Spirit of the Woods -News

Oct meeting date is being changed. New date TBA,

Next Hike Oct 11. There are two hikes near our area being conducted by the West Michigan Chapter, and the Grand Traverse Hikers Chapter. You are welcome to join either one, but make contact.
The West Michigan folks are hiking 11 miles on the Manistee River Trail. contact Tom Learmont for info
The Grand Traverse folks are hiking the new trail along Hodenpyl Pond. contact Lois Goldstein after Oct 7 for info

Next Meeting October business meeting will need to be rescheduled as the Oct 11 date is in conflict with the NCTA Traid which is being held in White Cloud this year. Contact Joan Young for more info

Current business

2009 Challenge Cost Share projects
Register Boxes
2009 work projects

	MEETING	EVENT	WORK
JAN	program 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	none
FEB	business meeting only 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	none
MAR	program 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	none
APR	business meeting only 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	TBD
MAY	business meeting only 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	TBD
JUN	none	National Trails Day 1st Sat	TBD
JUL	business meeting only 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	TBD
AUG	none	hike 2nd Sat	TBD
SEP	program 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	TBD
OCT	business meeting only 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	TBD
NOV	program 2nd Thurs	hike 2nd Sat	none
DEC	none	hike 2nd Sat	none

Meetings will usually be held at the Audubon House in Manistee. The second Thursday of November, January, March and September will feature PROGRAMS with a short business meeting, and the second Thursday of October, February, April, May, July, will be general BUSINESS meetings.

Impromptu work days often happen. Contact Ed Chappel (231-266-8008). If you get involved you are much more likely to hear about these dates.

Work in Leitch Bayou has been completed, and a short reroute north of US 10 to move badly eroded trail.

Just a reminder- please send in your NCTA membership if you have not done so. And for some of us it's time to renew. Please help in this way. 25% of your membership comes right back to the local chapter. Even if you are not able to actively participate with us, your membership helps protect the trail for the future.

Next Chapter Meeting

Chapter Meetings in 2008: Jan 10- program program about the NCT reroute near Mesick, Feb 14- business meeting only, Mar 13- program TBA, Apr 10- business meeting only, May 8- business meeting only. Jul 10- business meeting only, Sep 13 (Sat)- annual meeting, program, pot luck dinner, Oct ?- business meeting only, Nov 13- program TBA Joan Young for more info
Meetings with the exception of September (which may be staged elsewhere) are held at the Manistee Audubon Lake Bluff House.

Use any road map to get to Manistee. At the north end of town follow MI 110 north past Orchard Beach State Park. Watch for the Audubon House on the left.

Next Chapter Event

Next Chapter Event- November 8- hike before hunting season on Sheep Ranch Pathway near Baldwin. Contact Joan Young for info

Work Days

Trail Work Chairman, Ed Chappel has divided our 80 miles into segments for adoption. Adopters can re-blaze and keep these segments clean. There are segments of various lengths, so if you are uncertain about a large time committment, there are smaller pieces too. Call Ed at 231-266-8008 to adopt a segment.

Improving trail, May 2002

Work Days Scheduled 2008:
- LET'S HAVE GOOD TURNOUTS TO HELP ON WORK DAYS!
  
  All work days begin at 9:30 am unless otherwise posted.
  
  The Senior Team is a group of retirees that regularly work on n the trail during the week, plus anyone who would like to join them. If you would like to work with the team either email Ed Chappel, or call him at 231-266-8008
  
  The SPW Chapter work day is for all chapter members plus any friends that you may want to bring with you. Please contact Ed Chappel to be sure that you have proper Forest Service paperwork in advance!
Reblazing of the trail with blue paint began July 10, 1999. The first trip through our 80 miles was completed during the summer of 2001. Since then the Forest Service has allowed the removal of nail-up diamonds, to be replaced with the standard 2"x6" painted blazes. This is also nearly complete. See more info on blazing here
Missing posts and decals are being replaced and we'll be adding signs at turnoffs to campgrounds and access points.

National Conference 2009
The Conference will be in North Dakota, July 30- Aug 3, 2009.