Tales March 2015

69 BERRYMAN DRIVE AMHERST, NY 14226

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

FOOTHILLS TRAIL CLUB TALES MARCH 2015

Visit and us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FoothillsTrailClub Oﬃcers and Board Members Yahoo!

President, Donna Flood To become a member of the Yahoo trails news group, go to 5010 Salt Road, Clarence, NY 14031 www.yahoo.com and click on Groups (blu lettering) and 759-6442 type “foothillstrail club” into the search box. Enter in your dmﬂ[email protected] information when prompted. There is no cost to you and you can get and post the latest information available about Vice President, Frank Occhiuto 15 Logan Lane, Lancaster 14086 trail issues. 651-9877 [email protected]

Treasurer, Jim Beardsley 15 Mayfair Lane, Buﬀalo 14201 Disclaimers [email protected] As a courtesy to our members, we frequently provide Secretary, Myra Lucero information about events sponsored by other organizations. 662-1932 Unless published in the Foothills Trail Club schedule, these [email protected] events are not FTC outings. They are merely items of interest and anyone wanting more information should Archivist, Kirk Doyle 5205 Glendale Avenue, Hamburg 14074 contact the appropriate organization. 627-4199 [email protected]

Membership Chair, Roy Tocha 11 N. Eaglecrest Drive, Hamburg 14074 Remember to Respect Landowner Rights [email protected]

Program Chair, Tuesday Saunters, Frank Occhiuto Stay on the trail, don’t take shortcuts, don’t walk on crops, 15 Logan Lane, Lancaster 14086 don’t build ﬁres or camp on private land, and NEVER EVER 651-9877 enter landowner buildings. [email protected]

Program Chair, Wed Mini Hikes (May-June), Marie Schillo 288 Highgate Avenue, Buﬀalo 14215 832-1921 TALES is a bi-monthly newsletter devoted

Program Chair, Wed Mini Hikes (July-September) Gayle Syty to informing club members about club 70 Pheasant Run Road, Amherst 14228 business, activities and hikes, as well as 691-6750 about environmental issues related to trails Program Chair, Weekend Hikes, Kathy Foote and hiking, and other items of interest to 349 Wimbleton Court, West Seneca 14224 675-3989 hikers. [email protected]

Publicity Chair, Ellen Banks If you have an article of interest, please 144 Cottonwood Drive, Williamsville 14221 send it to the TALES editor. Please keep 435-5105 [email protected] your submissions to a reasonable length and write or type clearly. If an article cannot Trail Steward Coordinator, David Potzler PO Box 19, West Falls 14170 be included in an issue, every effort will be [email protected] made to put it in the next issue. Submitted

Trails Administrator, Mike Schlicht articles may be edited if necessary. Please 11 Hedge Court, Snyder 14226 remember to include your name and 316-4388 [email protected] contact information with your submitted material. TALES Editor, Carol Kobrin 6506 Amy Lane, Lockport 14094 912-0370 Deadline for the May issue is April 1. [email protected] TALES March 2015

POSITION OPEN ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The nominating committee is seeking candidates to ﬁll the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors. The secretary will take minutes at the Board meetings which occur six times per year, plus minutes at the Spring (banquet) and Fall (potluck) general membership meetings. If you are interested in serving the Foothills Trail Club as Secretary on the Board of Directors, please contact Shari at [email protected] as soon as possible. Election of secretary will occur at our annual spring banquet on April 17.

We oﬀer heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Myra Lucero who has served as Secretary for the past three years.

Membership News Hiking 101

All memberships in the club end on 3/31/2015 Geared toward the novice hiker, the FLTC has put unless you have paid for multiple years. Also, many together a sampler hike series called “Hiking 101.” of you have previously renewed via Paypal and have Folks who want to start hiking, see great views, and authorized automatic annual renewal. are able to walk 4-6 miles per hike are encouraged to sign up for this easy-to-moderate hike series. Currently we have 244 members. Of these, 202 Registration will be required and space is limited. memberships will lapse on 3/31/2015. The There will be a small registration fee as well. membership renewal form can be found in this TALES issue on page 7. Please take a few Donna Flood will be leading the hikes in the western moments to renew your membership as soon as end of New York State (similar hikes will be taking possible. place at the eastern end in Chenango County). The western hikes will take place on April 18, May 16, Please contact our membership chair, Roy Tocha, at June 27, and July 25. The group will hike in Allegany [email protected] should you have questions State Park, Little Rock City Park, Boyce Hill State regarding the status of your 2015-16 membership. Forest, and Darien State Park, but not necessarily in this particular order.

