President's Logbook
By Jim Fetig
Never thought I’d see this much of Shepherdstown, WV.
Jim LaTorre, Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Board Chair and PATC District Manager, and I enjoyed a productive and delightful lunch with Cinda Waldbuesser, the in-coming president of the ATC. Cinda is a two-time national park superintendent who is well-acquainted with the Appalachian Trail (AT) and what we do.
It was an honor for Supervisor of Trails Rush Williamson, V.P. of Operations Lee Congdon, and myself to represent Marion Park at her induction into the AT Hall of Fame. Marion Park was one of several women who were essential to the founding of PATC, the ATC, and the creation of the Appalachian Trail. She was with Myron Avery when he planted the northern terminus sign atop Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
The role of women in the creation of the Appalachian Trail has been understated. Many photographs of early club work trips feature more women than men, showcasing hard work that often went without recognition. Marion Park’s induction in the AT Hall of Fame was a step in the right direction.
We bid farewell to past PATC president and ATC president Sandi Marra, as she stepped down from her ATC role. Sandi and her husband Chris “Trail Boss” Brunton have been stewards of the Blackburn Trail Center for decades. The Blackburn carriage house was named for them in honor of their service.
All of this happened in Shepherdstown. It’s the oldest town in West Virginia, charming as a leprechaun, and a delightful place.
Of note, we launched our annual fall fundraising appeal. Please donate if you can.
What’s ahead? The ExCom annual retreat will be in early January. There, we will discuss priorities for the upcoming year. Among them will be planning for our centennial year in 2027. If anyone wants to help plan the centennial, please contact me at president@patc.net. My February logbook will discuss the outcome of this meeting.
As the calendar page is about to turn on another year, my AT thru-hike comes to mind. It started in Georgia on Oct. 24. My plan was to hike 16 miles daily. On average, the shelters are about eight miles apart, meaning I would stop for the night at every other shelter.
At that time of year, light fades faster than a paycheck on Friday night. In no time, night hiking ruled the day. At first the night hiking was a quick half hour, a mere blink in a hiker’s day. In time, just before the solstice, my head lamp’s tiny beacon barely pierced the black wall of a well-digger’s darkness in front of me.
That time reminds me of why, that at this time of year, almost every culture and religious tradition around the globe features a festival of light. Light is hope. Light is joy. Light is peace. Light is survival.
In that spirit may this season of light be a gift to you and yours. May light surround you and guide you on your trail to your next shelter.
How ever you celebrate, may your holiday season be filled with light.