President: Diane Prost; email diaprost@sisna.com; phone (618)726-7030

Vice President: Dale Gerlach; email balddad50@gmail.com; phone (618)560-0420

Secretary: Susan Hodgson; email LKCS246@gmail.com; phone (618)416-5533

Treasurer: Dee Wojtysiak; email drw488@gmail.com; phone (618)530-3325

Summer is almost over which means the weather

will be perfect for walking. The Illinois Trekkers’

first Fall walk is September 17th -- the Mascoutah

and Silver Creek Preserve Walk will have two

beautiful routes for walkers to enjoy. Read more

about this walk in this copy of the Footnotes.

Three Mile Thursdays are held at 2 locations in

September. On September 8th & 15th, register

for the Jefferson Barracks YRE walk at

Walgreens, 2700 Telegraph, St. Louis (Lemay)

MO. Then on September 22nd & 29th, Three Mile

Thursdays move to the Fenton YRE, with

registration at the Riverchase Recreation Center,

990 Horan, Fenton MO. Register for all walks at

6:15 pm with walks beginning at 6:30 pm.

Trekkin’ Tuesdays continue at various YRE

locations in September. Club members also meet

to walk on Saturday mornings when there isn’t a

traditional walk scheduled in the area. Please

check the events section on the Illinois Trekkers’

website and read the weekly Walk Alerts for

more information on all walk locations and start

times.

The Illinois Trekkers enjoyed the Troy Walk and

Picnic on August 13th. There was plenty of good

food, good friends and good fellowship. Thank you

to Dee & Leonard Wojtysiak for being the POCs

and organizing the picnic. Thank you to everyone

who worked to make this walk and picnic a fun

time. Be sure to check out the photos from the

event in this issue of Footnotes.

The Illinois Trekkers offer our sympathy to

Nikki Wilcoxen on the death of her father and to

Dee & Leonard Wojtysiak on the death of

Leonard’s mother.

Come to the next Illinois Trekkers meeting on

Thursday, September 1, at 6:30 pm in the

Kinsella Room at the Fairview Heights Library,

10017 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights, IL. Please

attend this planning meeting to help shape the

future of the Illinois Trekkers.

We hope to see you soon on a walk! Submitted by Diane Prost

NO. 2016-09 September 2016

A Message from our President

Mascoutah and Silver Creek Preserve Walk – Sep 17, 2016

Mascoutah Fun Facts

Mascoutah was largely formed to improve the quality and reliability of mail delivery.

Mascoutah, originally named

Mechanicsburg, was on the Shawneetown - St. Louis Trail which made it an ideal

location. A man named F.B. Marshall put up a building on the corner of Lebanon

and State and moved his store. The building still stands. After mail delivery

began, the name changed to Mascoutah as there was already a town named

Mechanicsburg in Illinois.

The name Mascoutah comes from Mascouten

meaning little prairie people. The Mascoutens

migrated from Michigan

and were eventually absorbed by the Fox

and Kickapoo tribes. These tribes were

known as the Wabash Tribes, who lived along

the Wabash River.

The 5K walk takes you through the

Mascoutah City Cemetery, which is the place of internment for family members of

one of our members, Mark Ohl. Among others is Mark Ohl’s great-great-grand-

mother Karoline Maria Ohl, who immigrated to this country in the 1840’s

from Germany. His great Uncle Albert was

a WWII veteran and later served four stints as the chief of police in Mascoutah.

His paternal grandparents as well as his parents are also interned there. The

Mascoutah city cemetery is a place of rich local history and a tribute to those who

helped formed the city.

Mascoutah Walk Registration: 8-11 am.

Please contact susanljones52@gmail.com

to volunteer your services at this event. We look forward to sharing this unique

area with you! Submitted by Susan Jones, POC

Walk in Village of Elsah IL

and Principia College

On October 8, we will be

hosting a very special

walk at Elsah IL and

Principia College! Elsah is

a quaint village set in a

valley along the

Mississippi River between

Alton and Grafton. Principia College is a private

liberal arts college on a 2,600 acre site that sits on

the bluffs overlooking the river.

