IAT Waushara County Chapter * W122

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Shannon Dalton
6 years ago
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Although, I have been working with the Chapter since 2008, as the Membership Coordinator, I feel seasoned but, over the year, I have seen the Chapter and organization in a newfound light.

Needless to say, the Board and Chapter members didn t hesitate volunteering time, leading a hike, setting up an event and always reporting back to me so I didn t feel out of the loop.

With that said, it has been a busy year, filled with trail work, meetings, annual events and hikes, all focused on community involvement, healthy family activity and getting people out on the trail

1 Waushara County Chapter Annual Newsletter 2017 IAT Waushara County Chapter * W County Rd. GG, Hancock, WI A Year for Firsts My first year as Coordinator and working for the Ice Age Trail in this capacity has been very enlightening. Although, I have been working with the Chapter since 2008, as the Membership Coordinator, I feel seasoned but, over the year, I have seen the Chapter and organization in a newfound light. Unfortunately, I dealt with some medical issues that altered my duties and attendance at a couple events. Needless to say, the Board and Chapter members didn t hesitate volunteering time, leading a hike, setting up an event and always reporting back to me so I didn t feel out of the loop. In turn, making 2017 one of our most productive and successful with the number of events and hikes hosted in one year! With that said, it has been a busy year, filled with trail work, meetings, annual events and hikes, all focused on community involvement, healthy family activity and getting people out on the trail in Waushara County. We got to work after the new year, meeting and planning our winter event and from there our 2017 agenda took off. We even added two new events to our hearty agenda. In August, we hosted our first Let's Light up the Night" Hike. Our attendees got their glow on and headed out on the trail at dusk (photo below). Then, in September, our good friends and Chapter Members, Lyle and Beth Buettner, owners of Mt. Morris Mill & Coffee Shop, cohosted our first "Ice Age Social" and Friend-raiser. If you missed either, don t worry, you can expect to see them on our 2018 agenda. We look forward to seeing you and your family, no matter the season, at an upcoming event, hike, meeting or workday. There s something for everyone! Thank you to all those that volunteered, supported, led, hosted and/or dirtied a hiking boot throughout the year. We couldn t do all that we do...without you Happy Trails to you and yours! Jenny Addis, Coordinator z Let s Light Up the Night hikers, Karissa Rettler, Makenna Rettler, Charlie Flyte & Lola Flyte, get their Glow on ~ Photo by Randy Lennartz

Events & Activities Our traditional Candlelight Sweetheart Event ~ Hike & Snowshoe was held at Caribou Bay Retreat, in Richford, for the second year.

Every year, they never cease to amaze us with their generosity and hospitality of this rustic, spacious and classy space.

Our trail maintenance crew worked hard, grooming and shaping the mile-long wooded heart-shaped loop.

It was an unseasonably warm night, offering attendees the opportunity to hike or snowshoe the trail, over and over again, while others roasted marshmallows around the winter

Indoors, our volunteers were busy registering guests, serving hot drinks and chili, selling raffle tickets and sharing Ice Age Trail information, just to name a few.

2 Events & Activities Our traditional Candlelight Sweetheart Event ~ Hike & Snowshoe was held at Caribou Bay Retreat, in Richford, for the second year. Thanks to our friends, Chapter Members and owners, Jack and Mona Zelienka. Every year, they never cease to amaze us with their generosity and hospitality of this rustic, spacious and classy space. A total of 236 event goers dusted off their snowshoes and hiking boots to join us for a night full of winter family fun on the Wedde Creek segment. Our trail maintenance crew worked hard, grooming and shaping the mile-long wooded heart-shaped loop. While the candle-lighters lined it with hundreds of luminaries and did their best to keep them lit throughout the night (photo). It was an unseasonably warm night, offering attendees the opportunity to hike or snowshoe the trail, over and over again, while others roasted marshmallows around the winter bonfire and even built a snowman! Indoors, our volunteers were busy registering guests, serving hot drinks and chili, selling raffle tickets and sharing Ice Age Trail information, just to name a few. We added new live entertainment to the event, the Nic Rossi Xperience, led by local, Dominic DiBernardino, owner of KayDee Music in Wautoma, with his students, Josh, Jake and Danny. Local businesses also got involved by donating gift for our free drawing and/or participated in our signature Rustic Raffle. As always, all proceeds benefited the Ice Age Trail here in Waushara County. If you were unable to attend, don t worry. Hundreds of candle luminaries lined the trail. Handcrafted by Tri- County 4 th graders. Candlelight Sweetheart Event ~ Candlelight regulars, Chapter Member and Thousand-miler, Kathy Kehl and her husband, Steve.

