TTA Annual Meeting 2013

Martin McCullough and Jim Schroeder accepting their Lifetime Achievement Awards

Once each year, Tennessee Trails Association members from all across the state gather for a weekend of fun, food, and fellowship. There were hikes, exhibits, programs, auction and entertainment. The Annual Meeting was held at the Fall Creek Falls State Park and Convention Center, Pikeville, Tennessee. Annual Meeting of the membership we elected Officers and Board Members, heard about TTA developments, and presented several awards recognizing individuals or organizations for their outstanding contributions to the furtherance of TTA’s missions and goals.

Our hosts for this year's event were the Plateau, Soddy-Daisy and Upper Cumberland chapters. The Theme for the 2013 TTA Annual Meeting was: My Heart and Sole belong on a Tennessee Trail.

There were 13 different hikes planned to choose from including hikes with waterfalls, rock houses, serene woods and a historic farm. The hikes varied in levels from easy to strenuous and lengths varying from 2.5 to 11.5 miles. In addition to hiking, there were programs on wildflowers, first aid, leave no trace and birds.

Tentative figures from the meeting;

   - 227 meeting attendees

   - $4400 collected in registration fees

   - $300 collected from bake sale

   - $600 collected from cash bar

   - $4000 (approx) collected from auctions (including the white elephant sale)

2014 Officers

President- Carolyn Miller- Plateau Chapter

Vice President- Levonn Hubbard- Plateau Chapter

Secretary- Diane Manas- Nashville Chapter

Treasurer- Kathy Woods- Nashville Chapter

Membership- Tim Townley- Jackson Chapter

There is a current opening for an East Tennessee Representative due to Levonn taking on the Vice President role as well our Middle and West Tennessee Reps positions will be coming open this year. If anyone is interested in serving or knows of someone who would be good in the position let me know. The regional reps help the chapters, look for opportunities to create new chapters, and assist with public relations for TTA and the chapters in their region.

Bob Brown Life Time Achievement Awards: Jim Schroeder and Martin McCullough 

The Board of Directors of the Association established this award to honor Bob Brown for his contributions to hiking and conservation in Tennessee. This award is given for lifetime leadership and contributions to TTA.

Bill Stutz Award - Millette Jones

The Association gives this award in honor of the late Bill Stutz, past TTA member and avid

hiker. The award is  presented to an active hiker for their contribution to the Association.

There were lots of active hikers.  Heiss Mountain to Little Possum Creek had 21 hikers and Wheeler Farms had 45.  Mary Lee Morton did the Bird Walk at Fall Creek Falls . It was a good walk. We saw birds ,flowers & a beautiful view.

Pictures: