Mile Posts Newsletter                                                                                Winter 2016


Greetings!
 
For the recent Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, over 20 volunteers showed up, despite frigid temperatures, to remove overgrowth and litter from alongside Porterdale's newly-constructed Yellow River Path. Over 30 people came out on a cold and rainy night last week for the Winter Social at Bradley's Barbecue. And, as you'll notice in the sidebar below, over 60 families and individuals have joined or renewed their Newton Trails memberships this past quarter. Clearly, there is a dedicated trail movement in Newton County!
 
The Newton Trails board of directors is looking forward to continued growth and progress in 2016. We hope you'll join us as we promote, celebrate and improve our existing trails, explore and learn from trails in neighboring counties and across the state, and work to expand the Newton County trail system. You'll find opportunities to participate in all of the above in the articles below.
 
Happy trails!

Follow Us  
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
***********
Join Us
 
Your membership helps Newton Trails promote, develop and sustain a
connected system of
greenway trails.  

  

New and Renewing Members 
 
Nancy and Harold Alexander 
Slade Bailey   
  Shelly and Jim Barber 
Jim Behning 
Jami and Frank Berry 
  Diane, John and Regan Bowers 
Tammy and Christian Camfield 
Nita Carson 
Arline Chapman 
Margie Cline and
Elysse Lewandowski  
Walt Davis 
John Degonia 
Kim Degonia 
Johnny and Flora Dennis 
  Cathy and Denny Dobbs 
Denise and Gregg Ellwanger  
Penelope England 
Robert Faulkner 
Rob and Jean Fowler 
Chad Frey 
Christopher Fulmer  
Tara and Michael Geoffroy  
Ida and Matt Harris  
Judy Harris 
Candace Hassen 
Karen Hedrick 
Connie Hollis 
Kelly and Bill Jesel 
Philip A. Johnson 
Robin Johnson 
Vejaye Johnson 
Josephine Kelly and
Hugh Burnett  
Heather King 
Patti Lanford 
   Sarah (Buncie) Lanners 
Levie Maddox 
Jill and Matt McGibboney 
Larry McSwain 
Cheryl and Rick Meichsner 
   Barbara Morgan 
Vanessa Nolley 
Hoyt Oliver 
Daniel Parson and
Molly McGehee 
Neil and Carol Penn  
Florian Pohl and
Eve Mullen 
Greg and Tamara Richardson 
Karen and Mike Rogers 
Jerry Roseberry 
   Della Royston 
Bob Rutland 
    Nancy Schulz 
Rodney and Julia Sheets 
Lanier Sims 
Robert Stansfield 
John Travis 
Frank B. and Kay Turner 
Sara and Randy Vinson 
David and Connie Waller 
    Billie Jean and Mike Whatley 
Roberta and Ed Winnicki 
   Linda and Karl Woodworth 
***********
Thank you for the Donation!

Satsuki Garden Club
in honor of
Sara Vinson  

***********
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!
***********
Volunteer  

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

***********

Make Your  
Purchases Count

.
Feature Story
Connecting the Dots with Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston

When Mayor Ronnie Johnston shares a vision for Covington, one word keeps coming up: "Connectivity." It's an idea central to the Newton Trails vision of "a healthy, vibrant, prosperous community connected to one another, to nature, to our history, and to daily life through a system of greenway trails." Read more
News
Yellow River Path is Newton County's First Rail Trail
An old proverb says, "A trip of a thousand miles starts with a single step." The realization of a cross-county rail trail in Newton County has started with a 900-foot step in Porterdale. Read more
 
Turkey Creek/Yellow River Trail: A Shovel-Ready Project for the 2017 SPLOST
Newton County commissioners are beginning to discuss the 2017 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The Turkey Creek/Yellow River Trail is a shovel-ready project that should be on the list. Read more
Eastside Trail Kiosk Nearly Complete
Eastside Trail users will soon have all the information they need about the Eastside Trail route as well as local trail events thanks to a grant from the East Metro Board of Realtors and two Newton Trails volunteers. Read more 
Southern Bicycle League Donates $500
Earlier this month, Newton Trails accepted a check for $500 from the Southern Bicycle League (SBL), which donated the money from the profits it received by putting on the Covington Century Bike Ride in August 2015.
Read more
Georgia Trail Summit Set for April 14-16 in Carrollton
Now in its third year, the Georgia Trail Summit is open to everyone. This is a great opportunity to learn from trail builders and advocates from around the state and experience Carrollton's new GreenBelt trail system.
Read more
Trail View
A 40-Year Perspective on Newton County Recreation and Trails
Retired Oxford College professor and Newton Trails volunteer Penny England has lived in Newton County for 40 years. Access to recreation and trails continue to be a priority.

In 1976 when I arrived in Oxford, Georgia, a couple minutes' walk brought me to a woodsy, very low traffic road. I soaked up the "out in the countryside" sounds, fragrances, and seclusion as I jogged. It was my place to find solace and peace. Read more
Events
Covington Community Bike Ride
family-bike-ride.jpg
Sunday, February 7th and Every First Sunday of the Month (3:00 PM) from the Covington Square
The Community Bike Ride is a monthly, no-drop, family-friendly bicycle ride. It is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon any time of year. Read more  
Community Walk on the Rockdale South River Trail
Saturday, February 27, 2016 (9:00 AM) 
Come explore the newest section of the Rockdale South River Trail, a SPLOST-funded trail beginning at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. The section we'll walk includes a picturesque bridge across the South River. Read more
Quarterly Bike Ride (and Walk) in Columbus, GA
Saturday, March 5-Sunday, March 6
Travel with us to experience the Riverwalk Trail in Columbus, a city that has undergone a recreation-centered renaissance in recent years. Read more
Community Walk at Stone Mountain Park
Saturday,  March 19 (9:00 AM)
Join us for an adventure on the Cherokee Trail at Stone Mountain Park. Our five-mile hike will take us around Stone Mountain on a cross country adventure, exploring parts of the mountain not normally seen. Read more 
Every Body Walk/Newton, Campaign Kick Off
Wednesday,  April 6 
Community leaders, health professionals and enforcement officers will lead a series of community walks during the month of April to benefit the health, mind and soul and help build community. Read more 
Opportunities to Host Quarterly Socials
  classy-dinner-ladies.jpg
Thursdays, April 21, July 21 & Oct 20 (6:00-7:00 PM)
Do you own or represent a trail-friendly business?  Consider hosting one of Newton Trails' Quarterly Socials at your establishment. Read more
Trail Spotlight
Coastal Georgia Greenway
Don't pack your bags yet. This multi-use trail is still in the planning stage.  However, once complete, the Coastal Georgia Greenway will traverse 155 continuous miles through multiple cities, historic sites, cultural sites and waterways along Georgia's coast. Read more