3 Events & Activities continued Blue Ribbon Kids Day Volunteers and event goers, Rachel and Megan Addis, work diligently on the super-sized puzzle. Mini Batman stops by to color a button.

Events & Activities continued On June 3rd, we laced up our

hit the trails in Waushara County for the 3rd Annual Summer

The morning started off with rain but, by 11:30am the sun

hike. Attendees had the option of exploring either the Mecan

Summer Hike Volunteer & Chapter Member, Jack Zelienka, takes

A total of 26 registered hikers joined us with many first

Our furthest attendee traveled as far as Cedarburg, in

4 Events & Activities continued On June 3rd, we laced up our hiking boots, gathered at Metoyer-Brown Farms in Richford and hit the trails in Waushara County for the 3rd Annual Summer Hike to celebrate National Trails Day. The morning started off with rain but, by 11:30am the sun broke through the clouds just in time for our scheduled noon hike. Attendees had the option of exploring either the Mecan River Springs or Wedde Creek segment. Summer Hike Volunteer & Chapter Member, Jack Zelienka, takes a Hike! A total of 26 registered hikers joined us with many first timers. Our furthest attendee traveled as far as Cedarburg, in Ozaukee County to join in the festivities.. Fall Hike Volunteers & Board Members, Amy Holzwart, Secretary and Cathy Favelle. Interested in purchasing or color and size availability, contact Jenny at addisjenny@yahoo.com or

Events & Activities continued Light up the night In September, we hosted our first "Ice

There was a total of 28 registered attendees with 15 being new to a Chapter event.

This free social event included popcorn, ice-cream, refreshments, free drawing and live

In August, we hosted our first "Let's Light Up the Night" Hike on the Greenwood Wildlife

This free, family fun hike drew in a total of 40 hikers, ranging of all ages, including

We provided a limited supply of glow items and invited the community to come early to get

5-mile guided hike, led by Randy Lennartz, Trail Maintenance Coordinator, began just

5 Events & Activities continued Light up the night In September, we hosted our first "Ice Age Social" and Friend-raiser at the Mt Morris Mill & Coffee Shop. There was a total of 28 registered attendees with 15 being new to a Chapter event. We also signed up 3 new Members. This free social event included popcorn, ice-cream, refreshments, free drawing and live music, on the deck, by local talented musicians, Guy Kaplan and Pat Connolly. In August, we hosted our first "Let's Light Up the Night" Hike on the Greenwood Wildlife segment. This free, family fun hike drew in a total of 40 hikers, ranging of all ages, including our fourlegged friend, Gidgit. We provided a limited supply of glow items and invited the community to come early to get their glow on. The 1.5-mile guided hike, led by Randy Lennartz, Trail Maintenance Coordinator, began just after dusk. The litup group was a sight to see slithering along the trail for over an hour. Attendees gave this hike a "glowing" review! Our goal was to host a fun afternoon for the whole family, make some new friends and share what's happening on the Ice Age Trail in Waushara County. Fall Hike & Dog Walk Volunteer, Jorden Metoyer, with one of our participating four-legged friends. We did just that!!

On the Trail First and most important, a shout out and Thank You to our Trail Maintainers, Jay Samsel, Dick Semrow, Larry Bacon, Randy Bacon, Randy Lennartz and

The job is hard work, and simply, wouldn t get done without all of them. z 2017 had its challenges.

We refurbished and upgraded signage in those areas repainting and installing new sign posts and signs. Mother nature always has a few surprises.

That s 23 miles, double wide = 46 miles x 5 = 230 miles of mowing, Whew! And Ticks, we had them this year like never before.

