Mammoth Tales Summer 2013 by Alisha Denomme

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LANGLADE have brought the Volunteers Antigo remarkable Plover River Segment Marinette another bigMENOMINEE step closer to completion. Read aboutOCONTO it on p. 14.

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Executive Director’sreport Appleton

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Mike Wollmer Executive Director

Our Partners

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We find the word ‘sustainability’ used in so many – each call is a surprise, and then again, when Port SAUK Washi D RICHLAND R along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. considering the person, it really isn’t a surprise at ways O Germantown F AWSustainability is the common thread that is woven all. I can tell you that it is a true pleasure to thank R o n scurrent i n R strategic plan. In each of C folks now whileOconomowoc they are here and we are able to throughout s cour iver Prairie du Madison Wi Chien the major categories of the plan, sustainability is do so personally. Milwau JEFFERSON the underlying motivation for our work. Waukesha IOWA Washington, DC is helping us sustain our MILWAUKE future DANE WAUKESHA GRANT Whitewater all of the gridlock in our Capital, Sustainability is the first consideration in the too. Despite trail layout and design process to manage there has been some good news relating to Platteville Ra RACINE In erosion and water. On constructed trail, trail contributions to the Alliance’s sustainability. Lake Janesvillethe President signed maintenance has LAFAYETTE a direct impact on sustaining January, Monroe Geneva the American Ken ROCK Relief Act of 2012 (H.R.KENOSHA 8) into law. a high-quality hiking experience along the Taxpayer GREEN Beloit WALWORTH hundreds of miles that make up the Ice Age Trail. This allows traditional IRA owners age 70½ or The same is true of land protection. Our first older to make a “qualified charitable distribution” thought when analyzing a property is our ability of up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to to sustain the land’s character into perpetuity. the charity of their choice in 2013. I encourage The Alliance’s outreach and education efforts those of you to whom this may apply to work with along the Trail, especially with youngsters, are your financial adviser to determine if a charitable aimed at sustaining the future of the Trail with gift to the Ice Age Trail Alliance might work in new audiences and future generations. The best light of your specific tax situation. example of sustainability…? Our volunteers! Their enduring commitment to the mission of We are inspired every day by the generosity of the Ice Age Trail Alliance sustains and inspires our members and volunteers to help support and sustain the Alliance. Like any hike, we need all of us. sound footing. I look forward to thanking each of The decisions and actions of our organization you for your support…in whatever form it takes. and supporters allow us to sustain the Alliance Our strategic plan cites a vision for the Alliance and the Ice Age Trail well into the future. The that we have “…both the infrastructure and the Alliance took a historic step toward its financial resources to ensure its existence in perpetuity.” sustainability on May 14. Thanks to a lead gift We have the best volunteers in the country, an from the Henry and Margaret Reuss Family and energized and committed Board and a highthe generosity of another group of supporting quality, professional staff…we’re well on our way! donors, we purchased our headquarters in Cross Plains. This represents a solid commitment to our mission and our future. I’ve been able to identify at least 20 addresses that have preceded Cross Plains. No more…we are home! We have our Mike Wollmer, Executive Director “Harper’s Ferry.” Sustainability encouraged one of our Directors, Roy Gromme, to write and sponsor an emotional letter to our members about the value, ease, opportunities and benefits of planned and estate giving. I have been humbled by the poignant conversations that I have had with many of you in response to Roy’s letter. It’s funny in a way

2 | Summer 2013

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Ourmission

The mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is to create, support, and protect a thousand-mile footpath tracing Ice Age formations across Wisconsin.

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On the cover: The trail building season has kicked into high gear with several large-scale projects, including our longest continuous event ever at the Plover River Segment in Marathon County. Check out Trail Building Highlights on p. 12 for the full wrap-up. Photo by Dave Caliebe, IATA Trail Program Specialist.

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Mammoth Tales is published by the Ice Age Trail Alliance for its members and friends. Together with the National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local units of government, businesses, and volunteers from around the state, the IATA works to preserve Wisconsin’s glacial heritage through the development of the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail.

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The IATA welcomes your comments. Email them to jamie@iceagetrail.org, call us at (800) 227-0046, or send them to Mammoth Tales, c/o IATA, 2110 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528. Editor: Jamie Fisher | Contributing Editor: Eric Sherman 2110 Main Street Cross Plains, WI 53528

Printer: Action Graphics, Butler, WI • (262) 373-1999 • www.actiongraphicsink.com Printed with soy-based ink on 10% recycled, Wisconsin-sourced paper.

(608) 798-4453 (p) (800) 227-0046 (p) (608) 798-4460 (f)

Designer: Celtic, Inc., Brookfield, WI • (262) 789-7630 • www.celticinc.com IATA logo design donated by Celtic, Inc.

Contents

info@iceagetrail.org www.iceagetrail.org

4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013 Annual Conference Review 6 ��Thousand-Miler Journals VOL. XXIV, NO. 2 Summer 2013

8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Land Conservation Highlights 10 �� Hiking Adventures 12 ��Trail Building Highlights 15 �� Chapter Highlights 18 �� Member & Donor News

Executive Committee

Directors

Staff

Executive Director Mike Wollmer mike@iceagetrail.org

Executive Assistant Matt Kaufmann matt@iceagetrail.org

Director of Trail Operations Tim Malzhan tim@iceagetrail.org

Publications Coordinator Jamie Fisher jamie@iceagetrail.org

Secretary Gary Klatt, Whitewater, WI

Marcy Conklin, Milwaukee, WI Dean Dversdall, Frederic, WI Don Erickson, Birchwood, WI Bob Funk, Wheaton, IL Roy Gromme, Oconomowoc, WI John Helling, Orono, MN David Mickelson, Madison, WI Jerry Sazama, Chippewa Falls, WI

Vice President Development Jason Dorgan, Blue Mounds, WI

Director of Land Conservation Kevin Thusius kevin@iceagetrail.org

Trail Program Specialist Dave Caliebe dave@iceagetrail.org

Directors Emeritus

Information Systems Coordinator Eric Sherman eric@iceagetrail.org

Leadership Memorial

President David Lonsdorf, Verona, WI

President Elect Kevin Delorey, Lake Mills, WI Treasurer Rod Bartlow, Slinger, WI

VP Leadership Development Dave Phillips, Madison, WI Vice President Personnel Rebecca Hamrin, Milwaukee, WI

Adam Cahow Robert Cromer Tom Drought Joe Jopek Dave Kinnamon Terry Kohler David Lovejoy Robert Rusch

Eastern Field Representative Brad Crary brad@iceagetrail.org Outreach and Education Manager Luke Kloberdanz luke@iceagetrail.org GIS Specialist Tiffany Stram tiffany@iceagetrail.org

Dick Cates Joyce Erdman Ody J. Fish Warren Knowles Henry Reuss Sarah Sykes Marion “Barney” Viste J.J. “Doc” Werner John Zillmer Raymond Zillmer

Administrative Assistant Jo Ellarson joanne@iceagetrail.org Summer 2013 | 3

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If you know an outstanding Ice Age Trail volunteer, partner or friend, She please help shine a light on his or her workFOND by makingFond a nomination. DU LAC du Lac JUNEAU GREEN To get started, visit www.iceagtrail.org/awards. Make your 2014 award LAKE SHEBOYGA nomination today and thank you for recognizing your fellow volunteers!

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Although it snowed pretty much continuously throughout the conference none of our hearty bunch seemed too bent out of shape and the group hikes retained the standard dose of good cheer. Photo by IATA Director of Land Conservation Kevin Thusius.

