Top of Michigan Trails 2022 Annual Report

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1687 M-119 Petoskey, MI 49770

www.trailscouncil.org | 231.348.8280

Mission Statement

Our mission is to advocate for and facilitate the development and maintenance of a safe, multi-use, year-round recreational trail system in Northern Michigan; and to promote the maintenance and use of these trails for the benefit of all.

Dear Trail Supporters

I’m happy to report a busy and successful 2022, a year that was filled with new trails, trail expansions, new trail events, and new paths forward for outdoor recreation lovers living in or visiting Northern Michigan.

Through the open-handed, unselfish support of our members and a community that embraces and nurtures our efforts, the Trails Council has continued on an upward trajectory in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Throughout those difficult years, you’ve stuck with us. And we’ve capitalized on your loyalty and your generosity by responsibly adhering to prudent, decades-old Trails Council financial practices that have continued to bear fruit, thanks to our Board of Directors.

These methods spelled success in 2022. Among other things, we continued to address the elephant in the room - the Little Traverse Wheelway washout. With the safety of trail users at the front of our minds, we worked with our local government partners to see if a fast, cheap solution could be found for adding a new trail connection along U.S. 31 to bridge the washed out section of the Wheelway. After more than a year, we found out that the “Westside Connector” option would be neither fast nor cheap and, with the City of Petoskey, we refocused our attention on rebuilding the real Wheelway route along the “Miracle Mile.”

Obviously, funding these endeavors is a central goal of our shared mission. That’s why I’m thrilled to report a few fundraising triumphs.

Topping the list is the 2022 Stafford’s

Hospitality Top of Michigan Festival of Races, which welcomed double the runners from 2021 as the race continues to be successful and rebuild to our pre-pandemic numbers. Revenue from events like the Festival of Races contributes greatly to our bottom line. Also, late in the year we launched CREW - the Committee to Restore the Wheelway - to engage supporters in our campaign to repair the trail, and to raise dedicated funds for the project. The Committee is growing, with new members signing up regularly.

All in all, 2022 was an excellent year for the Trails Council. Your assistance and generous giving will help us make this year even better than the last.

Thank you!

Brent Bolin Executive Director

Wow! Déjà vu all over again! I remember back in the 80’s when I was the chamber director in Petoskey and Harbor Springs. I was involved in helping form what we now know as the Top of Michigan Trails Council. I didn’t join the board, but we all recognized what a cool idea this was and what an amazing impact it could have on our area, for both visitors and residents alike. Of course, we weren’t sure. But it was worth a try!

Now, almost 40 years later, I’m on the board and currently serving as board president. And man, what an impact the Top of Michigan Trails Council has had, and what a dynamic organization it has become.

It’s exciting to see the many miles of trails, the multitude of events and programs, and the (seemingly) zillions of volunteers involved. Hats off to those board members, volunteers, staff and

supporters who built this organization into what it is today.

Quite frankly, it is way better than we ever imagined. Congratulations and thank you!

What’s truly exciting is that the Trails Council is really just getting started. We continue to attract great board members and volunteers, and our staff is top-notch, too. The Trails Council is recognized as the leader of the trails movement and is a respected and dynamic voice at the table, locally, regionally and state-wide.

This positive energy will help launch projects we never dreamed of, including a trail connecting Charlevoix and Traverse City; helping DNR complete the Rogers City spur and more miles of the Alpena-Hillman Trail; and the repair of the Little Traverse Wheelway’s collapsed “miracle mile” section.

We are also continuing to partner with regional communities to help them understand and develop ways they can tap into the trail system to enhance their city or town’s vibrancy.

Additionally, our trail safety and etiquette program brings a proactive approach to needed trail user outreach. This is more important than ever given the flood of e-bikes on the trails. We also offer bike safety programs for kids and more events that utilize our trails.

All great, all important and all fun…but all these endeavors also take hard work and dedication. Oftentimes people see a challenge and they aren’t sure how to get involved and address it.

This is probably the most exciting thing about the Trails Council: we provide the mechanism for people, organizations, and communities to get together, work together, pool their time, connect their resources and talents, and truly get things done.

Thank you for your support and involvement and hopefully you are as excited as I am about the future of our area and how the trails can play a big role in making all our lives better.

Andy Hayes TOMTC Board President

Trail Programs

Through our scheduled events, programs, and partnerships within our communities, 2022 was an exciting year for Top of Michigan Trails Council.

• The 2022 Annual Meeting hosted 200 trail lovers at the Trail Center for the first time in three years.