6 On the Trail First and most important, a shout out and Thank You to our Trail Maintainers, Jay Samsel, Dick Semrow, Larry Bacon, Randy Bacon, Randy Lennartz and everyone that picked up, threw off or rolled debris off the trail over the course of the year. The job is hard work, and simply, wouldn t get done without all of them. z 2017 had its challenges. There were five active timber sales impacting the Bohn lake, Mecan and Deerfield Segments that required clean-up and repair of the corridor and tread. We refurbished and upgraded signage in those areas repainting and installing new sign posts and signs. Mother nature always has a few surprises. Just like at home, the persistent rain and cool weather made the grass grow. It never stopped. We mowed the trail five times this year. The most ever. That s 23 miles, double wide = 46 miles x 5 = 230 miles of mowing, Whew! And Ticks, we had them this year like never before. Next year will have its share of challenges as well, but your continued support makes it all worthwhile. Thanks, and keep hiking. Gary & Sharon Vaughan, from Kimberly, took photos of their hiking adventure in Waushara County. Photo by Sharon Vaughan There are 23 miles of marked & maintained Ice Age Trail in Waushara County. Sunset on the Greenwood Wildlife Area ~ Photo by Randy Lennartz

Volunteers & Supporters CherI Addis Devon Addis Jenny Addis Megan Addis Rachel Addis Larry & Judy Bacon Randy Bacon Dominick Bernadine Lyle & Beth Buettner Evan Brown Russ Brown Mike Butterbredt Pat

Kaplan Susan Klabak Donna Lavore Randy Lennartz Lois Manhardt AJ McCaskey Genie Metoyer Jorden Metoyer Samantha Metoyer Wade Pennau Cari Pronschinske Ericka Pronschinske Tori Pronschinske Tabby Prutz

7 Volunteers & Supporters CherI Addis Devon Addis Jenny Addis Megan Addis Rachel Addis Larry & Judy Bacon Randy Bacon Dominick Bernadine Lyle & Beth Buettner Evan Brown Russ Brown Mike Butterbredt Pat Connolly Dakota Czlapinski George Dowhen Constance Downey Dave Erickson Cathy Favelle Cheryl Flyte Taylor Flyte & Mitchell Carol Frank Joany Hoffman Amy Holzwart Skylar Joling Bob & Deb Jozwowski Guy Kaplan Susan Klabak Donna Lavore Randy Lennartz Lois Manhardt AJ McCaskey Genie Metoyer Jorden Metoyer Samantha Metoyer Wade Pennau Cari Pronschinske Ericka Pronschinske Tori Pronschinske Tabby Prutz Matt Rettler Jessica Rettler Karissa Rettler Makenna Rettler T. Jay Roland Jay Samuel Dick & Sue Semrow Sue Stenz Pat Tabbert Art Techlow Jack & Mona Zelienka Addis Excavating Caribou Bay Retreat Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Christiano's Nic Rossi Xperience Fresh for Life Organics Flyte Family Farms Johann's Kwik Trip Lavore s On the Hill Metoyer-Brown Farms Mt. Morris Mill & Coffee Shop Pioneer Floral & Greenhouse Red Hill Royal Cafe' Shopko Subway The Bread Bar The Candlelighters The Cookiemakers Tri-County 4th graders Chris Schlick, Tri-County 4th grade teacher Wautoma Rental Candlelight Event ~ Volunteer Candle-lighters Matt Rettler, Cheryl Flyte, Makenna Rettler, Karissa Rettler, Trina Smith and Jake Smith. Interested in becoming a Volunteer or upcoming Event updates contact: Jenny Addis, Coordinator addisjenny@yahoo.com Chapter Coordinator ~ Jenny Addis Vice Coordinator/Publicity ~ A.J. McCaskey Trail Maintenance Coordinator ~ Randy Lennartz Membership Coordinator ~ Jenny Addis Treasurer ~ Cheryl Flyte Secretary ~ Amy Holzwart

com Annual Chapter Meeting & Special Presentation When:

Annual Chapter Meeting & Election of Officers and a Special

Thousand-Miler and author of Thousand-Miler: Adventures

8 W12239 County Rd. GG Hancock, WI Jenny Addis Annual Chapter Meeting & Special Presentation When: Saturday, March 24, PM-2PM Where: Wautoma Public Library 410 E. Main St., Wautoma, WI Join us on March 24, 2018 for our Annual Chapter Meeting & Election of Officers and a Special Presentation with Melanie McManus, Ice Age Trail Thousand-Miler and author of Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail. Membership Meeting and Book signing to follow. Open to the public! Waushara County Chapter W12239 County Rd. GG Hancock, WI

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