Our Facebook Page Participants will celebrate their accomplishments with a final picnic in Letchworth State Park on We hope by now you’ve all had a chance to visit September 19, in conjunction with the FLTC Cross and like our Facebook page at: County Hike Series final picnic. https://www.facebook.com/FoothillsTrailClub Further information may be found at http:// www.fltconference.org/trail/whats-happening/hike- Did you know that our hiking schedule can also be programs/sampler/ found there? Just click on the “Events” tab right below our cover photo and you’ll find all our upcoming hikes. Information regarding past hikes may also be viewed there.

Foothills Trail Club www.foothillstrailclub.org 2 TALES March 2015

FLTC 2015 Cross County FLTC Spring Weekend Hike Series May 29-31, 2015

The 2015 Cross County Hike Series will travel This year’s Spring Weekend is hosted by the FLT westward across Allegany County, with small Bullthistle Hiking Club. The location for the event is sections traversing Livingston and Wyoming the Elks Lodge in Norwich, NY (between Counties along the way. Beginning on April 18 at Binghamton and Utica). Registration deadline is the border of Steuben and Allegany Counties, the May 8, 2015. More information, including the 2015 series will cover 62.3 miles on the Finger registration form and lodging options, may be found Lakes Trail. Hikes will continue on May 16, June 20, at http://www.bullthistlehiking.org/p/spring- July 25, August 15, and September 19. A weekend-details.html celebratory picnic will be held at Letchworth State Park upon completion of the September 19th hike. Pre-registration for the hike series is required. More i n f o r m a t i o n m a y b e f o u n d a t http:// www.ﬂtconference.org/trail/whats-happening/hike- programs/cross-county-series/

Wegmans Passport to Family Wellness

Wegmans has long been involved in eﬀorts to improve the health and well-being of its employees, customers, friends and neighbors. Among their many accomplishments is the creation of a hiking passport, which is a booklet that includes maps and the ability to earn prizes for hikes completed. Individual Wegmans stores partner with town and city recreation programs in identifying hiking trails and creating a speciﬁc hiking passport. Wegmans stores local to us have partnered with the Town of Amherst Youth and Recreation Department, as well as the County of Erie/Olmsted Parks Conservancy, in developing two passport programs for trails in and around Western New York.

“Discover the Trails of Erie County and the Olmsted Parks” is a compilation of 12 parks plus a walking tour of downtown Buﬀalo. The various loops are relatively short, ranging from about one mile to two and half miles.

“Discovering the Trails of Amherst and Williamsville, NY” comprises 10 diﬀerent hikes, ranging in length from about one mile to ten miles. You will ﬁnd several of these hikes in the upcoming FTC March/April hike schedule, all of which are published in this TALES issue.

Passport booklets are available at any Wegmans customer service desk or you may print them online at http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&partNumber=UNIVERSAL_37261

Foothills Trail Club www.foothillstrailclub.org 3 TALES March 2015

Annual Dinner Meeting

Friday, April 17, 2015 Banchetti by Rizzo’s Banquet Facility 550 North French Road, Amherst 14228 (Between Niagara Falls Blvd. and Sweet Home Road)

Please join us for our Annual Dinner Meeting

The evening will provide a great opportunity to visit with members you've hiked with, meet new members and make new friends.

The Founding Members will again be invited to come this year, and hopefully some will be able to do so.

There will be a 50/50 raﬄe.

We are also seeking donations for door prizes. If you wish to donate a gift to be raﬄed oﬀ at the dinner, please feel free to do so. You may bring your donation the evening of the dinner or give to anyone on the Board in advance.

6:00 PM Social Hour and Cash Bar ︎7:00 PM Dinner ︎ Approx. 8:30 PM Annual Meeting and Elections

The menu is as follows: Chef Salad, Relish Tray, Fresh Vegetable Platter, Dinner Rolls and Butter, Chicken Picatta, Stuﬀed Roast Pork Loin, Penne Broccoli Alfredo (vegetarian), Roasted Baby Red Potatoes, Seasonal Hot Vegetable Medley, Coﬀee/Tea, Brownie Sundae.

