Southeast Breeze March/April /Llav
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Sprin€ lssue 2OOl Southeast Breeze March/April /llaV Leadership Training Day View from the Chair bv Dexter Robinson Saturday, April T,2001 Welcome to the first Soufheasl Breeze of lhe new millennium, which officially began in 2001. lt's been a busy winter season with many activities. About 30 peo- SE[//A[/C will conduct an all-day free leader- ple came out to the Winter Festival in early January, where we had snow for the first ship training workshop on April 7 at Borderland time in many years. Those who came enjoyed presentations oy Walt Wells. Ei'ika State Park for members who wish to lead. or co Bloom, and Charlie Farreli on winter hiking. EMS s Fred Abrams presented an in- lead, activities for the chapter. There are no troduction to snowshoerng. and later. John Pereira gave a photo workshop while prerequisites except the desire to learnl some enjoyed a hike and the opportunity io tr,v out snowshoes, Ourwinter program Register with Bob Vogel, 238-7732 (6-9 pm) was a sLccess as vre offe'eo no'e hi(es arc overr^ights this year thar eve. befo'e or e-mail: [email protected] and rnc uded a more advanced winter series for the first time. In the iast reported prohibi- The workshop will help current and prospec- issue. on the Executive Board s endorsementof a tion of personal watercraft (PWC) in tive leaders garn rhe knowledge ti'ey need to the Cape Cod National Seashore, For simjlar reasons, Board voted its plan, organize and lead safe and enjoyable the at November meeting t0 oppose the re-introduction of off-roaC vehicles (ORVs) into Myles Standish State Forest. i AMC trios. and helo them build confidence and At the Board's urging. wrote letters to the Dept, Environmental Management (DEM) en:husiasm about leading chaprer act vrries of and to the editors of newspapers position. Among the workshop topics wlll be: trip plan- 12local stating our DEM is studying the feasibility of allowing ORVs'back into the forest after prohibiting them for years. ning, leadersh p styles, leade/s liability. Instruc- some 4 A public hearing was held December 13th to re- tion wili be byAMC staff andlor leaders. FREE comment on a draft trail and source management plan prepared for DEM LUNCH will be provided by the Chapterl by a consulting firm. This meeting - punctuated by loud, intimidating outbursts from the trail riding community was an This training is an excellent introduction for - opportunity for all concerned about the future all potential leaders hiking, biking, paddling of Myles Standish to express them- - selves. On behalf of the Board I read or skiing who wish to lead SEM/AMC trips. a statement stating our opposition to ORV - use in the forest. (Copies of that statement and our letters are posted on the SEM Change Proposed to By-Laws Website.) One only need hike a short distance in Myles Standish to observe the ongoing damage to trails and the environment caused by these vehicles. My wife and I along with SEM member Dick Carnes had a first -hand look at more Your Executive Board is proposing a change to the recent ORV damage to the wild western section of Nowell Park in Cl"apter By-Laws that would create a new Cape Ames State Hiking Committee'' and also authorize an additional Abington, where ORV riding is prohibited. 0urquiet hike there was interrupted by seat on the Board to represent this committee. two loud 3-wheel ORVs that came crashing through the woods on the hiking trail. Thrs proposal seeks to formalize the existing Cape One got stuck in a wet swamp-like area and proceeded to churn mud and water in Hikes group thai a ready provides an act ve program all directions. Park officials there have been unable to enforce the ORV ban and ofday h kes and local walks on Cape Cod for many of have received no help from DEM. lf you are concerned aboutthis and the vani$- our members. The Board recognizes these activitres ing quiet places in eastern Massachusetts, I suggest you write or call DEM, which are quite different from those planned and led by the appears not to be living up to its mission of "exercising care and oversight for the ex sting Hiking Commrttee. By seeklng formalization natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Commonwealth and to provide quality ofthe Cape Hrkes group, the Board wishes to assure public recreational opportunities which are environmentally that this committee and the members who enjoy its sound." Our chapler activitres are provided the same access to committee website now contains some photos of ORV damage at our state forests and parks, 'unding and Cl^apter-sponsored programs as any o' In mid-November the AMC Facilities Committee voted to close the Wonalancet the other standing committees within SEM/AMC. Cabin immediately based on life-safety concerns over the settling of the roof and Members attending the Spring Fling on May 5i will heavy winter snow loads. There was much reaction by club membersto the abrupt be asked to vote the proposed on amendment during closing and its timing. Wonalancet Cabin is on the edge of the WMNF, near a short busrness meeting to be held at the event. Cottt,,ttlQd On page 7 ... 