The Langlade Erratic

A newsletter on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Langlade County, Wisconsin February, 2015 Published by the Langlade County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance

"40 YEARS AND COUNTING . . ." HI...COME JOIN YOUR TRAIL BUDDIES AT A MEETING OF THE LANGLADE COUNTY ICE AGE TRAIL CHAPTER. MONDAY, MARCH 9, 7 PM WOLF RIVER ROOM, LANGLADE COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER. 837 CLERMONT STREET, ANTIGO SEE YOU THERE AND BRING A FRIEND OR TWO OR . . . !

Future Steps Stewardship Steps After the county's first trail segment, Parrish The future of the Ice Age National Scenic Hills, was established in October, 1974, Trail is severely threatened. The proposed someone at a chapter meeting asked the state budget would freeze funding for land question, "What do we do now?" Thus the acquisition/easement projects under the chapter hike which continues today evolved. state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, As of last October’s hike, there have been which has been critical in protecting land for 160 outings since the first hike in May, 1975. the trail. Since 1991 the alliance has used the The outings offer a memory mass of events, Stewardship Program 55 times to protect places and persons for reflection over the more than 3,300 acres for the Ice Age Trail. years. Make one or more of the following Each one of these Stewardship purchases outings this year. Hope to see you on the was leveraged with private, county or other trail or at the March 9th chapter meeting. funds. Also, the DNR has acquired Ice Age Trail rights on more than 100 properties using Saturday, April 25, 2015 – 9 AM Stewardship funds. Spring hike-Bring a lunch. Meet in front of The alliance’s mission “is to create, support the Forestry Office on the Langlade and protect a thousand-mile footpath County Fairgrounds, Antigo. tracing Ice Age formations across Wisconsin.” The adoption of the proposed state budget Saturday, September 12, 2015 - 9 AM will adversely impact the attainment of that mission. Please check the alliance website Late summer hike-Bring a lunch. Meet in http://www.iceagetrail.org/threats-ice-age- front of the Forestry Office on the trail/ or call the coordinator for more details Langlade County Fairgrounds, Antigo. and then contact our legislators to express

your concerns. The Stewardship program Saturday, October 3, 2015 - 9 AM contributed to the 650 miles of trail now open National Trail Day hike-Bring a lunch. Meet for use. With approximately 500 miles of future in front of the Forestry Office on the trail left to protect, the Ice Age Trail needs a Langlade County Fairgrounds, Antigo. lot of helping hands at this critical moment. October Steps As a lad Eb enjoyed outdoor activities but The morning of October 4th Dave Tlusty sent in1998 developed a passion for long-distance an e-mail with an attached photo of his hiking by twice trekking an extended version mother’s snow covered deck and inquired of of the Appalachian Trail both ways from the its believability. Nimblewill then called to let Florida Keys into Canada. us know of his proximity for the evening He has now hiked the 11 National Scenic celebration with plans to make Antigo by Trails, including the Ice Age Trail in 2012 and 2 noon and inquired of our availability for treks on the Lewis and Clark National Historic lunch. The chapter hike was mentioned Trail in 2004 and 2006. In August he along with an invitation to join the hikers that completed a 2200 mile 118 day trek of the dreary morning. He respectfully declined the Oregon National Historic Trail from invitation but agreed to join Peg for lunch. Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, With the bleak early morning signs, seeing the Oregon. small huddle at the fairgrounds was a delight. Eb had copies of his book, Ten Million Steps, Thru-hiker Jo Swanson (Trail name Someday) about his first long distance hike for sale and joined the group at the Sherry Road trailhead eagerly autographed them for the buyers. along with the McKenna clan. Polly Blazek presented a special prize to Lee Although dreary, it was really a beautiful Auner for having the highest score on a setting for a colorful fall hike and the group program quiz identifying trail landmarks and took it in good stride and spirit. Dave led the events along the county's five trail segments. way to the berms and Lloyd Godell brought Twenty-two persons were awarded 40th up the rear as sweep. The berms served as a Anniversary Hiker patches for making 2 of 5 good spot for lunch and then the group chapter hikes or as thru-hikers in 2013 and headed back to Sherry Road. Jo continued 2014. Recipients of the hiker patch were Lee north to the ski hill, while the group met Auner, Terry Babonas, John Barker, Dean Gerald Anderson of Rhinelander hiking solo. Blazek, Lloyd Godell, Sam Hardin, Letitia Their spirited return proved that it was a good Koppa, Egan McKenna, Evie McKenna, day to be out and about. Patrick McKenna, Kip Macon of Crivitz, Andy Thanks to segment steward Lon Malzahn for a Merry, Gloria Rettinger, Tonya Trabant, Bob well mowed path and marked trail. Zoretich and thru-hikers Gerald Anderson, 40 Steps Dub Bludworth of Salt Lake City, Andrea That evening the chapter's long-awaited 40th Braatz of Appleton, Rita Fox of Janesville, Anniversary celebration was held at Cindy Hertzberg of Racine, Mary Stauffacher Swartzendruber's Supper Club. Letitia Koppa, of Janesville and Jo Swanson of Askov, MN. Langlade County Chapter Chair, served as Mike and Barb Wollmer, John Madden and program moderator, Rev. Gerald Anderson the Nimblewill Nomad were also honored offered a prayer of grace and Nancy Blood with patch presentations. read her poem on the trail. John Madden, The memorable occasion was due solely to Ice Age National Scenic Trail Superintendent efforts of the planning committee, Polly and Mike Wollmer, Ice Age Trail Alliance Blazek, Chair, Dede Cromer, Carol Gottard, Executive Director offered congratulatory Peg Jopek and Letitia Koppa. comments to the chapter. Joe Hermolin Congratulations to all patch recipients, praise produced power point presentations on to the committee for an exquisite event and chapter activities over the 40 years and a special thank you to the Nimblewill Nomad select hike photos of the featured speaker, E. in joining us for the celebration. J. (Eb) Eberhart alias the Nimblewill Nomad of 40 years of continued activity in supporting Russellville, Missouri. Eb provided an the Ice Age Trail here is quite an entertaining and informative presentation accomplishment. Thanks to all who about his years of hiking throughout the contributed over the years to the trail and its United States and parts of Canada. continued presence here and elsewhere.