Ionia Horse Trails Association
To Preserve and Protect
2009 Monthly Newsletter and Meeting Minutes
Ionia Horse Trails Association
Board Meeting Minutes
June 27, 2009
The meeting was called to order by club president Rob Potter at 8:50 am in the Organizational Campground. Lea Burger, Gale Moore, Lori Coffin, Rob and Vicki Potter, Gaye and Marty Platte, Norma Kilpatrick, Debbra Brown, Nancy Simmonds, David Norwood, Don Oliver, Melva Parker, Kip Kidder, Brooke Briegel, Linda Kraai, Ed & Diana Carpenter, Dean & Mindy Haynes and Bob & Wendy Walker were in attendance.
The Secretary’s Report for May 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Gale Moore, seconded by Nancy Simmonds and passed unanimously.
The Treasurer’s Report through June 15th 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Vicki Potter, seconded by Wendy Walker and passed unanimously.
Memberships: We are up to 90 memberships.
Work Bees: A lot of trees down, hanging over trails. A work bee is planned for July 2nd @ 6:00 pm. Meet at the Day Staging Area and bring tools.
Old Business: None
New Business: The plan for water crossing & bridge was reviewed. Everybody seemed to like it. Vicki will email Joe (the planner) back on Monday morning to let him know we really like it.
Today’s Poker Run will include an option to buy up to 3 cards at $1 per card. Water stations will be set up between #7 & #8 and at #15. Poker hands will be established/locked in starting at 5 pm at the registration table.
Our riders brought in $1,849 for the cause with Vicki Potter being the high donation earner, Bob Walker 2nd, Lori Coffin 3rd, Lynne Popiel 4th, Nancy Simmonds 5th and Cheryl Thrush 6th. Prizes for high donation earners came from TSC of Ionia, The Wagon Wheel in Portland, Penny’s 5-Star Pizza in Lake Odessa, club member Mickey Dawson, and Lakeview Lanes in Lake Odessa.
Our 50/50 drawing netted $42 for the club’s park maintenance fund. The other $42 went to the winning ticket holder Lynda Dobrowolski. The poker run brought in another $77 for the club. 1st Bob Walker $38.50; 2nd Gale Moore $23.10; 3rd Gaye Platte $15.40. Congratulations to all!
Meeting was adjourned at 9:13 with a motion from Vicki Potter and seconded by Lea Burger.
Welcome to August! Hot enough for you? Last month I didn’t have any news, but this month is different!
In June, on the 13th to be precise, the city of Portland had a Rodeo Parade. Bob Walker, Lori Gardner and 5-year-old Andon Harrington rode in this parade. Andon had a little help from his grandma Wendy Walker who, on a recently operated upon foot, walked the entire length of the parade leading Andon’s mount. They not only participated in the parade, they took the Best Parade Entry! Way to go Walker Clan!!!!! Congratulations to our Members Vern & Dot Pifer for being the Grand Marshals of the Rodeo Parade also.
On June 27th Ionia Horse Trails Association held it’s second annual Saddle Up for St. Jude’s Trail Ride. Our riders brought in $1,849 for the cause with Vicki Potter being the high donation earner, Bob Walker second, Lori Coffin third, Lynne Popiel fourth, Nancy Simmonds fifth and Cheryl Thrush sixth. Way to go folks!
Prizes for high donation earners came from TSC of Ionia, The Wagon Wheel in Portland, Penny’s 5-Star Pizza in Lake Odessa, club member Mickey Dawson, and Lakeview Lanes in Lake Odessa.
Our 50/50 drawing netted $42 for the club’s park maintenance fund. The other $42 went to the winning ticket holder Lynda Dobrowolski. Congratulations Lynda! The poker run associated with the ride-a-thon brought in another $77 for the club. First prize went to Bob Walker who took home $38.50. Second prize went to Gale Moore who took home $23.10, and third prize went to Gaye Platte who got $15.40 for her hand. Congratulations to all!
