CVATC News Spring 2015

Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club

Message from the President Have you ever considered being on the Board of our club? Wait! Before you dismiss this article after reading that sentence, please take a few minutes and keep reading. Before you think about the negative aspects of volunteering (too busy, no time, never done it before, etc.), let me tell you about my experience. It has been one of the most satisfying organizations with which I have ever been involved. President Christine Lauriello Vice President Kevin Shannon Treasurer John Zinn Secretary Jane Tuckey Board of Directors Class of 2015 Don Badorf Jim Foster John “Skip” Klein Class of 2016 Joe Frassetta Vicky Nastav Rob Shaw Trailmaster Craig Dunn Chief of Maintainers Joe Frassetta Boundary Coordinator Gini Maus

I have always been interested in the outdoors, so in 2007 I became a member of the club to get involved in organized hikes, assist with work days, and get to know some other folks with similar interests. I really enjoyed getting involved with the club activities and got to meet some wonderful people. One of those people was Jim Foster, the club president. Jim has been such a great volunteer for the club, and his contributions have been just awesome! In 2008, Jim asked me to become a Board member. Now, I have had ZERO experience in this type of role. I was a CADD designer for an engineering firm before my kids came along, and have been a yoga teacher and stay-at-home mom since then. Needless to say, I was pretty clueless about what a Board member’s responsibilities were. I asked Jim what I was signing up for and he summed it up pretty clearly: come to four meetings per year and offer my opinions on club business issues. That sounded pretty straightforward, so I said yes and became a Board member. Becoming a Board member was a very fulfilling experience for me. I saw that I could offer ideas on membership improvement and volunteer levels, I could educate hikers and lead hikes, and I could meet others involved with the ATC and the National Park Service. As I became more familiar with the inter-workings of the club, I felt much more comfortable taking on additional responsibilities. With Jim’s help, I started processing new members and then became vice president of the Club. (Continued on page 2)

Issue 47

CVATC Membership Meeting and Elections CVATC will hold its annual Membership Meeting with elections on Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 PM at Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse. The street address is 1559 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs. The following nominees have been submitted to serve for a two-year term, beginning April 1, 2015: President: Christine Lauriello Vice President: Kevin Shannon Secretary: no nominee Directors: John “Skip” Klein, Mike Bowman, and Harish Janardhan

ATC Hiker Happy Hour and Club Annual Membership Meeting We are doing something a little different this year and hopefully more fun! We are going to combine forces with ATC/Boiling Springs AT Community which is hosting a hiker happy hour. It will be Thursday, March 26, starting at 6:00 PM, at Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, 1559 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs. The CVATC annual membership meeting will still happen, just a bit differently. In years past, at the membership meeting we voted in the new board members, ate, and had a guest speaker. We will still do that! We will have a brief annual meeting to elect officers and directors for the new year. Club members will meet at Allenberry in a certain room; don’t worry as there will be a sign up, we will vote, and then go to happy hour. Please contact Christine Lauriello by March 23 if you plan to attend. E-mail her at [email protected], or call 717-4402112. If you are a member of the Meetup.com group Dayhikers of Central PA, you can register there instead. Please do not register at both places to avoid double counting. We hope to see you on March 26!

(Continued from page 1) Message from the President

In 2012, Jim asked me if I would consider becoming the Club President. To be honest, I was definitely on the fence initially. If I had zero experience being a Board member, I had even less experience and confidence being the president! Paperwork, policies and procedures … no clue! At some point, I realized that, while I would be the president, I would not be going it alone. The Club has an absolutely terrific network of people that I would be able to use a resource to help manage the Club. During my first year, Jim and Craig Dunn were huge by helping with the paperwork, letting me know who to talk to for different items, reminding me that the newsletter needed to go out :-), etc. The Club is also very fortunate to have the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the ATC right here in Boiling Springs! The folks in that office have been such a huge help, and they are a great resource for our Club. One of the biggest lessons I learned over the past couple of years has been that it is okay if I do not have any idea how to get something done because we have such a great team willing to assist whenever needed. With a positive outlook, a “can-do” attitude, and a wonderful group of people, you can accomplish anything! When I look back on everything that the Club has accomplished just in the short time that I have been involved, it truly is amazing. If you received a holiday card this year, you saw the projects we completed in 2014. It gives me so much satisfaction knowing that I played just a small role in making those things happen—from the Management Plan, to the bench project, to improving two parking lots for our hikers. Each project brought its own unique set of challenges. We were also able to get a new lawn mower and open Center Point Knob, in addition to our regular work days and boundary work. We accomplished so much together! So, back to my original question … Have you ever considered being on the Board of our Club? I can tell you that my journey has been one of the most fulfilling of my life. Your journey may look completely different from mine, but I am willing to bet that it can be as fulfilling. I have always had an eagerness to learn new things, challenge myself, and have an optimistic outlook. We already have some projects lined up for next season. So if you would like to learn more about what we are planning and would like to get involved, please feel free to reach out to me. I’ll say it again … with a positive outlook, a “can-do” attitude, and a wonderful group of people, you can accomplish anything! Christine Lauriello

2nd Annual KTA Membership Celebration and Film Festival The KTA’s 2nd annual KTA Membership Celebration and Film Festival will be held in Camp Hill, Cumberland County, on Thursday, March 19, 2015, starting at 6:30 PM at the Wesley Center of Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 South 22nd Street. “Last year,” said Wanda Shirk, president of the KTA, “we began our tradition of the KTA Membership Celebration and Film Festival. We will continue it this year, with an emphasis on Pennsylvania’s hiking trails. KTA will celebrate its work, the state’s precious trails, and the backbone of KTA—its membership. Our 2015 event will feature several films, all about trails in Pennsylvania. Last year, we focused solely on the Appalachian Trail. This year, we will feature other equally beautiful trails that may not be as well known. It will be a great opportunity to learn about new places to hike.” Attendees will be given an opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite film. The film with the most votes will receive the coveted KTA Film of the Year award. “In addition to three great films,” Shirk continued, “the event will also spotlight KTA’s advocacy efforts on trails and wild spaces; feature other hiking, trails, and environmental organizations; and celebrate KTA’s membership base. It is a unique opportunity for new and experienced trail enthusiasts to learn more about KTA and the footpaths we help protect throughout the state.” “Last year,” said Jim Foster, chair of the event, “eighteen partner organizations, member clubs, nonprofit and commercial businesses had displays at our Membership Celebration. Please contact us if your organization or business would like to set up an informational or retail table during the event.” Tickets for the KTA Membership Celebration and Film Festival are just $15.00. Non-members will receive, in addition to admission to the event, a 1-year introductory membership to the KTA. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Additional information about the KTA and this event is available on www.kta-hike.org. Jim Foster Secretary, KTA Board of Directors

KTA Spring Hiking Weekend: Camp Swatara The Keystone Trails Association will host its annual Spring Meeting and Hiking Weekend from Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, 2015, at Camp Swatara, in Bethel, Berks County, PA. With a robust hiking and activity schedule organized by the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (BMECC), there is sure to be something for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, interests, and abilities! Stay for a day or for the whole weekend! Visit www.kta-hike.org for more information or to register.

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Activity Calendar For more information and updates, the schedule of hikes, and other activities, check the “Activity Calendar” page on CVATC’s web site: www.cvatclub.org. You can also follow the Club on Facebook and Google+.

March

April

12

CVATC Board meeting, 6:00 PM, Colt Plumbing Company, 1132 W. Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg

16

ATC MARO Third Thursday, 6:00 PM—call 2585771 for information

19

KTA Film Festival, 6:30 PM, Camp Hill UM Church

18

CVATC trail workday, 9:00 AM, Scott Farm

20-22 ATC MARPC 21

CVATC trail workday, 9:00 AM, Scott Farm

26

CVATC membership meeting and Hiker Happy Hour, 6:00 PM, Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, 1559 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs

May 2

CVATC boundary workday, 9:00 AM, Scott Farm

16

CVATC trail workday, 9:00 AM, Scott Farm

21

ATC MARO Third Thursday, 6:00 PM—call 2585771 for information

KTA Super Hike Registration Now Open On September 12, 2015, the Keystone Trails Association will sponsor the seventh annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run, a trail challenge event for adventurous trail runners and hikers on the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge. This year, participants can choose between a 50K "Ultra Trail Run" and a 25K "Super Hike"! Hikers and trail runners are invited to register for the length best suited for their fitness level and interest. Both events follow the same trails, with the 25K participants starting later and at a different location than the 50K participants. To learn more or to register, visit www.kta-hike.org.

Volunteers are needed for the Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run. Many volunteer opportunities are available including registration, parking, checkpoints, trail sweeps, and more. Approximately 120 volunteers are needed. Individuals, families, and groups are welcome to participate. All volunteers receive a free t-shirt and admission to the postevent picnic! Please register to volunteer online at www.kta-hike.org/ index.php?option=com_forme&fid=31, or contact Shanna Klucar, Program Administrator, at 717-238-7017 or [email protected] for more information.

IT IS TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN CVATC The Club’s new membership year begins April 1. Please join or renew using the form below.

CVATC Membership Form New Membership

Date

Renewal Membership Name

Address

Phone

City

E-mail

State

I want to receive the newsletter electronically only (no paper copy): Yes

Zip Code No

Individual

$10.00

Organization

$35.00

Make checks payable to CVATC and mail to:

Family

$15.00

Benefactor

$50.00

Supporting

$25.00

Lifetime

$250.00

CVATC PO Box 395 Boiling Springs, PA 17007-0395

Donation

$

Check here to receive the club patch with a renewal/donation of $25 or more. Page 3

Trail Maintenance Schedule 2015 Saturday, March 21 Saturday, April 18 Saturday, May 16 We encourage all willing, motivated, able-bodied, and otherwise inspired individuals or groups to participate. Please register in advance, if possible, by calling Craig Dunn at 717-761-7723. Work parties meet at 9:00 AM at the Scott Farm on Bernheisel Bridge Road.

You can follow CVATC on Facebook and Google+. Go to our website www.cvatclub.com to find direct links.

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