Principia College is a National Historic Landmark

because of the architecture of Bernard Maybeck.

The entire campus is

designed as an English

village. The level of

craftsmanship and the

subtle colors of the

building materials

enhance the character

and beauty of the

campus. The campus

Chapel is American Colonial in style and overlooks

the Mississippi river. The campus is normally

closed to the public so this is a very special

opportunity to enjoy a particularly beautiful and

unique college.

The walk will be on sidewalks, gravel paths and

campus streets. There is a gradual hill from town

to the campus on the bluffs—the fabulous,

panoramic view at the top is worth the effort! The

Elsah General Store sells vintage bottled soda,

classic candy, and ice cream and custard treats as

well as a “goodies table” full of the area’s favorite

treats, including gooey butter cakes, pastries,

fresh loaf breads & kettle chip and is a great stop

when you finish the walk.

Please note the Principia campus is smoke-,

alcohol-, and drug-free with no exceptions.

Campus buildings are not open to the public. The

chapel will be open for visitors. Please join us for

this unique and gorgeous walk!

Submitted by Cindy & Tom Stucky, POCs

Upcoming Walks

Upcoming "Trekkin" Dates for your Calendar

Sep 1, 6:30 pm Trekkers Meeting, Fairview Heights

Sep 17, 8 am Silver Creek Preserve Walk,

Mascoutah

Oct 6, 6:30 pm Trekkers Meeting, Fairview Heights

Oct 8, 9 am Elsah/Principia College Fall Walk

Nov 3, 6:30 pm Trekkers Meeting, Fairview Heights

Nov 15, 3 pm Way of Lights, Belleville

Our Lady of the Snows Shrine

Please check our club website for times and

places of Trekkin’ Tuesdays, 3-Mile

Thursdays, and Saturday group walks.

MILESTONES CONGRATULATIONS to our members who reached

the following Event and Distance milestones

(as published in Aug/Sep 2016 TAW):

Bonnie Carlson 600 Events

Trudy Duffman 525 Events

Diane Gebhardt 475 Events

Dale Gerlach 125 Events

Regina Gorom 10 Events

Paul Gorom 10 Events

Debbie Kruep 6000 KM

Mark Kruep 6000 KM

Bill Malina 2400 Events

Cindy Stucky 525 Events

Thomas Stucky 325 Events

Dee Wojtysiak 10,000 KM

Leonard Wojtysiak 1800 Events

##############################

And a very special CONGRATULATIONS

Bruce Kirk

who reports that he has walked

over 30,000 miles/48,000 KM

(including non-AVA events)

during his retirement.

Now that’s a lot of healthy steps . . .

And lots of pairs of walking shoes!

Breakwater in the Lindau Harbor –

The lion and the lighthouse

At the breakwater in the Lindau harbor stands the lion and the lighthouse. Last month we were about to hear the roar of the ‘king of the jungle’. This month we can see the welcoming beacon of the harbor lighthouse.

Have we made it out of the Atlantic Ocean? YES WE HAVE!!

Together, we have completed 5901 kilometers -- 77.71% of the total distance! We invite you to participate in this club challenge. Submit your August monthly total of kilometers walked by emailing bacon.arthur@gmail.com, on or about September 1.

Thank you to all who have participated by walking 1,042 KM last month. We look forward to all members joining in this club challenge. Will we make it to Lindau to celebrate Oktoberfest together??

Keep on Trekkin’

How many of the 20 area walks have you completed in the Tour de Metro St. Louis Challenge? A free Illinois Trekkers walk coupon awaits you! Simply walk all 7 of the Illinois Trekkers YREs and 13 other YREs or traditional walks in the Metro St. Louis area. Upon completion, mail your walk brochure to Illinois Trekkers Volkssport Club, P.O. Box 603, O’Fallon IL 62269; or personally present your walk brochure to our treasurer Dee Wojtysiak. Some of our members have completed 3 or more brochures. There is no limit of how many times a member can complete this challenge. So . . . step right up for your Free Walk coupon!

