It is with sadness that I pass on this information. Donald French of Hornell, a FLT Life Member, long time Trail Sponsor and End to Ender passed away on March 6, 2011. Don is father of Kim Meacham and father in law of FLT Board Member, Terry Meacham.
The family has asked that the Finger Lakes Trail Conference be considered along with one other charity for donations in lieu of flowers.
Gene Bavis, Executive Director
Don French #151 8-18-2002
Terry & Kim Meacham receive their end to end patches along with Kim's father Don French from Ed Sidote. Don was also a long time car spotter, trail sponsor and supporter of the trail.
Updated March 4, 2011
Terrific videos or the Sidote Bench dedication have been posted by John Elia:
November 13, 2010 – The FLT Bullthistle Hiking Club dedicated a bench on the FLT to Ed Sidote. Ed (who is now 93 years young!) was present for the ceremony. The bench is located on map M23 in Pharsalia, west of Fred Stewart Road and south of the truck trail. See Current Events for more photos.
January 25th- FLTC and the Passport Program
Gene Bavis & Jacqui Wensich presented a PowerPoint show at the beautiful new Williamson Library, sponsored by "Trail Works, Inc." a local hiking group. Three end-to-enders were present along with a very enthusiastic (and large) group. Some of the turn out was due to Gene & Liz Bavis' popularity in those parts.
#99 Penny Shaw & #161 Gary Shaw
#184 Barbara Hackett
Penny and Gary met while on the trail. Penny is Mary Years' (#61) daughter—you may have passed by Mary's bench on the trail.
November 12-14, 2010 – The FLTC Board of Managers spent the weekend at the Letchworth Conference Center where they reviewed our short and long range goals. During the extended session they also worked on various topics that would have been difficult to cover during regular board meetings.
September 27, 2010 – Congratulations to the following winners of NCTA awards at their August conference (see the NCTA website or the current North Star for more information).
Ed Sidote, 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award
Kathy Eisele, Distinguished Service Award
Annette Brzezicki, Leadership Award
Irene Szabo, Communication Award
September 19, 2010 –Tom Reimers and Phil Dankert spent about 4 hours at the Ithaca Borders Store representing the Cayuga Trails Club and Guide to Hiking Trails of the Finger Lakes Region. They met other authors and organizations including Amy Dickinson of Dear Amy fame, Moosewood Restaurant, Bill and Eileen Bowers, authors of 50 Hikes in the Central NY's Leatherstocking Country among other participants.
September 19, 2010 – The following articles about the FLT appeared in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle:
September 12, 2010 – Ed Sidote celebrated his 93rd birthday September 12th. The photo below is from the archives. The cake was for his #3 end to end hike in 1990!
July 25, 2010 – Hector, New York – Roger Hopkins received the "Volunteer of the Year Award" from the Finger Lakes Land Trust for his selfless volunteer work. FLLT President Chris Proulx and FLLT Executive Director Andy Zepp are pictured below with Roger. See more in the FLT News and on the Cayuga Trails Club website and newsletter. (photo by Tom Reimers)
July 12, 2010 - Construction of the Tamarack Lean-to was reported in July 12-18 issue (page 2) of Tompkins Weekly (www.tompkinsweekly.com).
May 17, 2010 - Founder Don Doster was a charter member of the FLTC. Bob Baker is now the only remaining charter member. There is more to follow in the FLT News. (This photo shows Don jokingly watering a plastic flower in 1966.)
Apr 20, 2010 - Backstage to Backwoods- Ken Shaw, Sally Bialy and Gracie are preparing to hike the FLT end-to-end starting May 16th in Claryville to raise funds for the 'Theatre of Youth' Program while promoting the Finger Lakes Trail.
April 24, 2010 - Ed Sidote was inducted into the Outdoorsman Hall of Fame. More information here.
Jim Maloney, Ed Sidote, Jacqui Wensich by Warren Johnsen
Ed, Stan Benedict, Dot Rice and Warren Johnsen enjoy the buffet.
Apr 11, 2010 - Nature lovers rally to save parksby Leo Roth, Democrat & Chronicle. Discusses the possible closing of parks and the loss of tourist revenue.
Dec 20, 2009 - Gas drilling in Marcellus Shale - The FLTC submitted a public comment to the NYSDEC regarding the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement. Click the link above to read it.
