On a rainy Saturday morning, June 1st, 2024, National Trails day, the River to River Trail Society gathered at Vienna, Illinois city park to have their annual meeting, as required by law, since we are registered with the State of Illinois as a tax exempt organization. About 30 members gathered, bringing food to share, but, first, to listen to President Bill Gilmour conduct the business meeting, reporting on activities of the Society over the last year, such as purchasing supplies for, building and putting out picnic tables along the River to River trail. Bill also talked about re-routes and trail maintenance activities, trash blasts and various other efforts in cooperation with other groups and the U.S. Forest Service.  The Society elected a slate of officers and new board member for the coming year, 2024-2025.  We want to Sincerely and Most Appreciably say a Huge “Thank You” to retiring board members Fred Scott and Lori Lance.  They have both been valuable with their thoughts, ideas and work contributions over the last few years. We do hope to see them on hikes in the future.   New board members Megan Henderson and Glenn Lawrentz Jr. and were elected and welcomed and board member Chris Drone was selected as Vice President to replace Mr. Scott. 

We then had several speakers. The first being Lindsey Godsey Roberts spoke about her various attempts on traversing the River to River Trail. She has done the trail fully twice…first being supported by meeting people who assisted her, then 2nd, completely on her own by stashing supplies in strategic spots along the trail, then her latest try, was to carry all her needed supplies with her.  She made it over 100 miles on the 3rd try, but was unable to successfully complete the whole trail.

The second being Mr. John Wohlwend from the group “Friends of the Shawnee National Forest”. He spoke about their activities and ideas and accomplishments.

Then, We then got to listen to Mr. Dennis Wilson, who has been the in charge of the Shawnee National Forest for exactly 1 year.

We did have several guests, including a pair of gentlemen from the Champaign, Illinois area who came down Just for this annual meeting. 

    Mr. Scott had been cooking brats and hot dogs all along, and everyone else had brought something(s) to share for the potluck.  No one went away hungry. (if you were similar to me, you might have “gained” for the day). The rain precluded any thoughts of a bike ride after the meeting, but, it seemed to suppress any cicada problems. 

Until this fall, “See ya’ll On the Trail”. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Chris Drone