In Memoriam We extend on heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Pearl Tharp who passed away on July 21, 2016. Pearl was a former member of the Illinois Trekkers and the Traveling Trekkers. Numerous members recalled the pleasure of walking and traveling with Pearl to various walk events. Her love of walking exemplified the true meaning of volkssporting -- sharing fun, fitness and fellowship along the trail. Condolences may be sent to the family, c/o Dr. Alan L. Tharp, 800 Merwin Road, Raleigh NC 27606.

The following personal message was received from Dr. Tharp: Illinois Trekkers,

My mother, Pearl Tharp, thoroughly enjoyed her involvement with the Illinois Trekkers. This is an activity that I would never have predicted for my parents, for neither was previously an outdoor person of any sort. I am not sure what encouraged them to go to the first meeting but whatever it was, they found a very welcoming group.

When we would visit my parents in Granite City, their highest priority was always a Trekkers meeting or a Volksmarch. They both had Illinois Trekkers jackets which they wore to meetings and marches.

My mother wrote her obituary before her death. She wanted to ensure that the Trekkers was mentioned. I think that the crowning achievement for both of my parents in retirement was walking in all 50 states. My mother really looked forward to the camaraderie of the group. My parents went to Europe and out-of-state marches with other Illinois Trekkers.

We met them once in Columbus Ohio, but rather than sitting in a hotel room chatting, they insisted that we go on a Volksmarch with them. When they visited us in Raleigh, NC, they insisted that we accompany them on a

Volksmarch in Winston-Salem. I wish the group continued success and hope that it can provide as much pleasure to others as it did to my mother.

Alan Tharp

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT . . .

THE START TABLE (A series of articles about volunteering at Walk Events.)

Do you enjoy walking in Volksmarches? Silly

question right? Of course we do or we wouldn’t

be members of the Illinois Trekkers Volkssport

Club.

So who are the first people you meet at a walk?

The individuals who are volunteering at the

START TABLE. A friendly face — welcoming

you as a walker, giving you a start card to fill

out, checking to make sure you sign it at the

bottom (waiver), and politely collecting the walk

fee.

This volunteer also hands you a copy of the

walk instructions, which usually include written

trail directions and a map—ensuring you know

where the walk starts, color of trail markers

for each distance (5K or 10K), checkpoints, if

applicable, and location of restrooms. All of

this helpful service occurs in just a few

minutes, because the Start Table volunteers

know you are anxious to hit the trail!

Being a volunteer at the START TABLE is a fun

way to greet walking friends. Sound like some-

thing you would like to do at a future event?

We would love to train you at a walking event of

your choice—just contact the POC (Point of

Contact) for the event. They will ensure that a

seasoned volunteer helps you have a rewarding

experience while being a very important part of

the walking event and our club. Submitted by Trudy Duffman

It will soon be time for Mid-America Regional clubs to gather together to walk, talk, socialize and celebrate. The 2016 conference is being hosted by the Indy “G” Walkers in Plainfield, Indiana, approximately

240 miles east of Belleville IL on I-70. The conference includes 3 traditional walks in Indiana parks (including a “haunted” railroad bridge trail), 1 swim and 1 bike event. There is 1 scheduled walk each day, and 8 Year Round Events in the Indianapolis area for your additional pleasure. Plan to attend at least a portion of the conference, if possible. Saturday, Oct 29, includes a meeting conducted by Linda Neu, Mid-America Regional Director. This is an opportunity for club members to hear what is happening in AVA and in our region – to ask questions on issues of concern or seek clarification on any subject relating to AVA. Friday and Saturday evening gatherings will be held at the nearby Chateau Thomas Winery. There is something for everyone at the conference – fun, great walks, good food, meeting new people, and socializing with the group. Don’t forget there is also a chance to win a raffle basket. Plan now to attend. Registration forms are available at: http://avaclubs.org/INVA/docs/MAC2016BrochureV6002.pdf; or by email from: Cliff Terry, cliffterry@sbcglobal.net; or Paul Mullen, clamdigger30@hotmail.com. Submitted by Trudy Duffman