Dinner Saturday evening was a potluck with the main course provided by T and Helen. They brought their chuck wagon out again this year. It adds a touch of old west flavor and T cooks with Dutch ovens and over the fire. His “beans” are the best! They contain so much stuff, ground beef, bacon, peppers, onion, I’m not sure what all was in there, but they sure were good!
After dinner an impromptu beanbag version of horseshoes started up along with a game of cards. These continued on until dark when the campfire took over. Everyone had a great time.
Our August campout is scheduled for August 21st through the 23rd. Camp hosts will be Gale Moore and Lori Coffin. A horseshoe tournament is scheduled, along with Saturday evenings potluck dinner where the club will provide the meat dish. Everyone is welcome!
Ionia Horse Trails Association
Board Meeting Minutes
April 25, 2009
The meeting was called to order by club president Rob Potter at 6:30 pm after the potluck supper under the club canopy. Tara and Ray Sowa, Bob and Jean Keilholtz, Lea and Barbie Burger, Gale Moore, Lori Coffin, Rob, Ceaira and Vicki Potter, Amy Estes, Bob and Wendy Walker, Shari Burgess, Melva Parker, Nancy Simmonds, Vern and Dot Pifer, and Gaye Platte were in attendance.
The Secretary’s Report for March 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Gale Moore, seconded by Vicki Potter and passed unanimously.
The Treasurer’s Report through April 15th 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Amy Estes, seconded by Gale Moore and passed unanimously.
Memberships: We have nine new memberships, bringing us up to 73. This includes individual and family memberships.
Work Bees: The weather this weekend didn’t cooperate with us, so we were unable to accomplish everything on our “to do” list. Working around the turkey hunters and the thunderstorms, club members were still able to clear view lines from the outlook, remove fallen trees and trim brush from most of the trails. Rob and Gale will come back mid week to get the last few trees that need a chain saw.
- Gary Fortin, a friend of Gale’s, brought his team of Percherons and his forecart out Saturday afternoon to test drive the cart trail and critique it for us. The only problems they found were a couple of roots in the middle of the trail, which will need to be removed.
- The washout between sign posts 5 and 16 needs to be addressed. Rob will schedule a time with Ted to discuss a plan of attack.
- The Michigan Horse Council Grant application was sent in to purchase the McLeod and Pulaski tools identified in the trail maintenance seminar Gale attended last year.
- The cart trail needs to go through more state channels before it can be considered “official”. This is the first cart trail offered in a state park or recreation area, so the DNR needs to ensure they have all their ducks in a row before making any announcements.
- The water crossing project plan at the dam is now official. There will be a bridge because the DNR fears liability issues without offering one. This area will not be advertised as a water crossing, again for liability concerns. They have the grant money, but have given no timeframe.
Old Business: May 9th the folks who went to the Wisconsin Trails Seminar last year will present a seminar of their own to the DNR. From our club, this means Gale Moore, Bob Walker, Melva Parker and Teresa Kline.
- Gary Fortin told us that Sleepy Hollow is having their Plow Days Saturday May 2nd. You can watch draft horse teams plowing to create wildlife food plots, take a wagon ride and watch pulling competitions. There will be a lunch concession wagon and a 50/50 raffle. For more information, contact Gary Fortin @ 989-834-1813 or shargary@peoplepc.com
New Business: Tara asked that we do more to welcome new members. She sent a “thank you for joining” note to a new couple this week and let them know about this campout. It turned out that they had other plans, but we all agreed that this was a great idea. Vicki will send a thank you note to Tom and Carolyn, our new members who did come and help this weekend.
- Two of our club members have lost close family members in the past few weeks. Our condolences go out to Rob, Ceaira and Vicki Potter as well as Gaye and Marty Platte.
- A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 was made by Vicki Potter and seconded by Shari Burgess. It passed unanimously.
