2009 News Archives
12-23-09
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Hello Friends................ The Board of Directors for the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails would like to wish all of you and your families a very happy Holiday Season!
Each year on January 1st a few of our members like to start the new year off right with a bike ride down the trail. Although there is a lot of competition out their for your time on that day, we want to invite all our Friends to this annual ritual. We will gather at the London Trailhead behind the Senior Center and start the ride at 1 pm. Hope you can make it!
The FMCPT Annual Membership meeting is Wednesday, January 20th at 7 pm at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center in London. (Enter through the east side doors.) Refreshments will be provided and we will have Jeff Stephens from Consider Biking as our guest speaker.
Finally, the FMCPT Annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast is coming up on Saturday, February 6th. We are once again thankful to Bob Evans for their generous donation of their delicious sausage. We have pre-sale tickets available which make nice gift certificates for family and friends. This fundraiser is split between the Madison County Senior Citizens Center and Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails. We look forward to helping you start your Saturday morning off right!
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12-13-09
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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:
Trail of the Month
(excerpt regarding Tom Recktenwalt and Miami Valley RailTrails)
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12-08-09
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Hello Friends................ Thanks to the many of you that have renewed your 2010 FMCPT membership. If you haven't renewed yours yet, click here download a membership registration form. Your support is most appreciated!
Also, mark your calendar for the annual FMCPT membership meeting on Wednesday January 20, 2010 at 7 pm at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center in London, Ohio. We are proud to have Jeff Stephens, Executive Director for Consider Biking, and possibly long-time Columbus bicycle commuter and active transportation advocate Doug Morgan as featured speakers. Refreshments will be served, so come and have an enjoyable evening.
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10-02-09
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The final Full Moon Ride of the season will take place as scheduled this Saturday, October 3, but we may need to turn around at Botkins Rd due to the train derailment.
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09-27-09
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Hello Friends................ The Prairie Grass Trail section of the Ohio to Erie Trail is temporarily closed east of South Charleston. A train derailed near the fertilizer plant. Crews are there today (Sept. 27th) doing clean up work but it is unknown at this time when the trail will be re-opened. Please avoid the area until we get an "all clear". (Please check our website for updates before coming to the Full Moon Ride this Saturday.)
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09-26-09
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Reminder: the final Full Moon Ride of the season takes place this Saturday, October 3.
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09-03-09
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Hello Friends................ We have some nice weather coming up for the BIG weekend, so hope you can make it out and enjoy:
1. Friday evening at 8 pm - the Full Moon Ride starting at the London Trailhead.
2. Saturday at noon - the Ox Roast Parade in West Jefferson.
3. Sunday morning - the Ox Roast Bicycle Tour starting in West Jefferson.
4. Monday - the famous Ox Roast sandwiches at the park in West Jefferson.
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08-12-09
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Just a reminder that the 2009 Ox Roast Bicycle Tour takes place on Sunday, September 6. Please note the following quote on the registration form:
'This year's tour is dedicated to the memory of Bill Young who passed away in the fall of 2008 doing what he loved...cycling. Bill participated in the Ox Roast Bicycle Tour since its inception in 1990. He is greatly missed by his cycling family and friends. Ride On Bill.'
We invite everyone to join in this very special tribute to Bill.
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08-07-09
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Hello Friends...... Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for the Wildflower bicycle tour in Madison County last month. The last chance for this year will be along the trail in Greene County on Saturday, August 8th. Click here for more details.
There was a nice turnout for the August full-moon ride this evening despite the overcast sky. 26 cyclists enjoyed the sounds and smells of the special evening ride. Join us for the next full-moon ride on Friday, September 4.
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08-01-09
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Our Community photos:
XOBA
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07-23-09
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Hello Friends....... Our annual Wildflower Tour has blossomed! Madison, Clark, and Greene Counties have teamed up this year to offer an interesting learning experience while enjoying a leisurely paced bicycle ride. Madison County will kick off the rides this Saturday at the London trailhead at 8 am. The following Saturday the ride will be in Clark County, and the last wildflower tour will be August 8th in Greene County. All tours are free and you do not have to register. Just come and learn about some native rare wildflowers that you can enjoy at this time of year along the Prairie Grass Trail. View the Madison Messenger article below for more details.
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07-13-09
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Hello Friends.............. Below is another article about the proposed new routes through London written by Kristy Zurbrick. The final City Council reading on the issue will be coming up soon. Your opinions about the routes have been most appreciated and we continue to encourage you to write City Council members, the London Safety Services Director, and / or FMCPT about your concerns or support of the routes.