• Beards Brewery picked TOMTC as their charity partner for 4Q22, generating donations and media impressions, and they hosted our Community Conversation about the Wheelway, a standing room only event.

• We had several speaking engagements with multiple service clubs, such as Rotary and Kiwanis.

• The trail etiquette program put new signs on the Wheelway, directly engaged bike renters, and the award-winning video starring local celebrity Joe Short as TOM Trails was well received. (See highlight)

• Safety and Maintenance Director Bill Prall continually finds ways to improve the safety of our trails - by working with local businesses and organizations to update signage, enhancing safety for both trail users and motorists.

• Volunteers spent countless hours helping trail users at both the Packy Offield Trail Center and on the trail, as well as keeping our new Founders’ Terrace in top shape.

• The Stafford’s Top of Michigan Festival of Races continues to grow, doubling participants from 2021’s race.

• Kids Pedaling with a Purpose was back and better than ever with almost 400 fourth graders learning bike safety in the classroom and going for a ride on our trails. (See highlight)

Safety & Etiquette Program

In the middle of 2022, the Trails Council rolled out a new Safety & Etiquette program. With a sustained post-pandemic boom in trail use we’re trying to help more users share the same amount of space. We worked with Lake Effect Digital to produce a seven-minute video highlighting eight tips for safely sharing the trail. Joe Short of Short’s Brewing portrayed “TOM Trails” and the humorous, informative video has since gone on to win awards. Trail signage, printed leaflets, and collaboration with bike rental shops are part of the campaign, which will continue in 2023 and beyond.

Check out the video at trailscouncil.org/trail-etiquette

Bill Prall discussing signage updates near The Bahnhof to enhance safety

Our Community Conservation event held at Beard’s Brewery in Petoskey

Trail Programs

Kids Pedaling With A Purpose

Kids Pedaling with a Purpose, TOMTC’s youth program, was back and better than ever, following a two-year Covid hiatus.

Trails Council Youth Programs Coordinator

Cindy Okerlund and her team of over 100 dedicated volunteers served over 400 Emmet County fourth graders last year, and the program is still growing.

Aimed at combating youth diabetes and sedentary lifestyles, Pedaling with a Purpose features a twoprong approach - classroom and trail - each combining bicycling fundamentals with health, math, and history education. Your generous donations help keep this program moving forward and growing in all directions.

Max Putters Trail Champion Award Recipients

Named after our current board member and former Emmet County planner, the Max Putters Award reflects his example of dedication to trails in Northern Michigan. It is presented each year at our annual meeting.

Max Putters’ namesake award commemorates his vast knowledge and undying commitment to trail development and trail safety in Northern Michigan.

For her dedication to and work on the Trail Center’s Founders’ Terrace, Lisa received the 2022 Award.

Award for his commitment to the

The City earned the Award for its ongoing care of the Little Traverse Wheelway, and the leadership for taking quick action to address possible solutions to the washout.

2017 • Max Putters

2022 • Lisa Loyd

2018 - Dennis Schanski, Paul Moultrup, Rob Monroe Reliable and effective volunteerism in the Kids Pedaling with a Purpose program earned this trio the Award.

2019 • Michael Sheean Michael earned the Award for his leadership and dedication from start to finish of the Boyne Valley Trailway project.

2020 • City of Petoskey

2021 • Bob Boch Posthumously, Bob received the

Charlevoix Trailway.

Max Putters (left) receives the inaugural Max Putters Trail Champion Award in 2017 from then TOMTC Board President Luther Kurtz.

Trail Updates

Top of Michigan Trails Council works year-round to provide multi-use trails for northern Michigan. Here is a sample of what we worked on in 2022:

Little Traverse Wheelway

Momentum is growing for repairing the Little Traverse Wheelway.

• Partners completed the alternate route study and learned the cost greatly exceeded the benefit.

• Our advocacy then pivoted local government partners back to rebuilding the original trail.

• We partnered with the City of Petoskey to create a new steering committee to drive the project forward, resulting in Petoskey spending $38,000 to get Baird Engineering back into the field in late 2022 so they can make a proposal in early 2023 for full engineering and design.

• TOMTC launched CREW to plug in trail advocates and raise money that the Trails Council can contribute to these efforts.

Nakwema Trailway

The Nakwema (nah-KWAY-mah) Trailway spans over 45 miles, joining Charlevoix and Traverse City – in between and beyond. Nakwema, Ojibwe for “where paths connect,” follows long-ago established routes. Progress continues on this landmark trailway that will connect a 325-mile trail network that spans the state.