The cost for the dinner is $21.00 per person. Reserve now - the deadline is Friday, April 3, 2015

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

Send this form with a check payable to Foothills Trail Club to:

Claudia Lawler, 105 Nadine Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14225

NAME______# ATTENDING:______

TELEPHONE #______

Contact Claudia Lawler at 393-3984 with any questions or requests.

Foothills Trail Club www.foothillstrailclub.org 4 TALES March 2015

Upcoming Events and Activities

April 17, 2015 FTC Annual Dinner and Banchetti by Rizzo Banquet details this TALES issue on page 4 General Membership Facility, Sweet Home Road, Meeting Amherst

May 2, 2015 FLTC Wally Wood Hike Rock Rift Fire Tower, FLT Map M28 Cannonsville Reservoir

May 18, 2015 Foothills Board Meeting, Reinstein Library, Losson all are welcome 6:30 pm Road, Cheektowaga

May 29-31, 2015 FLTC Spring Weekend Norwich, New York details this TALES issue on page 3

June 6, 2015 National Trails Day Stiglmeier Park details forthcoming

August 1, 2015 FLTC Ed Sidote Hike Northwest Chenango FLT Map M22 County

September FLTC Fall Campout Hope Lake Lodge (across details forthcoming 11-13, 2015 from Greek Peak Ski Resort), Cortland, NY

October 3, 2015 FTC Fall Potluck and Sprague Brook Park, details forthcoming General Membership Glenwood, NY Meeting

October 10, 2015 FLTC Erv Markert Hike Hoxie Gorge State Forest, FLT Map M20 Marathon, NY C Kobrin

Letchworth State Park

Foothills Trail Club www.foothillstrailclub.org 5 TALES March 2015

HELP WANTED

FLTC Cross County Hike Series: Publicity: Be Part of the Team!! - Our club membership depends upon signing up new • Looking for someone to chair the 2015 Sag members and making contacts with like-minded Wagon for the hike series, which is the 3rd people in the community. Please become a part of Saturday of every month, April-September. the publicity team that spreads the word that “if you This person will work with the coordinators of love the outdoors, joining the Foothills Trail Club is a the hike series. If you are interested in helping, wonderful opportunity to enhance your outdoor p l e a s e c o n t a c t M a r t y R u s z a j a t experience.” Contact Ellen Bank for brochures, [email protected] business cards and information at 435-5105 or [email protected] • Hike leaders and sweeps are also needed. If you are interested in being a hike leader or • The publicity committee wants to make brief sweep, please call or email Mike Schlicht at presentations at service club meetings; please 716-316-4388, [email protected] get the word out to any club to which you belong. Trail Steward Opportunities Available: • The publicity committee wants to participate in Wellness Days at colleges, universities, health • CT9 Lover’s Lane to Crittenden Road — 5.5 insurers, or any other organizations. Please miles make us and them aware of our interest to • CT8 Warner Road to Broadway (Access 2 to participate. Access 3) - 3.1 miles • If you are aware of locations where we might • CT7 Folsomdale/Sinn Roads to Getman Road place brochures or placecards to make the (Access 7 to Access 9) - 4.3 miles public and interested individuals aware of • CT4 Fancy Tract Road/Route 240 (Access 1) to Foothills Trail Club, let Ellen Banks know at the Junction of CT and FLT - about 1 mile [email protected] or call her at 435-5105. • M1/CT1 ASP 3 to ASP 1 Allegany State Park (Access 4 to Access 5) — 5.2 miles

If you are interested in more information about any of these Trail Steward openings, please contact Dave Potzler [email protected] (949-3295), Gus Phillips [email protected] (646-5034), or Frank Occhiuto [email protected] (651-9877).

Membership: Please recruit new members!! A club eventually fails if there is not a steady inﬂux of new membership. If you have not renewed your

membership, please do so as soon as possible. Size C Kobrin C matters!! The bigger the membership, the easier it Bond Lake becomes to manage the club and maintain the trail.

Foothills Trail Club www.foothillstrailclub.org 6 TALES March 2015

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

Membership in the Foothills Trail Club is from April 1st to March 31st the following year. If you have not already renewed your membership, please do so now! Membership dues is $22 per individual or $30 per family per year. $5 of each member’s dues will be set aside to be used for trail maintenance and trail construction costs. Dues can be paid in advance for subsequent years. Your yearly membership entitles you to a copy of the bi-monthly TALES/hiking schedule and the accumulation of miles hiked and/or work party hours for award of bunion badges.