Ionia Horse Trails Association
Board Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2009
The meeting was called to order by club president Rob Potter at 2:00 pm after lunch at Germain’s in Saranac. Tara Sowa, Bob and Jean Keilholtz, Lea Burger, Thomas Burger, Gale Moore, Rob and Vicki Potter, Amy Estes, Bob Walker, Norma Kilpatrick and Mike Foote were in attendance.
The Secretary’s Report for February 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Mike Foote, seconded by Gale Moore and passed unanimously.
The Treasurer’s Report through February 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Amy Estes, seconded by Mike Foote and passed unanimously.
Memberships: We have 64 memberships paid through December 2009. These are a combination of family and individual memberships. In addition, there are still a few paid through July 2009 as well.
Work Bees: Eight club members spent four hours each cleaning up the equestrian campground during this morning’s work bee. They were Rob and Vicki Potter, Gale Moore, Bob Walker, Mike Foote, Amy Estes, Norma Kilpatrick and a fairly new member from Adrian, Bruce Robinson. Thanks for showing up and helping out Bruce!!!!! All fallen trees/limbs have been cut into firewood and all debris has been cleaned up and piled for park employees to chip.
- Rob has submitted a plan to Ted with our 2009 project goals. These include: the watering hole at the west end of the park; improvements to the campground; more drain work on the cart trail; the lookout; and the washout by #16. Rob stated he expects approximately 300 hours of volunteer labor.
- In the April work bee, we will concentrate on finishing the cart trail. This will also be the best time of year to work on the Outlook trimming project.
- The Michigan Horse Council Grant application is due April 1st. Rob and Gale are working on it and aware of the deadline.
The Expo MHC’s Trail Summit Meeting will be held Saturday, March 14th at 5:30 pm right after Tom Saey’s ‘Preserving Trails’ presentation at the Expo. For more information about Michigan Horse Council, visit their website www.michiganhorsecouncil.com or call 231-821-2487.
Old Business: Mugs are in! Tara sorted them so it will be easy to grab the desired color out of the box at the Expo.
- We are confirmed at the Saranac Tack Sale. We have two booths and two tables. Bring tack and/or baked goods to sell and a comfy chair to sit on.
- We are in compliance with new state non-profit rules.
- Lea still wants her tree trimmer.
New Business: There is a meeting scheduled with Ted and Joe Strach of the DNR to review the plans for the water crossing on March 23rd at 5:30 pm. Meet at Ted’s office.
- Once we feel it is ready, Gary Fortin, a friend of Gale’s, has volunteered to bring one of his draft horse teams out with a large cart to test drive the cart trail and critique it for us.
- A motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:55 was made by Lea Burger and seconded by Vicki Potter. The motion passed unanimously.
Ionia Horse Trails Association
Board Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2009
The meeting was called to order by club president Rob Potter at 1:50 pm after lunch in Gizzard City Café in Potterville. Tara Sowa, Bob and Jean Keilholtz, Lea Burger, Gale Moore, Rob and Ceaira Potter, Vern Pifer, Amy Estes, Wendy and Bob Walker were in attendance.
The Secretary’s Report for January 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Tara Sowa, seconded by Lea Burger and passed unanimously.
The Treasurer’s Report through January 2009 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Wendy Walker, seconded by Amy Estes and passed unanimously.
Memberships: Amy handed out the updated list of paid memberships including street address, phone number and email address.
Work Bees: Ted reports trees down from all the wind we’ve been having, so we will have a work bee/March meeting on Saturday, March 7th starting at 9:00 am. Gather in the center aisle of the Equestrian Campground. We’ll do a potluck/cookout about mid-day.
- Rob needs to submit a plan to Ted with our 2009 project goals. Those mentioned at this meeting were adding more gravel to the watering hole at the west end of the park, improvements to the campground, more drain work on the cart trail, cutting back the brush heading up to the lookout, and improving the view from the lookout, and the washout by #16.
