Hello again,

          As we are preparing to open bids and chose a contractor to complete the 10 miles of trail, little reflection is in order:

•   I think of Andy Hart striving to make people believe in the intangible qualities that the trail would bring to each Holmes Countian.

•   Fundraisers to buy the needed property, like the social given by Ted Dehass at his home.

•   Dan Miller working timelessly to keep the trail mowed and ready for construction.

•   Joan Simcak's vigilance in grant writing and public relations that converts tracks and politicians into a beautiful exercise area with new users.

•   Commissioners that did not support the trail then did.

•   Organizations using the trail for their yearly fund - raisers.

•   Paul Stutzman, Dan Waver, and Bob Bell on work days already there trimming and fixing whatever is needed.

•   Tom Alexander patching and patrolling the trail in Glenmont to offer a new quality venture for all citizens there.

•   Grant Mason's research to solve all legal problems and obstructions to achieve our trail's goal of completion.

•  All the unnamed board members and supporters that have donated thousands of hours and dollars to this cause.

          The Holmes County Commissioners have been a big asset to the success of the trail construction project. 1 would like to thank Dave Hall, Joe Miller, Richard Graven and welcome newly elected Commissioner Ray Feikert. Your continued support will generate needed revenues from outside visitors.

          Our first annual meeting was held on Feb. 4th 2004 commenting a big year of challenges and success. Next year's meeting will boast of these physical results. This trail belongs to all of us, and that is the vision that this group uses to complete each task put before it.

          Public support continues to grow as we get closer to construction. Things are warming up. Stay tuned.

                    See you on the trail.
                    Bill Baker, Chairman

          The Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition held its first annual board of trustee's organizational dinner meeting at Rebecca's in Walnut Creek.

          The evening was started with an awards presentation, Joan Simcak, Executive Director presented to Dan Miller of Millersburg the Volunteer of the Year Award. Simcak noted "Anything is possible in your imagination. This trail was only possible because  some people imagined it and other people  worked to make it a reality. Miller's devotion  and long hours spent maintaining the Trail translates the ideas of our imaginations into our realities". Bill Baker, Chairman of the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition, presented to  Skip and Ginny Klingerman the donor of the  year awards for their dedication to promoting the  Holmes County Rails to Trails project. The  Klingerman's operate "Skip's Trail Depot" in  Holmesville right off SR 83 and adjacent to a  public trail access point.

           Featured speakers were Dan Ritchie of the Ohio to Erie Trail Coalition and Tim Linn of Linn Engineering based in Zanesville.
Mr. Ritchie spoke to the group about the development of trail systems throughout the state of Ohio and the importance of the Holmes County Trail, which figures prominently in the planned Cleveland to Cincinnati trail. According to Mr. Ritchie, it is the goal of Governor Taft to have both a north and south and an east and west trail system in place within the next 4 years. Mr. Ritchie then went on to praise the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition for their foresight and groundbreaking work in developing their trail.

          Following Mr. Ritchie's presentation, Tim Linn spoke about his firm's work in performing the requisite engineering prior to the
construction of the trail project. Mr. Linn noted the numerous unique aspects about the Holmes County Trail, most notably the fact
that it will be the only dual use trail in the State of Ohio, being able to accommodate not only bikers and walkers, but horses and buggies. In addition to the design challenges presented by the trail. Linn discussed the numerous bridges that must be carefully inspected and the environmental and wetland issues that must be accounted for prior to construction. Linn predicted that the engineering plans would soon be approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation and that construction bidding would begin in June of this year with construction of the initial phase of the trail from Fredericksburg to Millersburg beginning in July.

          A regular business meeting of the Trail was conducted by its trustees following the dinner.

          Beginning in January of 2005,I will become the Chairman of the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition. I thought this was an appropriate time to not only introduce myself to the Trail supporters, but to tell you a little about my experiences on the Holmes County Trail.

          I was first introduced to the Holmes County Trail project by our wonderful Executive Director, Joan Simcak. Joan and I are both members of the Millersburg Rotary Club and Joan from time to time would make presentations to the club about the Trail project.

          Prior to those presentations, I was admittedly very naive about the Trail project and the benefits that it would bring the community. Beginning in July of 2001,1 became the President of the Millersburg Rotary Club. As President, I was able to make ecommendations to my Board of Directors about local projects that the Club should support. At the top of my list was the Holmes County Rails to Trails project. As such, the Millersburg Rotary Club made a donation to the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition to help defray the costs of the construction of a bridge near the Glenmont section of the Trail.

          During the fall of 2001, I made numerous trips with Joan and others down to the Glenmont section of the Trail to view
the bridges in question. Although the area was a bit overgrown, the natural beauty of this section of the Trail was literally breathtaking. One of my fondest memories of that time was a walk down the Trail with Joan and two board members, David Kline
and Dan Miller. I vividly recall David Kline pointing out the various species of flora and fauna that are unique to this section of
the Trail. I remember Joan recounting stories that had been told to her about the rail line that had passed through this area. Finally, I remember Dan Miller pointing out the areas that he had maintained with his tractor. The sun was shining through the canopy of the trees and the entire setting was peaceful. Truly a remarkable experience.