• The first segment, the Acme Connector, was built and opened in 2022.

• A Torch to Bay Trail Team formed in Eastport and the Torch Lake Township passed a resolution of support.

• We worked with DNR to secure internal Trust Fund money to start work on trails in Fisherman’s Island State Park.

• The trail team secured an engineering contract for upgrading the existing trails on the west side of Charlevoix.

• The Charlevoix Trailway secured funding to connect the east side of town to the Wheelway.

Other Trail Projects In the Region

Boyne City - Charlevoix Trail, Phase 3 TOMTC supported advocacy and won continued time to reduce project costs with a goal of constructing a most cost effective version of the trail segment in 2023.

North Western State Trail

As MDOT started a realignment project on US-31 south of Alanson, we negotiated with them to ensure access and oversee potential relocation of the North Western State Trail.

Boyne City to Charlevoix, Phase 3

Little Traverse Wheelway bluff overlook

The completed Nakwema Acme Connector

2022 Donors

FOUNDATIONS

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Constance and H.

Roemer McPhee

Daniel Sullivan & Anne Melvin

Keller Foundation

Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund

Petoskey Harbor Springs Area

Community Foundation

Rob and Janet Carr Family Foundation

The Offield Family Foundation

The WMR Family Foundation

William A Fisher II Family Foundation

CORPORATE AND ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS

4Front Credit Union

Awakon Federal Credit Union

Bay Pines Veterinary Clinic

Bearcub Outfitters

Brown Motors

Burt Lake Preservation Association

Cheboygan Brewing Company

Chiropractic Health Care

Citizens National Bank of Cheboygan

Crooked Tree Breadworks

Cross Country Ski Headquarters

Evening Star Joinery, Inc.

Gurney’s Bottle Shop

High Gear Sports

Indian River Family Dentistry

Irish Boat Shop

Kilwins Chocolate Franchise, Inc

Latitude 45 Bicycles and Fitness

League of Michigan Bicyclists

Long Point Property Owners Association

Nor’East Outdoors

North Country Bicycle Club

Northern Michigan

Sports Medicine

Nub’s Nob Ski Area

OrthoSport Physical Therapy

Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

Petoskey Harbor Wear

Petoskey Plastics

Petoskey Rotary Sunrise Charities

Rotary Club of Petoskey

Stafford’s Hospitality

Straits Area Printing

Sturgeon River Paddlesports

The Grain Train

The Outfitter

The Thirsty Sturgeon

Tom and Dick’s

Wheeler Motors, Inc

Winslow Group Real

Estate- Coldwell Banker

Schmidt Harbor Springs

Trail Ambassador Spotlight

Top of Michigan Trails Council

Trail Ambassador Patrick Affholter is in his fourth year of volunteer service. The Trail Ambassador program, done in cooperation with the City of Petoskey, features roving cyclists and walkers assisting Little Traverse Wheelway users. Affholter, who rides a bike and usually picks up trash along his route, said he frequents two sections of the Wheelway, East Park to West Park and Magnus Park to Bay View. He uses his friendly, outgoing personality in communicating with trail users, who may be lost, looking for a restaurant or attraction, or need help. “I’ve met people from coast to coast and everywhere in between,” said Affholter, who carries a supply of maps and other literature. He also serves as a Trails Council volunteer in a variety of other capacities.

The Trails Council is a vital element of our community offering well-designed bike trails that promote outdoor recreation, showcase the Petoskey area’s unique natural beauty, promote healthy lifestyles, and offer alternative transportation for any and all to enjoy.

SUSTAINER

(Gifts of $1,000 or more)

Admirals Golf Group

Brian Nicholas Bachynski and Mrs. Elizabeth Angus Bachynski

Ron and Sandy Baldwin

David and Cathy Beier

Steve and Kathy Biggs

Paul and Lisa Blanchard

James and Debbie Bradford

Daniel and Linda CasaSanta

James and Barbara Darnell

James and Linda Demmer

Mike and Cheryl Eberhart

Mark and Margaret Eustis

Ted and Brenda Frey

Dave and Sonya Gerathy

John and Diane Harris

Tony and Pokey Huffman

Steve and Sally Huffman

Luther and Mary Kurtz

John and Elaine Kurtz

Paul and Barb Malloure

Vaughn and Harriet McGraw

David and Suzu Neithercut

Mark and Helen Neithercut

John and Susan Paul

Dennis and Margaret Paull

Beth and Robert Sachse

Richard and Shirley Seguin

Bill Seguin

Steve and Jean Van Dam

Clayton and Mary Jo Warner

PATRON

(Gifts from $500 - $999)

