Eastern Trail
News

January 2004 EASTERN TRAIL NEWS

In this ETA news summary :
  - ETA Dining Fundraiser
  - Michaud New ETMD President
  - Scarborough Marsh Project Status
  - Eastern Trail Slide Shows
  - ETA Full Moon X-Country ski weekend - Feb 6-8 2004
  - Acadia Cross-Country Ski Weekend - Feb 20-22
  - Cape Cod Rail-Trail Ride March 13
  - CDC Chief: “We must change in astonishing ways.”
  - Trustee Monthly Meetings
  - Help Create the ET, Join ETA

ETA Dining Fundraiser  - Dine at Cherie's Bistro in Kennebunk on Wednesday Jan. 14th. Cherie’s will donate 10% of its evening profits to the ETA. We hear great reports from Jeanne Peckiconis who arranged this fundraising event. To reach Cherie’s Bistro follow Rt. 1 SOUTH from downtown Kennebunk. Just after crossing the Mousam River follow High street (Rt. 9A) RIGHT toward Sanford. Cherie’s, at 7 High St., is on your RIGHT about 300 feet from Rt. 1. Phone: (207) 985-1248. See you there.

Michaud New ETMD President - Saco City Administrator Richard “Rick” Michaud has been elected president of the Eastern Trail Management District following the resignation of Kennebunk Town Manager Barry Tibbetts. The Management District is the quasi-governmental agency formed by the ETA and the 12 corridor towns to manage federal funds for trail construction and management. The Alliance thanks Barry and wishes Rick the best of luck.

Scarborough Marsh Project Status - The Management District is all set to go for bids. MDOT is holding funds until an understanding is reached with Granite State Gas Transmission, a NiSource utility that also owns Maine’s local gas company, Northern Utilities. The marsh is owned by the State of Maine, but utilities must be informed of such projects and understandings must be reached to maximize safety. Bad surprises from the gas company during the last few weeks of 2003 turned 2004 ET construction into a real cliffhanger.

Some perspective: The Minuteman Trail agreement in Lexington, Mass. took between 17 and 20 years to negotiate. We have only been working for 7 years. We need infinite patience and we will get our trail. “Never, never, never, never give up.” - Winston Churchill. “You just can’t give up, ever.” Donald Trump, WCSH-TV 6 Jan 04.

Eastern Trail Slide Shows - Would you like a lunch-and-learn Eastern Trail slide show where your work? Would you like to bring the ETA slide show to your club? The show is at Wardwell Home in Saco this week. Send e-mail to JAndrews@GWI.Net

ETA Full Moon X-Country ski weekend - Feb 6-8 2004 - Ski from a hunting lodge. Hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails. Ski 10 to 15 scenic Ohh and Ahh miles Saturday. Ski Flagstaff Lake under the shadow of Bigelow Mountain on Sunday. Fantastic meals, are all included. Private rooms. Hot showers. Drive to door. $150 per person. Send e-mail to Jandrews@GWI.net for more information and to register.

Acadia Cross-Country Ski Weekend - Feb 20-22 - Ski Acadia National Park carriage roads. Stay at an old farmhouse B&B. Total cost for two nights and two breakfasts: $50. . Send e-mail to Jandrews@GWI.net for more information and to register.

Cape Cod Rail-Trail Ride March 13 - Bike the famous Cape Cod Rail-Trail Saturday 13 March. We’ll ride 25 miles out and 25 miles back. We’ll leave the Saco area at 6:30 a.m. and return the same day. Leader Bruce Wakefield who biked the trail on 2 January reports: “…cranberries, the ponds, and the bright red fields. This trail cannot be described to justice; it must be ridden. Paved and flat, the 50 miles goes by fast.” FMI or to register, contact John Andrews, JAndrews@GWI.Net. Please don’t register if you did not bike at least one 50-miler in the last year.

CDC Chief: “We must change in astonishing ways.” - "Obesity is the No. 1 health threat in the United States today, the head of the leading U.S. federal health agency said. While much of her time is spent preparing to fight anthrax, smallpox, and biological threats, and diseases like SARS and West Nile virus, Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention Director Dr. Julie Gerberding, said Americans are much more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes caused by smoking, eating too much and exercising too little. "Unfortunately, poor diet and a lack of exercise have almost caught up with tobacco as being the leading cause of death in the United States." 

The ET can help with exercise opportunities.

Trustee Meetings - ETA Trustees meet each 2nd Monday in the ETA office at 7:00 P.M Room 1214, 1st Floor 110 Main St., Saco. We moved in November. You are welcome. (Park at Saco Amtrak. Walk down hill toward Biddeford about 200 feet. Enter center door. Go to Doyle Enterprises, room 1214.)

Help Create the ET, Join ETA 
Click here to complete the certified-secure membership application. Enjoy the newsletter and Alliance outings. Your membership can make a difference. If there are no ETA members, there will be no ET. 

A highway takes your car to the country, a greenway your mind. 
- Charles Little

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office