Polk County, home of the Western Terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, welcomed the IATA Annual Conference April 11-14. Conference attendees braved the winter weather to make it to Trollhaugen Ski Area in Dresser, Wis. The Indianhead Chapter hosted the event, and 175 trail supporters enjoyed a weekend of hikes, presentations and discussions. Highlights included morning hikes featuring the McKenzie Creek, St. Croix Falls, Straight Lake, and Trade River Segments; a high-energy performance by Stevens Point-area bluegrass band Horseshoes & Hand Grenades; and the premiere of the third Discover Wisconsin episode featuring the Ice Age Trail. The episode also aired throughout the Midwest that same weekend, and the IATA looks forward to the filming of a fourth Discover Wisconsin episode this year. Featured speaker Juan Martinez presented on Thursday evening, describing experiences early in his adulthood that brought him outside and outside of Los Angeles, where he was raised. He discussed the unique perspective these experiences have given him on how to inspire people to become engaged with the outdoors, which he actively pursues in his roles with National Geographic, The North Face, and the Richard Louv-inspired Children & Nature Network. Recent Thousand-Milers received recognition for their achievements, and National Park Service Volunteer Coordinator Dan Watson recognized Don Erickson of the Superior Lobe Chapter for accumulating 6,000 hours of volunteer service. The NPS also recognized Thelma Johnson of the Superior Lobe Chapter as runner-up in the nationally awarded and highly competitive Hartzog Awards. 4 | Summer 2013

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Don Erickson of Birchwood (left) is joined by Dan Watson, National Park Service Volunteer Coordinator, shortly after being honored through the NPS Volunteers In Parks (VIP) program for surpassing 6,000 volunteer hours. IATA file photo.

Join us next year for the 2014 Annual Conference and Membership Meeting, April 10-13. The conference will take place in beautiful Door County at The Lodge at Leathem Smith. The Lodge is a Door County landmark that dates back to 1928 and sits on the shore of Sturgeon Bay. The Sturgeon Bay Segment of the Ice Age Trail is located just across the water, with the Trailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eastern Terminus less than 10 miles away. All conference activities and amenities will be onsite at The Lodge, including meals and lodging.

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Thousand-Miler Recognition MIC

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Nothing captures the imagination quite like the thought of hiking the entirety of a long-distance path like the Ice Age Trail. LAK

Our organization recognizes anyone who reports completion of the entire Ice Age Trail (and can have their accomplishment verified) as a ThousandingtonMiler. To qualify for Thousand-Miler status, an individual must have hiked all 1,000+ miles of the Ice Age Trail between Potawatomi State Park and Interstate State Park, including all connecting roads. Issues of sequence, direction, speed, length of time or whether one carries a pack or not are ukee not considered.

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The following individuals all recently completed their hikes and were recognized at the Annual Conference as having officially joined the ranks of Ice Age Trail Thousand-Milers.

Paul B. Birrittella, Chippewa Falls nosha Meredith J. Eberhart, aka “Nimblewill Nomad”, Russellville, MO Nick J. Huige, Waukesha Rick Bie, Stevens Point Roberta Bie, Stevens Point Cheryl Gorsuch, Two Rivers Ann K. Vogl, Portage James P. Cousin, Madison Gerald M. Hegeman, East Troy James A. Johnston, Milwaukee

“In the Mud” Awards Our “In the Mud” award recognizes volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the Ice Age Trail over the year. Chapter and special event leaders submit the nominations. The individuals below received the award for consistently coming to workdays and diving into the dirty work, epitomizing the bedrock volunteer spirit that drives the progress toward completing the Trail. Allan Henn, Baraboo Hills Nancy Schuster, Chippewa Moraine Steve White, Chippewa Moraine Gary Werner, Dane County Nanette E. Del Monaco, Indianhead Chapter Kurt Nierode, Langlade County Patti Herman, Lodi Valley Loretta Klingenberg, Portage County Ruth Sommers, Portage County Toni Dougherty, Superior Lobe Steve Guernsey, Superior Lobe Ronald Schwilk, Trailwide Lynn Larson, Walworth/Jefferson Joe Aldstadt, Washington/Ozaukee Judy Rose, Washington/Ozaukee County Mike Fort, Waukesha/Milwaukee County Dick Hass, Waukesha/Milwaukee

Continued on back cover

Dan Watson joins some of the recen tly minted memb 1,000-hour club ers of the NPS VIP (left to right): Na ncy Fox of Edgerton; Ruby Jaecks of Ma Reschke of Whitehall, MI; Rita rathon; Brook Wa Sommers of Stev alen of Luck; Ruth ens Piotrowski of Waus Point; Wanda Brown of Saint Croix au. IATA file photo Falls; and Gail .

Years of Service Awards The following individuals have been a constant presence in support of the Ice Age Trail for 10, 20, or even 30 years. Recipients of Years of Service awards have provided a foundation of consistency and continuity in our volunteer ranks, and we thank them. 10 Years of Service Donna Wedekind, Heritage Trail Chapter Jim Wedekind, Heritage Trail Chapter Joe Hermolin, Langlade County Chapter Brenda Autz, Lodi Valley Chapter Bill Beers, Lodi Valley Chapter Jody Beers, Lodi Valley Chapter David Erickson, Lodi Valley Chapter Joanna Fanney, Lodi Valley Chapter Patti Herman, Lodi Valley Chapter Ron Smith, Lodi Valley Chapter Paulette Walker Smith, Lodi Valley Chapter Bill Welch, Lodi Valley Chapter Barbara Wollmer, Lodi Valley Chapter Bruce Jaecks, Northwoods Chapter Ruby Jaecks, Northwoods Chapter Mark Balhorn, Portage County Chapter July Schneider, Portage County Chapter Tim McRaith, Superior Lobe Chapter 20 Years of Service Herb Lundberg, Indianhead Chapter Cork Lundberg, Indianhead Chapter Dave Tlusty, Langlade County Chapter Sharon Bloodgood, Lodi Valley Chapter Chris Schotz, Northwoods Chapter Carolyn Brandeen, Rock County Chapter Dean Paynter, Rock County Chapter Jayne Paynter, Rock County Chapter Nancy Lazzaroni, Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter Vince Lazzaroni, Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter Allan Stenmark, Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter Paul Thuma, Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter Lee Krueger, Washington/Ozaukee County Chapter Daniel Rambo, Washington/Ozaukee County Chapter Cherie Heinz, Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter Jim Heinz, Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter 30 Years of Service Gary Werner, Dane County Chapter Tom Algire, Northwoods Chapter Robert Freckmann, Portage County Chapter Sally Freckmann, Portage County Chapter Martin Wacker, Portage County Chapter Mike Kirk, Waupaca County Chapter Summer 2013 | 5

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Upon completing the entire Ice Age Trail hikers are asked to complete a application to make their feat “official” in the Ice Age Trail RACINE Lake applications Alliance’s records. Hikers often include essays along with their LAFAYETTE Janesville Monroe Geneva that document the highs and lows of a thousand-mile adventure. ROCK GREEN Beloit WALWORTH KENOSHA Rick and Roberta Bie of Stevens Point, IATA members affiliated with the Marathon County Chapter, completed their Ice Age Trail section-hike in September 2012. The essays they included with their applications are among the more stirring on file and we are pleased to share excerpts below.

PlattevilleThousand-Miler

Bohn Lake in Waushara County provided a pleasant scene on a fall day.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

You can find similar stories from our latest crew of Thousand-Milers by checking out our Thousand-Miler Tribute docs at iceagetrail.org/thousand-milers.

RICK: My wife Roberta and I set a goal in 2005 to hike the entire Ice Age Trail in 10 years, 100 miles a year. We saw it as an opportunity to do several of our favorite things: visit new and familiar places in Wisconsin, do something active, then replenish ourselves with good beer and great food. We didn’t start with a plan; we began hiking sections close to home in Stevens Point and tracing our hikes in the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer with brief notes on the when, what and where. We planned a week-long section hike in the fall of 2005 through the Chequamegon National Forest in Taylor County. We had an ambitious 90-mile goal that was quickly dashed on the very first hike when we encountered trail sections more challenging than we had anticipated, including a blow-down area where the Trail disappeared entirely in a tangle of downed trees and sharp raspberry shoots – on an unseasonably hot day under a blazing sun. What we had thought would be a pleasant, if difficult, undertaking suddenly began to feel like an episode from “Survivor”…. ROBERTA: The next several years we stayed close to home or my original home, Milwaukee. Rick and I had both changed jobs 6 | Summer 2013

and vacation time was limited. A hike here and there throughout Marathon and Portage counties refueled our ambitions. We gradually moved our day or weekend hikes out more north and south of home base. We witnessed Karner Blue butterflies on the lupines near Emmons Creek, crashing waterfalls in the Eau Claire Dells, the natural area of John Muir’s boyhood home and a magnificent rainbow over Holy Hill. RICK: We had logged 426 miles as 2009 approached and it was around then that we finally developed a plan. We’d completed three long threads of section hikes – one up north in Taylor County, one in central Wisconsin, and another in the Kettle Moraine – and we decided to fill in the gaps between them, working our way out from Stevens Point, in sequence and in the same direction, toward the eastern and western termini. By year’s end we had closed the northern gap in Langlade and Lincoln counties, conquering arguably the most rugged and remote Trail segments…. ROBERTA: On August 2, 2010, after a medical check-up, my physician called with the news I had cancer. I panicked, couldn’t think and needed time alone. I spent what seemed like an eternity in thought, tears and surgery planning. Rick was always by my side holding my hand. Rick, my family, friends, my co-worker sisters and close Toastmasters provided support (I couldn’t have gone on without their blessings and positive energy). After 3 weeks, I was ready to continue hiking. Although I truly believed this would be my last hurrah, I hiked 5 days before my surgery. I remember the day as primarily rainy and gloomy. My thoughts were not really on the IAT. I doubted I was healthy enough to survive the surgery. To me the

