HEARTLINE

No. 2    Heartland Chapter, Florida Trail Association     Apr. - Jun., 2008

FROM THE CHAIR:  

Hey folks, it is my pleasure to say hello once again. Our calendar, as usual, is filled with great hikes and activities. One of our chapter highlights was in January when Pete Durnell, the FTA President, and Kent Wimmer joined our chapter members at Saddlecreek Park for their presentation of the Champion of the Trail Award to Senator Paula Dockery. The success of the event goes out to Monika, our members, and Danon Moxley. With a tremendous public turnout, along with good weather, it could not have gone better. Thank you everyone and congratulations Paula, you are a great asset to the organization.

The chapter was invited to be part of Step Up Florida, which was held at Polk Community College to educate the public on a healthier way of living. No better way than a good hike. I want to thank all those who came out on a beautiful day to help and inform the public of our cause and how good an organization this is. The day concluded with a bike ride.

With the opportunity to lead a Trek Ten hike at SUMICA, I had the pleasure to meet members of this chapter who do not regularly attend events and what a pleasure it was. It was wonderful to get to know you better and I encourage you to please come out again.

The diversification of planned activities is crucial to keeping an interest of all the members and as you see, we not only hike, we go bike riding, canoe/kayaking, and inform ourselves. Our main goal is to hike wooded trails, but you see our interests vary and I am glad of that. This newsletter is again filled with all types of activities and I look forward to seeing you at our next event.   

                    Sincerely,
                    Andrew Quagliana (Chapter Chair)

RECAP OF LAST QUARTER'S ACTIVITIES

March 8 & 9, 2008 - Trail Improvement at Tenoroc - After a year of cutting, pulling, chopping, and lopping we finished the new section of trail parallel to the horse trail.   Fifteen workers showed up Saturday morning at the maintenance shed.   From there we went into different directions with chainsaws, paint, post hole diggers, loppers, and mattocks.     We met for lunch and finished up the trail in the afternoon.   Four of us camped overnight and Sunday morning we went to Saddlecreek Park where, among other things, we cut a tree lying across the trail.   Every hiker that came by thanked us.   Apparently they had to climb over the tree to continue their hike.   Monika Hoerl

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!

The officers and current members of the Heartland Chapter of the Florida Trail Association are pleased to welcome the following new members, who are listed in alphabetical order by last name(s):

Michelle Barry, Winter Haven                           Daphne Landers, Lakeland

Cynthia Brown, Sebring                                     Helen Peters, Winter Haven

Debra & Robert Johnson, Winter Haven               Anthony & Sandra Sackett, Frostproof

Sara & Stephen Kane, Lake Wales

All members are appreciated and we thank you for your membership.

 

SUMMER MOUNTAIN CAMPING TRIP 2008

It's time to start planning for the summer camp trip!   Appletree Group Camp near Andrews, NC has long been a favorite spot for the Heartland Chapter.This year we are meeting at Camp Site D, on Saturday, July 12.   We can check in any time after 12 noon.

We'll be hiking parts of the Bartram Trail, the Benton McKay Trail, and the Appalachian Trail.   We'll also hike the Joyce Kilmer Loop in the Slickrock Wilderness, and the Lakeshore Trail along Fontana Lake.   We'll lunch one day at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and may even decide to do a little whitewater rafting while we are there.   We'll have time to check out several nearby museums and galleries.   There will be lots to see and do...

Site D has a large covered shelter with a concrete floor and several picnic tables.   There is a nice fire ring.   Flush toilets and hot showers are nearby.

As usual, each camper will donate $25 to the food kitty, and then we'll split into groups of 2 or 3, and be responsible for cooking dinner for the group one evening during the week.   Money should be to Monika Hoerl by June 15 and no later than July 1, 2008.   Nancy will then be sending more detailed info to those folks who will camping, including directions, supplies to bring, lock combination to enter camp, etc.

The camping fee for the week is $400 divided by the number of campers attending.   If there are only 10 of us, expect to pay $40 per person for the week.   If there are 20 of us, then the amount would drop to $20 per person for the week.   As they say, the more the merrier!

Looking forward to seeing you at camp!!

For more information please contact Nancy Needs at Nanspath@aol.com , or call her at 828 696-0732.