President's Logbook
Jim Fetig
This past spring, a red fox gave birth to four kits underneath our sunroom which sits on a foundation of eight pillars about 14 inches above the ground. The space is safe for a new fox family. It can be defended against coyotes or other predators.
The kits reminded us of puppies. They chewed everything including our screens and the wind curtain for our gazebo. We found “trophies” in the yard, including a toddler’s shoe, dog toys and plastic trash.
The presence of the fox family and watching them play and grow was the highlight of our year.
As 2025 draws to a close, PATC and our independent special interest sections have come to the amicable decision to separate. As both Ski Touring and Mountaineering have long been a part of PATC’s DNA, we wish them the best of luck as the transition to their new independent organizations: Potomac Nordic Ski Club and the Potomac Mountain Club. We look forward to our future collaborations with both organizations.
I would sincerely like to thank the team that worked with both sections throughout this process and acknowledge the contributions of Vice President of Volunteerism Jayne Mayne, General Counsel Lindsey Scannell and Staff Director Evan Hoffmann.
As PATC looks forward to 2026 and adopting more best practices for a non-profit of its size, our new General Counsel has been conducting a risk assessment. Based on this assessment, some new policies will be rolling out during 2026 after approval from the Executive Committee and Council. We hope that these policies will strengthen our organization for years to come.
In other news, District Manager for Tuscarora South, Bob Gaylord, was elected Supervisor of Membership by the Executive Committee following Anne Brown’s resignation. In addition, Juliana Nicolini was elected Secretary. The previous secretary resigned several months ago. Please welcome them aboard.
There is a lot to look forward to in 2026. We will have elections for new officers in the fall. The centennial celebrations will kick off then as well, running through our 100th birthday in November 2027. Rush Williamson, Supervisor of Trails, is working with the USFS and ATC to expand our ability to train and certify sawyers. Meanwhile, enjoy the winter months on the trails. Some say it’s the best time to hike and camp, as the crowds have vanished, and the tracks in the snow spell out stories that go unseen in the greener months.