It is February so time to get out of town for a while.  Janet and I hit the road the last Saturday of January and had beautiful weather.  We decided to take I-95 to Jacksonville and then I-10 to our first scheduled stop in San Antonio. First day we made it to Santee SC at about 7 pm.  Found what looked like a nice motel, checked in and went out for something to eat.  When we returned the room was like an icebox so I turned on the heat, or should say tried to turn on the heat, but no heat. I went to the office and they said they would send someone to check it.  After about an hour they called and said no one was available, so I requested another room, but found that room occupied.  Back to the office again, given another room with heat and so off to sleep until 4 a.m. when we woke up to two loud talking people outside our door, who then tried to get in.  I informed them it was occupied and they left, but 10 minutes later the desk called asking who I was and what was I doing in this room.  I explained and finally went back to sleep. Luckily, this has been the only bad experience of the trip. (Doesn’t this sound like a Bud Abbot & Lou Costello scene!)

The next day we did the Two Mission year round.  This was a nice walk between 2 old missions that are still being used.  I was impressed by the aqua duct system they built to irrigate their fields.  Now enjoying Mexican food, we found another outdoor restaurant along the river and afterwards took the boat trip around the river loop.

Next morning it was back on the road to our next stop in Ruidoso NM, up in the mountains. For those that attended the Sacramento Convention, it reminded me of Squaw Valley.  It was cold and windy but did warm up into the 40's with a wind chill in the 30's.  We only did one walk while there.  We did the year round at Cloudcroft.  This walk is at about 7900 to 8300 feet and we quickly found out our sea level lungs did not like this mountain trail.  We only did the 5k.  After a short distance my heart was beating like a bass drum.  Janet also had problems with altitude sickness and never did get used to the altitude.  But it was still a nice place.

After our stay in Ruidoso we headed for Scottsdale AZ.  We had an extra day to kill so we stopped in Las Crusces, NM and did the year round, a nice walk through residential areas.  Lawns are all stones and cactus with orange and

grapefruit trees.  Then on to Tombstone Az for the night where we walked the streets at night and had a nice dinner in an old 1890's boarding house- now a restaurant.  In the morning we did the year round walk before heading for Scottsdale. It was a nice walk up and down the old streets, with one long stretch out to the mine location with a monument to the man that discovered silver and gave the town its name.  Also stopped at Boot Hill cemetery and looked at all the graves.  About 30% seemed to have been shot or hanged. 

Then on to Scottsdale, AZ where we were able to do the following year around events: Glendale, Sun City West, Scottsdale and Tempe, which were all nice. The Scottsdale walk took us into Old Town Scottsdale and the Tempe walk took us through the campus of Ariz. State Univ. We returned to Old Town Scottsdale the next day just to walk around. While there we watched a performance in the park by Native American dancers in fancy dress.  The weather was nice, temperature in the mid 70's.

We then left for Sedona, staying off the interstate and took a 2 lane road to Whittenburg where we did the year round.  We then drove to Sedona passing through Prescott and the old mining town of Jerome, using a winding, up and down road through the mountains, and glad to finally reach Sedona.  We will be here for a week and then start home. We plan on doing the year round walk here in Sedona and also plan on taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon. See ya soon.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Carol Rautenstrauch, who stepped in unexpectedly since neither Ron Nelson, Al Kilburn, nor Larry Wagner were present. The 14 members in attendance began the meeting with the Pledge to the flag. There were no guests, birthdays, or anniversaries.

 KS VA - Gene Maier reported on his attendance at the meeting on February 2, and gave a briefing of the issues and will continue to report on future discussions.

Treasurer’s Report: Doris Simon presented a detailed report. Balance on hand as of January 31, 2008 was $6,667.51.

 Membership - Runi Koestel reported that we have 150 member families.

Sunshine - Runi also reported that greetings were sent to Larry Wagner and to Dave Berry. Gene reported on Dave’s unfortunate accident during his walk in Titusville.

 Future Walks - Doris Simon spoke on:

- Washington, DC Freedom Festival Walk, October 17-19. This will be a seven continent walk, as various embassies will be visited. The cost will be approximately $200.00 per person; walks are additional. (More details further on)

- Audubon walk has been sanctioned and scheduled for Sat., April 12.

 Dean Fowler discussed:

- Pennypack Trust clean-up day Sat., April 19. A volunteer list was passed. (More details further on)

Upcoming walks:

Philadelphia West, Sat., March 1,

Bethlehem-Moravian, Sat., March 29

Lorimar Park, Sat., May 10, to give more members an opportunity to particip ate.

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50/50 drawing – won by Wanda Musse

Helen Missfeldt presented an enjoyable and informative program on the origins of Valentine Day. Included was a video presentation as well as some wonderful antique valentine cards. Delicious chocolate was also enjoyed.