Steven Barney and Gretchen Olsen

Annie Bobilya

William and Shannon Brower

Bonnie and Michael Brunett

Jerry and Eileen Fhaner

Jeff and Chris Gapczynski

Patrick and Joyce Garrett

Herbert Gedge

Mike and Chris Grant

Paul Hagan

Terry and Michelle Harmala

Andy and Cindy Hayes

Bill and Wendy Holmes

Terry and Patti Jackson

John Jordan

William and Maryanna Klatt

Mike and Nancy Kota

Phyllis Ledyard

Eric and Lisa Loyd

Karen McCue

Tracy and Jeff McMath

James and Ania Meyer

Bradley and Susan Moffatt

Rob and Debra Monroe

Howard and Marcia Newkirk

Sean O`Shea

Margery and Steve Reh

Sally and Jim Rogers

James and Kathy Schroeder

Stephen Selden

Jeff and Elsa Shrader

Scott and Dibby Smith

Alan Sussman

Steve and Connie Vorenkamp

James and Rachel Votruba

Don and Jan Weir

Jeff and Julie Winegard

Todd and Jennifer Winnell

TRAILBLAZER

Gifts $250 - $499)

Douglas and Sue Bouwense

Martha Bowman

Mary Campbell

Polly Cheney

Richard and Margaret Clary

Gary and Deborah Cooper

Ann Couture

James and Marilyn Cusenza

Jeffery and Peggy Cyphert

Pamela Davis-Kean

Cliff and Jane Denay

James and Maureen Doull

John and Sue Esser

Nikki Devitt President Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce

Giving level reflects total amount given in 2022.

2022 Donors

... Continued from previous page

Jim and Laurie Ford

George and Gail Foster

Arnold Geldermans

Patti and Balky Grannis

Dwayne and Carole Griffin

James and Jesseca Haslock

Gretchen Herold

David and Ellen Hofacker

Henry and Karen Jallos

Carl and Vicki Janssens

Mary Jane Kuschinski

Pinky Laffoon

John Lehman and Maureen

Delaney-Lehman

Ron and Tricia Leng

Thomas and Mary Ling

Kristin and Kirk Lufkin

Patrick and Martha Maloney

Dale and Betsy Meyer

Emily Meyerson and Harry Kitchen

Peggy and Phil Millard

Thomas and Deborah Miller

Al and Jean Moberly

Mary Jo Monte-Kaser

Jim and Susan Monton

Betsy Muir

Roy Pulaski

Steve Radecki and Lauren Walsh

Linda and William Rehor

John and Deborah Rohe

Donald Roth

Kathleen Roussel

Kenneth Rudman

Elizabeth and Frank Sapio

Gary and Colleen Shaw

Greg and Beth Skau

Stafford and Janice Smith

Jim and Colleen Spahr

Carolyn and William Stark

Gary and Mary Street

Nancy and Bruce Turner

Michael Vacketta

Linda Ward and Bob Esford

Mary Weitzel

Tim and Peg Wilcox

William and Amy Wolff Family

Charitable Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation

PATHFINDER

(Gifts $100 - $249)

Patrick and Susan Affholter

William and Bonnie Ahrenberg

Bruce Alexander

Jane Andros

Robert and Cherri Anthony

Mark and Denise Antonishen

Mike Atchison

Dick and Annette Babcock

Douglas and Linda Bacon

Charles and Jennifer Badgero

Roger and Eugenia Bajorek

Barbara and Richard Baker

Dann and Jeanne Balesky

Nancy and Paul Barker

Devra Barrett

Dave and Robyn Barrie

Earl and Sherry Bash

David and Karen Beauchemin

Norman and Kathryn Bennett

Dr. Jeffrey A. and Mrs.

Laura L. Bennett

Richard A. Bergen and Pat Bergen

Laurence and Linda Bernhardt

Neil and Marsha Bidwell

Dick and Verne Binder

Sally and David Birkmeier

Robert Bitterman, MD

John Blair

Matthew and Nancy Blandford

David Blumenthal

Jeff Bodette

Larry and Joanne Boerman

Curt and Diane Bolin

Richard Bollinger

Doug and Janet Brautigam

Trail User Spotlight

The Keetons of Ohio visited the Petoskey area last year, spending about five days here. Renting bikes and trailers from a local bike shop, this was their first time on the Top of Michigan Trails Council network. “The kids love it,” said Mr. Keeton. “It’s calm and we can just enjoy the scenery.” On their adventure, the family, which stayed in Charlevoix, stopped at the Petoskey Breakwall and found some Petoskey stones nearby.