RAFFLE BASKET DONATION MID-AMERICA CONFERENCE

All of the walking clubs in the Mid-America Region are asked to donate a basket of goodies for the raffle held during the conference October 28–30. The funds collected from the raffle help defray cost of next year’s conference. The Illinois Trekkers decided to do a “Picnic Basket” theme. The basket is donated by Trudy Duffman. Members are asked to donate items that will allow the winner of the basket to have a wonderful picnic. Items should be given to Trudy Duffman prior to October 15. You can bring your items to the September or October club meetings or any walk event, or call Trudy (618-670-6920) to arrange for her to pick it up from you. Your support is greatly appreciated. This is just another opportunity for walkers from KY, IN, OH, MI, and IL to get together to have fun and raise money for the next great conference.

Submitted by Trudy Duffman

MID-AMERICA REGIONAL

CONFERENCE

October 28-30, 2016

“Treating every moment like it’s a masterpiece” –

a recent KC ad.

The Illinois Trekkers will travel to Kansas City, Missouri on December 17th and 18th, 2016. The trip offers the sites of Kansas City and Parkville, Missouri . . . with the comfort of leaving the driving to someone else! Transportation to & from, and in & around, Kansas City is provided by the Cavallo Bus Company. The bus departs at 6:30 am on Saturday, December 17, from the Orthopedic and Neuroscience Center (parking lot 3) at Memorial Hospital, 4700 Memorial Drive, Belleville, Illinois. The bus arrives in Kansas City between 11-11:30 am at the Arabia Museum parking lot -- the alternate start point for the Kansas City, Missouri Downtown Walk.

Downtown Kansas City has some great sites to see! The route winds from the Quality Hill area past numerous scenic and historic buildings, the

Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, through Union Station, and around the WWI Liberty Memorial that offers a world-class museum. Kansas City is known as the BBQ Capital of the World with many great eating establishments for walkers to enjoy lunch on their own. At 4 pm walkers will revel in the Lights on the Plaza Walk. This walk takes you through the Country Club Plaza and surrounding areas. The Plaza is a virtual outdoor museum of Spanish architecture and European art. J.C. Nichols developed the area in 1922 as the nation's first suburban shopping center. In 1930 the first official Plaza Lighting ceremony took place. While marveling at the beautiful Christmas lights, walkers may also view the

130 foot tall re-production of the Giralda Tower of Seville. Another Plaza wonder on the route is the

beautiful Seville Light Fountain – an exact replica of the Seville, Spain fountain – and the Diana Sculpture, surrounded by one of the largest man-made waterfalls in the nation. Kansas City is second only to Rome in the number of fountains! After enjoying this beautiful day, walkers can rest in the comfort of the Best Western Plus Seville Plaza Hotel. Just outside this charming hotel, guests will find the best of the city and a free shuttle that goes within three miles of the hotel. The hotel is 100% non-smoking and pet-friendly. The hotel offers a complimentary full breakfast for everyone to enjoy on Sunday morning. Before returning home on Sunday, walkers will venture out on the Parkville, Missouri Walk. The 10 KM route includes English Landing Park and the brand-new Platte Landing Park trails. These trails offer great views of the Missouri River. If you are lucky, you may even see an eagle or two on the banks of the river. Walkers also traverse through the historic Park University campus and its unique underground library and classrooms. After leaving this educational facility, founded in 1875, you walk through downtown Parkville with its quaint shops and restaurants before ending the walk back at English Landing Park. Walkers can enjoy lunch during their walk. After taking in these terrific sites of Kansas City, walkers may sit back in comfort during the return bus trip back home to Belleville. Please complete the Registration Form, included as the last page of these Foot-notes, and submit before November 1.

