Westchester Trails Association
WTA Welcomes its New Members: Howard Basch, Stephanie Bensmiller, Glenn Corrales, Ellen Gelber, Sue Goodman, Wes Goodman, Hal Kaplan, Kay Kleinberg, Melinda Knibbs, Linda Kogin, Jomol Peter, Elsie Rattenbury, Patria Rodriguez, Keith Seidenberg, Becky Smith, Robert Stack, Chris Thompson, John Thompson, Jed Weintrob, Petra Weller-Applestein, Cindy Volkert, Bin Zhang, Jane Zucker.
And Welcome Back: Judy Gordon, Karen Johnson, Leba Wise.
Election Results. Congratulations to the following officers and board members, who were unanimously elected at our annual meeting held in June at the Westmoreland Sanctuary: Officers: President: Lauren Linkowski; Vice President: Elspeth Kramer; Secretary: Catharine Raffaele; Treasurer: Mike Doehring. Board Members elected for two year terms are: Mike Kaplan, Janice Miller and Sheila Sarkar. Gail Blumenfeld, Cynthia Moro and Carol Pamm, who have one year remaining on their terms, will continue on the board. And thank you to our outgoing board member Steve Klepner, and to our Nominating Committee: Carolyn Hoffman (Chair), Alice Benash, Debbie Farrell and Sue Soni, for their hard work on behalf of the club!
A good time was had by all at our Annual Spring Dinner held at the Casa Rina Restaurant in Thornwood this past April. Thirty people gathered to socialize with friends old and new while enjoying a presentation by Mark Jelléy, the founder, organizer and leader of the Hudson Valley History Hikers, who told us all about hiking and history exploration in Westchester county and beyond. As always, we enjoyed good food and good company, and we’re looking forward to next year’s gathering.
Summer Hiking Tips. Use sunscreen. Wear a hat with a brim, and synthetic base layers to wick moisture away from your body. Bring a wool sweater, fleece jacket or similar item to put on if temperatures drop. Never wear cotton - it retains moisture and contributes to hypothermia. Heavy exertion in hot or humid weather requires plenty of water. Drink frequently - if you wait till you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Replenish electrolytes with potassium rich food and salty snacks. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. If you hear thunder, descend to lower terrain and seek shelter in a low stand of trees, avoiding high points, single trees, or other lone objects. Remember - “take it slow” and enjoy the season’s gifts.
Have a most enjoyable summer. See you on the trail!
Join WTA in completing the Westchester 100, a project inspired by the "Walkable Westchester" book written by Jane and Walt Daniels. The book has been an invaluable resource for hiking in our home county, and the most recent (third) edition details more than 635 miles of trails in over 200 parks, preserves and sanctuaries.
We launched our Westchester 100 project in the fall of 2009 when the first edition was published, listing local hiking areas and trails that featured 91 “regular” hikes and 18 “half hikes” throughout the county. Those who complete the challenge (either with our club or on their own) are rewarded with a certificate, a patch, and unlimited bragging rights.
To see our updated Westchester 100 list, please click here. We invite you to join us in exploring the many places to walk or hike that Westchester County has to offer.