          Later that year, I began a personal effort to "get in shape" by restarting an on again/off again running program. At the suggestion of some local runners, I began running on the northern section of the Trail near the Holmesville area. This area of the Trail is entirely different from  the southern section. While the southern section is cut through hills and rock, the northern section is across relatively flat land and often borders the Killbuck creek and Killbuck Marsh. Nonetheless, the natural beauty is still evident as most of my running route is shaded by tall trees that overhang the Trail. Moreover, during my frequent trips down the trail, I have seen all different types of wildlife, including deer, groundhogs, possums, turtles, frogs, toads and snakes. That doesn't include the frequent sightings of geese, ducks, hawks and heron. To this day, I continue my frequent forays up and down the Trail and am continually amazed by the natural beauty of this treasure.

          Late in 2002, I was asked if I would be willing to serve on the Board of Directors of the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition. Needless to say, I was honored that I was asked and readily accepted. Heading into 2005, the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition had made fantastic progress under the leadership of Joan and our current Board Chairman, Bill Baker. It is my hope to follow the path that has been laid out before me by Bill and Joan and continue to oversee the development of the most unique Trail system in not only the state of Ohio, but the entire United States.

The Western Reserve Carriage Association enjoyed a drive on the Holmes County Trail hosted by member Gary and Claudia Gallion. The event was very well attended with over 50 members present for the lunch and drive. Ten hitches representing Fjords, Standardbreds, Percherons, Morgans, Percheron Thouroughbred Cross, and Miniature Horse all drove on the trail.

The association is made up of members who share an interest in horse-drawn vehicles and promotes the sport of pleasure driving involving all kinds of equine.

Membership of the Association consists of individuals and family groups. The enjoyment of driving with an emphasis on safe driving practices and sound equipment is promoted by the association. A calendar of events may be requested by contacting Gary and Claudia Gallion at (330)-674-3435. The association membership dues are $20.00. The club has organized drive from April through November.

The construction of the first 12 miles of the Trail beginning this summer is at a time when there is a growing national awareness of the numerous benefits that outdoor recreational areas and greenspaces provide. In an effort to capitalize upon those benefits, the Holmes County Park District and Holmes County Commissioners are exploring the possibilities of expanding the County's park program by enhancing the connectivity of the Trail with park systems in the county. In addition, the enhancement of parks, the preservation of open space and the protection of nature areas is a long range vision of the Rails to Trails Coalition, the Park District, and the County Commissioners.            By working together for these shared goals, many great things lie ahead for the residents and visitors to Holmes County.

Joe Miller, Bill Baker, Dave Hall, Joan Simcak, Dan Mathie and Mike McDowell on the trail

Did You Know?      Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition , Inc. is a not-for-profit organization. Focusing on the  development of a 29-mile trail through Holmes County. Currently a volunteer position is open to serve on the board of trustees.      Annually an Executive Board is elected by the board trustees and a thirteen member board of trustees are elected to serve a two year term. Meet- ings are held monthly at 7:30 a.m. in the morning and generally last one hour.      If you would be interested in serving on the HCRTTC board of trustees please call 330-279-2643 or e- mail: holmestrail@valkyrie.net	Thank You Rails to Trails Board of Trustees    for your dedication and committment to the  Holmes County Trail Project
	Bob Bell, Treasurer, Grant Mason,Vice-Chairman, Dan Weaver, Bill Baker, Chairman, Dan Miller, Joan Simcak, Executive Director, Tom Alexander, Tom Vaugn, Don Brown, Andy Hart. (not pictured: Anne Goon, Paul Stutzman, and David Kline)

Trail is Coming to Killbuck The trail is coming to Killbuck and very soon. Momentum is mounting as the Trail sets its big plans into motion to develop the trail from Fredericksburg to Millersburg this summer. But don't think the coalition is stopping it's efforts to get the remaining sections of trail completed. The board of trustees is working diligently to see that the trail is improved into Killbuck this summer. Mowing and cutting back brush has already started on the Killbuck section of trail and soon a road grader will be coming to Killbuck on the old railroad right of way. This 4 mile stretch from Millersburg to Killbuck has a very rough surface and is very unsuitable for hiking, walking, and even a little uncomfortable for horses to walk on, but with the plans in motion to grade this section, the Coalition hopes to see the surface graded and then covered with crushed limestone. This particular section of trail will be open for hiking, hiking, and horseback riding and the biggest expense will be adding the crushed limestone surface. To learn more about how you can help open the Trail to Killbuck, please contact the Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition. Thank You, Bill Baker, Dan Weaver, Bob Bell, Ina Miller, Dan Miller and Joan Simcak (not pic- tured) for your hard work on the Killbuck Trail

Dan Weaver, Bon Bell, and Bill Baker cutting brush.

The Trail is being patrolled by Holmes Counties mounted police officers on a routine basis and we would like to thank the Holmes County Sheriffs Department for their support of the Holmes County Trail. (Photo shows Wade Johnson and Ron Kline on the trail in Brinkhaven.)

Additionally, the Sheriffs department is looking for volunteers to serve on a newly formed mounted search and rescue unit to respond to county emergencies and special events that could require a horse and rider for search and rescue needs, crowd control, and parades. You may contact Wade Johnson of the Holmes County Sheriffs Department for more information at (330)-674-1936.