KANSAS CITY

Bus Trip

AVA AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

RECOGNITION

The American Volkssport Association (AVA) hosts a convention once every two years in a selected city in the United States. The next convention will be held June 7 – 9, 2017 in Billings, MT. There will be walks before, during, and following the convention. Several meetings are held where important business issues are discussed, voted on, and issues reconciled. It is also a time to recognize club members and community sponsors through-out the United States for making the event of Volkssporting successful. The Illinois Trekkers have club members who are deserving of recognition at the national level. You can nominate anyone you feel has earned the recognition by serving the club, planning events, volunteering at the club or in the community representing the club.

Award categories include: AVA Distinguished Achievement Award – 8 years service, including national level; AVA Meritorious Award – 5 years outstanding service to the AVA; Commendable Service Award – significant service to AVA; AVA Certificate of Appreciation Award – awarded by clubs, state associations, regional directors or NEC to individuals, organizations and businesses for service to the AVA (nominate someone or place in the community that helped make an Illinois Trekkers event a success) Nominations due to Trudy Duffman (trudyduffman@yahoo.com) no later than September 15 please. Submitted by Trudy Duffman

ILLINOIS TREKKERS

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

NOMINATIONS

Every successful walk is the result of many

hard-working, dedicated volunteers. The Illinois

Trekkers have many members who are committed

to the club and its successful events.

Have you enjoyed a

walk this year and

mentioned it to the

POC of the event or

maybe told your

friends how much fun

you had at the walk? It

is always important to

let the volunteers

know you appreciate

the time spent

preparing the day for

everyone’s enjoyment.

Once a year we also recognize club mem-

bers who go the “extra mile” to make sure a walk

is exciting. It is easy to submit your nominations

to the Nomination Committee (Trudy Duffman).

Here are the categories for the awards:

VOLUNTEER(S) OF THE YEAR - can be an

individual or husband/wife team;

POC OF THE YEAR – Point of Contact for a

traditional event;

ROOKIE POC OF THE YEAR – Traditional

Event Point of Contact for the FIRST TIME;

UGLY SHOE AWARD – Individual injured

at an event.

We also encourage awards of humor for

individuals who had something funny or amusing

happen to them during the year at an event.

Please use discretion and still have fun!

Nominations must be submitted to Trudy Duffman

(trudyduffman@yahoo.com) no later than

November 15, 2016. These awards will be

presented at the annual Christmas luncheon/party

on December 3. Submitted by Trudy Duffman

Photos in this issue are made available by Bruce Kirk, Mark Ohl and Trudy Duffman. Many thanks to each of you!

The early-morning rain subsided in time for all to

enjoy the beautiful walk through Tri-County Park

and the Town of Troy. A scrumptious picnic was

served with barbequed brats and hot dogs, and a

delicious variety of side dishes. A day to share with

old friends and new! A great day of true fun,

fellowship & food!

Club Walk & Picnic

August 13, 2016

ILLINOIS TREKKERS VOLKSSPORT CLUB MEETING MINUTES – AUGUST 4, 2016

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. by President, Diane Prost

GUESTS: None

NEW MEMBERS: None

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Susan Hodgson – Attached to the Footnotes for June 2016. Motion made to ap-

prove minutes. Motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Dee Wojtysiak was not present. Diane Prost reported for July 2016: Balance as of

July – Checking, $3,172.40 Money Market $10,009.97. Motion to approve report pending audit; motion passed.

Dee Wojtysiak submitted corrections to July minutes regarding Audit Committee report comments:

Separate the interest from money market account on the monthly report.

Fund transfer from bank account to money market account should be approved by club. This is pending

review of minutes.

Outstanding check on February bank statement not listed.

Motion to correct changes to July minutes; motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Volkssport Committee: Diane Prost, Acting Chair:

Individual incentive program: Tour De Metro East.

o Awards for completing the challenge: None.

o Brochure can be downloaded from Illinois Trekkers’ website. Copies available at meeting.

Walk to Lindau, Germany as a club challenge. Sue Bacon reported that through July 2016, we have

completed 5,000 km – 2/3 of the way! It’s not too late to report your cumulative total. Just send an

email to Andy Bacon at bacon.arthur@gmail.com.

