Waushara County Chapter Annual Newsletter 2015

IAT Waushara County Chapter * W6681 Bighorn Ave., Wautoma, WI 54982 www.iceagetrail.org

Some Days are Diamonds, Some Days are Stones The one variable that cannot be controlled when planning a hike or an event is the weather. In 2015, we batted .667 which is pretty darn good if you’re a baseball player. Our first event of the 2015 season was the 16th Annual Candlelight Sweetheart Event ~ Hike, Snowshoe & Ski. It was held and co-hosted by Flyte’s Fieldstone in Coloma. Unfortunately, we had to postpone it 2 weeks due to cold weather and even then it wasn’t exactly a heatwave either. The temperature hovered in the 10 - 15 degrees range with winds pushing the wind chill into minus territory; not ideal for the sleigh horses and ice skaters. Despite the weather challenges, we had a good turnout. Thanks to all who came out to support the chapter. A special thank you to The Cody Clauson Trio for playing throughout the evening wearing winter gloves, while plucking their instruments. These folks are real troopers!

Our goal, at any event, is to gather with family, friends and members for fellowship and healthy activities for everyone to enjoy. Come and plan to spend some quality family time on one of our trail segments this year, whether it’s a scheduled chapter event or just a spur of the moment urge. If you go on any section of the trail, please leave us a note about your experience and report any blockages or maintenance issues.

See you on the Trail! Bob Jozwowski, Coordinator

Hiker Notes left behind…

The Cody Clauson Trio

In 2015 we hosted our three major events, the winter, summer and fall hikes amongst other projects and events such as, work days and school hikes. As we move forward into 2016, one of our Chapter's goals is to continue reaching out to more folks in all areas and share what’s happening on the Ice Age Trail right here in Waushara County.

Events and Activities

In February, we celebrated our 16th Annual Candlelight Sweetheart Event ~ Hike, Snowshoe & Ski at Flyte’s Fieldstones in Coloma. Over 160 attendees enjoyed a ton of outdoor fun! As always, we hiked, snowshoed and skied the candlelit trail and roasted marshmallows around the bonfire. New in 2015, ice skating and even horse drawn sleigh rides! To warm up, folks headed inside to enjoy hot soup and chili while volunteers served hot drinks and sweet treats.

On March 14th, the Chapter co-hosted with the Wautoma Public Library to bring a Special Presentation, “Meet a Thousand-Miler”, by local resident and thru-hiker, Pat Enright. He shared his hiking journey and completion of the Ice Age Trail with the community. Our Annual Chapter Meeting and Election of Officers followed. We added an informal hike to our agenda, the 1st Annual Summer Hike, on Saturday, June 6th, to coincide with National Trails Day. Elward Engle, Waushara resident, led 39 hikers along the Mecan River Springs segment of the trail, while sharing his knowledge of the history of the springs, ending at a site of an eagles nest.

Again, we participated in Blue Ribbon Kids Day at Parkside School on Saturday, April 11th. For 4 hours, our volunteers interacted with over 200 kids and their parents making buttons, spinning the Ice Age Wheel and learning about opportunities on the Ice Age Trail. On Saturday, October 10th, we were fortunate to have IAT member, Judy Brown, allow us to host the 17th Annual Fall Color Hike & Dog Walk on her property directly across the road from the Greenwood segment. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the high attendance showed it. Our total attendance reached nearly 100, with 50 adults, 14 kiddos and a record breaking number of dogs. A whopping 21 four-legged friends to be exact! Plus, we added 3 new members to our membership. Thank you to the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter for offering onsite dog tag engraving and sharing information about pet adoption.

16th Annual Candlelight Sweetheart Event ~ “Rustic Raffle” featuring custom work by Randy Lennartz, a “Rustic” Log Bench, “SKI” Chair/Footrest, “SKI” Coat Rack, Sled & “Original” painting by Susan Klabak.

ALL proceeds went to

maintaining IAT in Waushara

County!

Volunteers organized our signature “Rustic Raffle” while The Cody Clauson Trio entertained throughout the night. There was something for everyone!

Winners: Chuck & Cindy Johnson, Hancock

Fall Color Hike & Dog Walk

Check it out… www.iceagetrail.org

We’re excited about all the ways it will

help you get out on the Ice Age Trail.

Trail Maintenance

Early summer rains kept the mowers going steady, but the payoff was a spectacular prairie display and an abundance of mushrooms. We are looking forward to a great 2016! ~ Randy Lennartz, Trail maintenance Coordinator

Thank You!

Chaffee Creek Workday Volunteers

Explore the Trail ~ Volunteer ~ Donate

The trail is a dynamic and ever changing place but what doesn't change is the hard work and dedication of our volunteer trail maintainers. Give a big pat on the back to Dick Semrow, Larry Bacon, Randy Bacon and the Samsel Family for doing an outstanding job. Mowing, brushing, sawing and painting aren’t glamorous but is what makes the trail. Best wishes to a long time trail maintainer Lee Hazlett and his wife Barb. They have decided to make the move to Florida. They will be missed. On the trail. There were several active timber sales in 2015 on the Chaffee Creek and Mecan Segments. The logging contractors did a great job of protecting the trail and minimal repairs were needed. A work day on the Chaffee, attended by 16 volunteers and hosted by the Metoyer-Brown Farm, completed the resigning and upgrade of the Segment. Thanks to all. Mother Nature was kind to us last year. No major storms!

