IATC History- Chapter 30 (2010): IATC Initiates Scholarship Program
IATC History: Chapter 30
IATC INITIATES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
By Doug Simpson
January – March: MANNING STATUE DEDICATED
The Harvey Manning statue was dedicated on September 30, 2009 with a good crowd in attendance, including six former IATC presidents—Dave Kappler, Barbara Johnson, Ken Konigsmark, Steven Drew, Doug Simpson and Steve Williams.
Another former club leader, Ted Thomsen, died of cancer in September at age 85. Ralph Owen cited Thomsen’s significant role in not only helping to hold IATC together at a rough time, but in co-chairing the first Mountains to Sound March and later playing a key leadership role on the Mountains to Sound Greenway.
Joe Toynbee, in his “Hiker’s Corner” column, reviewed the role that IATC played by projecting the Greenway concept with ideas from Harvey Manning and Jack Hornung and the club’s Greenway marches.
April – June: “STAND ON GUARD”
At the club’s annual meeting January 28, the club leadership remained intact with President Steve Williams, Vice-Presidents Ken Konigsmark and Doug Simpson, Treasurer Cornelia Remy and Secretary Kathleen Petty, as well as new board terms for Scott Semans, Jackie Hughes and Ed Vervoort.
Williams picked out lyrics from the Canadian national anthem, specifically “We stand on guard to for thee,” citing the importance of those who love the trails and parks to stand on guard to protect them.
Semans, the club’s trailwork overseer, estimated that trailworkers put in 3,100 hours in 2009—2,000 hours of treadwork, 1,000 hours of brushing, and 100 hours scouting trail alternatives and possibilities. And Toynbee said the club held 105 hikes in 2009, totaling 1,023 hikers, or nearly 10 persons per hike. IATC had 22 hike leaders. Richard Mann was on 52 of the hikes and led many of them himself.
DNR manager Kelly Heintz announced plans for a new parking area and trail improvements in the Middle Fork area, as well as a new trail to Teneriffe Falls. She also told of the acquisition of forty acres in the Mount Si area.
The City of Issaquah announced the integration of three city parks (Tolle Anderson, Cybil-Madeline and Issaquah Creek into the city’s confluence master plan.
Dwight Riggs, IATC activist who initiated the club’s Weed Whackers group and the Hard Core camping club, passed away in Tucson at age 61.
July – September: SCHOLARSHIP VOICES
IATC’s Bill Longwell scholarship program made its first gift to Skyline High’s Miles Burns, bound for Davidson College in North Carolina. A well-rounded student, he had a 3.95 GPA.
President Williams wrote at length of the club policy of no dogs on hikes unless it is on a designated “Dog’s Welcome” hike. And he praised the state for restoring funding for DNR’s enforcement program and the City of Issaquah for progressing toward acquisition of Tiger’s Park Pointe acreage.
The East Lake Sammamish Trail was nearing completion. It will provide not only a trail link between Issaquah and Redmond, but also complete the 44-mile continuous route into Seattle. And a connector trail from Tiger Mountain past I-90 to more northerly trails was completed.
Here are a few comments from scholarship entrants: “I always feel comforted when I see the mountains when driving home on Interstate 90.” . . . This is a place where I can be alone to think, rejuvenate, and connect with nature in its purest form.” . . . “Honestly, I think it’s a miracle that those mountains are still as green as they are.” . . . “These mountains are a source of escape from our urban environment.” . . . These mountains have souls. They sing on summer evenings, laugh in autumn storms and breathe life into the world.”
October – December: KAPPLER NAMED PRESIDENT-ELECT
David Kappler was elected as president-elect at IATC’s July board meeting. He will succeed Steve Williams to the presidency at the January 2011 annual meeting. Kappler was club president in the early 90’s before stepping down to assume his seat on the Issaquah City Council.
In his “Report,” Williams elaborated on the problems created by mountain bikes on Alps trails. An example: Harvey Manning, walking on a Cougar Mountain Trail with his sheltie dogs, was “startled out of my wits” and had to leap into the blackberries while his dogs scooted in all directions. He was furious at being run off a trail that he had built, in a park that he had gained for the public after years of lobbying.
The only new hike leader in 2010 was Tom Pohle.