December Newsletter 2024
View of Lake George Village, and towards the Green Mtns in Vermont from Prospect Mtn, pic by M Waldman
TRAIL WORK UPDATE and VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
So far, our trail work crews have completed an incredible 811 hours of work in 2024, which is the most ever in any year. And the year is not yet over. It is a tribute to our hard working and dedicated volunteers, and we count ourselves fortunate to have them. The increased number of severe storms---wind, ice, heavy snow, and torrential rains has added to the amount of blowdown on the trail, creating a never-ending supply of blowdown that takes a long time to clear. On the other hand, climate change has made it easier to do trail work in the milder winters than in the brutally hot summers.
Early this year the Board recognized Bill Coyle for the extra effort he puts into trail work. He had already been out working on the trail at least a dozen times in the first few months of the year. To date he has reported 181 hours of trail work! We thank him for all his time and effort and for helping make the TCT a great hiking experience.
OUTINGS LEADERS APPLAUDED
Our Outings Leaders are another enthusiastic group of volunteers we cannot overlook and who deserve a note of appreciation! Some of our leaders post an outing every month or at least every five to six weeks. We do not keep track of their hours but as of November 30, we have had seventy-one outings posted. This is on a par with last year, which is surprising considering that four of our hike leaders are currently on the “injured reserve” list. Fortunately, some of our leaders have stepped up on a temporary basis to fill in the gaps until the IR list leaders return. We have heard that the leaders sitting it out right now are chomping at the bit to get back on the trail. Once again, we are fortunate to have such eager volunteers
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP for 2025 now!
You may renew online or by mail. Be sure to update changes in your contact information: email, phone, or address.
To renew a membership by credit card or PayPal, go to the membership page of the Taconic Hiking Club website, or click here https://taconichikingclub.org/membership
To renew by mail, make out a check payable to the “Taconic Hiking Club” in the amount of $10. (per person). Send completed check to:
Taconic Hiking Club, c/o Sue Jordan - Membership Chair, 276 South Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!
Looking for a small, ongoing project to sharpen your editorial and creative skills as well as keep our members updated and the Club relevant? Volunteer to join our Publicity Committee (Martha and Karen) and help develop and publish the monthly newsletter. You do need a somewhat up to date computer or laptop for this and a somewhat current Word program.
We create newsletters on our website using Squarespace. The system is very user friendly and easy to learn. We will teach you how to create and publish the newsletter and you’ll have clear written directions to follow. Most of the pictures we use are submitted to the newsletter editor by our Outings leaders. Squarespace experience is NOT required. Who knows, you may be able to teach us some new shortcuts or options when using Squarespace!
Usually, putting the Newsletter together takes about 4 - 8 hours each month with the deadline for submissions due about 5-6 days before. You don’t need to be a techie or an English major to do the job. We’re a team who help each other out with editing and review. Check out a couple of the recent newsletters and see what you think. You CAN do this job and we need you!
Alternatively, if you prefer to use your creative writing skills to write some human-interest articles for the newsletter we would appreciate your input. At this point it can be monthly or just periodically. Think about it!
Please contact Martha at taconichikingclb@gmail.com (no u in club) if interested.
OUTINGS: Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings and how to register. We schedule on a monthly and short-term basis, so check the website periodically.
Wednesday, December 4: Huyck Preserve – Rensselaerville B-
Tuesday December 10, Thatcher Park Escarpment Ramble B-
Friday, December 13: Schodack Island State Park B-
Wednesday, December 18: Albert Family Community Forest B-
Friday, December 20: Hopkins Memorial Forest (HMF) Trails, Williamstown B
Saturday, December 21: Harvey Mountain C+
Shaker & Holy Mtn. lunch spot, pic by M Boucher
Shaker built “perfect” wall, still standing, pic by M Waldman
Prospect Mtn, pic by M Boucher.
Gear for cable railway, Prospect Mtn, pic by M Boucher
Plotterkill, Lower Falls, minus the water! pic by M Waldman
Greylock Range from Berlin summit, pic by D Pisaneschi