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Reports from Committees... Archives and Directory Thanks to board member Ginny Folsom Umiker, we now have an official RMC archivist! The position of archivist will be a continuing board position. Ginny is in the process of sorting through the files and devising a system to organize and preserve RMC documents and memorabilia. Should you have items that you would like to donate or you would like to help out, please contact Ginny. This will be the first year in recent memory that the RMC will have a membership directory. There was strong interest expressed in the questionnaires returned by many members. The directory will be available only to members. Cost will be minimal to offset printing. If you would like a directory, they will be available via web, mail, or at events such as the July 4th Tea, the Annual Meeting, and the Annual Picnic. If you haven't yet returned your questionnaire, please do so, whether or not you wish to be listed in the directory. Camps and Trails We are fortunate to have Matt Labonville as one of our summer caretakers. A second caretaker has yet to be selected. The camps are in excellent condition. Our two trail crews begin in early June. The senior crew, consisting of Ned Green, of North Waterford, ME; Matt Moran, of New London, NH; Pete Sullivan, of Bethesda, MD; and Aaron Parcak, of Bangor, ME, will begin with several weeks of patrolling for blowdowns (of which there have been many on the north side of Route 2). They hope to complete erosion control work on the top of the Brookside and Owl's Head and to start the bottom half of Lowe's Path. The SCA (volunteer) crew, which includes Hillary Seeland, of Sitka, Alaska; Curtis Moore, of Newburyport, MA; and Jessica Lynn Storrer, of Hudson, WI, has quite a bit of ice storm-related brushing to do. They will begin a two-season project on the "waterfall trails" including Beechwood Way, Sylvan Way, Brookbank and the Fallsway in addition to a week in King Ravine. We are committed to improving many of the lower elevation trails that are favorites of many of our members who are interested in short walks. Additionally, there is some unplanned trail work in areas that have recently been harvested. Anne Tomasso will return as Field Supervisor in charge of camps and trails for the second year. Anne's capable leadership was critical to the success of last year's crews and caretakers. Web Site We hope that you will visit the RMC web site, randolphmountainclub.org. In addition to finding lots of information about the club, you can purchase our new "totally awesome" green polo shirts, make a bid for one of the trail signs we are auctioning off, and read the latest weather and trail conditions from Gray Knob. The web site has been quite active with more than 600 visits a month - around 7,500 in total since the site opened in February 1999, reports site master Jeff Smith. The site receives four to five e-mails a week. It has had visitors from many other countries such as Germany, New Zealand and South Africa. The "Weather Conditions at Gray Knob" page has been the most popular feature so far. The site has been a source of new RMC members. Mossy Glen Recently the club and the Randolph Foundation worked with the Conservation Commission and three landowning families to help preserve the area surrounding Mossy Glen through several easements. The area contains some lovely woods, a special section of Carlton Brook, and sections of three paths - the Bee Line, Diagonal, and Burnbrae. In keeping with the club's policy of focusing on preserving its network of paths, the RMC has the right to maintain these portions of trails in perpetuity. The club contributed to the funding of the easements through its Andrew Tucker Fund, which is designated for this purpose.
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