2 The Southeast Breeze is published quafierly by the Soufheaslern Massachusefls Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Chapter Chair: Dexter Robinson (781) 294-8840; Vice Chair: Anne Chace 824-8871; Treas- urer: Donna Desrochers 673-7833; Secretary: Linda Wells 379-1963: Education Chair: Bob Vogel 238-7132 Membership Chair: Jennifer Slmmons 761-7888. Newsletter Editor: Wayne Taylor 252-6gg5 or e-mail : [email protected]. Website address; http:// www.amcsem.org All area codes are 508 unless noted Editor's Notebook Newsy Bits Tell us about your last great outdoors adventure . You r com- UPDATES ments and suggestions about this newsletter are always welcome, as Bascom Lodqe , . After 18 years of managing this facility are your contributions of articles, poetry. photography or anything else on the summit of Mt. Greylock, AMC has decided to fold its related t0 your membership in AMC, lf you're submitting something, tent. The decision to stop managing Bascom Lodge is due please be respectful of our deadline, which is tte22nd of the month, mostly to environmental issues relating to failing water and lwo months prior to the publication date (e,9. April22for the June/ waste disposal systems at the summit. Mass, DEM is re- July/August issue). The newsletter publish will submissions on a sponsible for maintaining these systems and has asked the space-available basis. Call us at252-6995 ordrop us an e-mail at Club to commit to full or substantial funding of the estimated wjtaylor@mediaone,net you've got if something you'd Iike to submit, $1 million cost of new systems. AMC is unwilling to make Not getting your you're copy of the Breeze? lf not receiving the that kind of financial investment; however, the Club will con- newsletter, please call Membership Chairperson Jennifer Simmons tinue to provide trails stewardship on Mt. Greylock. (761-7888) or drop her an e-mail [email protected]) to be Grevlock Glen ... Mass. Inspector General has put a halt to sure you're on the list, this controversial development project until his office has investigated the many concerns raised by AMC and others. Mark Your Calendars .,. Wilderness First Aid training: SEM/A[/C will once again sponsor a VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Wilderness FirstAid (WFA) training course this fall at Camp Lyndon in Volunteers needed for 2002 Club-wide meetinq ... Our Sandwich, MA. lt won't be till September, but if you're interested in Chapter will be hosting a weekend meeting next Spring for furthering your first aid skills, save the weekend of Sept, 15-16. Reg- everyone in AMC - from the Delaware Valley to l\,laine - istration details will follow in the next issue of the Breeze. This excd- and we might just need a little help to make sure everything lent course is taught by the SOLO organization of Conway, NH. SEM goes off smoothly, Hosting this malor event alternates Chapter leaders should note that there will be parlial scholarships among all the local chapters, and every six years we have available to help defray the cost of the course. the honor of showing our fellow Club members from other Chapter Hut Niqht: This rite of Fall is planned forthe weekend of parts of the Northeast what we do for fun and recreation October 6-7 at Carter Notch Hut, Foliage is often at its pgak on this here in Southeastern Massachusetts. weekend, More details will follow in subsequent issues of the Breeze, The event will likely be held sometime in late April 2002 and wlll involve activities on Friday night, Saturday and half a day on Sunday. We're looking for SEM/AMCers willing to 'rMembership in a bottlett volunteer on the days of the event and also, if you've got the time and creative energy, to participate in the planning proc- A great gift for your f avorite outdoors enfhuslasf. ess. For instance, we're looking for ideas on how to enter- Single Membership 940.00 tain our guests after dinner on Saturday night. Family Membership 965.00 Anyone interested in helping us out can call SEM/AMC Chapter Chair Dexter Robinson a1781-2g4-8840. 7-9 om, or Nalgene Bottle with $10 Gift Cerlificate email him at: dexsue@massed,net. good for AMC lodging, workshops and books.