Monthly Newsletter

Sleepy Hollow Trail Riders May 2008 Newsletter

On Saturday, May 3, the Sleepy Hollow Trail Riders Association, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, held their second annual Rural Heritage Plow Day. The weather was cool and comfortable for the nineteen teams of Belgians, Percherons and mules. The teams worked two and three abreast plowing 8.5 acres and providing wagon rides to spectators. Volunteers make this event possible. Volunteering provides a unique opportunity for trail riding centric association members to interact with the heavy horse crowd and share a deep respect for all that horses contribute to our quality of life.

Association members Gale Moore , Theresa Kline and Bob Walker attended a trail design training program in Wisconsin. The knowledge they bring back will be used to redesign trouble spots on our existing trails. The training will also be used on our pending trail expansion, including use of the latest technology for trail water crossings. Trails designed to work with the terrain promise more time riding and less time upholding the association’s trail maintenance pledge.

April and early May saw three work bees. Continued supports from a core group of volunteers have the trails in shape for the riding season. While the turnout has been adequate, plans to expand the trail system at Sleepy Hollow State Park will require more association members to volunteer their time and equipment.

If you are a work bee contributor, mark your calendar for July 19^th and 20^th. That’s when we hold the Dennis Austin Memorial Night Ride. This memorial ride is a rare opportunity to camp with your horse at the park. Work bee contributors will have their camping fee waived.

Michael Wood, Secretary

Standing in for President Marsha Putman, who is off on a riding adventure!

Please Note: The Kris Kulhanek Memorial Judged Trail Ride will be held on Sunday May 18-not on Saturday May 17. This is a very special event and a great opportunity to test your horse and horsemanship skills. The Rangers 4-H Club puts on a topnotch event and challenging ride. Don’t miss this 4 age divisions ride. Ride between 10 and 2 pm. Lunch will be furnished for participants. $20.00 for 4-H Clubers and $30.00 for non-members. Prizes will be awarded. Profits go for the KKM Scholarship Fund. Contact Mary at 517-651-6884 for more information.

May 3^rd will be our Plow Day at the park near the entrance headquarters. Draft horse teams from all over the state will be plowing wildlife food plots. Wagon Rides will take folks from the parking lots to the plow sites. Grove Church will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast from 7:30am-9:00am at the corner of Price and Shepardsville Rd. It is right next to the park. Pastor Bob Prange will be blessing the teams before the 9:30 am event. Steve’s Catering will serve pulled pork sandwiches for lunch. Vera Thornton of Fenton has generously donated an original pastel drawing of a team of Belgiums. That will be raffled off. SHTRa t-shirts and other information will be available that day. Maybe you saw event host, Gary Fortin on the Farm and Garden TV Show April 19 talking about this event. We appreciate his hard work organizing an event with so many things going on. SHTRA members please volunteer if you can. Call 989-834-1813. You don’t want to miss any of this.

Our trail scouting on March 30 resulted in GPS marking of a potential 5 mile loop on the west side of the lake. It was a cool, rainy day and I thank those who came and pushed their way through the brush. Theresa Kline is working on a rough draft for crossing the Little Maple River. This proposal will be worked on through out the summer. There are many options that are possible.

Our work bee on April 5^th was well attended and winter debris was removed from the trail. There were many downed trees that needed chainsaw work. Gale Moore and Mike Woods installed the rail fence by the mounting wall. Additional landscaping will be done. Thanks to Dave Richmond, Peg and Roger Borgman, Val Lau, Donna Apostol and Zane our staging area and trails really look nice. Lonnie Buck and Jackie Fisher helped out too. Thanks to Mike Woods who made chili for the hungry crew.

On April 12, we were going to work on the trail but heavy rains made that impossible. So Don and Pat Brown, Gale Moore, Dave Richmond, Myron and Diane Karsten knotched & tapped pickett poles and drained standing water. Winter leaves were removed from parking lot plugged culverts. I had hot soup and grilled sandwiches for the hungry crew. Thanks for Linda Kraai for the yummy cupcakes and Gale Moore for the brownies. Hum, somehow we never go hungry.

The next work bee will be May 10^th. Our gravel order will be there by then and that needs to be worked out to low areas. If you have a gator, bobcat, Kubota- this will be the work bee to bring them. Please call Gale Moore, our Trail Maintenance Man, who will be in charge for more info. Contact him at 517-290-7624. I need a lunch person that day, as I will be gone. So here’s your chance to bring some chili, do some hot dogs, make some soup, cupcakes, ect…..Contact Gary Fortin if you can help at 989-834-1813. Remember work bee hours count for FREE camping at the July DAMN Ride

On April 13th, the Rotten Egg Hunt was held despite chilly Spring weather. Enthusiasm ran high as children diligently searched high and low for the highly desired Emu eggs, the camouflaged “rotten eggs” and candy filled plastic eggs that were in the grass and bushes around the horseman’s staging area. A good time was had by all! The Emu eggs were generously donated by Beth Repas. Thanks to the Brown family for sponsoring this fun event again and to all those who participated.

Next SHTRA Bd. meeting will be 7:00 pm. May 13^th at the staging area-new trail options, patches and events are on the agenda. A grant for MHC funds was written by Mike Woods and Gale Moore.

CIS Rail Trail meetings are May 14-7:00 pm at the Bike Shop in Owosso and May 16 TriCo Governing Bd. at 3:30pm at the Clinton Co. Courthouse. These are important investments for your riding future. Thanks to those who have inquired and are supporting our CIS efforts. I can be contacted at 989-661-2541 or a markne68@aol.com. See our web page shtra.com for more info.

Feb. 2^nd was the date for your annual meeting at the Victor TWP Hall. We had a large turnout for our dinner and auction. Park Manager, Tim Machowicz was present and spoke to the group and took questions. He also sold park stickers.

Penny Ballard, Lonnie Buck, and Gary Fortin were elected to the board. I reviewed and acknowledged 2007 volunteers and event planners. Ann Reed was presented with her ten year membership certificate. We also discussed events for 2008. We passed around the sign up sheet for scouting for additional trail on the west side. Please contact me –989-661-2541-if you would like to become involved in that process. Pat Brown took many membership renewals and presented the annual Treasures Report. Don Brown was the auctioneer assisted by Floyd Fisher and Jen Brown. The Annual Park Sticker was high bided by Theresa Kline and then she also won the top door prize-a 2008 Park Sticker. Ray Dodge and David Kline won the other door prizes-reflective horse pickett collars donated by Tractor Supply of St. Johns. Other businesses that donated items were Tom’s Western Store, The Wire Horse, Carland Elevator, ZCI of Chesaning, Lone Star Western Store of Saginaw, and Ovid Farmers Elevator. We appreciate their support. Mike and Elaine Eschtruth donated a saddle and many numerous items as they are moving. Their generosity is appreciated. Please go to our web site –shtra.com for pictures of the meeting and 2008 events.

Other Ten year membership certificates can be picked up at Expo-Tom’s Western Store, Judy Marteniuk,Sharon Helman, Sandra and Robert Batie, Larry and Renee Prochazka, and Karen and Joe Shovels. Thanks to Secertary Mike Woods who prepared these certificates.He is also working on a video presentation for the Expo Booth. Val Lau signed up folks for that.

Our Board Feb. meetings were cancelled as the majority of us had the flu and I still can’t get around after knee surgery. Hopefully, over the next few weeks we can work out scouting for the proposed trail, plans for spring work bees-April 5, April 12 and May 10, -Plow Days May 3, and the Rotten Egg Hunt April 13.We wish to thanks MHC again for the grant monies what were used to build a Mounting Wall. We need to finish landscaping around it. It is wonderful for those who need a little lift to get on your horse. Mike Woods and Gale Moore were the planners and builders of this structure.

March 14,2008 the Friends of the CIS Trail will hold their annual meeting at 7:00 pm at the Clinton County Regional Agency, 1013 S US 27 in St Johns. This is very important that horse people attend as this proposed Trail is now reaching the planning stages. The Land and Funding have been secured after many years of work. Thanks to the involvement of Fred Meijers Foundation this FORTY ONE mile Rails to Trail Project will be planned over the next year. If equine interest is not shown, then an equine trail will not be included. This rail trail runs from west of Owosso to east of Ionia. Volunteers are needed to help with Communications, Resource Development, Board Governance and Maintenance. I strongly urge those interested in riding this trail to get involved now.