Submitted by Carol R Smith, Acting Secretary for evening 

Dave Berry is in Rehab. Let’s wish him a speedy recovery at: 503 S. Warminster Rd., Apt. F-5, Hatboro, PA 19040.

Larry Wagner, 751 Cheryl Dr., Warminster, PA 18974

He had carotidal artery surgery.

Jennifer Quinn

w BBQ,Bacon,Cheese

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Germans in America documentary, 4 part series, will be broadcast on WHYY starting on March 16^th at 9:00 p.m.

President Ron Nelson 215-699-9246

2^nd Vice President Larry Wagner 215-442-1337

Treasurer Doris Simon 215-342-5140

Trip Coordinator ??????????

KSVA Delegate Eugene Maier 215-663-1328

Membership Runi Koestel 215-343-2509

Newsletter Betty Good 215-884-1135

Program Helen Missfeldt 215-646-4799

Publicity Dave Berry 215-674-9064

Sales ??????????

Sunshine Runi Koestel 215-343-2509

Linda Mueller 215-322-5648

Trailmaster Al Kilburn 215-354-1723

Dave Berry 215-674-9064

Youth Advisors Maureen Dunlap 215-884-2420

Carol Lavery 215-884-3334

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10 Event - Eric Rosenberg, Elena Smith, Jacqueline Smith

30 Event - Scott Loder

150 Event - Ruth Kilburn

175 Event - Adrienne Haris

200 Event - Sharon Smetzer

275 Event - Doris Simon

1300 Event - Thomas D’Aprile

1900 Event - Ellie Kuntz

500 km - Betty Good

7500 km - Ronald Nelson

8000 km – Mary Kinkaid

You are probably surprised to see an article from me, your former trip coordinator. However, I did not want to miss the opportunity to tell you about a terrific event coming up in October in the Washington DC area. It is the 7^th Annual U.S. FreedomWalk Festival® from October 17 to 19, 2008. The event was created in the year 2000 to welcome walkers from all over the world to the nation’s capital city in friendship.

I thought that this would be a great opportunity for a busload of Liberty Bell Walkers to join literally people from all over the world for fun, fellowship, and fitness. Since we do not yet have a new trip coordinator, I have agreed to make arrangements for a bus trip to this event, leaving on Friday, October 17 and returning Sunday, October 19. Hotel accommodations would be at the Holiday Inn at Key Bridge in Arlington, Virginia, the official venue of the Festival. It is located two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station, part of the Washington Metro Rail system.

Cost of the trip will be approx. $200 per person, double occupancy for bus transportation and overnight accommodations, exclusive of meals and walk fees.

Here’s a sampling of the walks scheduled for the weekend:

Friday – Experience Arlington Virginia with a welcome walk west of the Potomac River

Saturday – "Walk around the world in a day". The trail walks to seven continents visiting international-themed locations, thanks to five embassies that will serve as checkpoints.

Sunday – Walks branch out to the C&O Canal and other parks.

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For those with access to the Internet, you can check out the U.S.FreedomWalk Festival at http://www.usfreedomwalk.org

Reserve this date now on your calendar and look for the Sign-Up Flyer in next month’s newsletter!

See you on the trail and bus!

Doris Simon

April 19 Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust's (PERT) Spring Stream Clean Up. LBW has walked at PERT and is trying to show our appreciation by participating in their annual event.

There are usually between 150 and 200 people that turn out.  All you need is sturdy waterproof (?) shoes/boots, work gloves and a willingness to help.

After a couple hours, we return to the Center for a lunch of hot dogs and hoagies from Fresh Foods.

I will be the contact for LBW and register our group.

Thanks for helping to beautify.  

The Fourth Biennial Atlantic Region Conference will be held March 14-16, 2008 in Martinsburg WV.  Social activities are to be held at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, -- Welcome Reception (actually dinner) on March 14 and dinner on Saturday, March 15. 

  Atlantic Region Regional Director, Skip Coburn will offer some AVA business and two workshops are scheduled for Saturday, March 15.  . 

  Total conference package includes all of the above for $85.00.  If you are unable or choose not to attend all mentioned above, there is an individual cost per event.

  Hotel accommodations are at the Holiday Inn, 301 Fox croft Ave., Martinsburg, WV (right off Highway 81).  Cost for conference is $76.00 single/double/triple, plus tax.  Call 304-267-5500 for reservations

  For those of you who have never attended a Regional Conference, it is a great way to do new walks, learn about AVA, meet your AVA Regional Director and possibly attend some great workshops - First workshop will be "Everything you wanted to know about Publicity, but were afraid to ask", the second will be Walker's Roundtable, sharing thoughts and ideas with other volkssporters.

For more information, contact Joan Lampart 215-529-5686.