Mile Posts Newsletter                                                                                Spring 2016


Greetings!

In case you haven't heard the big news, Newton Trails has acquired that 15-mile railroad corridor running from Covington to Newborn that we have been talking about for so long!  We received a signed lease agreement from Norfolk Southern at the end of March.

Judging by the outpouring of email congratulations, Facebook likes and shares, membership contributions, along with nearly 150 people coming out for the first two walks of our Every Body Walk Newton! campaign, it's clear that our community is ready to develop this trail.  We hope you'll come celebrate with us at one or all of the events we have planned this spring. 

We also hope you'll attend the Newton County Candidate Forum, which Newton Trails is cohosting for the first time, on April 28.  Because it's more important than ever that we elect people who support the vision of a connected trail system in Newton County, we sent a questionnaire to candidates running for positions on the board of commissioners, and you'll find those responses in the feature story below.  

Developing the rail trail will require community-wide support.  Please join the effort by becoming a Newton Trails member and encouraging your friends, family and coworkers to become members as well.  For those of you who work for companies that have matching gift programs, we encourage you to submit your membership donations for corporate matches.  Every little bit helps!

Happy trails!

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

  

New and Renewing Members 
 
Cynthia Abbott  
John and Terri Anschutz   
Doug Bailey  
Tonya Bechtler 
 Charlotte and Robert Bray 
John Callaway 
 Kim and Maurice Carter 
 Sally Cersosimo 
Lowell Chambers
and Melanie Sheets  
Amy and George Chambless 
Billie Clark 
Robyn Crosby 
 Cathy and Denny Dobbs 
Sarah Dobbs 
 Charles Durden 
Carol and Randy Eakins 
 Roy Evritt 
Anita Fordham  
 Chad Frey 
 Debra Griffith 
Elizabeth Guider 
Dan and Eileen Gunderson  
 Tim Henderson 
 Sherry Hitchcock  
 Craig and Jan Hudson 
Mary Johnson 
 Sherill Jones 
 George and Kim Lazenby 
 Don Lewis 
William Love 
Javier Martinez 
 Pam Maxwell 
Molly McGehee and Daniel Parson 
Jane Moon  
Eve Mullen and Florian Pohl 
 Jonathan and Sallie Paschal 
Mary Patrick 
Devra Phillips 
Jefferson Riley 
 Kerri Shelton 
 Eddie Shirey 
Amber Silfies 
 Randy and Sara Vinson 
 Dan and Perri Walden 
Susan Webster-Chiarello 
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Donations
 
John & Terri Anschutz 
in memory of  
Karl & Laura Anschutz
 
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Robyn Crosby, Sarah Dobbs, Elizabeth Guider, Mary Johnson, Molly McGehee and Daniel Parson, Jane Moon, & Amber Sifles  
in honor of 
Tracey Ashall 
  "Making it happen!"

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Business Sponsors
 
Newton Trails appreciates the support of the following community-oriented businesses!
 
Burrito Loco 
SRG Global 

We welcome 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

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Feature Story
Newton County Commission Candidates Complete Trail-Focused Questionnaire
 
In order to help trail supporters determine which people running for positions on the Newton County board of commissioners best share the goals of promoting, developing and sustaining a network of multi-use, greenway trails, Newton Trails reached out to the candidates for county commission chair and districts 1, 3, and 5 commission seats.  We asked two questions.   Read more
News
First Steps for Rail Trail Development   
Developing a 15-mile rail trail is a big project. 
Newton Trails has outlined a few first steps to get the project started and open the trail to public use as soon as possible.  Read more 
 
RAIL TRAIL FAQ Page Is Best Source for Accurate and Up-to-Date Information  
In order to keep trail supporters informed about plans to develop the newly-acquired Norfolk Southern railroad corridor and answer questions that may arise, we've created a RAIL TRAIL FAQ page on the Newton Trails website.  Read more 
 
Newton Trails Partners to Host Candidate Forum 
Newton Trails is proud to be partnering with Smart Growth Newton County, the Covington News, and the Newton Citizen to host a Newton County Candidate Forum on Thursday, April 28 at 6:00 PM at the Newton County Historic Courthouse in advance of the May 24th primary election. Read more 
Trail View
Making Connections with Trails 
Covington YMCA trainer Tracey Ashall reflects on trails and the two and a half years she and her husband have lived in Newton County.
 
My husband Jonathan and I will be moving to Greenville, South Carolina at the end of April.  We have lived in Newton County since September 2013 when Jonathan took a job with a company that contracted to manage construction of the Baxalta plant.  Read More 
Events
"Every Body Walk Newton!" Series Continues

Wednesdays,  April 20 and 27  
Join us for the two remaining walks during the month of April to benefit the health, mind and soul and help build community. Read more 
Quarterly Social at Tubby Tom's
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Thursdays, April 21, 6:00-7:00 PM
Catch up on the latest trail news and enjoy the company of fellow trail supporters at Tubby Tom's in Covington.  
Read more
Covington Community Bike Ride
family-bike-ride.jpg
Sunday, May 1st 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  
Member Celebration on the Rail Trail

Thursday,  May 12th (6:00-8:00 PM)
Newton Trails members are invited to celebrate the recent rail corridor acquisition.  We'll gather at the home of an adjacent property owner in Covington. Read more  
Rail Trail First Walk & Lunch: Beaver Park to Mansfield

Saturday, May 14th (11:00 AM) 
Join us to explore the eastern end of the rail trail from Beaver Park to Mansfield. We'll view scenic farmland as we walk a section of rock-surfaced rail trail that's a little over a mile long to the heart of downtown Mansfield.  Read more 
Quarterly Bike Ride and Walk on the Arabia Mountain Path in Dekalb County

Saturday, June 4
Join us to walk or bike the Arabia Mountain Path in Dekalb County.  We will meet at the Davidson-Arabian Mountain Preserve at 10:00 AM.  Read more  
Trail Spotlight
Carrollton GreenBelt

Nearly complete, the Carrollton GreenBelt in Carroll County is slated to be the largest paved loop trail system in the state of Georgia. At 16 miles, the trail system is designed for pedestrians and non-motorized uses and connects existing neighborhoods with the the University of West Georgia, city parks, and several commercial shopping areas.  Read more 
Photo Spotlight
 

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