Club Walk & Picnic in Troy, Illinois: Dee and Leonard Wojtysiak were not present at the meeting.

Sign-up sheet circulating for volunteers. Need help with food and walk. Please bring a dish; brats, hot

dogs, watermelon, and water will be provided. There will be two 5K loops.

Mascoutah & Silver Creek Preserve Walk: Susan Jones was not present. Walk is September 17, 2016.

Sign-up sheet circulating for volunteers. There will be two routes. 5K in town and 12K to Silver Creek

Preserve.

Way of Lights Walk: Dale Gerlach reported the walk will be November 15, 2016. A motion was made

for it to again be a Walk Together event with the Girl Scouts. Motion passed. Motion made for total cost

of $5 per Girl Scout with Illinois Trekkers underwriting $0.50 per Girl Scout walker. Motion passed.

Soup Walk in Breese, IL. Trudy Duffman reported that walk is on hold. Contact, Barbara Strieker, is

not affiliated with a church in Breese. Working to make contact with Dominic Catholic Church Board.

Muriel Barber offered to talk to Father Jim at her church to make contact. Trudy reported also consider-

ing Faith Lutheran Church in O’Fallon, IL. Discussion to also make Soup Walk a Girl Scout Walk To-

gether event. Motion made to do Girl Scout Walk Together for total cost of $5 per Girl Scout with Illi-

nois Trekkers underwriting $0.50 per Girl Scout walker. Motion passed.

Bus trip to Kansas City, December 17 & 18, 2016. Diane Prost.

o Registration forms available on Illinois Trekkers’ website and tonight on table.

o Registration due by November 1, 2016

If you travel on own, you still need to register for hotel and walks. Registration form will be on website

and at meetings. Bus will leave at 6:30 a.m. from Memorial Hospital Orthopedic Center. $100 deposit

when making reservations; the rest is due November 1, 2016.

Next Volkssport Committee meeting will be August 11th after Three Mile Thursday Walk.

Discussion regarding the June walk in Marissa and decided not to do it. Vickie Ridgeway volunteered to

work on a June walk in Maryville, IL.

YREs need to be sanctioned by August 31, 2016.

o Susan Hodgson volunteered to renew all current YREs

o Millstadt YRE. Trudy Duffman will check with the manager of the IGA to verify their store can

be used as Walk Box location.

Special Activities Committee: Nikki Wilcoxen, Chair, was not present.

Refreshments: Darleen Kraemer. Diane Prost provided refreshments for tonight. Thank you Diane.

Have volunteers for meetings through the end of the year. Thank you!

OLD BUSINESS:

Historic Walk at Fort de Chartres and Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. Sue Bacon thanked everyone that

helped and who participated in the walk.

AVA Mascot Contest. Forms available.

AVA Fund Development Committee seeks committee members. Looking for someone to create pro-

grams and apply for grants.

Website Administrator. Tom Stucky is resigning this position at the end of the year. Paul Wojtysiak

expressed an interest. Diane will check with Dee and Leonard Wojtysiak.

Volkssport Committee Meetings. Open to anyone interested in planning 2017 walks.

Mid-America Conference will be held October 28-30, in Plainfield, Indiana

o LaQuinta Inn & Suites in Plainfield, Indiana

o Walk routes in celebration of Indiana’s Bicentennial

Diane Prost sent email to Cliff Terry and reported that Illinois Trekkers are not needed to help

on Saturday. Members are encouraged to attend & walk.

o Raffle basket – Trudy Duffman will make the basket. Two themes proposed: picnic basket

theme or Christmas holiday them. Motion to do a picnic basket theme; motion passed. Trudy

needs items for basket by October meeting.

