Annual Meeting of the International Appalachian Trail/Sentier International des Appalaches, Maine Chapter
May, 3-5, 2007
Shin Pond, Maine
The Annual Meeting of the IAT/SIA Maine Chapter was a great success. This report includes: a news report, the meeting minutes, the financial statement, Board of Directors list and photographs. Many people deserve credit for the success of the meeting and this report. Walter Anderson was the Program Chair, Secretary Don Hudson wrote the meeting minutes, Will Richard took the photographs, Torrey Sylvester organized the Nominating Committee report and Treasurer Bob LeMieux prepared the financial report. All of the speakers also contributed to the meeting’s success and especially Jim Vance the coordinator of the developing Nova Scotia Chapter of the IAT/SIA. Terry and Craig Hill, owners of Shin Pond Village added to the meeting by providing great food and accommodations.
It was also a great pleasure for members to welcome four thru-hikers of our trail to the Annual Meeting. They were: Denis Webster, Mary Webster, Jason LaLancette and Ellen Wilcox.
The Thursday afternoon visit to the Lumberman’s Museum in Patten was very enjoyable. Ronda Brofey the Executive Director and Bud Blumenstock led us on a tour of their grounds and buildings. It was great seeing how the lumbermen lived in the old days. The pictures, tools and equipment on display provide a glimpse into Maine’s lumbering past.
Thursday evening’s presentation by Will Richard gave everyone an opportunity to see the ice and snow, mountains and flowers of the arctic in the eyes of a great photographer.
The year-in-review by Dick Anderson, Will Richard and Bill Duffy presented an encapsulated view of all the things we did in 2006. It was quite a list and the members present added other projects and stories that livened up the presentation. Bart DeWolf told us about the activities of Elliotsville Plantation Inc. in the East-of-Baxter area. They are working on gathering biological information on the land they have purchased in that area over the last five years and have made great progress on identifying important natural areas. Gary Whiting updated us on the many land acquisitions of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). They are also conducting biological assessments on their lands, managing the timber and improving and developing the recreational opportunities.
After lunch Hal Bornes reviewed the glaciation of Maine and showed us the maps of the new Ice Age Trail that has been developed in Eastern Maine. Ryan Fonbuena, Manager of the Mars Hill Windfarm made a presentation on windpower and specifically described the Mars Hill project. Jenn Barton described the activities associated with the new Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail. She also discussed plans for celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Thoreau’s trip from Bangor to Moosehead to Webster Stream, down the East Branch of the Penobscot to the Penobscot River and back to Bangor.
In preparation for our Saturday visit to Mars Hill Mountain, geologist, Dr. Chenzung Wang outlined his work on the geology of that mountain. The afternoon session was concluded with a presentation by Torrey Sylvester on the Campsites of the IAT/SIA Maine Section. A little history, a few pictures and location maps, recapped our ten-year history of campsite construction.
The evening presentation by Jim Vance, Nova Scotia Coordinator capped off a great day. He outlined the history, geography, biology and geology of his province. He also outlined several options for the location of the IAT/SIA through Nova Scotia (all of them ending at the North Sidney ferry terminal, where transportation is provided to the rest of the IAT/SIA in Newfoundland&Labrador). He told us that he would host the International IAT/SIA meeting on September 20-22 on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It will be a really spectacular meeting location.
Saturday’s field trip to Mars Hill Mountain gave people an opportunity to learn more about the geology of the mountain from Dr. Wang and see the recently completed windfarm. It was particularly thrilling for me to observe the windmills turning in a gentle breeze, creating no emissions, consuming no nonrenewable resource, but still providing electricity so people could cook dinner and light their homes.
Thank you to our “AV” staff, Will Richard and Bart DeWolf for their great work!
We scheduled our 2008 Annual Meeting for May 1,2,and 3. I hope you will be able to join us.
Dick Anderson, IAT/SIA Maine Chapter, President
Photos of the meeting can be viewed by going to the Photos link on the front page of the website.
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