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07-09-09
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Columbus Dispatch Forum & Polls:
Problems on bike trails?
(This is a very interesting survey taken by the Columbus Dispatch. Next time you take to the trails (or the road), keep in mind that trail users are as diverse as the opinions you read in this article.)
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06-30-09
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We need your input to improve the city street routes to connect the Prairie Grass Trail and Roberts Pass sections of the Ohio to Erie Trail.
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06-14-09
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Hello Friends...... The London Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour had another success year with 151 riders enjoying the event! The weather was great, the routes were marked well, and riders even got to savor choclate dipped fresh strawberries along with all the normal snacks and goodies! FMCPT thanks everyone that participated in the annual ride and especially to all the volunteers that helped plan, prepare, and put on the event.
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06-10-09
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Hello Friends . . . . Our annual Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour will soon be here! Many folks have pre-registered and are looking forward to an enjoyable ride. The weather forecast looks great for Saturday. So, if you have not pre-registered but would like to attend, come on down to the shelter house behind the Madison County Senior Citizens Center on Saturday morning, June 13th. We will set up the registration table at 6:00 a.m. and hope to have all the 100-mile and 56-mile riders on their way by 8:00 a.m.. Since the 21-mile route will take less time to complete, we can be more flexible on the starting time for it.
All riders - please remember to check-in after the ride so we can account for everyone. Your safety is very important to us so we will have sag vans cruising the routes, emergency numbers to call, and we will check on every rider's return before we close down for the day.
Come on out for a fun day along our trails and scenic country roads! Enjoy the companionship of some of the best people in central Ohio!
The London Strawberry Festival will start on Wednesday, June 24th and run through Saturday, June 27th. Be sure and check out this year's schedule on their website.
Sincerely Yours,
Wayne Roberts, president
Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails
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06-03-09
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Hello Friends . . . . Click here for the latest announcement concerning the public meetings regarding the Camp Chase Trail.
The next Full Moon Ride will take place this Saturday, June 6.
Also, if anyone would like to help with marking the 56-mile and 100-mile routes for the Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour this year, we are planning to start marking the route on Tuesday, June 9th. We will meet at the London McDonald's at 8:30 am for breakfast and then match up inexperienced volunteers with people that have marked the route in previous years. The rain day will be Wednesday, June 10th - same place and time.
Finally, if anyone would like to attend the next Friends of Madison Lake meeting, it will be this Saturday, June 6th at 1 pm at the west shelter house at Madison Lake.
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05-21-09
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Hello Friends....... Since our last news update, the dates have changed for the seal coating project on the Prairie Grass Trail in Madison County and the parking lot at the trailhead in London. The current dates are June 1st & 2nd. Signs will be placed at the London Trailhead and all road crossings up to Clark County to remind riders that the trail will be closed for those dates. As you know, weather and other conflicts can play havouc for planning such outside projects so we appreciate your patience while this important trail maintenance work is completed. We will keep you informed of any date changes.
Columbus Metro Park District and Rails-To-Trails Conservancy will be sponsoring presentations to the public concerning the extention of The Ohio to Erie Trail from Wilson Road in Madison County to Columbus. The presentations will be on June 8th and June 23rd at 6 pm at the Cedar Ridge Lodge at Battelle-Darby Metro Park. They will explain the proposed route, phased construction plans, and will be available to answer questions from the public.
We hope you are enjoying the trails this spring as well as our rural Ohio roads. If you haven't registered for one of the mid-Ohio one-day rides, please consider the London Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour on June 13th, the popular Delaware County Community Ties Bicycle Tour, or the West Jefferson Ox Roast Bicycle Tour.
Also, check out the calendar on the website for the upcoming Full-Moon rides that start from the London Trailhead.
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05-18-09
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Hello Friends....... The Madison County Park District will be seal coating the Prairie Grass Trail from the London Trailhead area to the Clark county line, plus the older half of the parking lot at the Trailhead on May 26 and 27. Please avoid using this 6 mile section of the trail and the parking lot on those days. The parallel road routes to consider would be US 42 and Old Xenia Road. The cross roads would be SR 38 in London and Botkins Road in Clark County.
A registration form and maps for the upcoming London Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour on Saturday, June 13th can be found here.
This Saturday, May 23rd will be a Memorial Dedication to honor FMCPT Board Member Bill Young for his many years of service for the Ohio to Erie Trail and our community. You are all welcome to join us at 1:30 pm at the London Trailhead memorial garden for the short service. (We are sure Bill would have liked to see you arrive via bicycle if possible.)
