Get in the Spirit With the Western MA Chapter!

Message from the New Chapter Chair

I am very excited to be starting my two year term as the new Western Massachusetts Chapter Chair! I'd like to tell you a little about myself: I grew up in a small town in the south, population 75, and went to a small school (only two of us in the first grade). In the late 80s, my husband and I, with our two children, moved to western Massachusetts. I spent most of my career working as the Town Administrator in Granville. I started getting involved with the AMC in 2015 after I retired. It started by joining some short hikes wearing hand-me-down clothes and my son's old school backpack until I felt this hiking thing was for me. Eventually, I took small steps to leadership in the chapter. I became a hike leader first, then became the Hiking Committee Chair, and took on the Chapter Vice-Chair role last year. I was voted in as the Chair of the Western MA Chapter during the Annual Business Meeting and Celebration in October (continue reading for more on that event). I am grateful and honored to be elected chair of AMC's smallest chapter. I look forward to continuing to build on our small but mighty foundation, proving that even the smallest chapters can achieve great things together. Continue reading to learn about our Appie of the Year recipient, our Most Valuable Committee Members and a fun holiday event to get us in the holiday spirit. Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Bill Fogel Named Appie of the Year

Bill Fogel received the Appie of the Year award at the Chapter's Annual Meeting and Celebration on October 25th. The Appie of the Year award recognizes outstanding sustained commitment in service and leadership in the Western MA Chapter. Bill has devoted many years of leadership and dedication to the AMC. He has been a qualified leader for Mountaineering, Hiking, and Training and Education and has been chair of the Mountaineering and Training and Education Committees, as well as chair of the Inter-chapter Climbing Committee. As the Training and Education Chair, he played a role in helping the larger AMC with the DEI portion of the training program for new and existing leaders. He has been a huge proponent for DEI initiatives within our chapter and has been someone that AMC staff have turned to for guidance around how to better engage other volunteers in these initiatives. Congratulations Bill, on this well-deserved recognition! We are grateful for your service to the AMC!

Annual Meeting and Celebration

The Chapter held its first in-person Annual Business Meeting and Volunteer Celebration since before the pandemic at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House on October 25th. During the business meeting portion of the evening, new officers and committee chairs were voted in. Kathy Martin is replacing Diane Jones as the Chair, Kayla Crowe is the new Training and Education Chair replacing Bill Fogel, and Russ Skelton is replacing Josh Weeks as the AT Management Committee Chair. View the entire Executive Committee on their committee page. The Most Valuable Committee Member awards were also announced at the celebration to recognize a volunteer from each committee who stood out throughout the year as an exceptional volunteer. The awards were given to: Jeff Pratt (NET Management), Chris Neil (Mountaineering), David Conley (Hiking), Kayla Crowe (Family Programs), Steve Maislin (Bicycling), David Coderre (AT Management), Bonna Wieler (DEI), and Jack Gill (Paddling). We are extremely grateful for the award recipients, as well as for all of our incredible volunteers!

Holiday Decorations Workshop at Noble View

Come get in the holiday spirit with us during our third annual Natural Holiday Decorations Workshop at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. We'll start with a short meander in the woods to find greens for swags and other holiday decorations. New this year, we'll be trying our hands at creating snowmen and snowwomen out of varied size wood slices. Your workshop guides, Nan and Laura will have extra greens, wood and pinecones, but would appreciate any donation of ribbon and decoration materials. Warm cider and music, as well as a campfire if it's chilly, will be included in this event designed to de-stress this holiday season. Register today!