October Newsletter 2019
Annual Banquet
Reminder, our Annual Banquet is Sunday, October 27, from noon to 4 at Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Rd (Rte. 4), Troy.
Speaker: Richard “Rich” Guthrie, a well-known bird expert and retired NYS DEC biologist, will be our speaker. You may have heard him as a popular guest commentator on WAMC radio’s call-in Vox Pop program on the topic of local birds or read his Times Union blog about birds. Please join us and enjoy listening to him give an interesting and informative presentation on birds in the northeast!
Presentation: Birding over 60 years: "60 years of change - from birds we see every day - that I could only dream about as a kid - to birds we won't see in New York anymore and the totally unexpected newcomers."
-To register: mail your $25 check for the luncheon buffet, made out to Taconic Hiking Club to Margaret Parks, 9 Tokay Lane, Schenectady, NY 12309
-Due date: October 21.
-Registration contact: Margaret Parks at 518 250-5452 or margaretparks213@gmail.com
Taconic Hiking Club sponsored a hike with the Housatonic Heritage Event, from Rte 20 to Twin Pond
THC sponsored hike with Housatonic Heritage Event
Housatonic Heritage sponsors a very large number of cultural and recreational outings over four weekends in September. The event list impressive!
see: www.housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/
The Taconic Hiking Club offered event #33 on September 15 on the Taconic Crest Trail from Rt. 20 to Twin Ponds led by Karen Ross. There was no easy way to limit attendees since the time and place were stated in the Heritage publication. Including the leader there were 28 in the group—and three well-behaved dogs! Before the hike, Karen spoke about THC, its history, outings, and its role in the region. Several veteran hikers assisted keeping track of everyone, including Karen Cedar and Blanche Nelson from the Club. We had a lovely and longer-than-expected trek into Twin Ponds. There were many beginning hikers who showed up, and some needed some care negotiating the steeper rises. It was a perfect weather day, and everyone thought the trail was so beautiful. Several decided to join the Club, and one said he wanted to do the End-to-End! We plan to offer this or something similar next year, so watch for it under the Housatonic Heritage website.
Here is a little background on Housatonic Heritage: According to its mission, “The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (Housatonic Heritage) exists to illuminate the diverse, rich identity of the Upper Housatonic River Valley region and to preserve and promote its historical, cultural and natural resources.” It encompasses the watershed of the upper Housatonic River in Western Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut, extends 60 miles from Kent, CT, to Lanesboro, MA and includes 26 communities.
National Heritage Areas have a distinctive history and geography, nationally important resources, and a story of broad interest to tell. The United States Congress officially designates national heritage areas and manages them through the National Park Service. There are 55 designated heritage areas in 32 states. Housatonic Heritage preserves and celebrates the heritage of the Berkshires (Berkshire County, MA) and Northwestern Litchfield Hills (Litchfield County, CT).
Housatonic Heritage partners with many outdoor recreation and conservation organizations like AMC, Mass Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, Trustees of Reservations, local land trusts and BNRC, with museums like the Berkshire Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, Jacob’s Pillow and The Mount, with Regional Planning Commissions and Historical Societies, and with local libraries, schools, churches, and civic organizations.
Its priorities are the themes of 1. The regional culture, including its literary and artistic tradition, and its leadership in music, dance, and theatre. 2. Natural resources and scenic landscapes, including those at risk, those needing restoration, and the identification of the history of natural resource industries like charcoal and paper production. 3. Industrial history, including iron forges and furnaces 4. Revolutionary War era, and 5. Native American and Shaker history and culture. by Karen Ross
End of the new parking area on Berlin Rd
Berlin Road Trail System
Williamstown Rural Land Foundation (WRLF) has been busy upgrading the Berlin Road recreation area. They have installed numerous directional signs on the Berlin Pass, WRLF Loop, Williams College Class of 33, Bullock and other trails adjacent to Berlin Rd. They also installed more board walks. Following an agreement between Williams College and Williamstown, the town graded and placed new crushed stone on Berlin Rd and replaced the old parking area with a new one, to be used for parking and as a snowplow turn around. The Berlin Pass Trail, Taconic Crest Trail and the Williams Class of 33 Trail can be used as a loop hike. Be aware that the Williams Class of 33 Trail is steep and is a strenuous hike. The WRLF Loop trail is a short, easier hike. For more information on WRLF trails go to the WRLF website. by Martha Waldman
Volunteer Opportunity!
If you are interested in helping to grow the club, the Publicity Chair position is available. In the position you would email notices about upcoming outings to local newspapers. You would also help organize setting up a THC publicity table at local events, like the Grafton Winter-fest. For more information contact Martha Waldman at martha829r@aol.com or Karen Ross at kcoyross@aol.com
Upcoming Outings
Check the Outings page of the website for complete details. New hikes have been added since the Bulletin was published. Also check out the Taconic Hiking Club Facebook page to see pictures from past outings! See you on the trail!
Saturday, October 5: TCT #6 – Potter Road in Hancock, MA to south end (Route 20 near New Lebanon), 10.5 miles. B+
Wednesday, October 9: "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" HVCC/THC Creative Retirement class
NEW! Friday, October 11: Stissing Mountain and Thompson Pond Preserve, Pine Plains, NY B
NEW DATE: Monday, October 14:- Erie Canal Trailway - Cycle: Pattersonville to Schoharie Crossing ( 24 miles RT) B
Wednesday, October 16: "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" HVCC/THC Creative Retirement class
Saturday, October 19: South Taconic Trail (southern end) B
Monday, October 21: Westkill Mountain B
Friday, October 25: Greylock via The Gould Trail B+
Wednesday, October 23: "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" HVCC/THC Creative Retirement class
Sunday, October 27: ANNUAL BANQUET
NEW! Wednesday: October 30: Harrier Hill to Greenport Conservation Area, Stockport NY C
Monday, November 4: Dome Summit B
Wednesday, November 13: Pittsfield State Forest B
Monday, November 25: Sarah Tenney Trails, Williamstown MA C+
Tuesday December 10: Hopkins Memorial Forest to Snow Hole B
“Hoe and Shovel Day”: Water bar repair on the TCT on 9/26. Many thanks to our trail stewards!