We are delighted to pass along the news that Columbus has been selected by the League of American Bicyclists to receive its Bicycle Friendly Community Award! Columbus is the first city in Ohio to receive this prestigious award. Our hats are off to Mayor Coleman, the many people that worked on the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan, and Consider Biking for their efforts to make this happen. What a wonderful example, and challenge, the capital city has set for our mayors and city councils throughout Ohio! Read more about it along with other articles from Consider Biking.
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05-13-09
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Hello Friends....... You are invited to help celebrate the life of Bill Young at the dedication of a memorial at the Prairie Grass Trailhead in London behind the Madison County Senior Citizens Center. The dedication will be on Saturday, May 23rd at 1:30 pm. You are welcomed and encouraged to ride your bike to the ceremony.
Bill was involved with the Ohio to Erie Trail for many years. He helped cut through the initial trail in Madison County as well as raise funds and community awareness of the linear park. Bill was also a Trail Sentinel and spent many hours helping to keep the trail safe and secure. Bill was also a co-owner of Young's Cyclery in London which supported many cyclists in the area.
At Bill's funeral service last November, his family generously requested any donations be directed to the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails. The outpouring of people's generosity towards the trail that Bill loved and the organization that helps to support it was overwhelming. Please join with his family, the Madison County Park District, and the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails as we dedicate this marker at the trailhead memorial garden.
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05-08-09
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Hello Friends....... As most of you know, next week is Bike to Work Week! I hope many of you will give it your best shot this year to use your bike as much as possible this week. Even if you have to commute a long distance, consider bringing you bike with you to work and ride it the last couple of miles to show your support for active transportation. If you work in metro Columbus, Consider Biking has a list of activities showing what's going on during the week.
Have a great Mother's Day weekend and a rewarding Bike to Work Week!
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04-28-09
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FMCPT member Jenny Hildebrand is riding in the 2009 Pelotonia tour. 100% of every donation pledged to Jenny will fund essential research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Click here to view her rider profile on the Pelotonia tour website, and please consider a generous donation.
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04-23-09
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Check out our Auction Brochure for photos of many of the items to be auctioned at our 7th Annual Public Auction.
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04-21-09
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Hello Friends......... The schedule for the 2009 Full Moon Rides has just been approved. This has been a popular ride and we hope you'll give it a try this year.
Our 7th Annual Public Auction is fast approaching on Saturday, May 2nd! If you have some gently used items to donate, call one of these numbers to arrange a pick up: 740-852-0077, 740-852-9597, or 740-852-5145. Hope to see you at the auction! The doors open at 8 am at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center. The silent auction starts at 9 am followed by the live auction at 10 am. The new art & crafts auction will be at 11:30 am. A breakfast and lunch cafe will be available for your convenience.
As mentioned in an earlier news update, this year several activities are happening on May 2nd and our various organizations are co-promoting each other's activities so you will be able to make maximum use of your time and have an enjoyable day.
- The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2009 Madison County Community Expo.
- The 2009 Household Hazardous Waste and Tire Collection Day will be at the Madison County Fairgrounds.
- A Friend's House auction fundraiser will be in West Jefferson.
Come on out for a full day of activities!
The London Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th. Also check out other central Ohio rural bicycle tours such as the 7th Annual Delaware County Community Ties Bicycle Tour on Saturday, July 25th; and the 20th Annual West Jefferson Ox Roast Bicycle Tour on Sunday, Sept. 6th.
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03-26-09
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Hello Friends......... The Madison Press article below features our Treasurer, Rodger Lynch, and his high quality turned bowl from a Burr Oak tree that had to be removed along the Ohio to Erie Trail. Rodger created this piece especially for the 2009 FMCPT annual auction. Another well known local artist, Harry Croghan, is creating a special oil painting with bicycles for the May 2nd auction. A local quilter, Marjorie Hopkins, who has been donating hand-made quilts for the auction for several years, has created a very unique quilt for this year's auction from bicycling T-shirts donated by FMCPT Board members. We have a number of local artists and craftsmen donating beautiful pieces to help raise funds for the trail at the auction.
If you have new or gently used items you would like to donate to the auction, please call one of the following numbers to arrange a pick up: 740-852-0077, 740-852-9597, or 740-852-5145.
As mentioned in an earlier news update, this year several activities are happening on May 2nd and our various organizations are co-promoting each other's activities so you will be able to make maximum use of your time and have an enjoyable day.
- The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2009 Madison County Community Expo.
- The 2009 Household Hazardous Waste and Tire Collection Day will be at the Madison County Fairgrounds.