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goal of completing the 1000 miles of the IAT was just another pipe dream. I arrived at the Devil’s Staircase in Janesville exhausted, needing to roll on my belly to make it up a very steep step. Although it was overcast with occasional rain that day, the sun came out at the end of our hike. I still felt this was it; I would never see the IAT again. I turned to my best friend, Rick; and mustered up a smile, holding back the tears… On September 25th I had surgery. I made it! I was astonished that I had survived. My physician reported my cancer was found early enough to be eradicated by surgery. After 7 weeks of recovery I was back to work…. In spring I was unsure we would continue hiking, but deep down in my heart I knew I wanted to finish the 1000+ miles of the IAT. We started back in Janesville in spring 2011… Although I was slow and winded, that day was just what I needed. We were back on track with our IAT goals… RICK: After a couple of productive weekends in the fall of 2011 – weekends remembered especially for outstanding food, drink and hospitality in Rice Lake and Cumberland – we found ourselves roughly one full week from reaching the IAT western terminus in St. Croix Falls. So in June of 2012 we spent another week’s vacation hiking west from Barronett, and discovered without question the most spectacular 80-mile stretch of stunning scenery on the entire Trail. Most remarkable was a diversity of wildlife we had not encountered elsewhere, including our only sightings of black bear, otters, and trumpeter swans. And the beauty of rocky bluffs of Interstate State Park, at the western terminus, was jaw dropping. Getting to that point in our goal was immensely rewarding. ROBERTA: A few weeks after returning home from our hike of the most western part of the Ice Age Trail we decided to schedule several weekends to finish hiking the Ice Age Trail in 2012. We had part of the Northern Kettle Moraine to the Eastern Terminus left. Our schedule had us conservatively finishing mid-October. We changed that schedule several times putting other responsibilities and opportunities aside. RICK: We finished our last hike on September 9, 2012 at the rock marking the eastern terminus of the IAT in Potawatomi State Park. Over the course of eight years we survived aggressive dogs,

bee stings, poison ivy, stinging nettles, wild parsnip burns, tick infestations, heat exhaustion. We had some a**hole kids shooting BB guns at us in Albany…. We survived two bear hunting seasons in Taylor County. Eight years ago, I was not even aware there was a bear hunting season. ROBERTA: I am thrilled to state “I am an Ice Age Trail Thousand-Miler.” The trek was challenging, educational and often breathtaking. I visited a vast amount of Wisconsin; places I probably I would not know about without the journey. I experienced nature’s diversity from dancing cranes to serenades of spring peepers; walking through whispering pines to sand dunes. I will never regret dedicating the time necessary to hike the entire Ice Age Trail and I will encourage others to get out there and take a hike. RICK: … I’m a shy and introspective guy, and what I valued most about our eight-year experience hiking the Ice Age Trail was the solitude it afforded us: time to hash things out; to find out how well an atlas captures the essence of a place, and what it omits; to toss out one-liners and get immediate, honest feedback; to urinate outdoors freely on nearly half of Wisconsin’s counties; to compose a song about urinating outdoors freely on nearly half of Wisconsin’s counties to the tune of Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere.” And finally, to do all this and more with my best friend. We finished our goal with two years to spare and with too many memories to recount in this or any other forum. Finishing was bittersweet, because while it gave us pride in our accomplishment – and the end of the miserable long drives in separate cars to far-flung trailheads – it also meant the end to an especially enjoyable chapter in the narrative of our lives.

Photo Captions 1

The willingness to think outside the box and try new things can serve a Thousand-Miler well, as Rick demonstrates with his choice of footwear.

Roberta works her way up one of the more demanding portions of the Trail on the Devil’s Lake Segment in Sauk County.

Pant legs tucked into socks helped keep creeping ticks clearly visible.

A scenic view of a lake never seems too far off. Here’s Game Lake in Langlade County. Summer 2013 | 7

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Thanks toRa new agreemento n with Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Picnic Lake in Chippewa s i nthe R C i s cshoreline Oconomowoc County Prairie will remain from development. To take in this view volunteers will be rerouting a portion iver du free W Madison of the Ice Age Trail’s Harwood Lakes Segment during our Mobile Skills Crew project September 11-15. Chien Photo by Kevin Thusius. JEFFERSON

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Janesville Monroe Geneva ROCK Go to the City of St. Croix Falls website, and right there under the name GREEN Beloit WALWORTH KEN

of the city, you’ll see “City of Trails.” Well, due to two recent successful property acquisitions by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, St. Croix Falls will soon be able to boast that they are home to another mile or so of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The DNR was able to negotiate two separate transactions with neighboring properties to acquire approximately 36 acres of land between an existing State Ice Age Trail Area to the south and a section of the Trail in the city’s Ray Zillmer Park, named after the visionary for the Ice Age Trail. The new SIATA also borders the city’s vast and exciting 450-acre Wert Family Nature Preserve. The IATA will begin trail construction through the properties’ open grasslands and mixed hardwoods and work its way around rocky outcroppings during an MSC event October 2–6. Please come out and join us. Special appreciation goes to Rhonda Kenyon (DNR), Mike Pritchard and Dean Dversdall (IATA volunteers) for their extra efforts on these acquisitions. Also, thank you to the State’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the Indianhead Chapter for helping fund these properties.

Y B

Marinette

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Sturgeon Bay

Featured ACquisition

Green Bay

Chippewa Co.

Kewaunee

Chippewa

KEWAUNEE Conty Forest

ROWN

Harwood Lakes, Chippewa County

Map Area

Algoma

New IATA Easements

kauna

Manitowoc MANITOWOC

HIG

245th Ave.

Sheboygan

Chippewa Conty Forest

MIC

E 0

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LAK

GTO

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SHEBOYGAN

Port Washington

Germantown

The Ice Age Trail Alliance extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff and volunteers of the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes for their generosity and foresight in protecting this property. A special thanks to Gail McNutt and David Van Dyke of the Council.

Racine Kenosha

Map Area

Dells of the Eau Claire, Marathon County 52

Dells of the Eau Claire County Park

Eau

New SIATA

North Pole Rd

River

Marathon Co.

Claire

NOSHA

The IATA worked with Van Dyke and the Council to complete a 108-acre conservation easement that protects the shoreline of Picnic Lake from development and ensures sustainable forest management on the parcel to be sold. The Council also agreed to donate a 21-acre trail easement on the eastern portion of their property, which they will retain and continue to use as a day camp for Girl Scouts. The Council recognizes that the Ice Age Trail will serve as an educational and recreational tool for future camp participants. To take advantage of some spectacular glacial topography and views of wonderful wetland bogs, the IATA will reroute a portion of the Trail during our Mobile Skills Crew project at the Harwood Lakes Segment September 11-15. A ceremony is planned during the project to celebrate the land protection and trail reroutes. Consider attending the project to see this beautiful area.

Milwaukee kesha HA MILWAUKEE

ACINE

Back in September 2011, Mike Dahlby, Chippewa County Forester called the Ice Age Trail Alliance office. Dahlby informed the IATA that the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (“Council”) were interested in divesting some of their Camp Nawakwa property that hosts the Ice Age Trail. However, before doing so, the leaders of the Council sought to protect the Trail and the property’s geologic and natural beauty. In the words of David Van Dyke, property and outdoor program director for the Council, “The focal point of the property is the glacial features, which are plainly visible while hiking the Ice Age Trail on our property and beyond.”

