Jackson Pathfinders Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, June 20, at 8:00 PM  in the Jackson Public Works Building on Don Connor Boulevard. Karen Borga, Chairperson, presided. Members and guests present were Dawn Rakow, Vice-Chairperson, Mike and Kim Venezia, Elaine Manion, Tom Stevens, Alfredo Gan, Bernadette Gill, Leo Kissling, Jr. and Ronnie Bruchez.

Brenda Gregory, Recording Secretary was absent; Karen Borga took notes.  The May minutes were circulated and approved with additions.

Treasurer, Tom Stevens reported that $50.00 American Hiking Society membership was paid and $197.94 for refreshments was spent for National Trails Day event. A requisition will be submitted for education assistance for Anthony Santa Maria in the amount of $400.00 for wildlife home study course. A requisition will be submitted for 1000 copies of this year’s brochure. A master copy of the revised brochure was circulated for review during the meeting.  Purchasing t-shirts was discussed and the group decided to contact Bob Gordon about a new design.

Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Ralston was absent. Sarah reported that no letters were written since Pathfinders last meeting.  Sarah was requested to write a thank you letter to Public Works for moving woodchips to the back of the NJCF Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail.

Publicity: Tom Stevens, Karen Walzer and Sam Wimmer set up the Pathfinders information table inside the barn aisle during the Handy Acres Open House/Expo, Saturday, June15. Brochures were given out and most of the attendees  were boarders.

Jackson Day: Bernadette Gill volunteered to chair the Pathfinders Jackson Day Committee. Karen Borga volunteered to complete the necessary forms for entering the parade and reserving a booth.  Tom Stevens suggested using e-mail to request volunteers.

NJCF Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail: National Trails Day was held Saturday, June 1. Eighteen volunteers turned out and refreshments were enjoyed by all. Mike Venezia came with a tractor and spread woodchips in back area of the trail. The trail section off to the right is all woodchips now. The briars in that area are out and some stumps have been removed. Dawn Rakow requested purchasing a bridge for the trail.  Ronnie Bruchez volunteered his son, Andre, to build the bridge as a boy scout project.  Ronnie requested that Pathfinders purchase the materials.  

Land Acquisition: Mike Venezia suggested more land for requests for preservation. Karen Borga explained that the specific blocks and lots need to be researched to identify owners before contacting the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust. Tom Stevens sent Pathfinders "wish list" of blocks and lots to Andy Strauss.  Mr. Albergato received, completed and returned an application from Ocean County Natural Lands Trust.

Wildlife Preservation: Tony Santa Maria was absent but reports that work has begun at the Frank Applegate trail on a wildlife viewing area approx. 1/4 mile from the little wooden bridge. An area has been cleared in order to install deer feeding stations, bird feeders, & benches. A variety of bird houses and nest boxes have already been installed and several occupants have been heard chirping inside them. Identification will require more observation. Two box turtles were discovered in the same area during the clearing process; one female and the other a male. Both turtles were moved , unharmed, to the edge of the clearing. One deer feeder has already been constructed and installed at the site. One bench would have been installed, however we encountered difficulties in the process. We are awaiting the acquisition of telephone poles for the completion of the benches. A wood duck nest box has also been constructed and will be installed on the river at the far left end of the trail site. Merganser ducks were inhabiting another nest box installed in the Forestry Resource Center.  At some point we will have to acquire feed and seed and a volunteer to keep the feeders full. I suggest that we only fill them on Fridays to maximize our resources when people are most likely to have time for viewing on the weekends.

Grants: Dawn Rakow reported that a $500.00 grant from Sam's Club was received and the funds are to be used to purchase fiberglass signs for the NJCF Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail.

Mapping: Tom Stevens explained that Pathfinders is making a map for the Bluebird Trail at the Forest Resource Education Center. Roger Friend has made some progress mapping in that area. Tom circulated a map of our GPS work showing Bowman Road to Grawtown Road behind the Switik School to the Forest Resource Education Center. Mike Venezia offered to GPS map Block 32.01 near Whitesville Road.

Biking: Ronnie Bruchez reported that Captain Anderson will authorize four police officers to help Pathfinders during our October 19 bike ride. August 17th Multiple Sclerosis is sponsoring a short bike ride through the Pine Barrens. Ronnie invited all interested individuals to join him for training rides. September 7 or 14 will be a training ride in Jackson. October 19, starting at 10:00 AM, Pathfinders is hosting a 28 mile bike ride through Jackson. Ronnie and Tom Stevens suggested making our bike ride a fundraising event for the benefit of the Jackson Women of Today.

Website: Fred Gan reports many updates have been made to our website. The group decided to use generic e-mail addresses for all committee chairmen and officers.

Scrapbook: Tom Stevens reported that his daughters, Lauren and Alison have added photos and articles from National Trails Day. Also added was an article promoting the National Trails Day Event.

The next monthly meeting will be held July 18, 2002 at 8:00PM in the Jackson Public Works Building.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. Submitted by Karen Borga.