Campout hosts were identified for this year’s schedule. Vicki and Rob will take April and May. Wendy and Bob will take June; Lea and Amy will take July; Gale and Lori will take August; either Tara and Ray or Wendy and Bob will take September; and Bob and Jean will take October.
The Expo is the second weekend in March. Gale will be there all weekend handling the MHC and Sleepy Hollow booths, so the rest of us need to pitch in as best we can, whenever we can to cover our booth and give him some breaks. Everyone at the meeting who knew when they would be able to attend, signed up for times and we all agreed to stop in whenever we arrived.
Old Business: Merchandise – we decided to order 50 more mugs, multi colored, but nothing else due to the economy, figuring people won’t be purchasing much this year.
- If you plan on attending the Saranac Tack Sale, it is recommended that you bring your own chair. Apparently the ones provided at the event are not very comfortable.
- Wendy passed out St. Jude’s sign up forms so you can start collecting early. These will also be available at the Expo booth.
- Nobody at the meeting attended the TRAM meeting.
- We discussed the box of documents that came to Tara with the Treasurer’s job. According to the By-Laws, they should be housed at the official club address (Norma’s house). We decided they could stay at Tara’s or go to Norma’s, whichever the two ladies decided, as long as we know where to find them.
- We decided that a 50/50 drawing would be held at EVERY campout to build our treasury. We also need events for each campout. May is a memorial ride; June is St. Judes and will also offer a poker run; a scavenger hunt is being planned for July. Watch for events in August. September has the Harvest Festival where we need to have our meeting after breakfast so we can enjoy the kids in their costumes for Trick-or-Treating. October is the Chili Cook Off.
New Business: Sleepy Hollows Annual Banquet is next weekend 2/21/09 at the Victor Township Hall on Alward Road (East of 27). They are having a Pot Luck mean. Door prizes are 2 State Park Stickers. The event starts at 4:00 PM
- Rob asked Amy to include Thank You’s to our sponsors in this month’s Newsletter. They are: Caledonia Farmer’s Elevator, Lake Odessa Branch; Kathy’s Flower Patch, Lake Odessa; and Off the Beaten Path Tack Shop, Lake Odessa.
- A motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:55 was made by Gale Moore. It was seconded by Wendy Walker and passed unanimously.
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Hello everyone! March is here and those of you who provided an email address got the notification of our March 7th work bee and club meeting. Since the Michigan Horse Council Expo falls on our normal (second Saturday of the month) meeting day, we decided to get started on spring clean up in the park and meet a little bit early this month. If you are not receiving email distributions and would like to, please drop me a line at amynkwani@yahoo.com. Thanks!
Club Members, when you arrive at the Expo, please make your first stop the IHTA booth in the Trails Room. Let whomever is working know you are there and ask if they need a break. They may have been there for hours, may need to use the restroom, or may want to attend a seminar or event of some kind. Working the booth is not guaranteed by this visit! It could just be a quick hello, it could be a wonderful catch up after a long winter and it could be a lot of fun!
As part of our annual Holiday Party, we hold an auction of donated items to raise money for our treasury. Club members donate some items and some items are donated by local businesses. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank these local businesses now. A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Caledonia Farmer’s Elevator, Lake Odessa Branch; Kathy’s Flower Patch, Lake Odessa; and Off the Beaten Path Tack Shop, Lake Odessa!
