CHC-Volunteer Horse Patrol & Trail News - April 2006

Hello Everyone,

It's that time of year to send in your Monthly & Quarterly reports for January, February & March 2006. Please send them to your Coordinators ASAP, so they are not kept waiting or have to make unnecessary phone calls. Thank you.

Attached are the new CHC-VHP logs that Mary Geer has revised for us. Monthly & Quarterly logs were condensed to one form. A page 2 was added for more space to add comments (It is important to note where the patrols took place and other notable information that other than sightings & contacts.) On the top of the page we added reminders for more accurate reporting of data. These are in a PDF file. If you can not down load them, please let me know and I will mail you copies.

The final VHP report for 2005 will be out soon and sent to all DEP officials, the Clinton Land Trust & Tarrywile Park.

We have 8 new applicants & 3 new members to the VHP Program. The applicants have completed their CPR & First Aid, and are just awaiting the Horse & Rider Evaluation which will be taking place in the beginning of April:

Airline Greenway: Dana Stillwell & Ginger Tullai.

Hilery Slattery & "Pebbles" have completed their requirements. Congratulations!

Cockaponset & Clinton Conservation Land Trust: Marylou Millet & Cat Wilder

Peg Lupone has a new horse to be evaluated: Burnova aka Burnie

Debbie McConnell & "Joya" have completed their requirements. Congratulations!

Our New Coordinator is Gina McManus. Pat Martin & Judith Hunter will continue to assist Gina as needed. Please send your "Cockaponset" logs to Gina and CLCT logs to Jim Griffin. Their addresses are listed on the new revised CHC_VHP Staff list attached.

Larkin State Bridle Trail: Barbara Mahon, Adele & George Hoffman

Sylvie Napoli & "My Boy 'Jack' " have completed their requirements. Congratulations!

Paugusset State Forest: Tom Randsell

At our annual VHP Meeting in February it was proposed that members would like to patrol other parks and forests. Our goals for this year are to establish CHC-VHP Patrols at Bluff Point, Hammonasset, Nehantic, Devil's Hop Yard, Hartman Park, Racebrook Tract Park in Orange & Eisenhower Park in Milford.

We will need VHP members to come forward and become Coordinators of these areas before we approach DEP. Please call or e-mail me to volunteer.

CHC-VHP Safety Vests were distributed at our Presidential Award's Ceremony. Congratulations to all of you. YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Folding saws are in and will be distributed by Jim Griffin &, Gina Mc Manus (Cockaponset & CLCT, Bunny Joseph (Airline) & Meg Sautter (Larkin), & Diane for all other areas.

Another CPR & First Aid Class is being offered by Meg & Angela on Saturday, April 22^nd

(See attached flyer more information)

PLEASE REMEMBER:

1. Get your Rabies & Coggins & send copies to your Coordinator

2. National Trails Day is fast approaching along with the Trail Trotters Program.

Please make plans to celebrate the day with a trail work day or trail ride. Please let me know what your group decides to do. Thank you.

(See attached flyer for more information)

Trail Related Events:

 SATURDAY April 1, 2006

Giant Indoor Equestrian & other "stuff" Tag Sale

The Lower Connecticut River Valley Horsemen's Club (LCRVHC) would like to invite nonprofit groups and clubs to participate in the April 1, giant indoor Equestrian and other “stuff” tag sale.  They are offering a free of charge booth space to allow your group to set up an informational table and possibly raise money for your group.  This is a wonderful social opportunity to network and make connections with other horse people and trail users. This event will take place at 7/8^th Farm in Killingworth.

To reserve a space, contact Peg Lupone (860) 669-2359 or hazageym@yahoo.com

(See attached flyer on next e-mail for more information)

If any CHC-VHP member is planning to attend this event, it would be greatly appreciated if you would please consider helping to set up a table for the CT Horse Council to promote the Council & the Volunteer Horse Patrol. Let me know, I'll get some brochures for you to display.

Saturday, April 8, 2006 TRAIL BUILDING WORKSHOP
Cockaponset State Forest & 7/8^th Farm, Killingworth

Presented by CT NEMBA Saturday April 8 from 9:00am - 3:00pm. to 4:00.

Join CT NEMBA and other recreational user groups to learn about multi-use trails.

Paula Burton and Alex Sokolow are the instructors. Topics covered include applying for a new trail; designing, building, and maintaining trails; tools and safety. The morning will be a classroom session indoors, and after lunch we'll head to the state forest to do some field work. Come dressed to do outside work, bring work gloves and water.

The workshop is free and lunch is provided, but please register in advance. Thank you

To register, call or email Paula Burton: 203-426-5369 peburton@aol.com

NOTE: This is a great opportunity for all of us to learn about building and maintaining trails. It will be important for us to connect and establish a relationship with the

CT New England Mountain Biking Association as we go forward in promoting

multi-use trails in our state.

Saturday, April 22, 2006 – 10:00 – 4:00 First Aid and CPR Class

Seven Eighths Farm

70 Route 80 Killingworth, CT 06419 www.7-8ths.com

Kristin@7-8ths.com (860) 663 – 1551

(See attached flyer for more information)