The Top of Michigan Trails Council has been the single most dedicated and focused force behind our fabulous trail system. Without the Trails Council, we wouldn’t have the world-class system we have today. The Trails Council has always had the long view backed by dedicated staff and members who are both skilled and tenacious.

Charlie Macinnis

Former Emmet Co. Commissioner and TOMTC Board President

Mrs. Norma K. Brown

Maureen Burke

Walter and Nancy Byers

Michael Cameron

Carl Carlson

Russell and Christine Carpenter

Elizabeth M. Carr

Kathleen Charboneau

Budd and Sandra Cicciarelli

Charles Clark

Kevin and Janet Clarke

Susan Clarke

James and Susan Conboy

Maureen Conklin

Deborah and David Deal

William and Jennifer Delaney

Nancy Demeuse

Thomas and Trisha Dobias

Dr. Michael Doctor

Josie and Bill Doherty

George and Kathleen Dubro

Gerald Ellman

Michael and Marcia Etienne

Michael and Kathryn Farrimond

Julie Feldpausch and Henry Ryan

Lois Fettis

David and Heidi Finley

Michael and Rose Fitzgerald

Peter and Sarah Ford

Mark and Patricia Fralick

Reed and Janet Freidinger

Victoria and David Fuger

Jeffrey and Ann Gerow

Fred and Kay Geuder

Patrick and Georgianna Gibbons

Thomas and Carol Gietzen

Alan and Leanne Gillespie

George and Phyllis Googasian

Michael Goyne

William and Louise Graham

Lawrence B and Sue

A Graves Junior

Tim Gulden

William and Kathy Haefner

Amanda Haladik

Joseph W Hance

James R Hanchett, D.D.S, PC

Gary and Laurianne Hannan

Carl and Sylvia Hansen

Jeff and Deb Hardcastle

Margo Hodder

Richard and Perry Hodgson

Ryan and Barbara Hoffman

William and Marla Hofmann

John Holder and Julie Fasone Holder

Lawrence and June Holen

Chris Homan

Will Howard

Robert Howse

David and Patricia Hubbard

Barbara and Thomas Huey

John Iacoangeli

Karl T. and Julie R. Ieuter

Katy Johnson

Johnston’s Marine

Dr. Martin Jones and Mrs. Ellen Jones

William Jordan

John and Kathleen Jorgensen

John and Deborah Joslin

Gerald and Beth Keen

Barry Kempa

Regina Keough

Kiwanis Club of Rochester

Josephine Klingler

Jean and Arnold Kluge

Carol Klun

Jim and Cindy Knibbs

Larry Koehler

Debra Soverinsky and David Kraus

Roger and Barbara Kromm

Jason and Margaret M Kromm

Amy Kurtz

Bill Laitner

Karen Langs

Lynn Laughlin

Hal and Betsy Lawrence

James and KC Leh

Jerry and Pamela Lesperance

Wayne and Georgia Lindstrom

Dave and Sara Loyet

Lorraine Lund

Charles and Kathleen MacInnis

David and Juanita Mallmann

Richard and Janet May

Phil and Karen McKinley

Jim and Diane McMahon

Mark and Laurie McMurray

Connie Mendyk

William and Jane Millar

Linda and James Miller

Sheila Molenkamp

David and Ginny Monroe

Diane Morand

Jane, Zaza, and Annie Morris

Peter and Cammie Moss

David and Joan Niewiadomski

Julie Norcross

Mike and Susie Nuorala

Sally Olds

Kerry and Ann O’Tool

Mike and Maureen Owen

Peter Patrick

William and Jane Petzold

Jeffery and Denise Phillips

Kay and David Powell

Max and Mary Putters

Dana Randall

Patty and Mo Rave

Thomas and Nancy Rea

Richard Reed

Judy Revallo

TOMTC Board Member Spotlight

An attorney and former banker, Jim Conboy has been associated with the Top of Michigan Trails Council since 1997, serving as a board member. Residing in Cheboygan, he’s an avid cyclist and trails proponent who retired from his banking leadership career in 2007. Jim grew up in the Detroit suburbs. Wanting to try small-town living, he moved his family north to Cheboygan, where he joined a small law firm. He began riding the state’s trails and participated in the Michigander bike ride for eight years. He said those rides gave him a sense of the trail potential in Northern Michigan, and he started advocating for improving trail surfaces.

