We had a great turnout for our Annual Meeting and Potluck at the Chalet at Camp Nawakwa on November 18. The potluck dinner was a veritable smögasbörd of dishes. Thank you to all for providing such delicious food. After dinner, we had our annual meeting. We reviewed the minutes from the September meeting and last year’s annual meeting. The Treasurer’s Report was shared and the group voted to accept the proposed budget for 2025. Jerry Sazama reported on the trail work done in 2024. Projects for 2025 include the reroute east of KIm’s Crossing on the Harwood Lakes Segment, and installation of new trail on the Otter Lake Preserve which was purchased in December 2023. Elections were held for 3 officers: Julie Kosher will continue as the Assistant Coordinator, and was elected as the new Secretary. Thank you to Mary Skalecki who has served as secretary for the past 4 years. Jerry Sazama has asked to phase out of his position as Trail Coordinator, and was elected for one year in that position. Jerry nominated Ann Hansen to take his place. Ann was elected to the position of Trail Coordinator for two years. Jerry and Ann will serve together for one year as Jerry trains her for the position. Thank you to Our Nawakwa for hosting us for our meeting.

The Calendar of Chapter Events was presented for 2025. Please check for the Calendar.

The Alliance sets a calendar of trail projects throughout the Ice Age Trail. If you are interested in participating in a Trail Crew Project, you can find information on the Ice Age Trail website. You do not have to have experience in trail work in order to participate. They will train you “on the job”. It is a wonderful way to learn how trail is created and maintained. You will have a greater appreciation for the trail and look at the trail with new eyes.

If you are interested in Habitat Improvement, there are 3 sessions:
January 10-11 Table Bluff Segment: https://www.iceagetrail.org/event/hip-swamplovers-2025/

January 24-25 Hartland Segment: https://www.iceagetrail.org/event/hip-hartland-marsh-preserve-2025/

February 7-8 Gibraltar Rock: https://www.iceagetrail.org/event/hip-steenbock-preserve-2025/

If you are interested in building new trail and structures, check out:
https://mailchi.mp/iceagetrail/2025-ice-age-trail-crew-season-at-a-glance-9083669?e=f1003d03ed

May 13-18 Blue Hills Dreamer Route
June 4-8 Moraine Outwash Segment, Langlade County
June 25-29 Mueller Lake Segment, Langlade County
July 16-20 Clover Valley Segment, Walworth County
August 12-16 Blue Hills Dreamer Route
September 10-14 Straight River Segment, Polk County
October 1-5 Cedar Lakes Segment, Washington County
October 22-26 Point Beach Segment, Manitowoc County & Tisch Mills, Kewaunee County

As of November 1, fifty eight of our chapter volunteers have renewed their volunteer agreements or signed up for the first time. Thank you very much for keeping up to date with your agreement. We could not achieve as much to maintain our beautiful trail segments without your help. If you have not renewed yet, please check your 2024 agreement to see when you are due to renew. You need to renew 1 year minus one day from the date the NPS signed and dated your agreement.

All volunteers need to have a completed Volunteer Agreement for the National Park Service each year in order to participate in our trail improvement days or to volunteer at events. They have a new form on the Alliance Website.

To access the new Volunteer Agreement, here is the link: https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Packet-Individual-301a-IATR-Staff_508.pdf Please fill out the fillable form and email it to iatr_vip_ice_age_trail@nps.gov (Do not copy and paste the email address. You need to type it in. Otherwise it may bounce back to you.)

NOTE: Fill in all the required boxes. The fillable boxes are on everything except the signature line. You can type your name and date in the date box next to the signature line. Save the document to your computer and then send it to NPS as an attachment. Or print off your completed document, sign it, and mail it to the NPS. The email address is on the directions page that comes with the form.

When you send in the Volunteer Agreement to NPS, they will sign it and return it to you. Please print a copy for yourself or save it in your files. Email the chapter at chippewamorainechapter@iceagetrail.org to let me know that you have received your new signed Volunteer Agreement.

These are our annual events. Watch for information on upcoming events and additions (in red) to this calendar in the monthly newsletters.

February TBD: Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe - Brunet Island State Park
February 22: Snowshoe Hike with youth at Our Nawakwa

Early March: Volunteer Zoom with Dan Watson
March 17: Chapter Meeting

April 14: Trail Maintenance Day
April 10-13: Annual IATA Conference - Stevens Point

May 4: First Sunday Hike - Chippewa River Segment
May 17: Trail Maintenance Day
May 19: Chapter Meeting

June TBD: First Aid Training with Lisa Szela
June 7: National Trails Day Hike
June 20: Solistice Hike with Our Nawakwa (includes sunset hike up Mt. Baldy)
June 21: Trail Maintenance Day

July 12: Cornell Floatilla (Possible Paddle and Hike Event)
July 21: Chapter Picnic at Mill Yard Park

August 3: First Sunday Hike (Out and back Obey to 267th)
August 16: Trail Maintenance Day

September 7: First Sunday Hike - Harwood Lakes
September 15: Chapter Meeting
September 20: Trail Maintenance Day

October 1-31: Mammoth 45 Hiking Challenge
October 4: Parade of Colors Hike - Obey Center
October 11: Hike and Meet Monty - Chippewa River Segment/Cornell Visitor Center
October 18: Trail Maintenance Day

November 17: Annual Chapter Meeting