Respectfully submitted by Amy Estes
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April 24 – 26 Ionia Horse Trails Association club campout and spring work bee. Work on the equestrian campground and/or trails for four or more hours and camp free! Ionia Recreation Area Equestrian Campground hosts will be Rob and Vicki Potter. A 50/50 raffle and a potluck supper where the club provides the meat dish will be offered. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
May 15 – 17 Ionia Horse Trails Association club campout and memorial trail ride. Ionia Recreation Area Equestrian Campground hosts will be Rob and Vicki Potter. A 50/50 raffle and a potluck supper where the club provides the meat dish will be offered. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
June 26 – 28 Ionia Horse Trails Association’s Saddle Up for St. Jude’s Ride-A-Thon. Ionia Recreation Area Organizational Campground. Camp hosts will be Wendy and Bob Walker. A 50/50 raffle to benefit the club’s treasure and a poker run will be offered as well as a chuck wagon supper. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
July 17 – 19 Ionia Horse Trails Association club campout and scavenger hunt. Ionia Recreation Area Equestrian Campground hosts will be Lea Burger and Amy Estes. A 50/50 raffle and a potluck supper where the club provides the meat dish will be offered. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
August 21 – 23 Ionia Horse Trails Association club campout in the Ionia Recreation Area Equestrian Campground. Hosts will be Gale Moore and Lori Coffin. A 50/50 raffle and a potluck supper where the club provides the meat dish will be offered. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
September 25 – 27 Ionia Horse Trails Association club campout in the Ionia Recreation Area Equestrian Campground. Hosts will be Tara and Ray Sowa. The Park’s Harvest Festival is this weekend, so we get to participate in Halloween events and a horse parade through the “People Campground”. A 50/50 raffle and a potluck supper where the club provides the meat dish will be offered. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
October 16 – 18 Ionia Horse Trails Association club campout and annual Chili Cook Off/Poker Run. . Ionia Recreation Area Equestrian Campground hosts will be Bob and Jean Keilholtz. A 50/50 raffle will be held at the cook off. For more information: http://www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.com/
Ionia Horse Trails Association
Board Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2009
Marsha Putnam, President of the Sleepy Hollow Club discussed the Clinton – Ionia – Shiawassee Trail. Apparently there is strong support of this trail from walkers, hikers and cyclist groups and some of them are trying to keep horses from having access to this trail system. Marsha is asking that as many people as possible try to attend both the 2nd Wednesday of each month (7:00 pm) XXXX meetings and the 3rd Friday of each month Tri-County Governing Board meetings so our interests are not shoved under the carpet, so to speak.
The meeting was called to order by club president Rob Potter at 5:12 pm after the Christmas party and auction at Ionia Recreation Area Headquarters. We didn’t bother with roll call, but 22 people attended.
The Secretary’s Report for November 2008 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Teresa Kline, seconded by Gale Moore and passed unanimously.
The Treasurer’s Report through December 2008 was presented. A motion to accept the report as written was made by Teresa Kline, seconded by Nancy Simmonds and passed unanimously.
Membership Report: Norma reports we have 75 memberships (individual and family) paid through June 2009. 55 of these are paid through December 2009.
By Laws: Amy reviewed the changes discussed by the By Laws Committee. They included a change of official address and those mentioned in previous meetings regarding our calendar year, plus a couple of typos. A motion was made by Amy Estes to amend the By Laws as outlined by the committee and seconded by Teresa Kline. This motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
Inventory: We have 90 patches; 2 sweatshirts (1 XL and 1 XXL); 28 current T-shirts (2 XXL, 8 XL, 9 L, 3 M, 6 S); 7 old green T-Shirts (1 XXL, 2 M, 4 S) 11 Cups; 5 Hats and 1 visor.
New Business: We took in $225.50 on our Auction today!
- The Saranac Tack Sale is March 21st this year from 10 am to 2 pm. A booth costs $20 and a table is $5. Wendy Walker made a motion that we participate again like we did last year. This motion was seconded by Amy Estes and passed unanimously.