Please complete and submit the form below. You may also renew (or join) online by going to www.foothillstrailclub.org and then clicking on Membership.

PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY

NAME(S)______

ADDRESS ______

______

PHONE______EMAIL ______

Notes: 1. TALES will be delivered electronically unless you check “no” No _____ 2. The annual membership list will show your email address unless you check “no” No _____

Please check:

___ $22.00 Individual Membership per year for ___ year(s) $______

___ $30.00 Family Membership per year for ____ year(s) $______

___ Donations gratefully accepted for upkeep of the Conservation Trail. $______

Total Enclosed $______

Make checks payable to: Foothills Trail Club

Send this form and your check to the Membership Chair: Roy Tocha 11 N Eaglecrest Dr Hamburg, NY 14075

Foothills Trail Club www.foothillstrailclub.org 7 FOOTHILLS TRAIL CLUB Hike Rating HIKING SCHEDULE 1 - Leisurely pace or Nature walk A - Flat or very gently rolling terrain Mar/Apr 2015 2 - Moderate pace B - Moderate hilly terrain 3 - Brisk, steady pace C - Steep hills, scrambles possible 4 - Fast pace Hiker’s Corner ➢ INSURANCE NOTE: Attention members: Foothills Trail Club carries liability insurance to ﬁnancially protect all of us in case a participant in a Foothills activity is injured. As a condition of our insurance coverage, every participant in an activity needs to sign the liability waiver before the activity begins. So please make sure you sign the form!

➢ Hike Leaders and Hikers: Before you commit to lead a club hike or plan a personal hike, check the trail conditions to ensure that the trail is open. This information can be found on the FLT website: www.ﬁngerlakestrail.org. Click on “TRAIL CONDITIONS” and select the map # for your intended hike. Map numbers that appear in ORANGE have trails closures for hunting. Trail conditions are outlined for all the other maps #’s.

➢ HIKER RESPONSIBILITY: We remind you that you, and only you, are responsible for your own actions. Come to our events prepared. Do not participate if the event may present a hazard for which you or your party members are not prepared. If weather is questionable or if you have questions, please call the named hike coordinator; the hike may be canceled. When participating, please respect the coordinator and do not break away from the group without telling them. We suggest you always keep your eye on someone in front of you, and behind you if you are in the lead. Please remember that hike leaders are not guides; they are volunteers, willing to share their knowledge and experience with you. Please give them your cooperation and respect. The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not prepared for the outing. In addition, if the hike leader does arrange carpooling, passengers are expected to contribute toward the cost of transportation. Finally, since there are RISKS INVOLVED in hiking everyone participating does so at his or her own risk.

➢ REMEMBER TO RESPECT LANDOWNER RIGHTS: Stay on the trail, don’t take shortcuts, don’t walk on crops, don’t build ﬁres or camp on private land and NEVER, EVER enter landowner buildings.

➢ There are hikes scheduled for many days in March and April. Be sure to thank those members who have volunteered to lead these activities.

Bring lunch on all day hikes The weather may force cancellations. If in doubt, check with coordinator. Always check trail conditions before you hike at: www.ﬁngerlakestrail.org A good hiker leaves NO TRACES For further details visit www.foothillstrailclub.org FOOTHILLS TRAIL CLUB Hike Rating HIKING SCHEDULE 1 - Leisurely pace or Nature walk A - Flat or very gently rolling terrain Mar/Apr 2015 2 - Moderate pace B - Moderate hilly terrain 3 - Brisk, steady pace C - Steep hills, scrambles possible 4 - Fast pace

Sunday, Mar 1 10:30am 4 mi 2B Knox Farm State Park – Hike or Snowshoe MEET: at the parking lot oﬀ Route 16 (Seneca Street) near Bowen Road. Call BARB MACH 585-457-9892 or JEANNE MOOG 652-6190 (445-3179 day of hike)

Wednesday, Mar 4 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Mar 5 10am 2 mi 2A Amherst State Park – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: at 410 Mill Street, Williamsville, NY. Hike or cross country ski, weather dependent. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Saturday, Mar 7 10:30am 3-4 mi 2B Sprague Brook Park (rain will cancel outing) MEET: in cross country ski area parking lot, second entrance to park on 9674 Foote Road, Glenwood, oﬀ Route 240, past Kissing Bridge. We will snowshoe unless there is not enough snow. Then we will hike. There is a nice warming hut with tables and benches to eat your bagged lunch afterwards. Call JANE McKALE 655-0699

