dubay
George and Kathleen Dubro
Tammy Dumez
Bruce and Nancy Dunn
Michael and Elizabeth Durbin
Gerald Ellman
Michael and Debbie Esposito
Michael and Marcia Etienne
Julie Feldpausch and Henry Ryan
Lloyd Fell
Susan Fezzey
Michael and Rose Fitzgerald
Mary and Bill Foster
Richard Frutiger and Sara Wassenaar
Victoria and David Fuger
Doug Fuller and Martha Lancaster
Kevin Gentner
Marlene George
Luci Gernot
Patrick and Georgianna Gibbons
Win and Sue Goddard
Chris and Kathy Godfrey
Owen E. Goslin
Mark and Patricia Grace
James Gracy
William and Louise Graham
Lawrence B and Sue A Graves, Jr
Eric Grandstaff and Alexis Kaczynski
Lawrence B and Sue A Graves Junior
Shawn and Wendy Gray
Hildegard Green
Robert and Candace J Greene
Dwayne and Carole Griffin
Timothy Gulden
Sue Haadsma-Svensson and Kjell Svensson
William and Kathy Haefner
Joseph W Hance
James R Hanchett, D.D.S, PC
Jenny and Todd Hayden
Andy and Cindy Hayes
Dale Hecksel
Gretchen Herold
Frances B. Higley
Gus Hillenbrand
Max and Dianne Hinkley
Richard and Perry Hodgson
Kurt Hoefer
David Hofacker
William and Marla Hofmann
John Holder and Julie Fasone Holder
Will Howard
Robert Howse
David and Patricia Hubbard
Barbara and Jerry Huey
Bret Huntman and Katherine Melby
Ruth Hurvitz
Patrick and Ann Hylant
Dr. Phyllis Indianer
Kirk and Lynne Jabara
Terry and Patti Jackson
Henry and Karen Jallos
Katy Johnson
Philip and Karen Johnson
Catherine and Gordon Johnston
Johnston’s Marine
Loyce Jones
William Jordan
John and Kathleen Jorgensen
Dr. John Kazanowski
Barry Kempa
Bill and Regina Keough
Kim Kihnke and Dan Laninga
John and Terry Klenczar
Josephine Klingler
Jean and Arnold Kluge
Debra Soverinsky and David Kraus
Jason and Maggie Kromm
Bill and Mary Kunst
Ronald and Marilynn Labadie
Thomas Lagerstrom and Mary Anne Griffin
Bill Laitner
Kendra and Ryan Lake
Karen Langs
Craig and Susanne Larrabee
Lynn Laughlin
Jack Laurent
Hal and Betsy Lawrence
Don Leary and Becky Fuhrman
Myron and Lisa Lewis
Frederick and Kathy Liederbach
Nancy and Stephen Lindsay
Wayne and Georgia Lindstrom
Nils Lindwall
Gow Litzenburger
Tim and Carol Londo
Dave and Sara Loyet
Robin Luce
Lorraine Lund
Robert and Miranda MacLean
David and Juanita Mallmann
James Martin
Mary Masson
August and Peggy Matuzak
Lisa Maxson
Richard and Janet May
Emmet County Brownfield
Redevelopment Authority
Nathan McCue
Katie McCue
Carol McHale
Phil and Karen McKinley
Maureen and James McLeod
Jim and Diane McMahon
Mark and Laurie McMurray
Tina and Greg McPherson
Deborah Meade
Dr William Meengs
Katy and Hal Messacar
David and Catherine Meyer
Dale and Betsy Meyer
Jane Millar
Thomas and Deborah Miller
Linda and James Miller
Sheila Molenkamp
David and Ginny Monroe
Jeffrey Moore
Joey Moppert
Diane Morand
Peter and Cammie Moss
Arthur Mullen
Marcia Mumbrue
Sheila Murphy
Geoffrey L Neithercut
Maureen Nicholson
David and Joan Niewiadomski
Julie Norcross
Mike and Susie Nuorala
Geoffrey Oberhaus
Sally Olds
Steven and Kathleen Olmsted
Mari Ostrander
Kerry and Ann O’Tool
Mike and Maureen Owen
Ted and Lori Pall
David Peacy
Barry Petersen
Mark and Dawn Peterson
