President’s Letter: Let it Snow

I’d like to start off by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. It’s a few days past Thanksgiving, and I just sat down to write for the winter newsletter. I awoke this morning to enough snow that a salt truck has just passed our house. The kids are outside shoveling snow, and there was talk of sleigh riding today. Our home has taken on a new look in the last twenty-four hours. There are Christmas lights everywhere, and a giant green tree in our living room. It feels like winter, and the holiday season has arrived.  

The holiday season is a time to give thanks, and I’ll start with our volunteers. After a physically demanding summer, our volunteer crews get some much needed time off. We hope the camaraderie of like-minded individuals keeps them coming back every year, like our perennials. The days are becoming very short, and it’s time to hit the pause button on the trail. The weed whips and mowers have been winterized, and it’s time to let it snow. We’ve had numerous discussions about clearing the trail in the winter months, but there is worry about salting the trail next to sensitive ecosystems, and, of course, the cost and time involved. We want to let trail enthusiasts know, this topic is on our radar.  

I’d also like to thank our donors that contribute to the PCA. We operate on very thin margins, and every little contribution helps. I run a business, and I collect money by offering goods and services.  The PCA is different, in that we are not selling anything or providing individual services. We hope our community trail has a visual and visceral effect on people that will inspire them to help with our cause. A simple thank you to everyone who has donated.  

Our lead coordinator, Don Francis, did a wonderful job of installing trail counters in three strategic locations on our trail. The early data has been steadily pouring in. In a single day, we have seen counts as high as 400. The surrounding community is clearly using this trail and finds value in its presence. This inspires us to continue with our mission statement and look for more avenues to expand our green space. There are projects on the distant horizon that, hopefully, will come to fruition. Having the continued support of our members, volunteers, and community at large, the PCA Board of Directors will strive to provide our community with areas of outdoor recreation.

I’ll finish by encouraging you all to find joy this holiday season. My favorite Christmas movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but the rest of my family loves “Elf.” Will Ferrell does an excellent job as Buddy the elf and I still laugh every time I see that movie - it’s comedic genius!  However, I think Jimmy Stewart, who plays George Bailey, is very relatable to our human experience. He questions the path he takes in life as he continually sacrifices for others. He has imperfections, makes mistakes, and despair almost ends him. I hope you know this ending well. Relate to his revelation. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year