Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307

Monthly Club Meeting
Thursday, May 16, 2009

The May meeting will be held at the home of Rick and Brenda Harris (outside of Tellico Plains just off the Skyway) on Saturday, May 16 at approximately 2 p.m. It will be held after a morning hike to Falls Branch Falls. Brenda has kindly agreed to grill burgers and hotdogs for us. She will have all the “fixins”, but members are asked to bring other “potluck” items such as appetizers/snacks, side dishes and desserts. 

You have a choice of coming after the hike or just for the meeting. Brenda is going to meet us at the Skyway before the hike to take food items for the meeting from hikers on to her house.

Minutes: The monthly meeting of the Cherokee Hiking Club was held on May 16, 2009 at 2:45 p.m following the Fall Branch Falls Hike.  We would like to thank Brenda and Rick Harris for hosting the meeting at their home at Tellico.  Fifteen members and three guests attended.  Following a delicious meal of grilled burgers and hot dogs along with potluck items, President Randy Morris called the business meeting to order at 3:50 p.m.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Secretary Jane Bohannon and were approved as read.  Treasurer Ann Gray reported the current balance.  Randy thanked Ann for her time spent on the application to the State of Tennessee for Tax exemption for the club.

Old business:  Rick Harris encouraged more participation with the BMT walk throughs which are to be done for National Trails Day which is June 6.   The report of your walk through must be received by Rick Harris or Eric Eades by July 1, although your observation of your section can be done any day prior to July 1.  It does not have to occur on June 6. Rick handed out forms to be completed which will be used to describe the condition of each section of trail.

Rick gave a report on the number of hits on the club website which showed an increase in each category.

Randy  read a “Thank You” note from Suzanne Bennett for the club’s participation in the CSCC “IT$s Good To Be Green Festival.”  Our exhibit consisted of Rick’s power point loop and Taylor Morris’s trifold all of which described the club’s activities.  There was also a display of small items used for hiking, camping, canoeing, and trail maintenance.  The club also received a card from Clayton Pannell’s church regarding our donation to their Food Pantry.

Rick and Brenda reported on the SEFTC conference which was held May 7-10.  Brenda attended a Wilderness First Aid Class and did some hiking. 

New business:  Rick discussed the possibility of having rack cards printed for promoting the club.  He liked the cards which the Hiwassee Club had printed.  Jane will check on the cost and sponsors for the cards. 

Rick showed a sample of the new Tennessee license plates which have Appalachian Trail logo on them.  The cost is $35.00.  You may check www.CherokeeHikingClub.org for more information on the license plates.

Hikes completed:  Ann Gray reported on Leon Bate’s wildflower hike.  Randy reported on Three Forks to Skennah Creek and the John Muir Cleanup.  Jane reported on the Piney River Trail.

Rick reported on maintenance which included work on the bridge across Citico Creek, the Indian Boundary loop trail, Brush Mountain Trail, and the Flats Mountain Trail.

Upcoming hikes:  Check your newsletter, webpage, and email regarding upcoming hikes.  

Next meeting:  The June/July meeting will be at Ann and Bill Gray’s home in Cleveland on Sunday June 28.  Directions to their home will appear in the June newsletter.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.   fully submitted,  Jane Bohannon, Secretary

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