The Society would like to give a Big Shout Out and Thank You to the 16 folks that showed up this morning and helped us clean up the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area of the Shawnee National Forest. The team picked up approximately 300 pounds of trash from the Observation Trail; the area below the bluffs and observation trail, around the parking lots and around the campground.

Those that showed up included Trail Society Board members Bill Gilmour, Chris Drone, Melanie Kasson and Marcus Owens; other Society members to include Sam Morales, Jim Todd, Bill Clifton, Lu Horning, Susan Wygant, David Files, Brigitte Goulet & plus 1, LaDonna Silbe, Charlie Kahle and Kevin Sapp; and a random camper. If I missed someone or made a mistake in the names I apologize. The team was supported by Kay Bushno from the US Forest Service who brought bags, gloves, grabbers, maps and bug spray for all that wanted it.

It is also noted that another Society Board member Shawn Gossman along with Michelle Cochran and one other person represented the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest and cleaned up the Indian Point trail.

I would also like to thank the Shawnee Saunterers (a southern Illinois hiking group for the over 50 crowd) group as some of those that joined us today came from that group.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? The River to River Trail Society and The Friends of the Shawnee can use your help. If interested in helping in the future, please visit our websites for more details at http://www.rivertorivertrail.net/ and shawneefriends.org.