Join WTA in completing the Westchester 100, a project inspired by the publication of the "Walkable Westchester" book by Jane and Walt Daniels. We've compiled a list of 100 local hiking areas and trails, all but 2 of which are mentioned in the book, and have been sponsoring guided hikes to these locations since the fall of 2009. More information can be found in an informational flyer and on our Westchester 100 list. Join us in discovering all the places to walk or hike that Westchester County has to offer.
 
Thank You to All Our Volunteers. WTA is very fortunate to have volunteers who donate their time, energy and expertise to the club throughout the year:

    Officers and Board Members: Catharine Raffaele, President. Eileen West, Vice President. Toni Glikes, Secretary. Mike Doehring, Treasurer. Board Members: Carol Ann Benton, Marcia Cohen, Peter Hibbard, Herb Hochberg, Gloria Lewit, Stewart Manville.

    Committee Members: Trails Chair - Herb Hochberg. Membership Co-Chairs - Herb Hochberg and Catharine Raffaele. Trail Conference Delegate - George A. O’Lear. Holiday Event Planners - Ellie Carren and Stewart Manville. Hike and Schedule Coordinator - Eileen West. Schedule Distribution - Stewart Manville. Yahoo Group Moderator - Will Raffaele.

    Trail Maintainers: Fred Buchanan, Jim Caposella, Mike Doehring, Michael Golden, Rita Golden, Anna Goldowsky, Ira Halberstadt, Peter Hibbard, Herb Hochberg, Judy Latham, Steve Latham, John Sullivan, Benny Turner, Helen Wu, Ben Yoo.

    Hike Leaders (WTA and joint with other clubs): Sam Acerbo, Angela Aiello, CarolAnn Benton, Elena Burova, Jim Capossela, Ellie Carren, Minu Chaudhuri, Joan Coffey, Marcia Cohen, Jane Daniels, Walt Daniels, Mike Doehring, Margaret Douglas, Debbie Farrell, Bob Fiscina, Margaret Freifeld, Rudy Garfinkel, Anna Goldowski, Sandra Harrison, Carol Harting, Peter Hibbard, Herb Hochberg, Carolyn Hoffman, Dick Isaac, Hal Kaplan, Mike Kaplan, Kathie Laug, Irwin Levine, Paula Levine, Marvin Malater, Stewart Manville, Howard Millman, Leslie Millman, George O’Lear, Catharine Raffaele, Jane Restani, Steve Singlak, Sue Soni, Audrey Sutton, Barbro Thelemarck, Eileen West, Becky Whipple.

Hike Close to Home this Winter. We have an abundance of local hikes in the Winter schedule, including visits to Rockefeller Preserve and Rockwood Hall State Parks, Lenoir and Untermeyer Parks, Croton Point and Croton Gorge Parks, Marshlands Conservancy and Marsh Sanctuary, Meyer Preserve, George’s Island, Teatown, Ward Pound Ridge, and a continuation of our  “OCA and More” series (see below) plus other hikes on the Old Croton Aqueduct. This is a perfect opportunity to explore some of the parks and trails that Westchester County has to offer.

Monthly Croton Aqueduct Series. Starting in November, we initiated a series of hikes on the Old Croton Aqueduct. The plan is to do one OCA section from our Westchester 100 list each month, so that by the end of the winter schedule we will have completed all four of the Croton Aqueduct sections on the list. We’re calling the series “OCA and More”, because each hike has something extra to make it even more interesting. The hikes are about 7-8 miles long, and mostly easy (there are a few short but steep hills when leaving and returning to the Aqueduct). Our first hike, on November 6 from Dobbs Ferry to Sleepy Hollow, incorporated Washington Irving’s “Legend” into the route. Look for details of the December, January and February hikes in the Winter schedule.

Happy Birthday, WTA! WTA celebrated its 88th birthday this September with a hike in Fahnestock Park. The planned route had to be changed as the hike proceeded because of trail closures and high water from Hurricane Irene, but “winging it” was half the fun. At lunch the hikers looked at photos from way back (20's through 40's) and then more recent snapshots, reminisced about hikers we remember, and then continued on past downed trees, roaring streams, and other reminders of the power and beauty of nature.

Winter Hiking Tips: Dress in layers, wear a hat. Leave the cotton clothing home - cotton retains moisture and contributes to hypothermia. Bring plenty of food and water, and a hot beverage if desired, and be sure to use microspikes, stabilicers or other traction devices if conditions warrant. Remember, hiking in winter can be lots of fun, as long as you are prepared for the weather.

Reminder - Our Transportation Contribution Formula Has Changed. We’ve switched from the “flat rate” transportation contributions used in the past to a formula based on actual mileage, tolls, and the number of people in a car. The new formula is listed with other general information at the beginning of the Winter schedule, and will be included in all future schedules as well.

WTA Welcomes its New Members: Dianne Abbysinian, Enrique Benitez II, Rachel Charny, Steve Corrsin, Liz Hammer, Carol Ince, Jon Jeffrey, Taneko Kameda, Mitsuko Kawanishi, Yoshiaki Kawanishi, Liz Hammer Munemura, Yoshi Munemura, Shawna Ngbokoli, Rebecca Pressman, Robert Rosenthal, Ann Sayers, Monica Scantlebury, Patricia Vaughn, Victor Velez.

Have a most enjoyable winter. See you on the trail!