Last fall, Jean Clark, our Chapter Secretary informed us that she was moving to Washington State and was resigning her position. Jean will be greatly

missed, not only as a Chapter Officer but, an avid Volunteer.

Wishing you all the best Jean!

We are happy to report that Amy Holzwart has volunteered to take over the Secretary position. Amy

is a retired PhyEd teacher with Parkside School.

Purchase an Ice Age Trail Membership

Today. Makes a Great Gift!

Purchase an Ice Age Trail Membership

Today. Makes a Great Gift!

This hidden gem offers everyone, of all abilities, a serene and secluded area to

enjoy nature and learn about Wisconsin’s icy past and glacial history.

Adam & Carrie Flyte & the Candlelighters Amy Holzwart Bob and Deb Jozwowski Marty Katzmarek Leibsle Fmily Randy Lennartz Teri Lessig Marquette County 4-H Club AJ McCaskey Dan Nordhaus Eugene and Pat Reis Rettler Family Flyte's Fieldstones Susan Klabak Motel 51 Really Goods - Chris & Steve Rita Ruffalo Linda Roberts TJ Roland Joseph & Julie Russo Clyde and Janet Samsel Jay Samsel Front Porch Pets

Jenny Addis Jeanette Antczak Larry and Judy Bacon Ballinger Family Randy Bacon Russ Brown & Genie Metoyer Lyle and Beth Buettner Megan Burns Care 4 The Core C & B Feed & Bait Jean Clark for being a Trail Angel Coldwell Banker Coloma Lions Cookie Makers CoreQuest Yoga & Spa Cathy Favelle Daiseye - Princeton Elward Engel Gary Engel Pat Enright Lee & Cheryl Flyte Lee and Barb Hazlett With so many selfless volunteers, in case we missed anyone, please know how grateful we are for your

helping hands when we needed them. We couldn’t have done this without the generous contributions of our members and friends. Thank You All!

Dick and Sue Semrow Shaney Family Cotton Stanislawski John and Deanna Swanson Pat Tabbert Bob and Bobbi Timberlake Flo Walker Jamie Winn Addis Excavating Green Lake Area Animal Shelter Lavore's on the Hill, Donna Lavore Richford Ridge Riders Club The Cody Clauson Trio The Farm Market Twister- Princeton Tri County Elementary Students/Staff Wade Bike & Adventure Wautoma DNR Office Wautoma Library Wisconsin Operating Engineers

Upcoming Events * Saturday, March 19th ~ Annual Chapter Meeting & Election of Officers to follow 1pm

* April 2nd ~ Blue Ribbon Kid’s Day * June 4th ~ National Trails Day ~ 2nd Annual Summer Hike

* October ~ Fall Color Hike & Dog Walk

Interested in Volunteer Opportunities & information on upcoming events? Contact Bob Jozwowski, Coordinator, 920-765-1887 bobjozwowski@gnail.com or go to www.iceagetrail.org

Join us at any of our Chapter Meetings & connect with other

creative minds. All are welcome!

Volunteers and Contributions

Bring a Friend!

Chapter Executive Board Chapter Coordinator – Bob Jozwowski

Vice Coordinator/Publicity – AJ McCaskey Secretary – Amy Holzwart Treasurer – Cheryl Flyte

Membership Coordinator – Jenny Addis Maintenance Coordinator – Randy Lennartz

We are always looking for people to take a

leadership role in the chapter. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact a

member of the Board.

Election of Officers

Prior to Election of Officers we will vote on the amended bylaws for the Chapter. This document was last updated in 1998. We are adding up to 3

new Board Members at large to our Executive Committee.

We are fortunate to have two candidates: Cathy Favelle, Fitness and Yoga instructor and owner of

CoreQuest Yoga, Wautoma and Lyle Buettner, Owner, Mt Morris Mill Coffee Shop and thru hiker

of the Appalachian Trail.

Waushara County Chapter

W6681 Bighorn Ave.

Wautoma, WI. 54982

Waushara County Chapter W6681 Bighorn Ave. Wautoma, WI. 54982

Chapter Coordinator

Bob Jozwowski

Phone: 920-765-1887

Email: BobJozwowski@gmail.com

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at:

www.iceagetrail.org

SAVE THE DATE! When: Saturday, March 19, 2016

1:00pm-3:pm Where: Wautoma Public Library, 410 W. Main St., Wautoma

Admission: FREE Join us on March 19th for our Annual Membership Meeting at the Wautoma Library starting at 1:00pm. We will start with an informational program, open to the public,

with our membership meeting to follow. The program this year will be “A River Runs Through It” presented by Shawn

Sullivan, Operations Supervisor at the Wild Rose Fisheries Habitat Station. Shawn spends a lot of his time restoring streams in Waushara County to build better habitat

for trout. As hikers in this county, we hear the pleasant sounds of the babbling brook. Shawn will tell us about the diversity of life along the streams that intersect

our trails and how to better appreciate what we have in our own backyard.