Sportsman Dr. Existing SIATA

Z 0

0.5

Miles

Plover River State Fishery Area

When it comes to iconic segments of the Ice Age Trail, the Dells of the Eau Claire River is certainly among them. The Plover River Segment about two miles to the east has received a great amount of deserved attention with MSC projects each year since 2010. This beautiful segment has been gaining popularity and notoriety as one of the sweetest walks in the Northwoods, known for its spring ephemerals, extraordinary fall color and smooth-walking design. Connecting these two segments is a high priority for the Ice Age Trail Alliance and our partners. We are now one step closer. In March, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources acquired a 120-acre State Ice Age Trail Area from an industrial forest company. This SIATA will not only help connect the Eau Claire Dells Segment with the Plover River Segment, but it will eventually aid in completing a significant, more than 25-mile connection from Highway 29 north to the Langlade County border. Special thanks to Lynne Tomlinson and Brigit Brown (both DNR) for their efforts on this acquisition. Funding for this acquisition came from the State’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Summer 2013 | 9

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Wausau MARATHON

Menomonie

Marshfield

Stevens Point

WOOD

ssi

Wisconsin Rapids

JACKSON

Waupaca

ssi pp i

LA CROSSE

Tomah

Wautoma

WAUSHARA

QU E

La Crosse

JUNEAU

GREEN LAKE

Baraboo

Prairie du Chien

SAUK

RICHLAND

sconsin

Rive

Portage COLUMBIA

Madison

DODGE West Bend

Oconomowoc JEFFERSON

DANE

GRANT

Maybe TodayPlatteville Would Be Okay LAFAYETTE

Janesville

Monroe At 5:56 a.m., I lay restless in my tent and examined my thumb-sized heelROCK blisters. I poked a hole in each with my Swiss Army knife GREEN and drained Beloit them into a towel. Relief... Now the intense pressure at the back of my feet was transformed into a nagging but tolerable sting.

Crows squawked above the hazy, silent dawn as I boiled water for oatmeal. The tendons in my feet had made a slight recovery overnight. The sting of the empty blisters caused by 27 miles with a 40-pound pack wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. Small sparks of optimism crept in under my blanket of weariness. I just might make it back to my Jeep parked in Tisch Mills after all... but then again, I hadn’t yet started the day’s 23-mile hike. I headed south into Algoma (Atlas Page 102f). The lingering pain in my feet made me incapable of long, confident strides. But eventually I found a rhythm as I strolled through the quiet little city. I saw almost no one; I supposed everyone was either hung-over or at church. As I walked along the shore of Lake Michigan, Algoma reminded me a lot of the city I grew up in, Manitowoc. A cool, steady wind pushed in a vague “marine life” smell. An impressive breakwater jutted stoically into Lake Michigan. I grabbed snacks and Gatorade from a STH 42 convenience store and mentally prepared myself for the long “Connecting Route” on county roads to the next section of the IAT, north of Kewaunee. Today would be all about perseverance.

10 | Summer 2013

FOND Fond DU LAC du Lac

Relief in sight! The tunnel signifying the turnoff for the author’s campsite after Day 2.

IOWA

Trailwide member

Oshkosh WINNEBAGO

VERNON

CLAYTON GROW

Neenah

me to hike the No one forced but ute, of course, ro g n ti ec n n co a my goal to be it was part of r.” “Thousand-Mile

Enduring the Ice Age

OUTAGAMIE Appleton

MONROE

“

WAUPACA

PORTAGE

ADAMS

SHAWANO

TTE

Mi iv

OCO

MAR

BUFFALO

CLARK

EAU CLAIRE

PEPIN

MENOMINEE

River

Eau Claire

TREMPEALEAU

TAYLOR

CHIPPEWA Chippewa Falls

Antigo

sin

River Falls PIERCE

DUNN

Merrill

Wiscon

Hikingadventures ST. CROIX

LANGLADE

Medford

Whitewater

WAUKE

Lake Geneva

WALWORTH K

Y A B

Marinette

DOOR N

ONTO

Sturgeon Bay

Green Bay

Algoma Kewaunee

BROWN

KEWAUNEE

Manitowoc MANITOWOC

MIC

Sheboygan Misery Amidst Beauty

LAK

OZAUKEE

ING

TON

ISHEBOYGAN slogged along some of the most peaceful, picturesque country roads in Wisconsin, all within a mile of Lake Michigan. The sagging walls of idyllic barns slowly succumbing to gravity reminded me of my d legs limping under the weight of my overstuffed backpack. A flock of Port ostriches stared at me trudging past as they glided behind a fence Washington like eerie, Germantown animated periscopes. Behind a smiling mustache and sunglasses, a Sunday driver puttered away in a topless old jalopy. The first flickering flames of fall color painted the outer edges of a majestic roadside maple. Milwaukee Waukesha For a long time, it was just fields, asphalt, and me. No one forced me ESHA MILWAUKEE to hike the connecting route, of course, but it was part of my goal to be a “Thousand-Miler.” That is, to hike all of the “trail” portions of the Racine RACINE IAT, but to also hike on roads in between these sections of trail. I tried to keep a positive attitude. But with each step, my head hung a little lower; myKenosha steps a little slower. KENOSHA

WA SH

2 3

HIG

CALUMET

Kaukauna

My midday break would be at Father Marquette Memorial Park (Atlas Page 101f). A smiling gray-haired lady raked the front yard of a pristine, happy home. My agony was obvious, so she asked me where I was going and where I’d been. We exchanged “God bless America’s” as I continued my journey and she, her raking. It was the 10th anniversary of September 11.

A Strange Break I kept my head down, ignoring the beautiful scenery in the mile or two before I reached Father Marquette Memorial Park. All I saw was asphalt and my plodding boots. When I reached the park, I immediately removed my boots and socks and lay motionless on a picnic table. A strange illusion appeared as I stared at the shelter rafters: a field of stars slowly oozing upward. Like when you stare at something dark, then look away, and a bright silhouette remains in your brain for a few seconds. Or like being on a boat all day and feeling the earth undulate for hours afterward. I enjoyed this strange optical phenomenon for a few minutes before eating lunch and reassuring my family via phone call that I was okay and where I expected to be. I mustered the gumption to continue, but inertia was working against me. The Kewaunee River State Trail, which doubles as the IAT northwest of Kewaunee is nice smooth gravel. I couldn’t enjoy the beauty of this well-maintained riverside trail because I had so grossly

overestimated my stamina while planning this first weekend hike. I was grateful for another chance to put my feet up at the splendid, green Bruemmer County Park. I simply plodded onward, ignoring all the chattering birds and lush, green riverside wilderness. At 5:00 p.m. I reached the huge culvert that serves as a tunnel for the Trail under Clyde Hill Road. Respite was a half-mile away.

At Camp I had reserved a campsite with Bill, the owner of the campground, and called him from my cell. Bill smiled sympathetically as he pulled up to the campground office in his golf cart. He gave me Gatorade and offered access to the pool. Bill introduced me to another IAT hiker, Loyal, who had arrived much earlier than I. Large bold tattoos of Batman and Superman decorated his forearms. He had started from the Eastern Terminus on Saturday morning, as I did. He looked nearly as weary as I. Sadly, neither of us had the energy to discuss our experience on the trail. He hiked to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. I hiked for my own selfish sense of accomplishment. Bill dropped me off at a riverside campsite, and I set up camp before walking back to take an invigorating dip in the pool, which improved my mood immensely. As the hazy, pale spotlight of the full moon shone between the cedar trees and down onto my campsite, I pondered my game plan for the final day of my first weekend hike. After the last section of “official” IAT, there was a meandering “recommended” connecting route to Tisch Mills. There was also a significantly shorter, more direct route on busier roads. My feet screamed at me, “Brave the traffic, man! We’re can’t endure much more!” Yes, my feet and I were having a conversation, and we continued this debate well into the night.

Photo Captions 1

The author at the entrance to his second site of respite.

The first flickers of fall color paint a tree on the connecting route.

Ostriches glide like live periscopes at a farm on the connecting route.

