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President's Letter
At the same time, we are experiencing some really positive opportunities for the club. The Federal stimulus program has provided us with a chance to be on the receiving end of $14,000 in matching grant money for trails work. Our friends at the Forest Service were eager to share this information with us and pleased to give us the opportunity. We have two years to make use of the funds. Three agencies in the town of Randolph are participating in active fundraising for the Mt. Crescent Trailhead project: The Randolph Foundation, the Town of Randolph and the Randolph Mountain Club. A committee representing these groups has been meeting throughout the spring planning to acquire the 10 acres offered by Becky Boothman and Wayne Parker for a new trailhead at the end of Randolph Hill Road. This acquisition must be completed by Dec. 31, 2009, so you will be hearing more about this project as the year progresses. Mark your calendars for July 11. We will be kicking off the Trailhead Fundraiser with a very special event: a benefit concert by Historical Musician Bob Kilham. He recreates the sights and sounds of mid-19th century America. Bob is a selftaught musician who focuses on period instruments including banjo, fiddle, guitar, accordion and flute. He uses original sheet music and period clothing. We are very lucky he has offered his services to us for this special evening. Location and time will be announced in the Weekly. In other news, the RMC may soon be taking over management of a section of the Appalachian Trail. The Gulfside Trail from Thunderstorm Junction to Edmonds Col is right in the middle of RMC territory. The exact limits are yet to be negotiated with the Forest Service, but plans are afoot. Many of you who visit in the summer will have another option for overnight hiking and camping. Especially if you have children, the yurt on the Dernbach parcel of the Town Forest is close by, yet off in the woods. The yurt is available for overnights, but there are only primitive facilities so far. The Club is looking for donations of items for the yurt, which include bed frames or cots, Coleman stoves and lanterns. There is no toilet at this time. If you would like to make a donation or use the yurt, contact Bill Arnold. Meanwhile, summer approaches. You will be making your plans for visiting Randolph and we hope you include the Club in your activities, be it the Fourth of July tea or the regular Tuesday/Thursday hikes, the Annual Meeting on August 8, or the Picnic on August 15. I hope to see you all this summer!
Back to Table of Contents - RMC Newsletter, Summer 2009
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2009
is proving to be a year of extremes for the Randolph Mountain
Club. Trying to get our heads wrapped around the idea of reduced
revenues has been a major challenge for the Board. The budgeting
process has been difficult, as we recognize the downturn in the
economy affects us in all aspects of what we do. We are trying
to be practical, yet at the same time achieve our mission of
providing maintenance on the trails and great camping experiences.
We know we have a responsibility to the membership to spend wisely.
We hope all you members recognize that and really dig deep in
making your financial contributions to the Club.