- A Friend's House auction fundraiser will be in West Jefferson.
COME ON IN for breakfast and enjoy a full day right here in central Madison County!
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03-17-09
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Hello Friends......... As most of you know by now, Saturday May 2nd is the date for our annual auction fundraiser this year. We are still gathering new and gently used items. As you're trying to find a little more space around the house this spring and find that perfect item that you no longer have room for - call us at 740-852-0077, 740-852-9597, or 740-852-5145 and we'll find a nice home for your piece and you'll have a little more room.
This year several activities are happening on May 2nd and our various organizations are co-promoting each other's activities so you will be able to make maximum use of your time and have an enjoyable day.
- The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2009 Madison County Community Expo.
- The 2009 Household Hazardous Waste and Tire Collection Day will be at the Madison County Fairgrounds.
- A Friend's House auction fundraiser will be in West Jefferson.
COME ON IN for breakfast and enjoy a full day right here in central Madison County!
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03-11-09
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Hello Friends ..........Hope all of you are enjoying the mild days whenever you can! This is a note to let you know of some upcoming days that we could use your help:
Saturday trail clean-up days March 14th and March 21st. We will plan to meet at the London Trailhead behind the Senior Center at 9 a.m. On March 14th Boy Scout Troop 102 will be on hand to help clean trash along the trail to the east. On March 21st we will plan to clean the trail to the west. We could use a few motorized leave blowers for both days to help clear leaves and light limbs off the pavement. Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather as well as to work along the ditches by the trail. We will have a couple of chainsaws on hand to clear larger limbs when necessary. If you could bring a few trash bags, that would be most helpful. Saturday May 2nd is our major annual fundraising auction. The theme this year is "Art in the Parks", however, your donation of any new or gently used items will be most appreciated. We are collecting items now so as you look at last year's Christmas gifts, birthday presents, Mother's Day and Father's Day stuff that may not get used, please remember our auction. This is where we get our funding to help with trail maintenance, local matches for grants on new projects, etc. Our Board of Directors and officers are all volunteers so the money from these fundraisers go right back into the community. So, as you're looking for a home for your under-used gifts, give one of our auction volunteers a call for pick up arrangements at 852-0077, 852-9597, or 852-5145. Thank you for remembering! Save that May 2nd date and come out and find your favorite treasures! Saturday June 13th is the 6th annual Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour. You will note that the tour date is before the London Strawberry Festival this year. This is a fun, family oriented tour with three ride options. The 21-mile ride is entirely along the Prairie Grass Trail, the 56-mile and 100-mile rides are through our beautiful rural countryside with some trail riding as well. There will be food and beverages included at the designated rest stops. A registration form with additional details is available on our website.
Sincerely Yours,
Wayne Roberts, president
Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails
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02-20-09
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Art in the Parks is the theme for the 7th Annual Public Auction on Saturday, May 2, 2009
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01-19-09
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Hello Friends......... The Annual Membership Meeting will be held this Wednesday, January 21st at 7 PM at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center (east entrance). We will have Mike Siedle from the Ohio Wildlife Center there to give a presentation on Ohio's Hawks and Owls. (If you have young children or grandchildren they may enjoy seeing these live critters.) Light refreshments will be served. We will also be electing Board members for available positions.
It is also membership renewal time. If you have not had an opportunity to renew your 2009 FMCPT membership, please click here to download a membership form.
Please check out our Pancake Breakfast flyer and save the Feb. 7th date for the Saturday morning event!
It's time to start saving your new and gently used items for our 7th Annual Public Auction on May 2nd. Click here for contact information.
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12-30-08
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Hello Friends ..........The FMCPT Board of Directors want to thank you for your support in 2008 and hope all of you are having a wonderful Holiday Season! We are busy making our 2009 schedule and want to pass along a few dates for you to remember:
- Thursday, January 1, 2009:
New Year kickoff informal bicycle ride. 1 PM at the London Trailhead
- Wednesday, January 21, 2009:
Annual Membership meeting. 7 PM at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center. Light refreshments, guest speaker on local wildlife.
- Saturday, February 7, 2009:
4th Annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast. 7 - 11 AM at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center.
- Saturday, May 2, 2009:
7th Annual Public Auction, doors open at 8 AM at the senior center.
- Saturday, June 13, 2009:
6th Annual Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour. Rides start from 6:30 to 8:30 AM at the London Trailhead. (Note: the tour is the Saturday prior to the London Strawberry Festival this year for those that also want to ride in GOBA.)
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