A topless jalopy putters away behind the author on the connecting route. Summer 2013 | 11

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Medford

Wausau

MARATHON

Menomonie

pp i

Volunteers Tangle With Invasive Species on Springfield Hill

WAUPACA OUTAGAMIE

PORTAGE

La Crosse

0.5 Miles

Neenah

Now imagine hiking across that same hillside Wautoma with your arms outstretched, ADAMS Oshkosh WAUSHARA bottlebrush grass and little bluestem slipping through yourWINNEBAGO fingers, as Tomah century-old oaks stand as sentries, gnarled from the elements and age. MONROE Sounds idyllic, right? FOND

Fond

du Lac The former isJUNEAU the Dane County Parks “SpringfieldGREEN Hill” propertyDU as LAC it LAKE exists now – and the latter, what the Ice Age Trail experience at that VERNON site may be in the future. Thirty-six volunteers got a head start as good stewards of the land when they braved aPortage chilly day on March 16 to attack Baraboo COLUMBIA DODGE West Bend the brush and bramble. SAUK

RICHLAND

Work proceeded in the trail stewardship zone, an area along either side AW of the Trail. Volunteers cut and carefully stacked piles of brush to be R in R C s c o n snext i Oconomowoc i v e r The hillside opened Prairie du burned winter. up, freeing the oaks of choking Madison W Chien underbrush and allowing volunteers to walk around without having JEFFERSON W branches andIOWA thorns reaching out to grab their hats and jackets. In areas DANE treated WAUKE GRANT outside the direct path of the planned trail, trained volunteers Whitewater stumps with herbicide to prevent them from growing back.

DAVE CALIEBE

Platteville

This first Mobile Skills Crew event of the year was the inaugural step in Lake LAFAYETTE Janesville a larger project in the area, aMonroe foothold to build upon to open new trail Geneva ROCK GREEN WALWORTH K along Highway 12 in Dane County. As called forBeloit in the MSC Strategic Plan, this was also the first winter event to be conducted as part of the MSC program. On April 28, the Dane County Chapter continued work at Springfield Hill with more than 40 volunteers from Blackhawk Church. In a few short years and with more hard work, you won’t have to imagine walking through a beautiful oak woodland. It will be a reality.

IATA Trail Program Specialist

March 16, 2013

Volunteers circle on a palette of white before

heading out for the day’s work at Sprin Photo by IATA Exec gfield Hill. utive Assistant Ma tt Kaufmann.

12 | Summer 2013

Stevens Point

Waupaca Picture yourself Wisconsin crawling Rapidson your hands and knees, struggling to traverse JACKSON a steep hillside choked with impenetrable buckthorn and honeysuckle – Appleton two rather insidious invasive species. Not your idea of a Sunday hike, is it?

LA CROSSE

Indian Lake County Park

WOOD

SHAWANO Springfield Hill

TTE

ssi

Matz Rd

ssi iv

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Plover River

Segment MENOMINEE

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IAT-U #1

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Project

Area BUFFALO

TREMPEALEAU

Dane Co

CLARK

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Simpson Rd

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sin

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Trail Buildinghighlights ST. CROIX

Merrill

Editor’s note: A large-scale MSC event is planned for Springfield Hill in 2014. It’s not too early to mark your calendars!

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HIG

245th Ave.

Chippewa County Forest

Initiated in 2002, Ice Age Trail University provides an opportunity for volunteers to learn new skills as well as update and refresh those they already have. Chapter leaders and interested Alliance members and volunteers are encouraged to obtain (and regularly update) First Aid/ CPR and Chainsaw Safety certification – IATA Crew Leaders maintain current certifications in both.

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Yurts, tent platforms, a bunkhouse, chainsaws, food preparation, and plastic mannequins – these were all part of Session One of Ice Age Trail University, held April 27 and 28 at beautiful Camp Nawakwa, a Girl Scout camp in Chippewa County. We updated our skills and enjoyed good food and the camaraderie of a great campfire.

Camp chef training is an opportunity for the volunteers who prepare and serve meals (whether at chapter events or MSC projects) to learn or brush up on food safety techniques. They also learn IATA-specific support practices (knowledgeable support crews are essential for successful MSC projects!). This year’s participants prepared for the daylong, hands-on portion of camp chef training by using online learning modules to study the standards of safe food preparation, service and storage.

Port Washington

Volunteers Sharpen Valuable Skills at IAT-U

Germantown

Milwaukee Waukesha ESHA MILWAUKEE

Chainsaw safety recertification included a review in the morning of appropriate saw safety features, a how-to on routine maintenance (a dull saw is a dangerous saw), and requirements regarding personal protection equipment and safety practices. Our afternoon in the field included instructions on how to use the tree’s natural fiber as a hinge, which helps a sawyer to control the direction of the tree’s fall, and how to safely “walk down” a tree that’s hung up. Less experienced participants became familiar with the feel of the saws by bucking up a number of downed logs. More experienced sawyers had a chance to practice advanced techniques by mapping out and tackling more challenging situations.

GAIL PIOTROWSKI Racine RACINE IATA Crew Leader & Marathon County Chapter Member Kenosha

KENOSHA

April 27-28, 2013

During the First Aid and CPR course, we went over the basics of assessing the situation, staying calm and approaching a victim. We practiced proper procedures for positioning an unconscious person to prevent choking and dislodging an object from someone’s airway. We also learned how to correctly perform CPR, use an AED, treat a burn and stop bleeding. In all, 35 volunteers devoted 584 hours, expanding their knowledge and skills to keep everyone safe while working on the Ice Age Trail. Check with your local chapter or iceagetrail.org for information on more training opportunities.

a break after fety class takes The Chainsaw Sa be. lie Photo by Dave Ca

wo some hands-on

rk.

Summer 2013 | 13

2 Bear Lake Rd

Project Area

Marathon Co

Project Area r ve Plo

r Rive

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0.5 Miles

Highland Dr

Epic Plover River Segment One Step Closer To Completion DAVE CALIEBE / TIM MALZHAN IATA Trail Program Specialist/ IATA Director of Trail Operations

May 10-18, 2013 nteers on the new section rock!” Yard by yard, volu e “Guess what? Another remove or re-orient larg to ged llen cha e ment wer ribbon of tread. dly rien of the Plover River Seg er-f hik a ish abl granite to est Photo by Dave Caliebe. boulders of Wolf River

Like Rome, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is not built in a day. And like the Coliseum, the Pantheon and Hadrian’s Villa, portions of this thousand-mile ribbon of tread stand out as epics: narrative poems written in soil and rock that celebrate adventure, achievement and Wisconsin’s glacial heritage. Walk the Plover River Segment, particularly in May, when the forest floor is blanketed with perhaps the most diverse display of woodland flora on any trail segment statewide, and you will experience one of the epics of the Ice Age Trail.

The Mobile Skills Crew event at Plover River embraced the furthest advance of the detritus left by the last continental glaciation: the terminal moraine and an attendant boulder train in eastern Marathon County. The eight-day production, from May 10-18 (with Wednesday as a rest day) called to the table all the skills and knowledge volunteer trail builders have learned and refined, from rock work and tread construction to rigging, carpentry and camp chef. The four seasons were also on display as snow, rain, sun, heat, and even gusty winds and 20-degree temperatures made an appearance. In spite of the weather Mother Nature posed, volunteers completed the boardwalk started in 2012 and added an additional 200 feet, including a viewing platform that provides hikers a place to ponder and more deeply explore the landscape and two accessible passing zones to enable use by people of unique abilities. Volunteers also constructed more than 5,000 feet of finished tread through unforgiving glacial terrain, which included crafting trail at the edge of two can’t-miss highlights of the segment – the terminal moraine and the boulder train, a quarter-mile long trail of erratics that tells us the direction of the flow of glacial ice.

The long project asked for elevated levels of perseverance and enthusiasm. Volunteers answered the call. In addition to veteran IATA MSC crew leaders, Marathon County and trailwide volunteers were joined by Eagle Scout candidate John LePine and Troop 451, the Creative Minds Charter School from the Minocqua Joint 1 School District and students from Fond du Lac-based Marian University. In all, 149 volunteers devoted 3,830 hours to the effort, including 18 people who volunteered 75 or more hours each.

Photo Captions 1

Yellow Trout Lily and other spring wildflowers showed off their colors for anyone wishing to stop and take a look. Photo by Dave Caliebe.

The finished boardwalk features two accessible passing zones, like the one shown here, and a viewing platform. Photo by Dave Caliebe.

Volunteers James Rintelman (left) and Richard Propp (right) help put the final touches on 1,200 feet of boardwalk. Photo by Dave Caliebe.

The Plover River Segment traverses land that is a hotspot for woodland wildflowers like these trillium. Photo by Dave Caliebe.