A husband and father of three adult children, Jim still rides and advocates for trails. We appreciate all of Jim’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and service.

Larry and Elaine Rochon

Henry and Carol Ross

Craig and Kimberly Rouleau

Molly and Tom Saeli

Tom and Nancy Sarowski

Jane E. Schneider

David and Jo Ann Schopp

Catherine Courtney Scollin

Alan Scott

Bud and Nancy Shear

Michael Sheean

Jim and Laura Shirilla

James Shrader

Andy & Amber Simpson

Brian Slater

Linda and Mark Slater

Tom and Flo Smith

Jacob Snider

Ronald and Donna Snyder

David Spitzli and Maureen Engle

Trail Center Ambassador Spotlight

A General Motors retiree, John Esser of Birchwood began serving as a trail center ambassador last summer. He also works with TOMTC Safety & Maintenance Director Bill Prall on trail maintenance. An avid cyclist since high school, John can be found riding mostly on the road, though he does enjoy some mountain biking. His favorite places to ride include Valley Road, riding around Lake Charlevoix, and Young State Park to Boyne City. A California native, he said his favorite part of the trail ambassador job is helping people that don’t live here learn the best parts of the trails.

Thomas and Susan Stanley

Dan and Patricia Steffes

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling

Gary and Susan Stewart

Ken Stewart

Dr. Kirk Swabash and Mrs. Linda Swabash

Robert Swanson

Tom and Ellen Swengel

Jerry and Donna Swift

Matt Tamm and Cindy Okerlund

Mary Lou Tanton

The Ryan Knight Family

Erik and Carmony Thorp

Chris Tracy

Trail Center Walk-in

Matthew Trecha

Dr Riley Turcott

Larry and Susan Turnage

Todd Twichel

Kent and Kay Van Allen

Michael and Mary Ann

Van Lokeren

Cassie Vasileff

Paula Vaughan

Brian and Dawn Wagner

Marcus and Sharon Wegmeyer

Laurie Welsh

James and Marjorie Wessinger

Greg and Donna Wheeler

Robert and Rosita White

Dee and Dan Wickham

Hal and Gail Willens

Roger and Katherine Winslow

David and Mary Wood

Ken and Carol Woodhurst

John and Anna Young

Tom and Cindy Zipp

Jacqueline Zydeck and Theodore Phillips

FRIEND

(Gifts up to $99)