William and Jane Petzold
Kristin Plumb
Kay and David Powell
Max and Mary Putters
Liz and Dave Quinn
James and Patricia Radlick
Judy Revallo
Ted Robinson
Larry and Elaine Rochon
Reed and Georjeanne Romain
Paul and Carol Rose
Donald Roth
Katie Roth
Kevin Ruane
Holly and Edward Russell
Aaron Rustad
Philip and Patrice Ryan
Nancy Salden
Tom and Nancy Sarowski
Robert Scarrow and Hilary Barrett
Steve and Elizabeth Schnell
John and Barb Scholten
David and Jo Ann Schopp
Brenda Schultz
Catherine Courtney Scollin
Joel and Donna Seckar
Bud and Nancy Shear
Michael and Charr Skirvin
Linda and Mark Slater
Solomon and Deborah Smith
Mark and Christine Smith
Jacob Snider
David Spitzli and Maureen Engle
Dan and Patricia Steffes
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling
Gwenn Stevenson
Ken Stewart
Mark and Kristi Stormzand
Thomas Striggow
Karen Strough and Michael Donnelly
Michael and Peggy Supernault
Jerry and Donna Swift
Marilyn Tanguay
Ruth TerBush-Nelle
The Ryan Knight Family
Ronald V. and Debra J. Tripp
Larry and Susan Turnage
Mary Ann Uznis
Kent and Kay Van Allen
A. Van De Car
Dave and Penny VanDam
Paula Vaughan
Steve and Connie Vorenkamp
Steven and Julie Ann Wang
Paul and Melanie Weaver
Donna Weber
Marcus and Sharon Wegmeyer
Greg and Donna Wheeler
Robert and Rosita White
Bob and Sue Whittaker
Floyd and Anne Wilkinson
Hal and Gail Willens
Katherine Winslow
Barbara A Wiseman
Dan and Lisa Wisneski
David and Mary Wood
Gregory Worsnop
Brian Wright
Alicia Yokom
John and Anna Young
Dan and Cathy Zaenglein
Patrick & Allyson Zanetti
Jacqueline Zydeck and Theodore Phillips
FRIEND
(Giving up to$99)
Karrie Abbitt
Dwain Abramowski
Daniel and Carol Adams
Kyle Alexander
Kurt and Carrie Anderson
Dr. Kit Anderson and Mrs. Janel Anderson
Howard and Vicki Andress
Trail User Spotlight
Trail Ambassador Patrick Affholter met David and Luann from Knoxville, Tenn., at the Little Traverse Wheelway map at Bayfront Park. They are RVers, staying in the Little Traverse Bay area for a while. They spend their winters in south Florida.
2023 Donors
... Continued from previous page
Trail User Spotlight
A group of early season North Country Scenic Trail hikers stopped at the Packy Offield Trail Center. These smiling ladies were hiking different segments of the trail while using the Petoskey area as their base. Pictured (l-r) are Ronda, Kathy, Julie, and Amy.
William and Maxine Aten
Craig Bailey
Stephanie Baker
Michael and Sally Bales
Karen and Mark Baril
Dave and Robyn Barrie
Jim Bartlett
Ann Baughman
Mary Baxter
Carolyn Belknap
Laurence and Linda Bernhardt
Mary Biagini
Sanford and Susan Birnholtz
Michelle Bison
Shelly Bison
Robert Bitterman, MD
Ellis Boal and Luanne Kozma
Carrie Booth
Richard and Christine Brodhead
Cameron Brunet-Koch and Bruce Koch
Buzz Burrell
Keith Butkovich and Jaynee Handelsman
Don Caird
Betsy Carlin
Pam and Rusty Carpenter
Elizabeth M. Carr
Bruce and Kay Cartford
Brian and Laura Champion
Budd and Sandra Cicciarelli
David and Diane Cleary
Charlotte Corbett
Joseph Corn
Bill Courtney
John Cowan
Stephen and Mary Crusoe
Cutting & Cutting, P.C.
