Mile Posts Newsletter                                                                                    Spring 2015


Greetings!

  

March 28 was the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Opening Day for Trails, and we hope you were able to mark the occasion with a bike ride, run or walk on one of our local trails. We're confident that next year we'll be hosting a big Opening Day event on our own rail trail, celebrating all the way from Covington to Newborn.

 

In the meantime, we have a full calendar of events to promote trail use in Newton County and beyond.  After reading our feature story, you won't want to miss the Community Walk along the Yellow River in Porterdale. Also, you'll want to make time to explore the unique and beautiful granite outcrop ecosystem at Lake Varner in May and join us for our Second Annual Overnight Trip to ride (or walk) the Chief Ladiga Trail in Anniston. Off the trail, we hope to see you at our Spring Social at the Village Grille at Ashton Hills Golf Club on Thursday, April 23. We have lots to talk about! 

 

Happy trails!
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Join Us!
 
Your membership helps Newton Trails promote, develop and sustain a
connected system of
greenway trails.  

  

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New and Renewing Members 
 
Cynthia Abbot  
Tammy and Christian Camfield  
Penelope England  
Suzanne Griswold  
Dan and Eileen Griswold  
 Candace Hassen 
 Elisha, Wes, and Addison Hunt 
 Patti Lanford 
 Jill, Mark, Fiona, Lila,
and Liam McGibboney 
 Cheryl and Richard Meichsner 
 Greg and Tamara Richardson 
 Aaron Robinson 
 Linda and Bradd Shore 
 John Travis 
 Robert J. and Cathy Waddell 
Sponsor Us!

Newton Trails welcomes the support of local businesses and corporations.  Host a social, sponsor an event or make a donation. We'll let people know that your business is trail friendly!

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Volunteer! 

We welcome volunteers for trail work days and special projects, including professional services.

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Make Your Purchases Count!

Support trails in our community through shopping rewards programs!


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Feature Story

Porterdale Mayor Arline Chapman is seldom at a loss for words--especially when promoting her city. But, she's been sitting silent for a very long pause, and I'm worried I've stumped her. Maybe it's an unfair question: describe everything going on in Porterdale in one word.

 

News
 Newton Fund Supports Greenway Trails

Newton Trails has received a $3000 grant from the Newton Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. We're especially proud of this grant award because the application process is rigorous and...

Read more 

Newton Trails is excited to be an official sponsor of this year's Georgia Trail Summit in Athens.  If you're interested in learning more about the movement to create a world-class network of trails in Georgia, we encourage you to join us in attending the summit.  

Read more 

 Finding Native Flora and Fauna on the Trails

From the river and wetlands bordering the Yellow River Trail to the stark beauty of Lake Varner's granite outcrop and the varying woodlands found at Turner Lake and the Oxford and Eastside trails, you'll find a full range of flora and fauna.   Read more 

Events
Community Walk on the Yellow River Trail
Monday, April 20th, 2015.
6:00-7:00 PM
Porterdale city manager Bob Thomson will show us the new park and boat launch along the Yellow River as we walk the trail in Porterdale. We'll learn what's next for this up and coming historic mill town. Read more
 Newton Trails Social at the Village Grille
Thursday, April 23rd (6:00-7:00 p.m.)
Join us at The Village Grille at Ashton Hills Golf Course (10400 By Pass Road, Covington) for the latest trail news, great company and food. We'll even buy your first drink if you're a Newton Trails member. Read more 
 Covington Community Bike Ride
family-bike-ride.jpg
Sunday, May 3rd and Every First Sunday of the Month (3:00 PM) from the Covington Square
The Community Bike Ride is a monthly, no-drop, group bicycle ride co-sponsored by Newton Trails, the Covington-Newton County Visitors Center, and Main Street Covington. It is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon any time of year. Read more  
Community Walk at Lake Varner
Tuesday, May 12th
6:30-7:30 PM 
Theodosia Wade, senior lecturer in biology at Oxford College, will be the guide for a walk to the Lake Varner granite outcrop.  Come learn about some of the plants and their adaptations to this unique environment.   
Read more
 Second Annual Overnight Bike Trip
Saturday, May 16th-Sunday, May 17th 
We are looking forward to our Second Annual Overnight Bike Trip--this year traveling to Anniston, Alabama to ride the Chief Ladiga Trail which connects with the Silver Comet Trail at the Alabama state line. 
Read more
 Community Walk on the Eastside Trail
Saturday, June 13th
9:00-10:00 AM  
Let's walk and talk in the shade of the Eastside Trail.  Bring a friend, your family and dog or come alone to enjoy Covington's flagship, multi-use trail.   
 Read more
Trail of the Month
Trail of the Month
The 55-mile Montour Trail in Pennsylvania is our Trail of the Month.  Not only does the trail cover some beautiful scenery, it's also a rail trail developed and managed by volunteers.  Sound familiar?  We can learn a lot by studying the Montour Trail Council's example.
Read more 
Newton Trails T-shirt Contest
And the Winners Are ...
T-Shirt
 
Congratulations to Patti Lanford, winner of a Newton Trails t-shirt. Become a member or renew your membership today and you could be our next winner. If you can't wait another three months, you can purchase a t-shirt and other merchandise in our online store.