14 | Summer 2013

Unlike the antiquities of Rome, the Ice Age Trail is not a relic waiting for the sands of time to close in, but a living story that continues to grow. At every IATA event, more volunteers add their voices to the story. You’ll have another chance to help write the Plover River Segment’s chapter, as we will be returning July 31-Aug. 4 to finish this epic gem and open three new miles of the Ice Age Trail for public use.

Editor’s note: An MSC event took place July 31-Aug 4 to finish work and open the segment for public use. Hooray!

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Wausau MARATHON

Menomonie

ssi ssi pp i iv

OCO

Marshfield

Stevens Point

WOOD Wisconsin Rapids

JACKSON

SHAWANO

WAUPACA

PORTAGE

OUTAGAMIE

Waupaca

Appleton

Neenah Wautoma

ADAMS LA CROSSE

WAUSHARA

Tomah

TTE

BUFFALO

CLARK

EAU CLAIRE

PEPIN

MENOMINEE

River

Eau Claire

TREMPEALEAU

TAYLOR

CHIPPEWA Chippewa Falls

Antigo

sin

River Falls PIERCE

DUNN

Merrill

Wiscon

Chapterhighlights ST. CROIX

LANGLADE

Medford

MAR

La Crosse

QU E

MONROE JUNEAU

GREEN LAKE

Oshkosh WINNEBAGO

FOND Fond DU LAC du Lac

VERNON Portage COLUMBIA

Baraboo

RICHLAND

SAUK

AW R s i nthe Montrose C s c o n at Thru-hiker Patrick Enright of Waupaca passed through just in time toPrairie evaluate kiosk Rive du the new W i who spearheaded rthe Segment in Dane County. Photo by Dane County Chapter member Ed Spoon of Verona, Chien kiosk project with an Eagle Scout and has been hard at work on signage upgrades throughout the area.

Oconomowoc

Madison

JEFFERSON

IOWA DANE

GRANT

Chapter Coordinater Contact Information: 1

Indianhead Chapter Polk & Burnett Cos. Dean Dversdall (715) 472-2248 EdgeLong@lakeland.ws Superior Lobe Chapter Barron & Washburn Cos. Bob Held (715) 761-1657 heldharbor@gmail.com Blue Hills Chapter Rusk Co. Jim Kurz (715) 532-7246 jbrekkekurz@centurytel.net

4 Chippewa Moraine Chapter Chippewa Co. Richard Smith (715) 967-2164 chapter@iatchippewa.org 5

High Point Chapter Taylor Co. Buzz Meyer (715) 748-5627 gtmeyer@charter.net Northwoods Chapter Lincoln Co. Ruby and Bruce Jaecks (715) 443-3586 brjaecks@airrun.net

Whitewater

WAUKE

Platteville

Langlade Co. Chapter Joe Jopek (715) 623-2645 jjjopekj@frontier.com Marathon Co. Chapter Dave Mix (715) 849-3348 mciat@solarus.net Portage Co. Chapter Sally Freckmann (715) 344-0686 sfreckmann@charter.net Waupaca Co. Chapter Debbie Krogwold (715) 258-6240 debbie.krogwold@co.waupaca.wi.us

Waukesha/Milwaukee Co. Lake Baraboo Hills Chapter LAFAYETTE 19 Janesville Monroe Geneva Chapter Sauk Co. ROCK GREEN Kris Jensen Donna and Neal Meier Beloit WALWORTH K (262) 966-9788 (608) 356-7678 krjonorthlk@yahoo.com donnaandneal@msn.com Washington/Ozaukee Co. Chapter Craig Sanford (262) 370-3322 craigsan@wi.rr.com

15 Lodi Valley Chapter

16 Dane Co. Chapter

21 Lakeshore Chapter

Southern Columbia Co. Joanna Kramer Fanney (608) 592-7817 iwannahike@yahoo.com Andrew Bent (608) 236-4886 afbent@wisc.edu

Dan Mitchell (920) 497-8444 dmitchell001@new.rr.comt

Tom Gross (608) 798-4999 ta144@tds.net

Waushara Co. Chapter Randy Lennartz (920) 787-2333 lennartz@centurytel.net

17 Rock Co. Chapter

Marquette Co. Chapter Gary Ertl (608) 369-3543 garebear510@hotmail.com

18 Walworth/Jefferson Co. Chapter

Heritage Trail Chapter Northern Columbia Co. Gary Fredrick (608) 742-7837 brad@iceagetrail.org

DODGE West Bend

Mike Guisleman (608) 751-0678 pomeroy3@frontier.com Carol Prchal (262) 495-8502 muttlover@centurytel.net

Lynn Larson (262) 642-3980 easttroylarson@yahoo.com

Summer 2013 | 15

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LODI VALLEY CHAPTER

BARABOO HILLS CHAPTER

The chapter hosted a number of great hikes in the first part of 2013, including full moon hikes in February and March. Some new-to-the-Trail hikers enjoyed the hikes with us, as did some 2-year-old twins. Our 4th Annual Devil’s Lake to Gibraltar hike provided a chance to see all the logging work that is being done in the Riverland Conservancy.

Tom Teeples gave a wonderful talk about his through-hike at our February Annual Membership Meeting. Allan Henn has been directing trail maintenance to keep fallen trees off the many wooded Trail sections through the bluffs in and around Devil’s Lake State Park. High winds, heavy snow and ice, and effects of the 2012 drought have caused several trees to block sections of Trail. Portions of the Trail in the Riverland Conservancy will some re-signing after logging of the pine plantation is completed. Several trees that had blazes are gone. The Trail is still evident but will be more so once the slash has been cleared and some new blazes put in. The chapter also had a display at the Earth Day event at the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus on April 21.

Bill Welch has been working with Lodi High School teacher Tyler Potter (last year’s “In the Mud” award recipient) to continue development of the Trail Keepers, a group of more than 20 high school students who help maintain the Trail in the Lodi Valley area. This group was initially funded through a Natural Resources Foundation Besadny grant. The numbers of students involved continues to grow and they’re doing great work. These outstanding volunteers amassed more than 50 volunteer hours. Our March Annual Meeting, which 44 people attended, was a great evening of socialization, live music, good food, and an inspiring and informative presentation by ecologist Craig Annen of Integrated Restorations, LLC. Craig discussed mesic prairie remnants and their importance to regional conservation efforts in Wisconsin. He focused on the 8-acre mesic prairie remnant on the Gibraltar Segment and discussed what IATA volunteers can do to help restore and enhance this unique site and the at-risk species it supports. Chapter members have been busy doing trail, kiosk, and signage maintenance. A trail improvement schedule for the upcoming months is on the IATA website. Plans are afoot to prepare for the October Mobile Skills Crew project on the Gibraltar Segment – Joanna Fanney, Chapter Coordinator

DANE COUNTY CHAPTER In collaboration with IATA staff and a number of regular contributors at Mobile Skills Crew program events, we had more than 30 people out on a snowy day in mid-March, and then in collaboration with Blackhawk Church we had more than 40 people out on a sunny day in late April, to initiate preparation of a new Ice Age Trail site at Springfield Hill. The property is just north of Highway 12 at Ballweg Rd. and offers an attractive destination just north of the prominent but not yet open pedestrian bridge that crosses the highway in northern Dane County. See Trail Building Highlights on p. 12 for more information on work at this site. – Andrew Bent, Chapter Co-Coordinator

16 | Summer 2013

– Donna Meier, Chapter Co-Coordinator

LANGLADE COUNTY CHAPTER Although deep patches of snow lingering on the forest floor offered sufficient reason for canceling the chapter’s April hike, a small group of hikers nonetheless gathered at the fairgrounds and was game for trudging over the slushy, slippery snow path to Big Stone Hole on the Kettlebowl Segment. And hike they did with lunch at the snowcapped boulder-filled depression. It was a memorable hike with many signs of wildness on a day too beautiful to be wasted by just chillin’ somewhere. Winter did not deter maintenance efforts by Lon Malzahn and Bill Roff, who shuffled in their snowshoes to points on the Kettlebowl Segment. At the March chapter meeting, Dean Blazek and Lloyd Godell stepped forward to assume responsibilities as segment stewards for a portion of the 12-mile Lumbercamp Segment. A month later, Sam Picone joined the ranks by adopting a stretch of the Highland Lakes Segment. Off the trail, John Barker and Baker Branson staffed the chapter display at the 5th Annual Youth Fair while Becky Knight assumed public relation duties for the chapter. –Joe Jopek, Chapter Coordinator

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

The Waukesha / Milwaukee County Chapter hosted a variety of events in spring and early summer. Visit waukeeshamilwaukeeiceagetrail.org/chapter-event-highlights to read more about them.