Reports on Year Round Events (YRE’s):

Our Lady of the Snows: Dale Gerlach – Walkers: 19 – July; 85 – YTD

Richland Creek: Nikki Wilcoxen – Walkers: 7 – July; 125 – YTD

Belleville YMCA: Packy and Sue Botula – Walkers: 3 – July; 92 – YTD

Bike: 2 – July; 10 – YTD

Maryville: Vickie Ridgeway - Walkers: 10 – July; 57 – YTD

Bike: 1 – July; 10 – YTD

Fenton: Tom and Cindy Stucky- Walkers: 2 – July; 32 – YTD

Glen Carbon: Susan Hodgson - Walkers: 1 – July; 109 – YTD

St. Clair Square Mall: Trudy Duffman - Walkers: 8 – July; 135 – YTD

Trudy Duffman reported a correction to the July minutes regarding YTD total for St. Clair

Square Mall. It should have been 127, not 129. Motion to accept correction; motion passed.

Updates: Three-Mile Thursdays: August through October 2016. Registration 6:15 p.m., Walk 6:30 p.m.

a) August 11th, 18th & 25th Maryville YRE

b) September 8th, 15th Jefferson Barracks YRE

c) September 22nd & 29th Fenton YRE

d) October 13th, 20th & 27th St. Clair Square Mall YRE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE:

Volunteer to work at traditional events

Members for Committees

o Need Chairman for Volkssport Committee

o Need Members for Volkssport Committee

o Volunteer to do Sales.

o Volunteer to be website administrator

Members to serve as Officers of Illinois Trekkers in 2017

o Trudy Duffman willing to serve as President

o Dale Gerlach willing to serve as Vice President

o Dee Wojtysiak willing to serve as Treasurer

o Vickie Ridgeway willing to serve as Secretary

NEW BUSINESS:

Awards & Achievements for both AVA and Illinois Trekkers recognition: Trudy Duffman

o Trudy discussed the different AVA awards (information sheet distributed). These awards are pre-

sented at the AVA Convention which will be held in June 2017.

o Trudy also discussed the different Illinois Trekker awards (information sheet distributed). These

will be awarded at the Christmas Party in November and Trudy is asking that you submit nomi-

nees no later than November 15, 2016.

o Trudy asked that you include a narrative and/or bullet points when submitting a name for an

award.

Glen Conyers editorial on the SPC recommendations: Trudy Duffman discussed the “Editorial on

The Strategic Plan” that Glen Conyers, SCRD, submitted (copies distributed). It is important to read it

and think about the changes to the bylaws that may be voted on at the AVA Convention next year. In

addition, it was suggested that this is one person’s opinion and we need to wait to hear any responses to

Glen’s editorial.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. Lysianne Unruh, Ice Age Trail Alliance Communications Coordinator,

communicated with Diane Prost to announce Trail Expeditions, a quality, non-competitive self-guided

walking event, and provided link to Trail Expedition: A Journey through Glacial Time:

https://www.iceagetrail.org/journey-glacial-time/. The Ice Age Trail, unique to Wisconsin, is one of

eleven scenic trails in the Nation. This 1,000-mile footpath winds its way through some of the best gla-

cial features in the world, including natural beauty of the deep woods, scenic bluffs, and gentle prai-

ries. If this is the first time you are hearing about the Ice Age Trail, you may visit www.iceagetrail.org

for more information. We invite you to come explore!

REVIEW OF AVA HEADQUARTERS’ CHECKPOINT

Link available on AVA and Illinois Trekkers websites. You can also request to have the Checkpoint

emailed directly to you.

ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR:

Susan Hodgson:

o Received approval from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to use their lobby as the start point for the New

Year’s Eve Walk.

o St. Elizabeth’s wanted us to know that, even though the hospital will be moving to the new O’Fallon

facility, they will still have a place in Belleville for the start point for our YRE.

Sue Bacon: o Discussed Footnotes and requested articles on the Bus Trip from Diane Prost and the Mid America

Conference from Trudy Duffman.

o Would like to have an article on “Favorite Footsteps”. Tell us about a special walk you did.

o Discussed the obituary of Pearl Tharp which stated she was a member of Illinois Trekkers. Sue sug-

gested a condolence letter be sent to the family. Earnestine suggested contacting the funeral home

for family contact information.

