At this year’s annual meeting, in addition to electing officers for 2014, the executive board will ask the membership to approve our organization’s By-Laws.  You may read the By-Laws that have been approved by the board.  They aren’t very complex, but a brief summary may be helpful.

Article 1: We describe the purpose of the organization.  This purpose is included in our certificate of incorporation and includes the building of a hiking trail around Springwater and to provide opportunities to hike for residents and visitors to Springwater.

Article 2: Memberships may be purchased for $20 ($30 for a family of two) and entitle the members to vote for the executive board and for other issues brought up at a meeting of the membership.  Honorary memberships earned by service to the organization provide all of the rights of membership.

Article 3: The annual meeting is described.  A quorum at the annual meeting or other meetings of the membership is set at 10% of the current members.

Article 4: The organization has four elected officers, President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  Their responsibilities are described in this article.  In addition two other officers may be appointed by the board: a Trail Master and a VP of Hiking.  The board intends to appoint a Trail Master this coming year.

Article 5: The executive board can appoint committees as needed.  Currently we have no committees.

Article 6: The Treasurer is authorized to manage the finances including setting up bank accounts and paying bills.

Article 7: We will follow Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article 8:  The by-laws may be amended by a vote of 2/3 of members present at the annual meeting or at a special meeting.

Tis the season to wish you all the very best.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Enjoy the winter solstice, Happy New Year, safe travels, and our best wishes to you, your family and your friends.

On Sunday, Dec 15th, we will be hiking at Schribner Road followed by our annual Holiday Social.  Please join us and enjoy the snow on skis or winter boots.  And try not to eat too much.

It was good to be back hiking in Springwater on Sunday.  Although Linda and I only missed two hikes, we did so much that it seemed longer.

Running the sump pump in Colorado.

We spent a full week in Bolder, Colorado, with our son and daughter-in-law. Many of you may have seen pictures of the flooding, which is good because we didn’t take many.  To the left is a common view around the neighborhood, as residents learned what that basement sump pump was supposed to do. In 24 hours, Boulder received 9.08 inches of rain, nearly twice the previous record of 4.8 inches recorded July 31, 1919. The peak flow on Boulder Creek was more that two and a half times the previous peak flow (5,370 cubic feet per second, compared with 2050 cfs in May 2003).  A flooded basement means the loss of everything on that floor, and Dan’s neighborhood had way too many examples.  These victims will need all the help their friends, neighbors and governments can provide.  Fortunately for us, the water stayed in the street around Dan’s house and he was spared any damage.

Pam Bregenzer is using Facebook to organize a new Garden Club in Springwater.  I am hoping to share information on our Facebook page. Check it out, and let Pam know if you will be attending the first meeting Friday, October 25th, 6pm at Pam’s house.

On Sunday, Katherine shared the story of her grandfather Charles E. Taylor with Linda. Grandpa Charlie built the engine for the first airplane flown by the Wright Brothers in 1903. We all know Katherine is exceptional.  Apparently, it runs in the family! I sure enjoy learning about friends and their families.

I hope that everyone who attended the Fiddler’s Fair had a good time, and picked up a copy of our latest brochure.  Thanks to everyone who helped with parking – I hope you saw the thank-you note in last week’s Penny Saver.  Because of the donations made at the Fair, Springwater Trails will be able to continue to support the Sunday hikes, provide brochures at key spots around Springwater, and build and provide signage for the Springwater Trail. Click here if you want to download a fall brochure.

I just wanted to use this spot to share some pictures from the Dansville Balloon Launch.  We had a great time watching the balloons and especially seeing one land.

But before you look at more pictures, please consider volunteering to help park cars at the Fiddler’s Fair.  Joan still has a few open spots.  Click here to let her know when you could be available.

Pepe and the Purple People Eater land together.

We chased one balloon down County Line Rd

Directly over us!

Landing

The view after landing looking directly up into the balloon