- 2009 Camping Schedule:
April 24 – 26 Spring Work Bee in the Equestrian Campground
May 15 – 17 Memorial Ride in the Equestrian Campground
June 26 – 28 St. Jude Ride-A-Thon in the Organizational Campground
July 17 – 19 in the Equestrian Campground
August 21 – 23 in the Equestrian Campground
September 25 – 27 Harvest Festival Weekend in the Equestrian Campground
October 16 – 18 Chili Cook Off in the Equestrian Campground
On Harvest Festival weekend, we can participate in site decoration, the parade and costumes for us and our horses in the parade. The Eaton County Therapeutic riding program ride-a-thon is that weekend too.
- TRAM Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan – is having an organizational meeting open to any and all interested parties who want to protect their Right to Ride in Michigan. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Dow Diamond in Midland Michigan. Driving Directions available at www.loons.com. Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Dick or Connie Kleinhardt @ 1-989-386-2910 According to Teresa, the Kleinhardts live close to Pigeon River and have hooked up with Michigan Equine Partnership.
- Ft. Custer’s Camping Weekend this year is September 18th – 20th. Please try to attend!
- OVETS (Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails) Symposium will be held this year at Beaver Creek Ranch in Metamora Michigan October 1st through the 3rd. Volunteers are needed.
- Our website renewal is coming up. Wendy asked if we would like to renew or not? Teresa Kline made a motion to do so, Amy Estes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
- Be thinking about the MHC Stallion Expo, what shift can you work the booth?
- Someone asked would any campsites be worked on this year? Ted said he’d walk around and discuss with us what needs to be done.
- Teresa Kline made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:55. This motion was seconded by Gale Moore and passed unanimously.
Hello everyone! Last month I didn’t have much news, but this month I have plenty! It all comes down to our 2009 IHTA Schedule so here goes:
February 7th Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan organizational Meeting, Dow Diamond, Midland Michigan 2 – 5 pm. Directions @ www.loons.com This group is responding to the closure of the Pigeon River area trails. They are trying to avoid this happening to the rest of Michigan.
February 14th IHTA Meeting 1PM at Joe's Gizzard City 120 W. Main St. Potterville
March 13 – 15 Michigan Horse Council’s Horse Expo @ MSU Pavilion. Please go to our website and email the time/s that you can work the booth. Thanks!
March 21st is the Saranac Tack Sale. Bring anything you want to sell. You can donate the proceeds to the club for park improvements or keep them. Last year, I donated 10% of my proceeds and kept 90%. It runs from 10 am to 2 pm at Saranac High School, 150 South Pleasant Street, Saranac.
April 24 – 26 will be our Spring Work Bee and camp out in the Equestrian Campground. For four hours of labor, you get to camp free!
May 15 – 17 will be our second annual Memorial Ride and camp out with the Michigan Fox Trotter Club in the Equestrian Campground.
June 26 – 28 will be our second annual St. Jude Ride-A-Thon and Camp out in the Organizational Campground
July 17 – 19 will be camping in the Equestrian Campground
August 21 – 23 will be camping in the Equestrian Campground
September 18 – 20 will be Ft. Custer’s annual campout at their park
September 25 – 27 will be the park’s Harvest Festival Weekend. We will camp in the Equestrian Campground, participate in the second annual parade through the “people campground”, decorate our campsites, dress up if we choose and participate in trick-or-treating for the kids.
October 1 – 3 Michigan Horse Council is hosting the OVETS (Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails) Symposium this year. It will be held at Beaver Creek Ranch in Metamora Michigan. Volunteers are needed!
October 16 – 18 will be our Chili Cook Off camp out in the Equestrian Campground
Of course we will have work bees during the year, but I have none other than April 24 – 26 to report at this time.
Some folks at the Christmas Party asked for Gene Hoover’s Frontier Chowder recipe. Here it is:
2 lbs of browned beef 2 – Cans of Bean w/Bacon Soup
2 – Cans of Tomato Soup 1 – Jar of Corn Relish
2 – Cans of Water 1 – Onion
2 – Cans of Mushrooms Salt and Pepper to taste
4 – Cloves of diced Garlic
Respectfully submitted by Amy Estes
IHTA Secretary
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