ATTENDANCE DRAWING: And the winner is Trudy Duffman!

NEXT MEETING: September 1, 2016, 6:30 p.m., Kinsella Room at the Fairview Heights Library. The Fair-

view Heights Public Library is located at 10017 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights, IL. When you reach 10017

Bunkum Road, turn onto Library Drive and continue to the library parking lot behind the library. Enter through

door on lower level at back of library.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 7:50 p.m.

Submitted by Susan Hodgson, Illinois Trekkers Secretary

2016 YREs Belleville Historic District & Richland Creek Greenway (Walk)

St. Elizabeth Hospital, 211 S. 3rd Street, Belleville, IL

POC: Nikki Wilcoxen, 618-973-3825

Belleville - YMCA (Walk/Bike)

YMCA, 2627 Carlyle Ave., East Belleville, IL

POC: “Packy”/Susan Botula, 618-236-9521

Belleville - National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Walk)

Shrine Motel, 451 S. De Mazenod Dr., Belleville, IL

POC: Dale Gerlach, 618-560-0420

Fairview Heights – St. Clair Square Mall (Walk)

Schnuck’s, 625 Lincoln Highway, Fairview Heights IL

POC: Trudy Duffman, 618-670-6920

Glen Carbon – Old Town (Walk)

Casey’s General Store, 70 S. Main St, Glen Carbon IL

POC: Susan Hodgson, 618-416-5533

Maryville - CMT YMCA (Walk/Bike)

YMCA, 1 Town Center Dr., Maryville, IL

POC: Vickie Ridgeway, 618-792-3881

St Louis – Fenton, Mo (Walk)

Riverchase of Fenton Recreation Center, 990 Horan, Fenton, MO. 63026

POC: Cindy/Tom Stucky, 314-270-3100

2014 YREs Belleville “Richland Creek” Greenway (Walk)

St. Elizabeth Hospital, 211 S. 3rd Street, Belleville, IL.

Contact: (618) 277-0830

Belleville - YMCA (Walk/Bike)

YMCA, 2627 Carlyle Ave., East Belleville, IL.

Contact: (618) 236-9983

Belleville - National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Walk)

Shrine Motel, 451 S. De Mazenod Dr., Belleville, IL.

Contact: (618) 622-0892

Edwardsville – Public Library (Walk)

Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas Str., Edwardsville, IL. 62025

Contact: (618) 692-4337

O'Fallon - YMCA (Walk)

YMCA, 284 North Seven Hills Rd O'Fallon, IL

Contact: (618) 660-6396

Maryville - CMT YMCA (Walk/Bike)

YMCA, 1 Town Center Dr., Maryville, IL,

Contact: (618) 344-0225.

St Louis – Fenton, Mo (Walk)

Riverchase of Fenton Recreation Center, 990 Horan, Fenton, MO. 63026

Contact: (636) 282-2964

Illinois Trekkers

P. O. Box 603

O’Fallon IL 62269

Registration form: Bus trip to Kansas City & Lights on the Plaza

December 17th & 18th, 2016

Name___________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

City____________________________State___________Zip______________

Phone______________Email address________________________________

Best Western Plus Seville Plaza Hotel: king bed $140.76 ($70.38/person) $___________

Best Western Plus Seville Plaza Hotel: 2 Queen beds/2 people $66.32/person $___________

Cavallo Bus transportation round trip to Kansas City & walks: $66.38/person $___________

Kanas City Downtown Walk only: $3.00/person $___________

Lights on the Plaza Walk in Kansas City MO only: $3.00/person $___________

Parkville Walk in Parkville MO only: $3.00/person $___________

Total $___________

Prices based on 30 people on bus to Kansas City. Bus price may vary if more or less people participate.

$100 deposit required with registration. Balance due by November 1, 2016.

Registration for bus trip closes on November 1, 2016.

For more information, contact Diane Prost: email diaprost@sisna.com; phone 256-527-3377

Mail registration form with deposit to:

Illinois Trekkers

PO Box 603

O’Fallon, Illinois 62269