Some MSC events occur beneath a charmed star like the third and final project of the Iola Ski Hill Segment’s reroute. It started with an outstanding and fun group of people coming together – 101 volunteers donated 2,237 service hours. This number included several volunteers from the June 2023 Crew Leader Training class.
“These folks stepped right up, confidently leading crews under the tutelage of seasoned Crew Leaders,” said Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager. “They’ve been regulars at events the past few years, so to watch them take the next step was awesome.”
And dependable, hard-working, solution-oriented crews tackled several significant projects, including 2 stone staircases totaling 12 stone steps. The materials for these works of art were donated by Judith DeCoster, in memory of her late husband. This special infusion of funds enabled the Alliance’s Trail Team to hand-select the stones from a local quarry.
Another group tackled a daunting black locust jungle. “After wondering what they’d gotten themselves into, the volunteers quickly identified what needed to be done, who was going to do it, and how,” said Chad DuChateau, Director of Trail Operations. “By the end of the day, they’d cleared a 25-foot wide corridor, readying it for a tread crew.”
And each day, project support, led by an expert volunteer team, turned out delicious meals accompanied by salads and plenty of homemade desserts.
Then, Saturday evening’s clouds cooperated, allowing the night owls to watch the Perseid meteor shower.
On Sunday, with most of the projects completed, there was time for two dedications along the Iola Ski Hill Segment. A small plaque was hung, in memory of Robert E. Culligan, Jr., at a retaining wall bolstering a stone staircase. Another plaque was mounted on a bench in honor of Butch Siegel, Crew Leader Emeritus, and long-time member of the Portage/Waupaca County Chapter.
Project Outcomes:
- 101 volunteers donated 2,237 service hours.
- 2,700 feet of tread constructed.
- 2 stone staircases totaling 12 steps and a 15-foot-long retaining wall.
- 17 box steps framed, filled, and tamped.
- Trail Layout and Design: a team explored future opportunities along the Skunk and Foster and New Hope segments.
Special thanks to:
- The Portage/Waupaca County Chapter for pitching in on all aspects of the project, including being the smiling faces at the Greeter Station, prepping the project area, staffing Project Support, and baking cookies, bars, and breakfast breads.
- Debbie Krogwold and Dolly McNulty for lending their energy and expertise to creating delicious meals for the crews.
- Steph Hoff and Mark Ormsby for stepping into the Crew Leader Manager role.
- The 2023 Crew Leader Training Class for showing up and confidently leading crews of fellow volunteers.
- Judith DeCoster for funding the stone staircases installed during this project in memory of her late husband, Robert E. Culligan, Jr., who loved the Central Sands region.
And THANK YOU to our generous partners:
The Trails Capacity Program is administered by American Trails and primarily funded by Bronco Wild Fund, a Ford Motor Company program dedicated to connecting people to the outdoors, responsibly. The goal of the Trails Capacity Program is to invest in building trails community capacity nationwide through research, education and stewardship.
