Jackson Pathfinders August Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 8:05 PM at 85 West Veterans Highway, in the main meeting room in town hall, Jackson. Dawn Rakow, Chairperson, called the meeting to order. Members present were Karen Borga, Recording Secretary, Tom Stevens, Treasurer, Karen Walzer, Barbara Usack and Leo Kissling, Vice Chairman.

The July minutes were approved with additions and corrections.

Treasurer, Tom Stevens reported no new spending since our last meeting and our August balance is $3844.25. Items pending Jackson Township Committee approval are as follows: $122.44, ITX Design for website hosting, $85.17 Staples Office Supplies and $92.15, Radio Shack for rechargeable batteries and charger for two way radios. New spending approved by the group is as follows: approximately $1200 for a talking kiosk for Pathfinders located at the Forest Resource Education Center, approximately $950 to hire a landscaper to move woodchips at Frank Applegate Nature Trail and $400 was approved for interpretive trail signs.

Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Ralston, absent - reported that she had not written any letters since our last meeting. Leo Kissling circulated a copy of a letter he had written to the Eagle Scout Advancement Committee dated August 8, 2003. Leo's letter was to inform the committee that Frank Peterson had completed his project. Leo's letter described the benefits as well as gratitude for the work that was done.

Moonlight Hike Report, Karen Walzer, 105 participants attended the hike at the Forest Resource Education Center. Pathfinders brochures and maps were distributed. The group agreed to budget money for more extensive refreshments. The Forest Resource Education Center personnel would like to make the moonlight hike an annual event. Terry O'Leary led the hike. Hikers included local cub scout packs and their families. Teeters Telescopes set up a telescope, but the cloud cover hindered the view. Later in the evening, during a break in the clouds, Rob showed everyone a double star. Hikers looked around the new interpretive center and enjoyed the refreshments.

Wildlife Preservation, Tony Santa Maria, absent, submitted the following report: Horse lovers will be happy to hear that I have installed a hitching post at the Forestry Resource Edu. Center. It is approx. 8ft. wide and 4ft. high and should accommodate 4 or 5 horses. (or 3 like Karen's draft horse, Trixy) A large cluster of Funnel Clitocybe Mushrooms were seen flourishing at the Frank Applegate Trail approx. 30ft from the entrance on the right side. These mushrooms are reputedly edible however I advise against ingesting them as there are several similar species that are not edible.

Lisa McCollum, Steward of the N.J. Conservation Foundation joined Karen Borga and myself for a tour of the entire F.A.Trail site. For the most part, she was very pleased with our progress and seems to be " in our corner" so to speak. She is concerned about the woodchips at the entrance area and would like to see this issue resolved before any trees begin to die. She was very adamant about keeping picnic tables out of the site as it would attract an undesirable element of litterers and delinquents. She understood our need for the "temporary bridges" however she also stressed that eventually they would have to be replaced or removed. All in all, the tour went quite well and I believe we will be able to count on her to "rally our cause" with any future developments. She found the bench at the Tall Cedars' Sanctuary area to be most peaceful and conducive to meditation.

Mapping, Tom Stevens explained that the weather has been too humid for any outings. Tom described how he went on the trail by the Bunker Hill Bogs. During this outing Tom was swarmed by pine flies and was forced to run from the woods.

Scouting, Leo Kissling explained that the weather has not been conducive to scouting activities and also that many scouts are away with their families on summer vacations.

Membership, Barbara Usack discussed the low response received after she sent fifty inactive members e-mails.

Frank Applegate Nature Trail, Dawn Rakow explained that the bridge permit for Anthony Marano is in. Anthony will co-ordinate with the planning contractor and get the bridge started as soon as possible.

Biking, Dawn Rakow discussed planning a bike trip in Colliers Mills. Tom explained that many of the trails in Colliers Mills are very soft sand.

Grants, Dawn Rakow circulated a flyer explaining details of a New Jersey Grants guide available for purchase.

Scrapbook, Tom Stevens circulated photos National Trails Day from 2002 that will be added to our scrapbook.

Jackson Day, Bernadette Gill, absent, reported volunteers are needed for the parade and also to take shifts at the Pathfinders information table.

Discussions: Teeters Telescopes is planning a grand telescope meeting in Manahawkin several nights next week. Everyone is invited to attend and get a closer look as Mars comes into view. Karen Walzer volunteered to e-mail everyone the details.