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PORTAGE COUNTY CHAPTER Since the first of the year, we have had two chapter meetings: January and April, 2013. Our Mud Award candidates for 2013 were Ruth Sommers and Loretta Klingenberg; we have many more who are eligible for this award. Our nomination committee was Jean Klein and Ruth Sommers; the same officers were reelected. A snowshoe field trip with Audubon was held the same weekend as the Mobile Skills Crew Winter Rendezvous at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) workshop at CWES on February 2nd. Ruth Sommers and Bob Freckmann were the snowshoe field trip leaders. Chapter members were asked to do maintenance on area IAT segments. We’re looking into new titles for officers; this will be determined in July. Marty Wacker had a busy first quarter. He takes care of our financial business each month, did our Spring newsletter mailing, worked on the tool inventory, and has already completed the annual hike-a-thon brochures for October 5. Ruth Sommers has taken our segment maps and worked with Brad Crary to update these maps; the results from Brad are very good. Ron Harris has updated our local chapter’s volunteer sheets for 2013. Ron Harris and Marty Wacker have duplicated more bicycle brochures for distribution. Dolly McNulty did a fantastic presentation in Stevens Point on March 20 on finding and developing a ColdCache site.

Mileage indicators like this one on the Montrose Segmen t in Dane County play a key role in two regards: (i) alerting hikers to helpful, practical information like dist ance to the next road crossing and water source, and (ii) pointing out to hikers, by listing the dist ance to a faroff Trail Terminus, that they are covering just a small piec e of a large puzzle. Photo by Ed Spo on, Dane County Chapter mem very ber.

– Sally Freckmann, Chapter Coordinator

Photo Captions

Cabin Fever - 1, Late-arrivin g Spring - 0. April’s stubborn snow was no match for Langlade Cou nty Chapter members who forged ahead with a trek to the Big Stone Hole Langlade County Chapter mem on the Kettlebowl Segment. Photo by ber Rebecca Knight of Antigo.

Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter volunteer Russ Helwig leads twice-weekly hikes throughout the year for hikers of all ages and levels. May offered weekly hikers warm weather for viewing the spring flora and fauna. A hike-turnedflower-walk displayed these wood phlox and other wildflowers at Prince’s Point Wildlife Area, just north of the Ice Age Trail in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Photo by Russ Helwig.

A search for lady’s slippers in Scuppernong Prairie in Waukesha County led to these prairie smoke instead. Photo by Russ Helwig.

Virginia bluebells made an appearance on the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter’s weekly hikes in mid-May. Photo by Norwin Watson, Walworth/ Jefferson County Chapter member.

An interesting fungus discovered on a Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter weekly hike. Photo by Russ Helwig.

The bright colors of these young oak leaves in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest were the start of a beautiful spring show along the Trail in Early May. Photo by Russ Helwig.

On a late May hike with the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter, chapter member Lynn Larson discovered these bluebird eggs in the bluebird houses she inspects as a volunteer for the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Photo by Lynn Larson. Summer 2013 | 17

ADAMS

LA CROSSE

Tomah

MONROE

January 1 through May 16, 2013 La Crosse

Welcome New Yellow Blaze Club Members

JUNEAU

The ranks of our Yellow Blaze Club, consisting of those members giving annual gifts of $1,000 or more, VERNON continue to grow with the following new members: Kristin Koeffler Elizabeth Uihlein Pauline Witte Baraboo McFarland State Bank David Wilber Matthew Wolff

We are pleased to welcome the following new members to the IATA. Kathleen Allen Maria Ammend Mike Barillas Mary Bartkowiak Colin Beay Dan Belter Joseph Beyler Allen Bock Marc & Meg Boucher Sean Breckling Alan & Mary Brown Timothy Buchholz David Buck James & Karen Buck Lyle & Beth Buettner Peter Burg Kathy Cain Dave & Nancy Carow Jamie Chariton Roy Child Michael Christensen Charles Church Jeremiah Clay Dan, Debbie, Hannah & Sophie Cole Shelley Cook

R Jim Cousin C

SAUK

RICHLAND

WAUSHARA

Oshkosh WINNEBAGO

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FOND Fond DU LAC du Lac In-kind/Pro-bono GREEN LAKEIsthmus Surveying, Madison

Portage COLUMBIA

SHEBOYGA

Jennie-O Turkey Store, Barron Douglas Sherman

DODGE West Bend

Rive

Many Thanks to Our Generous Donors $9,000 – $10,000

Jason Dorgan Ellen Drought Chris Hornung The Estate of Norman Huth Marilyn Chohaney & David Lonsdorf Elizabeth Uihlein

Rebecca & Dan Hamrin John Mesching & Kris Jensen Charles & Mary Kaufmann Gary Klatt Kristin Koeffler McFarland State Bank Mike & Judi Mollerus Nicholas & Monica Robertson Sterling Strause Barbara Voigt Stephanie Lundeen & Brook Waalen David Wilber Matthew Wolff Mike and Barbara Wollmer

$1,000 – $1,600

$500 – $600

Anonymous (2)

$5,000 – $6,999 Aspirus Health Foundation, Wausau Godfrey & Kahn, Milwaukee

$2,000 – $3,000

Chet & Eloise Anderson Jeff & Judy Archibald David Rihn & Valerie Bailey-Rihn Roy & Sue Gromme

18 | Summer 2013

MAN

Port Washi

Germantown

Bruce Kehl Michael Reinfeldt Oconomowoc Madison r Peter Kellogg Gloria Rettinger Bruce Klink Linda Rintelman Milwau JEFFERSON Waukesha IOWA Cheryl Knuppel Delann Roney DANE John R. Kolbe Paul Rusmisel WAUKESHA MILWAUKE Whitewater Mike Koziczkowski Andrew Saeman Jill Lamphere Michael Salchert Ra RACINE Lisa Laudolff Lisa & Rob Sanborn Lake LAFAYETTE Amy Laundrie Janesville Alyson SchaeferGeneva Monroe Ken ROCK Brittany Schepp Robert LeHew GREEN Beloit Jill Schultz WALWORTH KENOSHA Allen Locander Kathleen Lucia Anne Schwantes Mary Lutz Ronald Schwilk David Manteufel Jennifer Shelton Joanne & David Marklund Tim Dickinson & Terri Tacheny Dorla Mayer Andrew Toebe Matthew McCasland Robert Turner Melanie McManus Ann Turner David Mentjes Hannah Twiton K Miller Tammy Vanden Heuvel Mary Mullen Jeff Von Haden Kurt & Annette Nierode Jesse Wilkins Bob Nold Don Wilson Dallas Nustvold Erika Wittekind James M. Parry John Pisa Sharon Poniewaz

consin

s Wi SandyPrairie Kallas du & Roger Crary Chien Terry Creydt Nick Differt John & Rose Dorcey GRANT Kevan Doxtater Jeff Durbin Platteville Mike, Kim & Matthew Early Emmy Fink Peter Flucke Ed Forrester Phillip Gathright Terrence Gerlach Linda & Mark Glasser David & Shelley Hamel Cynthia Hertzberg Randy Hoelzen Michael Hogan Daniel Holian Wendell Holl Philip Hudson Lori & Chris Joas James Jorgensen Ron Julian Paul Kaarakka Daniel Kaat Paul A. Kachelmeier

Kaukauna

Neenah

Wautoma

BROWN

WA SH

Welcome New Members

Appleton

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Member&Donornews

OUTAGAMIE

OZAUKEE

Waupaca

CALUMET

JACKSON

PORTAGE

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Wisconsin Rapids

ING

TREMPEA

BUFFALO

Joe Aldstadt Steve & Beth Anderson Anna Huttenlocher & Andrew Bent Cohen Fund Audit Services, Milwaukee Dale Eckstrom

Dale & Joanna Kramer Fanney Joan Hardy Kohl Charities, Inc. David & Lois Lovejoy Robert & Mary Stodola Harold Werth The Wisconsin Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists Pat & Gary Witkowski

$250 - $499 Brian Blesi Bruce & Roberta Boczkiewicz Brady Corporation, Milwaukee Ron Endres Randy & Carol Franke Friends of the Frederic Public Library Richard Fries Sandra & John Heyer Jeff & Linda Huttenburg Johnson Controls Foundation,