Sunday, Mar 8 12:30pm 4-5 mi 2A City Walk through South Buﬀalo MEET: at St. John Evangelist Church parking lot at Seneca Street and Warren Spahn Way. With St. Patrick’s Day just a little over a week away, we will walk along the Irish Heritage District to the Tara Gift Shoppe where you can ﬁnd all things Irish. We’ll make our way to Indian Church Road and the Tim Russert Park and then back to our cars. Call KATHY FOOTE 675-3989

Wednesday, Mar 11 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Mar 12 10am 2 mi 2A Sargeant Billy Wilson Park – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: at 1290 Hopkins Road, Getzville, NY (formerly Margaret Louise Park). Hike or cross country ski, weather dependent. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Saturday, Mar 14 9:30am 5-6 mi 2B Sprague Brook Park MEET: at the casino. We will hike the perimeter of the park. Call DAVID WITTMANN 823-8156

Sunday, Mar 15 10am 7-8 mi 2B Letchworth State Park – Hike or Snowshoe MEET: at Trailside Lodge. Take Castile entrance. Just past Administration Building, look for sign (near tubing hill). We will hike to the railroad tracks and back through the woods, trail and river gorge. Lunch in Lodge after hike. Brock will provide coﬀee, tea and hot chocolate. Please bring a dessert to pass. Call BROCK CARMICHAEL 585-322-3830

Wednesday, Mar 18 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Mar 19 10am 4 mi 2A Walton Woods – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: in parking lot at end of Gordon R. Yaeger Road (access road for the Amherst police, court, library and senior center) oﬀ of John J. Audubon Parkway. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Saturday, Mar 21 10:30am 4 mi 2B Beaver Meadow Audubon Center MEET: in the parking lot at the road at 1610 Welch Road, North Java. It’s Beaver Meadow’s Maple Harvest Festival. Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes. Call BARB MACH 1-585-457-9892

Sunday, Mar 22 1:30pm 3-4 mi 2A Reinstein Woods – Hike or Snowshoe MEET: in parking lot on Honorine Drive, oﬀ of Como Park Boulevard. Call GUS PHILLIPS 646-5034

Wednesday, Mar 25 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Mar 26 10am 2 mi 2A Buﬀalo Niagara Heritage Village & Museum – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road and New Road, North Amherst. Admission fee TBA. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Saturday, Mar 28 9:30am approx 9.3 mi 3B Route 353 to Sawmill Run Road We’ll be meeting at the parking lot on Woodworth Hollow road (directly across from Stone Chimney Road). If the parking lot is not accessible due to snow, look for a Maroon Saturn Ion as we’ll park on Stone Chimney Road where parking is possible which may mean parking at the roundabout at the end of the road. We’ll carpool to Sawmill Run Road and begin our hike. This hike is strenuous and may be more so if snowshoes are necessary. Please look at the weather forecast to bring clothing appropriate for the conditions and several liters of water and food that will keep you energized. This hike is being scheduled for several folks who want to train for a longer hike series this summer. Call MIKE SCHLICHT 716-316-4388 or [email protected]

Sunday, Mar 29 10:30am 6 mi 2A Outer Harbor MEET: U.S. Coast Guard, north end of Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buﬀalo, NY. Park on Fuhrmann Boulevard. Hike will include the lighthouse, Times Beach, Wilkeson Pointe and a walk along the water. Call DEE McCARTHY 866-1233

Monday, Mar 30 6:30pm Foothills Trail Club Board Meeting The meeting is held at the Julia Reinstein Library on Losson Road (between Borden and Union Roads). Please consider joining us. We always enjoy having members in attendance. If you do attend, please don’t hesitate to ask questions and “speak up” about the topics being discussed. We are very interested in your input. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Wednesday, Apr 1 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Apr 2 10am 2-3 mi 2A Ellicott Creek Trailway Loop – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: in North Forest Road parking lot. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Saturday, Apr 4 10am approx. 7.3 mi 3A Gooseneck Road to Middle Road MEET: at the entrance to the Erie County Forest/Conservation Trail on Middle Road. We’ll carpool to Gooseneck Road and begin our trek there. While this hike will be mostly road walk, we will have great views of the surrounding hills covered in snow or maybe covered in buds of the forthcoming spring bloom. Please call should the weather forecast be questionable. Call MIKE SCHLICHT 716-316-4388 or [email protected]

