With all of our recent rainstorms, it’s looking more like spring than fall out on the trails! Please consider the trail footing during these last few weeks before the ground freezes – any damage done to the trails now will be with us all winter. Remember also to wear your blaze orange when you are out on the trails. Bow season is open, and shotgun season begins December 1st. Click here to view the full MA Hunting Calendar. We’ll be talking about these topics and more at the North Shore Trail Summit hosted by Seaside Cycle in Manchester tonight. We hope that you can join us!
As we head into the “giving season” we hope that you will give as generously as you can to ECTA. We have been busy clearing and repairing trails after several severe storms this fall, and our list of trail projects for 2015 is growing rapidly. There are many ways to give, but we hope that you will participate in one of our upcoming campaigns. The Matching Gift Challenge has been extended until December 1st, meaning you still have time to double your donation dollars! We are very close to hitting our $50,000 goal, and every dollar makes a difference! After shopping til you drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, remember ECTA on #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving back. Or help support the trails while you’re shopping for holiday gifts at Fox Floral’s holiday trunk show on November 29th. A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to ECTA (read on below for more information). Contributions in memory of loved ones or pets are also a wonderful way to celebrate family and friends who loved the trails.
Thank you to our Volunteers!
Thank you to all of the volunteers who joined us on October 25th to reroute a portion of the Bay Circuit Trail over Prospect Hill in Ipswich and Rowley. The existing trail was severely eroded and was hazardous to walkers and equestrians. Twenty-one volunteers, ranging in age from four to over seventy helped to create the new trail. We are extremely grateful to REI for funding this project through their Stewardship Grant!
Board member and trail steward Joe Sandulli led fourteen equestrians on a trail ride to the top of Sagamore Hill on Sunday. Riders were able to enjoy the beautiful stone walls and open fields of Sagamore and Blueberry hills and visited Masconomet’s grave. The property, grazed by livestock during the majority of the year, was opened especially to ECTA by the Donovan family for the ride. Board member Liz Wheaton welcomed riders to the neighboring Donovan Hill with a much-needed hot cider break! Thank you to Joe, Liz, the Donovans, and all of the riders!
Shop for home accessories, men’s and women’s clothing, antiques, jewelry, original artwork, equestrian and wildlife photography, succulent gardens, wreaths, centerpieces and home decor at Fox Floral’s trunk show on November 29th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to ECTA.
The retailers below offer ECTA members great discounts on goods and services.
Farm Bar and Grille
Ipswich Inn
Wenham Sports Stop
Zumi’s Coffee Shop
First Light Anglers
Green Elephant Toys
True North Gallery New England Running Co
