Rivendell Trails Association P.O. Box 202 Fairlee, Vermont 05045

"To create and maintain the Cross-Rivendell Trail as an educational and recreational resource"

    The Rivendell Trails Association would like to thank all its members for their generous support in 2005. Last year we grew our membership base to over 70 individuals and families in addition to the over 50 landowners who share their land. We hope that you will join or renew your membership for 2006. Your membership pays for trail maintenance, insurance for landowners, and other essential services. Please use the membership form to send in your annual membership dues. Any dues received in 2006 will be good through the annual meeting in 2007. All membership dues are tax deductible. Please note that landowners who have signed permission agreements with the RTA are automatically members free of charge, though additional donations are gratefully accepted. In addition to receiving our newsletters, members are entitled to discounts at EMS club day, to discounts on RTA merchandise, and are eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting, first Sunday in April. Again thank you for your support.

    Last year was another successful year of construction for the trail. Our student trail crew was able to complete 7.5 miles of new trail including the section over Sunday Mountain in Orford and the King Hill--Marsh Hill section in West Fairlee. With a few miles of road walking, you can now hike the Cross-Rivendell Trail from end to end!

    To celebrate the (near) completion of the trail, we held the Rivendell Ramble on a beautiful fall day in October. We were very pleased with the turnout for this event, with over 50 participants, young and old alike. Participants enjoyed a hearty chili dinner after the hike at the Middlebrook/Horizons dining hall. Due to the success of this event, we plan to hold the Rivendell Ramble again next fall on September 30th. We hope you will be able to join us!

    The RTA held its annual meeting and awards dinner on Sunday, April 2 at the Hulbert Outdoor Center. New board members were selected , students presented some of their work on the trail, and everyone enjoyed a great meal.

    Plans for this year include improvements on the popular Mount Cube section of the trail, the publication of a trail guide, our usual volunteer workdays, and of course, the Rivendell Ramble in the fall. We encourage any community groups to plan their own events on the trail as well, and we hope everyone has a chance to get out and hike at least one section of the trail this year.

Thanks again for your continued support!

Sincerely,
Chris Schmidt, Chair

Sally Tomlinson, Orford, Vice Chair
Betty Dixon, Vershire
Carol Foley, Rivendell Staff

David Hooke, Vershire, Treasurer
Will Tifft, Rivendell 200
Teddy Reichert, Rivendell Staff

Marcia Dunning, Fairlee, Secretary
Deva Steketee, Rivendell 200
Janet Taylor, At Large, Thetford