Don’t forget the February 2^nd Annual Meeting and Auction. This special event is one of our largest fundraisers that starts with a 6:00 pm potluck dinners. Please bring a dish to pass and your table service. This year the DNR will be selling park stickers that evening and signing up volunteers for the Expo. We will be honoring ten year members~ Sandra and Robert Batie, Sharon Helman, Judy Marteniuk and Kent Refsal, Larry and Renee Prochazka, Ann Reed and Karen and Joe Shovels. Donated Horsey items are being collected to be auctioned off. Events for 2008 will be discussed. Hope to see you at the Victor TWP Hall 6843 Alward Rd.

Events that are being planned for 2008 are Expo March 7-9 at MSU. Sunday April 13^th is being planned for the Rotten Egg Hunt. Pat Brown and family will have surprises for the “things” the Easter Bunny leaves. Workbee dates of April 12 and May 10 are planned. May 3^rd will be Old Fashioned Plow Days will Draft Horse teams working up areas for wildlife plantings. Gary Fortin can be contacted for more information at 989-834-1813. The Rangers 4-H Club is planning TWO Judged Trail Rides-May17 and September 21. These events are a wonderful opportunity to test your trail savvy and support their memorial scholarship program. Mary Mallory at 517-651-6884 will have more information. The Damn Ride will be July 19-20. We have more on that unique event later. Ichabod Crane Day will be Oct. 11^th. We are looking for other volunteers to plan a Spooky Ride, Scavenger Hunt and Poker Runs.

Don’t forget to send in your memberships-cut out the form in Equine Times or get one from our web site at shtra.com

I hope your Holidays were wonderful and you are making plans for 2008 trail rides. I’m looking forward to warmer days to ride and meet trail buddies. Please don’t forget to renew your trail riding memberships where ever you ride. With the budget cuts, the DNR is depending on their park’s support groups more than ever. Trail riding opportunities should not be taken for granted- we need to show how strong our commitments are to keep equestrian trails open. You are not “Just a Trail Rider”—support your favorite groups. At the last Board meeting we decided not to raise our memberships. For the eleventh year they are -$15.00 for individual and $20.00 for families. Send in your membership & come ride with us.

There are several upcoming events- January 5 is a Holiday Party with the Sleepy Hollow Park Staff and the Friends group. This hosted by the DNR and will be held at the park garage. You are asked to bring a dish to pass for the 1:00 pm potluck. Please RSVP by Jan. 2^nd if you are planning on attending. Contact me at 989-661-2541 or email marken68@aol.com or the park office at 517-651-6217.

Mark your calendars for The Annual Meeting on February 2^nd at the Victor TWP Hall 6843 E. Alward Rd. Hall set up will start by 4:00 pm. and we would appreciate help with the tables and chairs. Memberships will be taken, t-shirts will be available, the suggestion box out, Expo Sign up and donation items viewed. The potluck dinner will start at 6:00 pm, please bring your tables service and a dish to pass. Beverages are provided. A short business meeting will be held to elect board members, review annual reports and plans for 2008. If any person is interested in joining our Board, please call Val Lau at 517-3320-1655. She is working on 2008 Director’s Slate. You can make a difference and help achieve our goals- more trails and camping at Sleepy. At 7:15 Don Brown will be the auctioneer for the donated items and services. Please don’t forget your “trail rider’s treasure” for the auction-a 2008 Park Sticker will be raffled off and one given as a door prize. This is a fun evening and one of our best fundraisers.

Other upcoming event dates have been determined: *MHC Day at the Races –TBA-Jan.27 or Feb 3^rd ; *Expo Mar.7-9 MSU; *May 5- Plow Day; *July 19-20 DAMN Ride and Poker Runs; *Oct. 11-Ichabod Crane Day. Other events pending are work bees, Buddy Rides, a scavenger hunt, Judged trail rides, Spooky Haunted Ride and group rides to check other areas.

January 15, 2008 is the next 7:00 pm Board Meeting at Pat Brown’s on Alward Rd. Agenda items are auction plans, 2008 events, Board candidates.

Check out our web Mark your calendar for Feb.2 –Auction Treasures! See you there!!!