Also

Saturday, Apr 4 10am 3 mi 1A Sargeant Billy Wilson Park on Hopkins Road MEET: at Dash’s plaza parking lot, Hopkins Road side near Klein Road. Call GAYLE SYTY 691-8750

Sunday, Apr 5 - Easter

Tuesday, Apr 7 10am 4 mi 2A Lancaster Heritage Trail Saunter MEET: at the end of Walter Winter Drive parking lot. Take Central Avenue to Erie Street (by Avox Inc.) to Walter Winter Drive. Call ED or BARB OLEKSY 716-681-7192

Wednesday, Apr 8 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Saturday, Apr 11 10am 5 mi 2A Erie Canal Path MEET: on Route 63 at Erie Canal (Ryan Street) in Medina, NY. Flat, gravel/cinder path. Side trip visit, after hike, to Miller’s Amish Bulk Food Store. Call JAKE KERN 716-735-7302 or [email protected]

Sunday, Apr 12 1:30pm 4 mi 2B Akron Falls County Park MEET: at Cummings Lodge. Call JOE CHAYA 439-0062

Tuesday, Apr 14 10am 4 mi 2B Como Lake Saunter MEET: at ﬁrst shelter, on the right, oﬀ the Bowen Road entrance. Call ED or BARB OLEKSY 716-681-7192

Wednesday, Apr 15 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Apr 16 10am 2.4 mi 2A Lehigh Memory Trail and Glen Park – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: Lehigh parking on South Long Street, Williamsville (1.4 mi), and Glen Park, parking between Cayuga and Mill Street, Williamsville (less than one mile). Bring your camera for wonderful pictures of the waterfall. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Saturday, Apr 18 9am 4-6 mi 2B Tiﬀt Nature Preserve MEET: in parking lot. We may walk down to Times Beach weather permitting. Bring water and a camera. Call TARA WELTY 852-3090

Sunday, Apr 19 1:30pm 4 mi 2A Sloan Rails to Trails MEET: in parking lot (east side of Union Rd) directly across from the Erie County Water Authority building on 3030 Union Road in Cheektowaga, NY. Enter at Gateway Materials, 3035 Union road, and look for trail sign. The parking lot only holds a few cars. So you may have to park alongside the entrance road. Call KATHY FOOTE 675-3989

Tuesday, Apr 21 10am 3-4 mi 2B Creation Walk Nature Trail Saunter MEET: at parking lot located on Two Rod Road, about two tenths of a mile North of the traﬃc signal on Bullis Road, Marilla, NY. The end of the Creation walk will be followed by a walking tour of downtown Marilla, highlighting its charisma and old charm. Call ED or BARB OLEKSY 716-681-7192

Wednesday, Apr 22 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Apr 23 10am 5 mi 2A Amherst Canalway Trail – part of Wegmans Williamsville Passport to family wellness MEET: parking at Buﬀalo Niagara Heritage Village on New and Tonawanda Creek Roads. Follow Tonawanda Creek on meandering paved path. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442

Friday, Apr 24 6:30pm 6 mi 2A Evening Riverwalk MEET: near the Riverwalk across from Mississippi Mudds on River Road, Tonawanda. Call CONNIE UMLAND 833-3851

Saturday, Apr 25 10am 4 mi 2B Williamsville Escarpment to Glen Park MEET: in Wegman’s parking lot, Sheridan Drive and Essjay Road, ﬁrst entrance. Call GAYLE SYTY 691-8750

Sunday, Apr 26 1:30pm 3 mi 2B Akron Falls County Park MEET: at Cummings Lodge. Call JOE CHAYA 439-0062

Tuesday, Apr 28 10am 3-4 mi 2B Chestnut Ridge Park Saunter MEET: in parking lot by the casino. Call FRANK OCCHIUTO 651-9877

Wednesday, Apr 29 10am 4-7+ mi 2A Houghton Park / Buﬀalo River MEET: in parking lot of Houghton Academy on Clinton Street, Buﬀalo. Distance will depend upon hikers. Call QUINN WRIGHT 826-1939 no later than the day before to let him know you are coming. No calls mean no hike at the published time.

Thursday, Apr 30 10am 3 mi 2A Reinstein Woods – part of Wegmans Passport to family wellness MEET: at 93 Honorine Drive oﬀ Como Park Boulevard. Beautiful woods and ﬂowers in bloom. Passports available at any Wegmans customer service desk. Call DONNA FLOOD 759-6442