Milwaukee Paul Karch Joanne Kline Lodi Canning Co. Peter Maye Keith & Linda Murie Landon S. & Lisa Naffin Sharon Lavin & Joe Neuman Kenneth Peterson David Phillips Gail Piotrowski Richard Schreiner Ruth J. Schuette Dennis & Jan Thusius Jim Waters Alfred Lustig & Janice Watson Judy & David Weiss Dick & Nancy Wilson David & Cindy Worth

$100 - $249 Anonymous Maria Ammend Amy Ankerson Anonymous John Keener, Brenda Autz & Family Kate Barbour John F. Barker Bruce & Barbara Bayley Roberta & Rick Bie Dorothy Jeffries & Laurence Bilek David Sarocka & Brenda Bland Nancy Watson-Bocher & Jeffrey Bocher John & Sandra Bolger James H. Bolitho Carolyn Brandeen Lisa Brandt Frank & Mary Ann Brazelton Alan & Mary Brown Jeffrey & Kristen Brown Nancy & Lou Bruch Nancy & Kevin Brunner Ann Buedel Lyle & Beth Buettner Thomas & Lorraine Bunk Nick Ciganovich David Clausen Kathy & Bob Claycomb Dan, Debbie, Hannah & Sophie Cole Jerald A. Collins Jerome & Barbara Converse Brian & Karen Copp Jim Cousin Brad Crary Chuck & Gloria Crary Michael Diliberti William & Gretchen Dresen Sandy Duffy Matthew & Kerry Duma Hugh & Melva Emerson Elaine Erickson Troy Adams & Barbara Feltz

C. & E. Fink Carol Fleishauer Gordon Folkman Gary Fransen Robert & Sally Freckmann Stephen & Jean Gavin Ellen Conley & Jerry Gensch Richard A. Georg Jr. David & Jean Georgson Terrence Gerlach Bob Gibson Russell & Georgia Gilbertson Dan Gilipsky Bob Glejf Glowac+Harris+Madison Pearl Mary Goetsch James Golz Barbara Johnson & Ann Green Dwight & Donna Halfmann John & Rosmarie Helling Allan Henn Marv Herman Charles Hill Charles & Tammy Hodulik Charles Holmburg Paul & Cheryl Jahns Dale Jefchak Joe & Peg Jopek Robert & Deborah Jozwowski Ron Julian Timothy Kappeler Michael Karolewicz & Family Matt Kaufmann Bruce Klink James Kobiske Alanna Koshollek Jon Russell & Deborah Kotlarek Joel & Sandee Lammers Bob Lange Gary & Jane Larson Brenda Lewison Kurt Lingel

Diane Linn Kathleen Lucia William Luedtke Ryan Luxon Edward & Sue Ellen Madere David Manteufel Joanne & David Marklund Susan A. Markwardt Mary Maselter A.S. & C.K. McAllister Sandra Ward & Patrick McDonnell Nancy McGill Henry McHalsky Bruce McKay Tonya Trabaut & Patrick McKenna Donna Meier Donna Melnuk John & Linda Merrill K Miller Shirley Miller Lisa Mink Thomas & Nancy Mohs Sally Mundt Marilynn & Fred Nash Dr. Thomas Naughton John Zinzow & Holly Neault William & Charlotte Neumann Sylvia Oberle Col. Ralph Olsen M.D. Everett Paddock Mary & Jim Peksa Scott & Sherryl Pertzborn Edna Pfeiffer Plastics Engineering Company, Sheboygan William Platt James Popp Kenneth Potter Dave Pritzl John Race Robert J. Rada Mary Roark

John Rodee Elizabeth Ross Donene Rowe James D. Runge Charlie & Barb Saeman Veronica Saeman Dale & Penny Schaber David Schlosser Don & Kris Schoonenberg Gwen Schultz Steve Schunk Dr. Robert & Caryl Sewell Joseph Shaffer Patti & Tom Sinclair Richard & Mary Slavik Monica Staubach Bill Staudenmaier Dr. John D. & Deanna Swanson Tim Dickinson & Terri Tacheny Kim & Eric Taylor Robert Templeton Donald Thompson Andrew Toebe Jeanie & Steve Tomasko Vacation Sports, White Bear Lake, MN Jennifer Vandiver Keith Veldhuizen Vern’s Appliance Sales and Service, Lodi Michael & Judith Vogl Tom von Geldern Kim & Tom Walz Robert Weisberg Russ & Marlene Welton Theresa Werner Andrew C. Whitney Kathleen Whitt Jessica Woodward & Family Mary Woolsey Schlaefer Al & Dale Wortley Marwin Wrolstad Aaron Zukoski

Milestones

Partner Corner

Gifts to the IATA were made in honor of: The IATA’s ColdCache Program by the IATA’s Superior Lobe Chapter Sally & Bob Freckmann

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is grounded in strong partnerships, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance receives generous support throughout the year from a variety of outstanding partners, as illustrated below. Dane County Environmental Council $2,500+ for mower purchase and in support of oak savanna expansion along the Ice Age Trail

Gus Kelsey Kloberdanz by Patti Herman & Bill Welch Stanley Koss’s 90th birthday by Joe & Peg Jopek David Lonsdorf’s leadership by Nancy McGill Herb & Corrine Lundberg by Kim & Eric Taylor John Singer’s STAP service by Matthew Welch Don Smalley by the Smith & Bulldog Childcare & Learning Centers, McGregor, IA Tom Wise’s efforts by Chris Hornung

Gifts to the IATA were made in memory of: Irene Cline by Sharon Bloodgood Mark Eggert by Dale Schaber June Johnson by Joe & Peg Jopek Kathy Robinson-Jack by Brenda Bland & David Sarocka Margaret Schad by Merilyn Moses Barbara Strause by Sterling Strause Our dog Tally, who loved the Trail! by Doreen & Jack Reinwand

Matching Gifts Matching gifts were received from: Alliant Energy Foundation thanks to Joanne Reis Johnson Controls Foundation thanks to Richard Schreiner

Ray & John Zillmer by Ted J. Levenhagen & Jeanie Zillmer Levenhagen

Barb Voigt by the Xi Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Summer 2013 | 19

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit #3808

2110 Main Street Cross Plains, WI 53528 Your membership renewal date is shown above your mailing address. If the date is prior to 07/01/2013, please call us or visit www.iceagetrail.org as soon as possible to renew your membership and assure that your Mammoth Tales subscription continues without interruption. If no date is listed, you are most likely receiving a complimentary copy. Please consider joining us! You can join online at www.iceagetrail.org. Questions or concerns? Call 800-227-0046

2013 Spirit Stick Award The Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Spirit Stick award signifies long-term dedication and service to the Trail, carried out in a spirit of cooperation, optimism and enthusiasm. The recipient leads by example and inspires those around them. A trailwide award, the Spirit Stick is presented to only one volunteer (or volunteer couple) each year. Sharon Dziengel of Racine, an IATA member affiliated with the Walworth/ Jefferson County Chapter was awarded this year’s Spirit Stick Award at the IATA Annual Conference April 11-14. The nomination best describes Sharon’s continued dedication to the Ice Age Trail. “Sharon’s volunteer career with the IATA began in 1999….Soon after thru-hiking the Trail in 2002, Sharon began to work collaboratively with IATA staff, agency staff, and countless volunteers to create the Ice Age Trail Companion Guide. The Guide was a breakthrough…publication for the IATA….The magnitude of this contribution is enormous; [numerous] websites, magazines and publications with far-reaching audiences reference information from the Guide and promote the trail as a result…. Sharon Dziengel is an exemplary ambassador locally, statewide and nationally for the IAT and the IATA. Her humble and generous spirit and her willingness to pitch in with any and all tasks is an inspiration to all who know or come into contact with her.…Throughout her long service to the Trail, [Sharon] has always put the needs of others and of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail first.” Congratulations, Sharon!

Sharon Dziengel of Racine accepts the IATA Spirit Stic k from last year’s recipient, Craig Sanford of Sussex. IATA file photo.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR REGIONAL RALLIES! New name – not just another meeting! 2013 IATA regional rally dates: Sunday, Nov. 10 – Cross Plains Public Library, Cross Plains Saturday, Nov. 16 – Nine Mile Recreation Area, Wausau Sunday, Nov. 17 – Inn Greener Pastures B&B, Chetek All rallies will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Look for an email later this summer with more details.