Mad River Path Newsletters

Greetings! I’ve had a busy month updating the mailing list so we will be ready for our next big mailing project – the Spring 2007 Pathways Newsletter. There are presently almost 700 names from the several different lists that I have found in the MRPA files.
Hopefully we can reach out to past members, landowners and other community members who are present and could be future supporters of our mission of creating a continuous pedestrian-friendly Path that runs the length of the Mad River Valley as well as the along the nearby Mill Brook Trails.

The State of Vermont’s Department of Health recently announced a grant opportunity to communities, non-profits and other organizations that would give approximately $1,000,000 for health related proposals. The grant (CHAAMPS) is to provide funding for new and existing programs that address obesity, youth, tobacco, exercise and at-risk segments of the population, and the main goal is Collaboration. Several organizations in the Mad River Valley have formed a new group called the Mad River Healthy Community Coalition and we have been brainstorming ways that we can work together and create opportunities for our community to increase options for healthy activities. Members of this group represent the Mad River Valley Recreation District, the MRV Health Center, Harwood Union H.S., Open Hearth Community Center, and the Youth Service Bureau. The grant was quite lengthy and is due the first week of March, so we have decided to become better organized and will be ready for next year’s offering

The Mad River Valley Recreation District, our most generous source of grant funding, is now becoming more involved with the recipients of their funding. Ken Felderman, the President of the MRVRD has become our direct connection with the recreation district board, and I spent several hours talking with him about how we have been using our grant money, how much is still remaining, and what are plans are for future funding requests.

As the dripping icicles outside the window of my office melt and drop to the ground, I’m looking forward to gearing up to the great amount of work we have ahead of us in the next couple of weeks and months: the Spring Newsletter, the 1824 House Wine Tasting Event, our 20th Anniversary Bash, National Trails Day (June 2), the Annual Meeting, and starting construction on the new bridge and spur trail over the Chase Brook. We’ve got a busy schedule, so now is the time to start talking to your friends - let them know that we’ll be needing many hands to help us as we keep progressing toward our ultimate goal of making the Mad River Path the best way to travel throughout our Valley!