Daniel and Carol Adams

Dr. Kit Anderson and Mrs. Janel Anderson

William and Maxine Aten

Carrie Badgero

Michael and Sally Bales

Maureen Barkley

Jim Bartlett

Arlene Barton

Sally and Steve Bataran

Mike Battoclette

Brian Beauchamp

Mandy Becker

Gregory Bird

Sanford and Susan Birnholtz

Sue Bissell

Ellis Boal and Luanne Kozma

Michelle Boyer

Richard and Christine Brodhead

Christine Brown

Cameron Brunet-Koch and Bruce Koch

Darryl Buchanan

Buzz Burrell

Shawn Burtch

William Campbell

Pam and Rusty Carpenter

Wayne and Chris Christopherson

David and Diane Cleary

Marc and Jayme Collier

Brendan and Leah Conboy

Ann Conklin

Joseph Corn

Luann Cottington

Bill Courtney

Jennifer Creager

Stephen and Mary Crusoe

Nick and Diane Dakins

Allen and Jane Damschroder

Tracy Darrow

Michelle de La Fuente

2022 Donors

... Continued from previous page

Linda Denton

Dan and Robbe DiPietro

William and Janice Dodge

Janet Dohr

Cynthia Donahey and Art Schoolmaster

Mary Dubeck

Michael and Elizabeth Durbin

Mary Dye

Diana Eberhart

Lynn Eckerle

Nancy Einwich

Charles and Bonnie Farrugia

James and Raeanne Fielder

Anne Fleming

Chip and Jean Frentz

John and Christine Fulford

Doug Fuller and Martha Lancaster

Ronald and Denise Fusina

Rafael Garcia

Bruce Geffen

Marlene George

Ira and Deborah Ginsburg

Mary Pat Goldich

Dean and Nancy Graham

Eric and Tracie Granata

Eric Grandstaff and Alexis Kaczynski

Patrick Grasso

Marjorie Green

Loriel Grigsby

David Guanci

Jenny Haladik

Robert and Elaine Hameister

Eric Hausman

James and Carol Helmer

Hashem Hilal

David and Karen Hill

Lori Hoehn

John and Judy Hoffman

Sara and Bob Holmes

Thomas Hopp

William Huff

Bret Huntman and Katherine Melby

Sue Hutchinson

Robert and Sharlene Ingmand

Joshua Jablonski

Paul and Denise Janness

John and Dorothy Johnson

Mary Johnson and Kenneth Allen

Loyce Jones

Kathy Karenko

Robert and Mary Keedy

Norm and Bonnie Kern

Grace Ketchum

Boo Kiesler

James and Judith Kohl

Kenneth and Elizabeth Koss

Sheri Kowalski

Ted Kraimer

Paul Kuehl

Mark Kurz

John Lawlor

Lydia Lee

Neil and Carolyn Leighton

Nancy and Stephen Lindsay

June Link

Erin and Jon Luckhardt

Vickie and Jack Lyon

Robert and Miranda MacLean

Janet Mancinelli

John and Joan Marshall

Carol Marston-Foucher

James Martin

Leonard and Martha McCallep

John and Meriwether McClorey

Peggy McCormick

Maureen and James McLeod

Amanda McMullen

John and Denise M McQuillan

Laura Jane Mealey

Kevin and Marcia Meyer

Valerie Meyerson

Jess and Pam Miller

Johnetta and James Miller

Collaboration between Top of Michigan Trails Council and TART Trails is the cornerstone of the Nakwema Trailway. Leaning into each others’ strengths and experiences together, we have joined forces to make a generational investment in our region, our identity, our people, and our future. We are grateful to walk, bike and run on this journey with our partners at TOMTC.

Julie Clark Chief Executive Officer, TART Trails

Trail User Spotlight

A group of three intrepid couples enjoyed a lateseason visit to Top of Michigan Trails last year. Hailing from South Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, the group spent days riding the North Central State Trail, Boblo Island, Mackinaw Island, and the Little Traverse Wheelway.

Phil Miller

Scott Miller

Thomas Moore and Katy Hayes

Theresa Moore

Joey Moppert

Marshall Morley

Dave and Pamela Moyer

Mark and Rose Muniak

Mark Mutchler and Kathy Keefer

Bruce Nichols

Daniel Nolan

Patricia Nolan

Tom and Linda Oelke

Thomas and Mary O’Hare

Chuck and Cristina Omahen

James and Beverly Osetek

Katie Parker and Bert Ebbers

Robert and Alice Pattengale

Mark and Dawn Peterson

Mary Peterson

Sandy Planisek

Phillip Possanza and Mary O’Halloran

Jeff Potter

Tiffany Priestley

Anne Pynnonen

Marilyn Randall

Ted Randolph

Paul Revard

Howard Richards

Karen and Scott Riching

Gary Roe

Randy Russell

Philip and Patrice Ryan

Paulina Ryan

Jane and Ed Sandri

Carl Scarbro

Robert Scarrow and Hilary Barrett

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Schmit

Brenda Schultz

Mark Schwartz

Ken Sherlock

Calvin Shields

Susan and Steven Sikkema

Jean Smith

Mark and Christine Smith

Solomon and Deborah Smith

Carlin and Karen Smith

Mark and Kristi Stormzand

Michael and Peggy Supernault

Shirlee Suter

Peggy Swenor

Marti Swiger

Ruth Nelle

Ken and Brenda Tewel

Michael and Nancy Thibideau

Ingrid Tomey

Lynn Totten

Marjorie Upton

James and Barbara Van Dam

Willem and Kristin Van Reesema

Roberta Vander Breggen

Paul and Joanna VanRaaphorst

Dean Vanston

Susan VanZanten

Rick and Therese Vorraber

Steven and Julie Ann Wang

Tom Wernette

Sara Sue and Robert Westbury

Robert Whittaker

Aaron and Candice Wiers

Magnus and Carrie Wilson

Todd and Diane Wint

Ken Winter

Barbara A Wiseman

Jane Wood

Brian Wright

Joel and Dorothy Wurster

Dale Wyatt

Deborah and Jeffrey Young

Dan and Cathy Zaenglein

HONORARIUMS

In Honor of All the volunteers!

Given by Maureen Barkley

In Honor of The BirkmeierDushane Family Given by Sally and David Birkmeier

In Honor of Bob and Cherri Anthony’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Given by Nancy and Paul Barker

In Honor of David and Marcia Schroeder Given by James and Kathy Schroeder

In Honor of Mayor Luther Kurtz Given by Amy Kurtz

In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. James Fabiano, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Fenech, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Nawrocki, Mr. & Mrs. Todd Winnell, Mr. and Mrs. Walt Pfander, Mr. Eric Blesi, Nick White, Tom Stringer and Deb Dorn Given by Evening Star Joinery, Inc.