Tetley Dailey
Nick and Diane Dakins
John and Robin Darnbrook
Cynthia Davis
Jack and Sherry Denneny
Dan and Robbe DiPietro
Janet Dohr
Cynthia Donahey and Art Schoolmaster
Shelli Duff
Cat and Gregg Ecker
Josh Eichenhorn
Paula Eizonas
Michelle Ender
Meri Sue Engers
Thomas and Denise Erhart
Dr and Mrs Charles Farrugia
Chip and Jean Frentz
John and Christine Fulford
Ronald and Denise Fusina
Rafael Garcia
Bruce Geffen
Julia Gerlach
Seth Gernot
Mary Pat Goldich
Jeri Gravlin
David Guanci
Peter and Sarah Gurney
Jeff Hamilton
Katie Harris
Eric Hausman
Albert and Myra Heffley
Conan Heiselt
James and Carol Helmer
Hashem Hilal
David and Karen Hill
Stephen Hiltner
Eugene and Carolyn Hodulik
Lori and Ken Hoehn
Doug and Shari Hoek
Sharon Hofbauer
John and Judy Hoffman
Leslie and Chris Homan
Thomas Hopp
Jane Hornick
Steve and Jennifer Huder
Jack and Sue Hufford
Bruce and Jan Hunting
Robert and Sharlene Ingmand
Mary Johnson and Kenneth Allen
John and Dorothy Johnson
David Johnston
Mark and Rebecca Jones
Laura Judge and Kelly Price
Bruce Kantor
Kathy Karenko
Robert and Sheryl Kendrick
Gale Kepford
Norm and Bonnie Kern
Kory Koch
Kenneth and Elizabeth Koss
Tomm Krol
Paul Kuehl
Mark Kurz
Thomas Landry
Neil O. Leighton
Jerry and Pamela Lesperance
Spencer Lindenberg
Greg Lusk
Rebecca Maas
Stephen and Carolyn Madden
Joe Malecki
Janet Mancinelli
Robert and Joan Mandell
Boyd Manges
Martin and Julie Manker
Diane Mansour
Carol Marston-Foucher
John McCahan
Leonard and Martha McCallep
Anne McDevitt
Charles and Norma McKinley
Kate McVicker
Kevin and Marcia Meyer
Mark Milewicz
Phil Miller
Johnetta and James Miller
Scott A. Miller, M.D
Jess and Pam Miller
Kelli and Roger Moore
Dave and Pamela Moyer
Mark and Rose Muniak
Mark Mutchler and Kathy Keefer
Slava Mykhayls
Michael and Karen Neill
Trevor and Becca Nelson
Edward and Pamela M Newcomb
Tony Newton
Patricia Nolan
Thomas and Mary O’Hare
Chuck and Cristina Omahen
James and Beverly Osetek
Lawrence and Marnie Parrott
Mandy Paull
Eric and Julie Pierpont
Tiffany Priestley
Dan and Lisa Rasmussen
Hailey Reimann
Dick Rice
Howard Richards
Karen and Scott Riching
Robin Riseng and Brian Seibert
Dan Roshon
Thomas Rowland
Paul Rytlewski
Jane and Ed Sandri
Fred Schmerheim
Michael Sheean
Calvin Shields
James Shrader
Bill Wonderlin and Linda Shuster
Susan and Steven Sikkema
Jean and Michael D Smith
Brian and Kay Smith
Jane and Paul Stewart
Jo Ann Stukkie Johnson
Shirlee Suter
Marti Swiger
Sarah Taylor
Dale Taylor
Dianne Taylor
Ken and Brenda Tewel
Michael and Nancy Thibideau
Karen Thomson
Kris and Mike Timko
Kim Uphoff Purcell
Marjorie Upton
James and Barbara Van Dam
Jay Vander Wall
Paul and Joanna VanRaaphorst
Dean Vanston
Carole Vial
Rick and Therese Vorraber
Linda Wacyk
Todd Wanley
Gary Kaleita and Linda Weeks-Kaleita
Mary Weitzel-Bailey
Pamela Wormser
Joel and Dorothy Wurster
Charlotte Zinkus
Alan Zoltowski
HONORARIUMS
In Honor Of Becca & Trevor Nelson
Given by Nancy and Bruce Turner
In Honor Of Bill Prall
Given by Vaughn and Harriet McGraw
In Honor Of Bill Prall
Trail Safety/Maintenance
Given by Pamela Wormser
In Honor Of Brian Gentner
Given by Kevin Gentner
In Honor Of Cindy Okerlund
Given by Karen Langs
In Honor Of Gary Street
Given by Kurt Hoefer
In Honor Of Giving Tuesday
Given by Cliff and Jane Denay
In Honor Of Great Lakes Capital - Maple Block Flats
Given by Emmet County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
In Honor Of Jim Conboy
Given by Owen E. Goslin
In Honor Of John Marshall Family Given by Crooked Tree Capital Advisors
In Honor Of Karen Langs
Given by Frances B. Higley
In Honor Of Karen McCue
– Happy Birthday!
