Benton MacKaye Trail Association Annual Meeting & Hike Fest
Alert!
BMTA’s Annual Meeting & Hike Fest
REQUIRED FOR ALL INDOOR EVENTS
*Proof of Vaccination or Negative PCR Test (dated 11/5/21 or later)
*Masks Are Recommended When Not Eating or Drinking
These requirements do not apply to those who only wish to participate in the hikes — registration for hikes will be outdoors!
Please email copy of Vaccination Card or Negative PCR Test to:
Annual Meeting Agenda
Unicoi Lodge, Helen, GA
November 13, 2021
THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 11
Thursday Hike Fest
FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 12
Friday Hike Fest
Fireside Ballroom, Lobby and Patio
4:30 Board Meeting (Fireside Ballroom)
6:00 Friday Nite Social
SATURDAY—NOVEMBER 13
Saturday Hike Fest
Fireside Ballroom and Lobby
4:30—6:30 BMTA Store Open
4:30 – 6:30 Book Signing
5:00 Annual Meeting (Fireside Ballroom)
• President’s Message
• State of the Trail Report
• Recognition Certified/Re-certified Sawyers
• Election of Officers
4:30—7:30 Cash Bar
6:30 Awards Banquet (Fireside Lobby)
7:30 Featured Speaker—Larry Anderson (Fireside Ballroom)
(intro by Ken Cissna)
8:00 BMTA Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony
Blaze Team
Hike Leader Awards
30-Hour Awards
100-Hour Club Awards
Volunteer of the Year
Trail Worker of the Year
SUNDAY—NOVEMBER 13
Sunday Hike Fest
Hike Fest Schedule
Hiking Director Tom Sewell has put together a great list of hikes for this year’s Annual Meeting Hike Fest, including:
- The Swinging Bridge
- The Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls
- Duke’s Creek Falls
- Indian Grave Gap to Tray Mountain
- Raven Cliffs Trail
- Helen & Hardeman Farm
- Unicoi Lake Trail
- Smithgall Woods State Park Chunanee Falls Trail
And many more — check out the Hike Schedule!
Please go to Hike Fest to let us know what days you plan to hike.
Award Banquet
Garden Salad
Bread & Rolls
Carver Will Be Serving Sirloin, Ham & Turkey
Green Beans
Vegetable Medley
Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy / Rice w/Gravy
Coffee (Decaf & Regular) / Iced Tea / Cash Bar
Dessert – TBA
Optional – Vegan Plated Meal
$35
*Cash Bar
Banquet Reservations Must Be Made by 11/1/2021!
Featured Speaker - Larry Anderson
Larry Anderson, freelance writer and independent scholar is the author of two of the most authoritative books written about Benton MacKaye — Benton MacKaye: Conservationist, Planner, and Creator of the Appalachian Trail (Creating the North American Landscape) and Peculiar Work: Writing about Benton MacKaye, Conservation, Community.
His research and descriptions are meticulous – as are the myriad of pictures of MacKaye’s precisely detailed hand-drawn maps. In his book, Anderson lays out MacKaye’s visions for the preservation and enjoyment of the environment — many of these concepts can be identified today as: green spaces, the intrastate and interstate highway systems, designated wilderness areas protected from urban encroachment and the movement for environmental sustainability.
Annual Meeting Raffle
All proceeds go to
BMTA’s Land Acquisition Fund
Tickets — $10 each or 3 for $25
Tickets available at the meeting!
Ninety-five per cent of the Benton MacKaye is on either Forest Service or National Park Service property. BMTA needs to move as quickly as possible to secure permanent routes that eliminate the remaining 15 miles or so of road walk and “non-permanent” trail that crosses private land.
BMTA is getting prepared — the Board has established a Land Acquisition Fund. But we need your help to fund these endeavors. Tax deductible donations can be made online on the Donate Page. As you check out, in the “Billing details” section, be sure to put “Land Acquisition Fund” in the Additional Information/Order Notes field opposite your name. Or mail a check with that notation in the memo field to BMTA, PO Box 6, Cherry Log, GA 30522.
Another way you can help — and have some fun at the same time — come to BMTA’s Annual Meeting and Hike Fest November 11-14 at Unicoi Lodge and purchase some raffle tickets. We have some great raffle items — including several two-nite stays at Unicoi, Fontana Village, Fireside Outpost, one-nite stay at the Hike Inn and more — the proceeds go to BMTA’s Land Acquisition Fund!
Thank You to All Who Have Donated Items for the Annual Meeting Raffle!
Non Hiking Activities
Friday Nite Social
Complimentary Hors d ’Oeuvres
Hot Chocolate & Smores
*Cash Bar