In Honor of Nancy Street Hoefer

Given by Gary and Mary Street

In Honor of Ric and Lisa Loyd Given by Steve and Sally Huffman

In Honor of Steve Trecha

Given by Matthew Trecha

In Honor of Tony and Pokey Huffman Given by Eric and Lisa Loyd

In Honor of Volunteer Ski Trail Groomers--you Know Who You Are! Given by Lydia Lee

In Honor of Wildwood Hills Pathway - Ski Trails

Given by Julie Feldpausch and Henry Ryan

MEMORIALS

In Memory of Fred Fettis Given by Max and Mary Putters

In Memory of Jack Courtney

Given by Catherine Courtney Scollin

In Memory of Jim Valrance Given by James and Judith Kohl

The City of Petoskey and the Top of Michigan Trails Council have a history of working together for the betterment of outdoor recreation in Northern Michigan. Whether it’s advocating for trails, assisting with maintenance, jointly addressing safety issues or helping with events, both entities together make each one better.

Kendall Klingelsmith City of Petoskey Parks & Rec Director

Trail User Spotlight

Our trails, your trails … they’re everyone’s trails! That’s why we value trail users like David Gorden and Maureen Cahalan of Canton, Mich., who visited us at the Trails Center this week. This married couple of mixed abilities regularly travels Michigan walking (David pushes Maureen’s wheelchair.) the state’s extensive trail network. Last July, they chose Petoskey, completing a 12-mile walk on the Little Traverse Wheelway. “People are surprised when we tell them we’re walking that far,” David said.

In Memory of John H. Anderson

Given by Daniel and Linda CasaSanta, Doug and Janet Brautigam, William Campbell, Janet Dohr, Alan Sussman, Andy and Amber Simpson, Ingrid Tomey, Jane Wood, Todd and Diane Wint, Ted Randolph, Bill Laitner, Roger and Eugenia Bajorek, Kiwanis Club of Rochester, Michelle de La Fuente, Ann Conklin, Sara Sue and Robert Westbury, Admirals Golf Group, William and Amy Wolff Family Charitable Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and Mary Dubeck

In Memory of Michael James Waterman Given by Dean and Nancy Graham, Amanda Haladik, Cassie Vasileff, Richard A. Bergen and Pat Bergen, Molly and Tom Saeli and Jenny Haladik

In Memory of Neal McCue Given by Gary and Deborah Cooper Happy Father’s Day in Memory of Neal McCue

Given by Karen McCue

In Memory of Sue Shrader

Given by James Shrader

In Memory of my Dad, Tim Shields Given by Kathleen Roussel

In Memory of Vea Given by Mark Schwartz

Foundation Grants & Projects

Last year brought another glowing example of community generosity as the Trails Council landed a number of area foundation grants and projects that are funding and driving real progress.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan chose us as the new beneficiary of the Friends of West Mullet Lake Fund, supporting the North Central State Trail near Indian River and Topinabee.

Leadership Charlevoix County selected the Trails Council’s Boyne City trail enhancement plan as their 2022-2023 community project. They’re helping us raise funds to create and install trail signage for a route through town that will link the Boyne City-Charlevoix Trail with the Boyne Valley Trailway.

The Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation awarded us $5,000 for strategic planning in 2023.

The Trails Council was awarded a grant by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for a Boyne Area Trail Map.

The Trails Council was awarded a grant by the Cheboygan County Community Foundation for a Burt Lake Trail map.

Giving level reflects total amount given in 2022.

1687 M-119 Petoskey, MI 49770 www.trailscouncil.org | 231.348.8280

2023 Calendar of Events

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Stafford’s Hospitality Top of Michigan Festival of Races

Bayfront Park, Petoskey

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Harbor Springs Cycling Classic Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Lynn Duse Bike Fest

Bayfront Park, Petoskey

Kids bike parade, judging, prizes, art activities, bike decorating, vintage bikes, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

Top of Michigan Trails Council Annual Meeting Packy Offield Trail Center

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Indian River Kayak/Bike Biathlon

Burt Lake/DeVoe Beach, North Central State Trail

Held in conjunction with Indian River SummerFest July 21-23

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Cheboygan Tap Into the Trails 5k & 10k Festival Square, Cheboygan

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Harbor Springs Cycling Classic Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs