We had good attendance again at this week's Zoom meeting.
Jim Fusco was our guest, and he mentioned that over 60% of our district's Rotary Clubs are holding meetings via Zoom.
Membership Update
Charlie will show Membership Videos stating next week.
General Topics
John Tata is working on a food drive for Ayer.
Johnny mentioned that he has attended several of the District Training Zoom sessions, and the Branding one was his favorite so far. He gave the example of one point he found most relevant - let's get more pictures of the IMPACT our members have, rather than posed group pics.
Victor proposed a grant for working with a Rotary Club in India, to get dialysis in hospitals. It would require $4000 in grant funds. Charlie will schedule a Zoom meeting for the Grant Writing committee to review proposals.
Christine and Claire will finalize plans for the First Responder meal deliveries, by 4/16.
We have several volunteers for the Scholarship application review meeting - Rennie, Julie, Johnny, John T, and Ruby. Rennie will head the project and coordinate details.
A small service project was suggested - send cards to nursing home residents to brighten their days. We could use Rennie's cards. We need to be mindful of the potential for a 2-week mail quarantine that might be in place at various facilities.
Guest Speaker - Jim Fusco
Jim talked to us about the ongoing District training that is taking place via Zoom meetings, at 7 pm most evenings. Several of our club's members have attended.
Most other District events have been postponed or cancelled altogether. RYLA, however, is still uncertain. It hasn't been cancelled (yet) for our District, although the Boston area has cancelled theirs. Jim and others are looking into if our area would be able to take on the Boston students, if we do go forward. It is currently still scheduled for the end of June.
Mount Greylock
Mount Greylock
Town: Adams
Difficulty: Strenuous
At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is Massachusetts’ tallest peak. The state reservation offers 33 hiking trails, but one of our favorites is the Campground Trail to Hopper Trail, which will take you up through steep, forested sections, through flat paths surrounded by ferns, spruce and beech trees and past a small pond.
The summit offers incredible views. On a clear day, you can see up to 90 miles away. There are also two notable historic landmarks at the top of the mountain — Bascom Lodge and Memorial Tower. Built in 1937, Bascom Lodge has a restaurant and hosts overnight guests. The 92-foot-tall granite Veterans War Memorial Tower honors fallen members of the armed forces and was built in 1934.
Purgatory Chasm
Purgatory Chasm
Town: Sutton
Difficulty: Moderate
This unique landmark, located in the Central Massachusetts town of Sutton, offers plenty of exciting caves and rock formations to explore. Its granite walls rise as high as 70 feet in some places, attracting hikers and climbers alike.
The chasm itself spans about a quarter mile. Hike the mile-long Chasm Loop Trail, checking out rock formations like The Corn Crib, The Coffin and Lovers’ Leap along the way. Afterward, settle down for a picnic in the state park.
For a longer list of Hiking options, visit the website:
Social Distancing - The best day hikes in Massachusetts
As the weather warm up and the days grow longer, there’s no better time to get outside and spend some quality time in nature.
Luckily, Massachusetts boasts thousands of miles of hiking trails, so whether you want to head to the town of Adams to tackle the state’s tallest peak or prefer a sandy stroll along the Cape Cod National Seashore, there’s no shortage of incredible routes to explore.
So lace up your boots, pack a lunch and check out some of our favorite hikes in the Bay State:
Mt. Holyoke Summit House
Mt. Holyoke Summit House
Town: Hadley
Difficulty: Moderate
This 1.9-mile out-and-back trail located in Skinner State Park offers incredible views of the Connecticut River Valley. Take Taylor’s Notch Trail to the top, where you’ll find the historic Summit House, which is open on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Oct. 28.
This wooded hike includes several steep, winding sections and an elevation gain of 698 feet.
The summit may also be reached by a paved road.
The trailhead is located at 39 Hockanum Road in Hadley.
Halibut Point State Park
Halibut Point Trail
Town: Rockport
Difficulty: Easy
Located in Rockport’s Halibut Point State Park, this easy, 1.6-mile trail meanders through a wooded area before looping around a 60-foot, water-filled quarry and on to the ocean. From atop a low coastal shelf, visitors can relax to the sound of crashing waves or walk down the rocks to explore tidal pools filled with hermit crabs and sea stars.
On a clear day, you can see Mount Agamenticus, located 81 miles away in Maine, and the Isles of Soals off the coast of New Hampshire.
Mount Sugarloaf
Mount Sugarloaf
Town: South Deerfield
Difficulty: Moderate
This heavily-trafficked 1.4-mile loop begins at the parking lot on Sugarloaf Street and follows the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail to the summit of South Sugarloaf. After a short but strenuous hike, visitors are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Connecticut River and Pioneer Valley.
Return by continuing over the summit and back to the parking area via the Old Mountain Trail.