Given by Katie McCue
In Honor Of Kathy and Steve Biggs
Given by Leslie Carothers
In Honor Of Kim Seelinger and David Given by Kevin Ruane
In Honor Of Kurt Hoefer’s Birthday Given by Gary and Mary Street
In Honor Of Michael Sheean
Given by Shirlee Suter and Gow Litzenburger
In Honor Of My future self for when I hike or bike this trail! :-)
Given by Matt Denninger
In Honor Of Seth Gernot
Given by Luci Gernot
In Honor Of Steve Biggs
Given by Ron and Sandy Baldwin
In Honor Of The Nordic Groomers at Black Mountain
Given by Ken Dawson
In Honor Of Tim Calloway
Given by Larry Bell
In Honor Of Top of Michigan Trails
Council for your SAG hospitality on our LMB tour
Given by Josh Eichenhorn
In Honor Of Trail Ambassador outside the Historical Museum on Saturday, August 31
Given by Jeff Hamilton
In Honor Of Ms Karen Swanson, Mrs. Michelle Zmikly, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bowman, Mr. and Mrs. Don McCarty, Mr. and Mrs. James Ramer, Mr. and Mrs. John McNaughton, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Prior, Mr. Gow Litzenburger, Mr. Nick White, and Mr. and Mrs. Josh Cherner
Given by Evening Star Joinery, Inc.
MEMORIALS
In Memory Of 3sa
Given by Greg Lusk
In Memory Of Bruce Allard
Given by Bruce and Jan Hunting
In Memory Of Bud Laughlin
Given by Lynn Laughlin
In Memory Of Carolyn S. Leighton
Given by Neil O. Leighton
In Memory Of Charles E Balogh
Given by Karen and Scott Riching
In Memory Of David Scarrow
Given by Robert Scarrow and Hilary Barrett
In Memory Of Doug Brautigam
Given by Janet Brautigam
In Memory Of Doug Menzies
Given by Calvin Shields
In Memory Of Flora LaVere
Given by Tony Newton
In Memory Of Janice Shimizu
Given by Rebecca Maas
In Memory Of Kelsey Manker
Given by Martin and Julie Manker
In Memory Of Kyle Lee Demeuse
Given by Nancy St Onge Demeuse
In Memory Of Luke Roth
Given by Katie Roth
In Memory Of Marge Emmendorfer
Given by Bruce and Connie Booth
In Memory Of Maureen Burke
Given by Deborah Joslin
In Memory Of Maureen McDevitt
Given by Anne McDevitt
In Memory Of Max Johnson
Given by Katy Johnson
Trail User Spotlight
Meet Lois and Doug from the Philadelphia, Pa., area. Trail Ambassador Patrick Affholter encountered them after they had finished up a round-trip tandem ride on the Little Traverse Wheelway between Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Lois and Doug are first-time visitors to northern Michigan and are loving our trail system! They also visited Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island.
In Memory Of Micheal Cromley
Given by Nicholas Craw and Lisa Blocklinger
In Memory Of Mike Grant
Given by Steve and Susan Baker, Karen and Mark Baril, Ann Baughman, Tom and Gloria Cadwalader, Cutting & Cutting, P.C., Doug Fuller and Martha Lancaster, Win and Sue Goddard, Jane Hornick, Johnston’s Marine, Judge and Kelly Price, Ronald and Marilynn Labadie, Katie Parker and Bert Ebbers, Joel and Donna Seckar, and Dianne Taylor
In Memory Of Mike Grant, Big brother, who loved biking, birds and the outdoors
Given by Barbara Fosmire
In Memory Of Neal McCue
Given by Karen McCue and Barbara McCue
In Memory Of Neal McCue Given by Hildegard Green
In Memory Of Rob Robinson Given by Michelle DeRees, Tim Steuwe, Marilyn Tanguay, and Patrick and Allyson Zanetti.
In Memory Of Robert Meyers Given by David and Amanda Meyers
In Memory Of Ross E. Roeder Given by Mary Anne Reilly
In Memory Of Russ Langs Given by Ronald and Donna Snyder
In Memory Of Terry Wiseman Given by Barbara A Wiseman
2024 MONTHLY SUSTAINERS
Patrick and Susan Affholter
Buzz Burrell
Hugh and Susan Conklin
Nathan Fry
Luci Gernot
Seth Gernot
James Gracy
Steve and Jennifer Huder
Loyce Jones
Kendra and Ryan Lake
Eric and Lisa Loyd
Joey Moppert
Bruce Nichols
Aaron Rustad
Robert Scarrow and Hilary Barrett
Brian Slater
Nancy and Bruce Turner
Barbara A Wiseman
1687 M-119 Petoskey, MI 49770
www.trailscouncil.org | 231.348.8280
2025 Calendar of Events
MAY 24
TOMTC Top of Michigan Festival of Races Presented by 4Front Credit Union Bayfront Park, Petoskey Registration now open!
JUNE 7
Kids’ Bike Fest
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Little Traverse History Museum Bayfront Park, Petoskey Registration info coming soon
JUNE 26
TOMTC Annual Meeting 6-8 p.m., Packy Offield Trail Center
JULY 20
Indian River Kayak-Bike Biathlon Registration is now open
SEPTEMBER 27
Tap Into the Trails, Cheboygan Registration info coming soon