Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307

Monthly Club Meeting
Friday, December 11, 2009

Cherokee Hiking Club Minutes, December 11, 2009, Antonio’s Restaurant at Cleveland 

The Cherokee Hiking club met on December 11, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Antonio’s in Cleveland for the monthly meeting and annual Christmas party.  There were thirty members and two guests present.  Prior to the meal, President Randy Morris called a brief business meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.  Minutes of the previous meeting and Treasurer’s report were omitted.   

Old business:    Randy discussed the planning of monthly meeting sites to be done at the hike planning meeting in addition to planning hikes, then voting on the meeting sites at the January 14^th monthly meeting.  Also membership dues may be paid now, at the hike planning meeting, or mailed to Ann Gray, Treasurer, at the club’s address.   

New business:  There was discussion on paying the 15% gratuity for the December meal from club funds.  Marc Bernatti made a motion to pay from club funds and Gail Gray seconded the motion.  There was discussion on how long the club has been in existence.  Edmond Gray contributed that the club was functioning as far back as 1976 or 1977.   

Hikes completed:   Since last meeting, the following hikes have been completed:  Clear Creek Clemmer Combo, Linda Davis Memorial River Walk, and the Unicoi Turnpike.  The Tremont Loop to Metcalf Bottoms was cancelled related to cold temperatures and snow.  Since Marc Bernatti and Rick Harris were the only two hikers on the Unicoi Turnpike trail,  they turned the effort into a work trip and cleared ten trees off the trail, so it is now good for hiking. 

Upcoming hikes:   No upcoming hikes are scheduled until the Hike Planning meeting (editor’s note: please see upcoming January hikes above & on the website). 

Installation of Officers:  Debbie Flower used her creative ingenuity to install the new officers for the year 2010 as follows:  President---Randy Morris, Vice President---Bill Kamm, Secretary---Jane Bohannon, Treasurer---Ann Gray, Newsletter Editor---Rebecca Levings,  Web-Master---Rick Harris, Publicist---Deborah Flower

The installation ceremony was titled “The Best Deal.”  Debbie used playing cards to demonstrate the importance of club members working together and also to show that everyone is important in completing tasks.  The installation ceremony was followed by the exchange of Christmas gifts.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. 

Next meetings: 

Hike Planning meeting - Sunday afternoon, January 10 at 2:00 pm at the Family Resource Agency building at 3680 Michigan Avenue Road---just South of Antonio’s  Restaurant  in Cleveland.  Hike leaders may submit hikes which they will lead even though they may not be able to attend the meeting, but must submit 2-3 possible dates for their hikes if they don’t attend. 

Monthly meeting -Thursday January 14 at 6:30 pm at Michael’s Restaurant 862 Hwy. 411 in Etowah.  Directions: 

From Cleveland:  Hwy 11 north into Athens.  Right onto Hwy 30 & follow Hwy 30 East until it dead ends into Hwy 411.  Left at the light, then .15 miles, then left in the Hiwassee Village mall, behind KFC.  From Benton:  Hwy 411 north all the way through downtown Etowah.  Pass junction of Hwy 30 and Hwy 411, then in .15 miles on the left is Michael’s across from Bi-Lo. 

Respectfully submitted,
            Jane Bohannon

Suggestions for the Annual Planning Meeting:

At the planning meeting, we will discuss locations where we want to hold our meetings for the colder months of 2010 (February through April and November and December).  Past locations and/or suggestions so far include the following:

Restaurants:

·         Michael’s in Etowah

·         Shoney’s in Athens

·         Antonio’s

·         Ryan’s

·         Golden Corral in Cleveland.

Other locations (cold weather):

·         Wesley United Methodist in Etowah

·         1^st Baptist in Benton

·         Baptist Student Union @ Cleveland State

·         Delano Fire Hall (if available)

·         Member houses—Be sure and let Randy know if you would like to host in your home by the January planning meeting

Outdoor Locations (warm weather):

·         Quinn Springs

·         Greenway in Cleveland

·         Sugarloaf Park

·         Fletcher Park

·         Member houses/yards.

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